Annie Le Santo is an artist and freelancer with experience in a number of fields, including art, illustration, writing and digital marketing. Annie sells her work through her website and Instagram. Annie studied Fine Art at Oxford Brookes (2015-2018) and her artwork focuses on natural imagery, with an illustration-based feel. Annie’s freelance writing covers many areas, from producing a series for Jackson’s Art Blog to interviewing artists for Ceramic Review magazine. Here is what Annie has to say about her own experience of freelancing.
1. Introduce yourself and what you do
I am an artist and creative freelancer working across a handful of different areas in the arts. Alongside my own artistic practice – which at present is primarily illustration-based – I also write articles for creative publications and magazines, and coordinate digital marketing for arts festivals and organisations. As an artist I sell my work online directly to customers through an online shop and Instagram. I also accept custom commissions for artwork. I split my time between these areas according to the different projects time-scale, deadlines and demands.
The written and digital work that I do for art organisations is great for meeting people, being part of teams and gaining experience. My visual arts practice is something I have always done and it’s important to me to keep developing it. I like having a balance of both of these areas and using my different skills, however I hope to increase the amount I directly use my visual arts/illustration skills in my day-to-day work.
2. How and why did you start freelancing?
For a while I dabbled in freelancing alongside an ordinary PAYE (pay as you earn) job. I started writing the occasional article or creating commissioned artworks for private clients. It is only as of April 2022 that I have been fortunate enough to have enough clients to go fully freelance.
3. Where do you find your clients and new projects?
I use social media, such as Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn to share my projects and what I have been working on. It’s a great way to casually network and start conversations with likeminded people. When looking more specifically for freelance gigs and work, I use the Arts Council job listings website and Run The Check.
I have also stayed in touch with colleagues from my previous (non-freelance) employment. This has been vital to me, as I still regularly work with some of them as a freelancer. For example, I was the Assistant Editor of Ceramic Review for nearly three years, and now I am very grateful to still be writing for the magazine as a freelancer.
4. How do you know what to charge?
This is always a challenging topic, and one that has involved sticking firmly to my boundaries, even at times when my financial situation has meant it’s been difficult to turn down low-paid work. Having worked on the other side of art organisations as an employee, I saw the fees that freelancers were receiving. This gave me a realistic idea of what to expect and what to quote clients when discussing contracts. I have also spent many years looking at the previously mentioned jobs sites. Seeing so many listings means that I have formed an idea of an average ‘day rate’ for varying roles across the sector. Now I keep an idea in my head of what my minimum day rate is for different kinds of work – based on my experience, skills and my personal needs.
5.What are your must-haves as a creative freelancer?
Self motivation and proactiveness are key! There’s an element of being left to your own devices as a freelancer. There is more flexibility and more autonomy. These things are exactly what I love about freelancing, but it takes self-discipline to show up and hold yourself accountable to complete work and meet deadlines.
Next I’d say honouring your boundaries is important. With varied and flexible working comes the risk of blurring your work-life boundaries. I use my calendar to manage my time week-by-week depending on my projects. Sometimes a deadline or project will require putting in extra time in the evenings or answering a call from a client when you’re not technically ‘on duty’. This is OK as long as it stays at a level in which you are comfortable, and doesn’t affect your personal life or mental health. I find freelancing lots of fun, but it is most rewarding when you have a healthy relationship with your work, and it’s at these times that I am able to deliver my best.
You can visit Annie’s website or follow @annielesanto.art on Instagram. A selection of Annie Le Santo’s work can be found at Ceramic Review and Jackson Art: