This is so wonderful to find! I'm also recovering from burnout and learning to find joy in my art again. I'm looking forward to seeing what you show here!
I think that ‘making art to please others’ is sort of the definition of illustration in a way. I’ve been busy drawing away making changes to please an editor... which definitely feels like ‘trying to please others’; since I like it just fine the way I drew it! Lol! But as always, the illustrator has to do as they are told... sigh.
I've been thinking about this lately. I might have picked 'illustrator' as a job because I love creating things and I am a people pleaser. Now that I'm less of a people pleaser than I was, I find it harder to always be on creative call for others. Interesting things to think about!
Yep... I also picked illustrator as my job, but it was an easy choice. From the beginning, I was amazed how doing 1 single illustration would pay as much as two weeks of working as a college librarian or janitor. To think I could sit in my quiet little room and get paid for drawing seemed like a miracle. I guess it still does... since I’m still doing it. :0)
Over here (the Netherlands) illustration doesn't pay properly if you're in the magazine or children's book niche. I would actually get paid more if I worked as a janitor or cleaning lady. I've moved away a bit from books and magazines in the past two years for that reason. If the pay were better, I wouldn't have so much trouble with it, I'm sure of that. I've started working with US clients recently and they pay properly and are very respectful. I love that!
That’s very interesting about how illustration fees are so different in the Netherlands. I’d have never guessed! And ironically, the pay scale for making illustrations here in the USA has not really increased in any degree over 10 years.
It mostly has to do with the language. There are 'only' 25 million people who speak Dutch, so the market is a lot smaller than the English-speaking market.
I really hope people will start appreciating illustrations and art more. Imagine a world without images and the joy artists bring. The world would be so boring :D
Yep... right now I'm seeing a world of competing writers, writing about their journals. Not an picture or illustration in sight. Frankly, I don't think I fit in. I haven't had a single person click on any of my posts. But I did discover a new group of illustrators who seem to post lots of words and pictures. So there's hope for me.
So happy I found your Substack, I have just started mine as a studio journal- type thingy as I venture into full time painting when I leave my job in art education. I feel like I have to redefine my ‘identity’ in a way and this seems like a great place to explore and record the process. 😁
This post is so relevant in so many ways. I know I am not alone in feeling this way -and apparently neither are you :-) Looking forward to following you and what happens next. :-)
I think I really needed this. I Instantly subscribed. I'll be looking forward to reading your journey.
This is so wonderful to find! I'm also recovering from burnout and learning to find joy in my art again. I'm looking forward to seeing what you show here!
It's a bumpy ride, isn't it? But I think it's worth it to keep going and find what lights you up. Rekindle that fire :)
I think that ‘making art to please others’ is sort of the definition of illustration in a way. I’ve been busy drawing away making changes to please an editor... which definitely feels like ‘trying to please others’; since I like it just fine the way I drew it! Lol! But as always, the illustrator has to do as they are told... sigh.
I've been thinking about this lately. I might have picked 'illustrator' as a job because I love creating things and I am a people pleaser. Now that I'm less of a people pleaser than I was, I find it harder to always be on creative call for others. Interesting things to think about!
Yep... I also picked illustrator as my job, but it was an easy choice. From the beginning, I was amazed how doing 1 single illustration would pay as much as two weeks of working as a college librarian or janitor. To think I could sit in my quiet little room and get paid for drawing seemed like a miracle. I guess it still does... since I’m still doing it. :0)
Over here (the Netherlands) illustration doesn't pay properly if you're in the magazine or children's book niche. I would actually get paid more if I worked as a janitor or cleaning lady. I've moved away a bit from books and magazines in the past two years for that reason. If the pay were better, I wouldn't have so much trouble with it, I'm sure of that. I've started working with US clients recently and they pay properly and are very respectful. I love that!
That’s very interesting about how illustration fees are so different in the Netherlands. I’d have never guessed! And ironically, the pay scale for making illustrations here in the USA has not really increased in any degree over 10 years.
It mostly has to do with the language. There are 'only' 25 million people who speak Dutch, so the market is a lot smaller than the English-speaking market.
I really hope people will start appreciating illustrations and art more. Imagine a world without images and the joy artists bring. The world would be so boring :D
Yep... right now I'm seeing a world of competing writers, writing about their journals. Not an picture or illustration in sight. Frankly, I don't think I fit in. I haven't had a single person click on any of my posts. But I did discover a new group of illustrators who seem to post lots of words and pictures. So there's hope for me.
Glad to have found you here. And yes, it totally resonates with me too. Exciting times!
So happy I found your Substack, I have just started mine as a studio journal- type thingy as I venture into full time painting when I leave my job in art education. I feel like I have to redefine my ‘identity’ in a way and this seems like a great place to explore and record the process. 😁
I think so too! It's an accessible place to share your thoughts.
Wishing you all the best and looking forward to walking with you your journey.
Thanks so much for joining!
This post is so relevant in so many ways. I know I am not alone in feeling this way -and apparently neither are you :-) Looking forward to following you and what happens next. :-)
I didn't realise more artists are dealing with this. Let's open up the conversation!
I am looking forward to following this journey - and yes! so much feels familiar from my own life. Roll on post 2!
Thanks for joining Jane! I love your Substack :)
Aw Thankyou Marloes! ❤️
Thank you Marloes, this resonated with me so much!
I hope you will find your way back to yourself, Holly!
Thanks Marty! I just subscribed to your Substack too.