one of my creative heroes shares her secret to success
10 questions with the brilliant Haley Weaver
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It’s not often that we get to meet our heroes, much less interview them for our own creative projects. I am positively buzzing for today’s newsletter, because both of these things have happened, and now I have the absolute pleasure of introducing y’all to one of my all-time favorite artists and illustrators: Haley Weaver.
I fell in love with Haley’s work as a college student, at a time when I was feeling particularly lost and directionless. Her art made me feel seen, held, and loved, and helped me realize that maybe my feelings weren’t so special: that untangling the mess of life is just part of being human. That we are all learning and growing, and that we must be tender with ourselves as we do.
Haley is a soon-to-be published author and the talented human behind HaleyDrewThis, an art account that explores matters of the heart and brain and with abundant cleverness, humor, and wisdom. I’m not her only fan: Haley creates content for more than a quarter million people on Instagram, and is working on a book (!) that will be published next spring.
In this interview, she shares insight into her creative evolution and process, a glimpse into the world of digital content creation, and advice for other aspiring authors and illustrators. Please enjoy!
Over the years, your creative style has evolved from hand-drawn doodles to full-on digital content creation. When you started out, what inspired your creative style? (Of all art forms, why doodles?)
It’s so funny: the last time I took an art class was in high school. It was AP art (LOL) and my final portfolio did NOT get a good grade. I remember thinking, “Welp, I guess art isn’t my thing.”
But drawing has always been something I love to do. My siblings and I drew together growing up, I got in trouble in fifth grade for doodling in the margins of my notebooks during class, and I’ve found myself returning to it as an adult when I want to think something through.
Enacting [a] daily challenge not only helped my creative practice become a routine, but also helped shape the look and feel of my work as it is today.
As with anything, my style has evolved as I’ve continued drawing, especially once I started posting a drawing a day on Instagram back in 2017. Enacting this daily challenge not only helped my creative practice become a routine, but also helped shape the look and feel of my work as it is today.
Now that you’ve traded paper for an iPad, what have been the biggest joys — and frustrations — of creating art digitally?
The joys: It’s much easier to store my work (you should see how many sketchbooks are under my bed). I also love the huge library of brushes and colors and textures available in the program I use, Procreate — there’s so much opportunity for experimentation!
The frustrations: This might just be me, but I get fixated on perfection with digital art. You can “undo” any brushstroke, which takes out the spontaneity. It also requires more screen time than I’d like — and, of course, there’s the constant need to back things up so I don’t lose all my files.
I’d love to hear more about your creative process. Do you stick to a routine? Do you create spontaneously, when inspiration strikes? Or a combination?
My creative process has changed a lot over the years. When I was younger, drawing was my favorite way to unwind. As I began sharing my work online and garnering a following, I switched to a more regimented schedule: post a drawing a day, work on a client project by its deadline, write ten pages, etc.
I think if I only created when inspiration struck, I’d create a lot less. It often takes deadlines (even if they’re self-imposed) for me to sit down and work on a project. Getting started is always the hardest part.
What is one of the most memorable pieces of feedback you’ve received about your art?
Early on in my career, two college-aged friends messaged me to tell me how much they liked my work and how they would send my posts back and forth to each other. When one asked if she could hire me to illustrate the other friend as a birthday surprise, I was happy to do so.
What I didn’t expect was for her to send me a video of her friend receiving the illustration as a gift, which is a seven minute clip of pure joy (and happy screaming — LOL). It’s still saved in my “favorites” album on my phone!
Since you started your Instagram account in 2017, you’ve gained more than 250,000 followers. Has the size of your audience changed your relationship to your creativity?
Absolutely. As a textbook people-pleaser, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to create work that will resonate with my audience while keeping up with the algorithm, which makes or breaks whether people see my work at all. I used to post a comic every day, which started as a fun creative exercise but led to burnout once illustrating and writing became my full time work.
I am still trying to determine what balance looks like, how much content I can feasibly put out for free, and how much I let my more popular work from the past determine the direction of my future creations. That all said, I am lucky to have a very kind, gentle, and supportive online community. It’s a rare find, and I try not to take it for granted!
Have you experienced any drawbacks to having so much visibility on social media?
The biggest one is when I see other accounts (especially businesses!) reposting my work without credit. Corporations often use artwork from small creators and artists without asking permission to use or license the art for promotional use. It’s beyond frustrating.
I know you’re working on a book, which I can’t wait to read. What has most surprised or challenged you about the book-writing and publishing process?
It’s been the most challenging and incredible project I’ve ever worked on. The book is an illustrated memoir about my relationship with anxiety, which required a ton of reflection on my life and time spent figuring out the best way to pair the narrative with comic-style illustrations.
I’d say the most challenging part was knowing when a chapter felt done — I found myself in self-editing spirals far too often! All of that said, I’m so proud of it and cannot wait to share it with the world.
Who are your current creative inspirations? Is there anyone in the space that’s making you feel excited recently?
Totally! I spent the last year on a graphic novel/memoir kick. Below are a few of my favorites:
Drawn Together by Olivia De Recat
Something New by Lucy Knisley
Cheeky by Ariella Elovic
Marbles by Ellen Forney
The Keeper by Kelcey Ervick
Commute by Erin Williams
It’s incredible how you transformed a creative hobby into a full-fledged business. What advice would you offer to other aspiring authors or illustrators?
Focus on loving the work you’re making, not the response it receives. Everyone starts at zero.
Focus on loving the work you’re making, not the response it receives. Everyone starts at zero.
The best work is born from passion, excitement, hard work, and learning from other creators/folks in your field.
A lot of your art speaks to the human experience: messy emotions, the unglamorous parts of our lives, the beauty in the mundane. What is feeling hard right now? What is bringing you joy and excitement?
The Hard Stuff: Watching some of my loved ones grow older, feeling overwhelmed by senseless violence in America, and falling into my own pits of comparison with others.
The Joyous Stuff: Planning a wedding with the love of my life (ugh, gross, I know!!!), getting SO excited for my book’s release, spending time outside (helloooo Seattle summer!), and looking forward to my parents coming to visit next month.
Ok, bonus round! What’s your favorite:
Netflix show: I loooooved Maid, The Queen’s Gambit, and, of course, any Love is Blind/Ultimatum variation — gotta have some reality mess!
Way to spend a Sunday: Swing through the Ballard Farmers Market with a coffee, ride my bike on the Burke Gilman trail, read a book outside, and maybe get an ice cream cone.
Author (current or all-time): I can’t stop thinking about Rebecca Makkai’s recent release I Have Some Questions For You — such an interesting and well-written book.
Trader Joe’s snack: Hold the cones (the little mini ice cream cones!). Could eat a whole box in one sitting.
Seattle hang out spot: Gas Works Park for an afternoon hang and Golden Gardens for a sunset picnic.
HaleyDrewThis comic: Oh man! This one is particularly sentimental for me:
Haley Weaver is a writer and illustrator living in Seattle. In her work Haley explores anxiety and mental health, love and relationships, and selfhood. In addition to her newsletter, Haley Wrote This, her debut illustrated memoir Give Me Space but Don’t Go Far (Penguin Random House x Avery) comes out in April 2024. Oh, and she’s a great follow on Instagram.
I had never heard of/seen Haley’s art before, but from what I’ve seen in this post and from her thoughtful responses - I’m definitely going to check out more of her work. Great interview - thanks.
You are the sweetest! I had the best time answering your thoughtful questions.