45. Illustrator Brian C. Hailes Suggests Growing a Thick Skin as an Aspiring Artist

Brian C. Hailes was an Illustrators of the Future winner in 2002. We met up at Salt Lake City FanX and had a chance to talk about his career and thoughts for aspiring artists. With an art career, people don't care what kind of degree you have, they want to see your stuff. Can it sell. Can you make them money? The portfolio is key. They aren't going to hire you if you have a doctorate degree. And you need to tailor your portfolio to the account you are going to pitch. Stay true to your passion and the style that you are best at. Validation is a key part of the Illustrators of the Future Contest and being taught by world-class artists. It is the Academy Awards of Writers and Illustrators. You have to be a great artist. Have to meet your deadlines. Have to be good to work with. You can usually get away with two of the three if you are an established artist. If you are a new artist, you need to have all three. Contact Brian at hailesart.com