Kate Johnson

I started at Advocate as an intern whilst studying children's book Illustration at Brighton University, which was 12 years ago. I have seen and been instrumental in the agency's success and growth over that time, developing and strengthening its key client and artist relationships.

I am the Senior Agent so a large part of my time is to use my experience and knowledge of the industry to help commercially focus the Agent team. The week starts with a Monday sales meeting (including the New York office via Skype), coordinating our sales effort, discussing industry requirements and how we can fulfil them.

I direct our sales resources towards forthcoming trade shows and sales trips and by organising marketing material such as our Heads Up and Mag catalogues. It's my role to really tune into the needs of our core markets; Book Publishing; Greeting Cards, Stationary and Gifts; as well as Home Decor, Ceramic and Fine Art publishing. I coordinate our marketing efforts using all the tools available including social media, PR, advertising, mailings and of course face-to-face meetings.

The artists expect their Agent to be getting their portfolios out there, and I make sure we do.

Courtney Walls

From the time I was a toddler doodling on my bedroom walls and through my studies of Art and Art History at Washington College, I always new I wanted a career in the arts. While studying Visual Art and Psychology in college, I became fascinated with visual language and understanding how much of our lives is understood through imagery. After graduating from college, I interned at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden where I grew even more enamoured with visual arts and understanding the world through imagery. Once I completed my internships, I decided to combine my love of art with travel, embarking on a yearlong adventure of selling art on board cruise ships! Although it was an incredible adventure, I knew it was time to finally make my dream of moving to New York a reality. Now, happy to call Brooklyn my home, I’m thrilled to be a part of Advocate’s New York team!

I’m incredibly excited to be part of a fantastic growing team at Advocate Art and to have the opportunity to work with such a diverse group of incredible artists. Having a younger brother and two adorable nephews who adore story time, I know that a good story must always be accompanied by beautiful illustrations! With a background in psychology, art, travel and sales, I find that working with Advocate perfectly combines my knowledge and skills. I look forward to working with such a strong team of artist agents and to further expanding and developing the American market.

Natasha Harding

As a creative myself, graduating from University after studying illustration and having a freelance career, I have a good depth of knowledge and empathy for the amazing artists we represent here at Advocate. I am passionate and proud to be able to present their amazing work to our clients and to work through a project as a team until you see it published and ready to share with the world! I like to think of Advocate as more then just an agency, but as a collective family working towards goals we all share, and finding the perfect fit between artist and publisher.

The Collaborate Agency is the team that we work with to develop and produce new story ideas sourced from artists, writers and even staff. Collaborate has been highly successful worldwide, selling entire stories written and illustrated by the artists we represent. I am pleased to take a more senior role in this area to secure deals on their behalf. We believe that it's really important for an artist to take ownership of his or her own content, in order to take the next step from being a hired hand, to a creator of content.

Sophie Youle

After graduating from the Arts University Bournemouth in Visual communication Sophie worked as an in house designer for several years before going into freelance illustration. Having worked as a freelance illustrator herself, Sophie feels she can offer advice from the point of view of both the agent and the illustrator.

While Sophie continues to draw and paint, she loves learning about new artists and is continually inspired by the new and exciting work created by our incredible artists here at Advocate.

Ensun

Having moved from the North East to study Illustration at the University of Lincoln, working with Illustrators within the creative industry has always been an aspiration of mine. During my years at university and post study I built upon my experience as a working Illustrator through various projects and commissions. With a background in social media training, marketing and in particular music promotion teamed with my creative eye for artistic work and Illustration experience; it was apparent to me that my skills were naturally best utilised within this aspect of the arts industry. Taking the role of Agent in an established Agency with an ethos that I can relate with is a fantastic opportunity, and I am looking forward to making relationships and working on exciting projects with creatives and clients alike!

Maria Creech

After studying History of Art at Cambridge, I was looking for a way to marry my academic understanding of art with real world practice...and found the solution in Advocate Art! As an Agent, I'm able to use what I learnt during the course of my degree in a variety of (often unexpected) ways, but I think by far the most useful skill it taught me was how to give verbal expression to visual concepts and vice versa. Pictures can be difficult to put into words - especially illustrations, which often tell us far more than words can and say it far more powerfully. But understanding how visual and verbal concepts are connected helps me to work together with artists and clients to form a result that both parties are proud of. And me? I feel proud to represent such a wonderful group of artists, to get to work with such a wide range of clients and to be part of such a friendly, dynamic team!

Amanda Hendon

I can’t remember a time when art wasn’t a part of my life – from childhood doodles to doing fashion design in high school, it’s always been a constant. Having graduated from Parsons in 2015 with a degree in Illustration, I came to Advocate with an enthusiasm for all things art related.  During the last year of my schooling I realised just how much I liked working alongside other artists; how much I liked curation, art direction and moreover helping artists sell their art – coming to Advocate seemed like the most obvious next step. I was hired in March and then went full time in July and I’m loving every second of it!

  I find the atmosphere at Advocate all at once inspiring and motivational – I adore working closely with artists and seeing how a simple sketch can transform into a stunning finished work. I’m really enjoying learning everything there is to know about being an agent and everything that comes along with it. Meeting new clients, finding new artists and building great relationships with everyone involved. In my spare time I like to collect vintage maps and greeting cards, design temporary tattoos and hang out with my dog in Transmitter Park.

Ghislaine Gayyo

After graduating from Northumbria University with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration in 2015 , I am delighted to have joined Advocate and for the opportunity to contribute my skills to its expanding business in Europe.

Lisa Musing

I was born in France and grew up near Paris where I was exposed to a lot of different cultures and art. After trying many things such as the piano, the guitar, the flute, the violin, acting, singing, dancing, pottery and wood working, I came to the (sad) conclusion that I would never be an artist and decided to work with artists instead.

So for the past 20 years, I have worked with amazing musicians, composers, dancers, actors, writers and illustrators all over the world and I truly enjoy it everyday! I have met amazing people and seen astonishing art and performances, which keep me curious and open-minded, and makes me feel really lucky and privileged.

Now that I am based in NYC, my to do list has been getting longer and longer everyday, and I am very happy to be working with the Advocate team and all the great illustrators we represent!

Bhavisha Vadgama

From a very young age, I have always been interested in Art. You could always find me drawing on anything and everything I could get my hands onto! Throughout my studies, Art has always been there, and that's when I decided I wanted to pursue a creative career. I graduated from University of Portsmouth in 2015 with a degree in Illustration and Art History. Since graduating, I have worked as both a freelance illustrator and in various other creative roles in the Industry, including a 3-month internship at Advocate! Before coming back to Advocate-Art, I worked at the Royal Academy of Arts doing exhibition coordination and art sales for 2 years, and it was the pure enjoyment of working with different artists and clients that made me want to come back and focus on this more.

As an artist myself, I believe I have a strong knowledge and understanding for the brilliant artists we represent. One of the things I enjoy the most about working at Advocate is working with the different clients and artists. Its amazing how a rough sketch can be transformed into something so lovely, whether its a published book or a greetings card! I'm truly enjoying learning about what it takes to be a great artists agent, and everything that comes with the role. Great agency, great team, great artists!