Am I getting to old to do this?

[Pencil Lad]

Hey guys and gals,

It's been a while since I've posted anything in the forum, but lately I've just been really frustrated about how to go about doing the Illustration thing as a living. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but I feel like I am either naive or ignorant about what it takes to make it happen. What schools do I need to attend; if school is even a factor at this point, and how do I get my foot in the door with the right people in the industry? Am I being to vague in what I want? I just don’t know if I’m sure what I want anymore. My wife has been getting on my case about doing something about it, she really just wants me to find a job where I am happy and she feels it starts with finding a good school. By the way it’s great having a wife that cares about what I want. Any way, I guess the ideal job for me involves using my skills and talents. Everywhere I’ve worked I feel like I am being irresponsible, like I am not investing my abilities properly. It just feels like I am not being a good steward with what I have to offer. I’ve been considering my age (30) and lifestyle (family man w/ a 2 yr old) as factors to consider. I just don’t know if I’ve waited too long to make things happen. None of the schools mentioned in here are anywhere nearby and the ones online are madly expensive. Should I even consider school anymore or just try to sell myself with what I already have. I would love to find something that involves conceptualizing (I think I have a knack for that), and 3D animation seems very appealing. I feel drawn to those two fields. I’ve done some conceptualizing for people that I’ve met through these forums and I even hammered out a children’s book (small press), but it’s nothing to quite my day job over. If anyone has any advice I will gladly take it. Again I’m sure I’m not the only one that feels the way I do. If anything it just felt good to vent. :rendered:

Till next time,
Manuel

www.pencillad.com

[Storyboard Dave]

G'Lord... you sound almost like this other thread that was here not that long ago! http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=55086

I guess for starters I need to tell you that you are NOT too old- not by a LONG shot! I just recently had a graduate of mine that was well over 30, a father of two great kids, just start out in Hollywood doing conceptual work. He's doing amazingly well now and is uber driven. You're never too young to pursue your happiness.

Without seeing your portfolio, I have no idea how much more work you need to build it up to a professional, workable and marketable. It might be fine now and you just haven't pushed it out there OR you could use a bit more schooling to polish it up.

The average age of students at where I teach (CCS) is 23 so don't even consider yourself over the hill. Many students now aren't that different from you- having to work AND go to school. You have the benefit of a supportive wife and she's dead-on right that you should pursue a career (and not just a job) that you enjoy. Life's too short to get bogged into a 9 to 5 job you can't stand.

Also realize that with the ever changing technology, MANY people much older than you are coming back to school to polish up on their skills. You still seem to have some gas left in the tank so why not make it a fun ride.

[Storyboard Dave]

Whoops! I just saw the link at the bottom of your window and clicked through to the link to your website. You're MORE than qualified to work in this field. I guess my question to you is how much have you pimped your stuff out there to the companies? Have you sent out leads and contacted people in the business? And if so, how? Because it looks as though you have the ability and then some.

[Pencil Lad]

Whoa, you are too kind. Thats just it though, I'm not exactly a people person and have a tough time reading them, especially when I am approaching them on my behalf. When it concerns others and I am the spectator I can read how two people are relating to each other. When I'm in the equatian, I get all wierd like meeting a girl for the first time or something (its a wonder I'm even married):bashful: I guess I'm scared of appearing desperate, pushy or come off apearing like a nag. So I have a hard time selling myself. I guess even though I try to come off looking like I have thick skin, I guess rejection bothers the hell out of me, especially when it comes to my work. I'm pretty sure now that my problem is just attitude and confidence.

What strategies do you propose as far as contacting people and how do I find them? It seems everyone wants professional experience and all I have is my protfolio and a few small press items under the belt.

Thanx a bunch,
Manuel

[Storyboard Dave]

Whoa, you are too kind. Thats just it though, I'm not exactly a people person and have a tough time reading them, especially when I am approaching them on my behalf. When it concerns others and I am the spectator I can read how two people are relating to each other. When I'm in the equatian, I get all wierd like meeting a girl for the first time or something (its a wonder I'm even married):bashful: I guess I'm scared of appearing desperate, pushy or come off apearing like a nag. So I have a hard time selling myself. I guess even though I try to come off looking like I have thick skin, I guess rejection bothers the hell out of me, especially when it comes to my work. I'm pretty sure now that my problem is just attitude and confidence.

What strategies do you propose as far as contacting people and how do I find them? It seems everyone wants professional experience and all I have is my protfolio and a few small press items under the belt.

Thanx a bunch,
Manuel


Okay for starters, it might be time for you to take something akin to a Dale Carnegie course to boost your own sense of self confidence. You realize that that's an issue with you. Obviously your drawing skills aren't so take the best course of action to rectify in you what you already know is lacking. It's like if you know you're weak in painting so you take a handful of painting classes until you get over this weakness.

Another thought is to distance yourself from your work. Don't try to SELL your work to anyone. Be much more casual about it- talk about it. The work is strong enough and will sell itself. Remember who you're talking to- these people KNOW artwork already! You're not trying to convert anyone at all. Just talk about it from an emotional distance; describe it- nothing more, nothing less.

Now as far as contacting people, do the research and think of who you'd like to work for. Where do you see your artwork working? Is there a particular company that you think your artwork can fit within?? Do the reseach and then gear a portfolio specifically for them. Edit and choose your pieces carefully. Show them that you have a talent that can fit within their company and quite bluntly, make them a heckuva lot of cash. Let them know that your skills can benefit them- but without selling it again! Present yourself simply but it's going to be a lot easier if you do the leg work on finding out WHO you're interviewing with.

Don't worry about the experience level yet. Get your foot in the door and then go from there. The best experience you'll get is when you're on the inside and you'll learn like you've never done before!

Good luck!

[Pencil Lad]

I'd like to thank you Dave, for the advice. I'm gonna apply what you shared with me in my search for work. If anyone else has advice on the matter please feel free to reply or send a p.m. I humbly accept anyone else's wisdom. Thanx again Dave, you've been a real motivational booster.

Here's to every one's success :vodka1: ,

Manuel

:yayca:

[Storyboard Dave]

I'd like to thank you Dave, for the advice. I'm gonna apply what you shared with me in my search for work. If anyone else has advice on the matter please feel free to reply or send a p.m. I humbly accept anyone else's wisdom. Thanx again Dave, you've been a real motivational booster.

Here's to every one's success :vodka1: ,

Manuel

:yayca:

Glad I could help somewhat. Ultimately you're going to be the one that's going to take responsibility for it. and you should be the one to reap the rewards at that point. You've got the talent but then there are thousands out there with talent as well. What's going to separate you from the rest of the apck is your willingness to work, your eagerness & desire, your ability to work within a team and eventually your talent.

So many people think talent is the key to getting work and it isn't. It's just the backbone to support the other things like your communication skills, your desire and drive. Ambition + motivation + action + perseverance = success (and success is measured in different ways as well).

Good luck & let me know how you do with everything.