Monday, July 21, 2014

My Illustration War Stories!


In this video I share a few of my illustration nightmares working with clients over the years. There's no substitution for learning by experience - often sad experience :) ...sit back and enjoy my pain...

Monday, July 14, 2014

Don't let them CRAP on your ART!


Sometimes people crap on your art and they don't even know it. Sometimes they crap on your art and they know it but they think they're helping...and sometimes the angry, sad, and discouraged crap on your art because they want company - don't let them.

Many people have good intentions but because they haven't accomplished anything with their art - OR - they aren't artists they think they can help you by encouraging you to take a different path or quit altogether. The problem with taking advice from a non-artist is they don't understand what it feels like to create something. They don't understand the joy and emotional high you get from creating something better than you've ever created before. They don't understand that you will be depressed if you aren't expressing your creativity and working hard on improving your craft.

Words can inspire and words can kill your spirit. Surround yourself with positive people. Let them know that you're smart - you understand how hard it is to pursue a career in art - you don't need them to tell you about the perils - you need them to encourage you - if you need to take time off for a job or project that pays bills you'll do it without them telling you to.

Once in class I made some comments that I really thought were encouraging and the student I was talking to changed majors the next day. It might be for the better - time will tell and we each have a different journey but it reinforced the sacred responsibility we have towards each other. Be positive. Be helpful. Be an inspiration to your friends and they'll return the favor.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Gary's Place Got A Stared Review on Kirkus!

So excited to find out this week that Gary's Place our iPad story app written by Rick Walton received the coveted "stared" review on Kirkus! So exciting! You can check out the review and everything they had to say about the app here.