Draw with me | How I became an illustrator: My career path and how I found my style 

I was also taught that all artists were "starving artists" and you could never make it. I ended up quitting teaching art and moving into a corporate job but I daydream about being a full time artist, so it's nice to hear your story.

When I started my business 15.5 years ago, I would spend a few hours a day walking in different neighborhoods passing out postcards door to door advertising myself. I would get up early and grab a stack of 100 postcards and just go. It's hard work building a business, but so worth it. I love what I do and could not imaging doing anything else.

I just stumbled upon this and I first got mesmerized by the art but then started to pay attention to your story too 😅 As someone who is currently 26, this gave me a bit more motivation to actually go for it and try instead of just thinking about becoming an illustrator, thank you!! Beautiful journey btw and I LOVE this illustration that's in the video omg

I would like to see your process in other traditional arts such as watercolor, gouache, oil, acrylic, etc

It felt like a sibling giving advice to me. A warm hug. It'll turn out very helpful for me in future I think.. many congratulations to you. Much love. Keep creating! ❤️

Thank you, this is exactly where I'm at now. It relieves me to know that even people of your talent felt the exact same. Now that burden of anxiety has been swapped with anticipation and excitement for the improvements and growth to come. I know I'm a year late but, thank you.

Your artwork and drawing skills are the perfect example of practice makes perfect.🎨✨️

Thanks so much for sharing your story with us, Kim! Your determination and persistence are incredible! And all that hard work paid off in such amazing ways. I started my career as an illustrator “late in life,” shall we say. It’s such a joy to be able to do what I love and get paid for it! I know your story is going to help others find the courage to take those hard steps towards making a career in art. Thanks for being such a light and inspiration! Looking forward to more of your videos. And Happy Thanksgiving! 💝

hearing your experience and your struggles is such an encouragement for me to keep pursuing art, thanks for sharing this!

Hi, I just discovered you through this video. I am a graphic designer from Greece and I currently work in the industry of graphic arts. Your story is really helpful for me as I am searching what to do next and how to pursue more in this field. Anyway, as a girl of 25 years old with a steady 9 to 5 job but also a big love for painting and art history, I just wanted to say thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best for your future!

Earlier today as I started my work (I'm a video editor), I found you and had been binging all of your videos. Now as the day ended (but still working), the new upload felt like a significant mood booster for the night. Thank you, you're awesome!

the algorithm blessed me with your channel I genuinely look forward to your uploads! love from the UK 💕

I love this so much! Thank you for the advise! I am much older in my mid thirties and I went to traditional art school and never put myself out for fear of imposter syndrome. But I feel like just do it I always just wanted to make art and thank you for the kind words of not being to hard on oneself. Wonderful video!

Just looked at your instagram, the evolution of your work is so inspiring! I graduated from art school with a focus in graphic design almost two years ago now…and have since realized graphic design frustrates me, and makes me feel like I’m working against the grain every time. I’ve always been an illustrator first…I’m 24 now and think I’ve decided that I want to do everything I can to make a career out of illustration, although so many people have told me not to start out freelancing and that i should stick with a graphic design job first. The fear and imposter syndrome is definitely the biggest hurdle

This video hits so close to home for me. I'm a corporate graphic designer who's 3 years into my career and have been feeling pretty down about my career direction. I adore illustration and try to work it in to my design work when I can but would love to switch to focusing on it. It's hilarious to me that like you, I also took two illustration classes in college 😅 I wonder how many illustrators were once burned out graphic designers.

you have this way of unassuming sophistication (in your art, the way you talk, context, as well as content). It has that directness but subtle as well. You definitely stand out...and I think that helps quite a bit.

This video is gift, really. Thank you for being so open about your career and journey to professional illustrator! ❤

just found this video while searching "illustrator" and love everything here. also wanted to make a special mention about the EQing/processing on your voice recording. it sounds freakin' amazing!

Hi Kim! I discovered your videos recently and I’m so happy you shared your experience transitioning into full time freelance illustration. I’m a product designer but I’ve always enjoyed drawing in my spare time, and my dream is to become an illustrator. Your videos are so inspiring (and soothing!) and your story is so inspiring and valuable. Your work is gorgeous and you’ve really pushed me to believe that the transition is closer to reach than I think. Can’t wait to see more of your art and videos! 😍

So interesting, thank you for sharing your story. It demonstrates the importance of pivoting and how it can actually work out as it did for you. Inspires me!

Yeayyy you posted again!!! This was so relaxing!

New subscriber here; thank you for sharing. It’s so helpful to hear what other artists have done on their path to freedom.

I love te palette color, I think that you achieve very fine finishes with colored pencils, it seems digital, !!!!!

This inspired me to not give up on my dream of working in the art area

Hi Kim 😁this was so interesting to listen to and really inspiring. I love all the pops of pink in your illustration. 😍 Also loved seeing your plants, we also have a Devils Ivy & a mini Cheese plant.

I enjoyed your video! Thank you for the content and your style is spectacular! I love illustration design and would love to learn and become one some day! So inspiring!

Really enjoyed watching this drawing come to life! Thanks for sharing your journey.

Great video im working to move my art/ illustration life into the way i support myself financially as it is my sustenance for life and living( along with my critters) now i just need to make money from it!!!

I love those colors, it's so busy that it's way more of an esthetic decision than too much of a good thing! Very jealous of the confidence of putting color right on the page, with what it looks like very ;little planning

i recently found your channel and you're such a great illustrator. that too , in my favourite city. have a good one

I stumbled across your channel and I'm so glad to have found it! Your video and illustration style is awesome and your voice is so soothing! Also, you inspire me so much! 🌷 I'm finishing my graphic design degree soon and love design, but I love art more though. Both disciplines are not incompatible of course, but still I'm very torn. Painting has always been a big part of my life and it's the only thing where I can truly relax and what fulfills me. When I sell prints I'm so happy about each sell and I'm blown away every time that there are people who want to see my paintings on their walls every day. But just like you, I always lack the confidence that this can really work as a full-time career. I'm also afraid that once I depend on making money with painting, I'll lose the joy in it. Do you ever feel that way? Especially because one runs the risk of burning out so quickly in these professions? I hope your are doing well and I can't wait for your next video! ✨🐸

I just watched your Vid, and its nice to hear about your journey. As a parent of creative in college (not an Art school) with "Art dreams", I can't get the "Starving Artist" idea out of my head. However, as a parent I try to be supportive. I have 2 Questions for you: (1) How do you know when your work is good enough make a living as an Illustrator?, and (2) Should an artist change his/her personal style to attract a broader audience(employers), or stick with what they personally like?

Beautiful artwork~ love your vibrant colours & cool proportion :D

Thank you for sharing your illustration journey!

Absolutely stunning and mesmerizing drawing process.

I'm so glad i'm not the only one who was told by many people that art was not a job but a hobby. Thankfully my lovely mother believes differently. Thank you for making this video as well it was very uplifting on my journey. One quick question where did you learn body anatomy??😵‍💫

kim how are u continuously so cool! also i indeed watched with a snack!! (bbl tea ofc)

Thank you for sharing your experience! its very inspiring! I immediately subscribed your channel.

Thank you for sharing. Loved this.

I really loved this video. Keep it up going sister ❣️🙏

Wow! That was awesome.

I love illustration and drawing it. I hope to become an illustrator someday. I mostly work with tracing paper. Am I able to become an illustrator with using other people work yet improving it with my own art style

im in graphic design rn and lowkey feel miserable,,,,the standards for us are so exhausting and no one ever seems to appreciate unique styles and clients can be a pain,,,so can professors,,,

💜

Thank you!

Do you send the original or a print to your clients. How do you archive the illustrations . Do you use a clear to prevent smudging the colors.

I really like the videos you make so amazing and aesthetic and btw whats the name of the background musics?

hermoso❤

How do you get your pencils to look like solid blocks of colour?

Please stop referring to a career PATH as a career. A career is defined as significant time spent in one field of work. You are a very nice illustrator and I hope you can look back in 20-30 years time and say you have had a career of significance in this field. Best of luck.

How mulher cliente do RU-vid have?

You do NOT sound like you're from New York.Maybe Connecticut

Yeah, You come back to post :) I really miss your content. Thank you for sharing your experiences. When I found your channel, Honestly I feel like your art attractive to me. I enjoy with your stories that's inspired me !!! I set notification and can't wait to see your art on next content :)