I don’t freelance too often. I am currently working a book, designing, illustrations (with David’s help), a workbook, cover art, website art. Been working on this since summer … and we are nearing the end. It has been an enormous learning experience, mainly about what NOT to do, but every job is a learning experience. The freelance experience can be brutal on your self-esteem and psyche. I have worked for many editors that just poo-poo my work and didn’t understand what I was trying to convey.
I have been fortunate to work for many more creative directors that are excellent in helping me solve for a visual problem and on the whole, love my work. I was emailing with the guy I occasionally do illustrations for. He hires me for other clients … he is concise about what he wants, what he is going to pay, when he needs it. I love working for him. And sometimes he loves what I have done but his clients do not and refuse to pay him. This is an example for Nose Bliss. They told them they hated the illustration and this is what they used instead on their website. All I can say … they should have gone with the illustration. 😉
If you are going to freelance, or put your art out there … you must be ready for criticism and lots of changes to suit the client.
