I Want To Be... An Illustrator!
[ 9 September 2008 ]
At only 24 years old, Molly Crabapple is the founder of international art movement Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, as well as being an author, freelance illustrator & all-around inspiring girl. I was very fortunate to make her acquaintance in New York City. She’s always on the go, always doing something, & I can’t think of a better person to speak to about making a living as an illustrator!
Tell us about what you do.
I draw pictures for a living. This could mean hanging my work in gallery shows, illustrating kids books, designing installations for art parades, creating 30 foot theatrical curtains, or making webcomics. I’m also the founder of Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School, a chain of alt.drawing sessions that takes place in 60 cities around the world.
How long ago did you start on this path?
I’ve been drawing since I was a little girl. As an angsty teen, it seemed natural to go to art school, and while there, I decided to take my passion for drawing and attempt to claw a living out of it.
How long were you doing it before you made it into your career or primary form of income?
I was a year out of college before I was able to subsist wholly on drawing. Before that, I had a variety of jobs, mostly in the scantily/ridiculously clad girl industry. If you want to make a living off of art, you have to put every second of your time into it. It’s not an industry for slackers!
Did anything significant happen to get you to that point, or was it a series of small steps?
Becoming a professional artist was definitely a series of small steps. The biggest thing that happened for me was creating Dr. Sketchy’s and getting a book deal out of it. Doing the Dr. Sketchy’s Rainy Day Colouring Book got me written up in over 80 media outlets around the world, and was the single biggest profile-booster I’ve ever done.
Do you think official qualifications are important for someone entering your industry?
NO! You do not need to pay 30,000 a year to have someone artistically legitimize you. While you definitely need a high degree of skill to go into art (not to mention the tenacity of the damned), you can get this through books, workshops, drawing classes, apprenticing with another artist, and carrying sketchpads wherever you go. As for launching your career — it’s all about networking. So leave the house.
What do you think is the best thing about working for yourself?
To me, being self employed is the only way to live life. There just seems something awful about being constantly doled out an allowance based on your obedience and ability to follow arbitrary “professional” rules. Being self employed is wildly unstable, but you can also do whatever you want.
What’s the worst thing?
Wild financial instability. Months with no income. Working many, many more hours than you ever would on a job.
Rate how happy you are with what you do out of 100 (100 being the best, 0 being devastatingly awful) on an average day.
Mid 80’s. Sometimes I get angsty because I didn’t get this or that opportunity. But then I remember that most people don’t get paid to draw pictures or travel around the world, and I slap some sense into myself.
Would you call yourself a workaholic, & if so, are you alright with that? Do you think that’s normal for your industry?
Yes. I’m a total workaholic. I don’t think you can run your own business, at least in the early years, without being one. Maybe later, when you’re very established, you can ease up. But not during the early years!
What would your number one suggestion be for someone who wants to do what you do?
Keep your eyes open for opportunities. There are thousands of ways for artists to promote themselves out there. You can illustrate for zines, do a catchy sketchblog, have shows in local bars. You just have to be very persistent, but you can get out there.
...How about number two?
Network with other artists, writers, gallery owners, media folks… everyone really. Your network will give you more opportunities than any promotional postcard mailing.
What do you wish you had known when you first started out?
I wish someone had told me that when someone wants you to work for free, they’re usually trying to rip you off. Cool pro bono projects are great, but save them for the wandering circus troupe, rather than the sleazy guy with the “idea for a children’s book”.
Are there any major misconceptions about your job or industry?
People think being an artist isn’t a real job. It’s actually a ton of work, but you can also make a decent living at it.
What motivates you to keep doing what you’re doing?
I love to draw. I also love mozying out of bed at noon and spending all day drinking espresso in my pajamas.
Who do you look up to within your industry & why?
I really look up to Travis Louie, as a brilliant artist in his own right, as a businessman, and as someone who consistently spreads opportunities to other artists. His generosity is unparalleled in the oft brutal gallery scene. Also, my man Fred Harper, Paul Booth for creating a world unto himself and Kevin O’Neill cause he wields a pen like a god.
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
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Wow, she’s stunning. Very jealous of her getting so far at such a young age- if only I could be that successful in 3yrs time!
I’d love it if you could do an interview with a photographer & a fashion journalist some time too. Thanks Miss D!
xxx
I love this!
You and Molly are my absolute two biggest influences. I love that your powers are combined.
I’ve been studying to be an illustrator since I can remember and I finally finished school and am ready to start putting together a portfolio and sending it out and making run on sentences.
What a talent!!
A friend and I were just discussing Dr. Sketchy’s the other day, but I didn’t know who was the brains behind it all! :)
Way to go Molly!
xxx
Finally an “I want to be..” of my interest! Your questions are great Gala, many many thanks!
Oooh, thanks for the input on the “free artwork”! I hate how everyone expects artists to do art for free, and in exchange receive the opportunity to put the piece in their portfolio. What the bleep? Putting their work in their portfiolio is their right, not a privilege. Artists work just as hard as everyone else and deserve payment for their specialty. People think that since hypothetically anyone could be an artist, then it should be free. Wrong! I’m glad Molly made a note of it.
It’s inspiring to see someone take their own initiative so far, and I’m glad she mentions slackers need not apply. It comes off as a “Yes I Can – if I put my mind to it” attitude, which I think is just great.
Gala, thanks for this post, I’ve been enjoying the “When I grow up…” series!
So inspiring!
I’m working on overcoming the fear of ‘falling off a cliff’ -just going for something. This article really helps!
WOW!!! What a fantastic interview: thank you Gala and Molly! I really love reading about self-motivated and artistic individuals. This is fantastic and inspiring—makes me realize that yes, my dreams for being a self-employed creative type is possible.
i just wanted to say that i’m still loving this series. i love reading about the ins and outs of people with unique lives!
hurrah! i’m just about to leave for art school and this has gotten me so excited! even though molly points out that qualifications aren’t necessarily needed in the art world, i do think that art school is a GREAT place to make contacts.
on another note, i’m totally going to join the dr sketchy’s in london :D so excited!
xxx
I love this series! Most of it is stuff I would never do but it so broadens the mind to see how others make a living and then try to apply that to yourself and your own talents.
Forwarding this along to a supertalented illustrator friend of mine … SUCH great advice.
Thank you for posting this interview with Ms. Crabapple… the advice is so sage (get out there and network!).
Fantastic! I knew that you’d met Miss Crabapple, but I’m so pleasantly surprised that you interviewed her for us! She sounds utterly charming, too-especially when she mentioned lounging around in p.j.s with espresso. Bonus awesome points!
So, thanks!
thankyouthankyouthankyou
Great interview, Molly is a real sweetheart. Is she really 24?! I always thought she was older for some reason…
xo
Doe
www.doedeereblogazine.com
“NO! You do not need to pay 30,000 a year to have someone artistically legitimize you.”
That quote made me fall in love with her a little… gorgeous & inspiring. Molly is quite fabulous, must say ;)
Thank you both for the great interview! I want to be a freelance illustrator. :D Now I just need to get off my arse and work towards it.
I hope my kid sister reads this…she’s almost done with art school and she’s wickedly talented!
This is great. I really love this series of articles. You should have really strange ones like “How to be a sheep herder” or interview kids and have “How to be a child”!
She is intensely inspiring, I massively agree with what she says about being self-employed over being ‘obedient’ – great stuff!
:D
check out my blog:
www.studentcharade.blogspot.co…
adoration x
Thank you for putting this up! I’d love to do art as a job, but don’t know where to start and i need to improve my skills alot more, but this is such a help, thank you :)
I love Molly Crabapple’s work! I have been seriously considering gettting a tattoo based on one of her pieces!
thank you, i was hoping you’d interview molly. i have a major girl-crush on her. i love her work and she’s such an inspiration.
first of all I love this series, totally awesome idea& your questions are great& lead to some very insightful answers.
Just one little thing it might be too early in the morning but I don’t understand what she means by “cool pro bono projects are great but save them for the wandering circus troupe”?..does she mean your ideas? like save them for when a circus troupe need illustrations?
I feel silly asking but I really want to know!
xxoo
RE: Cookie
You’re not silly at all! What I mean is that, while you can work for free sometimes, only do it for creative, awesome folks who don’t have alot of money, are established in their fields and compensate you in other ways. IE: I might do a free poster for an independent circus that does free shows in parks, cause it’s a useful cross-promo and they don’t have alot of cash. However, I wouldn’t do it for some jerk with a “book idea” who just didn’t want to pay.
RE: Doe
Yep, 24 : ) Well, for the next 5 days. Me and Gala are birthday twins
RE: Sophie
Do it- Dr. Sketchy’s London is excellent, with the best emcee in the world
RE: Jessica
Ooo! If you do it, send me pics
What a great interview. Actually, all the interviews in this series have been great. Thanks, Gala!
This is such a great post! I really like the advice she gives about learning the skills (through books) and the importance of networking.
Molly Crabapple is one inspirational girlie! I so admire anyone with the guts to be self-employed and take the leaps and bounds necessary to bring dreams to fruition.
Miss Crabapples work is amazing.
I imagine Nubby will soon be added to the list of “I want to be a…” which would be amazing since I love her work.
:)
Had no idea Dr Sketchy’s Anti-Art Schoo was held in so many places….including London!!!!!
I am definetly going to go now,yaye so happy _
ahh, thanks so much for this! i doubt i’ll ever be an artist (even though i know i’m not supposed to say that), but it still gives me hope!
Molly, I will definitely get in touch with you!
Very inspirational. Gives me hope for self employment.
Thanks
i’ve been waiting for one like this!
thank you :)
Hey Gala, just thought i’d let you know that i’ve recently become an avid reader of your delightful blog! From a fellow tattooed, cupcake-lover (with a tattoo of a cupcake even!), who is soon to also have pink hair & also signs off her blog with Love & cupcakes! Little bit creepy no?
This series is really great. Now when are you going to do yours? Would like to hear how to become a…Gala Darling. You make your own schedule, travel all over the place, and generally have a great time doing your job.
Anamika — I think this whole site is a guide to how to become a Gala Darling ;D
! I’ve been doing Life Drawing and stuff this semester, but some of it has been such a yawn. Now I’ve seen this – Dr. Sketchy’s looks like my salvation. Can’t wait to go to a class! Also woo hoo for there being a Sydney version! Thanks Gala + Molly!