[ScoobyDoo]

Ive recently become freelance (ie: layed off from previous job) and this is the first time in my albeit young life(20 years young) that Ive been unemployed.

Ive been attempting to put together a more comprehensive portfolio, in order to secure more work, but as I look around the web, and around in general, the quality and imagination of other artists has put me into a downward spin of depression.

Looking at the wonderous works of other, usually older more experienced, artists has got me stuck with serious feelings of inadequacy.

This seems a strange topic for a first post Im sure, but in my day to day life I never get the opportunity to communicate with other artists. I came upon this web-site after browsing multitudes of web-galleries, and felt this would be an ideal place to ask the question:


to the older, better!, more experienced(and worst of all), MORE talented artists:

HOW did you guys get through this?

I feel as if, with the competition, Ill never find work. Not because Im not a hard worker, or a bad person, personally, but because my art feels so sub-par.

When I dream at night, I dream of going to art school(like I could EVER afford it...)
and communicating, and learning, unencombered...etc...

What sagely advice have you to offer?


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Scoobydoobydooooooo!

[Affected]

Um, well, I'm not a pro, so career advice is out, but I've been fortunate enough to be able to channel any envy towards getting better. Often when I see some excellent work way beyond my abilities, I get this feeling of 'me too, damnit', and I get the urge to draw, paint, whatever. (I conciously avoid copying the picture that gave me the nudge to get better, of course.) That's when I can really feel myself getting better. With the right motivation, you can pick up new techniques and even new media in no time, at least gain the basic skills whihc serve as a solid foundation for later improvement.

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Affected

Knowledge is belief and belief is knowledge
http://affected.xs.mw

[Jess]

You know what? That's really weird because I've been having the same exact problem lately. I am also now unemployed because we just moved here. And I feel so inadequit. I've never had a job that used any talent I may have anyway. I've always worked in resteraunts or telemarketing or something. I wouldn't know how to begin in the field of design. Right now I'm just crossing my fingers I get the job at the book store.

But believe me, I know exactly how you feel. I guess it's just part of life, there's always going to be somebody better. Bigger stronger... whatever.. It can make you feel down or small, or you can turn it around and let it inspire you to strive for better things. It's so frustrating, isn't it?

[ScoobyDoo]

My last job was as the sole artist for a software company, and the job before that was as a photographer.

Im really looking for something in the games industry. My previous art job was all brochures , fliers, Photo retouching, and web-sites, and boring junk like that.

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Scoobydoobydooooooo!

[Jess]

That's not boring.

[ScoobyDoo]

To me it was. I was/am more into drawing fantastic imagery. Dinosaurs, monsters, super-heroes, cyborgs, aliens, etc.

It was ok, and not flipping burgers or anything, it just wasnt creativly fulfilling.


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Scoobydoobydooooooo!

[Loki]

First of all - don't give up!!

If you really want to get a job like the one you described, put all your energy into it. You'll be rewarded if you do your best.
If you can afford to spend some time making a portfolio, do the stuff you like best and make some beautiful images you can be proud of.
There's always someone out there who's better than yourself - but that shouldn't bring you down. All of us start somewhere. Use it as motivation.
What the hell makes other people better than yourself anyway? Who says you can't excell? Go find out how far you can go.
I know it's hard but just jump in there - get a kickass portfolio going and send it all over the planet!

You can do it, believe me!

All the best,

Loki

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--
DigitalIllustrationOutpost - http://www.vigilante.net/~loki

[fragamite]

I can only agree with Loki. If you really want to really really much you will get there.

I'm just so happy I got accepted to this education I'm on now. 100% of the ppl who graduate this get jobs if they want to, and it's free too! I am convinced I only got in here because of my motivation and love for what I do.. I'm 19 and allready got a coupple of emails from interested gamecompanies

www.kp.hig.se

[This message has been edited by fragamite (edited February 26, 2000).]

[DrBof]

i was there once...got mails from game companys (not for art but code) but i guess it was never to be

ho-hum

[ScoobyDoo]

Well, I certainly appreciate all of your comments.
Especially though, I want to say thanks to Loki, Ive looked at your page, and your stuff's incredible.

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Scoobydoobydooooooo!

[Rorshach]

Scooby.. being professional is not something that comes thru title or rank, its a state of mind.

I have been both employed and unemployed in games companies and thru the net. I am what you consider a professional.

But I dont consider myself a professional because of employment status.

A Professional is someone that works to a certain standard within their own workspace. They approach new disciplines and styles rather than simply finding one they are good at.

A pro is someone who simply TRYS hard daily to better their style and wont compromise too often by going back on 'tried and tested themes'.

My point being there are lots of amateurs in the professional league and many pros in the amateur league.

You can be professional while unemployed, just drive yourself on to making yourself proud and do it in your own style.

As for what I did when the divide between myself and those 'older more talented types' you dscribe were much further in front of me?

Hell! just remind yourself that if they are older your ALWAYS going to have a couple of extra years to catch them and .. overtake them ( thats the important side of the goal).

I think for me thats been the key to getting better, I dont aim to equal others i aim to better them.

Its definelty a long road I have ahead of me, but we must always remember to just enjoy the journey.

And if all else fails and your just depressed, well.. enjoy it as you may never be so miserable again



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r.