How to Get Your Own Way More Often as an Illustrator

Today’s post comes from a question that came to me via Instagram: “At what point did you say “No” to doing client work that killed your soul … when did you say, ‘I’m doing it my way’?”

As I write the title to today’s entry, I feel a little bit ashamed. It seems just so utterly selfish and misguided. After all, isn’t the purpose of commercial art to please the client?

If I were a so-called fine artist, painting for nobody but me, then of course, it’s a given that my art is for me and about me. Nobody can tell me what to draw or paint, nor how. If people happen to like my work after the fact and wish to buy it, then lucky me. But I am a commercial artist, and the purpose and intention of all my work starts with my client, not with me. I have certain artistic skills and creative faculties through which paying clients can channel their ideas for a fee. It’s like a coin operated pony ride at the mall — just insert the quarter and you get to ride me for a bit. Keep inserting quarters and I’ll keep going.

Except it’s not really like that at all. Not for me at least, and I hope not for anyone else.

My creativity is not for hire. My ability to draw is not for hire. My ability to use Photoshop or Illustrator or Procreate is not for hire. So what is for hire, then? Me. I am for hire. What…