Papercut based illustration with the Theme plant love, lovely lady with a lot of plants around her.

Since joining my agency, Illustrate-it agency, I've been creating more "small" work. By that, I mean illustrations based on a trend or theme, intended for manufacturers of stationery, home decor, kitchen textiles, ceramics, wrapping paper, games, toys, you name it. As a small business owner, it's much harder to produce and sell things yourself or to reach companies that will buy or license your work. By "license," I mean that you rent out your illustrations for a certain period of time and receive a fee for it. Now with an agent helping me with my illustrations is fab. It would be fantastic, of course, if my work were for sale on tea towels, mugs, journals, fabric, pencil cases, cushions, bedding ….etc., in shops around the world!

My goal is to bring my illustrations to the attention of the right contacts. So, in addition to the work I've already created, in recent months I've mainly been creating illustrations with colors and subjects that are currently in demand. That's quite a (fun) challenge. Sometimes the themes aren't really my thing, often standard themes like birthdays and Christmas, but it's also a challenge. I try to come up with something original using colors I wouldn't necessarily choose myself, though I often include a favorite shade of green, ochre, or pink.

My design process

When I'm given a theme, like the recent Plant Parents, I first read the brief carefully, make notes, and often follow it up with some sketches. Usually, it's left for a day to "marinate in my head." Sometimes an idea suddenly pops into my head while I'm out walking or running errands. At home, I write it down or sketch it. Sometimes I cut it out right away, because, well, cutting remains the foundation. Translating an idea or sketch into paper cutouts is the challenge. Making a simple translation or cutting out separate parts that will later be digitally merged (which I have to do myself) into a complete illustration. After cutting them from paper, usually black, I scan them and put them in Illustrator. I create a color palette and create my own scene or surface pattern. I often try to include something fun, even though I might be the only one who sees it or finds it funny... But I mainly make the illustrations or designs for myself, (hoping others will enjoy them as well,) because if I don't enjoy making it or how the end result is, why would anyone else enjoy buying it? Illustrator Lilla Rogers always says, "People buy your joy," and I firmly believe that, because you can just tell when the creator enjoyed it.

And so, I still happily start my computer every day, grab my favorite pens and pencils (Rhodia mechanical pencils), my sketchbooks (anything goes, but my favorite is Leuchturm1917), my pencil case with scissors (various favorites, but my recent Swiss Klotzli is a great one), and my sheets of paper, and start the day with a smile.

Latest new work

All good news!, represented by an agency and new work.