What do you do?  How did you get started?

I am a toy and giftware designer that also writes and illustrates for children. I literally started as a child who was obsessed with making things, and also making my own books. As far as getting started as an adult- well, I studied illustration and animation at the Rhode Island School of Design. In my senior year, I went to a portfolio review held by the school to meet with as many “real” art directors as I could. One of those art directors was willing to hire me based on my portfolio, which was mainly composed of my own independent things (all child-based art). It turned out to be a great experience- I moved to New Jersey, met a lot of friends I still have to this day, and really learned the ropes of product design and illustration.

What type of research did you do before you got started?  Did you have any background in this work?

I have always naturally been attracted to art- I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t! My toy an giftware work has really paved the way to being an illustrator- you can’t draw every day and not improve your skills. Now I have been designing products for 17 years, and illustrating for the kids’ market for about 5.

How did you manage starting your career financially (loans, pay cuts, savings)?

I help pay for my children’s illustration habit by continuing to design products! Honestly, product design is something I always see doing in some capacity, it gives me financial stability. I am lucky to be married to a great graphic designer who is also supportive in all ways. Illustration is always a feast-or-famine situation, I haven’t been able to put all my eggs into that one basket yet- and I don’t think I will!

How do you market yourself and your business?

My husband Eric and I maintain a joint website: <www.studiodubois.com>. I send art postcards twice a year to potential and active clients. I have an agent for children’s work <www.maggiebyersprinzeles.com/liz>. I try to stay connected to other artists and the industry by attending some conferences, and participating in art shows, portfolio, shows, etc. I have also started an art blog: <http://studiodubois.com/liz/blog/>.

Describe your work setting.

My current work setting is pandemonium- we are about a week or two from moving into our newly renovated studio. SO, I will describe what THAT will be like! The new studio is in a part of our house that was not a real room until now (we used it as a storage room). We put floor-to-ceiling windows and sliders for lots of natural light. We painted it light robin’s egg blue (a color we actually agreed on- not always easy with 2 artists!). I would like to say that the studio will be pristine and clean at all times, but logically, it will start having reference pictures and books and magazines and piles of tracing paper sketches strewn around, just like our current 3rd floor cramped studio! I will also be keeping a large portion of my toy collection in there- very inspirational!

What do you most enjoy about your work?

I love conceptualizing a product- a toy, something for the kitchen, whatever- and taking it through all the stages it needs to become “real”. It’s pretty fun to be shopping somewhere and find your own products! I was watching HGTV the other day- and they were showcasing one of my kid’s products. I also love being able to just draw for a living, be it products or books (even though I am halfway digital now).

How do you achieve a balance in your family and personal life?  Is your family involved with your work?

Eric and I have 3 girls, and they are all artistic in their own ways. They have definitely grown up seeing the two of us always creating art, and have joined in, too! I am lucky that I have been able to work partly from home since we had kids. It hasn’t always been easy, especially when the kids were younger. Even now, I am inclined to work late at night just because it’s the quietest time of day. There are trade-offs to working at home, because you are “always” at work, so to speak! That’s why it’s good that we like what we’re doing!

What keeps you inspired?

I have to say my girls are constant inspiration for my stories and illustration. I always created for the children’s market, well before I had actual kids, but they really do put a better spin on everything I do. I also like to stay connected to friends and moms who are doing similar things-hooray for the internet!

What advice would you give to others as they pursue their own creative goals?

My best advice is, “ Make it happen!” All of the good opportunities are ones you have to go out and get- they rarely fall in your lap. Figure out what you want to do, and find out how to do it. Here’s agood example of that: when I was thinking of moving back to my homestate of Rhode Island after a few years working in New Jersey, I researched the companies in the state that did what I liked, and set up appointments-I didn’t look in want ads, etc. The very first company I contacted hired me on the spot- and I have been there for 15 successful years!

What does success mean to you?

Being able to create things that people like, in a calm and happy atmosphere. There is always more to strive for- but I think it all comes back to this.