I feel strange; it’s a feeling that comes and goes, but feels particularly strong as I’m typing this up. What is this…? Feels… productive! That’s it; I’m feeling productive!
It has indeed been a productive time since last week’s blog post; I managed to catch up with the Showcase schedule and am currently holding strong, Magic Beans is still popping in every week without a hitch, and I’ve even found the time to doodle some other art on the side while I’m at it. I’d say I’m very much on a roll, or at least a panini.
I credit this to a combination of satisfaction in my artwork, the entire discography of Disturbed on Spotify, and the occasional bout of load shedding; while having the power off for hours at a time is doing a number on the food in my fridge, it does allow for a few brief breaks during the day job for some personal work on my laptop. Plus, since this has been the last week at work (closed for holidays at last, woo!), the number of jobs coming through the pipeline have been sporadic, meaning there were far fewer potential complaints if I hopped back onto my own stuff here and there to kill time.
Satisfaction in my artwork is something I always strive for, because if I’m not satisfied with the end result, how can I expect anyone else to be? Naturally, it should always be a standard, though I have to say the past few pieces I’ve done have been of particular pride to me. I’ve been having a blast with the Showcase; I’m attempting setpieces and angles that I’ve never tried before, experimenting with new brushes and techniques, and I think the work is all the better for it. Fingers crossed I can maintain the climb in quality for the days to come; there’s still a long way to go. I do want to call attention to another moment of satisfaction that was completely separate, one that put a smile on the face of both myself and another.
If you follow me on Twitter, you’ll know that I mostly just use it to post my links and vent about Mondays, but I do post the occasional bit of art there when I’m feeling inspired; this past week, I was inspired by another creator on the platform, one who posts pictures of his prestigious action figure collection. He was posting some custom figures that he had cobbled together from spare parts to create original characters, and I loved them so much that I had to draw them myself; it was a hell of a way to pass six hours of nothing happening at work, but I got the piece done before closing time and posted it. To say that the original creator of the characters was pleased is an understatement; I could tell that I had made his day, and that in turn made my day too. Incidentally, if you’re not on Twitter, or just missed it, here’s the post of the artwork and the reference: https://twitter.com/fifthacecomics/status/1605178457763315712
This is just one of the reasons I like making art; sure it’s a creative outlet, yes it’s about realising ideas, but best of all is that feeling when someone likes it, and tells you as much, and you appreciate them for saying so. It’s validation and appreciation on both sides of the equation, and when everyone involved is happy with the outcome, where is the downside to anything?
And on one final note of happiness, here’s wishing all of you and yours a very Happy Holidays, and whether you’re celebrating this season or not, be safe out there; I’ll keep the art coming all the way up to the New Year, and beyond.
Ciao for now.