Today, we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Blanchard.
Hi Nicole, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Art has been a constant throughout my life, with my earliest exposure to it being through my father. It’s stuck with me as a passion over the years, keeping my focus in a way other interests have failed to do so.
Leaving for college to pursue a degree in art was a huge leap of faith in myself; it meant moving to a new city, taking on financial responsibility, and trying to forge a career in an unpredictable industry. It hasn’t always been easy.
For over a decade now, I’ve managed to make it work. I have a regular job that occasionally calls for design work to pay the bills, but outside of that, I’ve been making progress with commission illustration lately. It’s really all about putting in the time and putting yourself out there!
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think if anyone ever says their journey has been a completely smooth ride, they are either a) lying or b) are fortunate enough to have some sort of prior existing connection.
In the creative world, especially with the internet constantly evolving, staying relevant is really the biggest struggle. You must be consistent with posting and self-promotion to stay on people’s radars, or you risk getting lost in a sea of content.
I have managed to stay afloat amidst it all and get work from time to time, but I’ll admit that I don’t have the energy to post constantly as some do. I do what I can, though, without feeling overworking myself. There’s absolutely no harm in going at your own pace, though. It’s not a race but more of a marathon!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I did previously mention that, as a creative, one of the toughest parts is keeping up with the rapid changes online, but another is definitely how people tend to pigeonhole artists into specific categories.
I don’t feel like I specialize in any one thing because I draw and create based on my interests and whims. While this can make it challenging to build and keep an audience, I ultimately create art for myself. If I’m not having fun and enjoying the process, what’s the point?
Exploring different creative methods and tools shouldn’t be seen as a hindrance; it’s an opportunity for growth. The knowledge you gain from different mediums can overlap and actually help you in the long run.
While most of my work revolves around illustration with a focus on people specifically, I have also dabbled in painting, knitting, charcoal, and pastels, among other things. I favor digital painting as my preferred medium because it allows me to explore without feeling constrained.
What changes do you expect to see in your work and the industry over the next five to ten years?
It’s hard to predict where my career will go in the next 5-10 years; so much can happen in that time.
Just recently, I’ve had a surge in custom commission requests, which is exciting but definitely not something I could have predicted. Trends and demands change so rapidly, but I do try my best to adapt to new opportunities.
I am eager to see where my creative career will take me in the future, though, and I am hoping to eventually table at an artist alley during a convention at some point- it’s a goal that I’m working towards!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbdrawsart/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nbdrawsart
- Other: https://nbdraws.tumblr.com/
