Posted 1 day ago With 140,050 notes

140,050 notes

Posted 2 days ago With 8,071 notes

8,071 notes

natashakline:

For all the artists out there. xoxo

Posted 3 weeks ago With 97,949 notes

97,949 notes
etteette:

artdirections:

5 Ways to be a Happier CreativeWe all know the tortured artist schtick. To be honest, I can be a downer sometimes myself, but I think it would be terrible for us to all perpetuate the idea that being creative and miserable are mutually exclusive.So here’s to being creative and actually enjoying it:1. Refuse to See Your Entire Life Either as a Success or a FailureThe idea here is to never buy into the lie that your life is either successful or failing in terms of your creative output. Think of the most successful creative person you can, if you look closely you can see a series of successes and failures. The best way for me to look at the creative life is as a series of projects which can be successful in some ways and fail in other ways. For instance, some projects are really successful in the development of your skill but not financially advantageous. Also, don’t believe that there is some level of success where you have now “arrived” or attained a level of success which can never been denied to you, like being hailed a “creative genius” with endless financial gain, forever. I could tell you many examples of artists and musicians who seem like they have “arrived”  with one project and then completely fail the next. 2. Make Something EverydayWill Bryant says something like, “I make stuff because if I don’t I get sad”. A silly and profound statement. Last year I did a daily drawing project where I created a new character every weekday. I found this statement to ring very true.This practice gave me a sense of creative productivity every single day, which is a serious morale booster. Even if you don’t show anyone, it can help you feel prolific and unlimited in your creative abilities, which in turn increases your confidence.3. Be AuthenticThis is huge. Many people have done amazing things in creativity and have received many rewards, successes and prizes for them. So there is a lot of incentive for YOU to be THEM. But the trick is knowing the truth: you CAN’T be them. Trying to be something you are not will make you feel like an old sock. You already know this, but I thought I’d remind you.4. Know Your PurposeShooting aimlessly into the dark can feel like…shooting aimlessly into the dark. Your purpose doesn’t have to be mind meltingly important. I like the humble yet ambitious purpose the great Debbie Millman has taken upon herself to “try to make the supermarket more beautiful”. Try to clarify what you want to achieve overall so that everything you do has a sense of purpose. Purpose equals meaning, and to most creatives I know, a sense of meaning is why they want to make art and why they DO NOT want to work in a factory.5. Address and Defeat Your FearsThat dreadful fear is a bully that is killing your soul and it should be stood up to. Listen to it, don’t ignore it. Hear what it’s actually saying and then dismantle it. Talk to someone about it openly, if the fear is tied to reality, then face it and take it down with integrity. If it’s all lies, all smoke and mirrors then let it disappear in the cloud of smoke that it is. If you are doing super boring unadventurous work, you won’t have any fears at all…but who wants to do that?Hope this makes you a bit happier today. - Andy J. MillerP.S. To tackle the piling up questions here on this tumblr I have started taking on 1 hour video creative coaching, for more info click here.

Thank you Andy ! I needed these reminders today. 

etteette:

artdirections:

5 Ways to be a Happier Creative

We all know the tortured artist schtick. To be honest, I can be a downer sometimes myself, but I think it would be terrible for us to all perpetuate the idea that being creative and miserable are mutually exclusive.

So here’s to being creative and actually enjoying it:

1. Refuse to See Your Entire Life Either as a Success or a Failure
The idea here is to never buy into the lie that your life is either successful or failing in terms of your creative output. Think of the most successful creative person you can, if you look closely you can see a series of successes and failures.

The best way for me to look at the creative life is as a series of projects which can be successful in some ways and fail in other ways. For instance, some projects are really successful in the development of your skill but not financially advantageous.

Also, don’t believe that there is some level of success where you have now “arrived” or attained a level of success which can never been denied to you, like being hailed a “creative genius” with endless financial gain, forever. I could tell you many examples of artists and musicians who seem like they have “arrived”  with one project and then completely fail the next.

2. Make Something Everyday
Will Bryant says something like, “I make stuff because if I don’t I get sad”. A silly and profound statement. Last year I did a daily drawing project where I created a new character every weekday. I found this statement to ring very true.

This practice gave me a sense of creative productivity every single day, which is a serious morale booster. Even if you don’t show anyone, it can help you feel prolific and unlimited in your creative abilities, which in turn increases your confidence.

3. Be Authentic
This is huge. Many people have done amazing things in creativity and have received many rewards, successes and prizes for them. So there is a lot of incentive for YOU to be THEM. But the trick is knowing the truth: you CAN’T be them. Trying to be something you are not will make you feel like an old sock. You already know this, but I thought I’d remind you.

4. Know Your Purpose
Shooting aimlessly into the dark can feel like…shooting aimlessly into the dark. Your purpose doesn’t have to be mind meltingly important. I like the humble yet ambitious purpose the great Debbie Millman has taken upon herself to “try to make the supermarket more beautiful”.

Try to clarify what you want to achieve overall so that everything you do has a sense of purpose. Purpose equals meaning, and to most creatives I know, a sense of meaning is why they want to make art and why they DO NOT want to work in a factory.

5. Address and Defeat Your Fears
That dreadful fear is a bully that is killing your soul and it should be stood up to. Listen to it, don’t ignore it. Hear what it’s actually saying and then dismantle it. Talk to someone about it openly, if the fear is tied to reality, then face it and take it down with integrity. If it’s all lies, all smoke and mirrors then let it disappear in the cloud of smoke that it is. If you are doing super boring unadventurous work, you won’t have any fears at all…but who wants to do that?

Hope this makes you a bit happier today.

- Andy J. Miller

P.S. To tackle the piling up questions here on this tumblr I have started taking on 1 hour video creative coaching, for more info click here.

Thank you Andy ! I needed these reminders today. 

Posted 3 weeks ago With 11,753 notes

11,753 notes

animationbits:

Its really easy to compare yourself to other people in the industry and in school. There is talent as far as the eye can see and when you’re starting off ( and hell, when you’re in the thick of things as well ) its easy as an artist to question where you stand.

Its kind of inevitable, but there are pros and cons. We should be inspired to work harder, to try new things, and to rise above our levels. We should get a little healthy dose of competition because it is a competitive field and it helps prepare you - but dont make the mistake of thinking that you have nothing to offer if someone is better at you then something.

There are a whole bunch of things that make up an animator, and its not about solid timing or draftsmanship. Just because someone is a stronger animator then you , or you view them as having stronger drawing skills, doesn’t mean you are worthless or have failed in some part of your artistic journey. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, not all of us are strong at drawing, or have really clicked with animation timing , but we all have something unique to offer.

For myself I found that my strength and weakness is my analytical kind of thought process.  It made for a struggle when it came to character acting and timing , because it could come off very formulaic - but it also allowed me to problem solve very quickly. Because of this I’ve been able to get things done in a pinch, as well as help out on many shows that need animation fixes in a very short amount of time. Being able to hit deadlines and taking on quick last minute jobs became one of my strengths because of this. ( of course i’m still working on the character acting thing , we all gotta push ourselves still!)

You may have a keen sense of comedic timing, or the ability to make someone laugh. You may be able to get into a characters head and under stand their thought process. You may be a great communicator and be able to understand critiques and directions or may be able to explain the technicalitys of animation in a clear way to others. Maybe you’re like me , problem solver to the end .You may be an absolute joy to work with and have an attitude that people want to be around.

some of you may be thinking well thats …just basic work stuff -good attitude? cant everyone offer that? UM NO. I’ve worked with some people who have piss poor attitudes - we all do have weaknesses after all and that is not some peoples strong suit. My point is there’s something about you that is going to excel in the work place. Sometimes it just takes awhile for people to realize it , but its there.

Be aware of your weaknesses, but be aware of your strengths as well and use them to your advantage.

go get ‘em tiger

Posted 3 weeks ago With 597 notes

purplekecleon:

sometimes it hits me like a rock

“I have the ability to draw whatever the fuck i want as long as i keep trying”

shit’s empowering

Posted 4 weeks ago With 3,394 notes

3,394 notes

hey never feel guilty for wanting to being happy okay??? like even if sad stuff is happening, you depriving yourself of happiness would only be adding to that sad stuff! i know it kinda feels like if you’re happy it means you don’t care about other people’s troubles, but there’s a difference between not caring and being strong enough to not let it pull you under! it’s easier to help people back up if you’re not drowning too!

Posted 1 month ago With 6 notes

You are valuable because you exist. Not because of what you do or what you have done - but simply because you are.
"
Max Lucado  (via ghirahim)

Posted 1 month ago With 17,209 notes

17,209 notes

rhiannon42:

luckyjak:

Hey, you.

Yes, you.

Do you put words down on paper? Even if you don’t show them to anyone or post them anywhere? Or even if it’s just a drabble, or it doesn’t get any/many notes?

I want to take a moment to appreciate you.

Because you? Are doing something awesome.  Do you know how difficult it is to put words on paper? Or how much courage it takes to share what you’ve written?  It takes a lot, and man, I’m proud of you. 

You’ve written something.  And even if you think it’s “bad”, it’s still something, and you’ll only get better with time and practice.  You still created something.  Do you know how many people go throughout their lives and never create a single thing? A whole lot.  But not you. 

Pat yourself on the back.  Go eat an ice cream cone.  You’ve earned.

This made me feel good, so now I forward the good feelings on to all of the writers who follow me. <3

Posted 1 month ago With 729 notes

729 notes
If you want to kill yourself, kill what you don’t like. I had an old self that I killed. You can kill yourself too, but that doesn’t mean you got to stop living.
"
Vargus, Archie’s Final Project  (via ghirahim)

Posted 1 month ago With 124,588 notes

124,588 notes

Posted 1 month ago With 18,385 notes

18,385 notes

I want the People around me to be HAPPY

I want the People around me to be HAPPY

Posted 1 month ago With 730 notes

730 notes

Posted 1 month ago With 72,515 notes

Source: shruggin Reblogged from: ghirahim
4/3/13 — 2:00pm Notes: 72515 Short URL: http://tmblr.co/Z1MT5yhpXFfg
72,515 notes

mattfractionblog:

…after MONSTER HOUSE gave her nightmares:

Dear Salinger:


Your Mom told me about Monster House scaring you. It sounds like one of the things that upset you is the fact that the house kept wanting to hurt people even after nobody wanted to hurt it anymore.

I will tell…

Posted 1 month ago With 2,608 notes

2,608 notes

eximplode:

nevvymaster:

captainhanni:

if anyone has a tough year ahead of them or behind them

this japanese fisherman will get you back on your feet, i can guarantee

image

I WON’T GIVE UP, JAPANESE FISHERMAN!!!

THIS IS ACTUALLY SURPRISINGLY INSPIRATIONAL, EVERYONE NEEDS A JAPANESE FISHERMAN TO YELL AT THEM SOMETIMES OKAY

Posted 1 month ago With 58,105 notes

58,105 notes
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