It’s so helpful, healthy and encouraging to hear these behind the scenes stories of the twisting paths that brought people to the present moment. Thank you for sharing this, Nanette.
Ahh, thank you Helen! It's so easy to think other folks are having a straightforward, direct journey while I'm in a mess. I love it when others share their wiggly path forward! Big fan of how the Good Ship Illustration courses acknowledge those ups and downs!
Nanette, thank you for sharing your journey...especially the wobbly, vulnerable bits too! I realized all this time I was asking the wrong questions. Instead of focusing on, "when should I approach agents," I need to dive into my process, hone my voice and build my portfolio. The universe will respond in kind ✨
It's definitely the most important thing to focus on your process and voice! Still send your work out to agents directly (via email / submission form) as well as indirectly (via posting on social media) when you feel ready. You can approach the same agency more than once as long as you create and send a new selection of work each time
Love to read this Nanette 👏👏👏 I'm not an illustrator and I don't intend to be one, but I know the feeling "I wasn't ready" so well ❤️ we need to keep doing the things that make us sparkle and to believe in our dreams even in times when we are not seeing any (good) results!
My GOODNESS this is so encouraging to hear. I’m making tiny little ant-paw sized bits of progress with my own illustration journey, glugging down online courses and always thinking about how to make progress and get a foothold. Helpful reflections on the important elements of getting to the destination and navigating what feel like set backs and rejection are so valuable. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Ant-paw sized progress is the best progress - it's all forward momentum! I think your footholds are firmer if you've found them slowly too, if you try to sprint up the wall you're more likely to have an accident. I think I always had a vague idea that I would reach a point with a Hollywood ending - I got an agent! Sunset and roll credits! or My work's in a book! Sunset and roll credits! But more recently I've realised it's all just a long wiggly journey with ups and downs and backwards steps as well as forwards. As long as you're moving you're doing brilliant!
This article came to me in a very right moment! I liked reading how you picked up yourself and kept going. So admirable. I find that part so hard. But the joy from drawing is still there no matter if an agency validates me as an arist or not. Thank you for sharing!
It's so nice to read others' stories of how they got their agents. And what is even nicer is to see that I'm not the only one with such a messy table! Thank you for sharing, both, haha 🧡
Thanks for sharing this. It feels like we illustrators whisper in hushed tones about agents quietly amongst ourselves...the how's, whys, who etc.
So this post resonates so much. When I actually thought about what sort of agent I wanted, made work I really felt was 'me' and set about with an intent..(I should add here, I was with an agent but unhappy, so started the uncoupling) everything fell into place! I stopped skulking quietly approaching other agents behind her back and left mine. Bingo! Had two wonderful offers immediately after yrs of 'silent' rejections. I think my intent wasn't there previously. I was' approaching it from frustration and fear. And now I giggle at the ones who never got back...thank goodness they didn't! P x
You're so right Polly! It's so easy to approach the whole thing from fear - and that's never a good starting point for any relationship! I've really enjoyed reading the glimpses you've shared, here and on instagram, of your journey from one agent to another. Thank you to you too, for sharing xx
It’s so helpful, healthy and encouraging to hear these behind the scenes stories of the twisting paths that brought people to the present moment. Thank you for sharing this, Nanette.
Thanks Vanessa! I think it's always good to hear the ups and downs of someone's journey, instead of just a highlight reel!
So honest, I love this. Yes illustration careers are wiggly lines with lots of hiccups on the way.
Ahh, thank you Helen! It's so easy to think other folks are having a straightforward, direct journey while I'm in a mess. I love it when others share their wiggly path forward! Big fan of how the Good Ship Illustration courses acknowledge those ups and downs!
What a great story! Things happen at the right time...
So true Jane! It's so hard to know whether you're "ready" or not, it's good to trust that things will start coming together at the right time.
Nanette, thank you for sharing your journey...especially the wobbly, vulnerable bits too! I realized all this time I was asking the wrong questions. Instead of focusing on, "when should I approach agents," I need to dive into my process, hone my voice and build my portfolio. The universe will respond in kind ✨
It's definitely the most important thing to focus on your process and voice! Still send your work out to agents directly (via email / submission form) as well as indirectly (via posting on social media) when you feel ready. You can approach the same agency more than once as long as you create and send a new selection of work each time
Everyone should get a copy of this to hang on their walls when they decide to submit to agencies. ✨ Thank you for sharing!
Ahhh, thank you Beth! What a lovely thing to say! 🥰
Love to read this Nanette 👏👏👏 I'm not an illustrator and I don't intend to be one, but I know the feeling "I wasn't ready" so well ❤️ we need to keep doing the things that make us sparkle and to believe in our dreams even in times when we are not seeing any (good) results!
Thank you Teresa 🥰 Yes! Keeping going is the most important thing!
My GOODNESS this is so encouraging to hear. I’m making tiny little ant-paw sized bits of progress with my own illustration journey, glugging down online courses and always thinking about how to make progress and get a foothold. Helpful reflections on the important elements of getting to the destination and navigating what feel like set backs and rejection are so valuable. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Ant-paw sized progress is the best progress - it's all forward momentum! I think your footholds are firmer if you've found them slowly too, if you try to sprint up the wall you're more likely to have an accident. I think I always had a vague idea that I would reach a point with a Hollywood ending - I got an agent! Sunset and roll credits! or My work's in a book! Sunset and roll credits! But more recently I've realised it's all just a long wiggly journey with ups and downs and backwards steps as well as forwards. As long as you're moving you're doing brilliant!
This article came to me in a very right moment! I liked reading how you picked up yourself and kept going. So admirable. I find that part so hard. But the joy from drawing is still there no matter if an agency validates me as an arist or not. Thank you for sharing!
You don’t need validation Svetla you draw = you are an artist!! 💛
So motivating and reassuring <3 thank you
So glad you found it useful Reggie! ✏️✨
It's so nice to read others' stories of how they got their agents. And what is even nicer is to see that I'm not the only one with such a messy table! Thank you for sharing, both, haha 🧡
Haha! Yes, a messy table is a very important part of the job!
Thanks for sharing this. It feels like we illustrators whisper in hushed tones about agents quietly amongst ourselves...the how's, whys, who etc.
So this post resonates so much. When I actually thought about what sort of agent I wanted, made work I really felt was 'me' and set about with an intent..(I should add here, I was with an agent but unhappy, so started the uncoupling) everything fell into place! I stopped skulking quietly approaching other agents behind her back and left mine. Bingo! Had two wonderful offers immediately after yrs of 'silent' rejections. I think my intent wasn't there previously. I was' approaching it from frustration and fear. And now I giggle at the ones who never got back...thank goodness they didn't! P x
You're so right Polly! It's so easy to approach the whole thing from fear - and that's never a good starting point for any relationship! I've really enjoyed reading the glimpses you've shared, here and on instagram, of your journey from one agent to another. Thank you to you too, for sharing xx
This is really useful, thank you for sharing. 😊
So pleased you found it useful Gaynor! 🥰
Thanks, really interesting and inspiring.
Glad you found it useful Sarah! 💖
This is good information. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the restack Martine! ✨
This was SO useful! I'm going to bookmark this one, I know I'll have to keep going back to it!
Glad it was useful! Thanks for the restack Raj!
Thank you for sharing your journey! It’s great that you never gave up despite the series of unfortunate circumstances!
Thanks Jeremy! It helps to think that you only get where you want to if you keep on taking small steps!