Pencil Kings | Inspiring Artist Interviews with Today's Best Artists

Meet Peggy Durant - Community Superstar and student at Evolve Artist: http://evolveartist.com

Peggy is on a great path and people are starting to take notice of her amazing artistic progress, but it wasn't always like this.

About a year ago she had fallen off with her art practice and went for 8 months with doing very little. As good as her original intentions were; life can just seem to get in the way.

And her 4 hour daily commute to work doesn't help... at 5 days a week that's 20 hours spent just on commuting. It's the equivalent of having a second job just so she could get to her full time job.

Time was tight and it was looking like Evolve was going to be just another art program that sounded good, but ended up just sitting in the corner collecting dust.

Up until this point Peggy's story was just like so many other aspiring artists.

Something happens and they put the pencil down for a day... which turns into a week... which turns into a month and before they know it - an entire year has gone by and they are in exactly the same position they were 12 months ago - being no more closer to fulfilling their dreams of being an artist.

But thankfully Peggy's story doesn't stop here...

After 8 months of inaction there was a spark... a simple question in the form of a challenge.

Could she finish her homework assignments faster than another student?

That's it - just a friendly race to the finish line.

But the real change had to come from within. The change happened when, "I'd like to learn to be an artist," was replaced with "I'm going to be an artist."

That's all it took to ignite the spark.

However even though Peggy had made the decision to commit to her art, the world didn't take notice. The people around here still weren’t convinced that she would make any progress, and her co-workers didn't notice anything different.

So she got to work and after getting a little momentum she found her art was filling a void formerly crowded with activities that used to eat up all her time like shopping and going for social activities.

All of a sudden she had more time for art than those other activities, and the even bigger shift was that she was getting so much energy from doing her art she didn't want to stop.

She just kept going making as much progress as she could while still taking the 4 hours each day to get to and from her full time job.

It didn't take long for her internal fire to start burning bright as her dedication began to pay off. She could see her results and was enjoying her art at a deeper level with each assignment completed.

And then the people around her started to notice as well. Her daughter came around and said "Mom, now I believe it - you are an artist" and her co-workers are in disbelief at her new skills which seemed to just magically come from nowhere… one of them even wants to commission her to do a work.

But these skills didn’t just magically appear one day... it's simply what Peggy loves to do and all it took was a little bit of an initial push to rediscover how much she really loves art so that she could get to the point to make the commitment to herself - to finally do this and turn a lifelong love and dream into a new reality for herself.

This is just the beginning of Peggy's story... she had never picked up a paint brush (not even to paint a wall!) just 2 months before, and now she is currently working on painting her first portrait.

It's true - Peggy is a star inside the community and her personality and enthusiasm make her unique... but when it comes to her art she is seeing the same results as the other students in the Evolve Artist program were anyone can follow the same step by step process to see the same transformation as Peggy.

And it all started with a little bit of action.

Full Video Interview Here: https://youtu.be/sXgNISJYdDQ

If you know someone who has always dreamed of being an artist like Peggy, we invite them to visit http://www.evolveartist.com where we help regular people develop the skills and experience to create anything they want without limitation.

As the head instructor at Evolve Artist, Piper Talladay oversees all student homework submissions. She makes sure everyone is kept to the highest standards of the program while still moving ahead at a good pace and encouraged at each step of the way.

She also has another career building her Equine Art business where she paints the portraits of horses. She uses her love of animals and especially horses to capture the special bond that humans and horses share.

This first episode of the Evolve Artist interview series will take you behind the scenes to meet some of the faces of the program and meet your fellow students.

Piper's Website: https://www.pipertalladay.com/

For more information on Evolve Artist please visit: http://EvolveArtist.com

A little over two years ago the original idea for the Evolve Artist program was first discussed. It took a long time to go from the initial idea of taking the proven art curriculum Kevin was using in his school to getting the knowledge online and everything ready so it could be delivered into the hands of students anywhere in the world.

It's now been a little bit over a year since the very first students have started and they are now moving into learning the same techniques that Kevin possessed at the height of his illustration career.

There were a lot of challenges to get over, especially in the beginning and the good news is the results of the home students are getting are every bit as good as the students inside Kevin's brick-and-mortar school.

The Evolve Artist program is special is because it's blending experience (the amount of time students take to complete their assignments) together with knowledge, (the actual videos that students watch). It's only when these two components come together in the right amounts that students are able to move quickly, but at the same time build the confidence to fully own their journey as they develop as artists.

In a nutshell this means that as the students progress through the program they will become stronger until they will be able to take what they know and create anything they want, without any limitations.

In this interview Kevin and Mitch sit down and talk about everything they've learned in the past year as well as the results the current students are seeing. They also talk about the special materials from Old Holland that are used in the program and why these are so important for the development of the students.

As you'll see in the video, both of the program creators are extremely excited about the consistent results the Evolve Artist students are receiving and what this means for art education in general. Really, this is just the beginning of a much broader movement to bring technical mastery to anyone in the world that wants to learn it both quickly and affordably – even if they are starting right from the beginning.

It is going to be extremely exciting watching the further development of this program and seeing the amazing results of the students are able to achieve as they continue through the program.

Learn how Kevin Murphy has been helping complete beginner artists consistently win awards and scholarships. If you've always wanted to learn, or have been trying to learn for years with limited success his program could be the answer you have been looking for.

After a much needed break, we're back and here's what's been happening the past few months while we've been focusing on developing the new generation of art education with the Evolve program.  

It's one thing to create a beautiful work of art that's rendered to perfection, but it's an entirely different challenge to express complex ideas with your art.

Today we talk with Dorian Vallejo and explore how he approaches his paintings and the thought process that goes into applying deeper meaning to your art.

We'll also touch on why being comfortable in a career can hold you back, and what it really means to live a fully-engaged life as an artist.

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“You have to be true to yourself, you have to have 100% commitment. If you’re gonna do it, you’ve just gotta do it. You can’t half hit the mark.” ~ Matt B Lewis.

Becoming a children’s book illustrator is a dream for many artists, but how can you turn this dream into reality and actually make a decent living from it?

In this week’s podcast, Australian children’s book illustrator, Matt B Lewis, reveals how he eventually decided to take the plunge and go freelance after 18 years as a civil servant - a totally unrelated career.

Although he never went to art school, Matt has always drawn every single day. And, one day in 2017, he decided to see if he really could turn his hobby into a viable career.

Having enrolled in the Illustration Lighthouse program in September 2016, he’d already realized how important it is to find the one thing you love doing most and concentrate on that.

So that’s exactly what he did. And, by October, he’d already written, illustrated and published his first book, Monsters in the Garden - a gift to his young daughter.

Another picture book for his son followed in February 2017, by which time Matt felt ready to start taking his new creative career to the next stage.

But how exactly did he go about doing this? You’ll find out in this week’s inspiring podcast interview.

Highlights From This Podcast:

• Why being self-taught needn’t be a barrier to your art career
• Why concentrating on the one thing you love doing most is so important
• How to find out about networking events in your local area
• Why determination and putting yourself out there are key factors in your success
• Why having a portfolio to show to prospective clients is crucial
• How to study and develop your skills as an artist
• How to quit the day job and finally start doing what you’ve always wanted to do.

Show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“In Canada, as soon as you write down and you create the comic strip and you put pen to paper, you have author rights - right from that point of the creation.”
~ Paul Lomic.

Ever wondered how to copyright artwork?

If you’re an artist, illustrator or any other kind of creative, there will most likely come a point in your career when you feel the need to protect your work and prevent others using it without your permission.

After all, in recent years, there have been several high profile cases of large companies such as clothing giant H&M using another artist’s work without giving them due credit, and it can be intimidating (and potentially very expensive) for an individual creator to take on the big boys.

So what can you do to protect your Intellectual Property (IP) and make sure your ideas are safe from larger predators?

Step forward IP and social media lawyer, Paul Lombic - an expert in helping individuals and small businesses protect themselves from unauthorized use of their creations.

In this week’s podcast interview, he explains how copyright law varies from country to country, and how all creatives can get essential advice on how to copyright artwork for much less than you might think.

Highlights From This Podcast:

• Why, in Canada, your author rights begin as soon as you put your idea down on paper
• A quick, easy and completely free way to prove you created something first
• The complex area of trademarks and how to avoid copyright infringement
• Why a free consultation with an IP lawyer can help point you in the right direction
• Why protecting your IP and learning how to copyright artwork from an early stage is so important

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“If you want your life to change and evolve a bit, sometimes you have to take a step into the unknown and see what happens. Because, if you don’t do anything, for sure you won’t have anything.” ~ Ladislas Chachignot.

Travel and living creatively often go hand in hand, with many artists all over the world moving to different countries to get inspiration and further their careers.

But what if you’re too scared to make that first step? And what actually happens when you take the plunge, move to a city in a different country and start trying to carve out a creative career for yourself?

In this week’s podcast, we speak to someone who’s done exactly that - freelance artist and Pencil Kings Community member, Ladislas Chachignot.

After a long career as a graphic designer in his native France, he decided to up sticks and move to Barcelona recently in a bid to meet more creative people, expand his horizons, and develop his career as an illustrator.

But how did he summon up the courage to take this huge first step…

And how is he managing to support himself and find new clients in this new environment?

You’ll find out in this honest, revealing and helpful interview about travel and living creatively...

Highlights From This Podcast:

• Why Ladislas spent time developing his skills as an artist before becoming a freelance illustrator
• How to use portfolio and social networking sites to attract more clients
• Why personal projects can be a great way to showcase your style
• How to get over the fear of making a big change in your life
• How to reach out to clients and keep going...even when you get rejected
• Why taking a risk can sometimes be the right thing to do
• Why travel and living creatively go hand in hand for many artists

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“Take the time and get at least one book done for yourself, because I just think it’s more impactful. When you go to these cons and you want to talk to people, if you hand them a finished book rather than a script or inked pages, that finished product is definitely something that’ll be an ace in your pocket.”
~ Ryan Onorato.

If you want to know how to start a comic book (but seriously don’t know where to begin), this week’s interview with illustrator, Ryan Onorato, should give you all the steps you need to get going.

Having recently completed his first comic series, the wonderfully bizarre Pizza Tree, he’s got plenty of great advice to share about promoting yourself at comic conventions, networking with people who can help, and that pesky dilemma of juggling a full-time job with making art.

So, if you’ve spent the past year talking about making a comic book (but never actually got round to actually, y’know, doing it), then this interview just might be the motivation you’ve been looking for.

And, if learning how to start a comic book has always been high on your list of artistic achievements, then there’s never been a better time to start putting those words into action.

Because, even if you only have two hours to spare each night, you’ll be amazed at what you can actually get done - just ask Ryan.

Highlights From This Interview:

• How to develop your own creative style while still being influenced by other artists
• How to take inspiration for your comic book from the things which interest you most
• Why networking and making contacts with other creatives can help make your project happen
• How Ryan’s first job at a screenprinting studio influenced his current work
• How to set yourself soft deadlines to get your project off the ground
• Why overcoming your shyness could be crucial to your success as an artist
• How to handle rejection and never, ever let it stop you in your tracks

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“If you’re painting the things that you are interested in, you’re probably going to have a better result than if you’re trying to satisfy what you think somebody else is expecting to see.”
~ David Palumbo.

Are you itching to learn how to make the art you want to make?

If you’re pursuing a creative career, putting together a portfolio which best represents your work can sometimes be tricky.

Should you add the personal projects where you felt like you were truly expressing yourself as an artist...or should you include the pieces you think potential clients want to see?

It’s a lesson that professional artist and illustrator, David Palumbo, learned early on in his career.

At the time, the trend in fantasy illustration was for highly-rendered detailed pieces, but there was just one problem…because that’s not the style David felt most comfortable working in.

And, after a prospective client gave David’s painting of a dragon some negative feedback, he had an important realization which would influence his entire career.

He decided to use his personal projects to explore the style of painting he enjoyed most...and he’s never looked back.

So, if you’re stuck in that awkward dilemma between making the art you really enjoy...or forcing yourself to produce something you think will be commercially successful, you’ll find lots of useful insights in this week’s interview to help you move forwards.

It’s a fascinating journey into the creative process, and a reminder that artists invariably produce their best work when they’re truly enjoying making it.

Highlights From This Interview:

• How to develop your own unique style through personal projects
• How to get back into making art after a hiatus
• Why using your spare time to prepare for the next project is so important
• Why working as a freelance artist isn’t for everyone
• Why networking with other artists is crucial to building a career as an artist
• Why you should never lose track of what really motivates you as an artist
• How not to let the market or clients dictate the kind of art you really want to make

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“You don’t need a publisher now to be successful. You don’t need the ‘gatekeepers’ any more. You don’t need to worry about the ‘gatekeepers’ any more. ” ~ Michael Dolce

Want to know how to break into comics?

Whether you’ve always wanted to write a graphic novel or illustrate pages for Marvel, DC or any other publishing house, this week’s podcast with Michael Dolce, creator of The Sire, has got the blueprint you need to get your project off the ground.

Having successfully launched numerous titles on Kickstarter and worked with a team of fellow artists over the years, he’s got plenty of experience in the industry and advice to share.

He’s been through all the highs and lows of breaking into the comics industry, from reaching out to publishers and handling rejection through to fine-tuning your passion project and seeing it sell in droves.

And now, in this revealing and insightful interview, he’s sharing his own action plan for success with you.

You’ll learn how he developed the concepts behind his comics and networked with other artists to help bring his projects, such as The Sire, Descendant and many other titles, to life.

And, you’ll also discover how to market yourself as an artist and attract a large following for your work by making sure your art gets seen by the right people.

Highlights From This Interview:

• How to self-publish your comics through funding campaigns on Kickstarter and Patreon
  
• Why it’s so important to make others aware of what you’re working on as an artist
  
• Why networking is such a huge factor in developing your career as an artist
  
• The realities of creating your own comic book and successfully launching your project
  
• Why it’s so important to see your art career as a business and think like an entrepreneur
  
• How to handle rejection and keep ploughing on regardless
  
• Why Mike’s radio show and podcast, Secrets of The Sire, now attracts major-league guests
  
• How to find other artists to work with...even if you have no connections

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“There is something in every one of us that is waiting for this motivation to arrive, that is waiting to be moved. Start scribbling if you don’t know what to do and allow this scribbling to continue. Because when new memories arise, novel ideas will also form. ”
~ Dr Srini Pillay.

Want to know how to unlock your creativity?

If you’ve ever made any art, you’ll be familiar with the feeling of getting into the ‘flow’ - that creative state of mind where time just seems to melt away and you reach an almost meditative state while drawing or painting.

But have you ever wondered what’s actually going on in your brain while you’re making art? And, is it possible to unlock your creativity and find inspiration more easily just by making a few simple changes to your lifestyle?   

In this week’s interview, best-selling author and renowned psychiatrist, Dr Srini Pillay, talks about the research and experiences behind his new book, Tinker, Dabble, Doodle, Try.

You’ll hear some fascinating insights into what makes us creative and how you can become a sharper thinker in every aspect of your life through harnessing the brain’s ability to wander.

And, if you’ve ever been described as a daydreamer, you’ll discover plenty of easy tips and techniques to help channel this into a powerful force for your creativity.

Highlights From This Interview:

• What actually happens in your brain when you make art
• How to understand and harness the power of creative motivation
• Why each and every human being has the ability to be creative
• How to enhance your creative powers through simple daily practices
• How doodling can actually improve your memory
• How creativity can help improve the attention span of people with ADHD
• Why just a 15-minute nap can reboot your brain and boost your creativity

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“This whole idea that we should be as good as whoever it is next to us is just crazy. If you really want to do something badly enough and you step into it, then you will be taken care of.” ~ Tracy Verdugo

Want to know more about how to live creatively?

Sometimes, finding the one thing you’re truly passionate about as an artist can be tricky...and having some guidance along the way can really help.

But where should you look to for guidance...and how can you get to that stage in your life when you’re completely satisfied with where you’re at as an artist?

In this week’s interview, mixed media artist, Tracy Verdugo, reveals how she found the courage and the inspiration to develop her career and learn how to live creatively...even though she didn’t decide to follow this path until she was 33.

This journey hasn’t always been easy, and Tracy’s had to overcome many hurdles to get to where she is today...but she’s learned something from each and every experience, whether good or bad.

And now, in this revealing interview, she’s sharing everything she’s learned with you.

Key Topics in This Interview:

• What first made Tracy want to become an artist...at the age of 33
• Why you need to stop comparing your art with others
• How to silence your inner critic and allow yourself to have fun and experiment
• How reading and other influences can help you find clarity in your creative career
• How one opportunity can often open up the doors to others
• Why finding the right balance between work and making art is so important
• How to find the strength to go out there and follow your true passion in life

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“Make sure it’s something you really, really have a passion for...not just a thing that you think is gonna make money.” ~ Jim Pavelec

Witches, demons, and art have always been strongly linked. If you look back through art history, you’ll find countless artists such as William Blake who have been inspired by the writings of Aleister Crowley and themes such as Ars Goetia…

And now, in the 21st Century, occult and fantasy artist, Jim Pavelec, is bringing these darkly wonderful themes to new audiences with his powerful paintings and prints.

But what does it take to make an impact in the art world today? Should you be making the art you truly want to make...or making the art you think might sell?

And, how can you as an artist learn to treat your creativity as a business without feeling too much like a salesperson?

In this week’s podcast interview, Jim Pavelec talks about making the break from a busy (but financially unstable) freelance fantasy artist career to building a huge new audience for his occult art.

You’ll hear a lot of common sense advice, some home truths, and a refreshing insight into the reality of carving out a career as an artist in this busy age of social media, art conventions, and establishing an online presence....

Key Takeaways From This Interview:

• Why Jim decided to leave his career as a freelance fantasy artist and focus on making the art he felt truly passionate about
  
  
• How Jim got over the problem of selling his art in public
  
  
• How to balance your lifestyle with making art
  
  
• Why investing in your art career can pay dividends in the long run
  
  
• How to grow your social media following...without burning out
  
  
• Why the ‘follow your dreams’ rhetoric will only get you so far
  
  
• How to find the thing you love doing most...and keep doing it

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“That’s a key thing - to be willing to make art that you don’t like and be almost neutral about it, be objective about it, rather than making it mean anything.” ~ Tamara Laporte.

Can making art change your life?

Today’s guest, mixed media artist, Tamara Laporte, certainly thinks so. Like so many creative types, she struggled for years with self-doubt and hating every painting she produced.

But then, one day, she made a pact with herself to give up making art if it continued to make her feel this way…

And that’s when something happened which inspired her to carry on and use what she’d learned to help others.

That’s when she learned to let go of the preciousness and quest for perfection that stops so many artists in their tracks.

And, in today’s interview, she relives this defining moment in her own life and shares lots of great advice to help you overcome any hurdles you might be facing.

So, if you’ve ever wondered if making art can change your life, you’ll find the answer in today’s inspiring podcast interview.

Key Takeaways From This Interview:

• How Tamara overcame her struggles with self-doubt and many of the other familiar roadblocks faced by artists
• How she discovered the art journaling community and developed her own system of helping other artists based on her own experiences
• How to actually feel good about the art you make...and how to keep making it
• How her online course at Willowing Arts has helped thousands of artists make real progress and break through many of the issues which were holding them back
• How to let go of self-doubt and insecurities and enjoy your creativity instead
• How to find out more about Willowing Arts and how Tamara’s program can help you

Show notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“Somebody always knows somebody in this creative industry. And, because of the internet, we have a global reach now.” ~ Jenni Onn.

Travel and creativity are closely linked, with scientific research now suggesting that people who travel tend to become more creative as a result.

But, have you ever wanted to just pack your bags and passport and jump on a plane to be inspired by the new sights and sounds of a different country?

In this week’s podcast, artist Jenni Onn explains why she founded her new magazine, Creative Traveller, and how this has enabled her to make contact with travelling artists from all over the world and get involved with all kinds of exciting creative projects.

So, if you’ve been getting itchy feet lately and wondering whether travelling is the right way to kickstart your creativity, then you might like to hear her story…

Because you’ll soon discover there’s a worldwide network of like-minded artists just waiting to meet you.

And, if buying a plane ticket to explore other countries isn’t an option, then don’t worry - there’s probably a cultural event taking place on your doorstep that could inspire you and help you connect with other artists.

Key Takeaways From This Interview:

• Why travel and creativity are so closely linked...and why so many people decide to up sticks and experience different cultures to reboot their love of making art
  
  
• How Jenni used her experience as an artist and art director to get her magazine started
  
  
• The skills you need to start working on your own magazine
  
  
• Why the internet has opened up the doors for artists to collaborate worldwide
  
  
• Why photographers, writers, musicians and portrait painters are choosing to travel more
  
  
• Why making global connections with other artists can help your creative career

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“Even if you don’t know what you want to do, just keep doing, keep trying, keep learning. Listen to yourself, listen to your heart, listen to what you love...and eventually the pieces will come together.” ~ Donna Adi.

Want to know how to promote your art on Instagram to gain followers and attract the attention of the kind of clients you want to work with?

In this week’s interview, we talk to Donna Adi, a mixed media illustrator from Los Angeles. After working in the fashion industry for several years, she felt the urge to combine her love of fashion photography with illustration and animation and develop her own style of art.

And, since posting her work online since January 2017, she’s seen her audience on Instagram grow to a huge 75.8K followers, with clothing designers and many more clients approaching her for her fun images, which bring an animated twist to photos of people in various situations.

So, what motivates her to make art? And how did she overcome self-doubt and all the other hurdles faced by artists to carve out an exciting career doing what she loves?

You’ll find out in this week’s’ podcast...

Key Takeaways From This Interview:

• Why liking what you do...and loving what you do are two different things
• Why the moment when you discover what you really love doing is the moment when things start changing for you as an artist
• How to stay focused on your art - even when others don’t take your dream seriously
• Why copying the work of artists you admire can often be a great place to start
• Why you should make today the day you start following your true passion
• How to find your own voice as an artist - even if you’re just starting out
• Why inspiring others with your art can help fuel your own creativity
• How to promote your art on Instagram and other online channels

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“I make art. It makes me happy. There’s a certain number of people that it also makes happy. And that’s better for me than scrolling through social media feeds and looking at all the terrible things that are happening.” ~ Marc Scheff.

Want to learn how to live like an artist and build a successful creative career...but feel like you’re getting nowhere even though you’ve been working really hard?

With social media, Kickstarter campaigns, and networking (not to mention all the other things freelance artists have to do to get their work out there), you can start to feel pretty burned out if you’re not careful.

So that’s why you might find this week’s interview with artist, Marc Scheff, really helpful.

Because, with a young family to support and his own art career to look after, he’s had first-hand experience of just about all the issues an artist can face.

And now, with www.makeyourartwork.com, a site dedicated to helping artists move forwards in their careers, he’s sharing everything he’s learned with you.

Key Takeaways From This Interview:

• Why networking and collaborating with other artists can make your projects happen
• Why you need to be patient and keep hustling to eventually get the results you want
• How Marc’s teaching modules and bootcamps are helping artists...and some of the biggest questions most artists ask
• Why authenticity is the key to building a successful social media presence...but why all those likes and shares don’t necessarily equate to sales of your work
• What really drives a viral post on social media...and how a chance photo with Ivanka Trump (yes, really!) brought Marc more, erm, 'attention' than he ever really wanted
• Why your art career requires constant attention and development...and why even the biggest names still have to do exactly the same kind of things as you do
• Why regular exercise can have a much bigger impact upon your creativity than you might think
• How to make time for yourself and get a really good night’s sleep (Tip: This is also super important for creativity)
• Why learning how to ask for help from others can help you reach your goals
• Why limiting your time on social media really can enhance your general wellbeing
• How to find out more about Marc’s dedicated artist programs and finally start having the creative career you’ve always wanted.

Show Notes at: https://www.pencilkings.com/podcast-home/

“Illustration was something I knew I always wanted to do - it was just finding a way to do it full-time. And, as soon as I started drawing what I wanted to draw and what I was interested in, that’s when it started to change.” ~ Collette J Ellis.

Dragons, myths and illustration are just some of the things that inspire today’s guest, Collette J Ellis.

And, in this inspiring interview, you’ll hear how she turned her passion for making art inspired by legends from her native Wales into a full-time career as a freelance illustrator.

You’ll hear how art gradually became a bigger and bigger part of her life, how she developed her own unique style, and how a series of successful Kickstarter campaigns inspired her to leave her part-time job and carve out a new creative career.

So, if you’ve got a passion for drawing something (but you’re wondering how to take the next steps as an artist), you’ll find plenty of great advice in this interview to help you move forwards.  

Key Takeaways From This Interview:

• Why your best art comes from drawing and painting the things you’re truly passionate about.
• How to make the art you really want to make - not the art you think others would like to see
• How to launch a successful Kickstarter or Patreon campaign
• How to say no to low-paid art commissions and working for free
• Why exploring ideas in your sketchbook is so important
• How to approach organizations for funding opportunities
• Why your local audience can often be your best one
• Why dragons, myths and illustration are loved by audiences all over the world
• How to approach galleries and publishers
• Why pursuing your passion can take you to all kinds of new and exciting places!