"Crap"

I keep drawing cause it's all I got. :(

To be able to sit there and draw some pictures straight outta my brain, then see them move and come to life for the first time is probably the equivalent to having a child. Though I have no children so I can't really say that for sure. My point is, I draw because it's the only thing I know how to do, and I'd be lost if I quit. I spent two years on an indie project just to have it torn to shreds by professionals and rejected from a billion festivals, but instead of jumping out my window, I just keep on moving. I'm babbling again, someone slap me!

How do you guys keep your footing?

You don't. Art and life is unpredictable, and the art industry is VERY unpredictable. Just when you get comfortable and used to your surroundings, you get thrown a curve ball and get knocked off balance. When that happens you need to re-orient yourself and find you center again.

I sad to hear you're having a rough go of things lately Phacker. I too have had a rough past few months. When that happens, it's often good to just step back and take a breather away from your art for a few days, weeks, or even months. Go see some movies. Or read some books you've been meaning to get too. Just give your mind a break, then you can return back nice and fresh.

I hope things get better for you soon Phacker.

Aloha,
the Ape

Hey, Phacker

I used to work a lot with logo design, I know it really can be complicated. But I have to tell you it´is almost a team job, the creator and the client...Cause a logo has to say exactly what are the services and missions of your client´s company. So they all end up getting involved, giving those tips (rarely good ones).
But in the end, you have to listen to them because no one knows the company as well as its owner. I know we here at the artistic business never like people messin´ in our creations...

So don´t feel like you whored, we have to deal with criticism as a normal construction of the project. Of course you won´t put that dead bleeding cow illustration on a restaurant logo :D , but is always good to listen when the client has a good point.
Hope it helped

cheers
Fred

Yeah, not allways the owners involve themselves..
But hey, one thing I learned is that if you put really solid bases on the logo, with good argumentation, you have little chances of reprovall.

Phacker, first - my sympathies. We've all been there, and it's no fun.

I find it's easier to deal with the chuckleheads if I keep in mind that there are basically two kinds of art - commercial and personal. When you're doing stuff for someone else (like logo design), they get to have the last say, even if all their taste is in their mouth :D. I'm dealing with that now, in fact. I'm revising a perfectly GREAT design because someone decided this little character should be holding up a sign instead of gesturing to it. A lame change (and probably on a whim) that will cost me hours of my time. BUT (and it's a big but) they are hours I'm getting paid for.

On the other hand, there's the personal stuff. No one can tell me what to do with my own projects. I can listen to their advice and use it or discard it, but what ends up at the end is all my call.

I went through all these post a little fast, but I did not notice anything about having other stuff going on in your life. I am thinking that you something out side of art, like some kind of sport, hobby, or even a part time job. Exposure to other people, places and events can be the fertilizer to get new ideas growing. Maybe try button-holing your friends and try to get them to spill their guts on whatever is on their mind. Just be sure to listen and not try to fix or judge what is being said. I hope this was PC and of some help.

Uh-oh. Someone said PC around a graphic designer.

*hides from the Mac stampede*

Hi Pat,

To be honest, all of you guys on here (and CGTalk) are pretty inspirational to me, for all of the pieces that you create in your free time. I very rarely accomplish any artistic endeavours outside of work, as I find that tiring enough, so it's cool to drop in on random threads to see what people are up to.
Every single time you draw or click you're learning, and to me, that's what it's all about.
Just get back to doodling with a pencil and some paper - some quick little character sketches or something, and suddenly your imagination will kick into overdrive, of that I am certain.

All the best,
K

it isn't crap, it is just a block... just don't allow yourself to be intimidated by it. it is difficult to try and explain to a boss or any other creativeless soul why your not running around making beautiful things all of the time. It gets even worse when you have to explain that to yourself, isn't it?
you have to have low points to be able to have the truely great high points, or else how would you recognise them?
just relax, and it will come to you eventually, don't force it... that's what I try to do. Go back to your sources of inspiration, or just have a big ice cream! Make yourself feel better and happier before you tackle your white sheet of paper.
It seems to work for me1

For getting the creative juices going again I'd recomend getting together with one of your creative friends, having a but to drink, and filling a scetchbook with strange drawings. And a joint project with another creative type allways works well - though it can lead to a clash of the egos.

Pat, thanks for voicing what a lot of us have going on at times.

As you may know, I make my living teaching, which is a pretty secure gig. But I still hit those moments when I think I'm wasting my time, that my work sucks, that I may as well give it up because it will never amount to anything and anybody could do better.

Then there's the fact that I really can't accomplish diddly during regular hours because I'm supposed to be a teacher (not an artist) at work and when I get home I'm stopped every five to thirty minutes to hold the baby or change his diaper. I wouldn't trade that little guy for anything in the world, so sometimes I just stay up late and work.

I try to keep a few things going on and switch to something new occassionally to see things from a different point of view. Try a new program. Try drawing different subject matter. Use a different medium. Take a class.

This year I got a new infusion of goodies when I started farting around with 3D. Last week a friend inspired me to attempt a comic book. So I've go those both going on, and all using the same subject matter and characters I've been destroying since I started trying this out several years ago. It really makes me feel good when I try something new and do okay. I've also had to learn to be gentle with myself, since I'm not trained as an artist, don't have much experience, and I usually think my work sucks. So I just don't go there. I make the imperfection part of the appeal. And (for me) I remind myself that I enjoy drawing, animating, creating, writing.

Hello Phacker,

Hey listen, we go back a few thousand posts- so ....

I am going to let you in on the secret of creation....

There's no biblical import except to say everyone has to figure out what and where their creatiive Source is...

I try not to get hooked on what I am doing as much as getting hooked on just the doing. The secret is...DON'T CARE TOO MUCH about what you are doing.
When we start to believe too much that we are personal authors and creators that puts a stake out there that put us on the line.

To free yourself up just don't care too much about what you are doing or what others will think. Take things one step at a time and go from there...just take the next step.

I find the best work I do is when I don't take so much responsibility for it artistically and just do the work. It relieves the pressure and things just start to flow.

I do happen to believe in a Source for everthing...and to me that relieves me and allows me to be creative....

Have fun with it!

Thanks.

Incidentally, speaking of a couple thousand posts, Phacker is currently in the running for the (albeit imaginary) Community Service award for the member with far and away the most posts. And what's worse is they're just about all constructive and helpful. Thanks for the contributions. I know -I- appreciate them.

I may break down and go see the latest Star War's Flick in the theatre, that may get my juices going.

AAAAHHH!! Don't do that! No creative block is worth paying that high a price!;)

Seriously, if you want to go see a fun movie that's inspirational (and with a space theme), go check out Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I saw it last weekend and it was a fun, solid movie with good performances and (gasp) a healthy dose of practical effects.

Phacker, if you go, look for the cameo by the Marvin from the TV series. It's hard to miss - almost like the filmmakers are yelling "look, we got the original Marvin suit!"