Don’t you just love Etsy? You can find great jewelry and gifts there. A few weeks ago I discovered fun giclee prints from Carolyn Draws. Even better, I found Carolyn.
Carolyn Verkuyl is a talented artist, an advertising whiz and a wise woman. She has worked for many of the top Toronto ad agencies. Following the birth of her daughter in 2000, she became a full-time contract worker. “I loved my job but (having a child) I felt like I had two full time jobs.” She has freelanced ever since working with many of the same agencies and clients who once employed her full-time. I asked Carolyn about pursuing what you love and leaving a full time gig.
When worked started slowing down due to the recession, Carolyn started drawing. “I had illustrated and drawn since I was little and I always got lots of compliments. I always knew I’d have to transition to something other than advertising so I asked myself, ‘What do I do that I absolutely love?’
I can appreciate what Carolyn meant about finding something else. The agency world can be grueling (I’ve worked in several PR firms) and it’s hard to imagine the long hours, the demanding client service and the constant multi-tasking in your 60s and maybe even 50s. If ever there was a candidate for a work/life fit makeover, agencies are it.
She first started illustrating as a way to acquire a portfolio and posted her work on a blog Carolyn Draws. “I’m letting it take me places. I’d love to illustrate a book someday.” People are responding to her work. She’s had some large commissions, exhibited at shows and is selling prints and magnets featuring her work.
And she doesn’t regret her decision to leave her full time gig. Part time schedules are a dream for many women trying to squeeze in more parenting and personal time, but they aren’t always a wise decision. In today’s economy, women need to be prepared to support themselves and their families..
“I hired many women coming off maternity leaves,” says Carolyn . “And I think everybody has to do what’s best for them – some women really, really love their jobs and some women love working from home.”
She does have sage advice for women seeking flexibility at work. “You absolutely have to have a squeaky clean record (at work). As a women, you have fewer coupons to cash in so you really have to work a lot harder to do the same things men do. I do think the spotlight, when it turns on, is a lot brighter (for women).
“Be focused in your objectives.You can’t waiver. The effort is greater but it’s well worth it in the long run.”
Ladies what do you think? Do you have to work harder to prove yourself? And in today’s market, would you give up your full time gig and go freelance?
Leave a comment and we will enter your name in a drawing for Carolyn’s “Week of Cupcakes” print. And for more of her art visit Carolyn Draws on Etsy.com.
Thanks for stopping by Amy. Carolyn’s drawings can be addicting, can’t they? Love your site. I wish it had been around when I was pregnant.
Oh, I should also mention that the topics she’s illustrated so far are: reaching, stress, caffeine, smoking and tanning.
I hired Carolyn to illustrate the topics on my site: http://www.pregnantchicken.com and she’s doing an incredible job.
The illustrations I had the before just didn’t have that breath-of-fresh-air look that Carolyn’s drawings have. I still have some of the old drawings on the site and the difference between the stock crap and Carolyn’s illustrations is amazing.
I can’t wait for the next round to find its way to my inbox.
She’s nice, talented, speedy and fun. Hire her.
Amy