Hi! Hello! Welcome!
I’ve been meaning to update the blog – and thought what better way than a wrap up of the last quarter, and I can do better next time!
Okay! SO – here is a quarterly update of what I have been concentrating on in my creative journey /life this year so far…
Unicorn thoughts: Being Authentic
Being an artist in the internet era has proven to be an intimidating place.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of putting value on your work according to likes and how many views you get.
You can feel like you aren’t producing enough, quickly enough.
You can compare yourself too much to other artists who aren’t on the same part of the journey you are on – making you feel like an impostor or that you are falling behind.
All this can lead to making art that isn’t using your authentic voice – because you feel like to be seen or for your work to have value, you have to please everybody on the internet. You have to make what they want to see, not what you want to make.
So, when I feel like that is what I am doing – I step back. I listen to that knot in my stomach and remind myself that as an artist, I am committed to being authentic to myself and the work I want to do. I want to stay in that child-like play that leads to satisfying work I enjoy.
My audience will find me and fulfill the need for the community every artist needs – in a more positive way than focusing on social media value can provide.
Now, I’m not saying social media is bad or that it shouldn’t be used to showcase your work – I am saying that as an artist you have to approach it with a positive mindset, not one of scarcity or FOMO (fear of missing out).
Keep making what you want to make and showing it to the world!
Finding Inspiration
This year I have found that I am very interested in storytelling. I find myself analyzing characters and story arcs, as well as the art of character design and composition. I have been watching a lot of movies and reading for inspiration and research. I have also been reading books about and written by other artists and thinkers. Here are some of my favorites this year so far.
Movies
Books
What I’ve Learned
As far as skills go – I’ve been diving more into 3D art using Nomad Sculpt and a learning a little bit about Blender.
I’ve been doodling and trying new styles on my iPad when the mood strikes, learning more about my style, taste, what I like to do/draw.
I’ve also been consuming tutorials and tips & tricks from other graphic designers on YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.
I have also been learning about writing stories. I’ve never seen myself as a writer, but I did have a burst of inspiration one night and wrote an outline for a story.
Goals for next quarter: (Notes to self)
Keep experimenting: whether it be a new art technique, a new tool, or new medium.
Stay fearless. Don’t be so intimidated. Don’t Freeze.
Create small wins to keep motivated.
Be consistent, intentional and authentic with my time, art practice, self care.
Final Thoughts
This time was all about play, practice, and experimenting for me. So my time hasn’t been spent producing anything finished. It’s proving to be freeing and being able to chase down an interesting spark when it happens, putting child-like play back into creative practice again. While it can feel manic at times – not only has it been helping achieve that play goal, it has helped my stress levels in my life. I have to make time for fun, even if I don’t feel like I should, because I never regret it and it helps everything else in my life feel better.
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