One of the things that makes Make Art That Sells courses unique is that they present an incredible opportunity to get your artwork directly in front of top art agent, Lilla Rogers. Lilla is always looking to take on new artists at her agency – because so many of them, especially those whose art includes illustrating children’s books, are completely booked up and she can’t give them any more commissions.

And she’s especially interested in scooping up artists from Make Art That Sells courses. Why? Lilla says it’s because Make Art That Sells students are so well trained! Her courses help you to make art in a way that will appeal to agents and art directors, so you can get the work you deserve and build a lucrative creative career. Plus, she also gets to see what students are like in class: are they supportive and positive in their interactions with other students? Do they give their all to assignments? Do they produce stunning work on time?

In fact, since Make Art That Sells was founded in 2013, 21 artists taken on by Lilla Rogers Studio have been Make Art That Sells students! Last week, we were thrilled to announce that Lilla has just offered representation to yet another student…

Janie Secker!

Lilla says: “Janie has a unique and immediately identifiable look which is both painterly and beautiful, with highly-rendered and realistic imagery in a dreamy style. When I first saw her children’s book work for The Lucky Pearl, I knew I needed to help her get children’s book work and see her work published. She has an incredible range, covering everything from home décor to greetings cards to surface pattern design and of course children’s book illustration. And I absolutely adore her refined and controlled sense of color – as anyone who has taken my courses will know, color is make or break for me, and Janie uses it expertly. I’m thrilled to be representing Janie.”

Janie’s front cover for The Lucky Pearl, created for Illustrating Children’s Books. Lilla especially loved the work that Janie created for this class, which Janie describes as “the moment when I let go, fully embraced my style and started to have fun!” People buy your joy!

Huge congratulations, Janie! We caught up with her to find out more …

MATS: How did you get started in art and design?

Janie says: With a packet of crayons, age three! My Dad was an art dealer so I was lucky enough to be surrounded by art from year dot! I spent most of my career publishing New Zealand artists’ work on wall art and stationery, and that’s when I learned how to use photoshop and began painting digitally myself.

MATS: Which Make Art That Sells courses have you taken?

Janie says: When I discovered Make Art That Sells, I went large, bought the Year of Art bundle and fell headlong! I signed up again the following two years. There’s an energy in the classroom which is infectious and very addictive.

Janie’s board created for a Make Art That Sells home décor class. Book your place on Creating Collections for Home Décor here – you can start the moment you sign up!

MATS: Which course was your favorite, and why?

Janie says: I have to give you two! Assignment Bootcamp for play and exploration, and Illustrating Children’s Books for an intense learning experience that stretches you in every direction – it’s an incredible incubator for personal growth no matter which area of illustration you are interested in.

MATS: What is your favorite piece of work from a Make Art That Sells course?

Janie says: It has to be my character design for The Lucky Pearl. It was literally the moment when I let go, fully embraced my style and started to have fun.

Janie’s Lucky Pearl character for Illustrating Children’s Books, one of her favorite courses: she calls it “an incredible incubator for personal growth no matter which area of illustration you are interested in”.

MATS: How have the classes helped you evolve/grow?

Janie says: Being in a safe, encouraging environment, surrounded by incredible illustrators is everything. I also learned so much from the live reviews – listening to Lilla’s comments on the selected pieces and why they were successful was illuminating, and really helped me to understand how to apply those concepts to my own work.

MATS: What was the best/most valuable thing you learned from MATS?

Janie says: You be you. That was a process for me – I felt very vulnerable about my unusual style and it took time to lean into it. But that was really the first piece of famous Lilla advice that stuck in my mind: “Be you, with a vengeance”!

Art by Janie created for Assignment Bootcamp, which she says is one of her favorite courses. Bootcamp is finished for 2020, but you can register your interest for Assignment Bootcamp 2021 here.

MATS: How did you feel when Lilla got in touch to discuss representation?

When Lilla invited me to join LRS (on a Zoom call), I literally cried. I get a little jolt of surprise every morning when I wake up, and I’m still pinching myself.

MATS: What work did Lilla have you create for her before launch?

Janie says: Lilla asked me to create some portrait, seasonal and lettering work. And then of course, the banners for the webinar and representation announcement, which has been such a fun and exciting assignment to work on.

MATS: What brings you joy?

Janie says: Watching the happiness on my dogs’ faces when we walk on the beach. My husband’s dry and sometimes weird sense of humour. Cuddles with my mum. And drawing beside the fire on a rainy day.

MATS: What’s your dream job?

Janie says: Illustrating a compendium of insects or flowers. Or lush packaging. Or kitchenware. Or a cover for a novel. Or illustrating a delightfully weird children’s book. So many dreams!

One of Janie’s character sheets for Illustrating Children’s Books. Lilla says that this was one of the pieces which first really grabbed her attention.

MATS: What’s your best tip or piece of advice for Make Art That Sells students?

Janie says: I’d say try not to get too anxious about finding your style. Daily practice will refine and then define but I truly believe it’s already right there inside you – a little seed that is already programmed to have a certain type of flower. It’s your unique language, made up from a lifetime of experiences and the things you connect with. You can’t force it, and often others will recognise it well before you can see it yourself. It WILL happen.

Thank you, Janie! Do you want the opportunity to get your beautiful art directly in front of art agent Lilla? Book one of her raved-about courses today!