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

Hi Haley, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Working as an illustrator is not my first career path! I initially obtained a Communication Sciences and Disorders degree from the University of Georgia with a Master’s Certificate in Nonprofit Management. I worked with an Atlanta-based nonprofit for a year right out of college and then as an interpreter in a middle school for two years. I loved working with the students but I didn’t feel creatively challenged. When COVID hit, I knew I needed to find ways to infuse my life with that missing creativity. Rather than making bread or dance videos (trust me, you do not want to see me dance), I got an iPad and started drawing constantly. What started out as a hobby became a part of my day that I really enjoyed and looked forward to. I started taking small online illustration courses and looking at art programs. I just started dreaming bigger overall. I felt like the worst thing wouldn’t be trying and failing, but rather never trying in the first place. In 2022, I applied to a few programs and that’s how I ended up at the Savannah College of Art and Design as an illustration major!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hey there! My name is Haley Vaughn and I am an Atlanta-based illustrator. I work both traditionally and digitally, and I enjoy illustrating things that make people smile. My favorite traditional mediums are oil pastels, gouache paint, and colored pencils (anything with vibrant color, really). As a freelancer, I have enjoyed working on a wide range of commissions from Dungeons and Dragons characters to commemorative portraits to murals to fabrics. I love the process of sitting down with someone and bringing what they see in their head to life. The creative problem-solving that comes with commission work is part of the reason I love what I do!

My personal portfolio tends to be whimsical; I usually aim to inform or delight (both whenever possible). I want people to chuckle when they see a piece but walk away with something new. I love to learn, so fun facts usually show up in my work or in the captions about my work. I also love corny puns, so there is the occasional element of visual wordplay as well. I illustrate stickers, buttons, bookmarks, and tote bags (with a few new exciting products in the works). My end goal is to work full-time in children’s publications. As such, I love to read! When I’m not drawing, I’m usually curled up with a Sci-Fi/Fantasy novel with my wonderful spouse, Larsen, and my cat, Nebula.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Never underestimate the power of your local public library. Depending on your county or state, there are so many resources at your fingertips (even large pieces of equipment available) that you can use to learn new skills or create test products. My local library provides access to a 3D printer, recording equipment for albums or podcasts, digital art stations with Wacom drawing tablets, and classes to learn how to use all of the above. I think one of the biggest barriers to starting a creative project is cost, and that’s an obstacle that local libraries look to remove. The same goes for art co-ops in larger cities, most provide free classes and art supplies (or sliding-scale in some cases).

In terms of low-cost resources, I would keep an eye on Domestika’s website for courses related to any creative topic of interest. A few times a year, they will run their courses for $6 each. There isn’t a subscription fee associated with a one-time purchase (although there is an option available for that I believe, if you feel like cramming a lot of courses into a short amount of time). You don’t lose access to the courses you purchase and most come with instructors who offer personal feedback. The participant forums are a valuable place to get advice and ask peer questions as well. The courses aren’t necessarily comprehensive, but it’s a good place to start if you’re interested in trying something new and don’t want to spend a ton to learn about it.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I don’t always love the end result of some of the projects I work on, sometimes the process really goes awry. Some of those pieces still get put out into the world and some are buried in my office closet never to see the light of day (except for the one time a year I deep clean and get embarrassed by them all over again). I keep them all regardless of how I feel because they serve as benchmarks by which to measure growth. Whether or not the finished product is aesthetically pleasing, the most rewarding part is trying. Sometimes the act of creating is better than the creation itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.haleyvaughn.com
• Instagram: @haleyvaughnart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haleyvaughnart

Image Credits

These were all taken by me or drawn by me!