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

Robin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I’ve pretty much worked at various corporate jobs that I was not fulfilled in. If I was slightly fulfilled in a position, it was usually for a short amount of time because I was working on an assignment that aligned with my creative ability. I remember my very first job was at a radio station and I was assigned admin work at first. Then the radio hosts asked if I could write a script for a commercial. I wrote the script and when the host saw that it was good, he asked if I could do a voice-over. That was once, but after it was back to admin work. I’ve noticed this reoccurring theme when taking a corporate job. I always get to show my potential as a creative but have never really been able to secure a job at a corporation as a creative if that makes sense.

Working as an illustrator with my own business, Martéa Design Company gives me so much freedom and the pay is worth every single project. I’m continuing to build my skills and gain clients of my own that appreciate truly appreciate the arts.

Robin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m an illustrator and fine artist. I started building my art business, Martéa Design Co, LLC in 2014. I’ve always been an artist, but I started taking it seriously in 2017 when I went to SCAD to pursue my graduate degree in illustration. I’ve worked in the editorial field with clients such as CNN Style, the Mississippi Free Press, and healthcare such as the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Since color has a big effect on our mood, I like to bring my audience a encouragement and feeling of happiness with my bright color palette. I recently created a story for Jackson Comics, an anthology series dedicated to showcasing Southern artists and writers. I wanted to create a story around the famous blues singer a guitarist, B.B. King, so I imagined an inspiring guitar player stumbling into one of his concerts and gets a chance to show B.B. King his skills on stage. I love bringing to life characters and bringing the viewer into their world.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I do wish that, while going through art school, there was more emphasis on how important it is to find an agent to help secure more illustration work and branding deals. I didn’t find this out until after I graduated and I mainly found out about this route from my peers. Also, I wish there was some type of initiative set in place for artists after selling their work. Most of the time, when a piece of artwork is sold, there aren’t any royalties that the artist could receive afterward. the work could go up in value, but the artist doesn’t see a penny of it. In some cases with illustration, an illustrator may sign a contract that allows for some royalties, but most of the time, we receive a flat fee upfront for work that has the potential to bring in a lot of income of the client.

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

I believe I’m now in a place of pivoting. I’m trying my best to secure art representation that could help me secure more illustration work from places like Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens. I’d love to work with these clients on a consistent basis to create patterns and designs for stationary, gift items, greeting cards, and even apparel. I’m working on setting up my own stream of income as well by opening a small business where I can sell my own items and generate a market that would purchase items directly from me such as what I previously listed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://robinmartea.com/work
• Instagram: marteadesignco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinmartea/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Marteeah
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaVkvECJ1mPaczf5PfMqAMg

Image Credits
Artwork by Robin Martéa