Shelly Perkins

Published 10/12/2012

- View Shelly's Creativepool profile here

"I am a freelance illustrator based in rural Worcestershire. The majority of my work is for editorial clients with a monthly column for BBC wildlife magazine, with some work for ad' agencies thrown in here and there. I am also getting increasing involved in illustration for products such as clothing and ceramics. A large amount of my work is also shown in galleries throughout the midlands area."

How long have you been a Freelancer for?
3 years

Describe your work in one sentence.
Organic, traditional meets textural, digital

Who are some of the clients you have worked for?
BBC Wildlife Magazine, BBC Radio times magazine, Computer Arts Magazine, UWE Bristol, Worcestershire County Council, Greetings Today Magazine, Mad As A March Hare, The Engine Room, Archant Media magazine group.

What's the most important thing you've learnt in your line of work?
Get your work out there and seen, it sounds obvious but its the only way you will get work!

What attracted you to your chosen field?
Being a freelancer illustrator I get to be my own boss and have a lot of control over the creative work I take on, people come to me because they want a job done my way rather than just because it needs doing.

Tell us about your best project to date.
My monthly illustration for BBC wildlife magazine is always a job I look forward to getting, the work is really interesting and they are great clients to work for.

What sets you apart from your competitors?
I think that my style is quite unique, in an age where we are all turning to digital technology more and more clients like the fact that I still keep traditional techniques in my work, I think it gives it a fresh and organic edge.

If you could work on any project for any company/organisation, what would it be and who would it be for?
I would really love to work on more projects for companies or charities that support wildlife or the environment, it would be nice to be creating work that I enjoy for a cause that would benefit from it.

What frustrates you the most about your job?
"Your cheque is in the post..." Yeah right.

What pearl of wisdom can you offer to someone thinking about starting out as a freelancer?
Be persistent and never give up, if you've got the talent you will make it.

If you could have ONE super power, what would it be?
Flying, it would make my ariel townscapes a lot easier to create!

What's your favourite bit of kit?
Pencil, sketchbook, Mac (am I allowed 3?)