Wouldn’t you like to make your creative career even more enjoyable and lucrative? Maybe you’ve already built a successful business, or maybe you feel like you just don’t have a head for numbers, but wherever you are in your journey, it’s all about finding something that works for you. Business can be warm, personal and fun if you make it that way!
For example, in our first ever MATS MBA (Money BadAss) course over summer, we asked our students to design a to do list for themselves. Of course you can just write a list, but if it’s beautiful to look at then it’s more inspiring, you’re more invested and it’s just more fun for you. We suggested that our artists focus on three areas or projects that they wanted to do and then maybe three more things that would be nice to haves. This was Erica Root’s to do list: isn’t it fun and beautiful?
Erica Root’s To Do list from the first MATS MBA course
Another example is Lilla’s annual Annual Artists’ and VIPs’ Retreat which takes place at her lovely home/studio/nearby lake. It’s a fun and relaxed way for Lilla’s artists to meet art directors and editors face to face, share inspiration, and enjoy some downtime.
That lovely sloth plate was illustrated by Lilla’s artist Rebecca Jones for Petit Monkey. Would you love to see your work on cool products like this? Let us show you how!
One event that takes place at the retreat is art speed dating. It’s a friendly and innovative way for art directors to connect with Lilla’s artists and start building warm personal relationships with them. It’s a whole lot of fun, and by the way we’ve gotten great jobs from it already!
In the MBA course, you’re going to think big, you’re going to get all kinds of innovative, creative ideas, and you’re going to get the structure to make it happen!
Artist Sarah Walsh enjoying art speed dating with Lilla (top) and with Steve Wardlaw, art director for the BlueQ team (left) and designer Silka Glanzman (right). Business can be creative and fun!
Lilla’s fabulous co-teacher for Illustrating Children’s Books, Zoë Tucker, also attended the retreat this year, along with her sister, Dr Kirsty Sinclair.
Zoë (right) and Kirsty (left) with artist Mara Penny (centre).
Katie Vernon, Anne Bentley and Mara Penny show off pages in their books.
Tracy Shaw, Art Director for Jimmy Patterson Books, gave a presentation on assigning book illustration.
Now you’ve seen how Lilla does business, do you want to up your business game? Do you want actionable strategies, tips on negotiating so it’s relaxed and friendly, and actual language to put in an email when making a pitch?
The MATS MBA (Money BadAss) is BACK January 2019. What an amazing way to start your year! Taught by Lilla plus best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur Beth Kempton, it’s got everything you need to bring your business A-game in 2019. Sign up now!
Love The MATS Team xx
P.S. There is no Global Talent Show scheduled for 2019, but Lilla is looking to scoop up an artist (or artists!) from MATS this year! Taking MATS courses gives you a unique opportunity to get your work in front of a top international art agent, and there’s always a chance you could end up with representation with Lilla (or work from our fab co-teachers, Zoë Tucker or Margo Tantau)!
