I have an old saying…. “Art is 5% talent and 95% work, practice, tears and frustration.” That is truth. There are many wonderful illustrators and creators out there, with fantastic worlds that they have built. Stories that take you to places you never imagined possible. Yet those creators all understand the process of getting up each time they fail.

Most people never see the toil that goes into a piece. They do not see the wads of paper tossed in a can, the head bowed in frustration as lines seem to fight the masters hands. They do not feel the loss as one tries to pull the images from their mind and put them into a form that others can understand. Most people see the success of the project, the after effect, and the accomplishment… yet if more understood the emotional and physical trial that creator goes through, their view of art might be a little different.

Yet the creator understands. This is what separates the hobbyist from the pro. They push and push themselves to find a way to help their dream come alive. They battle self doubt and negativity and yet still push forward. They know there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

So as you create your worlds and tales, are you willing to find a way to make it work. Your works can come alive, but they a need a little push, a little pull and the strength to get back up when you fall.  What are you willing to do? What are you willing to give up? What are you willing to learn.

Once you place that pencil on that piece of paper, you start on a journey. A journey where it is easy to give up, throw in the towel, call it a day. It is at that moment of distress that you need to keep drawing, keeping pushing forward. That hill your climbing is about to pay off, don’t get off the path.

As you practice, you work gets a little more refined, a little more appreciated and your confidence grows. Do not be afraid to ask questions, search out how to improve. You do not need to go to art class to be a good artist. The best artist learn through observation….So keep creating, because it is you that keep the magic of creation alive.

trav