It's okay. Work is never guaranteed to anyone, especially when you start off as a illustrator. So what do you do when there's no work offered to you? You have to WORK! Yes I said it, work. You don't need a client to offer you work so your portfolio can be up to day. This is the perfect opportunity to work on your personal projects. You can choose something that was always on your mind. From my short experience, I've received more attention as an illustrator from my personal work rather than something a client has asked of me.
People like to know that you have your own thoughts and projects. Everybody loves seeing and including yourself constantly working. It gives you a break from painstakingly putting the hours in something you have little creative freedom in. And based on your personal projects it may become a new revenue stream for you. The task can be daunting when you have barely anything in your bank accounts. You would rather spend the time looking for work on the internet. Sadly, that usually doesn't solve your money woes. It'll just add more stress. We all been there. Times like these you need to work and keep on doing it. It will require hard work and constant will power. You can't always wait on motivation to strike you. Motivation is good, but it's a fickle thing. It'll leave you when you need it the most.
I wish you the best on your projects rather paid or personal. You need to work!