I finally have time to put down my thoughts after one of the busiest months of work I've had in a long time. I completed 3 covers, 6 b/w spot illos, 7 color spot illos, 2 brochures, 3 logos, 3 T-shirts, and a medal design. WOW! It's nice to have the work, and I tell Lucy, "maybe I can actually make some money with this illustration 'thing'!"
After my first full year of freelance illustration and design, I have gained a lot of useful knowledge ranging from the artistic to business side. While working in Macon, GA with a fulltime design job, I didn't have the freetime to truly devote to illustration. After working all day and running on the trails after work, I maybe had 2-3 'useful' hours left. There were many days I stayed up well into the 'A.M.s' trying to finish the few freelance jobs I had. Now, I'm thankful that I actually have time to think about an illustration, spend quality time working on it and still get to bed at a decent hour. But all of those long nights and were worth it - I still have clients now that I started with then.
My illustraiton career is a work-in-progress and has been a steady climb that's just beginning. Sometimes I'm impatient and want it - the big jobs and acknowledgment by peers - all now, but until that time, I'll keep working. Illustration is not really a 'wise' career choice - and I mean that in the best possible way! No one makes you keep drawing - the pay is low and the fees haven't increased in years - the large corporations are always trying to take away your copyrights - and you have to keep advertising or you'll be lost in the shuffle. Even after knowing all of this, it's still what I want to be doing! Luckily, I've made enought to support myself in the progress (also lucky is the fact that I really don't want all the 'fancy' stuff $$$ can buy - like new clothes...and food!). The feeling of accomplishment I get after working hard on a job can't be matched at the other jobs. I'm working for myself and I'm confident the long hours I put in will benefit me. I'm not working for a corporation where I'm just a #, or a 'family' business where they get preferential treatment (been there...I know). Working for yourself as an illustrator is tough, but the reward I've received make it worth it.
Songs I'm listen to now:
'The Letting Go' - Bonnie Prince Billy's new album
It's an above-average album compared to his others. My favorite album is still 'Master and Everyone', but this is a good middle-ground in between the bareness of "master' and the electric guitars in 'Superwolf". Best song: "I called you back"
'Clap Your Hands Say Yeah" - self-titled debut album. Even though I've been listening to his album for almost a year, I still bounce around when it's on. This looks to be one of those albums that stay in my playlist for a long time. This first album is gonna be hard to match if/when they come out with another. Best song: 'The skin of my yellow country teeth'.
