Well, thanks so much for the great response to
Part I of this off-the-cuff pep talk! So let's say you have triumph-of-the-will and have successfully gotten over any issues of jealousy, fear, creative sloth or otherwise.
Now what?
You keep your metaphorical Aston Marten in high gear, that's what!
It's going to need maintenance, so here's some food for thought :
Some people are born with it, some people are nurtured in to it, and some people struggle with it forever. No matter what,
you can get it. I think it's easy to assume if you act
confident, you will come off as
arrogant.
But that doesn't have to be the case.
Arrogance is thinking you know everything.
Confidence is being secure in the fact that you know something.
When Luciano Pavarotti, arguably history's greatest tenor, fired his voice coaching staff because he felt they were superfluous, his ability almost immediately plummeted.
Aaaaand he hired them back. If you accept the fact that you will constantly be learning stuff, your confidence won't be confused with arrogance. Whatever you master, you will still be a student in something else. But isn't that an
exciting prospect?
There is so much to know! So little time! Ah the tragedy and joy of living!
So be proud of what you've accomplished, and be psyched about where you can go!
"Boys, be ambitious!" as William S. Clark once said. Or "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!" as yelled by Col. Farragaut - whichever you fancy.
Set a goal and fill your life with ways to move you towards it. Filmmaker Chris Marker and his production team went to the 10:30AM showing of "An American in Paris" e v e r y s i n g l e m o r n i n g until the film's completion because it
specifically kept him motivated on that project. Don't let your inspirations fizzle out, even if you are having an off day.
☞When Paramount Pictures told Ed Wood that his movies
"are the most horrendous, obnoxious practical-jokes of film-making" he said
"Okay, my next one will be better."
Right the eff ON.
When you tie your work to your emotions, it's easy to get hurt. Growing up - especially in my angsty teen years - I felt that art was solely an expression of myself. That it was all about
"letting people see my feelings." Well, that's kind of silly.
Of course art is a fabulous outlet for such things. Art therapy is in my mind, one of the most excellent resources for anyone.
Art is my passion. However, illustration is my business.
I said in the previous section that at the top there is a lot of responsibility. You have to step up and meet it head on.
Be on time, be professional, be kind, and above all, don't worry if you get passed over for a gig. If you are good to work with your reputation will build on it's own - no need to fret about it.
If an art director chooses someone else for an art job -
it's okay - it's like choosing a different album in your collection. They just feel like listening to Hendrix today instead of Bo Diddly.
Stop one mid-sentence - even in your mind. Excuses start you on the road back to your
old nonsense (like fear of success.)
In my painting classes at the Museum, I drill into my students that they are
never ever never ever ever allowed to say
"I suck at (insert here)". If you say it enough, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy....
At my first interview, I was about 19/20, showing my portfolio to an assistant at the Boston Globe.
I apologized for everything! "Sorry, this isn't that great...","I could do better on that one..." et cetera...
Visibly irritated, he shut my book, slid it back to me and said, "Maybe you should come back when you're ready."
I almost peed myself.
Those words changed my life. He was so
right.
Put in everything you got, accept critiques of your work, and knock their socks off next time around.
...............................................................................
So I hope this has been beneficial! Thanks for reading, guys!
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