Big Artist Vent!

Hey creative people!

I don't know if any of you have been reading the following articles such as
www.cartoonbrew.com/business/b…
or this
www.cartoonbrew.com/business/b…
or follow pro artists who give the best advice for us start ups
www.facebook.com/stephensilver

Before I vent let me give you a little background about me. I LOVE traditional animation. I love drawing. I didn't go to art school for 3 year to learn how to use a computer program. I learned how to do animation the traditional way by drawing with arm, pencil, and, paper. I was very, VERY aware that 2D animation is not in high demand and I didn't care. I wanted to learn the art form I loved seeing as a child.

I not going to lie and say that working at Walt Disney Animation wasn't the biggest dream of mine but seeing everything that going on at the big studios, is it worth it? I will never say that I will never work for a big studio. I know not to burn bridges and to always keep an open mind. But I got to say that these big studios are looking less and less attractive to me.

The past year I've worked on my first television pitch that is still in the works but I got to say it has been one of the biggest confident boosters I have ever had. It has inspired me to work more and more as an independent artist and to create my own material. 2D animation is still my first love but quick little animations for a demo reel isn't going to get me a job that at the moment looks like is being down-sized and out-sourced. Animation or not I love drawing characters and I love telling stories.

I have yet to be the pro who has worked at a major studio but still have been a professional freelance artist for six years now. My advice to people looking to get into art, if you're very serious about it as I am, value what you create and don't be afraid to create you own material. You are worth it! I have learn this through my experience and listen to Stephen Silver (if you are reading this thank you!). Bigger wake up call is that you won't be making money when you start out as new artist (unless you're incredibly lucky). I'm not, I just cover bills and living expenses, that's it. Am I happy with that? YES! Why?Because part of me week I get to do what I love to do and that's create. Any regrets? NOPE!

I guess my message here is this. I will not be taken advantage of whether I become a well known artist or not. And to the big studios out there, again I will never say I will never work for you, but you got to start looking more attractive for us artist to want to work for you. You never know who the next Disney, Lasseter, or Miyazaki will be. We might just go and do our own next biggest creative thing without you.

I will still be freelancing, creating my own work, and animating with pencil and paper.

Best wishes to everyone!
Olivia K. DeGaine