I was going to put this topic forward to the podcast, but since it is a slightly sensitive subject I thought it might be best on here.
I got rep'd by an Agency (please don't share) in May last year, and I was super chuffed. It was my first ever try at sending out postcards and it paid off within a couple of weeks (I don't say that as a brag, I guess I was lucky it got seen by the right person at the right time). The problem is I never got any work through the agency, and it's been over a year. I was told by them that one of the reasons why I was picked up was because I had the ability to do so many different style and topics, but when I asked “what illustrations should I make to get clients?” I was basically told to just do “Anything”. It was a scatter-gun approach, and it hasn't worked. I gave up even trying because it was uninspiring and aimless. I don't blame the agency, as they have a large roster of artists doing everything from advertising to picture books to concept art and I've gotten lost in the mix.
And I'm actually not that upset.
I don't know if any of you guys have felt the same, but do you ever think you've been trying to “fit in” to a genre of illustration that maybe you are not meant to be in? Any commission I've ever done I've hated. I did a paid art test for a publisher, and when I didn't get the gig I was actually relieved. I'm not a picture book illustrator. I like making weird and edgy stories more suited to graphic novels and prose.
I think the universe is telling me to just make my own stuff. The comics I did years ago always sold out at conventions and have been so much fun to make. So maybe it's time to return to doing art for myself. I have come to this realisation reluctantly because I wanted so badly to be validated as a “real illustrator” but I guess the only way that I can be true to the artist in me is to make my own weird stuff and sell it. But if it ends up just being for the love of it, that's okay too.
I know @Lee-White always has such interesting insights into the world of agents, and if you guys feel it relevant to the podcast feel free to cover it, just please keep it anonymous on there.
Sorry to vent, but I'm always inspired by the community here and it feels like a safe place to be open about such things. If you feel comfortable I'd love to hear about your experiences or thoughts on the matter.