If you go to Louise Pretzel’s website, louisepretzel.com, or visit her Instagram, @louisepretzel, you will instantly smile. Her designs are full of vintage kitschy charm. You might assume she’s always been a professional illustrator based on how professional and well designed her cards and prints are.

But Louise actually studied graphic design and was an Art Director before starting her own freelance art business. Louise is proof that you can continue to grow and change directions in life. You never know where something will lead you.

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Louise always loved creating. As a kid she enjoyed arts and crafts, and making digital art with programs like MS Paint.

She soon graduated to more high-tech programs. She started designing graphics for webpages like Neopets and Myspace. (Aw the good old days.)

Her love for being creative and using computer programs to make art led her to studying graphic design in college. But her college program didn’t merely focus on graphic design. Her program taught the students both fine art principles and graphic design.

“When you study both, you begin to see the value of being able to create your own illustrated assets and being able to incorporate them within designed layouts.”

This foundation would one day help Louise start her own freelance illustration business.

“At the time I never even thought I would have been doing as much illustration as I do today, but the foundational skills I learned in both traditional and digital illustration from those courses definitely made it possible!”

After college Louise got a job as an Art Director at a paper goods company where she hired freelance illustrators. This would lead Louise down her own illustration path.

“Through working with so many amazing artists, I felt inspired to want to be more on the end of doing the illustrations vs. directing them.”

Louise didn’t set out to become a business owner. But after leaving her role as an Art Director, she was able to use the knowledge she gained of the stationary business to start creating her own illustration portfolio.

“To me, it was less about being a business owner and more about being drawn towards wanting to create art and share it with the world!”

Taking Shannon McNabb’s class on art licensing helped Louise grow her own illustration business. Through this course Louise was able to learn about contracts and pricing, and other important elements to running your own art business.

“When I was first diving into licensing, this course answered all the questions I had to make me feel confident into moving forward with my illustration business.”

Even with the confidence to grow her business, Louise still found herself getting nervous about reaching out to companies. She struggled with feeling of being “ready”.

Now, however, Louise has companies and clients finding her.

“When I get an unexpected project inquiry come through, it always makes me feel like I’m doing something right!”

Still the most important lesson Louise has learned is to focus on your own creative path.

“For me the biggest lesson I’ve learned is to just focus on yourself and your own art journey and not compare yourself to others.”

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While Louise has continued to grow her illustration business, she still has a 9 to 5 like many artists.

“Balancing both can definitely be a struggle!”

Louise has implemented time management techniques that work for her. She has designated time in the morning for her illustration work.

“I’m an absolute morning person so I tend to get up pretty early and am at my laptop sometimes as early as 6:30am with my coffee in hand, tackling freelance work, doing bookkeeping, or creating new illustrations.”

From to 9 to 5 she works her day job. In the evenings she takes time for herself, which is amazing! Every artist and person should take time for themselves.

Sometimes she works on the weekends, but mornings are typically her focused freelance work time.

Louise understands the struggle to fit everything into your schedule. But she encourages everyone wanting to be creative to “Just start!”

“I understand the struggle of trying to carve out time for creativity, but making time for a creative practice that works for you is so important.”

Whether you do your creative work in the mornings, evenings, or on weekends, all that matters is that you’re taking time for your creative practice.

Louise is growing her business with the pockets of time she has. She plans on continuing to grow her illustration business. Her goal is to eventually be a full-time illustrator.

“My main goal is to just keep moving forward and embracing whatever comes my way!”

*If you want to gain more creative confidence in just one week, subscribe to my newsletter to receive your FREE copy of the 7-Day Confidence Building Workbook*

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Louise loves illustrating because it gives her a chance to explore and bring her own creative ideas to life.

While Louise typically illustrates using her iPad, she also enjoys using gouache paint. But lately Louise has been enjoying art and junk journaling as a creative practice.

“I have been having so much fun with junk journaling because it’s something that I always know will just be for myself without any sort of pressure to monetize it.”

The best part about creating is the act of creating no matter what tool or medium you’re using.

“Don’t try to hold yourself to one style or medium either, especially when you’re first starting out.”

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Louise didn’t originally set out to become an illustrator. But because she was open to exploring something new she was able to discover her love for illustrating. 

Louise was able to use her knowledge and experience in graphic design and stationary to start her own art business. 

We all get stuck in the comparison cycle sometimes, but the key is to not let allow yourself to live there permanently. Like Louise, focus on your own path instead.

*If you want to gain more creative confidence in just one week, subscribe to my newsletter to receive your FREE copy of the 7-Day Confidence Building Workbook*

If you’re pursuing an art business and juggling a 9 to 5, like Louise, have designated times when you work on your business and when you simply take time for yourself.

Louise enjoys using her ipad and gouache, but lately she’s been having fun with junk journaling. By exploring different mediums Louise is able to explore her own creativity more and have even more fun with it. 

You don’t need to get a whole new degree to pursue an art business. By using accessible resources like taking an online course like Shannon McNabb’s, you can still gain the knowlegde you need.

Louise was initially nervous to reach out to companies because she didn’t feel ready. But now she has clients and companies reaching out to her!

Even if you don’t want to have an art business, it’s still so important to make the time for your creative practice whatever it may be. 

Embrace what comes next and don’t let an opportunity pass you by. Allow yourself to continue to grow and change and develop in your skill and style. 

Don’t wait for the right time. Just pick up your pencil and start making art! 

If Louise’s story inspired you, then pick your pencil or paint brush or apple pencil and start creating. You never where it might lead you. You just have to embrace what comes your way.