Hello and Happy Solstice

Hello everyone. Here are some updates on what I’ve been doing and what I have planned for the future. Successful people set achievable goals.

I have adopted a new work flow that has seen some success and keeps me happy. It combines a few different ideas about working and scheduling that is tailored to do two main things: keep me focused, and keep me consistent. I’m thus far happy with the results, though they are slow.

Project 1: Starbound Trails

I continue with my storyboard. I shot a bunch of reference footage for use. I went outside with a camera and got all sweaty. I’m drawing the base frames for the second act. It’s coming along.

Project 2: Cool House

I’m trying to break into the café/Esty art scene to both supplement my current income and, inshallah, replace it all together. I’m much better off as a person if I get to spend my time drawing. While I get to do more than I have in my past working life, say 50/50 right now, I’d like to get that to 100/0.

Based on some research, I have more than enough skill to already be doing this. There is one major hang-up, and one minor hang-up. The major hang up: I hate marketing. I hate scouring for paid opportunities. I hate putting myself out there. I hate the constant stream of administrative work the lifestyle requires (also Etsy is a dumpster fire right now but that’s a topic for another day). I know artists less technically skilled than myself (though notably not “better artists,” again another topic for another day) who are more financially successful because they are fine with that kind of bureaucratic slog, and I can’t be bothered. I’m working on it.

The minor hang-up is that I’m scared of messing up and spending hours on a render that I will end up hating, let alone demanding money for a change of ownership. I’m working on it.

Project 3: Comic

On Saturday mornings, I work on a comic idea that I’ve had for a while but just now putting to paper. It can be hard to get started, but once I get going, I can spend a good amount of my day working towards an end. Though 1 day per week isn’t exactly an ideal pace, I enjoy the process.

Coming Soon

I have thoughts about “AI Art” that I’ve been hashing out, but I’ve also been meticulous in my words and arrangement, so it takes awhile. If you want the short version: the post is scathing and inflammatory, and I don’t believe AI generated images are or ever can be considered art.

Thanks for being here.