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At A Crossroads
9 years ago
General
Heya all,
So, I've done quite a bit of thinking as of late, and made an effort to get as much art done as I can. Even when I had no commissions to work on, I sketched and set time aside from my day to brainstorm and work on new things. But I wasn't ever feeling as "into it", I guess, as I normally am. And when I tried to make YCHs, I wasn't ever pleased with the results enough to put them out. On top of that, for some reason, it's become a bit difficult to fill up my commission slots as of late. There have also been a few very serious things going on IRL very recently for me that have hit me... financially... quite hard. So hard that I've never brought it up because there is nothing anyone can do about it, nor would any amount of income earned from Emergency Commissions even begin to touch it. I've had to work through those IRL financial issues on my own as of late, and it's been a bit discouraging that, throughout that, the effort I've been putting into my art lately isn't as... fruitful, I guess, for me in the ways it usually is. It's not been as successful for me in terms of commissions, or in terms of making me feel better or feel improved while drawing.
With that said, I've found myself at a bit of a crossroads. I see two main options for myself here, and I don't really think I could toe the line between the two of them, so it'd have to be either one or the other. Not ultimately, of course, but for the time being until I find something else that will work. I could either continue struggling through this 'art block', I suppose, and make more effort in putting out commissions and YCHs and even personal art, if that gets me where I need to be. I could purchase some ads on FA, or get more into advertising on Twitter, I could read up on more tutorials and try new things... etc etc. But at the same time, I'm worried that it might continually weigh me down or get my hopes up just to be a waste of time/effort.
Or, I could take a break from FA. Yes, I know that "quitting" (not for good, of course, just temporarily) won't really 'solve the problem' in terms of me being satisfied with my art, or receiving any commissions, but it may help me IRL, both mentally and emotionally, to do something else for a while. Perhaps I could get into the new Legion expansion of WoW and play it during my free time, enjoy what it's got to give, and focus on IRL things instead of FA or art. I've entertained the idea of getting a second job (part-time) to help with the financial problems I've had, but my family doesn't want me to do that for fear of it making me overworked. And while I could consider 'art' a part-time job, my prices don't really make up for the time I take in them and don't really count as a job in this sense. True, I could raise my prices, but... I don't really want to? I'd rather wait for the new year to do that...
Anyways, I've been rambling a bit here. A lot of this helps me just by writing it all down, but at the end of the day, I'm piling up all the 'end of the day' feelings and thoughts I have from my attempts at focusing on and putting effort into my art and FA, and the wonderful community here that I'm a part of, and I'm slowly beginning to wonder if a break, or a change of pace, would be beneficial or not. Perhaps I'm being overly-dramatic, or getting disheartened over something minor. Perhaps I'm not taking enough consideration into my own mental/emotional well-being and not accurately balancing my 'free' time with my 'work' time, etcetera etcetera. I don't really know, but...
I'd really like to hear ya'll's opinions on this. What you think would be a good course of action, or any other ideas you may have that could help. At times like these, when I feel stuck, sometimes I am most comforted by knowing you guys are here to listen to me and offer advice, a few words, or just a smile.
Thanks again, everyone.
Ya'll rock. <3
-Tigger
So, I've done quite a bit of thinking as of late, and made an effort to get as much art done as I can. Even when I had no commissions to work on, I sketched and set time aside from my day to brainstorm and work on new things. But I wasn't ever feeling as "into it", I guess, as I normally am. And when I tried to make YCHs, I wasn't ever pleased with the results enough to put them out. On top of that, for some reason, it's become a bit difficult to fill up my commission slots as of late. There have also been a few very serious things going on IRL very recently for me that have hit me... financially... quite hard. So hard that I've never brought it up because there is nothing anyone can do about it, nor would any amount of income earned from Emergency Commissions even begin to touch it. I've had to work through those IRL financial issues on my own as of late, and it's been a bit discouraging that, throughout that, the effort I've been putting into my art lately isn't as... fruitful, I guess, for me in the ways it usually is. It's not been as successful for me in terms of commissions, or in terms of making me feel better or feel improved while drawing.
With that said, I've found myself at a bit of a crossroads. I see two main options for myself here, and I don't really think I could toe the line between the two of them, so it'd have to be either one or the other. Not ultimately, of course, but for the time being until I find something else that will work. I could either continue struggling through this 'art block', I suppose, and make more effort in putting out commissions and YCHs and even personal art, if that gets me where I need to be. I could purchase some ads on FA, or get more into advertising on Twitter, I could read up on more tutorials and try new things... etc etc. But at the same time, I'm worried that it might continually weigh me down or get my hopes up just to be a waste of time/effort.
Or, I could take a break from FA. Yes, I know that "quitting" (not for good, of course, just temporarily) won't really 'solve the problem' in terms of me being satisfied with my art, or receiving any commissions, but it may help me IRL, both mentally and emotionally, to do something else for a while. Perhaps I could get into the new Legion expansion of WoW and play it during my free time, enjoy what it's got to give, and focus on IRL things instead of FA or art. I've entertained the idea of getting a second job (part-time) to help with the financial problems I've had, but my family doesn't want me to do that for fear of it making me overworked. And while I could consider 'art' a part-time job, my prices don't really make up for the time I take in them and don't really count as a job in this sense. True, I could raise my prices, but... I don't really want to? I'd rather wait for the new year to do that...
Anyways, I've been rambling a bit here. A lot of this helps me just by writing it all down, but at the end of the day, I'm piling up all the 'end of the day' feelings and thoughts I have from my attempts at focusing on and putting effort into my art and FA, and the wonderful community here that I'm a part of, and I'm slowly beginning to wonder if a break, or a change of pace, would be beneficial or not. Perhaps I'm being overly-dramatic, or getting disheartened over something minor. Perhaps I'm not taking enough consideration into my own mental/emotional well-being and not accurately balancing my 'free' time with my 'work' time, etcetera etcetera. I don't really know, but...
I'd really like to hear ya'll's opinions on this. What you think would be a good course of action, or any other ideas you may have that could help. At times like these, when I feel stuck, sometimes I am most comforted by knowing you guys are here to listen to me and offer advice, a few words, or just a smile.
Thanks again, everyone.
Ya'll rock. <3
-Tigger
Whatever you choose to do I hope you find your inspiration and passion again, and I look forward to seeing what you will create after you return. :)
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and support! <3
However, I'm also a firm believer of putting a deadline on those kinds of things, or at least a soft deadline. :) For me, it's much more effective to say, "I'm going to take a month off (or whatever time frame you're looking at)," than it is to have some nebulous, "Well, I'll get back to it when I get back to it," approach. During that time off, you can of course fill it with relaxing, catching up on other fun stuff, or whatever else, but you may also want to give yourself a small (not taxing) goal so that you're feeling productive. That helps fight any guilt that might crop up over taking a break. For example, if you have a much too big "To Read" list, dedicate to getting a couple (extra) books read.
Anyway, if you do decide to take a break, we'll be around when you get back. :) Take care of yourself, one way or another.
Thank you so much! <3
That being said a break is also good. You deserve to have a life and not be drawing. Even though life situations do come up sometimes it is best to back away from the fandom or art for a bit.
I'm happy to give signal boosts on Twitter when I can and I"m sure others will as well to help you get a bit more work. That only goes so far though really.
Best wishes whatever your decision. You've been a pleasure to work with and even if its' a while before the next, I look forward to it.
And if you would like financial advice, I happen to know somebody who is good and would do a little pro bono.
And that's very kind of you to offer! Thankfully it's nothing that threatens my current work or living arrangements, just something I have to learn how to work through and overcome. c:
ALSO PSST, WE STILL ON FOR SATURDAY CHARITY STUFF?
And I hope you'll bring my badge, too!