Illustrator Extraordinaire

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I have worked as an illustrator on a huge variety of projects. I started out doing advertising illustration and fashion illustration. I have done many portraits. I have done many children's books, both educational, mass and trade. I do web sites and design. I am writing a large group of children's books for a client right now. I also recently completed a court room sketching project on a nationally known trial.....and I LOVE IT ALL!

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. If you are looking for an illustrator, call me to assign your project. Know your budget and vision. Be clear about what you want and if you want a specific style, show me. Tell me everything you can about the work you need done, where it will go, it's target audience and it's goal. I can help you get your project accomplished to your greatest satisfaction.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. If I were a customer, I would wish I knew how important good communication is. It is everything. If a client can communicate exactly what they want, they can get it with me. A client must be fully open to express their wants with the project, but must also let the artist take it an run with it. Give them your input and guidelines, but embrace their creativity, and let them do what they do best.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. A consumer must ask how the artist likes to work. A written contract is very important. What are the terms of payment? Time frames and deadlines are very important to know up front. The client needs to ask what the artist needs to do the project to their liking.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The buyers needs to know what they want. Sometimes, of course, they depend on the artist to fully realize their vision, but it is best when the buyer has a clear idea of their goal.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Illustrations need to explain what is going on with pictures. The old phase " a picture is worth a thousand words" is very true in my business. My work expresses the desired effect and tells the story. I am very good with facial expressions, having worked as a courtroom sketch artist. I have studied body language and interpretation of facial expressions, which enables me to create work that accurately portrays the desired story.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I like creating art. I also enjoy people and the back and forth that comes with every job. We form a business relationship that comes from being open and communicative with each other. Even though many jobs are not face to face anymore, there is a bond and respect that forms. I appreciate honesty and clear
ly expressed visions that result in a job well done.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Customers seem to be most interested in price and the time it takes to complete a project. I am both very reasonably priced and very fast. A win, win situation.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I wish customers knew how important it is to continue to buy illustration. Artists and illustrators are very important to the world. We work very hard at getting our projects, as well as doing them. We are the creatives, and books and advertising is a very important form of communication. We shine when our creativity is nurtured.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I never wanted to do anything else. As a child I drew almost every day with a neighbor friend ( who also became an artist). I discovered, (after going to art school) a family crest, which was a paint brush and quill crossed over a shield. I always knew I wanted to become an artist. My grandfather had been an architect, and always drew, and my mom painted. It is in my blood.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I am always learning new things and keeping up on new programs. I love technology and digital drawing. I use tutors to work one on one to learn.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. I believe the ebooks have greatly changed the publishing
field. They are exciting, but I believe publishers are a bit taken aback, and after having dealt with "hard copies" only, since the inception of books, some seem to be in a holding pattern. Others are diving right in, with a sort of " if you can't beat em, join em", attitude. Go for it pubs! Digital is great color, fast and easy, less cost ( no printing) but DO both. Hard copies AND digital.