Diary. April 5th '10.
"What is going on in my life now? Why does it feel so dull? Spring is here. Winter has passed us. The sun is out. Why do I still feel groggy and slow? The coming of spring is like a new year for me. A new start. But I don't feel that. Today is like the same like any other day for me.
I'm not motivated to do anything. I remember graduation 4 years ago. Getting my BFA soon from college. Did I really deserve it? Did I work as hard as I thought for it? I felt like I didn't. Everything is all he same for me. I felt like all I did was crap and they just want me out.
I'm not pleased with my style. It doesn't speak to me. My professors said that everyone has their own style - a reflection of themselves from the inside, shown by lines and color. I feel like mine is a mess. Hardly use color in my works. Im envious over other people's styles. People with futures.
I don't have an job in art. My portfolio is not strong enough. My style is not unique. It's not respected professionally. My skills are small compared to others. Was art really my passion? Should I want to go down that road? I have to. Got to get my BFA. I'm obligated. Everyone in my class got a job in the arts. I'm the only one left out. Black sheep who couldn't.
What am I going to do with my life? Every year is the same. Nothing really changed. No motivation. Got a job. Not an art job. Crappy job. Pays the rent. What I do for commissions pays for food. Not much. Just enough for two meals a day. That's enough. Felt like my style hasn't grown. Maybe it has. I can't see it. I try to push myself. Everything comes out the same. No big projects. Have some in mind. Ending up asking myself 'Why should I start? Why should I do it? A waste of time to even start.'
No motivation. That's it. 'Get motivated!' That's what my professors told me. I draw because it's me. Draw a picture every day. A doodle. It's like a drug. A daily fix. Venting. Venting is good. Get it all down on paper. Whatever I feel, I put down on paper.
I'm not a hermit or shut-in, but I hardly leave the house. Always in my room, sitting at my desk. TV next to me. Computer right in front of me. Art supplies at my feet. hardly go out except for food. Friends are all busy at work. Away in another state. Doesn't want to hang out. Don't know any other artists. Can't really draw with anyone else.
I splash water in my face. Cold water. Was hoping that would wake me up. Get some sense into me. It doesn't. I look in the mirror and ask myself 'Why?'. Can't really answer my own questions. Being an isolated starving artist sucks...
Need to get motivated. Clothes stink. I need to do a wash. After that, not sure. Maybe doodle something. At least that is drawing something. I'll talk to you later."
A Wet Face © 2010 Alex Cockburn
"What is going on in my life now? Why does it feel so dull? Spring is here. Winter has passed us. The sun is out. Why do I still feel groggy and slow? The coming of spring is like a new year for me. A new start. But I don't feel that. Today is like the same like any other day for me.
I'm not motivated to do anything. I remember graduation 4 years ago. Getting my BFA soon from college. Did I really deserve it? Did I work as hard as I thought for it? I felt like I didn't. Everything is all he same for me. I felt like all I did was crap and they just want me out.
I'm not pleased with my style. It doesn't speak to me. My professors said that everyone has their own style - a reflection of themselves from the inside, shown by lines and color. I feel like mine is a mess. Hardly use color in my works. Im envious over other people's styles. People with futures.
I don't have an job in art. My portfolio is not strong enough. My style is not unique. It's not respected professionally. My skills are small compared to others. Was art really my passion? Should I want to go down that road? I have to. Got to get my BFA. I'm obligated. Everyone in my class got a job in the arts. I'm the only one left out. Black sheep who couldn't.
What am I going to do with my life? Every year is the same. Nothing really changed. No motivation. Got a job. Not an art job. Crappy job. Pays the rent. What I do for commissions pays for food. Not much. Just enough for two meals a day. That's enough. Felt like my style hasn't grown. Maybe it has. I can't see it. I try to push myself. Everything comes out the same. No big projects. Have some in mind. Ending up asking myself 'Why should I start? Why should I do it? A waste of time to even start.'
No motivation. That's it. 'Get motivated!' That's what my professors told me. I draw because it's me. Draw a picture every day. A doodle. It's like a drug. A daily fix. Venting. Venting is good. Get it all down on paper. Whatever I feel, I put down on paper.
I'm not a hermit or shut-in, but I hardly leave the house. Always in my room, sitting at my desk. TV next to me. Computer right in front of me. Art supplies at my feet. hardly go out except for food. Friends are all busy at work. Away in another state. Doesn't want to hang out. Don't know any other artists. Can't really draw with anyone else.
I splash water in my face. Cold water. Was hoping that would wake me up. Get some sense into me. It doesn't. I look in the mirror and ask myself 'Why?'. Can't really answer my own questions. Being an isolated starving artist sucks...
Need to get motivated. Clothes stink. I need to do a wash. After that, not sure. Maybe doodle something. At least that is drawing something. I'll talk to you later."
A Wet Face © 2010 Alex Cockburn
Category All / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 602 x 820px
File Size 311.7 kB
In the world everyone questions themselves, but we are always growing, evolving, and changing! *hugs you tight and smiles* your amazing art style is one of a kind and simply one of my most favorite kinds I have ever seen! I Love seeing you posting new pictures because each one looks so cute and personal, reflecting real life instead of pervy fanfare most artists do. While that is fun, real life is always much more interesting and wonderful to look at. *tight hug* You will do fabulously. I know it!
I know how this goes, I didn't bother going into art school because I never felt good enough, I could make things when people motivated me to do so but after going a year or so without doodling or drawing I kinda lost my ability to draw anything good after a while. I used to draw mythical things, demons and such, but now I don't draw much of anything and I only usually like about 10-20% of what I draw. Everyone else loves what I draw, but I look at it as though its crap. I know I should look at reference material but then I feel like I'm cheating some how. Right now Im not in school because Im not motivated for it, I say I will go eventually or I hope so... Im in the position where I dont know what Im doing with my life.
I love your art work and how some of it is of life situations and not pervy stuff and sex stuff, I look at your work and it inspires me to do more of my own (I don't do pervy). I do know how you feel about not being motivated or stuck. I know what it feels like when your friends at home don't have enough time to hang out b/c of work or that they just don't feel like it. I wish you all the luck and I'm looking forward to more of your art :3 Keep your head up Hun *hugs tightly*
Honestly, it's not just the Arts folks who ask these questions. I graduated from a top tech school with a BBA in computer technologies - basically, IT development and support. By all rights, I ought to be a network admin or web designer somewhere for a big company.
Instead? I'm an Accountant, thanking my lucky stars that I thought ahead and double-majored when I had the chance, working for the state government. And my school has a 95%+ placement rate for their tech students.
It happens sometimes. The thing to keep in mind is that you can still do what's important to you in a different field - I'm working my way towards creating a new classification for myself, "systems accountant," that basically translates into a hybrid of the two fields. So don't forget that you can still do the arting in whatever field you end up with. :)
Instead? I'm an Accountant, thanking my lucky stars that I thought ahead and double-majored when I had the chance, working for the state government. And my school has a 95%+ placement rate for their tech students.
It happens sometimes. The thing to keep in mind is that you can still do what's important to you in a different field - I'm working my way towards creating a new classification for myself, "systems accountant," that basically translates into a hybrid of the two fields. So don't forget that you can still do the arting in whatever field you end up with. :)
I know how she feels. I majored in History, and I was bound and determined that I was going to make it as a historian somehow. I was motivated, and I worked as hard as anyone in the department, if not harder. But by the time I was a senior, everyone in the history program but me was in the honors society. And by the time I graduated, I was the only one without a job lined up. Most of my classmates were going into teaching high school*, but one or two were going into big museums or national parks. I felt like a complete failure, and sometimes it's still hard not to think I didn't waste my time in college.
But, I've learned you can't judge yourself against others, and you can't spend your life regretting your choices. Just because you get overlooked, or just because your passions change between college and going out into the job market, that doesn't mean you've failed. Or that you're in any way inferior to any of those other people. If I'd let myself feel like that, I don't think I'd have ever come as far with my writing as I have. What's more, in some ways, I think I got lucky. If I had gone into that history career, maybe I wouldn't be sitting on two novels in progress, and a whole stack of short stories just waiting to be published. That's maybe not as good as being able to say that I'm a published novelist. But I've had some local attention, and I know what I want to do with my life.
All that, to just basically say that following your dreams is what matters, much more than "success", as most people would qualify it. The only way to fail is to give up on yourself.
*Not to deny the value of teachers. But it's hard to feel envy for something you don't want to do.
But, I've learned you can't judge yourself against others, and you can't spend your life regretting your choices. Just because you get overlooked, or just because your passions change between college and going out into the job market, that doesn't mean you've failed. Or that you're in any way inferior to any of those other people. If I'd let myself feel like that, I don't think I'd have ever come as far with my writing as I have. What's more, in some ways, I think I got lucky. If I had gone into that history career, maybe I wouldn't be sitting on two novels in progress, and a whole stack of short stories just waiting to be published. That's maybe not as good as being able to say that I'm a published novelist. But I've had some local attention, and I know what I want to do with my life.
All that, to just basically say that following your dreams is what matters, much more than "success", as most people would qualify it. The only way to fail is to give up on yourself.
*Not to deny the value of teachers. But it's hard to feel envy for something you don't want to do.
I like your art style because it's unique. There's nothing else like it. That said, if there's something about the way you draw you don't like, then by all means try out new styles. I like seeing creative experiments in art anyway.
As for not having any future in art, look no further than this fandom. I think
rukis and
bagheera and
baroncoon and
blotch are currently making a living off their art, and possibly some others in the fandom. I humbly suggest you might try asking them how they're able to do it, surely at least one of them might give you some help.
Hang in there! *offers hug*
As for not having any future in art, look no further than this fandom. I think
rukis and
bagheera and
baroncoon and
blotch are currently making a living off their art, and possibly some others in the fandom. I humbly suggest you might try asking them how they're able to do it, surely at least one of them might give you some help.Hang in there! *offers hug*
That's an artist's journey, for sure. There's nothing easy about making a living doing something of subjective value. But I have enormous faith in anyone who sticks with it. Even the most modest talents will be rewarded with determination.
I spent my entire education learning one field and ended up finding a successful career in another. I remember beating myself up over my lack of talent and the poor quality of my work-- up until I was suddenly rewarded for simply having stuck it out with my job for as long as I did. You never know when the break is going to come, but it will come-- if you don't give up.
Do that laundry, draw that doodle, and keep splashing water in your face. Whatever it takes to stay in the race. Just don't ever give up. Tomorrow might be that big day, or the day after, you never know. But you'll never know if you're not still in the fight.
I spent my entire education learning one field and ended up finding a successful career in another. I remember beating myself up over my lack of talent and the poor quality of my work-- up until I was suddenly rewarded for simply having stuck it out with my job for as long as I did. You never know when the break is going to come, but it will come-- if you don't give up.
Do that laundry, draw that doodle, and keep splashing water in your face. Whatever it takes to stay in the race. Just don't ever give up. Tomorrow might be that big day, or the day after, you never know. But you'll never know if you're not still in the fight.
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