Left Corporate America to Pursue a Career in Illustration

Mewie

Hi everyone,

Last week, I retired from a corporate communications career (been working in the tech industry since 2006) to learn how to create art.

I'm 42 years old - been happily married for 16+ years, and am a father of 10-year old twins. I left the golden handcuffs (aka job security) to pursue my passion in illustrating. No formal training but I fell in love with drawing thanks to Inktober 2018. I also subscribed to SVS at that time. Funny how life happens, but my corporate career skyrocketed right after so I was only able to complete a few foundation courses before making the tough decision to focus on that instead of illustrating. But even with such "success," I didn't feel fulfilled.

I figure I have 20+ years left of my professional career. I want to make the most of it doing something I've always wanted to do - become a comic book artist (whether that's joining a publisher or self-publishing). No idea if this will lead to something sustainable with my family's current lifestyle but I'm giving myself 6 months to learn as much as I can and make a decision from there. I'm scared but excited!

The past several weeks, I've been listening to 3 Point Perspectives and was greatly encouraged to hear and discover Anthony Wheeler when Jake, Lee, and Will were chatting with him.

Just thought I'd say hello and start contributing/participating in this great community!

Chantal Goetheer

@Mewie welcome. Wow what a courageous decision! I would be scared senseless. But I completely get how work would suck up all time to make it happen otherwise, especially with twins in the house. I'm 37, a mother of two (2&4), working in higher education (field of sustainability) which I love, but wanting to also give my creativity and love of stories a chance to contribute to the education part. Like you I also figured with 25+ years to go I want to change more towards primary and environmental education, story writing and illustration. However I'd like it more next to working parttime as a teacher. Looking forward to following you and your work into this new and exciting pathway. Best of luck and joy to you!

kirsten-mcg

@Mewie good for you! That was a courageous move! I hope you’re able to make good progress toward you goal. And I would say you can work in art for as long as you can hold a pencil! There’s plenty of artists who worked right up to the end. Check out this blog post if you want some examples. https://theabundantartist.com/5-late-bloomers-that-changed-the-art-world/

Mewie

@Chantal-Goetheer thank you!

Wow - you are busy! A two and four-year old! I vividly remember that age... from our experience, parenting gets so much easier after age 4 (no more sleep training, no more diaper - and giving you more quality time to hang out with your partner/friends - tears of joy). I'm excited for you as they become more independent and you have more time/energy to focus on your passions.

It's only been a week, and I have these moments when I'm thinking, "omg... what have I done!?" My wife has been stay-at-home since the twins were born so I've been the primary income provider the past 10 years. We've been very fortunate and privileged to save up enough money and make some key investments so that I can safely engage in this 6-month experiment to pursue illustration... but I think what excites and scares me more is that if I find out that illustration is truly a calling for me, I have to think: What sacrifices do we need to seriously consider so I can reach my potential?

So yes, much to explore, learn, and decide in the coming months. In the meantime, I'm having a blast going all in to drawing and learning and meeting more like-minded peers, mentors, and followers!

Mewie

@kirsten-mcg thank you! Wow, that blog post is super encouraging and inspiring. So awesome!

Jeremy Ross

Welcome @Mewie, and well done with such a courageous decision!

Mewie

@Jeremy-Ross Thank you, Jeremy! Love your art on Instagram... it's gorgeous. Following!

ArtistErin

Welcome and kudos for moving toward makes you happy!!! What a great photo as well! And you chose the best forum and place to get going, this is a great community here with SVS.

MarcRobinson

@Mewie what an amazing thing to do. Wishing you all the luck in the world with your new venture. It really is exciting times. Oh, and welcome!

Anaid J.

Hi! firstly, welcome to the forum. That's such an inspiring move. My work is not exaaactly the same, but I work in an industry that doesn't fulfill me, so I think you did a courageous decision. I really hope your art career goes well. You took a leap of faith, so I'm sure it will work out in the end.

The best of the vibes for this future illustrator, I'm thrilled to see your work from now on!

KatrinaF

@Mewie Hey Mewie!

I also left my 20+ corp job last year to pursue comics (webcomics for me but really any platform that gets my art/story out there.) 6 months is a great start. I recommend listening to SVS most recent video about independent artists. It's a long haul endeavor to be independent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlFJ47P6czU

Jake and the gang also say to give yourself a project. For me it was creating my comic. I jumped in head first and nearly drown but a year later I'm slowly building my niche audience, I have a decent Patreon following, making an Art book for 2023, plans for so much Merch and a Kids book I want to create in 30 days.

I wish you the best of luck! It's tough!
If ya wanna chat more reach out. BTW I also have twins! 15 yrs old now.

Katrina

Video of my storyboarding (https://youtube.com/shorts/_G2jVJPOTgc)...ugh!

www.katrinacomics.carrd.co

This post is deleted!

Chantal Goetheer

@Mewie haha yes it is a struggle to find time to actually draw. But as you say it gets easier. I'm glad we are well out of baby phase. Sleeping is now pretty good.
Can imagine it will be a big change in income although what I hear in 3pp money can be made in illustration, that's hopeful. There were also some episodes where they talked about changing things in you life so you need less income. I think coming from corporate is a benefit in finding ways to monetize your illustration business.

Mewie

@ArtistErin thank you, Erin! Feeling lots of love here... I feel at home

Mewie

@MarcRobinson thank you, Marc! Excited to be here

Mewie

@Anaid-J thank you, Anaid! I'm cheering for you to have a plan, the means, and the opportunities to transition away from the things that don't make you come alive so you can focus on what you're meant to do! May 2023 be an awesome growing year for all of us

Mewie

@KatrinaF omg... you are my inspirational FUTURE ME haha - the parent of 15 year old twins, a former corporate employee, web comics creator, and an upcoming Art book!? #TakeMyMoney

So cool - I'll be reaching out to you soon thank you for the warm welcome!

P.S. I don't think your website URL is correct or it's not working for me - but I'll be checking out more of your work soon! Great YT storyboarding video...I get giddy thinking I can say / replicate that video someday

Mewie

@Stephanie-H Thank you! Thrilled to join this community

Mewie

@Chantal-Goetheer Yes, I think my business background and marketing communications experience will accelerate this transition... now I just need to catch up and learn how to draw lol (no big deal )

KatrinaF

@Mewie

Hummm... what link was it? The www.katrinacomics.carrd.co? That has links to all my stuff so I need to know if it's not working. Ugh!

Just go to my instagram:

Kids Illustration: Kjf.illustration. (don't currently post much there)
Comics: KatrinaComics I post most of my stuff there. Everything else is either Twitter, which I'm not fond of, or my Patreon which you need to be a supporter.

I look forward to chatting! How old are your twins? Identical? My girls are identical and was had to tell them apart when younger. Now it's not an issue.