Day #1.

On a crisp autumn morning, I found myself stepping into the clinic where my little one would make their grand entrance into the world. As I ventured into this new chapter, a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty gripped me. Fast forward four days, and I was back home, cradling this precious new life in my arms. A cascade of questions flooded my mind. Who was I now? Could I juggle these newfound responsibilities? What did the future look like for me? I had donned many roles in the past, was I now solely defined as a mother?

In the chaos of the postpartum days that followed, I found myself wrestling with my identity. I was pushing too hard, trying to force myself into a singular role. Then, it hit me - I didn't have to choose. I could fuse my new role as a mother with my previous identity. I was not just a mother, but also a creative spirit, eager to rediscover myself in this altered reality. With that epiphany, I refused to be confined. I embraced my vulnerability, found strength in my resilience, and took control of my journey, ready to navigate the uncharted waters of this new world.

The Sentence.

One sunny afternoon, amidst the beautiful chaos of motherhood, I found solace in the company of a dear friend over steaming cups of coffee. As she unfolded the tale of her entrepreneurial journey with infectious excitement, her words resonated deeply within me. "I'm proud of myself, I'm proud of what I've achieved," she declared with a radiant sparkle in her eyes. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her sense of accomplishment was evident. Her dedication had helped her overcome obstacles and achieve success. Her words were like a wake-up call, lighting up my path. That day, I felt motivated to act.

Even though the path was uncertain, my goal was clear. I was ready to embark on a transformative journey, willing to face the risks and challenges ahead. This special day marked the start of my journey into the exciting world of illustration and pattern design. This was the birth of Happy Hemera. In Greek, 'Happy Hemera' means 'happy day', perfectly capturing the joy and brightness of this significant day!

The year of practice.

My journey into illustration felt like diving headfirst into an exciting dream. No formal training in illustration or graphic design to guide me, no defined style in place. Yet, one thing was crystal clear - my love for bright, eye-catching colors. This love became my guiding light as I navigated through the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I started this journey with an iPad, a decision influenced by the limited time I had for traditional art mediums. Balancing new-motherhood with my budding artistic ambition was a juggling act. I often found myself sketching while caring for my son, trading sleep for the captivating world of lines and colors.

To navigate this new territory, I loaded up on courses about illustration, surface design, pricing, and portfolio management. I devoured books on composition and graphic design, investing time and energy into learning more about my newfound passion.

But this journey wasn't a sprint. It was a year-long marathon before I felt truly comfortable with my drawings. My style kept changing, just like a chameleon adapting to its surroundings. This ongoing evolution is a testament to the wild and thrilling ride of creativity, filled with growth, learning, and many exciting 'aha!' moments!

The First Collab.

After a year of learning, drawing, and creating a simple website, I felt ready to pitch my work to clients. This was a big step, filled with excitement and nervousness. The outcome was uncertain, but I believed in myself.

After three months of constant pitching, I finally received an email one warm August evening. A client was considering featuring my designs in their tea towel collection. I was thrilled and surprised, but also a bit anxious. The project seemed intimidating, and I wasn't sure how to approach it.

Unexpectedly, the client didn't provide a brief or direction. They wanted something born from my own creativity, which left me stumped. For months, I had been designing patterns and collections for fun, but now with a client involved, I hit a creative block. I started doubting myself and considered giving up.

But I had dreams to chase. I pushed on, fought the rising panic, and faced the imposter syndrome that was chipping away at my confidence. I was on my own with high expectations and no safety net. Thankfully, there wasn't a strict deadline, which relieved some pressure.

I started building a collection in the only way I knew and sent it to the art director. It wasn't well-received, and they requested many changes. In retrospect, this was all part of the process. I stuck with it and, after a month, I completed a collection of four patterns and two illustrations. This marked the successful end of my first collaboration – a milestone I'll always remember.

Messy Growth.

As I started working with clients, jobs began to flow in slowly but surely, strengthening my resolve. The second year was a wild ride of learning how to handle client negotiations. My limited communication skills, shaky English, and lack of knowledge on pricing were obstacles at first. I found myself dodging client calls, choosing the safety of emails, a move which turned out to be a wrong play.

This time also marked the flourishing of my business and a rapid increase in my Instagram followers. I started receiving a flood of inquiries from potential clients, adding a touch of magic to my journey. But, I was not ready for this wave. Sadly, only one out of ten clients went ahead with a project. I was pouring enormous effort into email exchanges, customizing prices for each inquiry, and explaining my work process, only to find out I was underprepared. It was a whirlwind of chaos!

Distractions.

That year felt like a wild storm. I was stretching myself thin, sacrificing my well-being in the name of getting things done. I juggled client work, started new licensing collaborations, built a website, and created fresh designs for my portfolio. But satisfaction was elusive. I loved pattern design, but self-doubt about my illustration skills kept creeping in. A big client project arrived, requiring an illustration test. Despite my initial excitement, I didn't hit the mark. The truth was clear - I had sharpened my pattern design skills, but I wasn't ready to step into the role of an illustrator.

In the midst of a hectic schedule, I ambitiously decided to dive into illustration studies. Sounds familiar, right? Pushing beyond limits, overestimating our abilities and underestimating our limits - a typical case of biting off more than we can chew! I signed up for a new illustration course with a great mentor and scheduled 1:1 coaching calls. But the results were disappointing - my efforts yielded no results. I was tired, distracted, and felt lost. My portfolio remained stagnant with no new additions, I overlooked potential clients, and my goals became blurry. Feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, I decided to stop! I clearly remember the embarrassment I felt when I admitted to my mentor that I couldn't continue. That's when I realized I needed to focus, handle one task at a time, and prioritize rest. That ambitious illustration project I had dreamt of? It could wait until I was truly ready!

The #1 illustration Project.

I took a careful and thoughtful approach to my journey into the world of illustration. It was almost a year before I found myself on the brink of my first major illustration project. When the project brief landed in my inbox, I was overjoyed but scared. Was this my chance to spread my creative wings and show off the skills I had worked so hard to develop?

After successful talks, we sealed our agreement. Even though the project timeline was tight and the expectations high, I drew a deep breath and plunged in, albeit with a flicker of confidence. This was a real illustration project, and I was committed to doing it with utmost professionalism and dedication.

The project came together like a well-rehearsed dance, from the first sketches to revisions, the detailed coloring process, more refining, and at last, the birth of the final files. I adhered closely to the brief, concentrating on my client's clear directives. I must admit, there was a part of me that held back, feeling too insecure to fully unleash my imagination and creativity.

When I looked at the end result, I was filled with a deep sense of pride. I had done it; had I proven my worth as an illustrator? The outcome was beyond fantastic, exceeding my expectations and filling my artistic soul with huge satisfaction. The positive feedback from my clients was the icing on the cake, marking the successful completion of the project. With the job done and the client happy, I finally allowed myself to bask in the glow of my achievement and take some much-needed rest.

Doubts.

Every creative path has its moments of doubt. You might ask yourself, "Am I doing this right? Does illustration really make my heart sing, or is it surface design? Do I have to pick just one?" Even though my brain yells YES, my heart whispers NO! Over time, and especially after some intense coaching, I've learned that focus is key to growth. Without clear goals, progress can be hard to see. Each time I settle into a project or role, a new challenge or 'happy distraction' pops up. While these distractions can throw me off course, they also serve as important stepping stones on my journey, pushing me to explore new paths and adjust my goals.

The decision.

In this exciting journey of creativity, I've decided to embrace the unknown and give myself the gift of time. I'm not rushing into confining myself within the boundaries of a title or role. Instead, I'm evolving at my own pace, confident that my true potential will emerge organically over time.

Currently, I'm enthusiastically open to opportunities in both illustration and surface design, whilst also daring to venture into uncharted territories. There's an immense joy that comes from infusing my unique creative touch into client projects, bringing an element of vibrancy, excitement, and joy to the table.

I'm committed to following my intuition. Whether that means adapting to new directions or staying the course, I trust it to lead me. The future is indeed a grand mystery, a painting yet to be completed, filled with potential and endless possibilities. I'm excited and confident that my journey will guide me to where I'm destined to be.

Tip: Allow yourself to unfurl naturally, moving to the rhythm of your own unique journey. Trust the whisperings of your intuition, it is your most authentic guide. Do not hasten to box yourself within the confines of a title or role. Instead, dance with the mystery of the unknown, gifting yourself the luxury of time. Your true artistic potential will bloom organically, revealing itself in due time.

Thank you for reading. ❤️

xx, Sofia

My Journey to Pattern Design & Illustration: From Beginner to Now.