For some latest spotlights-head on over to my other blog: Holly DeWolf where I have been spotlighted on Escape From Illustration Island's 'Escapee Speaks.'

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."

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."

Last weekends theme was "Alone". I'm a little late posting these as you can see. Once again a group idea thing with Colby Sunshine!

This is a weekend creative theme that I did along with illustrator Colby "Sunsine" Nelson to keep those creative neurons spinning!!

It's official folks-my book is on the shelves and ready to spread love & knowledge! Interestingly enough when I got my book deal January 4th 2008, this day seemed so far away. As I read over it I can pinpoint many sleep deprived moments, times when technology worked against me, having to move just as the manuscript was due, getting up some mornings to work at 3:00 am, and the funny times like when i had an online friend send me jokes for 2 hours to keep me awake for a deadline. My favourite part was the process of it and doing something so unexpected! Who knew I would an author?

What is next? The official book launch is on October 8th at Argyle Fine Arts 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. See you there! You can get more details over at my other blog!

I love hugs and I would probably try to hug 10 people at a time I'm sure. What's next? Time to get that web site redesign done.

So, in my last post I have a photo of a sketch that was in progress. Confession? I lost that sketch for about a month. So, when I found it I had to paint it immediately before my desk ate it up again. It feels good to be painting!! What's next? More work on the website and new sketches.

"Damned"© Holly DeWolf

So now that my book is selling like hot cakes, its time for me to reinvent my illustration career. What is now on the illustration menu is a new web site that is currently in progress, new work, new business cards, and I might...just might consider getting a Wacom tablet. I'll keep you posted.

You read it right-my book has officially been printed! Now I have to tackle all the to-do's before it comes out in September. One thing I can cross off my list is the book launch party-it will be October 8th here in Halifax, Nova Scotia at Argyle Fine Arts.

So, wanna know where you can find my book? Here are few places to check out:


• Amazon.com
• Amazon.ca
• Chapters/Indigo
• Borders

"Wish on everything. Stars, first stars and shooting stars. Planes will do if they are the first light in the sky and look like stars. Wish in tunnels, holding your breath and lifting your feet off the ground. And don't forget Birthday candles."


So... tomorrow is my birthday. Typically I don't do much on this day. I usually get too busy to make time for me! This year I celebrate in a big way!

Why? Why not! Plus my book will be released on September 21st- Breaking Into Freelance Illustration. I am becoming sought after for my business chats which is very exciting. I am re-starting my illustration career that had to be on hold because of the book & life stuff! So you know what that means? A new web site coming down the pipes and new promotional materials. All very exciting.

The one big thing that came out of this year was this-I let go of trying to get things just right all the time. I guess I redefined 'right' and realized that wrong, messed up and a middle ground is also okay! I guess my creative control was controlling me and now I try to step out and do things out of my character. Or maybe it is my character? Who knows! Either way my free spirited self likes it. Good things happen when I just jump in and do it! Feeling the fear and doing it anyway has been good for me. Happy Birthay to me!!

Not just little creepy crawlers after all:

• Finding a spider on your clothes is considered a good luck omen financially. Let's hope it's a money spider and not a tarantula
• Seeing a spider climb up its thread signifies good news is coming your way. Maybe because the spider is going back to his web?
• Seeing a spider climb down its thread. Good luck all round, but don't let him get to the floor or it'll mean bad luck; most likely because the spider might be headed your way!
• Seeing a spider run across a wall. Good luck, especially if he's not headed towards your bedroom! Run!

Painted in gouache April 5th © Holly DeWolf

I got a new web site coming down the pipes! Stay tuned!

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.

Now I am not one to get too traditional about things but I felt compelled to add my own spin on this occasion. So it turned out that in came in contact with mutant chemical X! Happy Valentines day!

So way back... and I am talking about early 90's here, I fell in love with this:

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!
-Henry Longfellow taken from The Children's Hour

I know! Deep, huh? This text seemed odd when I first read it. It was real and from that deep part of the heart that many of us don't know about. This was the first snippet of text that rocked my illustrative mind. I felt compelled to revisit it due to some major events that have taken place in my life lately. These events have rocked the world that I have known and grew to live with.

I think I figured it out. I think I now know why I love this and why I needed to illustrate it back then.

The Project: To re-do this illustration again with new eyes, a new mind and a new heart.