8 Comments

Having a thick skin is a necessity for any artist. God knows I wouldn't have lasted 20+ years in the ad biz if I crumpled every time some creative director blew a hissy fit. Excellent advice here also on knowing who to target for promoting one's work.

Expand full comment

"...more importantly, I never figured out why the hero just couldn't go through the door like everyone else".

Don't ask me why, but I laugh at this for a solid minute.

Which is a bit too much, I recon.

Maybe it's because I thought about Seinfeld, because it surelly reminds the type of discussion George, Elaine and Kramer had at the show.

Expand full comment

The most formative idea for me as an artist came from Chuck Jones: An artist's greatest tool is their mind, and the only way to improve your mind is educate yourself and find new ideas.

Expand full comment

I have run into peers (at the amateur level) who seem to think that tough notes or outright, even hostile criticism don't exist for pros and I'm like, "oh buddy, now is your low-stakes opportunity to toughen up, because it's only going to get worse if you break through."

Todd McFarlane probably has 1,000 people telling him he sucks on Twitter every day, it's just the way it goes.

Expand full comment

Full agreement, I hear some of these people telling me how cruel so-and-so was, and I just kind of blink and go, hunh. Man, if you're feeling this now, how the hell are you going to take it when you REALLY get some attention?

Expand full comment

You can either lay carpet all over the world, or you can put on some shoes!

Expand full comment

Love this!

Expand full comment

It's not mine, but I can't remember where I heard it so I think it's safe to steal 😂

Expand full comment