One thing I always take with me and keeps me coming back to CFC year after year is the camaraderie. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the most creative people on the planet and have made some amazing friendships because of CFC. Year after year I add a few more connections to my list and treasure each one. Although we tend to get pretty busy throughout the year and don't have time to talk much CFC has become a much need reunion for us all.

With the conference just days away there is still time to order your Freelance Creative Monster shirt to wear to CFC or at the morning netwalking hosted by Ilise Benun.

Although I won't be attending the conference this year, (We have yet another baby coming) I will be thinking of all my creative friends and hope the conference is as much fun for everyone this year as it has been for me the past three years.

Have a great conference!

Peace,

Tim Read

5 Fingers Creative

Needless to say I forgot all about this until Ilise Benun called to remind me. I hit the drawing board and along with the marketing genius of Ilise and Deidra we came up with this nifty shirt. I've posted it to my Zazzle shop and if you're heading to Chicago this year for CFC it's a must have.

I hope you like it...you creative monster you.

Click here to order the shirt!

Have a great conference!

Peace,

Tim

Improv Illustration is a process where, with the help of my audience, tell a story while doing live, off the cuff humorous illustrations. Much like improv comedy or Mad Libs, as one student put it, I create a story or character based on what the audience shouts out at my request.

I like to use this program as a way to spark creativity and story telling through visualization and drawing. I believe it really gets the mind working and who doesn't need a bit of mental exercise now an then? Creativity is the one thing that kids and even adults often have trouble tapping into. We're bombarded by the media, school, work and let's face it, life. All this can really put a drain on our creative resources and I believe programs like this can really get those creative juices flowing again.

I have several bookings this summer visiting local libraries and schools but can also develop and create programs for businesses as a team building event. If there is one thing my years in corporate America has taught me, it's that creativity is a valued asset and any chance to harness it as a team can be very productive.

If you’re interested in talking about how my program can help your business, school or organization feel free to contact me at 515-451-1684 or email me at timread@5fingerscreative.com.

View the video or read the local story from the Ames Tribune: Drawing on Imagination

Keep doodling!
Peace,
Tim

Lets face it, cold calling is the one marketing task that most people really have a hard time getting done.

Read my latest blog post on the Creative Freelancer Blog.

http://www.creativefreelancerblog.com/designers/ice-cold-calling/

However, on my shelf is a stack of books about this wacky business that I've read in the not so distant past. These are books that I've picked up either due to reccommendation or because I'm a sucker for books written by speakers at The Creative Freelancer Conference.

Here's a list of fine literature that I've found quite stimulating on a cold snowy day:

The Designer's Guide to Marketing and Pricing - Ilise Benun & Peleg Top/HOW BOOKS

My So-Called Freelance Life - Michelle Goodman/Seal Press

Breaking Into Freelance Illustration - Holly DeWolf/HOW BOOKS

Starting Your Career as a Freelance Illustrator or Graphic Designer - Michael Fleishman/Allworth Press

Self-Employed Tax Solutions - June Walker/The Globe Pequot Press

15 Steps to Freelance Illustration - Thomas James/e-book escapefromillustrationisland.com

I have three small children who wanted desperately to play with tired old Dad and an amazing wife who claimed to “love me no matter what”. But, in the end I had let them all down. I let myself go. The result was an overweight, frumpy, low energy and not so healthy self that, quite frankly, I didn’t even want to be around. I had to do something different. So, on February 1^st I changed the way I lived my life. I cut fast food out of my diet, exercised more, and shaved off my ever-graying vandyke just to start.

Almost a year later I’ve shed 54lbs and look and feel ten years younger. My family couldn’t be more pleased. Life is good.

I was recently thinking about this journey and my creative business and how I could take some of my new life choices and apply them to my career. After a couple late nights it came to me. It’s time for a career makeover. I sat down and made a list of my personal successes of last year and then applied them to my business. Here is what I ended up with:

Cut out the fat

I’m going through my expenses and analyzing where my money is going. I’ve never hidden the fact that money management isn’t my strong suit. But this year will be different. I made a list of all the frivolous spending such as websites, books, subscriptions, clubs, toys (yes, I said toys) and all the fatty stuff that doesn’t add value to my career or business.

Stuff, stuff, and more stuff

I went through and made a list and collected all the outdated books, software and equipment that are just taking up space in my studio. These are the things that are just cluttering up my creative feng shui. I’ve upgraded my software so why keep all of the how-to books associated with the old version? I haven’t used my old scanner for over a year. Gone. And the old printer that no longer works? Gone. Now that I have gone digital, what about the old paper drawings? Gone. I felt liberated.

Time to break-up

I love all of my clients. Well, almost all of them. Which is why I have made a list of clients that have been trouble and a source of grief in the past. These are the clients who fight me tooth and nail on every penny outlined on a proposal, or the ones who like to art direct and have a hard time letting me do my job as a creative provider. There is also the client that likes taking an invoice 120 days out before deciding to pay. Time to go. I’ll be weeding these folks out this year as I add new.

This is a tough decision and not one that should be made in hast or with emotion. It has to be a business decision based on the numbers. I consider mu relationship with each client and decide if the issue is in fact them at all. There are times when I failed to control the situation or educate the client properly. These folks will get another chance. The others, it’s been nice and thanks for your business but I have bills to pay. In the end I’m going to make room for a higher end client that values what I do and make sure I do all I can to keep them.

An apple a day

Exercise played a significant roll in my personal transformation last year and this year my business will be no different. In 2011 I will flex my creative muscle by doing more art for ME. That’s right, for me. Creativity is important for so many reasons and most importantly the soul. I want to tap into new sources of inspiration and to that I have to be able to let go of the restrictions and limitations of the business.

In 2011 I want to be a better illustrator than in 2010 therefore, I have to improve my skills, mindset and my source of inspiration.  Illustration is not only what I do for a living it’s part of who I am. If the only art I create is for clients willing to pay me big bucks (hopefully) I’m not doing myself justice.

Next December I want to look back at 2011 and pat myself on the back for a successful year. Sure, I would love to look at my books and see financial success but I also want to see a healthier, happier, leaner and refreshed business dripping in creativity, happy clients and most of all a new me. Happy 2011 everyone!



Mark Gallagher discusses six tips to better toy packaging on drtoy.com. For all you budding packaging designers its a pretty good read.

Now, I have to go find another clever name for a line of cute, animated talking veggies that spend their days spreading the work of God through entertaining tales.

Check out http://www.findownersearch.com/

Sheesh!

http://www.phylliscahill.com/articles/selfpromo.html

If you haven't seen this video take a look and try not to get inspired by this band.
Watch the video here.

I have always been a fan of the work of John K., (John Kricfalusi) creator of Ren and Stimpy. Now I can say that I am a lifetime fan. It's rumored in the industry that John K. can be less than friendly ans sometimes darn right rude. Knowing that and after reading this blog post I know now that the rumor can't be true.

I was inspired by this post for many reasons. The way John K. gives back to a young fan and how wonderful it is to have a hero acknowledge his fans talent.
Thanks John K. for your work, your words and your time.

You can see more of John's work and read his blog at http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/ . Cool stuff.

Just wanted to share. :)

Creative Briefs is about just that, juggling parenthood, creativity, inspiration and all the cool little things I think you might find interesting. As a professional illustrator and designer I stumble across a lot of great creative stuff throughout my day. I'll be sharing my discoveries with you occasionally along with the ups and downs of keeping all the balls in the air.

I look forward to sharing my work with you and the latest skinny from my studio at 5 Fingers Creative as well as tips of the trade, inspirations, cool books, music, articles and more.

In the mean time you can find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Till next time,
Tim