Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Chloe Quinn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Chloe, appreciate you joining us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

I have been earning a living wage from creative work for the past three years, but the journey to get there took a long time.

I knew a creative career was in my future from a very young age. I entertained being a doctor, a lawyer, and all of the other things adults encourage you to pursue once you’ve uttered the words “I want to be an artist,” but nothing stuck–nothing called to me the way drawing did.

I started my instagram account, @_quinnasaurus in high school, and this laid the groundwork for the path that took me to where I am now. Social media allowed me to share my work with others and gain a following. This introduced me to the world of commissions.

While in college, I worked two jobs and ran a personal commission business on the side to make ends meet. I drew wedding portraits, original characters, and a myriad of other things. After I graduated with my BFA, I continued this practice while working part time in admin at a local non-profit. COVID shut everything down in 2020, and I decided to take my commission work full time in the spring of 2021, after a year of bouncing between remote work and in-person hours.

As I started this journey, my goal was to eventually work in visual development for animation. I applied to countless internships and job opportunities, but never received an interview. Then, in the summer of 2021, an opportunity that I had not considered before came my way. One of my previous commissioners was working on an anthology with a group of authors, and they needed a book cover illustration. I had so much fun bringing their vision for the illustration to life, and as I watched the book move up bestsellers lists, I realized that there was a new path in front of me.

I started following illustration agencies on social media and considering which ones could be a good fit. I applied to an open call for portfolios with Astound in late autumn of 2021 and signed with them that November! I continued to take personal commission work, as well as many other odd jobs while waiting for my career’s momentum to pick up. As of late 2022, I have been able to support myself and my family on client projects through my agency alone.

Do I think I could have sped this process up knowing what I know now? I’m not sure. I have learned so much over the past few years–things I could have only learned by working in the publishing industry and gaining some inside perspective. I think the most crucial thing that could have expedited my journey from part time to full time illustrator is branding and visibility. Developing a brand and specific, recognizable style takes time. This can rarely be rushed or forced. Every artist’s journey is different and the best advice I can give someone starting down this path is to be open to all of the various ways you could reach your goal.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Chloe Quinn (she/her), and I use the handle @_quinnasaurus on social media.

I am an illustrator and cover designer from the Pacific Northwest. I graduated with my BFA in 2019, and I have been working as an illustrator in the publishing industry since 2021.

Using digital techniques, my style is typically identified by painterly strokes, crisp lines, and a nuanced use of light and color. My creative process is guided by a genuine love of storytelling that resonates with publishers and readers.

I believe specificity breathes authenticity into character and place. Whether it be a fantasy adventure or a contemporary romance, I am committed to honoring a wide range of experiences in my work. Working with authors and publishers is one of my greatest joys.

Some of my previous clients include: Harper Collins, Penguin Random House, Macmillan Publishers, Illumicrate, Simon Schuster, North Star Editions, St. Martin’s Press, Art Brand Studios, and more!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the creation of community that accompanies it.

It is difficult to confront the realities surrounding me; genocide, war, the rise of AI, the collapse of our climate, etc., and not abandon my creative work to do something that has a more immediate impact. Most of my client work is creating romance covers and in the heaviness surrounding us, that feels so trivial.

But then I think about the doctors, the writers, the lawyers, and all of the people challenging our current systems that are already doing that work. They need rest. They need connection and joy. Without illustrators, writers, and musicians we wouldn’t have the books, art, and music that provide us with outlets to combat the burnout and fatigue we are collectively experiencing. Making art is an act of resistance and brings people together. I hold the communities my work contributes to very dearly.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think society can best support artists and creatives by advocating for new systems that help us do our work without the penalties of being contracted or freelance. This may seem mundane to some–and this is definitely not as easy as giving us a like and a follow on social media–but artists need the basic benefits a lot of people get through their employers. We need affordable health insurance options, we need protections that ensure clients pay invoices on time, and we need tax reform that does not place creatives who work on a contract basis in the same umbrella as those who own a small business (you are taxed extra if you own your own business).

When you see a book cover on the shelves, or an artist you love posts a new illustration on social media, it can be easy to romanticize a creative career. But, every creative I know that is supporting themselves full time has to work twice as hard for half as much due to a lack of protections and benefits in the industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.quinnasaurus.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_quinnasaurus/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-quinn-friedlein/

Image Credits

Joshua Friedlein