Who is your daddy and what does he do?

**Azrael** · September 16th, 2005, 09:52 PM

I'm somewhat of a FNG around here. I first learned of this site through GFXartist in like early August and I have to admit I have a problem. That's the first step right? I have been hooked like a junkie. I don't think that a day has gone by that I haven't lurked through the hundreds of insane artists on this exquisite forum. I even find myself jumping on at work between breaks. It's an issue. But it seems to e a good one 'cause ever since I have been sketching like a madman any chance that I get. It has also opened my eyes to the possibility of actually making a life of it. Anyhow, I just realized that I haven't formally intro'd myself. So here's a brief on myself-

My given name :: Joe
My Location :: So Cal
Current Occupation :: Network Engineer/Administrator at the Beverly Hilton (which leaves little time for art, but I'm working on giving up sleep)
Education :: Besides a vocational advertising design class in high school and e few honors art classes, no real formal art training- I fear that it shows in my work.

And that's the gist. So, Hello all you talented peeps!

Oh yeah and how many members of this fine forum are veterans or currently serving in the military be it any country?

I, myself served for four years in the US Air Force, got to see most of the world and had the pleasure of serving with some of the coolest cats in the world while working for NATO.

**IILooney** · September 17th, 2005, 02:16 AM

My daddy is Carlos the Gun Packing Midget and he sells drugs to children.

**Azrael** · September 17th, 2005, 04:18 AM

No shit! Yeah, I know C dawg. Tell him I'll have his cash next week. I gotta shake down my hoes.

**Magic Man** · September 17th, 2005, 08:24 AM

This place is definitely lots of fun.

I myself thought about serving in the army years ago, but when they told me I would not be allowed to draw stuff, I told them "FUCK! YUU!" and promptly left, I bet that senior drill sargeant still remembers ha!

And my daddy is a mild mannered perfume salesman from south london that also happens to be a secret agent at night.

**NoSeRider** · September 17th, 2005, 08:30 AM

I thought this thread was about your daddy?

I've encountered artists who's daddy was a working [paid] artist, which I always envy since I grew up around people who looked at art as a hobby and not a profession.

And if you look at art as a hobby, I want to smother you with a pillow.

Everybody's goal is to be an artist, the problem is most people don't understand what it takes. It's like playing a piano. Most great pianists did only one thing. Basically, they sat in a room isolated from the world and practised practised practised, and probably ridiculed for doing something so trite.....until they made money and recognition at it.

When I was surfing alot, I was surfing alot....so my art kinda took a back seat. Basically, if you do something alot other then what you want to do, what you want to do will suffer.

**IILooney** · September 17th, 2005, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by NoSeRider

And if you look at art as a hobby, I want to smother you with a pillow.

Everybody's goal is to be an artist, the problem is most people don't understand what it takes. It's like playing a piano. Most great pianists did only one thing. Basically, they sat in a room isolated from the world and practised practised practised, and probably ridiculed for doing something so trite.....until they made money and recognition at it.

When I was surfing alot, I was surfing alot....so my art kinda took a back seat. Basically, if you do something alot other then what you want to do, what you want to do will suffer.

No Shit! This place is fun.

And I agree, if you want to do any single thing right, like art or music or surfing, you have to focus on that alone and put all dreams of doing anything else on the burner like crack in the pipe. If art is your priority that's all you should be doing besides eating, shitting, making chump-change at a shitty job to pay for your toilet and food, oh yeah and take a wash for God's sake, and you can say goodbye to sleep.

By the way you don't have to smother anyone with a pillow, I'll get Carlos the Midget to blast the MF for you, just ask Azrael.

**XXXJanitorman** · September 17th, 2005, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by NoSeRider

I thought this thread was about your daddy?

I've encountered artists who's daddy was a working [paid] artist, which I always envy since I grew up around people who looked at art as a hobby and not a profession.

And if you look at art as a hobby, I want to smother you with a pillow.

Everybody's goal is to be an artist, the problem is most people don't understand what it takes. It's like playing a piano. Most great pianists did only one thing. Basically, they sat in a room isolated from the world and practised practised practised, and probably ridiculed for doing something so trite.....until they made money and recognition at it.

When I was surfing alot, I was surfing alot....so my art kinda took a back seat. Basically, if you do something alot other then what you want to do, what you want to do will suffer.

Thats absolutely not true. I refuse to make art a career of mine. Most of my art is an expression of myself, and if it isn't an expression, they're excerises so I can better express my art. Actually, I only show them to one close friend of mine. No one else sees them because they're not a show. Am I an artist? Yes, but for another reason. If you want to make money off your art, thats fine because our culture needs them, but I think that money will corrupt my passion.

**OLSEN** · September 17th, 2005, 12:57 PM

Not sure if what I do in the military can be called "serving", but between 4-6 days a month I waste the taxpayers money on either the firing range or on some exercise preparing for the russian invasion that we all know will never come. I'm not complaining though, it's a great break from the civilian darkness, and sometimes we actually get to do some stuff that relates to the real world, like helping out at floods and blizzards, escorting foreign rich guys or searching for dumb kids that lost themself in the forest.

**Shamagim** · September 17th, 2005, 01:17 PM

Any thing other than to focus on what you want to do....will be uneffective.

Sorry to say this Janitorman...but your statement appears to me as unconfident or unfocused, If you are not willing to take something seriously you are nothing more than a person that makes doodles in its spare time, prettly much the same as a person that goes to play soccer with his buddys from his office after work.

To express yourself makes you human, not an artist, people like to play the piano in their spare time, write short storys, paint model airplanes and make some sketches and doodles......if you dont take the leap, is just for therapeutical fun

The "im scared because money might corrupt my art" excuse is only that, and is a misconception of what money really is......if you are prone to corruption you will be, if you are not, then you CAN try to do your own proyects and stuff..

Sorry if i was rude in any way, i didnt meant anything wierd and this isnt an "angry post"

m just be honest about what you are planning to do....if your arguments are escuses, then you must take a little step in your head and be even more honest

**Undefeated** · September 17th, 2005, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by Shamagim

Any thing other than to focus on what you want to do....will be uneffective.

Sorry to say this Janitorman...but your statement appears to me as unconfident or unfocused, If you are not willing to take something seriously you are nothing more than a person that makes doodles in its spare time, prettly much the same as a person that goes to play soccer with his buddys from his office after work.

To express yourself makes you human, not an artist, people like to play the piano in their spare time, write short storys, paint model airplanes and make some sketches and doodles......if you dont take the leap, is just for therapeutical fun

The "im scared because money might corrupt my art" excuse is only that, and is a misconception of what money really is......if you are prone to corruption you will be, if you are not, then you CAN try to do your own proyects and stuff..

Sorry if i was rude in any way, i didnt meant anything wierd and this isnt an "angry post"

m just be honest about what you are planning to do....if your arguments are escuses, then you must take a little step in your head and be even more honest

Good post, brother. You basically said what I wanted to say in a much more lucid fashion than I would have. I can respect anyone's opinion, but "refusing" to get paid for your passion just doesn't make any sense to me. If I can be in a position where I can make a living doing what I love all day, I don't see how that corrupts what I love doing.

And, uh..welcome, Azrael!

**Nayana** · September 17th, 2005, 01:58 PM

This is my first day here, but after reading your post and others it seems this will become a home away for me as well..

check out my sh... if your at all interested, its deceptively up beat.
Anywhoo..... glad to have dyscovered this little oasis....I suppose I'll intro myself as well.

name: Nayana (yes my given name) is native american, means "she who walks in beauty" and "bearer of beauty" meaning inner not outer...as..to walk in beauty is to walk in the right path in life.

age: currently 24

occupation: worked for Hallmark Imaging labs for a while doing digital graphic editing...truthfully I loved the work, listen to whatever I wanted to, had an office, got to print tuns of sh...but there was no benefits and the hours sucked. So now I do free-lance for them and I'm an employment consultant for people with dysabilities. Money is alright, benefits are amazing, hours are flexible. But I admit I miss doing something in the field.

Education: two years fine arts concentration at community college, two years photography concentration at Mass College of Art......frustrating as hell. Other photo students didn't know the meaning of constructive criticism... prof.s loved me though...but we won't get into that right now.
quit school.

Current application of art: moved to the middle of nowhere yet still driving dystence to Boston and NYC, paint constantly it seems, veraciously working towards some recognition if I can.

hopes for this forum: honestly, some good feedback, meet some other artists who aren't a$$e$....and a couple who are.....and feel like I'm doing something productive wile having a little fun.

Other non artistic interests: music (most kinds), the simpsons (and other similar), friends, good books, good movies, new people, 420

Please feel free to drop me a line any time, say what you want about my work just be honest.

-Nayana-

**Azrael** · September 17th, 2005, 04:48 PM

Welcome to the forum "She walks with Beauty".

Wise word Shamagim! I definetely agree. Look at all of the great artists out there, the ones we hear about in the media and whos names are widely known in their fields. The all have the same level of commitment. It takes true directed passion and dedication to be anything other than ordinary at anything you do.

No shit M? I joined the military in hopes of getting what I needed to advance my art career and so far it has done nothing but slow me down.

Oh yeah, and my pops is the Sausage King of Chicago, you know Abe Froman.

**Magic Man** · September 17th, 2005, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Azrael

Welcome to the forum "She walks with Beauty".

Wise word Shamagim! I definetely agree. Look at all of the great artists out there, the ones we hear about in the media and whos names are widely known in their fields. The all have the same level of commitment. It takes true directed passion and dedication to be anything other than ordinary at anything you do.

No shit M? I joined the military in hopes of getting what I needed to advance my art career and so far it has done nothing but slow me down.

Oh yeah, and my pops is the Sausage King of Chicago, you know Abe Froman.

Yeah, I wanted to serve in the aussie version of the special forces, for an import (I moved here when I was 5 yrs old) I am suprisingly patriotic to my country, I do love australia with all my heart and wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I was doing two degrees - computer science and management and to be honest I didn't want to do anything in that field so i toyed with the idea of being either a special forces guy or serve in the commandos.

I have a buddy serving in the commandos, he underwent a shitload of training and earns like $80g+ pa tax free, and gets pretty much paid to train and play war games (...its not as easy as it sounds). I also toyed with the idea of playing our version of SWAT, but a bud of mine who was in the regular police force told me that since they're not used as often, they're apparently relegated to regular uniformed duty most of the time, which kinda sucks ass.

Due to mostly my poor eyesight and other factors, I guess I figured at best it was a romantic version of the truth.

Never matter, I ended up in a field I am more passionate about than anything else eventually heh, art.

Nayana, welcome mate, this place is great, as long as you keep to the rule of giving without the thought of recieving and you will reap much more than you ever dreamed.

m

**XXXJanitorman** · September 18th, 2005, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by Shamagim

Any thing other than to focus on what you want to do....will be uneffective.

Sorry to say this Janitorman...but your statement appears to me as unconfident or unfocused, If you are not willing to take something seriously you are nothing more than a person that makes doodles in its spare time, prettly much the same as a person that goes to play soccer with his buddys from his office after work.

To express yourself makes you human, not an artist, people like to play the piano in their spare time, write short storys, paint model airplanes and make some sketches and doodles......if you dont take the leap, is just for therapeutical fun

The "im scared because money might corrupt my art" excuse is only that, and is a misconception of what money really is......if you are prone to corruption you will be, if you are not, then you CAN try to do your own proyects and stuff..

Sorry if i was rude in any way, i didnt meant anything wierd and this isnt an "angry post"

m just be honest about what you are planning to do....if your arguments are escuses, then you must take a little step in your head and be even more honest

There is nothing unconfident about my reasons. I know who I am, and I know why I'm this way. My feelings about art pertain only to me, and no one else. I'm not trying to convince anyone that my opinion is right. Its right for me. I really don't appreciate being attacked about my reasons. I'm not out to change anyone, I don't see why you guys are. Apparently you don't see where I'm coming from, so I'll try to explain better.

Every piece of art is created for a reason, and it has a purpose. If you're commisoned to make a piece of art, then the purpose of that piece of art is to be sold. If you make a piece of art to be displayed, then its purpose is to be shown. I make art that is an expression of my emotions, its purpose is
"therapeutic". Its not ment to be sold, or to be shown off. I think that money would only divert my attention from why I make art because if someone is paying me, then I'm making what they want, not what I want. I'd feel like a tool, and not a creative individual.

Like I said, this is my lifestyle. I'm not trying to convince anyone. I'm just defending it so you guys can have a better understanding and maybe be more tolerant.

**Azrael** · September 18th, 2005, 02:16 PM

Yeah, they wanted to give me 70 g's tax free to stay in for another six years. As tempting as that was, I just couldn't sell my soul. Now for 700,000.....nah, still no. I took my time in for everything that I could and I wouldn't have made any other decision. It was great to serve for a cause greater than oneself. It was a humbeling and eye opening experience. Luckily I got the oppertunity to travel through many countries and experience different cultures and philosophies.

Australia is one place that I unfortunately did not get to visit.

I think that the US only has like an army post out in the middle of the desert there. I have always wanted to go to australia and actually planned on moving thre once I graduated. I have met a lot of people here from there and I have heard many great things about the country. I remember talking to a lady from there at the beach here in cali when I was young and impressionable. She told how they would flock over a young american with a graphic design degree. I think she was drunk.

I will at least make it to New Zealand one day. There is just something about a place where you can go surfing in the morning and clime a glacier in the afternoon.

**Rascar Capac** · September 18th, 2005, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Azrael

There is just something about a place where you can go surfing in the morning and clime a glacier in the afternoon.

You can do that in California too...
well maybe not a galcier... but snowboarding for sure

**Azrael** · September 18th, 2005, 07:03 PM

true, but big bear is definetely no glacier. And most of the time it's nothing but slush. or ice.. or both. Not that i don't enjoy it notheless, but still.

**I_LOVE_ART** · September 19th, 2005, 08:37 AM

Hehe...

My daddy is a retired judge and now he is a part time pimp.

**IILooney** · September 23rd, 2005, 03:36 AM

My dad Carlos is currently bootlegging child midget porn at the La Brea exit off the 10 freeway.

**DavePalumbo** · September 23rd, 2005, 01:59 PM

Every piece of art is created for a reason, and it has a purpose. If you're commisoned to make a piece of art, then the purpose of that piece of art is to be sold. If you make a piece of art to be displayed, then its purpose is to be shown. I make art that is an expression of my emotions, its purpose is

ok, so a couple years ago I'd just come out of a reasonably serious relationship and wasn't feeling too good about the situation. Inevitably, this worked itself into my art and I did what I consider by far my most personal painting till then or now. It did not resemble my other work and was 100% an expression of what I was going through at that time. A couple months after I finished it, I sold it at my next show. Therapeutic on both counts if you ask me. Did that make me feel like it was tainted in some way? no. Do I wish I still had it? not really. Beyond this, I've never been told by my gallery what to paint. I don't try to figure out what people will want. I just paint what I want to do and if people dig it, then I get paid. This isn't the case with illustration obviously, but that doesn't mean that for any art to be pure it has to be secret. My own opinion on the matter.