I sell myself as a 3d illustrator. Some people call themselves animators, web designers, designers, visual effects artists, etc. We all call ourselves artists. How many people do you think are doing what they expected to do when they went into their chosen fields? How many really knew what they were getting themselves into? How do you know what you don't know?
I bring this up as someone very close to me considers a career change. With an art degree but working in the medical field for 20 years, they decided it was time to make a change. However, I don't think they really knows what is mean by "I want to be a {enter creative career of choice here}."
So, how do we know? Do you know people who are doing work they really are not suited for? I suppose the nature of creative work is that if one is not good at a task, time will eliminate them. But I'm asking on a more existential level. Like, what if Einstein had ended up being an auto mechanic and was really good at that. He would have never realized his full potential.
My answer to this question involves a lot of risk. Trying new things to see where they go before there is a necessity to and not being afraid to fail. Failure is always an option, fear is not. But the fear is powerful, like the dark side of the force and a comfortable corporate job is HARD to say no to when it a) pays well and is b) moderately creatively fulfilling. Who in their right mind would jump out of a perfectly good airplane as the old saying goes.
But, as another saying by A Lincoln goes: Most folks are as happy as they make their minds up to be.
Finally, a confession: I suffer from techno-envy. That is the belief that if I had one more doodah, one more gadget, my art would be better, faster, less lame. That's why I started my blog My Analog Art World. To push myself and remind myself that the work is not about the stuff. Just do something.
Thanks dear reader. Peace, Love and Robots.
