It’s not too late, you’re not behind, and yessss, you should still start - an interview with illustrator Carys Wright

In this heartfelt episode of The Good Ship Illustration, host Katie speaks with Carys Wright, a London-based illustrator and former actor, about her unconventional journey into illustration. Carys shares how she rediscovered her creative voice through the Good Ship Illustration's Freak Flag course during the pandemic, which reignited her sketchbook practice and led to her first commissioned book for the Lord Mayor of London's office. Despite starting her illustration career later in life—after working in theatre and marketing—Carys emphasizes that it's never too late to begin, drawing from her own experience of transitioning at 20s and embracing the creative potential of life experience. She discusses how motherhood, part-time work, and personal projects like live portraits and markets have shaped her artistic evolution, while also highlighting the importance of staying true to one's 'freak flag' amid client demands. The conversation underscores the power of small, consistent actions, the value of community and mentorship, and the irreplaceable human touch in art amid the rise of AI. Carys offers practical and emotional encouragement to aspiring creatives: start small, embrace imperfection, and trust that your unique life story fuels your voice. She champions the idea that creativity isn't confined to one path—illustration can intersect with marketing, theatre, parenting, and more. Her journey proves that identity and artistic growth are ongoing, not linear. The episode closes with a powerful message: you’re not behind, you’re not too old, and you absolutely should start—because the only difference between starting and not starting is that you’ll still be old either way. The takeaway? Begin now, with whatever tools you have, and let your voice emerge through doing.