Don’t wait to be invited - create the invitation yourself

How do the greatest ideas actually come to life?
How do those minds get hired?
Where AND how do the right people connect to bring those ideas into reality?

From the outside, it often looks like everything happens behind closed doors. Like there’s an inner circle you can only access if the right people invite you in. And while that may be partly true, there’s another path - one that often gets overlooked.

Once you’re aware of it, the road starts to clear itself.

Most people wait to be noticed. They wait to be approached. And that’s exactly why those who don’t wait already place themselves in the top 10% - the ones who take the first step toward their dream projects.

This applies to art, design, entertainment, even sports. And yes, it ABSOLUTELY applies to us as drawing enthusiasts too 😉

When I was searching for my first clients as a digital interior and real estate illustrator, I had a very clear goal from the start:

a specific field, specific clients, specific projects, and a specific price range.

Not small projects where my value would be negotiated, but projects where the only response would be: “Perfect. We’d love to work with you.”

Unrealistic for a beginner? Maybe. But when I decide on something, that’s how it’s going to be. And that’s exactly what happened. Since then, my client list has consisted only of high-end clients, incredibly stylish projects, and respectful, inspiring people who genuinely value my work.

THAT'S how doors open.

Your doubts aren’t visible to anyone unless you choose to share them.
Your expertise is what you show the world.
Your skills are how you position yourself.
And your audacity - to upgrade your niche before asking for permission - is what sets everything in motion.

In today’s world, it’s easy to get stuck in the mindset of social media virality thinking that ONLY if a video goes viral will opportunities appear. I’ll be honest: I fell into that trap too, for a while. Until I reminded myself how I’d ACTUALLY landed my dream clients over the years - by being bold enough (some might say delusional enough) to believe that my idea was EXACTLY what a client needed.

This newsletter is actually inspired directly by my own life.

January has been incredibly productive for me. Just yesterday, I finished filming and setting up my brand-new iPad design and drawing course - something I’d been dreaming of revisiting for over a year, but held back from by my inner critic (you don’t have time, people already love what you offer, why change?).

But I realized this version reflects the direction I’m moving in: making digital drawing an effortless part of everyday life so that even non-artists can bring ANY idea or thought to life, without needing to do it professionally.

Once that chapter was complete, I naturally started mapping out what’s next: brand collaborations, new drawings, travel, live workshops. It felt like a seamless continuation - not something expected or “realistic” for others, but something I knew was right for me.

And when you have that deep inner confidence, that THIS is where you belong, the rest is just logistics: initiative, follow-through, and the willingness to keep going even when you don’t see results YET.

That’s the power of follow-up.
And the power of constant innovation.
And of staying at the forefront.

So... HAVE the audacity to trust your ideas and your skills AND make it happen.

By the way, some of the concepts and destinations I mentioned are part of the new version of my iPad design and drawing course, and it’s waiting for you HERE 😉

With big drawing energy,
Anna at @andshedrawsbig