I first saw this month’s featured illustrator’s work on Facebook and instantly knew I had to see more. Sub It Club is thrilled to welcome Charlie Eve Ryan. Sit back and enjoy her wonderful postcard and tips too!
Charlie Eve Ryan is a professional freelance illustrator/writer and member of SCBWI. In 2012, she was accepted into and attended the Highlights Foundations Advanced Illustrator Workshop. She has a fondness for digital watercolor, pencil, pastels, mixed media paint and ink. She lives happily at the top of a hill in a creaky old house with her hubby and their two little ones. She is represented by Fiona Kenshole at the Transatlantic Agency.
How do you choose the image(s) for a postcard?
It varies each time. For this one, it was sent out in the spring, so I wanted a light mood but with a variety of expressions. I opted for a simple spot illustration with a lot of white space. I love drawing birds and little girls so it felt right at the time.*
*Spoiler Alert! The girl is coming up next.
Do you prefer text on the front of the postcard with the image or do you prefer all the text on the back of the postcard?
For this one I put it all on the back, but I have done both ways before. In the future, I will probably put at least my name on the front. I think if it is lucky enough to get picked out the pile, it could make it easier for the potential client to look up your portfolio, etc.
Do you create illustrations specifically for your self-promotion pieces?
Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. If I have a current piece in my portfolio that I want to highlight, I’ll use it and save time. But, if I have a specific idea at the time that I am thinking about doing when promo time comes, I will work up the idea for the card.*
*Some ideas just won’t wait!
Some illustrators create a series of postcards and send them out over time. Do you create a series or stand-alone images?
I have only done stand-alone images. I send out 3-4 times a year, so I don’t know if anyone would pick up on the series aspect, but that could be fun for the artist and a good challenge.
How often do you send out postcards?
3-4 a year. I’m actually due for a new batch now! 😀*
*Looking forward to seeing it!
Who do you target with your mailings?
Mostly editors and art directors in children’s book publishing and children’s magazines.
How do you compile your mailing list? Any tips on keeping a list and sending out?
I usually make note of any changes or add ons by hand when I read about an industry change and then I update my list in a computer file. It is an ongoing challenge to build a contact list.* Publisher’s Lunch and Publisher’s Marketplace are a great way to try and keep track on the goings on in children’s publishing with editors and art directors movements between houses.**
*I hear ya!
**Good advice.
Do you have any tips on the production process?
I mainly work digitally and rarely find the need to scan things. My head wants to explode when I think about scanning and resizing files, so I am grateful for the ease of Photoshop.* I am exploring InDesign, too.
*Well, now I’m thankful for Photoshop too– we can’t have your head exploding. We want to see your next postcard!
Do you use any online services? What are your favorite places to get postcards printed?
I’ve used overnightprints.com and us.moo.com, both are great and worth it. Moo has some really fun creative options for promos (bookmarks, stickers etc.).
Thanks for having me, Dana!
Thank YOU, Charlie Eve!
Click on the links below to check out more of Charlie Eve’s work!
Website: www.charlieeveryan.com
Twitter: @charlieeveryan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charlieeve.ryan
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/charlieeveryan/
If you’re joining us for the first time at the Monthly Postcard Post, you can catch up with a general article on postcard mailings for illustrators and previous featured illustrators in the archive (there’s a tab above too). See you next month.
Sub It Club 
Thanks again, Dana!
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Thanks, CER and Dana!
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