I few people at my job have this
saying, “How do you get an artist to work for free? Tell them you
like their art.” I think it speaks to how sometimes artists can
undervalue there contribution to the world.
I even had to laugh to myself a bit
because I know I am guilty of it. Often feeling like what I do is not
important or means nothing to anyone else. Reminds me how my
roommate told me her mom got surprised when she realized that she was
actually making money from her crazy ideas and artwork. Do we
undervalue ourselves cause we have been told what we do means nothing
by some person in our past or family member?
I got really excited last month when
I went to Planet Comic Con. (I will share some of the pics from that
show below.)
It was so fun drawing for people and
seeing friends I had not seen since last year, since I live in LA
now, and just catching up and chatting with people. But one person in
particular really made my day. A guy stopped by my table and asked if
I had new Tornado Alley Comics. He was disappointed when I said no.
Truth be told I never thought anyone really cared that much except
for a few select people.
When people ask for my original
creations I always get amazed. I have started to ask myself where
does this come from. Why am I like this and does it really make any
since at all? You know Spiderman was once someones original idea
that no one else had ever heard of.
Ever since I created Big Booty Jane I
have had nothing but encouragement. Its been such a wonderful
experience knowing that I can create something and other people can
enjoy it. Its part of why I do caricatures as well. I love handing
that drawing over to the person and seeing there face light up. Its
one of the few ways I feel like I can brighten someones day.
In a way its like you are giving a
little of yourself to the other person. For me when they respond in
a positive why its a sigh of relief. I feel like I am contributing to
this big crazy world and others are enjoying it.
I don’t focus or draw my own
character nearly enough. Doing it makes me feel such enjoyment. And
knowing it much touch someone else is a even greater enjoyment.
So thank you to everyone out there that
has been checking out my work all these years and showing support. It
means a lot to me and I hope I am able to brighten your day every
once in a while. That has true value.
