Illustration Friday
February 2, 2008
I started Illustration Friday back when I first ventured out on my own as an illustrator in 2004. I needed to pad my portfolio, and I really wanted a friendly, non-competitive community to talk to and connect with. And the idea was born.
It started off very humbly on my blog… I’d post a topic and an image on Fridays and ask people to contribute in the comments. And it started to get big very quickly. Big enough to warrant its own site. I put out a call for help (I can code html, but that’s about it) and my now partner, Brianna Privett, answered. Thank god she did. Because now Illustration Friday is a mecca of creative people and activity. It’s a huge inspiring web place filled with over 1000 weekly participants, artist interviews, illustrator resources, participatory forums, and over the top inspiration. Teachers use it as curriculum in their classrooms. Artists use it as a way to connect to one another. And viewers use it as a way to feel some goodness in the world. We welcome all participants, new and seasoned, and hope that you’ll find it inspiring as well.
Beyond my wildest dreams… that’s how I’d describe it. And even though it’s a giant now, it is still friendly and personal. You still get inspired to make art and connect one on one in an amazing way.