We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madeline B. Shearer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madeline B. below.

Hi Madeline, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

The funny thing about being an artist or creative is that most of us have to do the whole regular job thing too, until we have the means to go full-time as an artist. So yes, I am happy as a creative, but I am happy doing other things too, until that day.

As a recent college graduate, I am still finding my footing. I have an inkling that this uncertain feeling is one that won’t go away with the ever-changing landscape of creative careers, but that is also the beauty of it. Every step forward in my creative work feels that much more rewarding when I have to split myself between my passion and practicality. That doesn’t mean there is no value in my life outside of my work. My fragmented experiences, when quilted together, make a wholeness that is unique to me, and I cannot wait to see what other experiences I can add to the patchwork of my life.

Madeline, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Madeline, an illustrator from the heart of rural Pennsylvania with a background in stationery design and a future in picture book illustration. Growing up, I took naps in dresser drawers and played pretend in the crawlspaces of my childhood home. Once a bit older, I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration and Art History from the Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio, where I live with my handsome cat Fred.

My work weaves together themes of comfort and whimsy with a deep love of the magic in the mundane. I want to channel my wild and wonderful childhood in order to create work that sings for weird kids like I once was (and still am).

I am currently working on building my children’s illustration portfolio so that I can do this joyful work full-time.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Throughout college, I worked as the illustrator for a small stationery company with big ideas. It taught me a lot of tangible skills like designing for print and the not-so-tangible bits and bobs of running a creative business. I learned how to advocate for my ideas and how to know when they need to take the back seat. I was part of a close-knit team that I will always appreciate. I truly loved every minute of working with them, but, unfortunately, I was let go.

I was devastated. I was feeling so good about my work there; I had a long list of successful projects behind me and a long list of potential projects before me. It seemed to come entirely out of the blue. My first big girl job was gone right before graduation.

However, If it happened any later, I would not have had the creative community of art school directly in arms reach to catch and reroute me. My professors and classmates were always so kind, especially in the aftermath (looking at you Thom Glick and Laurenn McCubbin). With their gentle critiques and strong confidence in me, I was able to find confidence of my own to kick my butt into gear and pursue a career in what I have always loved: books.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

As is the goal for a lot of people in this fast-paced, ad-driven world, I just want to carve out a quiet existence for myself. I want a little home in the woods or by the sea where I can paint and draw and live and somehow pay the bills.

I want to tell stories and create work that helps people get in touch with the softer, weirder parts of themselves. I want to tell the world that it is okay to be soft and slow and kind. I want to be soft and slow and kind. Through my creative work, it is all possible.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.madelinebshearer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rabbity_heart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeline-shearer-507885217/
• Email: [email protected]
• Shop: https://madelinebshearer.myshopify.com/

Image Credits
Emma McLaughlin Photography