Lilla here. To give you a glimpse of who Inner Circle might be perfect for, I’ve dreamed up a few imaginary creatives—fictional artists who I can absolutely imagine thriving in this small group mentoring intensive. But of course, this is just a springboard: I know you’ll bring your own personality, quirks, and creative spark to the table, and I can’t wait to help you shape your career into something truly extraordinary. I hope these examples give you some ideas about how this powerful opportunity could be the perfect next step for you!
If you missed my earlier emails, catch up here:
#1 The illustrator who needs a guide to help them shine
#2 The fired up activist who’s ready to make a difference
#3 The potential picture book artist who’s dreaming big
#4 The illustrator who wants to make a living from their art
#5 The established artist looking for a change in direction
I picture you—an artist with an impressive illustration career, your work well-known among illustrators—but you’re ready to push further and reach the next level. You want to challenge yourself, refine your art, and grow your business in new ways. As we talk, you realize you’re craving a more unique and distinctive style. You feel like it’s in you, but you’re unsure how to bring it out. I love this.
I suggest that you already have a beautiful and recognizable style, but I see ways to make it even more spectacular.
We start by looking at your existing work, and I’m wowed by your talent and the incredible range of projects you’ve done—many of which I’m already familiar with. As I go through your pieces, I notice little sparks of something special, details that hint at how your work could become even more uniquely your own. I’m excited to help you uncover them.
I point out these bits of magic—your stunning watercolor transparencies, your passion for intricate details. I highlight the charming tiny bricks you carefully rendered on a building, a detail most would overlook.
Next, I want to explore what truly lights you up. We dive into a conversation about your interests, the small moments in your daily life that feel special, and the subjects you’re most drawn to. You tell me about how you loved camping in the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest in your 20s. I ask if you’d like to explore that theme in your work. It would allow you to lean into your love of detailed drawing, research the rich variety of plant life, and maybe even take some research trips.
We brainstorm themes—self-care in nature, forest bathing, tree communication networks, wilderness camping with topographic maps. The ideas start flowing, and we’re both getting excited. I suggest you could shape this into a nonfiction illustrated book proposal.
“This is exactly the direction I’ve been looking for,” you say.
We create a detailed plan, mapping out your next steps. We’re both eager to see where this leads, and we schedule our one-on-one in a few months.
I can’t wait to see what you do next. Join me! Find out more and sign up here
