My spotlights on EFII-Escapee Speaks!!

Aside from the Podcast I did on this site-I was also put in the section 'Escapee Speaks'

• Cold Calls

• Creating For You

This a fantastic site for invaluable information for all illustrators. Great job with the site Thomas!

Monster Monster Go Away!

Mostly Harmless!!

My Podcast on Escape From Illustration Island

I recently had a great chat with Thomas James from Escape From Illustration Island. Topics discussed were my book, branding, starting out, pricing, mentoring, creativity, working at home, community and so much more but you'll have to listen to it to get all the good stuff.

Also you have a chance to win a signed book as well. Listen to Episode 10 of the Escape From Illustration Island Podcast to find out how you can win a signed copy of Breaking Into Freelance Illustration.

"This is a great resource for beginners and pros alike, because Holly leaves no stones unturned in her exploration of the many facets of this ever-evolving subject. And on top of that, this competition is a great way to connect and converse with your fellow Illustrators."

My interview on Illustrophile.com

This is my latest interview on Illustrophile.

"It’s been a really long time, but we’re really happy to have a new interview up! This time we talk to illustrator/ author Holly DeWolf, who among other things is the author of the great new book ‘Breaking into Freelance illustration‘. We talk to her about her long career as an illustrator, her new path as an author, and her general opinion on the illustration industry."

Holly-isms!!

Today called for one of my lists.
Top 64 things that you will always hear me say! oh and this is only part of my lexicon! lol

1. "write that down!"
2. "This is true!"
3. "stasap!" (sooner than as soon as possible)
4. "it rocks my world!"
5. "is that Latin?"
6. "nerd up!"
7. "see ya later rockinator!"
8. "i'm going to need a bigger mug!"
9. "couch potatoing!"
10. "joke me please-there's cookies in it for ya!"
11. "Come to the creative dark side-it comes with cookies!"
12. "I was nowhere near your neighborhood"
13. "I'm so smart..s.m.r.t!!"
14. "just keep swimming...just keep swimming!"
15. "me lose brain? thats unpossible!"
16. "superb"
17. "weeze the juice!"
18. "transplendent"
19. "cake or death!"
20. "your genius is showing"
21. "F.U.N spells fun!"
22. "you lucky creative ducky!"
23. "What rules?"
24. "thats hot like Krakatoa hot!"
25. "I'll take some chocolate with a side of chocolate please!"
26. "oh! Lightbulb"
27. "where is my decoder ring when I need it"
28. "3 chords and the truth!"
29. "its a creative imperative!!"
30. "oh cup of joe! How you rock my world so!"
31. "you and me punk rock girl!"
32. "multi-faceted entertaining"
33. "let the commencing beginulate!"
34. "applause, applause applause!" ...said with a New yawk accent!!
35. "I need a genie with a lamp and a time machine"
36. "as sharp as a bowling ball"
37. "so I says to myself..."self...."
38. "you made your sale!"
39. "FUBAR"
40. "no tribble at all!"
41. "oh my spleen!"
42. "I didn't come with an off switch!"
43. "perfectly imperfect!"
44. "I'm getting down verbally!"
45. "smarticale" (smart & intelligent)
46. "thing s that make you go hmmmmmm" (while tapping lip with my pinky finger!)
47. "just a code I live by!"
48. "badassery"
49. "kaput"
50. "sames-ies"
51. "shhhhh...I'm harnessing my chi!"
52. "got cut off in mid-think!"
53. "badabing with much zing!"
54. "something wicked this way comes"
55. "hey if can't dazzle...wear 'em down!"
56. "such a Bettie!"
57. "conjurer of conjugation!"
58. "prepare to be vanquished"
59. "I'm smad!" ( so mad)
60. "I like big words..its like my tongue is taking an exam!"
61. "mutant chemical X"
62. "when in doubt, pinky out!"
63. "shinanigans"
64. "it's ON! like teflon!"

Its been brought to my attention...

It has been brought to my attention that I have not updated this blog since March. Why? I was debating whether to move this blog or to delete it all together. So, since I have not decided it's blogging as usual.

So what's been happening? Well, my book is officially on the shelves and ready for new homes. My official book launch will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia October 8th at 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. It will be held at Argyle Fine Arts on the waterfront. All are welcome to attend.

Now that I am getting back into the swing of things I have been creating new work, a new website and I am looking forward to be being published again.

Sadly another thing that has been preoccupying me is my Mum. She is terminal now with cancer and sadly I must accept that it wont be much longer now. I have to say it has been a hectic summer with all this going on, work, children and getting ready for the release of my first book. Some days I'm not sure how I'm keeping it all together but I do in my own creative way.

And to the anonymous commenter-thank you for the reminder that I have been neglectful of this blog. Cheers!

New web site preview!

I got a new web site in the works. So much to do before the book comes out. I'll throw regular updates up as it progresses along.

My book is availabe for pre-order!!

Our Little Corner- A little introduction....


“And you may ask yourself,
Well... how did I get here?”
- David Byrne


In 2005 I started blogging as a creative diversion to working at home. What developed was an online community that not only inspired me but helped me in my pursuit of creative self-employment as an illustrator. I soon became hooked. I met illustrators from all parts of the globe producing really great work and demonstrating that it is quite possible to make a living as an illustrator.

New technologies have brought to light many talented illustrators who are incredibly dedicated to their creative profession. I call these illustrators the new innovators because they not only work in the industry but they promote it as well. They are creative in finding work, setting up online communities and promoting themselves through their web sites and blogs. Today’s illustrators require a new set of skills to keep them moving forward in this industry. Gone are the days of creative isolation. Digital networking is the one of the big keys to success today.

Although new technologies are being created all the time to help get us “out there”, the basic needs of illustrators have not changed. Needs such as our commitment to our work, establishing client relationships, the drive to do our personal best and to make a living from our work are paramount. No less important is our need to know where we are going and have a plan pointed in the right direction. A whole lot of “luck” does not hurt either.

Through new technologies we see new illustrators blooming and on the verge of greatness. They may not have twenty years experience or been published but add a new dimension to this industry - camaraderie. A tight-knit creative network who support and help each other has emerged.

We are not only visual problem-solvers. We also need to solve problems in running a business while juggling our home lives. Our schools do not always address that when we are leaving with our portfolios in hand ready to take on the world. To learn this on the fly can be daunting at best.

I was once told that illustration is 70% business and 30% talent. I don’t know if those percentages are completely true. What I do know is this, we are the business and we are the brand. Our image is everything. How we promote ourselves is what is going to get us the types jobs we want. The clients are not necessarily going to come to us.

This book is what I would like to see in a guide for illustrators. On many occasions I see books spotlighting the work of illustrators but little information on how they got there. Looking at the process, the motivation, the ups and downs of self-employment and the materials illustrators use really help on many levels. There are many wonderful illustrators who work in the mediums of digital, paint, fabric, clay and even painting with coffee. Whatever the choice is, fantastic things can happen on a blank page, on the computer, on a piece of illustration board or a swatch of fabric.

Also, to look forward we need to look back at those illustrators who paved the way for us. I will spotlight those illustrator champions and why they inspire us the way they do. As a child Ed Emberley was my childhood hero. Not only did he help break down the concept of drawing, he made it fun. In a way, I owe him a big thanks because those humble beginnings set my path to art and design school. Thanks Ed!

Sometimes we hit a level of our careers and ask ourselves how we got here. The answers are often surprising from very small tidbits to really big moments. We all define success differently and how we achieve those goals come from many small steps that lead to big things. Success comes from constancy of purpose and creating with purpose. Stopping to see what is working and what is leading you down the path you are on can help you continue moving toward your goals.

I want to address the creative business of illustration. Many questions are repeatedly asked about the same issues; pricing, printing, cold-calling, and e-mail networking that can be overwhelming, especially if you are new to the business. My hope is that this book provides helpful tips, advice and a lot of inspiration. Many illustrators will be contributing to this with their opinions and insights to what makes this industry great to what we all would like to see the industry become. It is a guide about networking and showing real down-to-earth advice to help build a career for illustrators and aspiring illustrators to obtain their dream job of creative self-employment.

I want to give back to the industry that has helped support me in my creative endeavors. I learn daily from my network . They inspire me, critique my work with invaluable feedback and let me know that I am not creating in isolation. Our little creative corner of the world may be small but we still push the boundaries towards new heights of excellence with a little help from our friends.

My upcoming book: Breaking Into Freelance illustration: A Guide for Artists, Designers and Illustrators.

The Big release date will be September 21st 2009.