Well, I have to apologize up front for the large gap between posts, here, but a new job takes it out of a guy. Seriously, 10-hour days literally sap the energy from a body and a mind. But I did think of something yesterday that fits right into the puzzle, and I figured I'd get it down before I nod off again...
People often ask me, "When did you learn to draw and write?" And you know what? I really don't know. I don't really remember a specific time when I wasn't drawing something, honestly, but I do know that it was during this particular time of my life (my days on Suffolk) where I really began to share my artwork with other people, specifically friends. I had always been something of an artist in school, and I frequently had artwork displayed in art class or where ever, but that was scholastically and it never really sunk in that those times were the real kick-starters. However, at home I really kind of just doodled here and there and was praised, ya know, much like any other kid would be when their parents proudly hung their pictures from the fridge. But when it came to really showing my friends that I had some kind of discernible talent... well, that was the big moment, I suppose.
I guess I was just born with some kind of artistic ability. I think most people are, it just takes practice and enjoyment to retrieve it, and a desire to want to turn it into something helps, too. So? Who were my influences? Believe it or not, I had two major points of interest who really sparked my love for cartoons and illustrations: Jim Davis (Garfield, U.S. Acres), and Don Martin (MAD Magazine). There was just something about these two that really piqued my interest. Maybe it was their balloon-y appearances to their characters, or maybe it was their expressions and mannerisms that came out in their work. Most likely, it was a combination of these and many other things, but whatever the case, I fell hard for the works of these guys and voraciously fed off and copied their designs. I wanted to draw just like them, and so, I did. I had no real style of my own at first, but eventually, copying became cues, and cues blended into the work I created on my own. I think this truly is the way any artist starts his or her work: mocking and adapting. Eventually, over the years, my style has become my own.
As for writing, it's a bit less of a story, really. I think once you realize you're and artist, may other forms of art just kind of come naturally. For me, it was writing and, weirdly, cooking. I took up a love for poetry and even writing book reports in school because I tended to add my own spin to them. I began writing along with my artwork, and, eventually creating comic strips and character bio's and silly things like that. That, soon, led to writing in semi-professional manners and, well, to this, I suppose.
So there you have it: a very brief synopsis of how and why I like make pretty pictures and words. Neat!
People often ask me, "When did you learn to draw and write?" And you know what? I really don't know. I don't really remember a specific time when I wasn't drawing something, honestly, but I do know that it was during this particular time of my life (my days on Suffolk) where I really began to share my artwork with other people, specifically friends. I had always been something of an artist in school, and I frequently had artwork displayed in art class or where ever, but that was scholastically and it never really sunk in that those times were the real kick-starters. However, at home I really kind of just doodled here and there and was praised, ya know, much like any other kid would be when their parents proudly hung their pictures from the fridge. But when it came to really showing my friends that I had some kind of discernible talent... well, that was the big moment, I suppose.
I guess I was just born with some kind of artistic ability. I think most people are, it just takes practice and enjoyment to retrieve it, and a desire to want to turn it into something helps, too. So? Who were my influences? Believe it or not, I had two major points of interest who really sparked my love for cartoons and illustrations: Jim Davis (Garfield, U.S. Acres), and Don Martin (MAD Magazine). There was just something about these two that really piqued my interest. Maybe it was their balloon-y appearances to their characters, or maybe it was their expressions and mannerisms that came out in their work. Most likely, it was a combination of these and many other things, but whatever the case, I fell hard for the works of these guys and voraciously fed off and copied their designs. I wanted to draw just like them, and so, I did. I had no real style of my own at first, but eventually, copying became cues, and cues blended into the work I created on my own. I think this truly is the way any artist starts his or her work: mocking and adapting. Eventually, over the years, my style has become my own.
As for writing, it's a bit less of a story, really. I think once you realize you're and artist, may other forms of art just kind of come naturally. For me, it was writing and, weirdly, cooking. I took up a love for poetry and even writing book reports in school because I tended to add my own spin to them. I began writing along with my artwork, and, eventually creating comic strips and character bio's and silly things like that. That, soon, led to writing in semi-professional manners and, well, to this, I suppose.
So there you have it: a very brief synopsis of how and why I like make pretty pictures and words. Neat!
No comments:
Post a Comment