Do You Really Want Everything Now?
June 2026
When I do speaker events or podcasts, one of the questions I always get asked at the end is “What advice would you give those starting out in art and illustration?”
I always answer with an answer. Rude not to.
But in all honesty when I started out, I forged my own way. I made mistakes, I messed up and I learnt. No one gave me advice because I didn’t think there was anyone that could offer me any. Not because I knew everything, Oh I clearly didn’t. No. Basically because I had no idea what I was doing and what I wanted to do. So how could someone give me advice, hoping what they said would have a relevance on what I wanted to do.
I think, especially with the speed of social media and knowledge that is not even at our fingertips anymore, its way ahead of that. We have the need to know in a split second how, what, when and why. The learning process is skipped over. The part that helps you understand the process. The information that you gain from research, slowing down and absorbing, not just what you think you want to know, but the surrounding information that makes sense of the bigger picture.
When I get asked that question, “What advice…” I always say the same thing. Slow down. There is no rush. I was 42 when I walked away from a safe job as a designer and a tidy wage. One of the first jobs I did as an artist was a series of five murals for Hailo cabs at Somerset House. I had never painted a mural. I had no idea what to do, what to use or how to do it. But I’d said yes, I do murals. Then I panicked.
I contacted a friend, a graffiti artist. Help! He gave me advice, told me what pens to use. And that kick started a new life. Here’s the thing. I was ready.
Before that I knew the time wasn’t right. Because of that, I put 100% into what I believed in. I had so many work experiences growing up as a kid to a teen to an adult, from a paperboy to a sales rep, working on a cruise ship to being a postman. I was a decorator, a temp, a barman and a fine art printer. All of these jobs I had between the age of 16 to 27. They helped me understand people, overcome shyness and gave me so many experiences that I still smile about now.
Those jobs, working with so many people, cultures, backgrounds and in various countries really defined and moulded my confidence and belief in who I am today.
If I were to give advice to someone leaving university, it would be, travel. At 21 you are so young. Why waste the years of wonder, imagination and freedom to follow a path defined by society. The last thing I wanted to do at 21 was buy a house, settle down, conform. I left school at 16. Went straight into a job. At 20 I joined a cruise ship and travelled the World, cleaning cabins for 12 hours a day, everyday, for six months. No days off. No complaining. I lived the best life. I had incredible friends, saw amazing places and experienced cultures that opened my eyes to who the World is.
“What advice would you give?” Maybe don’t listen to others advice. Follow your heart. Your head can wait.
