Gina Carey

I am a full-time illustrator focused on publishing for children and art licensing. Do you want the whole scoop? Keep reading...

I graduated from Syracuse University in 1998 with my BFA in Computer Graphics. I used a lot of my studio electives in college to learn traditional drawing, anatomy, and painting while my major focused on computer based animation and interaction design. I worked as a compositor for TV and ride-film animation for several years. I realized that while I was successful as a compositor it wasn't creatively challenging or as fulfilling as time I spent drawing, painting and dreaming up stories.

I later worked at a game company which would have been lots more fun if they didn't dissolve the art team when they sold out for a merger. We had just started on a balloon animal game for kids that I was really excited to work on. At least I learned how to animate fishing lures and create a 3D crab!

After a move from the Boston area to NH, I spent several more years at a scrapbook manufacturer, working initially as a designer. Here I learned all about non-time-based design and illustration. I enjoyed creating and illustrating all types of real products that people would use and enjoy. Working at a scrapbook manufacturer taught me so much about technically setting up files for printing, creating dielines, understanding multi-dimensional and multi-component products, etc. etc. Over time I became an Art Director, managing all art licensing projects. Working with outside artists to develop product lines was exciting but I really longed to return to creating more, and directing and managing less.

After taking a class in children's illustration in NH I joined SCBWI in 2002 and began the process of putting my children's illustration portfolio together outside of my day job. In 2005 I illustrated an educational book which was published in 2006. In 2007 I left my full-time job, thanks in great part to my supportive husband, so I could put all my energy into illustration.

I think as an artist, computer-geek, and lifelong learner, I have experienced a few more 'careers' than I might have expected when graduating from college. I feel great about the fact that I have done quite well at all the paths I have tried. I think all these experiences have made me more knowledgeable and more well-rounded as an artist. I think one of the hardest things in one's career is to make a big change. I've done this a few times now, sometimes because of opportunity and interest, sometimes out of necessity and the state of the job market (Hello 2001!).

This last change, I hope to be the last BIG one. It came out of this deep longing that I had buried for years because of a big voice saying I could not succeed as an illustrator. I'm not going to say I knew I wanted to illustrate children's books when I was 2, but I've known for far longer than I was 100% aware of. I'm just glad that the little voice down deep that wanted to do this never went away. And if I should 'fail' by all conventional measures of success, I will be quite disappointed in myself, but not nearly so much as if I had never tried.