We were lucky to catch up with Gillian Newland recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Gillian, thanks for 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’ve been earning a living solely as an artist for 10 years now. Most of my income comes from freelance work, (usually in book publishing) and selling prints of my artwork at comiccons and craft fairs around the country. Although I went to art school, I fell into these two particular creative arenas a little by accident.
A year or so after graduating from Sheridan college (2005/2006) I participated in a group art show at Xspace Gallery in Toronto. I was really lucky because the publicist for Tundra Books happened to see the show and she liked my work. I got an email inviting me to come into Tundra’s offices with my portfolio and I ended up getting a job illustrating a children’s book for them. The book industry in Canada is a tight family and so after that first book project I was fortunate to be contacted by other publishers.
I found comic con/art fairs completely by accident. My husband had a self published comic book for awhile and he was exhibiting at Fan Expo Canada with a group of comic illustrators. There was some space left on his table and I was asked if I wanted to display any of my art. At first I thought I shouldn’t bother because I didn’t think anyone at comic con would be interested in my art as it’s neither sequential art, superheroes, or Manga, but decided what the hell, maybe I’ll get lucky and make a few bucks. I’m so glad I did because it turned out to be a great show and lead to me eventually getting my own table and travelling to ComicCons and craft/art shows in lots of different places.
Gillian, 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 make art inspired by folklore, fantasy and pop culture. I also illustrate children’s books. What I’m most proud of are the pieces of art that I initially just create for myself but go on to become really special to others. What begins as an idea in my head that I selfishly want to see made real becomes meaningful and important to someone else, sometimes in ways I would never have thought. I’m a rather shy person so this is a really wonderful and personal way to feel connected to people.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
I don’t judge any artist who pursues this because we’re all out here trying to make a living but I’m not a fan of NFTs. Mostly because of the dark, murky money moving around via them. I didn’t feel good about my art possibly being associated with the more darker aspects of crypto such as money laundering. Also, when NFTs were at peak crazy a few years ago I thought maybe a lot of innocent people were getting duped into an expensive speculative purchase with the promise of some great return. I didn’t like the idea of my artwork being the face of a risky bet someone makes with their life savings. If they lose their house or something they’ll always associate my image with something horrible and that makes me feel kinda gross. So yeah, I never made any NFTs.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
When you’re able to move others and make people happy. Also, managing your own time is simply the best. I was never very good at keeping a regular job so having the freedom to work and rest on my own schedule is so valuable to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.gilliannewland.com
- Instagram: @gilliannewland
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gnewlandillustration?mibextid=LQQJ4d
