The 2022 AOI Mentorship scheme is now fully underway! First introduced in 2020 and expanded in 2021, this free program is designed by the AOI to further support and guide under-represented illustrators in an intimate and supporting setting.
Belgium-based illustrator Catherine Anne Hiley is one of 17 new mentees selected for this year’s edition, paired with mentor and illustrator Jacqueline Colley. We learn how her mentorship is going so far and what she’s hoping to achieve in the months ahead.
What does being part of the AOI Mentorship mean to you?
I am so glad to be a part of the AOI Mentorship programme. It is such a unique opportunity to get advice from a professional in the field, who can point out different ways I could further develop my career
It makes me feel validated in my practice and it’s great to know there is help around with both my mentor and the AOI in general. It is great having access to someone further along in their career path who is able to give insights into how this industry works, and give guidelines on professional practice and industry standards.
What has the mentorship been like so far?
I feel we have only just begun! Jacqueline has already been super helpful in answering many questions and giving me tips (e.g. on how to make my products just that bit more special and sellable), and help me focus on what I specifically need to be concentrating on at this point, so I can be much more pragmatic and efficient about how to go about building my catalogue and making contacts.
I’m really grateful to her for sharing her experience and her knowledge, and it’s fantastic simply to have an objective but friendly soundboard for ideas.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the mentorship?
At the end of this mentorship I hope to feel more professional and to be more clear about my career path, armed with more practical knowledge and the confidence that I’ll be able to take on the challenges that come my way.
We’d like to thank Catherine for her time in giving this interview. See more of her work on her website and Instagram.
Keep checking our Mentorship section to meet more 2022 mentees!
Learn more about the AOI Mentorship and our 2022 Mentors.
The AOI Mentorship scheme is one of many benefits offered by us. Find out more about membership today.