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Subject:	Re: Illutrator / Teaching Job Search
From:	Anne Runyon <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:	SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration- <[log in to unmask]>
Date:	Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:51:06 -0500
Content-Type:	multipart/alternative
Parts/Attachments:	text/plain (7 kB) , text/html (10 kB)

Linda Feltner's words are indeed inspiring, as is her lovely work.

I too have noted a sharp downturn in freelance work. One area where money still flows is for federally mandated work - such as in environmental impact studies and archaeological surveys relating to the development of land. My brother-in-law's business in Texas (doing archeaological survey work) has grown. One of his employees does beautiful line drawing as part of his job.

Best, Annie
www.annerunyon.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Linda Ann Vorobik
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 11:12 PM
Subject: Re: [SCIART] Illutrator / Teaching Job Search

Huzzah, Linda F. Well said. Wish I had come up with such articulate and inspiring words...guess I am worried. But, now more inspired! Linda V.

At 12:50 PM 12/29/2009, you wrote:

My 2.5 cents:

I think that we all have to reinvent ourselves from time to time. This has been an extraordinary year economically, and it has effected all of us from shore to shore. I, too have been self-employed for 25 years, and this year was very different than the past. To have been working for that long, and to see nothing out there can be shattering.

It's very easy to be frustrated. Many of our traditional contracts and commissions have simply dried up, publications have shrunk, and the competition is stiffer. Anyone who has InDesign can call themselves a graphic designer and jump onto the bidders list. Many design firms hire illustrators right out of school and can undercut my bids quite easily. There are folks willing to cut prices, way down, to get the few contracts that emerge from the federal agencies. The stimulus money is diverted from education to things like maintenance.

Thankfully, we are artists who have broad talents. Flexible, workable, and there are new fields that are cropping up in the illustrative fields. Keeping an open mind to possibilities is one thing many of us self-employed artists/illustrators have to do in these times. Emphasizing why we are individuals, not cookie-cutter stampers of scientific illustration. We promote what makes us special, and why someone would want to hire us. We wear many hats, sometimes they feel like 20 sombreros on top of one another. Then add business and marketing skills.

To branch out, to re-invent oneself, takes a lot of courage. But we as a group have lots of courage, we have forged new fields of art, new methods of illustration, and I really feel that out of this downturn there will be some who really shine, and come up with a recipe for success that suits them.

I was recently asked by someone who wanted to know if it was a good time to jump into scientific illustration.
Well, yes and no. I think it boils down to the individual, in how willing they are to be flexible, dig in and find inventive ways to make a living, and yet maintain the highest standards of illustration. I've never known it to be an easy path, but at least a path worth taking.

Very metaphoric today, I guess.
Best,
Linda

_______________________
Linda M. Feltner Artist, LLC
P.O. Box 325
Hereford, AZ 85615
(520) 803-0538
www.lindafeltner.com

Joan Lee wrote:

I agree with Mieke.

On the other hand, it can be refreshing when someone states clearly and simply what they want. So, Cindy, may I suggest that you don't lose that directness, but know that there are times when a more oblique approach might get better results. One of my pet peeves is wading through a lot of copy in search of the true agenda of the writer. Therefore, I think your statement is a good first line. Now follow it up with some cogent questions or background that you think useful in your search for meaningful work in the field of science/botanical illustration. Let us know what you know how to do, where you are, if you have any prior experience in illustration or if you are in a related field. joan

On Dec 29, 2009, at 5:49 AM, Mieke Roth wrote:

Wow, what a remark. And I hope that it isn't true and that you will keep your job, Linda. I was wandering how the crisis is effecting everyone. I had a big dip a year ago, but right now prospects are looking good. But I can change directions any time I want to, since I have my own business.
Otherwise I have to agree with you, Linda.
Therefore: Hi Cindy, welcome here on the list. This is a great community where people help each other where they can, but barging in like this doesn't help. If you are serious, please tell something about yourself, what you do and what your ambitions are. Otherwise, I think, you will be getting similar remarks as below.
Mieke
P.S. Joan, I almost completed the translation ;-) I hope I have it for you tomorrow!
Mieke Roth
Scientific and technical visualizations
Mieke Roth, Msc.
Breehorn 46
8223 CN Lelystad
The Netherlands
www.miekeroth.com
+31 (0)320-412117

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From: SciArt-L Discussion List-for Natural Science Illustration- [ mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Linda Ann Vorobik
Sent: maandag 28 december 2009 21:27
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [SCIART] Illutrator / Teaching Job Search
Join the club,

I have been in the business for 25 years, and may be out of work after this spring. lav

At 12:12 PM 12/28/2009, you wrote:

Hi
I am searching for Illustrator jobs relating to science and botanical art.
Can someone point me in the right direction.
Thank you,
Cindy

________________________________________________