{"id":41850,"date":"2023-10-03T01:00:42","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T01:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/?p=41850"},"modified":"2025-10-29T15:07:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T15:07:34","slug":"i-wish-i-knew-that","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zealous.co\/about\/spotlights\/i-wish-i-knew-that\/","title":{"rendered":"I Wish I Knew That: Starting Out"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Charmaine Chanakira<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
\u2018Pareidolia\u2019 by Charmaine Chanakira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo not feel pressured to say yes to opportunities that do not align with you. More will come, be authentic.\u201d \u2013 Charmaine Chanakira<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Fanny Beckman<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
\u2018Isolation\u2019 by Fanny Beckman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs creatives, we need to get better at charging the right fees, both to value our own work correctly but also to ensure that our colleagues don\u2019t have to lower their fees out of competition.\u201d \u2013 Fanny Beckman<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Guy Armitage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Guy Armitage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wish I had known how long it would take. Everything on social media seems so immediate, but the reality is that it takes time to create something of value. Overnight success takes a decade.\u201d  \u2013 Guy Armitage<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Carmela Vienna<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Round Lemon Billboard<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wish I knew how to navigate the social aspect of the art world. It\u2019s taken years for me to understand the value of networking and how crucial it is to connect with likeminded people, but also people that you find motivating and inspiring. You never know just how much your network will champion your ideas and lead you to doors you never knew existed.\u201d \u2013 Carmela Vienna<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Marley Starskey Butler<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
\u2018Untitled\u2019 by Marley Starskey Butler<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGenuinely, there\u2019s nothing that I wish I knew before I started my creative career, because I wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. There\u2019s things I\u2019ve found out along the way, but the process of learning is better. If somebody told me all the lessons I know now at the beginning, it still wouldn\u2019t have made a difference because I prefer what comes out of the process of these difficulties and challenges.\u201d \u2013 Marley Starskey Butler<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Bee Illustrates<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
\u2018Magic\u2019 by Bee Illustrates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf I had to go back in time and tell my younger self what I wish I\u2019d known about embarking on the journey to becoming a freelance illustrator, creative and curator, I\u2019d probably lead with the following advice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you\u2019re a complete novice, faking it till you make it really does work \u2013 if you act confidently, professionally and at the level of the clients you want to bring in, they will take you seriously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can\u2019t overstate how important a strong portfolio is! I was recently a judge for the D&AD New Blood x EditorX portfolio awards, and what I was looking for was a portfolio that was a true representation of the person behind it, that was user friendly, clear and easy to understand, that was well curated and showcased a mixture of the artist\u2019s best work\/biggest clients, as well as personal projects and the kind of work they would like to get hired to make. It should be easy to see their place in the industry reflected in their portfolio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d also say to immerse yourself in your local creative community \u2013 go to markets, art galleries, events and workshops and get talking to the people there. In a best case scenario they might point you in the direction of an opportunity, become a future collaborator or put you forward for a commission that they weren\u2019t the right fit for, and the worst case scenario is that you\u2019ve made a new friend and had a nice conversation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, I\u2019d remind my younger self that success in any field doesn\u2019t happen overnight! Don\u2019t give up \u2013 there will be setbacks, but you owe it to yourself to persevere at doing what you love.\u201d \u2013 Bee Illustrates<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Short Supply<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Short Supply<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe industry is unfair. We wish we\u2019d known that sooner, because once we understand the problems, we can start to fix them! Find your people and be good to them, take every opportunity you can to be generous, patient, slow\u2026 We only have a finite time to pursue our interests on this earth, when you look back at all you\u2019ve achieved one day you will remember not what you did but how you felt doing it. How do you want to remember feeling? Let that guide you!\u201d \u2013 Short Supply<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Andreea Pislaru<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
\u2018Compressed Variance\u2019 by Andreea Pislaru<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing a creative is alot more work than you think it is. Sometimes, you are shown this dreamy, ideal lifestyle but there is alot of work that comes behind it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be put off by the fact that it is such a subjective area. Be prepared for criticism and having to take on feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And make friends! It is such a rewarding industry to work in if you are willing to put the work in.\u201d \u2013 Andreea Pislaru<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Phoebe Minson<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Phoebe Minson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOccasionally, exploitation can occur within creative professions. Being aware of your rights and recognising your true value is crucial and don\u2019t be afraid to step beyond your comfort zone and explore fresh avenues and opportunities, even if it\u2019s just to discover what doesn\u2019t resonate with you. While it\u2019s unacceptable to be underpaid to the point of struggling to make ends meet, it\u2019s also very uncommon for entry-level positions to provide the money for the \u20181%\u2019 lifestyle of dining out frequently or buying new sneakers weekly. Maintain practical expectations!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learning how to work smart and stay healthy isn\u2019t a waste of time, trust me. The sooner you figure out what\u2019s non-negotiable for keeping your mind, body, and soul in good shape, the better off you\u2019ll be. Take time to reflect, analyze stuff, and remember to be kind to yourself and others. Learn from life\u2019s curveballs and jump on opportunities when they pop up. Life\u2019s all about becoming the best version of yourself, so treat every experience as a step toward discovering your true self at the core.\u201d \u2013 Phoebe Minson<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Bethan Jayne<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Bethan Jayne<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBeing a creative is such a huge learning curve and it is important to take time to discover what you like. You also don\u2019t need to pigeon hole yourself in to one medium or genre. I really love painting absurd pieces but also taking photographs of wildlife so I allow myself time to do both. Allow yourself room for growth and give yourself rest when you need it\u201d \u2013 Bethan Jayne<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

Want us to write more content like this? Give it a like<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\t\t