Check Out Mike Essa’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Essa.

Hi Mike, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Being a freelance artist is a battling reward. You learn how to conduct and pace yourself while you make a crap load of mistakes along the way, which is where you learn how to be your own businessman and consultant.

I got my first gig designing for a children’s book back in 2012, two years after college. As breaking into the animation industry was challenging (let’s face it, it still is), I did not want to sit on my butt and wait for jobs to come to me. The children’s book gig was the first and only gig that literally came to me through a friend’s reference. He asked if I was interested and I told him “what business do I have creating a book? I have no experience with that!”. But I wanted to hear the writer out at the very least and thought “Well it’s the least I could do, there’s no harm in that.”. Sure enough, after we negotiated payment, signed an NDA, and were convinced that this could be the start of something different in life, thus came The Princess and the Drageena children’s book.

From that point on, as I kept being resilient in sending out applications to various animation studios, I traversed in the art world, becoming the Jack of all Trades and mastering them all. It’s been 12 years since I started my first freelance job and though I’ve had a couple of learning experiences, one where someone skimped out of pay after completing the job (ALWAYS ASK FOR PAYMENT UP FRONT, ARTISTS!!), other than that, everything I’ve worked on turned out to be successful. I’ve done plenty of private commissions where I’m asked to personalize a family, a couple, or whoever in either my own style or mimics a style of an existing show (Simpsons, Bobs Burgers, Disney, etc).

I’ve worked on a multitude of character design and storyboard projects for shows that are going to be pitched to networks.

Though not all shows get picked up, that’s why it was important for me to cover my end before they pitch. Some people will swear “oh do this job for us, and if we get picked up you will be reimbursed. BUT HEY! We’ll at the very least give you exposure for the hard work you did”.

Because we artists love that form of currency: Exposure.

As an artist, you are always creating your own exposure. Of course, you need to know how you can do that. Social media is always a start to posting your work but it’s not the end game. You want to get involved in groups, take some art classes, or join Art Alleys at Comic-Con, or ANY local art show taking place.

Although life does get in the way, as I am not working for Corporate America helping doctors get malpractice coverage, I’m not going to ever stop being an artist and freelancing. I am always open for business, and that’s the beauty of being your own boss. I’ve made more money for myself than a studio has paid me at this point.

Don’t wait for jobs to come to you, muscle up the courage, get past your insecurities and expose art! All art has value.

So make it worth its weight in gold.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been pretty smooth with a couple of nails in it.

As I mentioned, there was one situation I was taken for and what struck a chord with me more than anything was they were very “luring” with their words. This person was French, so he would always say “Mon ami (my friend)” and go on about how we worked so well together, how they had he had this connection with celebrities, professional athletes, and so on.

He was all talk. We worked together for about a year, and although we would have to re-negotiate the payment-to-workload ratio, we get work done. But I should have been smart about it and pulled away from this person when I had the chance. Apparently, he has been doing this to others as well I have just been notified by another artist who is in the same predicament but for thousands, whereas I was just for a few hundred dollars, so it’s not like I could have taken him to court, nor would it be worth the time and expenses.

Aside from that drama, it has been a very smooth adventure (with the occasional computer and software problems).

All my clients have been fantastic, a lot who are returning customers and it really helps the day go by knowing I have some fans of my work.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At my own leisure, I enjoy creating fun illustrations of Halloween gals (and ladies in general) that have silly facial expressions. Also, as I’m a video game nerd, I will reimagine some of our favorite characters in a different style or my own.

When it comes to work-work, the most frequent jobs are portraited commissions of me drawing people and encapsulating whatever moment in time that want to capture.

For the major jobs, I’ve done storyboarding, character designing, and illustrating children’s books.

When I do have spare time, I also do some graphic design work for my dad’s printing business, Epicurean Menu (you’re welcome for the plug, dad).

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
You can always give me a follow on my Instagram @Mikessart.

If you want to inquire or collaborate you came to email me at [email protected]… or DM me on Instagram as well.

Pricing:

• Personal Portraits -$100 for two and $25 per character + free print (framing additional)
• Book Illustration – $85 base rate per page
• Character Designs – Email me
• Storyboarding – Email me

Contact Info:

• Website: ArtofEssa.com
• Instagram: @Mikessart