Friday 30 December 2011

2011 | A round up of the year.


Almost a year ago, I started illustrating again after a break due to being ill, and at that moment I threw myself head-first into the world of freelance illustrating. For the most part, it's been a positive and productive year and I have learnt a great deal. I still don't consider myself a proper freelance illustrator, as I am yet to have my first proper paid commission, and this makes it very easy to dwell on the things I haven't yet achieved which, especially in a job where you're mostly working alone, can hugely affect your motivation and make you lose focus of the bigger picture. A year is a long time, and it's easy to forget the little things you actually HAVE achieved. So, as 2011 ends, it seems like an ideal time to have a little look back over the year, and see what I have achieved, as well as thinking about my creative goals for the year ahead.

During 2011, I have;

I don't think I'll ever be really satisfied, as there's always that little voice in my head telling me I could have worked harder, could have achieved more, but all in all I don't think it's too bad a list!

My creative goals for 2012;

  • Find a job (hopefully a creative one) to help support me alongside the freelance work.
  • Teach myself how to use Illustrator (I learnt the basics at Uni, but have totally forgotten!) and become more proficient at Photoshop, so that I have the skills needed to apply for creative jobs.
  • Be more motivated and pro-active when it comes to my illustrations; try not to let my mood or other things happening in my life affect my work.
  • Work on developing my portfolio so I have more hope of finding an agent (fingers crossed!).
  • Secure some commissions, and limit the unpaid commissions I chose to take on.
  • Develop ideas for a new children's picture book.
  • Set aside some time to create illustrations just for fun - if I focus purely on commissions and deadlines, then illustrating stops being enjoyable and becomes a chore.

Now I just need to get started! :]

There are a few exciting things to look forward already in the coming year, including an illustration which will be published in the second issue of Lionheart Magazine, and the opening of a new online shop which will be selling some of my work! Yay!

Finally, a massive thank you to all of you who have supported me this year; those of you on Twitter who have helped me through the "I'm never going to be a successful illustrator, I can't even DRAW!" moments, those of you who read and comment on my blog, those of you who have bought something from my shop. All of you, I hope you have a super 2012.  ♥

Wednesday 28 December 2011

END OF YEAR SALE!

I just wanted to let you all know about the sale which is taking place in my Etsy shop at the moment. There is currently a lovely 15% off everything in my shop, and this discount is available until the end of December; so now is the perfect time to spend your Christmas money and treat yourself to some illustrated loveliness!

Here's how it works;
Etsy shop; Use coupon code BOXINGDAY11 at the checkout.

Easy peasy. :]

* All my Christmas cards are also included in the sale, so why not pop over and snap up some discounted cards all ready for next year!

Amazon | I'm A Little Bit Scared Of...

Super exciting news! My children's picture book I'm A Little Bit Scared Of... is now available to buy on Amazon and Amazon UK! Yay! I am probably a little more excited than I should be, but it feels so amazing to see it on Amazon!


Of course, the book is also still available to buy in my Etsy shop, and directly through Lulu. :]

Friday 16 December 2011

The Young Creatives | Advent Calendar.


My Christmas themed illustration was revealed today, behind door number 16 of The Young Creative's advent calendar. When I was little, one of my favourite parts of Christmas was putting the angel on top of the tree, and that memory was the inspiration behind this illo.

Also, my work was recently featured on Design Splat. There's also a lovely interview with me all about myself and my work, so don't forget to pop over and have a little read.


Happy 9 days til Christmas everyone. x

Flamingo Love tee!

Oh my goshhh, check out what arrived in the post this morning... My Flamingo Love tee, which has just been printed by All Tropical!


You may remember that I won the All Tropical t-shirt competition back in June with my flamingo design - well, this is the outcome! I'm SO excited to see my design printed onto real t-shirts - it looks ace, and the quality is lovely. :]


The t-shirts even have my name printed on the back, just below the collar. Aces. They will soon be available to buy for yourself on both Asos and in the All Tropical shop.

Monday 12 December 2011

Friday 9 December 2011

All Tropical | Little Hedgehog Tee.

I just want to say a super big thank you to all of you who rated, commented on, liked or shared my hedgehog tee design over on All Tropical this week. I found out earlier today that my design WON this week's competition, which means my little hedgehog will be printed onto t-shirts which will then be available to buy through Asos and All Tropical's shop. Yay! Super excited! :]


Also, just a little reminder that if you still need Christmas cards, my shop is the perfect place for you to find some, with cards suitable for both lovers and haters of the festive season. I also listed a couple of new prints earlier, so it's definitely worth a peek.

Sunday 4 December 2011

Christmas cards!


Just to let you all know that my Christmas cards have finally arrived, and are now available to buy in my Etsy shop. Yay! The cards can be bought individually, or as a set of four designs. Christmas is getting super close now, so don't miss out.


There is also a cheeky Bah Humbug card available, which even comes with a little bag of complimentary humbugs - perfect for any scrooge in your life! Check them out here.



Thursday 1 December 2011

All Tropical | Little Hedgehog.


Hello my lovelies! I have a little favour to ask. A few weeks ago I illustrated a little hedgehog, and I decided he could look pretty cute as an autumnal tee design, so I've entered him into this week's All Tropical weekly design competition. 

All I need now is a little bit of help from you guys! It would be ace if you could pop over to the All Tropical website, and rate my design. If you're feeling extra lovely, then please leave a little comment too! If you haven't voted before, you will have to register with the site first, but it only takes a second and you don't get any annoying emails from them afterwards, promise. 

I would love to see my little hedgehog printed onto real life t-shirts, but I really need your votes to make that possible. You can also vote for my design by liking it on Facebook, or tweeting about it on Twitter The more of these you do, the more likely that my design will get printed, so please be ace and vote. A super big thanks you to all of you who do - I really appreciate it. :]

Torn Magazine | Issue two.



A few of my Christmas-themed illustrations have been included in the latest issue of Torn Magazine, along with a lovely feature about myself and my work. Torn Magazine is a free, downloadable arts and culture magazine, and the current issue - a Christmas special - is packed full of festive loveliness, so make sure you pop over and download your copy now.