Illoguild Asks: Should We Collaborate?

(Illoguild question #32: Are we stronger together or alone?)

Feb 10, 2025

Hey there,

This month, the

members are diving into the power of collaboration - Illustration may often feel like a solo pursuit, but some of the best ideas, opportunities, and creative growth come from working with others. Whether it’s teaming up with fellow artists, authors, designers, or even unexpected creative partners, collaboration can push your work in exciting new directions.

This newsletter has been a wonderful collaboration with members of the illoguild. We have been putting this together as a group for a few years now and have over 50 posts (newsletters and recordings of our live chats), that should prove helpful to you no matter what stage of your career (or hobby) you are at.

“If you could do it yourself, you would have already done it” - Adam Ming

Illustrator Spotlight

This month, we’re shining a light on

Rose Lihou

, the extremely talented author- illustrator of Tiny Dogs (all three are out now). Check out the Q&A with Rose below!

ILLOGUILD Talks: Collaboration

Join us on 18 February for a live Zoom session where we’ll discuss the ins and outs of collaboration—how to find the right partners, navigate challenges, and make the most of shared creativity. Whether you’re new to working with others or looking for fresh inspiration, this conversation is for you! Register here.

RSVP HERE

Thank you for being part of this community! Hopefully we will find ways to collaborate with our readers in the future.

You’re invited to the LIVE ZOOM (It’s free) - Replays available for Paid Subscribers.

Views on Collaboration

Rose Lihou

shares some brilliant examples of collabs.

Studio Tea with Rose Lihou

Collaboration

This month the illoguild, a group of illustrator buddies from around the world, have been thinking about the theme of collaboration…

5 months ago · 3 likes · 2 comments · Rose Lihou

Carla Hoffenberg

gives advice about when to say YES or NO to a collaboration.

Carla’s Crowd

“Want to Collab?”

I hope you’ve had a fantastic start to 2025…

5 months ago · 11 likes · 5 comments · Carla Hoffenberg

Katie Stack

shares here best and newest collaboration experiences.

Katie’s Newsletter

4 Cool Art Collaborations

Want to listen while you’re drawing or painting? Just click play to hear me read the post…

4 months ago · 5 likes · Katie Stack

Noreen Anne

shares the teamwork and collaboration involved in her self published book ‘Cecelia Says No’, which she wrote and illustrated.

The Creative Canvas by Noreen Anne

The Magic of Collaboration

This month, we’re celebrating the power of collaborations. Collaboration is more than just working together or teamwork—it’s connection. Whether in families, friendships or creative projects, it shapes who we are…

4 months ago · 3 likes · Noreen Anne

Adam Ming

inspires us all with great advice about showing up in all sorts of ways. He is also responsible for getting the illoguild together 3 years ago - he shares why!

Ten Minute Artist: Daily Drawing & Creative Practice Guide

Collaboration: Allies and Mentors

4 months ago · 11 likes · 3 comments · Adam Ming

Damjana Loddelina

shares here latest collaboration (it’s the result of a dream that started 20 years ago)

The Lemon Tart Bandit

Dream project

This months’s theme the illoguild is talking about is collaboration. For a creative person collaboration can come in many forms: artists collaborating with each other in creating a joint project, mentors getting inspired by their students and getting a fresh perspective of their teaching, creators working with brands and designing lines of exclusive products…

4 months ago · 9 likes · 1 comment · Damjana Loddelina

Brenda Harris

talks about “travelling in teams”

On The Creative Road

Travel With Other Creative Explorers

I think creatives are meant to be the leaders in this – EXPLORERS in pursuing our creative hearts. And more importantly, we are NOT meant to do it alone…

4 months ago · 2 likes · 1 comment · Brenda Harris

Q and A with
Rose Lihou

What motivates you?

I'm really motivated by the idea of turning kids into readers. I currently make chapter books for newly emerging readers and it's a huge privilege to create books in this space. There's all sorts of tips and tricks you can employ to keep them turning the page, but ultimately the challenge is to tell a good story. Tricky, but also mega rewarding!

What are you working on?

I'm working on a graphic novel idea I've had for a while. It's a new medium for me so I have a lot to learn, and there's not much I can tell you about the plot, but I can say that working on it makes me really hungry and I've been visiting the local bakery a lot!

What’s your dream project?

Dream project would be . . . designing a theme park world based on my Tiny Dogs books. Imagine a ride where you are the size of a tiny dog and running around an overgrown garden! Or a log flume shaped like a leaf sailing around a giant pond. Or a gift shop where you can buy tiny dog toys! That would be so fun.

You can see more of Rose’s work on her website or instagram.

Announcements

The next illoguild live session is on Monday, 18 February. Sign up here.
Tiny Dogs: The Best Birthday Party! Is out now!!! This is the third book in the Tiny Dog series by
Rose Lihou
. Order your copy here.
puffinbooksuk
A post shared by @puffinbooksuk
Katie Stack
has teamed up with
Lilla Rogers
(who you may know from ‘Make Art that Sells’ to create ‘Art Chats’. Their first one was on 7 February. You can watch the replay here. Or join for the next one on 11 February.
Katie Stack has also launched her wedding stationary business. You can get more details here.