My friend mentioned that my blog seems to have gone a little flat recently. He's always so supportive (yeah, sarcasm), but actually, although it pains me to agree with him, I feel the same. There are a few reasons for that.I think lulls are quite natural. It's just a part of life. You can't always keep up that creative intensity. Also, I'm working a number of different things that aren't all about drawing.
Starting this blog a few years ago helped me discover my love of drawing all over again. And, also gave me a whole bunch of encouragement, and confidence, from all of your visits and comments. I never thought I was good at anything before.
This last year things have moved up a gear. Getting selected for Bologna, signing with an agent, meeting publishers, etc. And, now I've started believing that maybe somehow I can make a career out of illustration. That, however, takes a load of time doing all that businessy stuff. Plus, I work a full time job.
So, I have to concentrate my efforts in other places. I am still drawing, though, amongst all this, and will still be posting, so please, keep visiting my loyal friends.
Of course, I need to squeeze in little sketches, like this, for the sake of my sanity.
(I don't know if you guys are interested in this journey of trying to make a living out of illustration. Some of you may be going through the same thing. I'm quite happy to share this with you, but I don't want to bore you all. You tell me)
60 comments:
Andrea you are so inspiring and creative. You have such an amazing unique style. I wish you well in you endeavours.
I absolutely enjoy each time you get the chance to post & would love to follow the business aspect of your journey as well!
Best of luck to you Andrea
~Kris
I'm doing it without the full time job attached (I only work 12 hours a week) and that's hard enough. It must be crazy doing 30 odd hours a week and then doing all this on top.
Scheduled posting is a godsend I find. If I know I'll have a busy week, I take some time on the weekend to set up a few posts to go up later in the week. Then I can ignore the blog for a few days and get on with other things. I've also got everything automated, so if Iupload a youtbe video it goes everywhere automagically. Nothing worse than having to repeat work when you're already busy!
Hey! Your blog is fine. You do what you can do. No need for apologies. Your drawings are so creative and inspirational. Smack that guy in the back of the head for his comment. He is stupido. We all do what we can. Nothing like the undies blowing in the wind to spark it up. LOL. Be well and tell us what you want. It does help one think better if you write thoughts down.
I heart laundry, it's one of my ahem * obsessions* not that I'm a knicker nicker or anything.
I would love to hear more about your journey..it's fascinating.
(*)
love your sketches
dallas
http://dillydallas.blogspot.com
I agree with Fredsscratchings' comment!
I enjoy your blog!
Quite agreed, Andrea, no need for any apologies re: your blog or postings, etc. But we do like to know how you are doing and what's happening, so any extra information is great! Oh, and please DO tell us all about your businessy stuff--we are rooting for you!!!
I would love to hear more about illustration!
Thanks,
Cheryl
I hear you, for sure. I too am in the process of attempting to get my illustrative career off the ground. Slowly and steadily I'm making headway, but it is often difficult to find time to sit down and draw with everything else going on in life. It's nice to be able to find an hour or two to sit at the table, pencil in hand. Everything comes in time though, particularly if you work at it. I can think of no greater joy than possibly being able to DRAW for a living. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours and I'm sure it will work out for you. You are a terriffic artist and will certainly remain on my artist watch list.
Regards,
Mark
http://slatermark.blogspot.com
I would love to hear about your journey to illustration. I have been told that my paintings look like illustrations for children's books, so I have been thinking....
I do love your drawings.
There's nothing flat about your blog. I love it and have a permanent link to it.
This line of laundry is very much alive and exciting. Love it!
Alex
I always enjoy when you post Andrea - so whenever you have the time is fine by me - keep it coming!!
Your journey to illustration is specially interesting for me, as it is my dream of doing so too. What I would like to know: what is your full time job currently?
DOn't worry , followers will always be here. Especially when your drawing are hilarious like this one !
I love your blog. I love your work. And I would LOVE to hear about your businessy stuff!
Love your blog! Keep it up and I'm excited to see how your artistic journey unfolds!
I always look forward to your drawings. I certainly understand about working and trying to do art. Sometimes the inspiration just isn't there at the end of a long day. Post when you can and we'll still enjoy reading them. Thank you for your postings and I'm sure you will succeed with your new endeavors.
I'm definitely interested! I don't often comment but I do read all your posts and am really hoping it all works out for you. And I always like to see the little sketches!
I love your art and your blog and would be interested in anything you'd like to share in your artistic journey!
Your blog is great and so is your art. I rarely comment, but I always have a look and have enjoyed every single post. Whatever you write will be interesting, I am sure. Again, great work!
Another lurker here...I don't think I've ever left a comment but I read every post. I love your artwork and your blog. I would love to read about whatever you happen to be doing creatively. I even enjoy the mundane life stuff too. So YES YES YES! please keep posting!
No, not boring at all - I really love hearing about you making it as a paid illustrator. It's exciting!
And, I really like this drawing - I like how it fades out to the sides, like the fading of the sun reminding you to bring the washing in.
That's just the way art is. It ebbs and flows with life. Wherever your journey takes you, I'm interested in hearing about it.
I just love the undies blowing in the wind!
Love your drawings. Love your blog. Just do it when you get a chance to and when you feel like it. Hope it all goes well for you professionally.
I too would love to know about the business side of the journey - how you go about turning a passion and a talent into an actual paying career!
Loving your art, as always
Your drawings are terrific and I always enjoy seeing new posts. Add me to the list of those who would like to hear about the business side of illustration.
I'm not an artist by any means (can't draw to save my life) and I only subscribe to three artist's blogs - Suzanne, France and you. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing it with us.
Yes please! Do tell!!!
And congratulations!
Sheeeeesh, folks!
I'm totally blown away by the response to this post. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!
I guess I've been feeling a bit deflated recently. I suppose it's about not having enough time for drawing and all that stuff. I just cannot begin to tell you how finding all these amazing messages of support has made me feel. It gives me the encouragement to keep on going. That's for sure. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
And, you know, I think it's good that you have mates around who tell you what they really think. He is very supportive - in his own way!
Cheers, everybody. I'll start answering your questions when I've come down from Cloud 9. Seriously, thank you.
xxx
There is nothing wrong with a woman who draws purple knickers! Fabulous stuff!
As a more recent visitor to your blog...I would love to hear your journey. Especially, as I have been inspired by your drawings.
I totally "get" this. "Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans."
Your work is fabulous, and you are extremely talented, Andrea! Keep it up, and best of luck to you in your attempts to get your career going.
Andrea, I'd be happy to read your shopping list! If you find time to keep us in the loop that'll be great.I wish you a bucket of luck with the venture.
please add me to the ever growing list of people who love your work, and would love to learn about your struggles and your joys on the path to full time illustration living..heh.
Always look forward to whatever you do!
I check your blog every day. Your account of growing as an artist and growing into a career would be very interesting.
Yes, I read you every day and anything you share would be very interesting.
Are you KIDDING? Of course we want to know! You are awesome and I'm hoping you CAN make a living from illustration, if that's your dream!
I am inspired by your creativity and skill every time I visit your blog. The only thing flat about your blog is the paper you draw on! Tell us all! I work a 40+ hour week in a non-art profession and though I often lack energy when all is done, my blog and the art that feeds it are my spark of life! Live, Andrea, live! Do what you love! We love what you do! And as is evident from these posts, we are here..
Post whenever you can, it's all good! I'd love to hear how you get on with your illustrating career. I've come to it late in life, and although it's tough working the day job, running a family and then finding time to paint & draw, I wouldn't change it. I'm finally reaching the stage where I can start thinking about giving up the day job & concentrating on the art, which is scary but so exciting. So please do share your experiences too!
I found illustration damn hard work. I think publishers can be so fickle at times and I always found the pay to be a little less than satisfactory. Still, if you make it big as an illustrator - the pay off is immense! Look at Quentin Blake for example, or Edward Gorey!!
You're absolutely right about the lulls - and I never try to be apologetic about it myself on my own blog. It is, as you say, a natural process in the creative journey.
Your blog is beaut just the way it is - lull or no.
(Word Verification: sublym)
Very fitting!
I think things are great as they are, but of course there's always room for something new and exciting... like this post!! ^^
I am not sure what it means, but it surely is beautiful!
I think you have an incredible drawing talent. Would defo like to hear more. I have a feed to your blog and always enjoy looking at your work - hope you feel encouraged by all these positive comments! :)
Your art is great, your style is just so inspiringly fresh. Lulls do happen, I'm having a big one! Feeling uninspired for too long now. Keep posting, keep showing us your lovely work, I for one, need the inspiration.
YES! I would love to hear about the 'businessy' stuff.
just keep on drawing, blogging, living your life - i'm enjoying it so much to read and to see, what you are creating :-)
Andrea, I'm a big fan of yours your work inspires me to get my butt in gear. Totally interested in your your illustration journey, since I'm also on it myself.
Good Luck!
Love your drawings, love your posts, amazed at your juggling all those balls. Thanks for all you do for your fans.
-stevmorpix
I have my intermediate drawing students look at your blog and assign a drawing called, Drawing Like Andrea Joseph.
They must observe your wonderful manipulation of the picture plane, your delightful celebration of the ordinary object, and the dexterity of the humble ball point pen.
As evidence from all the positive posts here, your work is probably more important than even you know.
Keep up the great drawing - we all cheer you on.
Great drawing. Great words. And, of course, keep sharing!
Please keep sharing whenever you can. I've forwarded your blog to several people and my kids love it too. I may not comment often but I do check regularly.
I'm repeating myeslf here, but, guys, thank you so very much.
I can't tell you how much this means to me.
Thanks to all those people who have commented for the first time. I'm so touched that you felt inspired to comment.
Cheers, my dears.
I'd also love to hear about your journey to become an illustrator. Love your work--and your new household chores pictures. :)
Andrea, several times in my life I have turned away from the prospect of trying to make a career of illustration, being aware of how tough it is.
You have so much talent, you have the hunger, the ability and the communication ability to pursue a brilliant career in illustration. I am rooting for you!
Yes! I'm another loyal-but-doesn't-comment-often-reader. I love your drawings and am absolutely interested in your journey. I am having the same issues (along with a bout of carpal tunnel syndrome), so I completely understand where you're coming from. You have a lot of people routing for you - go Andrea!
Thanks so much, guys. I can't believe how many of you guys, who don't usually comment, came out in support. Really, I'm very moved by it.
Nonkky, it is a tough tough business, and sometimes just the thought of that can get you running for the hills!
To everyone else who is trying to make a go it, I wish you all well, and would love to hear about your journeys too.
Cheers, my dears.
Love your stuff! I need to draw every day!! Having a tough time motivating!!
Well I have just elected myself president of the Andrea Joseph fan club, South Florida Chapter. Next meeting Thursday.
Where have I been??!!
Gosh, what a beautiful piece, yet again, Andrea. And I hope that the time you spend not working at your full-time job is spent listening to some great Smiths album. I don't know. I miss you.
It's very fuunny!!!!
Andrea,
I'm enthralled by your work & fascinated by you & your journey. You are truly astonishing and I can't begin to describe how strong an inspiration you are on someone, like me, who is just beginning to take my first steps along a fresh creative path. In my own case, I'm actively trying to use my creativity to 'confound' bipolar & depression. I wish I knew why you have 'a heavy soul', though at the same time I don't want to be nosy. What I'm trying ( badly) to say, is that you're a very special person so please keep weaving your magical spells over us, as often as you can, whenever you can, but only when you can. I think you can tell that we, your eager audience, will always want to hear about you, your progress in your career as an illustrator and, above all, to share in the joy of your beautiful, exquiste & extraordinary work.
Bless you 'Heavy Soul'!
Jennifer
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