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Retrospective
2008 was an odd year. It had a lot of highs, and a lot of lows. What follows are mostly the highlights.
Art
It has now been three years since I decided to become a professional artist. It's the only thing in my entire life that I have always come back to, that I have always loved. It's the only thing that didn't take the long slide into boredom and weariness.
When I started trying to sell art, I explored a number of different potential venues with the expectation that the more potential avenues I gave myself, the more likely it was that I would find one or two where I could make money. The two I focused on the most were pet portraits and anthropomorphic art.
As for the pet portraits, there were a large number of artists successfully making livings as pet portrait artists, and I knew I could make portraits just as good or better than any I found. Thus, I figured it would not be difficult to break into that field. I couldn't have been more wrong. None of the advertising I did in the first year (including being part of a write-up in a bay area pet newspaper) panned out, and in the past three years I have drawn a grand total of 6 portraits on commission. Four of them were this year, giving me hope that as people find my art by other means, it might eventually result in steady commission work. I do love drawing people's beloved pets, so I would be quite happy if this happened.
At first, it looked like anthropomorphic art was a venue that had a lot of potential. I was enjoying it, and was somewhat active in the community. I attended Further Confusion in 2007, and again in 2008. Originally, I had planned to attend again in 2009, but finally admitted defeat and canceled in mid-December. I'm not drawing enough anthro-themed art to specifically sell to the anthro community.
What is inspiring to me right now is dramatic lighting, wildlife art, steampunk, and more traditional fantasy subjects (Clockwork dragons - oh my!). I've started drawing fanart (How odd is that?). I am planning out involved fantasy pieces (I haven't drawn high fantasy in about ten years). I am also hoping to have the time to draw more wildlife art for charity.
My most popular piece online (far and away) is a traditional realism graphite pencil piece, drawn from an adorable photograph of a hound dog and a kitten. My entire life up until when I drew that piece, my goal was to create art that was technically as close to reality as possible. Then I attained it, and the accomplishment was not as sweet as I expected. I found myself disappointed that people genuinely mistook it for a photo. Just emulating photography was not enough. I wanted to draw something that was more than a photo - something that would be difficult or impossible to photograph. In 2008, I found a mode of art, through colored paper and dramatic lighting, where I can play with realism in non-realism. I feel like I have found my own style, by which my art is distinct and recognizable, and I hope to continue finding new perspectives and bringing joy to those who follow my works.
Etsy
I couldn't be more ecstatic about my decision to start an Etsy shop. It's been more successful than I dreamed, and by far the most productive sales venue I've found so far. At the moment, it is mostly a selection of original art pieces. I'm planning to add more pieces, as well as more custom clothing. If time allows, I'm also hoping to create leather-bound journals, scrimshaw pieces, walking canes, hats, spats, and so much more. Best case scenario, I'll also build wheel-lock pistols. However, it's a well known fact that I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew (especially when I'm happy), so who knows how much of that will actually happen.
Sewing
2008 saw a return to sewing. I worked as a seamstress briefly back in 2001, and had not sewn much of anything since 2003. It was a hobby I missed dearly, and I am very happy to be returning to it. There's no telling what kinds of sewn creations will appear in the coming year, but they are all likely to be steampunk.
Friends
Probably the single best thing to happen this year was the addition of two new friends. I've counted myself lucky for the last decade that I had found one true, lifelong friend. Some days recently, I can't believe I have made two more friends who I expect to know and treasure for many, many years to come. All three of them are graduated anthropologists, and the four of us have formed our own airship pirate crew. If you are interested in following our antics, they may be found at![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif)
hms_lamaupin, a new LJ community we have formed for posting our (mis)adventures and projects.
Steampunk
Steampunk is the perfect mix of all the things I love in life. It has art, costuming, historical goodies, tinkering, fantasy, literature, music, beauty, grit, playful contradictions, and a healthy dose of anti-imperialist counter-culture politics without self-destructive tendencies. Most sub-cultures are driven by youth - teens and very young adults. Who ever would have expected an emerging sub-culture to draw in people of all ages, in a very friendly and supportive way? I know I didn't. I couldn't be happier in finding it, either.
School
I dropped out of college back in 1999, after my first quarter at UC Davis. I had received my AS from Santa Rosa Junior College, and transfered to Davis with the expectation of receiving a degree in computer programming (the field in which I was employed at the time). However, the dot-bomb happened, and at the same time I realized that I would shoot myself in the head if I tried to stay in an office environment for the rest of my life. I floundered, and dropped out, directionless. I decided that if I ever figured out what I would want a degree in, I would go back.
In '07 I decided that I wanted to get a degree in philosophy (which is about as fiscally viable as being a professional artist), but it wasn't until fall of '08 that I finally ignored the advice of my boss and re-enrolled. For financial and other reasons, I'm back in junior college, attending part time to brush up on my academic skills after a nearly ten year hiatus. Progress is slow, but this arrangement gives me needed flexibility in the coming year.
Employment
I don't want to say much right now, but some things need to change. My employment situation cannot continue as it is. In the best scenario, I'll have a new part-time job before the end of the month. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
optimisticArt
It has now been three years since I decided to become a professional artist. It's the only thing in my entire life that I have always come back to, that I have always loved. It's the only thing that didn't take the long slide into boredom and weariness.
When I started trying to sell art, I explored a number of different potential venues with the expectation that the more potential avenues I gave myself, the more likely it was that I would find one or two where I could make money. The two I focused on the most were pet portraits and anthropomorphic art.
As for the pet portraits, there were a large number of artists successfully making livings as pet portrait artists, and I knew I could make portraits just as good or better than any I found. Thus, I figured it would not be difficult to break into that field. I couldn't have been more wrong. None of the advertising I did in the first year (including being part of a write-up in a bay area pet newspaper) panned out, and in the past three years I have drawn a grand total of 6 portraits on commission. Four of them were this year, giving me hope that as people find my art by other means, it might eventually result in steady commission work. I do love drawing people's beloved pets, so I would be quite happy if this happened.
At first, it looked like anthropomorphic art was a venue that had a lot of potential. I was enjoying it, and was somewhat active in the community. I attended Further Confusion in 2007, and again in 2008. Originally, I had planned to attend again in 2009, but finally admitted defeat and canceled in mid-December. I'm not drawing enough anthro-themed art to specifically sell to the anthro community.
What is inspiring to me right now is dramatic lighting, wildlife art, steampunk, and more traditional fantasy subjects (Clockwork dragons - oh my!). I've started drawing fanart (How odd is that?). I am planning out involved fantasy pieces (I haven't drawn high fantasy in about ten years). I am also hoping to have the time to draw more wildlife art for charity.
My most popular piece online (far and away) is a traditional realism graphite pencil piece, drawn from an adorable photograph of a hound dog and a kitten. My entire life up until when I drew that piece, my goal was to create art that was technically as close to reality as possible. Then I attained it, and the accomplishment was not as sweet as I expected. I found myself disappointed that people genuinely mistook it for a photo. Just emulating photography was not enough. I wanted to draw something that was more than a photo - something that would be difficult or impossible to photograph. In 2008, I found a mode of art, through colored paper and dramatic lighting, where I can play with realism in non-realism. I feel like I have found my own style, by which my art is distinct and recognizable, and I hope to continue finding new perspectives and bringing joy to those who follow my works.
Etsy
I couldn't be more ecstatic about my decision to start an Etsy shop. It's been more successful than I dreamed, and by far the most productive sales venue I've found so far. At the moment, it is mostly a selection of original art pieces. I'm planning to add more pieces, as well as more custom clothing. If time allows, I'm also hoping to create leather-bound journals, scrimshaw pieces, walking canes, hats, spats, and so much more. Best case scenario, I'll also build wheel-lock pistols. However, it's a well known fact that I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew (especially when I'm happy), so who knows how much of that will actually happen.
Sewing
2008 saw a return to sewing. I worked as a seamstress briefly back in 2001, and had not sewn much of anything since 2003. It was a hobby I missed dearly, and I am very happy to be returning to it. There's no telling what kinds of sewn creations will appear in the coming year, but they are all likely to be steampunk.
Friends
Probably the single best thing to happen this year was the addition of two new friends. I've counted myself lucky for the last decade that I had found one true, lifelong friend. Some days recently, I can't believe I have made two more friends who I expect to know and treasure for many, many years to come. All three of them are graduated anthropologists, and the four of us have formed our own airship pirate crew. If you are interested in following our antics, they may be found at
hms_lamaupin, a new LJ community we have formed for posting our (mis)adventures and projects.Steampunk
Steampunk is the perfect mix of all the things I love in life. It has art, costuming, historical goodies, tinkering, fantasy, literature, music, beauty, grit, playful contradictions, and a healthy dose of anti-imperialist counter-culture politics without self-destructive tendencies. Most sub-cultures are driven by youth - teens and very young adults. Who ever would have expected an emerging sub-culture to draw in people of all ages, in a very friendly and supportive way? I know I didn't. I couldn't be happier in finding it, either.
School
I dropped out of college back in 1999, after my first quarter at UC Davis. I had received my AS from Santa Rosa Junior College, and transfered to Davis with the expectation of receiving a degree in computer programming (the field in which I was employed at the time). However, the dot-bomb happened, and at the same time I realized that I would shoot myself in the head if I tried to stay in an office environment for the rest of my life. I floundered, and dropped out, directionless. I decided that if I ever figured out what I would want a degree in, I would go back.
In '07 I decided that I wanted to get a degree in philosophy (which is about as fiscally viable as being a professional artist), but it wasn't until fall of '08 that I finally ignored the advice of my boss and re-enrolled. For financial and other reasons, I'm back in junior college, attending part time to brush up on my academic skills after a nearly ten year hiatus. Progress is slow, but this arrangement gives me needed flexibility in the coming year.
Employment
I don't want to say much right now, but some things need to change. My employment situation cannot continue as it is. In the best scenario, I'll have a new part-time job before the end of the month. I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one.
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