[Pro]

Many artists believe it difficult to get started in this world as a professional artist. They think that working as a professional artist is more of a risk than anything else. It seems to be a trend to play it safe and use art as only a hobby, something we do when we come home from our day jobs. I�m tired of people giving art such a bad rep. They think most artists wear beanies and hang out in coffee shops sketching and sipping tea.
Well maybe they do! But art can be a serious profession. If it is your dream to be an artist, if you feel more a complete person when you create art, if it�s all you think about 24 hours a day, then give art a chance. Dream big and make it happen. The one way to make it happen is to set goals for yourself. Goals are what give us purpose in life. You can say I want to be a Matte Painter for example. This is big! It�s a huge dream because of all the competition out there and all the new technology that awaits you. But it�s not impossible to achieve. You can set for yourself small obtainable goals that will lead you to this ultimate career.
These forums are a bottomless pit of talented people who could help you or point you in the direction you need to go. All you have to do is to decide and never look back that you will be determined to succeed. I�m at the middle of my life in my late thirties. When I was young we didn�t have Internet access. I needed so much to see and learn how to draw and paint but no one was around to help me. If I only had something like a Sijun forum and access to all this amazing talent, how much further I would be. Many of the members here are young aspiring artists and the doors are just waiting to open. Tap into this and ask the questions, but above all decide what you want to do, set your ultimate goal and break it down to small obtainable steps. Then search and find the people that can lead you to what you desire.

My two cents.

Greg Pro

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: Pro ]

[Derek]

I'll second that... all of it.
Especially about the bad rep and means of setting and achieveing goals. Dream huge and large, and find the steps to take, the small and sure ones and even the huge ones that will take you where you want to be.

Growing up I had no one to turn to to ask an awful lot of questions of, and at the same time was on the receiving end of 'You want to do WHAT?' kind of questions. If only I'd been able to ask the questions so much sooner, to break out of my shell, seek out like-minded people, read and really learn, really know that the only barrier to what I wanted to do was me. I was in my mid-twenties before I found my way to them, and I knew what I wanted to do when I was ten!

These days so much information is available, and though I've come across a few to the contrary, there are also so many artists who will give you all they can in advice, support and good wishes.

The Illustration Club I was part of in college had a motto: Fire It Up! and it was our battlecry when we were absolutely exhausted, backs against the walls, two deadlines within three hours of each other the next day and just fried... we'd find a way to dig down deep, get our answers-though some weren't as willing to turn to classmates...ahem, and pull from somewhere within what it took to get us through.

I think a lot of folks here have that within them; to dig deep, work hard, ask questions, accept the critiques with grace and understanding, and then go out and do great and beautiful things. And above all, to change the perceptions of what we are all capable of, and how wonderful, fulfilling and rewarding we can make our lives as artists. We can get up every day and create worlds, adventures, we get to dream while we're awake... not bad huh?

Anyway, yeah... the folks are out there, and here... wanting you to be every bit successful and fantastic. Ask questions, draw and paint and sculpt and do it like mad!

Thanks for starting this one, Pro...

[burn0ut]

well said.
still looking for that goal tho.. hmmm, so many ways to go... so little time.. ;P

[SporQ]

thanks for your words greg and derek. a lot of the time i believe that, just set a goal and go for it. but facing obsticles, sometimes it hard to keep that in mind. it really helps a ton to have great artists here saying that it CAN be done.

im also totally thankful that we have a place like this. many of those obsticles ive run into, are getting solved because of this forum. its people like greg pro, graig mullins, jason manley, that makes it possible. i know there are a lot of fanboys here, and i think it so awesome that you guys deal with some of the crap. i just want to say that i hope you all stick around cause you are appreciated. there are some who are afraid and keep art as thier "hobby", but there are those of us that DO have that goal, and having people like you guys here to help guide and instruct just makes me speechless.

i just hope that you guys dont get frustrated and think that your help is ultimately for nothing. i know mullins has in the past been burned by wannabes. i hope though, that you guys stick around. i think there are a lot of people here searching for thier own vision, and want to be greats. i hope you can stick around to see it happen. i really believe that is something that will lift your spirits, to see somebody that you helped and guided, really make it and suceed.

i know when i do make it, the first thing im gonna do is come here and thank you all, big and small.

[aquamire]

I'll be the 5th to agree. This forum has taught me more than any amount of books ever could. It's taught me how to obtain the mindset of the visual observer. The people mentioned above will forever be in my memory as those who have largely contributed to my future success. I have a long way to go, but at least I know how to get there now. That was something I had no clue about 2 years ago. I hope someday I to will be able to impress upon a group of anonymous (or not so anonymous) students an equal wealth of information, to get them inspired, and to get them directed towards their own goals, and that they to will be inspired to lend a generous helping hand to the future generations.

[kantide]

Thanks for the words of wisdom. It really gives a whole new boost of inspiration to hear from that from one who is as talented as yourself. I mostly lurk, but I read everything you guys post and take it to heart. Thanks for being around.

[Lunatique]

Very inspirational thread.

I think what many of us have in common that's different from the common folks is that we have DREAMS and PASSION.

I knew I wanted to be an artist(or a creative person in general, but art was the closest thing)when I was 13, and I never looked back. From age 13 to 18, I drew, painted, wrote, composed music..etc in all of my waking hours. I didn't do much hanging out at the mall of go to parties. I was in my own little world, dreaming of sci-fi/fantasy, making up characters and worlds, designing them, painting them, writing about them...etc.

When I graduated from high school at 18, I didn't even bother applying to any colleges. Not even art school. I went straight to doing professional work in comics full-time.

I starved for 8 years doing comics, never giving up. No matter how impossible it became to pay my rent and bills, or how empty my stomache, refrigerator, or bank account got, I pressed on, drawing, painting, and writing.

Finally, in 98, I had to face reality. I was going nowhere, and I wasn't a kid anymore. So, I gave up making up my own worlds and got into video games--making worlds for people that gave me a good paycheck. Hell, I'm still drawing and painting, right?

Now, I still love art, music, writing, film, photography..etc. That'll never change. I do one of those creative things EVERYDAY, whether it's for a paycheck or for my own passion. I've been like this since I was 13. I'll be like this until I die.

[ January 08, 2002: Message edited by: Lunatique ]

[[Shizo]]

Hmm that sucks, i dont think art 24 hrs a day
But it is on top of the things that i'd like to do for a living (1rst place). Hmm... just need to make myself actually practise! It's hard, it's an endless battle for me with my laziness.

[Frost]

Good post Greg.

[Shaded]

I guess I really needed a dose of this now more than ever. Pro and Lunatique, you monkeys have made an impression on me with your stories, aand I guess I just wanna say thanks.

[Steelwind]

Can I get an 'Amen!'

So, who else here got incredibly tired of hearing "Well, you should really take some Education classes; you know, so you'll have something to fall back on when..I mean, if you fail at the art thing," or some form of that comment.

Steelwind

[Dr. Bang]

Mod, move this to digtal art discussion! This is too good tobe in Random Musing forum

Oh, and thanks Pro!!!!!

[wigin]

Great Stories!!! Thanx for the confidense boost...

yeah ive heard the education thing over and over...

[Lunatique]

Well, about the education thing--just make sure you study something you love. If you ONLY want to do art, then incoporate some practical stuff into your studies that can get you a job. These days, 3D is the hot stuff to learn that'll give you a better chance.

If they give you the "You'll starve to death" speech, tell them this is the 21st century, and artists don't starve to death; they design CD covers, movie posters, websites, video games, movie special effects..etc. And give them some examples of salary surveys on how much money these people are actually making. That'll convince them that art is a BUSINESS now, not just people standing around in a museum gallery.

[jr]

greg, very inspirational words. I'm just starting out, 21 and in my last year of college. Still too confused to know what i'm doing , nevermind setting goals. but i know what you mean. there are so many things i'm interested in, editoral cartoons, matte paintings, portrait painting, concept designs, everything! thinking about the job market can be so overwhelming. i'm sure you professionals out there remember what it's like just starting in the business.

[c]

wow greg, that totally came out of the blue, but i bet it's inspired many people and not just those who have replied.

we're all such funny things, we like to think of ourselves as strong willed but how many have vascillated between 'art' and the 'real world'? all the corny lines like 'you can do it' or 'i believe in your' can carry so much meaning it's almost funny .

"And give them some examples of salary surveys on how much money these people are actually making"

can ya give me some examples? hehehe i've NEVER seen salary figures in my years crusing the various art forums

[Pro]

Wow! I�m glad this thread took off. It needed to be said. I remember getting out of art school at the ripe old age of 22 and not knowing which way to go. I had the training of 4 years hard, labor-intensive study. I was one of the top five students in my school and it seemed so scary to leave. I was safe there. Everybody liked me, but nobody gave a damn about me outside of the school. I wasn�t even sure about what kind of art I was going to do for my career. I knew how to draw and paint from the figure in oil, but I had no clue what to do with myself. The problem was that I had not been trained as an illustrator in the real world of today. This was before the computer played such a major role in art. I knew I wanted to Illustrate, but the methods that were taught to me were popular back in the Fifties. I know how intimidating it can be. So what did I do? I got a job�..at a hardware store. I was not convinced that I was going to make it in art anyway.

This went on for a year until I was forced through a friend of mine to try some sketch work at a design studio. They hired me on the spot�.. I guess because I could draw well enough for them. Sure I could draw and paint but it was a long and painful process. Sometimes it was easier to go out and party than to study and improve. But what I do today is not even close to what I learned in school or did in that design studio. In fact, the best lesson my teacher Fred Fixler taught me was how to teach myself. He always said, �I�m not always going to be around you know!�
This has always been my driving force. I have to continually ask the question, �What inspires me the most in art?� For me it�s the idea of being able to paint and draw anything that I could imagine, without reference, and to make it look believable. I thought that such a goal was something definitely worth working towards. In the design studios they would always ask me to do something quick and make it look like some famous actor. I couldn�t do that because my training didn�t cover such a request. My point is, if it�s something you really want in life, and the motivation is real and not just about the money, then your goal is obtainable. I believe I can compete with artists today in my field because I�m passionate about my art and I�m willing to sacrifice to create it. It doesn�t matter what field you choose. If you�re good at what you do, people will search you out and reward you for your efforts. I�m still learning and growing. I guess I will continue until I take my last breath��..

[ January 09, 2002: Message edited by: Pro ]

[edraket]

Hehe..

Well. This basically seems to be about "american (art) dream"
I've seen people do it. But I have also seen people fail.
You also need talent guys.
And there is always the fact that a professional career in art usually involves making big concessions. Usually to the point where you wonder why you arent doing something equally boring that at least pays decent.
And then there is always the possibillity that things just go wrong. Like your employer going bankrupt and finding out that game companies have died in the whole country. This recently happened to me. I am now what people call a digital construction worker..I model buildings from autocad drawings.
I worked my ass off for years to become really good at 3d. But it didn't get me very far.
It seemed exiting at the time. But now the hard truth is that it got me a job because I can work with this software..not because I am good at art. At least I have a job right?

It took me a while to get over that. But I decided to give it another try. Next year I will go back to school and get a degree in illustration.


Reading all this made me realise something..
Don't you do a "professional" internship in art school? In Holland every education involves 6 to 18 months of internship. Which means that if you do it right you come out of college with a few good contacts and usually a job waiting.
Man I can imagine it would suck to just walk out of college one day and realise you are on your own.
okie..
bye

[s4murai]

I mainly agree to what edraket wrote. Here in Europe it's a completely different situation. You need to have a education for a normal 9-5 job, if your art career fails.

I can't say much about it, as I didn't visit an art school yet (I'll try to pass the test next year) and I'm not working in this environment, but here in Switzerland, you're pretty much fucked up if you want to start a career as an illustrationist/artist. We don't have any game-companies here and people still think that comics are something for kids. Ok, H.R. Giger is swiss and quite famous, but that's only 1 of about 7.1 million people living over here...

If you want to improve your skills, you have to do this in your free time and don't expect any big support from other people because drawing-culture isn't common here. If it is, it's 'imported'.

[pilgrim 54]

that's all nice and good, but words are just words. still i can't say they're inconsequential. many on the other end of the spectrum just end up feeling pissed off and confused in the face of unrealized dreams. goals, skills, and determination don't warrant success. those are merely factors that lead to unset destinations.

the most annoying aspect of the ideal dream is that those preaching it often acuse those that don't make it nor tried to of being lazy and/or negative. they say "you're just making excuses;" reality check states otherwise. if everyone was bound to "make it" then ideals and words of inspiration wouldn't ever be said to begin with.

i'll congratulate those that succeed and understand those that don't. if you're unable to, then you've been trapped in a bubble too fucking long. no offense.
that's not directed towards anyone in particular.

this forum is a good resource of information, but it is limited. the most important lessons i've learned reguarding art came from art history courses. alot happened for us to get to this point and if you're ignorant of it, then you shouldn't give your talent too much credit.

[edraket]

I just wanted to add something else.
Now that I am doing a low key dumb job that gets me money but no satisfaction I have become much more motivated to work on projects in my spare time. I have been experimenting with different things. Hell I even touched a real life brush for the first time in years last month.
All in all I am still pretty satisfied with myself.
So I can imagine why people choose for this.

Of course there is always the need to profile yourself amd use your talents to the maximum.
Thats why I will not do this forever.

Then something else.
People in some european countries will never get a cool job if they are not willing to move away.
And it's easy to say that its easier for americans but they too will sometimes have to move a few thousand miles to get the job they want.
Moving to the US has always been part of my plan of acquiring the great career I wanted.
That is..Untill I saw the US. Hehe..
ahwell. I migth still get myself to risk lifelong depression and take the plunge....