Did you grow up wanting to be an illustrator? And when did you realise you did if not?<\/b><\/p>\n
Growing up all I ever did was draw, yet it never occurred to me that it could be a viable career choice. It wasn’t until I entered further education that I finally recognised the potential of drawing. Taking a hiatus after university allowed me to explore my options but, as always, my creativity was persistent and I realised that nothing suits me quite like this. I\u2019ve been freelancing for a few years now and honestly I love it! I feel like exploring this career path has fulfilled my inner child, which is a great feeling.<\/span><\/p>\n If you strive for perfection you\u2019ll never achieve it<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Are you possessive of your ideas?<\/b><\/p>\n Not at all. In an era of over-consumption, it’s important to acknowledge that when you share your ideas with the public, others will inevitably expand upon and refine them. If anything, I view this as a massive compliment. If my art serves as a catalyst for someone’s inspiration, I consider it a positive sign that I’m doing something right. I encourage everyone to create as much as possible, under any capacity. I often ask myself, \u201cHow unique really is my idea?\u201d I feel that every idea and concept is a product of what you have seen and experienced already, whether the influence is intentional or subconscious.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What are some of your fears about where you are at right now?<\/b><\/p>\n I find the unpredictable trajectory of social media can be pretty intimidating. These days it\u2019s really important to use social media, given that a significant number of creatives, myself included, find clients this way. We\u2019re trying to figure out an algorithm that is ever-changing, a challenge that can often feel like a constant struggle. For example, if one of my posts doesn’t achieve the same level of engagement as my previous ones, I’m mindful of the potential repercussions this may have on the visibility of my portfolio. This could then affect how swiftly potential clients come across my work. It’s important to remember that social media isn’t about seeking popularity; it\u2019s about ensuring your work gets the recognition it deserves.<\/span><\/p>\n How do you know when something you\u2019re working on is finished?<\/b><\/p>\n I used to fall into the pattern of obsessively refining a project and continuing working on it long after others would consider it finished. However, once I started putting a piece of myself into each design, I found I was much better able to recognise when a piece had reached completion. Now I typically feel physically lighter, as if I\u2019ve just had a really long conversation with a friend. Oftentimes, when I think of an idea, it\u2019ll be like an itch I can\u2019t reach until I\u2019ve got it onto paper, or screen. Once the itch goes, that\u2019s when I know I\u2019m done.<\/span><\/p>\n I used to obsessively refine a project<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n You say a lot of your work is about \u201ccreating an identity for yourself\u201d. What\u2019s the relationship between your creative output and your identity, both as an artist and beyond?<\/b><\/p>\n We live in a generation of over-consumption and over-saturation. I mean this in the sense that across all platforms, ideas and concepts have likely been iterated and reworked countless times, sometimes making it challenging to know who\u2019s work you\u2019re looking at. This is why I’m driven to establish a distinct identity for myself. I aim for people to look at my work and instantly recognise it as mine, irrespective of the theme or message. I can only speak personally on this, but this is important to me because I perceive my art and creativity to be integral parts of my identity. Allowing my voice to resonate through my work allows me to feel more connected to what I have made. When you\u2019re connected to your craft, you\u2019ll produce great results.<\/span><\/p>\n The climate crisis can feel totally beyond the scope of individual action, but why do you think it\u2019s important for creatives to engage with it?<\/b><\/p>\n I think that every individual bears a responsibility to contribute towards combating the climate crisis, irrespective of the scale of their actions. Change, regardless of its magnitude, holds significance, as it all adds up. Our capacity as creatives to reach larger audiences gives us the opportunity to communicate the message far and wide across multiple platforms, which is essential. Also, the message can resonate with more people if it is communicated in a specific way, whether that\u2019s through an art piece, a song, a short film or a poem. It\u2019s a cause that affects every single one of us.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/everpress.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/whatsalexdrawn-4.jpg\")
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