~cocijo5000

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I need to draw more.

Wed Jul 8, 2009, 8:14 AM

Working forty hours a week as a graphic designer while trying to also be an illustrator, is exhausting. I'm finding that I have no time to work on the things I love, and all the time in the world to work on things I hate

How do you manage your time, fellow artists? Do you bring your work with you where ever you go? Force yourself to make time? Work through the exhaustion? Hook yourself up to a caffeine I.V.? Make a to-do list? Or accept that you may not have the time to work on everything you want, and instead, should work on what needs to be done?

All the above is leading to a sort of creative-artistic block where I shudder when I see a blank page and I can't get what's in my head down on the page.

Oh the woes of a cartoonist!

~C

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~kittymadness Jul 8, 2009, 2:20:44 PM

I work only enough at my job to barely get by. Of course, it's really cheap to live here, so that helps. I was going nuts in SF working full time, I had the same problem with artist's block. Any way you could take a break from work or ease back on the hours? Otherwise, a to-do list might help, just make it reasonable- Like one or two things to complete a month. That way its easier to feel like you accomplished something

Good Luck

~cocijo5000 Jul 9, 2009, 8:34:39 AM

That's really good advice! I've noticed that I set unrealistic deadlines for myself, which only burns me out in the end!

I set up a to-do list last night... both for art and other stuff. I'm still getting settled into my apartment and moving things around. I've decided that if I can get a comic page pencilled a day, then I should be good!

~BigwaveDave Jul 9, 2009, 12:20:52 PM

Sometimes a little outside motivation is a good thing. Even if its just somebody reminding you of stuff, its all good. Course, I have a partner i'm working with its a little bit easier for me. Still, if you have anyone that can get you on the ball, its helpful.

--
Everything matters, nothing is king.

~cocijo5000 Jul 9, 2009, 3:23:29 PM

I have so many partnerships going that it's become a problem. The issue isn't having time to do artwork, the issue if having time to do what *I* want to do.

As of right now, I have a comic going with a friend, four art posters for a theater company, a website for a theater company, and a comic for a movie.

All of this is on top of work. When I finally have time to do something for myself, I can't motivate myself to do much of anything.

~BigwaveDave Jul 10, 2009, 3:07:51 PM

I see. You may need to open up your own time then, by taking less comissions/partnerships if that's at all possible. Otherwise, you'll have all the time to sleep when you dead.

--
Everything matters, nothing is king.

~cocijo5000 Jul 11, 2009, 7:55:55 AM

Yeah, I picked up a notebook that's my "to-do" list and I'm penciling in time for me. I've also stopped doing commissions until I get my own stuff out there some more. Besides, in September, I'm headed back to school so I'll have to focus on that !

~BigwaveDave Jul 11, 2009, 10:27:51 PM

Congrats man!

--
Everything matters, nothing is king.

~STALEH4ND Jul 16, 2009, 7:57:24 PM

take a weekend off, go to the beach or take a hike to sutro baths and get inspired! Art will be fun again and there is somehow always enough time to do the really important stuff done