Paula Joerling is a freelance illustrator from Atlanta, Georgia, whose designs are primarily used for the gift and tabletop industry. Paula works primarily in watercolor and collage and often incorporates fabric, stitched paper and any beautiful objects she find into her art. Here she explains why she loves working for herself and shares the secret of making time…
The desire to work for myself probably started in grad school. I hated that I had to be there between certain hours and on certain days, I didn’t mind the work, it was the schedule that got to me. Sub-consciously I knew that a life of regulation wasn’t for me and I better figure out how to keep my freedom. Fortunately I was creative and recognized that this was a possible outlet.
It’s difficult to put into words what it means to get up in the morning, walk the 10 steps to my studio, and create all day. Although there are deadlines and I work pretty much seven days a week, I am in charge of my schedule. There’s no time clock, no office politics, no cubicle and no one telling me that I can’t sing out loud. It is pure heaven, it really is; just typing these words puts a smile on my face.
Coming from a long line of creative types, I come by my abilities naturally. My grandfather taught me to paint and my grandmother taught me to sew and knit. When a holiday rolled around my sister and I were commandeered by my mother to make a plethora of decorations, cards and gifts, some of which I still have.
I don’t think it ever occurred to be in anything but a creative field of some sort and although I have always freelanced in creative jobs; I got started rather late in life as an illustrator. Sometime around my college years I began to suffer from anxiety and had a horrible lack of confidence. Thinking back on this always saddens me and I wonder if things would have happened a little faster had this not been the case. If I could go back in time and give myself a gift it would be a big basket of confidence. Confidence and faith in yourself are really the two most important things that a person needs in this field. I am happy to report that I now possess these two gifts in abundance (perhaps at some point I did time travel).
The most difficult part of being a freelance artist is financial. You are never quite sure when or how much money will be coming in so you have to be pretty frugal (my husband is also an artist so neither of us has an unvarying income). Nevertheless I would choose this creative lifestyle over financial stability any day.Making time for everything now I run my own business can be challenging. Here are five things that help me make best use of my time so I stay focussed and on track…
1. Set intentions
At the start of each week I make a list of everything I’d like to accomplish in the week ahead. I don’t beat myself up if it doesn’t all happen but I try to stick to it as best I can. I find it helps to set goals and give myself deadlines.
2. Make a plan
I always have a plan to help me achieve my goals for the week ahead. Some people might call this a “schedule” but I don’t like that word! As I blog, have an online shop and use social media for promotions, I have a time slot to do these things in so that I’m consistent.
3. Know what is distracting and use it as a motivator
Most creative people are easily distracted and I am no exception. I tell myself that only once I’ve accomplished x, y and z can I look at Facebook or Pintrest, or check my emails or do anything else that I know will distract me.
4. Know when to take five
If I’m getting frustrated because something isn’t going right, I stop and do something to clear my head. I have a swing in my studio so I’ll often jump on that to relax. Laying on the floor and staring up at the ceiling works well too.
5. Just get going
Sometimes starting a new project – drawing, painting, writing, whatever it is – can be daunting. Especially if fear creeps and we start to doubt ourselves . The way I beat this is by starting to research or drawing out ideas. I keep in mind that I can always start over. Works every time.
Top tip!
I can’t live without the sticky notes app on my computer. I have notes that remind me what needs to get accomplished daily, weekly and longer term. There’s nothing more satisfying then deleting notes as I complete tasks.
Everyday I learn more and get better at my craft. I hope that I can keep doing this on my own terms and that my best days lie ahead of me. My hope is that I can find a way to inspire others to take a deep breath, move beyond the fear and do what they love doing.
[Images courtesy of Paula Joerling. To find out more about Paula visit her website here]
