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.

Belfast-based illustrator Sinead Farry is one of 17 new mentees selected for this year’s edition, paired with mentor and Illustrator Willa Gebbie. 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 was delighted to be accepted onto the programme. The mentorship is an invaluable opportunity to get thorough, expert guidance on issues that are holding me back in my illustration career, with the luxury of time to work through them and get feedback in order to make a long term difference. 

What has the mentorship been like so far?

Willa is a fantastic mentor. So far she has been working with me on exploring ways to make my work more commercial, through experimenting with mark-making, using digital processes and working on presentation on my website. I have learned so much so far.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the mentorship?

I hope to have a well developed portfolio ready to target the sectors suitable for my work, and to have made the most of this mentorship opportunity with Willa.

We’d like to thank Sinead 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.