u/Individual_Solid8662

[Discussion] So I moved from South Africa to Australia two years ago. For the last 10 years was a thriving illustrator. Before the move I was booked out for 3-4 months in advance. It was like a light switch. As soon as I landed all of the work was gone. For a while I was convinced that my email address was like broken or something. I realise that I lost my network and my sm following (I still have them but all South African) and any social proof I might have had. Non of this was unexpected but I figured it would be a gradual shift, and that my portfolio and experience would mean more. I’m at a complete loss and don’t know how to find work, it’s like I’m on a different planet entirely. Any Australian illustrators out there making money? How do you find work? any illustrators who may have gone through something similar?

So I moved from South Africa to Adelaide about two years ago. I was a freelance illustrator and did pretty well I was booked out for 6 months in advance for the last 6 years. I worked really hard for 15 years total. I did work for some big brands Spotify, Jägermeister, the Gates Foundation, was published by penguin random house, my portfolio is not flawless (I could never get agents to represent me, for example and there are some things that I honestly suck at drawing)

I’m also flawed in that I don’t do well with authority and while I’m a pretty organised person, I don’t come off that way because I write badly and can’t spell to save my life. It just never stuck.

When we arrived here I took a month off and it was like a switch was flipped. No work, no enquiries, no leads. Not even from South African clients. I’ve run adds, I go to networking events, I volunteer at Graphic Design events, I email agencies and tell anyone who is willing to listen what I do, I’ve applied for grants… Nothing.

I am lucky if I get a rejection email. For the longest time I would email myself convinced that there must be something wrong with my email address. I didn’t expect it to be pumping but it feels like I am completely invisible here.

More recently I’ve been trying to find other work but I’m 36 and have never worked for anyone (other than in a freelance capacity) can’t even get an interview, it feels like I’ve really messed up my life, it’s having a tremendous impact on my self esteem. In the beginning I wanted to pick where I left off but I realise I need to start from the beginning. Any advice for a 36 year old entering the job market with no experience, no social proof and no real marketable skills? Is being an illustrator even a thing here?

Edit:

Thanks everyone, the industry is hard here I’ve also found that the market that I did really well in, doesn’t exist here. I used to do a-lot of billboards and experiential marketing events. Adelaide doesn’t have billboards 😂 and the amount I earn per illustration has not scaled to the cost of living.

Ai certainly is a factor, I used to do a lot of gig posters and music festivals, and I am see loads of Ai there.

My website is www.meganbird.com.au felling a bit more optimistic this morning but it’s been a rough two years. I am considering re-skilling but it feels like a huge loss to my identity and I have no idea what to do, I’ve only ever had one ambition and that was art.

I’ve been trying to get into mural painting and I have and exhibitions booked for the end of the year, fingers crossed I guess.

[Discussion] Different industry entirely, Different country.

Volunteering for an Art Gallery

Job Market for an illustrator in Adelaide?