Answers for Art Students

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After having another incredible time giving my presentation of "Where Do Great Ideas Come From?" to students at West Los Angeles College, I received the following inquiry from one of the attendees.

Hi Darrell, hope your day is going good. I have an assignment for another class where I have to interview someone in a field of work similar to my career goals, and I was wondering if you could answer a few of these questions for me so I can write my paper. If you're too busy I understand, just let me know so I can find someone else. Would need the answers before Monday night. Look forward to hearing back from you, thanks!

How did you get into this field?
What is your day like?
What are the pros and cons of working in this industry right now?
What is your stress level at your job?
What do you suggest I do right now to get on the right track to enter your industry?

Thanks A lot,
Amber

In order to keep my response honest, personal and to the point, I jotted my answers down quickly on a paper plate while enjoying a slice of pizza with my friend, Ed.  Ed is my very close friend and co-hosts Funniest Thing with Darrell and Ed with me on Unity Online Radio.  So he's adept at keeping me honest and to the point.  Following are my answers to Amber's questions.

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How did you get in this field?

I’ve always been in this field.  It's what I love and constantly feel compelled to do.  Ever since I was very young I've enjoyed making things to share with others that would surprise them and make them happy.  Your question made me think back as far as my memory can reach for a defining moment, and it came to me.  When I was about 4 years old I had a Batman Colorforms set.  The characters, Batman, Joker, Robin, Riddler, etc... came in solid colors red, blue, green, yellow with black ink printed on them, being creative, this bothered me.  Being solid colors seemed so unrealistic and cheap.  So in an effort to improve them I cut the legs off the solid red Batman to use with the blue costumed body of the blue Batman.  My plan was to cut all the characters up carefully so I could put them together in multiple colors and unlimited positions.  Well, my parents caught me and thought I was destroying my new toy.  I tried to explain, but my dad didn't get it and I got punished.  Although I was distraught over being so misunderstood today I can see it as definitive proof that I was born a creative.  Much like how you've described yourself.

What is your day like?

I start by feeding my dogs, making myself a cup of coffee and then sitting alone to read the daily messages out of a few inspirational books I enjoy.  This is like a creative reset button for me.  By taking this time, these 7 to 30 minutes to be kind to myself, I have a much better chance at picking up on the creative hunches that pop up as the day goes on.  From this point my day alternates between doing the next right thing, i.e. make bed, take shower, walk dogs, and acting on a creative hunches  that pop into my head regardless of how crazy they may seem.  I try my best to EAT WHEN HUNGRY.  This even means when I'm on a roll!  Especially, when I'm on a roll.  Because when I don't eat when I’m hungry, I begin to second guess intuitive leads and start over-thinking my work.  Soon I am making mistakes and frustrated.  So EAT WHEN HUNGRY.  Also don’t disregard the everyday daily chores that can be consider a nuisance.  These ordinary activities create a forced break and I always appreciate how they open my mind to even GREATER ideas than I had at the drawing board.  Learn to appreciate the interruptions, they give birth to some of the most fantastic creations.

What are the pros and cons of working in this industry right now?

Being able to create things that make other people happy is a gift that has made every area of my life fun, exciting, and prosperous.  Even jobs that may seem as a mere bread and butter job at first are transformed to big breaks for creative artists.  Like the example I gave in class about my time on the Coast Guard ship in the Bering Sea leading to my becoming the ship’s artist/cartoonist and the New York City doorman job that transformed into my becoming a Special Effects Stunt Supervisor on the major motion picture Con Air.  The only drawback about being a creative person is tendency to be sensitive to the judgment of non-creatives that can sway me from trusting my creative intuition.  There is also the problem of the fear that I should follow the herd, the status quo, and play it safe.  If there is one thing I am sure of, it's that playing it safe is dangerous.  It only leads to frustration, doubt, insecurity, depression and regret.  Surround yourself with other creative artists you will need each others confidence and reassurance to stay the course.

What is your stress level at your job?

I am 100% responsible for my stress level.  If it’s high it’s due to; 1) not trusting that intuition will provide the perfect idea at the right time, 2) my inability to accept an intuitive idea as being the perfect idea for the project, because it came to easy and 3) creating pressure by constantly reminding myself that I have only a limited amount of time to get the job done.  All these thoughts are bullshit.  The only way to reduce my stress is by realizing that these thoughts are nothing more than irrational fear.  And this irrational fear always comes disguised as insecurity about my ability.  From this recognition I can begin to develop confidence, which means 'moving forward with faith.'  One way I do this is by reminding myself of the fact that all creative artists suffer from these erroneous thoughts.  The truth is that our competence always exceeds our confidence.  This lifts me to the point where I can begin to take the next small step (right action), even if it’s just clearing my desk to begin, or something totally unrelated that needs to be done, like the dishes.  Soon my stress level decreases and as my enthusiasm grows, great ideas begin to flow.

What do you suggest I do right now to get on the right track to enter your industry?

Don’t believe it has to be difficult.  It doesn’t have to be.  Try not to fall for any, ‘get there quick scheme’ because most of those ‘Make It There Fast in the Art World’ books are B.S.  The quickest way to enjoy a prosperous life doing what you love to do is by simply continuing to do what you love to do.  Keep doing what you are inspired to do when you are inspired to do.  Any and every job, (this includes lousy jobs that appear to have nothing to do with your goal), will always lead to something incredible if you continue to create and share your talent.  Doing this is powerful.  You will soon discover that the good you seek has been seeking you.

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