Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Freeman.
Laura, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I’m from New York and I studied Illustration at SVA – The School of Visual Arts. I didn’t get much work for years and for a long time I earned my living as a waitress. I was persistent, though, (some might call it stubborn!) I finally landed a job as an in-house illustrator for the men’s design department at Polo/Ralph Lauren where I spent all my time drawing clothing. outerwear, shoes, sweaters. All the while I still worked on the odd illustration job for magazines and newspapers during my off hours. I did lots of work for The New York Times Book Review as well as lots of children’s publications, whatever I could get. I would get up at 5am to work on a job before having to be at Polo, and after staying up until 2am working on it the night before. I did stay at Polo for quite a long time. It’s hard to go full-time freelance after you’re used to a steady paycheck and full-time benefits! But, I am glad for my time there. That’s where I fell in love with Photoshop. I finally left when I got an agent who really started to get me steady work in the children’s market.
Has it been a smooth road?
There were years where I had all but given up, but something always drew me back. I remember going on an interview once and the art director just flat out told me that I would never get work with my portfolio. He said it looked like student work and he pulled out a painting as an example of “good” work. Guess what? He painted it! Ha! In retrospect it was my own fault because it was a company that did mostly romance novels, you know the kind with a couple in a clinch on the cover in period costume with a castle in the background. Not my thing at all, My portfolio at the time was filled with editorial illustrations. I don’t know what I was thinking going there! I guess I was lucky in a way because I was just so unhappy doing anything other than illustration, I say lucky because that’s what made me keep pursuing it. I know my work wasn’t always all that great in those early years, but because I was passionate about it I kept working and kept improving.
Has there been people or an institution that has played a pivotal role in your career?
I’m so thankful that my parents always encouraged me to do what I wanted to. I know so many of my friends growing up who were interested in the Arts gave it up because their families were too frightful of them being able to make a living at it. Well, they were right, it is hard… but it’s not impossible if that’s what you really want and you’re passionate, work hard and not willing to give up. It’s your life, why be miserable!
What type of clients or projects do you look forward to most?
Almost every new job is exciting, that’s what’s so great about being a freelance illustrator., it’s definitely not boring!
One week I’m finishing up a children’s book. The next week I’m designing rugs and garden flags. The next week I may be working on a conceptual editorial illustration for a magazine. There’s always something to look forward to!
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were just starting out?
I spent too much time waiting tables. I got discouraged and gave up for a long time. I needed a “kick in the pants” and I got it when I got laid off from my last restaurant job and went on unemployment. That was what led to Polo and ultimately to freelancing again. Talk about a silver lining!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LFreemanArt.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurafreemanart
Image Credit:
Just Us Books, Clarion Books, Highlights Magazine, Highlights Magazine, Clarion Books, little bee books
Don Hines
November 20, 2016 at 9:35 pm
What an inspiringly fun to read interview. I’ve been a big fan for a long time, but it’s rewarding to learn of the hard work quests which lead to a successful end.