OMGBBQ great news!!

[NessIllustration]

@hannahmccaffery Thank you! I've heard great things too so I am very excited! Until now I've been getting work by myself, but not children's books like I want to so I'm looking forward to see where this takes me next!

[NessIllustration]

@nyrrylcadiz Thank you so much sweetie!
I sent them my portfolio through their website, simply I have heard that it's better when a rep comes to you because you're in a better position or something, but honestly that just doesn't sound like me to do that haha... I'm not one to play games, I'm a go getter and if I want something I work for it and chase after it! I'm a big believer in "ask and you shall receive".

I sent my portfolio for the first time in the Spring to a few children illustration agencies and got some interesting feedback. A couple of reps said I had beautiful work but didn't fit what they were looking for. One said my style was too similar to some artists they already represent and they don't want to make us compete against each other. The Beehive however told me they loved my stuff but they were currently full (I did have dreadful timing, just a couple weeks after the Frankfurt book fair). I rebuilt my portfolio entirely based on feedback I received (more focus on character and storytelling) and I sent again, this time restricting to the agents that had said positive things or didn't reply at all. Ellie from the Beehive contacted me about 3 weeks later with an offer of representation! It is on a 6 month trial basis, which I'm not too worried about because I know I'm very professional and dedicated. I'm thinking worse that can happen is they don't find anything for me in 6 months and we dissolve the contract, in which case I lose nothing. But I have high hopes it's going to go better than that

[carriecopadraws]

Congrat, that is so awesome!! It is inspiring to see people in the forum succeed.

[Nyrryl Cadiz]

@nessillustration That’s really amazing! I really admire that you went after the agents rather than the opposite. It’s just really time consuming and less efficient if you just wait around for them to reach out. I’m certain they’ll find a job for you within 6 months and with your skills, I have a strong feeling that you’re going to be permanently represented once the trial is over. I wish you the best.

[NessIllustration]

@carriecopa Thank you Carrie!

@nyrrylcadiz That is so sweet of you to say! I hope you are right hihi.. We'll see soon I guess, but right now I'm riding the happy buzz (pun intended!)

[Judy Elizabeth Wilson]

@NessIllustration Congratulations!!! Amazing news. You have a bright future ahead of you

[NessIllustration]

@judy-elizabeth-wilson Thank you so much, Judy!

[Johanna Kim]

@nessillustration Yay! Congratulations! Love your work!

[NessIllustration]

@johanna-kim Thank you so much Johanna!

[Ailantan]

Congratulations! I love it when amazing things happen to awesome people! I hope you have great time :D:D:D:D

[NessIllustration]

@ailantan Thank you so much, Ailantan! Everyone here is so supportive and encouraging!

[JennyJones]

Wow! Yea for you! You’ll have to let us know how the process goes. Good for you for going out there and making things happen! I really am so excited for you.

[NessIllustration]

@jennyjones Thank you so much, Jenny! I will let you all know how it goes from here!

[holleywilliamson]

Congrats! Your work is great! Good luck!

[Eli]

Congratulations! That is huge! And amazing!

[NessIllustration]

Thank you Holley and Eli! It certainly feels like a big deal to me hihi

[Chip Valecek]

WOW Congrats!!

[Gary Wilkinson]

Congratulations @NessIllustration and I hope you get a ton of work coming in from them! I noticed that Beehive are a UK company, whereas you are based in Canada. Were you looking for an international agent or do you feel that the location wasn't so important?

Let us know when your first book is out so we can all rush to buy a copy

[NessIllustration]

@chip-valecek Thanks Chip! I'm so thrilled!

@Gary-Wilkinson I understand it can take a bit of time for an agent to get the ball rolling with a new artist, but I can't wait to get work So exciting!
Most of the agents I was interested in were based in the UK, funnily enough! I guess the UK has a thing for children illustration? I didn't find a good rep in Canada and the Beehive represents illustrators internationally anyway, so I didn't really mind

[SarahLuAnn]

Woo-hoo, congrats--and well deserved ;-).