Introducing Naomi Skinner

Bright is thrilled to welcome our newest artist, Naomi Skinner! Read her story below on how she got her start in illustration.

I started illustrating part-time after graduating from Loughborough University with a degree in illustration in 2001. Over the next 10 years I worked in retail during the day and illustrating by night before I was able to take the plunge and illustrate full-time. That went pretty well and then after a few years, I took a break following the birth of my first daughter, and then again for my second daughter who arrived two years later.

When the dust from their arrivals seemed to have settled, I wanted to get my freelance illustration career going again so I could work from home and be around for my daughters - but I really needed some help and advice.

Enter from stage left the AOI - who I’ve been a member of since my uni days - and their portfolio reviews which I thought would be invaluable to help me kick-start my career once again. I booked myself in to one in my home city of Bristol and this is when I met Lucie Luddington - in a very busy arty bar called The Watershed.

On the day I was super nervous and anxiously waited for my review (someone else was sat with Lucie finishing off so I lurked around trying not to look odd!). When I sat down with Lucie I immediately felt at ease, which was great. She then gave me so much positivity along with her invaluable and practical advice, and I came out feeling great and determined to action everything. But, as life with two little toddler girls can be very busy, my illustration sadly had to take a back seat.

Fast forward four years and, with both girls now in school full-time, I decided it was time to get sorted and get illustrating once again. I brushed off my old notes from Lucie with her advice and set about creating a portfolio that I felt proud of. Once it was finished and, although it had been four or so years, I emailed Lucie to show her and thank her for her amazing advice not imagining she would have time to respond. To my surprise she not only responded immediately with some incredibly kind words, but also came back with an offer to represent me at the Bright Agency. I couldn’t believe it. I was blown away. I was so excited (and still am)! It’s genuinely a dream come true and I can’t wait to build amazing relationships and create new, exciting work at the Bright Agency. Thank you again Lucie!

Naomi is represented by Lucie Luddington. To work with Naomi, get in touch with Lucie here