Comments on: The Importance of Personal Projects

By: Fantasio

Fantasio — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:48:15 +0000

This is an important topic!
Generally I´d say that (god thanks) 90% of my deviantart gallery is containing personal artworks and collaborations. Whenever possible I try to put priority 50/50 additional benefits are rights for submissions for artbooks and exhibitions, which can lead to gigs also. It feels way better when doing this with personal works. Not that the freelance works are not that good, but these are the clients ideas and intentions, not mine -so good any illustration might be.
Prices for commissions are reasonable therefore, but a good portfolio will always underline that and makes it possible to keep both things up. Its always a win/win situation for every confident client.

By: Diana Delosh

Diana Delosh — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 00:39:19 +0000

Wow – you must have ESP. Lately I’ve been so frantic w/trying to eek out a living that I’ve put aside my personal art. Needless to say it’s making me grouchy. Must carve out some time for my personal personal art before I scare off the clients.

By: jason walton

jason walton — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:11:37 +0000

I’ve had the same issue Fran – tightening up when it comes to client work. Two thoughts that have helped me ( both from musicians I believe ) are “do what you have to do, so you can do what you want to do” and “change your focus from ‘proving’ your talent to ‘sharing’ your talent. Those two thoughts and experience have helped me out.

Another resource that might be useful is a book called Fearless Creating by Eric Maisel.

Enjoyed your website. Nice little animation touches.

cheers.

By: Fran

Fran — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:08:27 +0000

This is probably a new one! I don’t want to do anything BUT my own personal projects! I don’t make my living from illustration, but would like to transition into the field. The problem is I like letting my ideas unfold in a bizarre, subconscious, non-linear approach that that leads to the goofiest, freshest drawings. When I work for others I FREEZE UP. Poof! Freshness gone! I will probably end up illustrating my own books (already been written), that’s the only solution I can come up with. I would love feedback/comments/support…am I the only one who feels this way? Check out my work at http://www.franmason.com for a reference point.
By Fran Mason at franmason.com

By: Warren Belfield

Warren Belfield — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:42:48 +0000

Kim, these are great. I really like your approach to the British soldier and the Poodle skirt pieces. Fantastic project, I look forward to seeing this progress over the coming months.

Also on Thomas’ advice if I ever get stuck on a concept I’m using an astronaut!

By: Bojana Dimitrovski

Bojana Dimitrovski — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:18:13 +0000

I can relate to this article 100%!

I am a freelance illustrator and most of my work was/is done on a computer. I enjoy the efficiency, but I prefer sitting down with watercolors and brushes :) I’m trying to shift into the book illustration market, and that’s where I’m focusing most of my efforts at the moment.

I think the trouble with being freelance is the uncertainty…one can never be sure how much work is coming in the future. In my case that was the reason I took on most of the work that was offered to me, event though some of it reflected badly on my creativity. I couldn’t break that pattern for years! My (paid) work was my priority for the longest time, but often there wasn’t too much of “me” in it ;)

Recently I’ve tried a different approach- the first thing I do when I get down to work is my personal stuff…while my mind is alert, I sketch up things for my projects (2 illustrated books at the moment…no publishers or agents yet, just my good will). Later on when I feel like I’ve accomplished something for myself that day I go back to the “daily grind”;) Since I started doing things that way I feel much better, and I noticed that this new approach is helping with the quality of my paid work!

Great topic, thanks for giving us a chance to share:)

By: Susan

Susan — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:17:16 +0000

I liked this article also; I think it applies to other arts as well as illustration. It applies to writing too…I find that I am so busy writing my blog and writing to make money I neglect my poetry and journals, which is writing for me.

Check out Julie Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” for a program (if you can stick to it) of making sure you fit in work for yourself.

Kim, I checked out your web site and loved your drawings as well.

By: Thomas James

Thomas James — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:24:49 +0000

Glad to hear about your rejuvenation, Sam. Best of luck with your art in the future. Thanks for participating.

By: Sam Vinhyl

Sam Vinhyl — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:56:45 +0000

Thank you for this topic, I was so glad to read this ! (not alone !)

In fact I figured the same thing some days ago: I’ve been trying to work in a way that potentially could seduce clients during these nine last years compromising my own style by the same way. I’ve done a break with drawing for a while. Then, last week, I took my pencils back in hand. I was amazed to find back the pleasure I used to feel when I was studying art at school. Furthermore, my sketches look quite different from the drawings displayed on my business website.

Like Niko Geyer in message, I think that 2010 will be a new start to work a different way leaving a wide part of time to personnal projects and new ideas. Thank you for the benefits list… I am going to print this in a huge format and put it right above my desk.

Best wishes for 2010 !

By: Thomas James

Thomas James — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 01:39:09 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Melanie. I’ve recently decided to create more art off of the computer (analog) because I spent enough time on the computer as it is. I can definitely relate to your situation, as well as your desire to diversify your talents.