First of all I must say all of the image illustrations are the prettiest things I've seen today Charlene
And then you are so amazing and I understand that it's not easy connecting with kids talk more of understanding and being able to produce something that resonates with them. I've been taking cakes for the past 7 years and I completely get this. I'm Ral, I'm very new here, so I subscribe to have access to your work and I'm so blessed to meet you.
Welcome, Ral! I'm glad you liked the image illustrations and that you want to read more about what you wrote.
Yes, connecting with children is not the easiest thing. You need to understand how they think and see the world in order to connect with them, whether through books or cakes.
Thank you for being so honest and open about everything you shared! I feel like not many people talk so openly and beautifully about their doubts and struggles. Here I’ve been kind of working part time on a job and I still have time do to my own things. Sometimes not as much as I’d like, but I also know that if I had a gun to my head (no money from my job) I would be stuck trying to create anything just to make money — which wouldn’t be necessarily doing something I’m passionate about. I feel like having a job allows me to work on projects that really resonate with me and give me time to try things out. Not saying that you should get a job hahaha just sharing what works for me. And I would love to read about the history of illustration. I’m super interested in art history but never really take the time to research because there’s so much I don’t even know where to start! Looking forward to read the next issue! ✨
I'm trying not to romanticize being an illustrator, but also trying not to share too much, that's a fine line.
Reflecting now while I'm reading the comments here, I realize that having a part-time job would be a good option. It would help me to keep my mind less worried and free to create. It's very stressful sometimes and I've almost fallen into the trap of creating something just to make money, as you said.
It's really cool to be able to share experiences and see that we're not alone. So thank you for sharing your experience 💚.
About the history of illustration, I'm going to start structuring the series. I'm really excited to write about it 😊
<3 one question: have you read What You Are Looking for is in the Library? One of the stories of this book kind of brings up a reflection about this subject and I think it's really nice. Maybe you'll like it too :)
No, I haven't read this book, but I saw it while searching for Japanese books. Thank you for recommending it to me. I'll try to buy it second-hand to read :)
- Children's illustrations books are a world of its own. Sometimes I think of the impact they have had on me, the endless characters and worlds they have shown me and how they have shaped the way I am and the things I like. They are not to be underestimated and I can see why there has been something called 'the Golden Age' of illustration, I would like to know more about this!
- I have written about this constant fight of money vs. art in my first post. The answer to 'what do I do' is deeply personal. If there is another career path or skill you might have, there's nothing wrong to go back to it. I am a developer myself and I draw only on my free time. It makes things slower but I have my income to be able to lean on. Again, I am not saying this is the path you should take, but you should always consider all the variables available to you. How long can I sustain this decision? Can I make room for something else? What the pros and cons? Just know this: own your time.
I agree with you, children's book illustrations are a world apart. I didn't have access to them when I was a child, but today they are my favorite section in bookstores and libraries.
I didn't know you had written about this. I'll take a look later. It's true, having a side job doesn't make you any less of an illustrator or artist, and it's not a reason to be ashamed. I believe that part-time work will be the best option for me now. At least it will take my mind off worrying about money.
I hear you about finances! Even though I have two books under contract at traditional publishers, I am far away from actually earning a living with illustration. I'm constantly debating whether to get a part time job or not. I used to illustrate and sell greeting cards and am reluctant to dip my toe back into selling products. What has worked for me are temporary jobs that have a certain end date (like substitute teaching for a day or a side gig I have with a professional organizer, once every few months). I also run a small, non Illustration business from my home that I started before I decided to go back into illustration. And, I also rely on my husband financially.
PS - Have you seen Pete Beard's YouTube channel? He has a series of short videos featuring past and present illustration greats!
I see you. Why are you reluctant to return to selling greeting cards? I'm asking because I've been considering creating products with my illustrations to generate some income.
As I think more about my financial situation, I feel that having a part-time job would be less time-consuming and would alleviate some of my financial worries.
About Peter Beard, due to my newfound interest in the history of illustration, I discovered his channel, watched some videos, and loved them!
Hi Charlene! I got really burned out making and selling greeting cards, and I was spending most of my time just filling orders and not really experimenting or improving in my skills and practice. It takes a lot of time to market and sell them, too. I do think a part time job would be less time consuming than trying to start a new business (even if it is related to illustration)! Good luck, whatever you decide to do!!
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's somewhat sad that it didn't work out for you, but at the same time, it's helpful to know. Now I have a better perspective on what to expect if I choose this path.
Oh, you can be successful in this area! I did greeting card illustration for 10 years and got my cards into over 100 stores, but once I took a break, I realized I didn't want to go back. Part of the reason was that my cards were all handmade, so it took a lot of time to make and didn't really give me time for anything else (or so I thought! now that I have kids, I realize just how much time I had 😆).
I would love to read more about the history of illustration! I'm an art history nerd but I know very little about illustration history, and I'm embarrassed to say it hadn't even occurred to me!
It's not a shame not to know about the history of illustration 🙂. We have so many things to study and worry about that sometimes we don't realize that there is a history of illustration (I say this from personal experience).
First of all I must say all of the image illustrations are the prettiest things I've seen today Charlene
And then you are so amazing and I understand that it's not easy connecting with kids talk more of understanding and being able to produce something that resonates with them. I've been taking cakes for the past 7 years and I completely get this. I'm Ral, I'm very new here, so I subscribe to have access to your work and I'm so blessed to meet you.
Welcome, Ral! I'm glad you liked the image illustrations and that you want to read more about what you wrote.
Yes, connecting with children is not the easiest thing. You need to understand how they think and see the world in order to connect with them, whether through books or cakes.
Thank you for being so honest and open about everything you shared! I feel like not many people talk so openly and beautifully about their doubts and struggles. Here I’ve been kind of working part time on a job and I still have time do to my own things. Sometimes not as much as I’d like, but I also know that if I had a gun to my head (no money from my job) I would be stuck trying to create anything just to make money — which wouldn’t be necessarily doing something I’m passionate about. I feel like having a job allows me to work on projects that really resonate with me and give me time to try things out. Not saying that you should get a job hahaha just sharing what works for me. And I would love to read about the history of illustration. I’m super interested in art history but never really take the time to research because there’s so much I don’t even know where to start! Looking forward to read the next issue! ✨
Thank you Laís! I really appreciate that.
I'm trying not to romanticize being an illustrator, but also trying not to share too much, that's a fine line.
Reflecting now while I'm reading the comments here, I realize that having a part-time job would be a good option. It would help me to keep my mind less worried and free to create. It's very stressful sometimes and I've almost fallen into the trap of creating something just to make money, as you said.
It's really cool to be able to share experiences and see that we're not alone. So thank you for sharing your experience 💚.
About the history of illustration, I'm going to start structuring the series. I'm really excited to write about it 😊
<3 one question: have you read What You Are Looking for is in the Library? One of the stories of this book kind of brings up a reflection about this subject and I think it's really nice. Maybe you'll like it too :)
No, I haven't read this book, but I saw it while searching for Japanese books. Thank you for recommending it to me. I'll try to buy it second-hand to read :)
There's a lot to unpack about this post!
- Children's illustrations books are a world of its own. Sometimes I think of the impact they have had on me, the endless characters and worlds they have shown me and how they have shaped the way I am and the things I like. They are not to be underestimated and I can see why there has been something called 'the Golden Age' of illustration, I would like to know more about this!
- I have written about this constant fight of money vs. art in my first post. The answer to 'what do I do' is deeply personal. If there is another career path or skill you might have, there's nothing wrong to go back to it. I am a developer myself and I draw only on my free time. It makes things slower but I have my income to be able to lean on. Again, I am not saying this is the path you should take, but you should always consider all the variables available to you. How long can I sustain this decision? Can I make room for something else? What the pros and cons? Just know this: own your time.
Sending you the best of wishes!
Thank you for your words 💚.
I agree with you, children's book illustrations are a world apart. I didn't have access to them when I was a child, but today they are my favorite section in bookstores and libraries.
I didn't know you had written about this. I'll take a look later. It's true, having a side job doesn't make you any less of an illustrator or artist, and it's not a reason to be ashamed. I believe that part-time work will be the best option for me now. At least it will take my mind off worrying about money.
I'm sharing you the English version of my post if you'd like to check it out: https://pablovester.com/2025/04/10/hobby-illustration-vs-product-illustration/
Thank you!
I hear you about finances! Even though I have two books under contract at traditional publishers, I am far away from actually earning a living with illustration. I'm constantly debating whether to get a part time job or not. I used to illustrate and sell greeting cards and am reluctant to dip my toe back into selling products. What has worked for me are temporary jobs that have a certain end date (like substitute teaching for a day or a side gig I have with a professional organizer, once every few months). I also run a small, non Illustration business from my home that I started before I decided to go back into illustration. And, I also rely on my husband financially.
PS - Have you seen Pete Beard's YouTube channel? He has a series of short videos featuring past and present illustration greats!
I see you. Why are you reluctant to return to selling greeting cards? I'm asking because I've been considering creating products with my illustrations to generate some income.
As I think more about my financial situation, I feel that having a part-time job would be less time-consuming and would alleviate some of my financial worries.
About Peter Beard, due to my newfound interest in the history of illustration, I discovered his channel, watched some videos, and loved them!
Hi Charlene! I got really burned out making and selling greeting cards, and I was spending most of my time just filling orders and not really experimenting or improving in my skills and practice. It takes a lot of time to market and sell them, too. I do think a part time job would be less time consuming than trying to start a new business (even if it is related to illustration)! Good luck, whatever you decide to do!!
Thank you for sharing your experience. It's somewhat sad that it didn't work out for you, but at the same time, it's helpful to know. Now I have a better perspective on what to expect if I choose this path.
Oh, you can be successful in this area! I did greeting card illustration for 10 years and got my cards into over 100 stores, but once I took a break, I realized I didn't want to go back. Part of the reason was that my cards were all handmade, so it took a lot of time to make and didn't really give me time for anything else (or so I thought! now that I have kids, I realize just how much time I had 😆).
Ahh! Now I got it! Yeah, I can imagine how much time it took to make them handmade.
I would love to read more about the history of illustration! I'm an art history nerd but I know very little about illustration history, and I'm embarrassed to say it hadn't even occurred to me!
It's not a shame not to know about the history of illustration 🙂. We have so many things to study and worry about that sometimes we don't realize that there is a history of illustration (I say this from personal experience).
Ahh that's so true 😁