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thread: As has been said by myself/others over the last few days, the illustration industry has lots of issues with gatekeeping, anti-blackness, and being an industry that is incredibly difficult to break into sans wealth. As the next gen of illustrators/designers proceed into...
the future, we can build a more inclusive space. It doesn't have to continue to be like this. Take it upon yourself to think critically about the work you do, and why you do it. Think "am I the artist who should be speaking on this issue through my work?" If the answer is no...
pass the job along to an illustrator who is better suited. Take it upon yourself to learn the names and work of black, latinx, asian artists who CAN speak to these issues. Not being aware of their work is YOUR problem. These are easy ways to be more than a social media ally...
If you want to be even more proactive, invite artists who need help to talk to you. Offer experience. Help bring them up. Share your client list. Give your time. Don't just teach if a racist institution is paying you a salary. Teach b/c you want to see illustration grow ...
The only way we can do this is together. Illustration institutions thrive on gatekeeping. Those at the top can hoard jobs, and lock away any chance for those coming up behind hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of art school. It doesn't have to be like this...
So if you're an artist who is coming up and having a hard time navigating the illustration space, I want to offer my resources to you. Shoot me a DM, and I will be more than happy to offer an hour of my time to go over your portfolio, answer any questions you may have ...
and offer advice, tips, whatever. All free of charge of course. I can talk process, clients, editorial, agency stuff, whatever. Shoot me a message if you have a tricky contract or legal question. I've only been illustrating full time for a year, so may not have all the answers...
but all illustrators need to walk hand in hand. If you're ALSO an illustrator I encourage you to offer these same resources. This is just one of the many ways we can work together to be a less racist and classist industry. Thank you for your time. Love u
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