Man this was good! The part where you talk about getting rejected from DC.. Gawd.. I felt for ya. getting laughed at like that is like getting shot with rock salt. Glad you were able to get back to it. This article inspired me enough where Not only did I restack this but I decided to post a fresh figure drawing sketch I did this morning. Looking forward to more articles!
I have had and continue to have them on the regular. Even aimed for the Mouse for quite a few years. The search for external validation is a beast and a half, to be sure. Ugh
Thank you. That was with the help of the very skilled Lip Comarella. He is an amazing artist that’s worked in the animation and video game industry. Has a definitive unique style and looks like he could play James Bond
I hear you! I had a real soul-searching moment in my 40s when I wondered if I'd continue making art, given how unpredictable both income and outcome can be. I decided that it's my vocation, and I can't be Me without making stuff. Keep going! You've also inspired me to rewatch Disney's The Jungle Book tonight. :-)
I’ve been listening to songs from the movie repeatedly while I work on my book that takes place in the Amsterdam zoo. I can’t get my guys to watch it with me, so I’ll just watch it myself. It’s… research???
"She's an amazing artist in character design with a resume longer than a CVS receipt"-I wrote and drew a rejected NYer cartoon about it- i thought it was gold, they thought it was crap, so this spoke to me... also the entire bit about needing validation. which is why I think you tagged me ;) thanks for this brother!
Dude, yeah! And also just fyi I really, really like Substack waaaaay more over FB. A lot of illustrators and comic artists here that are just excellent people. And yeah man, I bet we all could tell some stories about our careers in art and the really low lows we’ve hit with stuff.
This is why I love Substack, thank you for this Rikki! I had a heart attack at 48!? It was a freak accident and still kinda haunts me so I hope you are recovering well. And I’ve found the 50s to be the first peek at not caring anymore…. Like I just don’t have the energy like I used to! Also I took a look at your Substack and also subscribed! I really love the tattooed treatment you did on the man and I don’t see a way I can post the image I’m referring to here in the comments, but I loved your inking, patterning and texture!
This was such a fabulous read, Thig. Thank you for the motivation and encouragement. Your art is fabulous, and your writing voice is captivating. Love it!
I was fortunate enough to be rejected everywhere by everybody all the time (I think there's a multidimensional movie in that) early in life, even as I plodded along the conveyor belt that belittles doctors in training. (Kudos to the Queen in that regard.) It seems emasculation is the coin of the realm in our little section of space/time, in every endeavor. By the time I decided to be an artist, the only critic I had was me - and the only criterion for success was whether or not the last art project made me smile. That seemed to be the key: If a piece tickled me, it was likely to waggle a feather at somebody else's funny bone. Either way, it's easier to live up to the rules if you make them yourself, and adjust them to your eventual comfort zone. I'm still eating regular meals, and still drawing. I win.
Awesome read! Love the humor and illustrations, as always. I wanted to be a newspaper cartoonist when I grew up... then newspapers went byebye. Both of my cartoon heroes retired in 1994 and 1995. I felt kind of lost and wasn't sure what to do next since cartooning wasn't going to be it. (or so I thought) I've never been drawn (ayyyyyy) to being an animator or character designer, but I like learning about it because I think it informs cartoon strips and my commercial work. Years ago I had the opportunity to get introduced to a former Disney animator who lived in town. I had followed them on socials for a while and was hoping to meet them for a coffee chat to learn about their life and work, and see what paths they'd recommend for me. This introduction was my chance! But when I met them they were... not what I expected. They were THE. MOST. socially awkward person I'd ever met. Not just "oh, a quirky artist" but like "Uh are you ok?" I was shocked to the degree that I didn't want to get coffee with them anymore. Afterwards, I told an illustrator friend about my experience and they said "Oh, was is (person)? I've heard similar reports from other people." I learned that despite this animator's alluring social media presence and put-together life and business, they had an assistant and a business partner who helped them make it all happen. It wasn't just a one-person operation of genius like I thought. That was my moment of realizing that I didn't need a Disney animator to tell me what career moves I should make. They couldn't do it alone and I probably couldn't either, plus talent in drawing doesn't actually equal wisdom, personality, or business savvy. I've learned great stuff (for free) from my artist friends who are hobbyists, amateurs, or side-hustlers. And the best business advice I've received was from people in other industries! It's been a journey of learning that it's all a process, and the insights can come from almost anyone and anywhere, and I don't have to idolize people who worked for the Mouse.
All people in the animation industry are little weird, but by and large my experience with meeting people for the first time has been so positive and heart warming. Just kids in adult skin basically. If you are on IG and you want some people that are just as genuine (or more) in person, follow Ty Carter, Diego Lucia (Diluc), Amanda Jolly(lines), Eunice Chen, Kamille Rodriguez (she goes by Kamillistrator), Shannon Hallstein, Loish (she may have over 2m followers but she is the most down to earth lady and she does ALL HER SOCIAL MEDIA BY HERSELF and she works it, hard), Pablo Rivera, Lauren Barger — possibly the sweetest lady I’ve ever met.
All these people are so, so super sweet and genuine. Now me? I’m a train wreck :D
I worked for 2 newspapers, and I absolutely loved it. It was rush, rush, rush every time I got an assignment but that just added to the charm of working at the WSJ and AJC. I miss those days.
That was a great read. I'm 65 and currently recovering from open heart surgery and never made it as a professional cartoonist. And at my time off life I don't care anymore. I'm still drawing and painting and loving it.
Man this was good! The part where you talk about getting rejected from DC.. Gawd.. I felt for ya. getting laughed at like that is like getting shot with rock salt. Glad you were able to get back to it. This article inspired me enough where Not only did I restack this but I decided to post a fresh figure drawing sketch I did this morning. Looking forward to more articles!
Awww thank you Barhan. I really appreciate it
You are living proof of “never give up”
Thank you 🙏 🫀
Brutal, brilliant and WILDLY relatable!
Thank you Mrs D! Had many of “come to Jesus moments” with art (for lack of better words)
I have had and continue to have them on the regular. Even aimed for the Mouse for quite a few years. The search for external validation is a beast and a half, to be sure. Ugh
Quite the story - more power to you for surviving all that and still doing alright!👍🏽
Oh I’m a train wreck on most days. :D
(Not really. Actually I’m probably the healthiest mentally now than I’ve ever been)
Great article! The Mouse is cool, but not the be all end all. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your drawing of the Leap of Faith. It’s really inspiring to me. 😊😊😊
Thank you. That was with the help of the very skilled Lip Comarella. He is an amazing artist that’s worked in the animation and video game industry. Has a definitive unique style and looks like he could play James Bond
Which James Bond?? I need to know! lol
https://www.artstation.com/lipcomarella
Ahhhh I see. Yes he could play a young James Bond. Great art too!
I hear you! I had a real soul-searching moment in my 40s when I wondered if I'd continue making art, given how unpredictable both income and outcome can be. I decided that it's my vocation, and I can't be Me without making stuff. Keep going! You've also inspired me to rewatch Disney's The Jungle Book tonight. :-)
The scene where king Louis is on one hand and his other 3 have bananas… it is peak milt khal if you. God that scene alone is spectacular
I’ve been listening to songs from the movie repeatedly while I work on my book that takes place in the Amsterdam zoo. I can’t get my guys to watch it with me, so I’ll just watch it myself. It’s… research???
This was so inspiring! I too know the pain of a world full of right handed scissors.
Also - loving all the screen tones
Thank you. I’m still warming up to procreate and discovered the screen tones filter. It’s very nice!
"She's an amazing artist in character design with a resume longer than a CVS receipt"-I wrote and drew a rejected NYer cartoon about it- i thought it was gold, they thought it was crap, so this spoke to me... also the entire bit about needing validation. which is why I think you tagged me ;) thanks for this brother!
Dude, yeah! And also just fyi I really, really like Substack waaaaay more over FB. A lot of illustrators and comic artists here that are just excellent people. And yeah man, I bet we all could tell some stories about our careers in art and the really low lows we’ve hit with stuff.
This is why I love Substack, thank you for this Rikki! I had a heart attack at 48!? It was a freak accident and still kinda haunts me so I hope you are recovering well. And I’ve found the 50s to be the first peek at not caring anymore…. Like I just don’t have the energy like I used to! Also I took a look at your Substack and also subscribed! I really love the tattooed treatment you did on the man and I don’t see a way I can post the image I’m referring to here in the comments, but I loved your inking, patterning and texture!
This was such a fabulous read, Thig. Thank you for the motivation and encouragement. Your art is fabulous, and your writing voice is captivating. Love it!
I was fortunate enough to be rejected everywhere by everybody all the time (I think there's a multidimensional movie in that) early in life, even as I plodded along the conveyor belt that belittles doctors in training. (Kudos to the Queen in that regard.) It seems emasculation is the coin of the realm in our little section of space/time, in every endeavor. By the time I decided to be an artist, the only critic I had was me - and the only criterion for success was whether or not the last art project made me smile. That seemed to be the key: If a piece tickled me, it was likely to waggle a feather at somebody else's funny bone. Either way, it's easier to live up to the rules if you make them yourself, and adjust them to your eventual comfort zone. I'm still eating regular meals, and still drawing. I win.
I enjoyed reading about your art journey, and you're so right: "Your art matters, and it matters to the most important person on earth, you."
Awesome read! Love the humor and illustrations, as always. I wanted to be a newspaper cartoonist when I grew up... then newspapers went byebye. Both of my cartoon heroes retired in 1994 and 1995. I felt kind of lost and wasn't sure what to do next since cartooning wasn't going to be it. (or so I thought) I've never been drawn (ayyyyyy) to being an animator or character designer, but I like learning about it because I think it informs cartoon strips and my commercial work. Years ago I had the opportunity to get introduced to a former Disney animator who lived in town. I had followed them on socials for a while and was hoping to meet them for a coffee chat to learn about their life and work, and see what paths they'd recommend for me. This introduction was my chance! But when I met them they were... not what I expected. They were THE. MOST. socially awkward person I'd ever met. Not just "oh, a quirky artist" but like "Uh are you ok?" I was shocked to the degree that I didn't want to get coffee with them anymore. Afterwards, I told an illustrator friend about my experience and they said "Oh, was is (person)? I've heard similar reports from other people." I learned that despite this animator's alluring social media presence and put-together life and business, they had an assistant and a business partner who helped them make it all happen. It wasn't just a one-person operation of genius like I thought. That was my moment of realizing that I didn't need a Disney animator to tell me what career moves I should make. They couldn't do it alone and I probably couldn't either, plus talent in drawing doesn't actually equal wisdom, personality, or business savvy. I've learned great stuff (for free) from my artist friends who are hobbyists, amateurs, or side-hustlers. And the best business advice I've received was from people in other industries! It's been a journey of learning that it's all a process, and the insights can come from almost anyone and anywhere, and I don't have to idolize people who worked for the Mouse.
All people in the animation industry are little weird, but by and large my experience with meeting people for the first time has been so positive and heart warming. Just kids in adult skin basically. If you are on IG and you want some people that are just as genuine (or more) in person, follow Ty Carter, Diego Lucia (Diluc), Amanda Jolly(lines), Eunice Chen, Kamille Rodriguez (she goes by Kamillistrator), Shannon Hallstein, Loish (she may have over 2m followers but she is the most down to earth lady and she does ALL HER SOCIAL MEDIA BY HERSELF and she works it, hard), Pablo Rivera, Lauren Barger — possibly the sweetest lady I’ve ever met.
All these people are so, so super sweet and genuine. Now me? I’m a train wreck :D
I worked for 2 newspapers, and I absolutely loved it. It was rush, rush, rush every time I got an assignment but that just added to the charm of working at the WSJ and AJC. I miss those days.
That was a great read. I'm 65 and currently recovering from open heart surgery and never made it as a professional cartoonist. And at my time off life I don't care anymore. I'm still drawing and painting and loving it.