I draw weird things. I draw cute things. I LOVE LOK/Korrasami Art. I Also LOVE MLP. Commissions are open! Message for details.
Christian, LGBT, Pan-Sexual. I am happily married. My blog showcases my drawings, and other tumblrings I find interesting. Huzzah.
1. People are people: Treat the folks you meet as respected colleagues, not magic heroes. You want to work with them someday–treat YOURSELF as a future professional and imagine this encounter as a simple chance meeting in the workplace–you do not scream in excitement at your co-workers.
2. If it’s in person, introduce yourself, give an HONEST compliment, tell them what you do, ask a single specific question.
Random example from real life I have used: Hello! I’m Megan, a story artist! I really enjoyed your boards in the Frozen Art Book–wish there were more! Do you have advice for someone boarding a musical number?
3. AT THIS POINT, LISTEN. If they try to strike a conversation, chat lightly! If they just say, oh, that’s really nice! Understand they maaaay not want to talk more/may be busy/nervous/headed somewhere else. Take what you get with cheer and gratitude, leave them with a sincere thank you, good handshake and/or business card.
4. Business cards at conventions are good– A business card should have your NAME, E-MAIL (or best contact info) and a link to your WEBSITE/PORTFOLIO. If you’re contacting them through e-mail, this info should be in the signature. Don’t link them to a tumblr where you reblog a bunch of other stuff–if you want to be an artist, have a tumblr/blogspot/portfolio just for art.
5. Be chill. Confidence is hard. Practice in a mirror, practice with friends, heck, practice with me. Practice makes perfect, because guess what happened to me at CTN?
*Me walking down a random side hall, sees Alex Hirsch*
ME, “Alex!”
HE looks up, I just about implode and want to scream–do I imagine the gleam of trepidation in his eye that I’m gonna go fanatical? I remember he is a person and potential future colleague and my calm, collected practice sessions in front of a mirror kicks in.
“Thank you for Gravity Falls. I’m a story artist. Loved being inspired by your show, sad to see it end.”
“Oh, thanks!” he says, and we both go our merry ways, me sort of glowing. Now, that wasn’t networking really and I doubt he’d remember, but it’s laying a foundation for my future in the industry. I didn’t get to leave a card or anything, but I was able to lead @anacrinecomplex to him a few minutes later and SHE got to hand over a very cute piece of Mabel fanart as a gift. Awww.
6. Follow up. If they give you contact info or reply to your message, pick ONE thing to ask of them–maybe look at your portfolio, read your resume, critique one piece of work, ask for more advice.
7. Wait. They are busy. They are already professionals with a fulltime job and personal lives to fit in around it. Maybe they never get back to you. Maybe they take weeks and weeks. Patience, do not pester.
8. and finally, keep casual contact! If you have NEW work or a change of status, send them a quick 1-2 line update. “I have a new portfolio since we last spoke. I implemented change a, b, and c you recommended!” This shows you value their advice and would be a valuable addition to the workplace!
Today’s Daily Corgi is a WIP of a pretty fun piece I have planned. I’ll post the second stage (colored pencil) on Thursday and then hopefully the digital version on Friday. Enjoy the pencil stage!
I really wish that more people would understand what it takes to be a Creative Person. Yes, I design ads for a living. Yes, I draw as often as I can and take painting commissions and drawing commissions. Yes, I really enjoy doing these things…but that does not mean that I don’t deserve to paid for the time that I put into these projects. It does not mean that I can’t be respected in the work place (or anywhere really). I am not some flippy person who just does whatever I want because it’s FUN.
There are a lot of people who enjoy accounting. There are a lot of people who enjoy working as a doctor or lawyer. They get paid what they deserve and no one bats an eye.
But when an artist says “I charge x amount an hour” and people freak out because it’s “SO EXPENSIVE” I just get a little frustrated.
Artists are workers. Graphic Designers are workers. While some people answer the phones and wait around for phone calls we are over here at our computers CONSTANTLY thinking. CONSTANTLY problem solving. CONSTANTLY making SOMETHING out of NOTHING.
Before we put pencil to paper, stylus to tablet, brush to a canvas that space was BLANK. It was white it was empty. And we fill that space with joy, with hope, and with high aspirations for something great.
SO think before you dismiss an artist. Think before you say that we wasted our degree. Before you call us dreamers.
Without us, Without the dreamers you would have nothing. No cars, no tvs, or ipads or your precious houses. ALL OF THOSE things took an artist.
When I was in 3rd grade and I did something brave, and probably very reckless. For show and Tell one day I stood up in front of my class and said “I demand Respect”
Artists don’t demand respect we have earned it.
So not to offend anyone but this feels an awful lot like slavery…in the sense that Kesha is essentially owned by Sony and they won’t let her go free. (NOT trying to downplay the horrendous abuse that slaves are and were forced to endure…)
billyjayarchive Asks:
kit-n-kadoodle Said:
