{"id":9286,"date":"2025-04-30T18:26:07","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T18:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/istriceillustra.com\/?p=9286"},"modified":"2026-10-04T23:21:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-04T21:21:00","slug":"dream-big-dream-a-different-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/dream-big-dream-a-different-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Dream big: Dream a different life"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Today I want to tell you how yes, it is possible to do the most beautiful job in the world while living far from the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people tell us that our choice is risky, difficult, questionable… But a few days ago, when all of Spain literally went dark, we realized how beautiful, consistent, and sensible our choice really is. While everything stopped, we kept working. And we did it by choice, not out of obligation. But most of all, we did it with the lights on. \u2728<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How? By choosing to be self-sufficient. Even though total self-sufficiency is still a long way off, we didn\u2019t feel the effects of the now-famous \u00abapagon\u00bb for even a minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-sufficiency for us is a life choice, but also a work choice. Day by day, we are trying to become autonomous in everything, and we\u2019re doing it from the place we truly want to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blackout was just a small example. Thanks to our solar panels, the systems we are building step by step, and a different approach to life, we\u2019ve chosen to depend as little as possible on external networks. And it\u2019s not just about electricity: it\u2019s a mindset. A fundamental choice. We don\u2019t have everything the city \u201coffers\u201d, but we have what we need \u2014 and in our case, it\u2019s even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have freedom. Freedom to follow our own rhythms, not go to an office, not stress over traffic, over people\u2026 Many times Raul and I look at each other in amazement at how much joy this decision brings us. Is it harder? Maybe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does it require more effort? Probably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Does it reward me? Absolutely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
me and Esta at work<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019d love to explain to you how I work as an illustrator, and how we now run two businesses from up here, on the top of our beautiful mountain. I know many people don\u2019t do this job, so I ask you to translate this information into what applies to your own work. I know there are jobs that can\u2019t be done from the top of a mountain, but yes: you can work toward the life you want, and yes: you can break free from the mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A message for anyone dreaming of a different life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This post isn\u2019t to say that everyone should move to the middle of nowhere. It\u2019s to say that it\u2019s possible<\/strong>. You can live simply, sustainably, more slowly, and still create, work, contribute. You can build a life that makes sense for you, even if it\u2019s different from what\u2019s \u201cexpected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I did it. And today, I can tell you it\u2019s truly worth it.<\/strong> And no, I\u2019m not \u00ablucky.\u00bb I worked hard to build all of this \u2014 and I keep working every single day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfa8 How I work as an illustrator living on a mountain:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What I do:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • Networking<\/strong>: I do a lot of work online. Lots of emailing, Instagram posts, and I take care of my digital image the same way I would for an important meeting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • I NEVER wait<\/strong>\u00a0for work to come to me. Living this way has pros and cons, and one of the cons is that clients won\u2019t imagine what you do or that you even exist \u2014 unless you tell them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • I try to stay informed, I constantly listen to podcasts, take courses, and talk to other illustrators.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Being part of one or more associations<\/strong>: as I said before, being a solo illustrator is counterproductive. It\u2019s slower, you learn less, and you miss out on feedback. Being part of something, even just virtually, is essential.No matter how much you love being alone, and even though illustration seems like a solitary job, it really shouldn\u2019t be. We\u2019re creatives \u2014 we need feedback, inspiration, and different perspectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Trips to the city<\/strong>: although the place I live inspires and energizes me creatively, going to the city is an incredible source of inspiration. Sitting in a caf\u00e9 or on a bench drawing dogs, people, buildings\u2026 just watching generates ideas and boosts creativity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    What you need:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    1. A good Internet connection<\/strong>
    We have fast, independent Internet.
    This is the first rule for anyone wanting to live like a hermit, like us.
    In fact, when the apagon happened, everything kept working just fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Be tech-savvy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • A graphic tablet or iPad + Apple Pencil<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Scanner for analog work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Well-configured laptop or desktop computer<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Printer (if you sell prints or paper-based work \u2014 I haven\u2019t reached this point yet, but it\u2019s planned)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A system to manage orders and shipping, even a simple one<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      3. Independent energy (even partial)<\/strong>
      We have a solar battery that allowed us to keep living normally during the apagon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      4. Organization and consistency<\/strong>
      Working independently requires discipline. Even if you live in the woods, having a routine is essential for managing time, deliveries, and clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      5. Trusted collaborators and suppliers<\/strong>
      I have a trusted print shop.
      Though I\u2019ll be honest: the goal is to become self-sufficient here too, and buy the printer of my dreams \u2014 all in due time.
      I also have a trusted shipping company. I know they\u2019ll never let me down. I can contact everyone from here and only go to the city to pick up prints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      6. Networks and contacts, even remotely<\/strong>
      Use social media, newsletters, and your online portfolio to showcase your work.
      You may not be physically in creative hubs, but you can still be there virtually \u2014 and stand out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      7. A clear vision of what you want to build<\/strong>
      Choose this lifestyle not just to \u201cescape,\u201d but to\u00a0create something that reflects who you are<\/strong>.
      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The mountain doesn\u2019t take away opportunities \u2014 it gives you roots, and forces you to be honest with yourself.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Yes, it is possible to have the most beautiful job in the world while living on a mountain. Here\u2019s how I work as an illustrator from here.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":9292,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9286","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-41"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9286"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9286\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":950823,"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9286\/revisions\/950823"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9286"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/istriceillustration.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}