Getting My head back into it.

Hello my friends! What a busy week it has been. The most challenging part is trying to make up for lost time on my art without compromising the quality level I want to produce. Above is the cover for the "Mental Scars" graphic novel I have been promising to show you for a while now., and I am finishing another page up for the Novel this morning as well.

Then I am going to take a couple of days to do a new clown painting for the Darc Karnivale book. This one is going to be a blast and I can hardly wait to tear into it! I'll be showing you sketches in the next blog.

Well, since the last blog, I sure have gotten a lot more healthier, thank goodness! I am going to the Doc Wednesday for a check up and I get the feeling everything will come out fine. I've really been on a health kick of late. I quit smoking almost 4 months ago. I quit drinking a couple of weeks ago. I'm eating salads and drinking more juices, as well as nice tea's. I'm even getting Cheryl to do some of it. I've even got her thinking more like an "artist" when it comes to money and I can see her being more happy and less stressful. It is a different way of life, but if you embrace it, you will diffidently be more happy. We also have some things in the works that will make a big difference in our lives as well very soon.

I had to read back through a couple of blogs to figure out where we left off in our talking about being an Illustrator before I got sick. Now, so far, none of you have asked me any questions so I am guessing you understand everything I have been talking about so far, which is what to put up on a site you want your client to see, writing a letter to potential clients, and how to start looking for work. I also gave you the link to the Andrew Loomis book considered the Illustrators Bible. I trust that you are reading and practicing the things you are learning from the book. If not, your just wasting your time. Anything in this life worth having takes a lot of work to get. If you think not, then your in for a very rude awakening. Work at what you love hard, and everyday.

Although there are plenty of more things to talk about in the things we've already discussed, and we will come back to these things as we go, lets start talking about promoting yourself. Promoting yourself can be either one of the best things you ever do, or one of the worse. Depending on your grasp of things. Personally I spend 2 hours a day on Promoting. Now when I say Promoting, this covers everything from working on the website, sending out letters, branding the name Wicked Kitty Studio, networking with people on Face Book, writing a blog, doing interviews, radio and film. An I do this 7 days a week. To me, it is not a job anymore, it is my way of life. An Cheryl does her part as well. She spends a lot of time branding and spreading my name around.

The key here is not wasting your time on things that will do you know good. For Instance, My Space is a waste of time. Your not going to "Network" with anyone that will really help your career or visa versa. It is a place that everyone goes to tell each other how wonderful they are, or talk about other people. Politics and personal agendas. With Face book, you are friending and targeting the exact people you want and need to. For instance, I friend some artist that I have known through the years. Maybe 5%. But artist are not going to give me work or spend money on my art. They're worried about feeding their own bellies. lol So, 35% of the people I target are publishers, movie people and people that work in the media business. People that can help my career along, and the saying is true, "It is who you know" never doubt that.

The great thing here is that I don't have time to "go out" with friends, and it's very rare that I meet anyone that is "into" the same things as I am that is local to me. When I do go out, it's with Cheryl and sometimes the kids. So one Face Book, the very people I am networking with, also turn out to be good friends, simply because of the we do the same things. So It turns into business an pleasure. So, that is one of the big reasons I love Face Book so much.

The other 60% of my friends on Face Book are friend/fans. This gives me a chance to talk and deal directly with the people that like my art, want to buy my art, ect. It's almost like being at a convention and meeting people face to face, except much cheaper on the artist. But the one on one feedback is priceless.

The downside of Face Book is the people that want to IM you and you don't know them. You never know if there wanting to talk business or junk. 95% of the time, it's junk, and I just don't have time for that. I keep the IM just for my family, close personal friends, and business. If you want to talk to me, please just send me an e-mail and I promise, I will write you back within 24 hours.

If any one out there has figured out how to hide that your online when your on Face Book, I would really appreciate you telling me how to do it.

Moving on. It is important to keep your Blog and website up to date, and find ways to make your blog interesting. I mean, when I go read someones blog, and yes I do read several, the last thing I want to read is how great the person is. I do want to hear the good news and the good things, as well as the bad. I want to read what it is like realistically to be in that persons shoes, and Its great to pick up tips and tricks, or funny experiences. As well as with your website. I make it a point to update it at least 3 times a month. I still have features that I haven't put on there yet, such as podcast. I can also film myself talking and show you examples of what I am doing while I am doing it. So over the next several months I am really going to be changing the way I do things to make the blog and website more interesting.

Another biggy is if your shy, take some drama classes and get past that. You have to learn to put yourself out there, get up in front of people, talk and be relaxed the whole time your doing it. I remember when I was growing up, I was taught, "You never know unless you ask" and that is very true. I can't even begin to tell you the times that I got something just simply because I had the courage to ask. Don't be afraid to contact blog radio stations, or your local ones, tell them who you are and what you do. You might be surprised at the positive response you will get.

Next time around, we'll cover what to put into your portfolio that will get you work. Time for work my friends. Tell your friends about what where doing here. I would love for you all to share your experiences as well. Much love all.... Peace and Blessings.