freelance illustrator

In this episode, host Rob Lee interviews freelance illustrator Kevin Jay Stanton, creator of the Botanica tarot deck. They discuss Kevin's inspiration behind combining botanical art with mysticism, the importance of community support, and the joy of sharing the creative process. Tune in to learn more about Kevin's journey and his passion for plants, symbolism, and mythology.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Kevin Jay Stanton and his focus on botanical art. 🎨 [00:00:10]
• Early inspirations, including Van Gogh, Georgia O'Keeffe, and mythology. 🌌 [00:01:50]
• The inspiration behind Botanica tarot and the language of flowers. 🌸 [00:05:16]
• The importance of creating the deck he truly wanted to make. 💫 [00:11:38]
• Engaging with the small press expo and the supportive community. 🤝 [00:22:17]
• The value of openness and sharing in the creative process. 🔄 [00:28:36]
• Restorative practices and rituals, including gardening and anime. 🌱📺 [00:42:31]

Key Takeaways:

• Follow your passion and create the work you truly want to make. 🚀
• Engage with supportive communities and share your knowledge and experiences.  🤗
• Find restorative practices that bring you joy and inspiration. 🌟

Check out Kevin Jay Stanton's website kevinjaystanton.com to explore his botanical art and learn more about the Botanica Tarot Deck. Follow him on social media for updates on his latest projects.

Social Media:
Twitter: @kevinjaystanton🐦
Instagram: kevinjaystanton 📸

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This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.

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Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.

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In the latest episode of the Design Break podcast, listeners are treated to an insightful journey through Rocky's career as a full-time illustrator and freelancer, during which he consistently achieved six-figure incomes. Rocky debunks the myth of the "starving artist" and shares three key strategies that propelled his success.

Firstly, Rocky highlights the importance of targeting the right clients, emphasizing his focus on tech startups with existing funding. By doing so, he secured larger projects and substantially higher earnings compared to traditional editorial work.

Secondly, Rocky advocates diversifying services beyond simple illustrations. He recounts his success in offering additional services such as character and mascot designs, illustrated storyboards, and a unique "illustration style discovery" package, which brought in substantial revenue, exceeding six figures.

Lastly, Rocky underscores the value of versatility, as he adeptly adapted his style to suit various clients' needs. Being an "illustration chameleon" allowed him to attract a broader clientele and more projects.

Listeners are encouraged to adopt these strategies and adapt them to their creative careers. Rocky also shares a list of his favorite illustrators, offering inspiration to aspiring artists and creatives.

This episode serves as a motivating testament to the potential for financial success in the world of illustration, dispelling the notion of the struggling artist and providing actionable insights for those looking to thrive in the industry.

Today we’re talking to the incredible Megan Rizzo, an amazing creative, artist, and illustrator who’s worked with tons of companies (hello… like MTV, Sony, and BET!) — and we’re kicking off with a delightful college-themed cocktail that plays off of Jungle Juice, called “Welcome to the (Freelance) Jungle.”
(Megan’s a new mom who’s taking it a little more low-key than we are, so she’s enjoying an apple juice mimosa while we breathe in memories of frat houses. Sigh.)
There’s absolutely nothing better than a multi-faceted conversation about all the things, which is exactly how our conversation with Megan went — starting diving into her work, which she describes as “playful, bold, and comforting,” and how she draws inspiration from herself and her own struggles in her work (which includes #casual things like illustrating and writing children’s books).
So freakin’ cool.
Our favorite part of every guest ep is getting to hear stories from our fellow freelancers, and Megan tells us about a client who had wildly unrealistic expectations (AKA they wanted her to completely change her style) which obvi resulted in endless revisions… Oh and we also get to hear about an inquiry she received asking her to illustrate ✨sexual encounters✨ for a sexual poetry book.
Ah, we love it.
You guys know what to do!
Send your most audacious stories, thoughts, highs and lows to perourlastemail.com.
Forever accepting memes, gifs and stress-relieving videos via Instagram, too.
Follow Megan on IG at @daizydoodles and check out her website at daisyillustrations.com
Follow us on Instagram: @perourlastemail @weekendcreative

Creating posters for queer club nights, meant the work of Fredde Lanka (AKA Fredrik Andersson) was plastered all over London and that brought him more projects.

But it was when those nights shut in lockdown that things really picked up - he started connecting directly with his audience, creating portraits.

Now he splits his time between illustration, ceramics, teaching and running an art project for young queer people. The mix stops him being bored and leaves him feeling good.

Fredde can see that creating work that explores his queer values may well have meant some big brand, big money projects won’t have come to him (beyond Pride month tokenism). But this work leaves him feeling fulfilled and that’s worth a whole lot more.

This episode is sponsored by Freelancer Magazine.

Dedicated to helping you grow a freelance business you love.
Freelancer Magazine can land on your doorstep wherever you are in the world.

SUBSCRIBE TO FREELANCER MAGAZINE and see what all the fuss is about!

This episode is sponsored by Ahrefs.

Time to boost your search rankings with Ahrefs Webmaster Tools - and it's FREE! 

If the idea of getting Google to work for you sounds confusing, Ahrefs also offers helpful tutorials on Search Engine Optimization.

Want to get your freelance site more search traffic?

Visit ahrefs.com/webmaster-tools and get this free tool working for you today. 

Don't forget - the Being Freelance course!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. Learn from our experiences.

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? 
Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Chronic pain had left Kendyll unable to work. Stuck at home, depressed, her sister gave her a watercolour set, saying ‘If Henri Matisse can paint from bed, then you can too”.

And she did. Every single day. Sharing her illustrations of food and household objects on Tumblr.

Kendyll’s fine art education had helped her find relief from the pain. Unexpectedly, it also helped her find work when a celebrity chef with a magazine got in touch. A year and a half after that first commission Kendyll had the confidence to realise this was actually a career. She was a freelance illsustrator.

From dealing with clients, budgets, contracts, deadlines, health, starting a family, diversifying her income… there’s been a lot to learn. And each client gives her a chance to do just that. Now Kendyll paints a picture of life for her being freelance as she chats to Steve in the first episode of Season 15. Enjoy!

This episode is sponsored by With Jack - insurance for creative freelancers.

Not sure why you need insurance? Check out this awesome With Jack guide and take that first step to becoming a confident freelancer.

New to freelancing? The Being Freelance course is literally made for you!

Steve’s rolled up everything he’s learnt from over 6 years of conversations with more than 250 freelancers.

There’s no ‘one way’ to be a successful freelancer, but this course will help you avoid the many mistakes that most of us make. 

Find out more about the course.
 

Looking to learn from and connect with other freelancers? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, and be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links, show notes and transcript for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Stanley’s first break came when he was doodling on a bit of paper in the fish and chip shop he worked in. The customer he was serving was an art buyer, and he set Stanley up with an interview that landed him an agent.

Later, back in the days of MySpace, when Stanley first began building a profile online, he got a 3am phone call from The White Stripes’ management team. They’d seen his illustrations online and they wanted to commission him.

Fast-forward to today and Stanley has his own studio as well as a booming print shop, and he’s worked with every dream client he had on his list.

“You spend so many years slaving away, not really knowing what direction you’re gonna head in,” says Stanley, “and then 10, 11 years down the line, you realise things have actually worked out really well.”

This episode is supported by FreeAgent - online accounting software that makes managing your business finances a breeze.
With an award-winning UK based support team on hand to help out, it’s easy to stay on top of your expenses, invoices, banking and tax.
To claim your 1-month free trial, visit FreeAgent.com/beingfreelance

Support also comes from With Jack
With Jack exists to help keep you in business by supporting you financially or legally if you have problems with a client.
With Jack is all about giving freelancers the insurance they deserve.
Visit withjack.co.uk and be a confident freelancer.

Love learning from other freelancers like this? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Who the hell is Steve Folland?

You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be?
Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com
Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

When a two-year stint in Hong Kong inspired Mel to pursue illustration, she put her fine art degree to good use and began teaching art workshops to top up her income.

Mel soon bought a Mac and taught herself how to use Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, setting up a website and building a portfolio over time.

Mel’s earned money in a variety of ways since then, experimenting with workshops, commissions, products, and collabs. “You’ve got to be open to having conversations with people,” Mel says, “Your confidence and ability will grow with every project.”

This episode is supported by FreeAgent - online accounting software that makes managing your business finances a breeze.
With an award-winning UK based support team on hand to help out, it’s easy to stay on top of your expenses, invoices, banking and tax.
To claim your 1-month free trial, visit FreeAgent.com/beingfreelance

Love learning from other freelancers like this? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, be part of the Being Freelance Community!

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Who the hell is Steve Folland?

You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be?
Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com
Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Jae never imagined she’d pursue a freelance career - or even a creative one, for that matter.

After graduating and then missing out on a job she’d set her heart on, Jae began exploring her creative interests and started work on a couple of personal projects.

Before long, she’d developed an eye-catching and memorable brand - The INKtrovert, and was winning gigs on the back of putting her work out there online.

Despite this early success, Jae admits that she was reluctant to embrace the business side of being freelance, hanging on to a part-time job instead of going at it wholeheartedly.

She’s now all in, having gone freelance full-time and committed herself to building a business around her brand. So what has she learnt so far? And what is she doing to grow the business as well as the brand?

This episode is supported by FreeAgent - online accounting software that makes managing your business finances a breeze.
With an award-winning UK based support team on hand to help out, it’s easy to stay on top of your expenses, invoices, banking and tax.
To claim your 1 month free trial, visit FreeAgent.com/beingfreelance

Love learning from other freelancers like this? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, subscribe to the podcast and to the newsletter.*

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Who the hell is Steve Folland?

You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be?
Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com
Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

After studying Graphic Arts at uni and leaning towards the more experimental forms of art, Martha found herself working in an in-house graphic design role that left little room for creativity.

Now two years into her freelance career and living between England and Spain, Martha has built herself a flexible business where she has plenty of variety in her work.

And, more than that, Martha is now able to give herself time to work on her craft, scheduling in 5-day “holidays” where she’s free from client work and can focus entirely on her side projects.

“The idea was to become freelance so I could enjoy my life more and work on these areas that I wanted to work on,” Martha says.

Find out how she’s made that a possibility in this episode of Being Freelance.

This episode is supported by FreeAgent - online accounting software that makes managing your business finances a breeze.
With an award-winning UK based support team on hand to help out, it’s easy to stay on top of your expenses, invoices, banking and tax.
To claim your 1 month free trial, visit FreeAgent.com/beingfreelance

Love learning from other freelancers like this? Check out the website beingfreelance.com, subscribe to the podcast and to the newsletter.*

You'll also find useful links for this episode. That's beingfreelance.com

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance vlog - YouTube.com/SteveFolland

Who the hell is Steve Folland?

You know how everyone bangs on about how powerful video and audio content can be?
Yeah, well Steve helps businesses make it and make the most of it. Find out more at www.stevefolland.com
Track him down on Twitter @sfolland or lay a trail of cake and he'll eventually catch you up.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY
You're not alone being freelance. 
Come and hang out with your BFFs (Being Freelance Friends).
beingfreelance.com/community
 

NEW TO FREELANCING? THERE'S A COURSE FOR YOU!

The Being Freelance course is made for you!
Take the course and you'll also get 6 months FREE community membership.
 

FREELANCER MERCH
Get Being Freelance merchandise at beingfreelance.com/shop

Like VIDEO? - Check out the Being Freelance on:
Instagram - Instagram.com/beingfreelance
YouTube - YouTube.com/SteveFolland