What my clients say
Katherine ~ Ten years in and more focused than ever
“I genuinely feel it’s something of a wonder that Nicola’s offering for illustrators exists. I would 100% recommend working with Nicola, especially for illustrators and other creatives.
Not only is Nicola brilliant at taking a jumble of information and seeing the thread which runs through it, but she’s also incredibly knowledgeable about the illustration industry, the problems we face, and how to overcome them.
After 10 years of being freelance, I wasn’t sure where to put my energy. I now feel super focused, clear and inspired about the work I want to create. I am very, very happy that I decided to do Through the Trees.”
Katherine Kannon, Map Illustrator
Eliza ~ My business and me, finally the same thing
“After a decade growing a stable client base, I still felt unfulfilled and pulled in lots of directions. Working 1:2:1 with Nicola clarified the huge swirl of feelings and ambitions I had around my illustration business. She helped me understand what I want to achieve, so I can focus my effort and plans on actually getting it. She found where the fun is for me and made it the centre of my illustration world, relighting my creative fire.
Most liberating of all, she showed me how to align myself and my business so they’re the same thing. I’m no longer trying to be someone I’m not, so the whole business feels lighter, more natural and exciting, and I think that comes across to potential clients too. I now have the tools to market what I offer clearly and precisely, and the confidence that being myself and going for what I want is achievable.”
Dr Eliza Wolfson, Scientist and Illustrator
Julien ~ From unsure of my offer to fully booked until spring
“You will be happy to know that the objectives we identified on a journey Through the Trees are being met pretty quickly.
I am fully booked with projects from Montreal, the rest of Canada and the US until Spring. Not to mention collaborations with authors and a publisher. The plan is working and I am working to the plan!
I wasn’t confident of what I’d developed before starting the programme. Nicola helped me confirm and refine what I have to offer and why it’s unique, boosting my confidence and giving me focus for this next phase of my career.”
Julie Chung, Picture Book Maker
Simona ~ From dreaming of book covers to booking them
“When I started working with Nicola, I dreamed of working on book covers. Now I’m working on regular book cover commissions, and it was working with Nicola that got me here. As an illustrator I’d always felt I had to do a bit of everything to make it, but the approach was damaging my career. With the pressure of social media, my imposter syndrome was always knocking at the door. I was constantly overwhelmed and confused, and never reaching any goal.
Through the Trees helped me understand what I was doing out of love and what I was doing out of pressure. Nicola helps you to truly reflect and find your own voice, with no judgment: she tidied up the many ideas in my head! I’m finally on the path doing the work I love most. I wish I’d met Nicola sooner and discovered my inner warrior years ago!”
Simona De Leo, Book Cover Illustrator
Dominique ~ From box-ticking marketing to marketing that brings my art to life
“Working with Nicola has been transformational. Before working with Nicola, I saw marketing as a box-ticking exercise. Now I see it as a way to bring my art to life. I had a very skewed view of marketing before. I saw it as all about sales and numbers, and I assumed it would feel contrived and uncomfortable. Working with Nicola completely changed my perception of what marketing could be. I now see it as something that can come from an authentic, personal place, a creative way of speaking to the people you’re trying to reach.
“I had been practising my art for years and years, but I reached a crossroads. I was no longer excited or inspired. My skill in drawing and surface pattern design didn’t mean anything anymore. I feel like I’ve found my creative edge again. My work is flowing again and it comes completely from the heart: it feels unmistakably me.”
Dominique Johnson, Artist & Designer
Nosheen ~ From scattered jigsaw pieces to one clear picture
“I’d had the goal of being a successful illustrator for years, but I was frustrated because I wasn’t getting any closer to it. There were so many options to choose from. It was like having lots of different jigsaw puzzles on the floor and trying to solve them with the wrong pieces. Working with Nicola helped me break that cycle. Now I have one jigsaw, I know what the picture looks like, and I have the pieces that work for me to build it.
Marketing finally makes sense too. I’m a natural introvert, and I now know I can project my voice without doing Instagram lives every day. I feel proud of who I am as an illustrator and what my business stands for. If you’ve been DIY-ing it like I was for years, the worst thing you can do is not take a risk on yourself. Six months down the line, you might still be stuck in the same place.”
Nosheen Ahmed, Book Illustrator
Carys’s Story
“I’m an experienced illustrator working with socially driven organisations and ethical brands, and I wanted my words to make me a highly credible choice for exactly those clients. Doing work on your own business when you work alone is really tough. It’s easy to get caught up in yourself, wound up in self-doubt and lose all confidence in what you’re trying to say.
Nicola encouraged and pushed me to dig deep. She helped me get clear on what sets me apart as an illustrator, what I stand for and why I want to specialise in working with particular kinds of clients. She has a great knack for coaxing information out of you in a way that feels truly collaborative. I’m now clear and confident in the way I present myself and my work. Nicola knows her stuff, and she brought focus, clarity and reassurance. Her input has been invaluable.”
Carys-ink, Illustrator for Environment, Health & Learning
Molly ~ From crossroads to clear direction
“This journey has been truly transformative. I was at a crossroads in my creative business. I knew I needed to elevate my work to attract new clients, but I felt stuck. My messaging was inconsistent, I was overwhelmed by too many ideas, and I was struggling to present my unique voice as an artist. Nicola helped me uncover my authentic voice and refine my brand by identifying my core values, and that was a game-changer. My values are now a guiding foundation, and they’ve made decision-making so much easier.
I have a clear sense of who my work is for, and I feel empowered to target the right clients. Nicola’s practical tools gave me an actionable roadmap that has helped me shape my portfolio and attract commissions aligned with my vision. As a freelancer who often works solo, the weekly support kept me motivated, accountable and focused. Most of all, it reignited my passion and helped me recognise the purpose and value my illustrations bring to the world. I finally understand why it’s called a warrior spirit!”
Molly Maine, Artist and Illustrator
Warrior wisdom
New tools land in the newsletter first. Brand and marketing advice for artists and illustrators, without the hard sell.