Brushstrokes & Business: A Journey into Freelance Illustration with Jessica Smith Illustration

Join me and Jess from Jessica Smith Illustration for a candid discussion about her evolution as a professional illustrator. Listen in as Jess reveals her six-year journey from art student to a full-time freelance creative, sharing the trials of her early days and the unexpected way her partnership with an agency propelled her career forward. Our chat is not just a peek into Jess's vibrant world of art but also a reflection on the authenticity of social media beginnings, where weekend sketches paved the way for professional growth.

We exchange stories of procrastination and the pressures of deadlines, alongside maintaining a creative schedule that adapts to when inspiration truly strikes. The discussion takes a turn towards the business side of creativity, touching on the strategic balancing of income streams from online courses to workshops.

Jess and I explore the balance between freelance life and agency work, and the all-too-familiar impulse to monetise every hobby. We share insights into the pursuit of diverse income sources, the creation of instructional art books, and how sometimes, personal passions inadvertently blossom into profitable ventures.

Alice

https://www.instagram.com/alicethorpe_/

https://www.youtube.com/alicethorpe

https://www.alicethorpe.co.uk

Jess

https://www.instagram.com/jessica_smith_illustration/

https://www.jessicasmithillustration.co.uk/

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