Matthew Houston
I’m 28, living in Columbus, Ohio. I’ve been an illustrator for a few years now. I am just finishing up school, which I started a little later than most students. I started out by doodling every day and posting my work to websites. Eventually, after working a lot of crap jobs, I decided that I wanted to make a life from drawing so I went to school for illustration.
When did you decide you wanted to be illustrator?
I decided I wanted to be an illustrator in 2009. I was dissatisfied with my life and decided to pursue an art career.
Would you recommend studying at art school?
I would recommend going to art school. It gives you time to focus on art. It gives you an excuse to create every day. Make sure to work on personal projects while in school, don’t just do homework.
How long was it before illustration became your primary form of income?
Illustration isn’t my primary source of income yet, but I’m working on it.
Could you describe your typical day?
My typical day currently consists of emails, social media, blogging, eating, worrying, going to classes, and when I’m not in class working on freelance stuff/ personal projects/ homework. I try to create every day.
What do you wish you’d know when you first started out?
I wish I’d known that there are no rules and that you don’t have to wait for someone to give you permission to embark on ambitious creative projects.
What’s the best thing about being an illustrator?
The struggle to create something no one has seen before.
What’s the worst thing about being an illustrator? Deadline stress.
If you weren’t an illustrator, what would you be? A writer, maybe, or a teacher.
Any other tips you could share?
Try to create every day. Reach out to other illustrators and make contacts with as many people as you can. Try to ignore the “rules” and norms of illustration and strive for originality and inventiveness. Get involved in social media (like tumblr, deviantart, etc.) with your art. Try and be nice to everyone.
