I made conscious decisions on who I spent my time with, where I
spent my time, and what to "give up" to do it. That is all dependent on
what your goals are. So I'll go in order of why I made certain
decisions. I'll be blunt too, because I believe in it.
1.Who I spend my time with
Too
many folks just do a job. No ambition, no drive. Their careers are
basically handled by whoever is in charge of them at that moment. So I
now surround myself with people who are pushing themselves.
Artistically, musically, in any category. Doesn't have to be art. Just
Go-getters. And let me tell you, I didn't find many in (an undisclosed location).
2. where I spent my time
I
committed myself to draw every morning before work at a coffee shop. I
woke up early, 7 AM I was out the door. I always had a plan of attack.
One day, it was drawing from a book. The next day, drawing from life
around the shop. The next, character development on an idea I had.
Whatever got me thinking about art, not waiting for it to happen, but
making myself go after it. I gave myself some slack days of course, but
I was vigilant, still am. I also still go to figure drawing when deadlines permit. Try to
push my shapes, try new tools, whatever I could. Forward progress, even
if it was a tiny bit is better than none. Worse yet, standing still. I
can't think of an artistic way to die faster inside.
3. What to "give up" to do it
I
devoted to it for a while. I let my wife know there was a new
relationship in our lives, my art and career. It was with me before she
came along and god forbid she passes before me, will comfort me in the
time I only have her as memories. I gave up drinking as it fogged my
mornings (I'm back on it but I took a break) Made myself put away the
internet and killed a ton of time on the PS3. I had less time to devote
to friends. I balanced it, but for a spell, I was all in. I think to
truly understand oneself, or a craft, you must devote to it for a time.
Not forever mind you, or it gestates and destroys. Losing an ear or
drinking yourself to pity and remorse isn't a lasting career. I knew I
wanted a balance after all. A life, a happy marriage, friends, and
smiling. Keep it in mind what you want and you'll find your balance.
So
those are most of my habits I formed. Devotion to it in simple mind
setting ways. That and be introspective enough to see where you are
lacking and attack those skills. If you're good at something, just
drawing it more doesn't help. It's just hubris to get attention in a
lot of ways. Pushing yourself into uncomfortable territory is the
easiest answer to the hardest task.
I hope this helps, isn't too
long winded. I still have many miles to travel before I am a great
artist so I feel weird giving advice, but this is what I've got for you
thus far. I may even post this to the blog as I see many people could
relate to some advice, hope you don't mind. I won't post you asking
though, no worries.
So that's it. Hopefully someone out there reads something and it helps them in some small way.
Cheers,
Bean
