A wonderful blog post. Short, descriptive, vulnerable, and (bonus points) pictures! I wish you success on your new book. I look forward to ordering a copy for our 5 year old daughter who loves to play in the mud and marvel at the colorful world of bugs.
Thank you for sharing your story, Rosalie! It was very inspiring 🥹🌸 I’m just starting my journey as a professional illustrator, so I’m excited and also a little bit nervous about it 😅 But I’m so glad I find your blog ☺️
What a great piece. There’s a lot of writing out there from people who have already “made it” (such as it were) who talk in general terms about “the struggle” they went through to get where they are now, but so often they don’t go into any details. Thank you for sharing!
This was a great glimpse into your journey, thank you for sharing! Tiny Worlds is a book to hug for sure, I'm looking forward to getting mine! Congratulations!
Hi Rosalie! I adore your first book (thanks to my nature-loving 90-year-old Uncle Don in Pittsburgh for turning me on to you), and I look forward to your second, plus the workbook! I have a dear friend who just finished her second month on the AT, and I know she'll love your Tiny book, too! How generous of you for sharing this letter. I'm a later-in-life artist who doesn't rely on art for my income (we manage a freight agency), but that doesn't stop my desire to hang my art in a gallery or sell art. I appreciate your dedication to the business side; it's the only way to make things work. After a recent solo show, I had to pack and ship a few pieces of art and was a bit overwhelmed by the time it took. It was a great learning curve because now I know that's not the best use of my time.
Here’s a tip that may help your readers piggybacking on something you said: don’t be afraid to toot your horn. Tell everyone what you’re working on (and it's helpful to have digital lookbooks on your phone to show people when you're out in the world). My experience talking to a frame shop owner led to them taking a few pieces of my photography to sell in their gallery. Now, I'm working on a watercolor botanical set (1 1/2 years later) so they can make prints and sell from their gallery at their request. If I hadn't had the nerve to say, hey, can I show you what I've been working on? I wouldn't have this opportunity.
I’ll probably come back and reread this because so much resonated with me. Oh yes, Creative Pep Talk is fabulous! Congratulations on the book, and you'll become a fine children’s book illustrator.
Hi Maureen! So many great nuggets here—thanks for taking the time to share. I've definitely had to learn how to toot my own horn and it can be such a struggle, since I don't like to be the center of attention. But I've learned to reframe it as simply giving my art the credit it deserves, rather than trying to get credit for myself. Somehow it helps to see the work as separate from me.
Thanks to your Uncle Don for sending you my way! :)
Ah, that means so much that you listened to the interview! I am so excited to see your "human intelligence" badge idea taking off. People are making such cool ones!! Maybe I should throw my to-do list out the window and make my own... :)
God this is so helpful to read. I agree with many of your lessons, such as the amount of time dedicated to running a business vs. making art and living well below your means. Thank you so much for this post. And @Kelcey Ervick for guiding me to it.
Glad it resonated! I think the biggest thing I've learned about behind the scenes work is that it helps me be extra grateful for the time I do get to spend with paintbrush in hand. And even getting to paint for 10 hours a week is a gift!
PS I’m not affiliated in any way, I just love their work and teachings, I can also highly recommend their Find your creative voice course. Both Helen @pencilpals and Katie @katiedraws are both on here too 😊
Thanks for all the details on your journey- including the less glamorous ones! I am very tentatively thinking about dipping my toe into selling some of my art so reading this was super informative.
Wonderful and clear! I have a couple of students/ ex-students I’m going to forward your list and observations to help them. It’s always amazing to hear people’s story about working. I fell into the mess of teaching, and thinking that was the solution. But I had a couple of suggestions earlier: window dresser, process tech in studios that could have been translated into factory work, other things.
Loved this read, your honesty, authenticity, and encouragement! So so helpful. Thank you and I can't wait for Sept. 1 -congrats!
Thanks for reading, Chris! Glad it struck a chord with ya.
This was so helpful! Thank you for sharing! ❤️
I'm glad you thought so! Thanks for reading.
You're welcome! :)
A wonderful blog post. Short, descriptive, vulnerable, and (bonus points) pictures! I wish you success on your new book. I look forward to ordering a copy for our 5 year old daughter who loves to play in the mud and marvel at the colorful world of bugs.
Thanks Joel! I hope your daughter really enjoys it!
This post is loaded with insights and great personal care. And look at your lovely book at the very end. Kudos.
Ah thanks, Kato!
Thank you for sharing your story, Rosalie! It was very inspiring 🥹🌸 I’m just starting my journey as a professional illustrator, so I’m excited and also a little bit nervous about it 😅 But I’m so glad I find your blog ☺️
Aw, I'm cheering you on from afar! Just take it one step at a time and you'll be amazed by how it comes together. :)
Oh, thank you very much for your supportive words 🥹🫶
What a great piece. There’s a lot of writing out there from people who have already “made it” (such as it were) who talk in general terms about “the struggle” they went through to get where they are now, but so often they don’t go into any details. Thank you for sharing!
Glad it was useful for you! Happy to share.
This was a great glimpse into your journey, thank you for sharing! Tiny Worlds is a book to hug for sure, I'm looking forward to getting mine! Congratulations!
Can't wait for you to get yours, too!
Hi Rosalie! I adore your first book (thanks to my nature-loving 90-year-old Uncle Don in Pittsburgh for turning me on to you), and I look forward to your second, plus the workbook! I have a dear friend who just finished her second month on the AT, and I know she'll love your Tiny book, too! How generous of you for sharing this letter. I'm a later-in-life artist who doesn't rely on art for my income (we manage a freight agency), but that doesn't stop my desire to hang my art in a gallery or sell art. I appreciate your dedication to the business side; it's the only way to make things work. After a recent solo show, I had to pack and ship a few pieces of art and was a bit overwhelmed by the time it took. It was a great learning curve because now I know that's not the best use of my time.
Here’s a tip that may help your readers piggybacking on something you said: don’t be afraid to toot your horn. Tell everyone what you’re working on (and it's helpful to have digital lookbooks on your phone to show people when you're out in the world). My experience talking to a frame shop owner led to them taking a few pieces of my photography to sell in their gallery. Now, I'm working on a watercolor botanical set (1 1/2 years later) so they can make prints and sell from their gallery at their request. If I hadn't had the nerve to say, hey, can I show you what I've been working on? I wouldn't have this opportunity.
I’ll probably come back and reread this because so much resonated with me. Oh yes, Creative Pep Talk is fabulous! Congratulations on the book, and you'll become a fine children’s book illustrator.
Hi Maureen! So many great nuggets here—thanks for taking the time to share. I've definitely had to learn how to toot my own horn and it can be such a struggle, since I don't like to be the center of attention. But I've learned to reframe it as simply giving my art the credit it deserves, rather than trying to get credit for myself. Somehow it helps to see the work as separate from me.
Thanks to your Uncle Don for sending you my way! :)
I loved your interview with Andy! And I can fully relate to your "one's life is as glamorous as it seems" sentiment. :D
Ah, that means so much that you listened to the interview! I am so excited to see your "human intelligence" badge idea taking off. People are making such cool ones!! Maybe I should throw my to-do list out the window and make my own... :)
God this is so helpful to read. I agree with many of your lessons, such as the amount of time dedicated to running a business vs. making art and living well below your means. Thank you so much for this post. And @Kelcey Ervick for guiding me to it.
Glad it resonated! I think the biggest thing I've learned about behind the scenes work is that it helps me be extra grateful for the time I do get to spend with paintbrush in hand. And even getting to paint for 10 hours a week is a gift!
A lovely post, lots of familiarity there, you may find this just the thing for you https://www.thegoodshipillustration.com/PB
PS I’m not affiliated in any way, I just love their work and teachings, I can also highly recommend their Find your creative voice course. Both Helen @pencilpals and Katie @katiedraws are both on here too 😊
I love the Good Ship! I recently discovered their podcast and have enjoyed their episodes on picture book-making. Thanks for dropping by, Jo!
What a refreshing bit of narrative. Thank you! I’ll be preordering that lovely book very soon. Keep working and sharing the journey!
Thanks for reading and pre-ordering, Lynn! <3
You are such an insipiration. More power to you and many many children books illustration projects for you :)
Thank you so much for your sharing in this post ... I wish you all the best ...
Thanks for all the details on your journey- including the less glamorous ones! I am very tentatively thinking about dipping my toe into selling some of my art so reading this was super informative.
Wonderful and clear! I have a couple of students/ ex-students I’m going to forward your list and observations to help them. It’s always amazing to hear people’s story about working. I fell into the mess of teaching, and thinking that was the solution. But I had a couple of suggestions earlier: window dresser, process tech in studios that could have been translated into factory work, other things.
Your painting is beautiful!
Thanks for writing and sharing!