The Tale of the Freelance Illustrator

Описание: You know… when people hear the word freelance, they get hung up on the word free. 🙃
As if we’re all just thrilled to pour our creativity into projects “for exposure” and good vibes only.
Spoiler alert: exposure doesn’t pay the bills. 😅🎨

So — “Why am I sharing these horror stories now?” you might ask?
Because I’ve seen the dark corners of the freelance world, and I made it out stronger.

I’ve wanted to be a children’s book illustrator for as long as I can remember. Even as a kid, I was obsessed with board books, the sweet simplicity adults often overlook, and the kind of art that makes your inner child feel safe again. 💛

Growing up in a home surrounded by art — with a mom who lived and breathed creativity — I knew this path was possible. After graduating from Ringling College of Art & Design, I made a decision that still sends chills down the spines of many artists… I said no to the corporate world.

Instead, I dove headfirst into the unpredictable, magical, and occasionally haunted world of freelance illustration. 👻

For 11 years, I’ve created hundreds of custom illustrations, painted massive murals, and brought 13 children’s books to life. But let me tell you — it hasn’t always been pretty. There were spooky steps, mucky backslides, ghost clients, phantom payments, and moments I nearly lost my creative spark.

That’s why I’m sharing these stories now — not from fear, but from growth.
Because I’ve faced the ghosts of underpricing, the phantoms of burnout, and the shadows of self-doubt — and I’ve lived to tell the tale.

If my stories can keep even one creative soul from repeating the same mistakes… then every eerie chapter was worth it. 🌙

Tell me below ⬇️ — what’s one “freelance horror story” or hard lesson you’ve learned on your creative path? Let’s turn these ghosts into growth together. ✨
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