Sharpening other people's pencils.

I love being in the company of minds younger than mine, and connection with humans face to face has never felt so important, or so valuable.

I’m continuing to feel gratitude to my curious and attentive audience at Coventry University on Wednesday.

Every time I do work like this - the stuff that isn't me head-down at a desk drawing, or deep in accounts or a manuscript or fretting over a list of deadlines - I remember how important and valuable it is for the next generation of humans who want to create things for a living. I am *very* far from putting down my own pencil, but with my work with DACS on copyright, AI and educational work, I'm reminded that I'm sharpening other people's.

I receive messages after every talk from people I’ve only just met telling me they’ve found some clarity, or felt something click into place. Some just say they’re inspired, which is beautiful. Equally valuable have been the ones who, post-Q&A sesh, thank me for helping them realise that they DON’T want to be an illustrator - this is equally useful for a young human trying to determine their trajectory. Reasons will include the sheer hard work it took - at least in my journey, the one I’ll have bullet-pointed with rapid-fire slides covering a deceptively long period of time - to live a full-time life making images for a living. They might realise they’re more of a graphic designer, or photographer, or just don’t want the financial uncertainty the freelance life can bring, regardless of specialism.

Either way, I’m grateful because the questions the raised hands pose every time make me consider things I often previously haven’t. Did you think you were paid enough for that? How do you decide what to say no to? What do I do when my work is plagiarised? And the one that had me stumped and rubbing my chin - is there anything about your career you regret?

(Yes, but over things I didn’t or couldn’t do, rather than things I did).

Anyway. I love being in the company of minds younger than mine. Long may it continue. If you think you or your organisation could use an experienced, frank speaker with highly-illustrated slideshows and myriad amusing tales - which are as much about life in general despite being delivered through the metaphor of a career anecdote - let me know. Connection with humans face to face has never felt so important, or so valuable.