Molly Maine Illustration, Featured Artist, March 2025
The Lenovo Pro Community is pleased to spotlight Molly Maine and Molly Maine Illustration as the featured artist of the month.
About Molly
I’m an illustrator and designer from London, UK, currently based in Lisbon, Portugal. Over the past nine years, I’ve lived and worked as a digital nomad, traveling to over 50 countries and running my business ‘on the road’. I tend to base myself in a new country every few months, drawing a lot of my inspiration from travel and cultural connections. Outside of illustration, I love hiking, yoga, meditation, reading, and exploring new places, especially discovering local arts, crafts, and trying new foods!
Day to Day Operations
I’m a freelance illustrator specialising in bold, graphic artwork for brands and businesses. My work spans editorial illustration, packaging design, book covers, and advertising, and I also sell art prints. Freelancing allows me the freedom to set my own schedule and work from anywhere, making travel an integral part of my lifestyle. My days are a mix of client commissions, developing personal projects, and managing the business side of my creative career, including everything from marketing to project management.
How did you start your business?
I started freelancing after leaving my full-time publishing job in London nine years ago. I craved more creative freedom and the ability to work remotely, so I took a leap of faith and began building my business from scratch while traveling. At the time, digital nomadism was still a relatively new concept, so setting up a business on the move was a real adventure - I actually started it from my laptop in a small café in the Himalayas!
In the beginning, I had very little money, so I based myself in low-cost countries like India and Thailand, where I could afford to sustain my freelance career while getting established. As I built up my client base, I was gradually able to expand my travels, working from cities across the US, Europe, and Japan. Over time, I refined my illustration style, developed a niche, and started connecting with clients who shared my passion for travel, culture, and storytelling.
What is your favorite Lenovo product?
My favorite Lenovo product is the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i. I had the chance to try it at the Colive Fukuoka event in Japan, and I was really impressed with its AI-powered performance and features. The Smart Power Mode optimizes performance and battery life based on how you’re working, which is useful for digital nomads like me who are always on the go - and the lightweight design is also perfect for travel.
What do you enjoy most about the Lenovo Pro Community?
While I’m still new to the Lenovo Pro Community, I love that it supports small businesses and independent professionals. The community provides great resources, including exclusive discounts, tech support, and networking opportunities, which are really valuable for freelancers and entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses. I also think the “Support a Cause” is a great initiative - I saw that Lenovo recently donated laptops to students and communities affected by the Noto earthquake in Japan, which I found very inspiring.
What was one of your greatest successes in your professional life?
Looking back, one of my biggest achievements was actually taking the first step - taking that leap of faith and starting my business. Leaving the security of a full-time job to build something from scratch was a risk and challenge, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. More recently, I’m excited about my first solo exhibition in London, which opens in July. The exhibition explores themes inspired by my recent trip to Japan, while also raising awareness and funds for Noto earthquake recovery efforts. It feels like a significant milestone in my career, both creatively and personally.
What was one of your greatest challenges in your professional life?
A few years ago, my business reached a point where I had the opportunity to expand into an agency, hiring more designers and scaling up. While it was financially tempting, I had to take a step back and ask myself what I truly wanted. I realized that managing a design agency wasn’t my goal or my dream - instead I wanted to focus on creating artwork. It was a tough decision to turn down opportunities and restructure my business, but in the long run, it allowed me to grow in the right direction and attract more aligned opportunities.
What was one piece of advice or encouragement that helped you along your professional journey?
One of the best pieces of advice I received is that your network is your biggest asset. So much of my career has been built through relationships - whether with clients, fellow creatives, or mentors. Being open to collaboration, staying in touch with people, helping others, and consistently sharing my work has led to some of my best opportunities.
What is one piece of advice you would give to other aspiring business owners?
Be adaptable and open to change. Running a business means navigating uncertainty, and the ability to pivot, experiment, and keep learning is crucial. Also, don’t undervalue your work - it’s easy to undercharge in the beginning, but knowing your worth and setting fair rates is essential for long-term success.
Connect with Molly online below and be sure to download her "Above and Beyond" wallpaper in celebration of International Women's Day.
Website: www.mollymaineillustration.com
Instagram: @molly.creative
LinkedIn: Molly Maine