Illustration for Dummies

One challenge of being a freelance illustrator is to get things done. Sometimes it's difficult to stick to a self-imposed deadline. Um... actually, it's always difficult to stick to a self imposed deadline. Mine was to complete an illustrated dummy for a picture book manuscript. It was my summer project, to be completed in August when the kids went back to school. 

 October 16.

Two months tardy.

Finished. 

Finally.

Deadlines period.

I take deadlines seriously.

I have learned later in my professional life that others do not.

It really comes down to whether you see a deadline as a guillotine, or a mere suggestion? Deadlines to me are akin to my mother counting to three. 

Did I know what would happen if she made it to three? 

No. 

Did I want to? 

No. 

And there it was--- 

Not worth the risk.

If I miss a deadline, I must be subconsciously convinced that something terrible will happen. My hand will fall off, or my teeth will pop out, or... I don't know?

Perhaps it was growing up with a father who had us to the airport 3 hours early for our flight.

You had a deadline.

Needed to be prepared. 

To face it. 

To meet it. 

To fulfill your obligation.

I've been working on one for a children's magazine. Can't show you too much. Top secret world of children's publishing, you know...

But I will make it. 

I take deadlines seriously--- period.