Thoughts on Illustration Taking Big Risks in Your Creativity and Life
📗 Order Drawing Is Important: tomfroese.com/book

✨ Register for the Online Launch/DWM on April 7 at Luma: luma.com/67uhuhmr
A recent portfolio critique turned into a deeper conversation about creative risk — and how to know when it's time to stop dreaming and do something about it. I share the personal story behind my own decision to quit my job and go to art school, and the question that helped me know that risk was worth it. Whether you're facing a big shift in your career (or even your life) or deciding whether to publish your portfolio or not, this one's for you.
IN THIS EPISODE
• Can a Portfolio be Too Niche? How a coaching conversation about purpose, niche, and commercial appeal set the stage for a much bigger question about creative direction.
• Can We Sell Ourselves Without Selling Out? Why early-career illustrators with a strong subcultural niche may need to broaden their commercial appeal before they can narrow back in.
• Fear of Failure vs. Fear of Regret: Why asking "how would I feel if I never tried?" can be more clarifying than asking "what if I fail?"
• The $50,000 Decision: How I left a stable career to pursue illustration, and the moment of clarity that made the risk feel worth taking.
• Are You Addicted to Education? How accumulating degrees, certificates, and online courses can become a way of avoiding the real risk — actually doing the thing.
• The Bird Who Won't Leave the Nest: Why creative careers require putting yourself out there, and the importance of failure and rejection as teachers.
LINKS & RESOURCES
Drawing Is Important — Now Available: My book is officially out! Order it wherever books are sold, or start at the link below.
Book Launch Event: April 7 — check the link to register.
• Catch the replay later at tomfroese.com/patreon (membership required).
Local Book Launch Events: I'll be hosting events in Chilliwack/Fraser Valley and Vancouver. Follow along to stay in the loop.
• Instagram: instagram.com/mrtomfroese
• Patreon: patreon.com/tomfroese
• Substack: mrtomfroese.substack.com
One-on-One Coaching: Want to work through your own portfolio or career decisions with me?
Previous Episode — 4 Portfolio Mistakes: I reference the four blind spots of early-career illustrators: purpose, point of view, substance, and craft.
• Episode 72: https://www.patreon.com/posts/153866247
Today's Action on Illustration: What do you really want? Sit with that question. Pay attention to the moments — a story, a song, someone's work — that spark something deeper than "I like that." Write them down. Collect them. Those are the clues to the bigger decisions you'll face in your creative life. And if you're sitting on a risk you've been too afraid to take, ask yourself:
• In 5/10/50 years, what would you regret more: risking and failing, or never even trying?
• If now's not the right time, when will be?
Just a word of caution: Please take into account timing! You can say yes to that big risky decision (if you really want it), but you can also say not yet. Sometimes we have to let one chapter end cleanly before moving onto the next one. Other times, we have bigger priorities than our dreams to take care of.
Tag me on Instagram @mrtomfroese or email me your reflections at hello@tomfroese.com!
TOM'S LINKS
• Work: tomfroese.com
• Classes: tomfroese.com/teaching
• Instagram: instagram.com/mrtomfroese
JOIN THE LIVE LAUNCH
Drawing is Important Launch Day: April 7, 2026
In case you missed it, I'm hosting a live book launch event on April 7th to celebrate the release of Drawing Is Important! Register at the link below to join us — I'd love to see you there. Register — luma.com/67uhuhmr