2012 just might be the year of "No, thank you." Not just simple rejections and declines, but rather wisely knowing when to turn a project down. Life is kind of like a game of Mario Land. Sometimes you have to skip a few coins in order to grab that elusive glowing star of success. Sure, you might get hit by a turtle or two and shrink down in size, but when you catch up to that star, there's no stopping you.

I mentioned a few entires back that I'm working towards converting myself into a kick-ass professional, so imagine how good I felt after discovering this lovely site: Graphic Artist Guild

I have some reservations about signing up because there's fees and dues (too rich for my blood), but their resources are just what the doctor ordered. The section on contracts happens to be a God-send because the Art Institute of Philadelphia didn't teach me this shit. For now on, I think I'll use contracts when doing business---at least reserve it for large, company based clients or whenever my Spider-sense tingles. 

It's tough times for everybody, but artists tend to get kicked in the nuts the hardest. If you're not careful, there's massive potential to get screwed over, so you definitely want to protect yourself. Use the law and bullshit-proof an agreement. I'm considering contracts to be the artist equivalent of a condom. If the potential client frowns at the very mention of a contract, you shouldn't do any business with them.

The Guild published a book about pricing and ethical guidelines for the freelancer. It goes into deeper details about contracts. Surely it's an item with sage advice and collected wisdom, but I can't afford to purchase it right now. However, it's on my Amazon Wish-list, for those who feel like blessing a bloke.

In fact, a wonderful idea just popped in head:

Yours truly will provide an original sketch to any lad or lass that gets me this book. You have your choice of character pin-up on a 11 X 17 art board. I'm willing to throw in an extra character, depending on subject. We'll negotiate the details. Just for kicks, this offer is also open to any item on the list that is over $20. Of course, I'd have to throw in more things if someone hooked me up with a Kindle Touch. In the interest of not making me your indentured art slave, we'll keep this between the $20 to $45 item range. 

If you want to do me a solid by recommending it, you have my thanks, Xangans. 

Cheers. 

Currently Listening to: Come Rain Or Come Shine By Bobby Caldwell Track: Beyond The Sea see related

Lately, Marvel's been kicking out some good animated films. Of course, they can't hold a candle to the DC Universe when it comes to cartoons, but the house of ideas will occasionally surprise you. It certainly helps to hire the same character designer from the DC animations. I'm a huge fan of Phil Bourassa (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths and Young Justice).

Anyhoo, Tales of Asgard takes place during Thor's formative years. He's a teen who is not yet worthy of wielding Mjolnir. Hell, he's not even allowed to leave the walls of the kingdom, thanks to over-protective Odin. Basically, the Prince of Asgard needs to stay put.... or else. Of course, we all know what happens when you forbid a teenager from doing something they really want to do. The only difference is that the consequences are far more fatal than getting grounded.

Surprisingly, it's a good coming of age story. The characters are what you'd expect from the Thor mythos---and who doesn't love the Warrior's Three? Those guys are f'n amazing.

The animation isn't the greatest, but it get's the Kenny Seal of Approval. Admittedly, the idea of seeing Thor without the hammer was frowned upon, but this proved to be an entertaining animation. Hell, I'd even say that its a good companion to the live action movie.

7 out of 10 for me.

Currently Listening to: Supermodified Track: Marine Machines see related

Freelance art is a very tough line of work. All the things my Art Institute instructors warned us about came true and it's a little worse than what those bastards predicted. To be quite frank, they didn't do a good job of preparing their students for this shit, but that's another story for another time. Other than the fact that I'm my own boss, there's no real benefits to brag about. You live from one project to the next. You're working on something, but there's the feverish hustling for another project and that's supposed to be the norm. Of course, nothing is guaranteed. You might have a client back for whatever reason. Sometimes you don't have anything except your personal projects or a side gig that has nothing to do with your craft. Thank God for those personal projects because it's probably the only thing that's keeping me sane right now. Well, that and Netflix. I'm grateful for my creativity, but sometimes I wish that a paying client would show up. I'm no longer caught up in the hype of New Years Resolutions, but I'm working towards a more professional Kenny for 2012. A professional Kenny means he'll actually have some money.

The bottom line is: No more pro bono art. That's it. No more, absolutely under no circumstances.

Unless...

a. it fits into my plans. I'll more than willing to collaborate on a comic or anything that'll raise my stock.
b. I f'n love you. There's only a handful of people this applies to. It's basically a personal gift from me to a dear friend.
c. it's for charity or a good cause. Example: There's Women of Wonder Day, a charity that auctions off original art of their name sake in an effort to fight against domestic violence (they take submissions from dudes, á la Adam Hughes). Another example would be Comic Creators for Freedom, an organization spreading awareness of Human Trafficking.

Last year, or maybe it was late in 2010, I worked as a concept artist for an independent film. I went in knowing that I wasn't going to get any money unless the film acquired the proper funding. "Category A" was in effect, meaning that I was getting some much needed exposure. Sometimes exposure can lead to paying gigs, so I was game. The downside to that arrangement: I was supposed to receive a bloody contract containing the deal. A non-disclosure agreement was another document that was never mailed to me, so that made me uncomfortable. Verbal agreements don't go as far as print. The initial arrangement would have worked like a charm if my employers would have provided all the essentials.

Categories B and C are pretty simple. No need to explain those.

I fixate on Category A because I'm planning to be knee-deep in the movie and television business, so things like contracts and other documents are extremely important. It's a rotten business sometimes and, unfortunately, the thought of getting screwed over lingers in my head. Having someone's word isn't going to help me sleep at night. From now on, I need all of that sweet, flowery goodness on paper.

I'm no longer in the business of taking request because it doesn't go past a "thank you." I know that sounds a bit harsh, but at the same time, I'm the one investing time, skill, and (believe it or not) energy into the art. The main thing is time. I happen to draw realistically, which means the process takes longer than the average doodle. The other day, my hand was hurting like a punched a wall. Turns out, I was working a comic for a crazy amount of hours and this went on for days. I ended up getting a slight case of carpal and had to be sidelined from my desk. The overall gist is that art is work---hard work that takes time out of my life. Much like anyone that works hard, I want to get paid for it.

Here's to 2012.

The year of the professional.

Currently Tron: Legacy By Daft Punk see related