Working through the weekend trying to catch up with my book project. (I'm so close to getting to the next level with this huge project). Sometimes, I have to remind myself to keep pushing through the work despite wanting to take the easy way out. I love this reminder by Ze Frank to just do the work...
Push yourself towards your dreams...everyday!
Update...I found this lovely post on Pikaland today that works really well with last weeks posts. Read it here.
In the last couple of years since I quit my dead end job, I go through certain phases. "Yes, this illustration thing is awesome" and the "Damn it, I'm not making even close to a living, I need to get a real job". The latter sort of sucks all the energy I have and pushes me into a bit of panic driven crying and journaling. But when I stop and look at the big picture, I know that I'm on a good path and everything takes time...
I've never been that confident of an artist. I always loved drawing and painting but getting my work out there? Even when people are interested in my work, I seem to let things fall through the cracks. That is a problem I need to get over...now.
I was inspired by this wonderful Ted Talk about creative confidence. It reminds me that the more confidence you have as a creative the stronger you get as an artist/person.
I know this is a lifelong journey for me. But I have to imagine what it would be like if I did have confidence. Who would I be? What would I be doing? It makes me want to live the saying, "fake it till you make it". Humm...that's is a lot to think about, isn't it?
Who would you be, if you freed yourself of your fears?
I've been working away trying to get everything ready for the Etsy art show. I'm trying hard to get over my inner messy kid and find the perfectionist within. I'm working on measuring everything perfectly, over thinking everything and basically rethinking my entire life and career...
Yep, I'm driving myself nuts, but in a good way. It is pretty wonderful when you push your self father than you've gone in the past. And looking towards a hopeful future.
I came upon this wonderful TED talk by Alain de Botton.
His talk really calms me. Basically he says we are all driving ourselves nuts. Doesn't it feel good that we are all in this crazy world together?
First off, a little update on the mini-book. I'm still working on the sketches for the book but I am happy with the results so far. I am a huge perfectionist. It is one of those problems which I am really trying to fight and learn from at the same time. It is enough to drive ya crazy.
Saying that, I'll post whatever sketches I have in the next few days. Then it will be pushed to the next stage, painting of the final drawings, and then onto the conquering the layout of the book.
In my quest for more understanding my creative self, I've been reading the wonderful book, "The Creative Habit", by Twyla Tharp and have gained a whole new view of the creative process. The book is written through eyes of a successful choreographer who has worked with some of the most amazing dancers and musicians on the planet. It is written for anyone who wants to improve their creative process. She writes about how to gathering ideas and having strong "spines"(or backbones) behind your creations. Basically she shows you how turn your spark of creativity into full blown artistic amazingness.
Here is an excerpt from The Creative Habit from 43 Folders.
One of the things I am learning is, as an illustrator, this reminds me to truly think through all my ideas. I need to ask, "Who...What..When and Why" whenever I begin a new drawing. Having these questions figured out (and doing my homework) is the difference between a good illustration and a great one.
As for creating confidence in my work, (something I really, really need to do) I need to remind myself to practice my skills constantly...daily. I really liked this bit from the book, from Chapter 9, on Skill:
Confidence is a trait that has to be earned honestly and refreshed constantly; you have to work as hard to protect your skills as you did to develop them. This means vigilant practice and excellent practice habits. You've heard the phrase "Practice makes perfect"? Not true. Perfect practice makes perfect. The on e thing that creative souls around the world have in common is that they all have to practice to maintain their skills. Art is a vast democracy of habit.
So basically work, work, work till you get it and then work, work, work so you don't lose it.
Here is another person's look at creativity and on creative success. I'm sure you all know Elizabeth Gilbert the author of "Eat, Pray, Love". Here she is speaking about the role of creativity in a semi-recent TED talk.
I really love the her take on the genius and the muse...
