Let’s talk! Limited mentoring slots now open.
For all your “is this normal?” moments.
Hello!
I’m excited to let you know that I’m opening up a few mentoring slots over the next few months! I’ve been mentoring since 2021, and after a few years of working with mentees, I scaled back to focus on both my teaching role on the MA and my growing work in Children’s Book Illustration.
Now, I’m feeling ready to take on a limited number of new mentees again. I want to keep it manageable for now, but I’m open to potentially offering more regular slots in the future.
Here’s all you need to know:
Why am I qualified? Here are my actual credentials
I have a BA in Fine Art, Painting at Winchester School of Art
I have an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art
I worked in-house in Children’s Book Publishing for over 20 years
Eight of those were as Head of Design (latterly Art Director)
Four of those twenty years, I ran the Children’s Book Imprint Campbell Books - my fancy title was Head of Campbell Books
I’ve illustrated three published Children’s Books, with two more coming out later this year AND am currently working on two more, which will publish next year, including my debut Author/Illustrator book.
I currently teach on the MA (Children’s Book Illustration from the Cambridge School of Art) as an Associate Lecturer. I’m coming up to three years with them, and have clocked up over 200 hours of teaching over those years.
I have been mentoring since 2021 and have worked with over twenty people, some on a more regular basis and some as one-off sessions.
Why I do Mentoring
Because I know what it’s like to feel lost and want guidance - in 2019, after twenty years working behind the scenes in children’s publishing, I took a leap into the unknown and handed in my notice and enrolled on the MA in Children’s Book Illustration. It was exciting, but also overwhelming. There were plenty of hurdles, moments of self-doubt, and times when I just wanted someone to talk to. Someone I could ask silly questions, get honest feedback from, or ask, What do I do next?!
I’ve learned a lot since then, about illustration, about the creative process, and keeping going when things feel tough. And now, I want to support others on that same journey. I know how important it is to have a support network, and I want to be that for you.
Why choose me?
I come to mentoring with a unique perspective
Because I have a background in publishing, I know what happens behind the scenes in an acquisition meeting, the conversations that happen around the water cooler, how to submit illustrations to a publisher, and many more insights gained from working in-house in publishing for over twenty years.
Through the MA, and subsequently illustrating books, I have learned how to develop my illustration skills and creative practice, and how to discover and nurture my own unique voice.
Teaching on the MA, it has been a joy to work with people at all levels of their creative journeys. I have learned to tailor and adjust how I work with everyone to meet their individual needs.
I bring the combination of these backgrounds to my mentoring, along with a growing interest in creative mindset which has led me to become a mentor and teacher.
Would you like to learn more? Drop me a message and we can chat more about it. I am happy to tailor our sessions to suit you. Whether you want more guided tuition or more gentle mentoring and guidance, we can discuss the best way to work, just click on the box below and we can discuss the best way to work together. Prices start from £120.
For the moment, I’m offering limited spaces and I’ll offer places based on who gets in touch first, but if you miss out, I’ll add your name on the waitlist, and be in touch next time I open up slots.
Until next time,
Ella xx
I love the dreamy atmospheres and colours in your illustrations and the way you master complex scenes!