Get art agent Lilla’s inside scoop on time management for artists
Art agent Lilla has had her fingers in a ton of creative pies (just roll with the metaphor here) – as well as her busy agency, she also teaches her Make Art That Sells courses online (and recently in person in France), writes a regular column for Uppercase magazine, has worked as a full-time illustrator, guests on podcasts, judges illustration competitions, has run her own craft jewelry line, has written a book, mentors the artists she represents, writes new content for class, and tons more.
Meet Lilla Rogers! She has tons of wisdom to share from her decades of working in the creative industry.
With decades of experience under her belt, we’ve been asking her to answer some of the Big Questions about life as an illustrator. Questions like:
- How can I keep creating with joy in difficult times?
- How can I deal with envy in my work as an illustrator?
- Is making art that sells selling out?
- How can I deal with self-doubt?
Today we’re asking Lilla about just how you manage all those pies, or whatever else it is that you’re juggling (again, just go with the metaphor here): maybe family commitments, school, the job that pays your bills right now, remembering to update your online portfolio, marketing your art, or just the endless, endless life admin.
Some of Lilla’s editorial illustrations from her years working as a full-time illustrator in NYC.
Q. Hi Lilla. Phew – I’m exhausted just listing all the things that you do. How on earth do you fit them all in? I’m just starting out, I’m struggling to make ends meet from my art, and I feel like I’m being pulled in all directions—the need to make art, the pressure to sell it, the importance of promotion, the demands of admin, etc. How can I manage my time in a way that allows me to move forward?
A: Lilla says: What is the secret of life for the brilliantly creative person? Time management.
I hear you groan, but you, as a creative whizz, can easily make time management your friend and do it in a lovely way so that it fits your personality. Break things down into tiny chunks so that you chip, chip, chip away in little bits toward your goals.
Even before you begin managing your time, it’s vital to think about—and write down— your values and your goals. You might list just two or three things.
Next, list all the activities involved to achieve those goals.
Finally, clump them into similar activities and place them on a calendar so that you have a timeframe for achieving them. I write extensively about my Clump System in Hot Markets for Your Art Part A — this can really help you juggle everything.
Make a plan. Work the plan. Evolve the plan.
Remember, too, that facts are your friend. If possible, remove some of your financial pressures so you are more happily making art. To do so, you need to be realistic about how long it takes to build a brand and a career. You may need another source of income for some time. Give yourself time. Build that into the calculation. But work hard and put in lots of hours in your career. What you spend time on is what you value!
Additionally, support is your secret weapon in the fight to do all the various tasks that are required of the independent artist. Delegate anything and everything you can. Invest in hiring others at any level you can afford.
Make Art That Sells student Noel Kalmus shared this graph showing the change in her income after taking MATS MBA (Money BadAss)!
If you found this helpful, I share tons more tips and strategies in my MATS MBA (Money BadAss) course, which will help you make your creative career more lucrative and more joyful while creating your own unique formula for success. Check it out here.
There is no denying that the journey you are on requires a ton of work. But it’s so worth it. You will have such freedom in your life, and will become your own boss. You can create a life that is full of adventure. There will be lots of surprises along the way, and opportunities that you never knew existed will come to you. I, for one, wouldn’t have it any other way. As I told my entrepreneur son recently, I can never be fired.
Thanks Lilla. We hope that that helps. And don’t forget, if you’ve got a question for Lilla then get in touch by emailing [email protected].
- Monday, July 8th: Join brilliant children’s book art director and picture book author, Zoë Tucker, and creative director, art agent and smash-hit game creator, Riley Wilkinson, for Bootcamp Special: Character Play, now in its third year, and discover how to make winning characters for books, toys, games and more! FUN FACT: This course is just £99 (approx. $126)!
- Monday, July 8th: Join Lilla, Zoë and Riley for a FREE live Zoom event at 12 noon ET/5 pm BST on the first day of Bootcamp Special: Character Play to meet your teachers and get your questions answered by three industry experts!
- Next newsletter: Get Part 1 of your FREE #MATSprep warm up exercise from Zoë and Riley for Bootcamp Special: Character Play!
Lots of love
The Make Art That Sells team xxx
