Jessica Hartshorn was trained as an illustrator, but unable to get work as one she went in another direction. Jessica spent the next 16 years working in museums and galleries. But the itch to illustrate never went away.

So she set up a secret Instagram account and started painting again without telling a soul.

Seven years on, she's a successful illustrator, freelancing with museums, galleries, heritage sites and parks across the UK. And her 16 years behind the scenes at the museum? Turned out to be her biggest selling point.

Hear Jessica, AKA Jessi Illustrates, chat with Steve Folland in the episode of the Being Freelance podcast which covers:

Going from a secret Instagram to an being known as the go-to specialist
How 16 years working inside museums became her unique selling point as a freelance illustrator
COVID as an unexpected turning point: when museums couldn't open
Why she goes to museum conferences and networking events (and is often the only illustrator in the room)
Using a printed pricing list not just to give costs, but to give inspiration as to what she could be hired for
Investing £500 a year in her business - and what that's bought over the years, from a videographer to a badge-making machine
Working with a creative mentor to cut out the work that looked good but wasn't worth the time
Co-mentoring with Jo (a graphic designer from the BF community)
Saying no with a standard copy-paste email - and why taking the emotion out of it makes all the difference

Jessica is part of the Being Freelance Community — come and hang out with Steve, Jessica and plenty of friendly freelancers who get what it's like!

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Being Freelance is hosted and created by freelance podcast editor Steve Folland.