Tania Howells	The Week of August 28th, 2005

Illustrator Gal

1. What’s in your wallet right now?

About $49.79, bank card, library, YMCA and health cards, expired learners drivers license, phone book, my dad's obituary, coupon for the movies.

2. What do you wish your parents taught you about money?

How to grow it on trees.

3. What is your worst habit around finances?

Not wanting a full time job.

4. What makes you happy?

Getting freelance work, my blog, my loved ones, reading, drawing, eating nice things, having time to relax and loaf, birds, cooking, lazy weekends, dim sum, my cats, knitting, making stuff.

5. Personal philosophy around money?

Try to have faith that there will always be enough money for my needs. SAVE! Now that I have a more regular income, treat myself to small things. Never keep a credit card balance, pay all bills on time, leave the credit card at home.

6. Where does money come from?

A variety of part time jobs over the years. Assistant at kids programs at the museum, fabric store, clay elephant maker, jewelry makers assistant, hat makers assistant, technician in an art school at the art gallery, making and selling art and illustration.

7. What would you do with a million dollars?

Buy a house that I have been saving for, help out some friends, treat myself to something special.

8. What is your most prized possession?

My diaries, which I have been keeping since grade four. Dear family and friends, my health, my blankie.

9. Who is your role model?

All the crafty creative mums and women I meet through my blog. They show me that you can be married happily with kids and still make the coolest things for fun and profit.

10. What is your greatest achievement?

Not giving up, which I think about doing regularly.

11. How did you get started?

I started out by showing my portfolio to a bunch of different people, getting opinions and some assignments. It was like plugging my nose and jumping in a pool because I fear cold calling, but I had to force myself.

12. What contributions to society do you want to make?

I would like to spread cuteness and niceness through my work. I wish I could help stop global warming, war and famine too, of course.

13. If you could buy one thing right now what would it be?

A house.

14. Favorite activity that doesn’t cost a dime?

Going to the library, walks, swimming.

15. How do you indulge yourself?

Sushi for lunch, hot tub at the Y, a slow walk home from work, a chocolate tart from Dufflet pastries, nice cup of tea, a hug from my sweetie, sleeping in, cappucino, watching a good movie.

Tania Howells is the 30-year-old Toronto gal behind Tania Howells Illustration. She graduated from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 1997 and over the years has seen her drawings in various magazines, greeting cards, t-shirts and most recently, promoting a hot dog. Her illustration income is supplemented by being a part-time library assistant in a beautiful design library where she finds endless inspiration in all the books, clippings and magazines. A year ago she started an art blog, where she has found a surprisingly supportive and friendly community of other bloggers.

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