Maria Taylor

http://www.mariataylorillustration.co.uk/

Maria Taylor's work for various greetings cards companies inspires me. It all holds a similar theme and comes across very punctual.

Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 16:53:45 +0000

From: njeffries24@yahoo.co.uk

Subject: Transition from student illustrator to practitioner.

To: mariataylorillustration@hotmail.com

Good Afternoon Maria, 

I am a third year student studying Illustration at Plymouth College of Art in the UK and I'm currently looking into researching various jobs that relate to my practice and the artists that influence me or surround the job's I'm interested in.

I am very interested in finding out other artist's career paths and how they got to where they are today, so i was wondering if you'd mind letting me in on how you got to where you are now... whether you had other jobs along side your practice to start with, how you got your work out there in the big wide world and become 'established' in your field, and what events do you find most helpful for networking, if any...

I hope you can help me in my transition from student to practitioner in as many ways possible.

Hope to hear from you,

regards,

Nathan Jeffries.

Hello Nathan,

The transition from student to practitioner was pretty quick. I worked in house for a while and then went freelance....

I went to the Princes Trust and received a grant to buy a computer and software. The Princes Trust also provided great networking events and short courses.

I did have another job for a while (teaching aerobics).

I then taught illustration evening courses and then taught on the illustration degree course part-time.

My personality preferred to work freelance....and perhaps if I get to a stage where I cannot afford to pay bills I would work part-time again.

I would say that as an illustrator starting out you will need to have a part-time job along side freelancing (unless you are a secret millionaire).

It also helps your sanity to see people and network.

The only tip I could give you is " Work like a dog!, don't think about it.....just get on with it!

Hope that helps abit?

Warm Wishes Maria