Description
Warning: Longest description ever ahead
Had a pretty rough day yesterday. Matt was gone; he had a little geeky convention thing so he missed school. So I was, of course, overly emotionally distressed (plus I'm on my period). But like, I figured that it was just one day, and I'd get through.
Well, during my lunch, I talked with a friend about jobs and stuff. I mentioned that I hate working probably because I don't like standing for 8 hours at a time, and my body isn't built to do that (I have awful joints from the hips down, which comes from the really terrible arches of my feet). Then I said I still really wanted to draw for a living, and yeah it doesn't make money, but it was really what I loved to do. Then he said "yeah no offense, you're a great artist, but nobody wants to buy wolves." Like, okay, thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.
Whatever.
Next I had lunch, and my second off period of the day. Another friend came over to talk to me, and we started talking about why I was upset. I told him that I missed Matt, and he wasn't really talking because of his meeting things, and then my friend told me that he was probably just stressed - which is a reasonable assumption. But then he continued to tell me that Matt was stressed because of TSA, because of colleges, because of school. I told him that one of the colleges he was looking at was because of me, and then said friend jumped on me because "everything isn't always about" me, and I'm not Matt's top priority. Then he proceeded to tell me that I was too serious with Matt, that we shouldn't be considering colleges near each other, and that while I had maybe started to think that Matt was the one, that I'm Matt's first girlfriend and he doesn't know what he wants. I was so upset that he was gone, and this "friend" of mine decided that telling me this was the best way to handle this situation.
Fine.
I really lost it when my mom brought home one of her friends, who is the creative director somewhere. She walked in, and asked what I wanted to go into college for. I had this as a WIP up when she came in, so I showed her this. She was like "wow, you're really talented, but you do realize this is a shit field." She then slammed my computer lid down (which erased all of the shading I was practicing with and made me have to start it over), and said "Seriously, that industry is a piece of shit. You shouldn't go to an expensive college because you'll never be able to pay off your loans with a career like that." Well, at this point, I'm thinking 'shit, this is gonna suck', but I tried to hear her out. However, she spent the next hour and a half telling me all the things I do and don't need, contradicting herself in every point she made, saying that "developing a style is dangerous" (which was really insulting, because I've spent the last two years on here trying to develop one, and finally, when I was just starting to be proud of it, some random lady tells me that I'm doing things wrong? Yeah, thanks.), and all this other crap. The night ended with me curled up in a ball, trying to exhibit as much "closed off" body language as I could, and crying. The whole college thing stresses me out because every time I'm closing in on a decision I think is good for me, someone pops in and tells me what I'm doing is wrong, and that whatever I was going to do before would be disastrous. Then the next person says the same thing about the person I just talked to, etc. etc., and it just stresses me out; I have no idea what to do or how to do this.
TL;DR: I had three separate conversations with three different people that insulted me in different ways, and basically made my already-shit day turn into one big steaming pile of self-loathing.
So since Puzzle couldn't be around to comfort Topaz this weekend, Enzo is doing it for him. But before I sign off, I want to make something really clear; Enzo does not represent a real-life person like a lot of my characters do. He is another personification of myself, so when he and Topaz are in pictures together (like this one), it's not a real person comforting me, it's supposed to be like me comforting myself. If that makes any sense at all. This is just how I cope with things, and it might be nice to have a fictional character always around to help when sometimes real people can't be.
Have a good weekend everyone, and if you read all of this, thank you very much
---
Art (c) me
Enzo and Topaz (c) me
Comments: 22
Wild-Lovell [2014-03-10 20:24:43 +0000 UTC]
Wow, what a shitty f*cking day, Kohana. My first reaction to this was 'What the heck is wrong with these people she keeps talking to?' but then, like you, I began trying to see it from their point of view. It still doesn't make sense to me.
I know this is a late comment, but I haven't been active due to my currently busy life, as well as me 'taking a break' from dA. I've never really had anyone say something so nasty, most are encouraging, but there is the occasional downer. They tell me not to try, because the field I want most is something so hard to make it in. Some of what they say is true, you probably shouldn't major in drawing or painting, sculpting or whatever, it's a bit 'dangerous' ( as a lot of people tell me ). My parents have always criticized others who majored in art fields, saying that they would fall into debt and not be able to resurface. That they should have majored in something else, got a job in something else, and drew or sculpted or painted as sort of a 'part-time' job. In a way, I agree. You'd be best off majoring in something else, because usually an art-related occupation isn't capable of full support, but I'm not stopping you or saying you should. You should do what makes you happy, and if what makes you happy is art, then god dammit, do it. Don't let me or anyone else tell you how to live. Be strong, and carry on.
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kaleidoscopial In reply to Wild-Lovell [2014-03-10 21:52:08 +0000 UTC]
Thanks hon
I know that art is the hardest field ever to work in, and that it doesn't make much. To me, that isn't much of a deterrent. I know it will be hard, but if I work hard, I know I'll be okay. It matters more to me that I'm happy, and if I end up living in a teeny apartment instead of a three-bedroom home, then so be it; I'd be happy instead of working 9-5 at a job I can't stand.
Plus, if all goes well, I'll have a boyfriend (coughcough matt muahaha) slash significant other who can help support us. I know that whatever relationship I end up in, I probably won't be the breadwinner, but I just can't even imagine not being happy with my job.
*incoherent schpeel over*
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Pandora1219 [2014-03-03 15:18:51 +0000 UTC]
Laney, you do not deserve to be totally shut down like that. I have had many upon many days like that about the career I want to get into. You CANNOT Β stand for that crap at all!! You are a beautiful artist with a really amazing and unique style of drawing! Please do not allow people to affect your heart in such a negative way towards something that is your life. You have just as much as a chance to do what you love to do just as much as anyone else does. I mean, how do you think Walt Disney got to where it is now, and still going after 50+ years? You will fall, you will fail, you will be put down, let down, and most likely to hit rock bottom. But you wont get to where you want to be if you don't get to rock bottom, that is what pushes you, drives you, to over come what this random (stupid ass) chick Β that says you won't go far. Because honestly she is most likely jealous of you. Β You can come back and honestly one day tell her "thank you" because it is that that drives you to overcome people like that. To show them wrong, and you are going to go far with what you love.Β
Don't set on what other people think of your work. You set the goal and achieve it. I personally think you will to. Not because you're my Laney, not because you're one of my best friends, but because I believe you love it and have a big enough passion for it that you will do whatever it takes to go where you want to be.Β
Don't stick to someone else's standards or opinions.Β
I hope your weekend was better.<3Β
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Pandora1219 In reply to kaleidoscopial [2014-03-04 14:46:10 +0000 UTC]
Of course hun, you deserve a lot more credit as an artist than you get. Don't let people define you and are your passion. Love you boat loads hun, see you in choir. <3
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SilentSheWolf [2014-03-02 01:03:11 +0000 UTC]
Honestly, no one has a right to tell you any of those things, in response to the whole relation ship thing- I am my fiance's first girlfriend, and it's never wavered anything and if you guys have been together for over a year I seriously don't think he'd still be there if he "didn't know what he wants". However, you should not limit your schoolings because of the other one, even if they are far apart, it will be worth it in the end as you will be able to get a job you want. Long distant relationships are hard but possible, I only get to see my fiance every 6 months. in response to the art job- I highly recommend before making your decision you talk to some of the artists here on DA what it took for them to be full time artists... It is a lot of work and takes 10- 20 years to get your rep up to get enough clients to make it possible. And multiple sites... But I am not trying to discourage you, as it is my dream too, but I have never been commissioned, so it probably will never happen with me... as for the whole "no one wants to buy wolves" comment; well that is a load of bologna. I know a lot of artists that focus on them and make good money... but not as much as a full time job will... they call them starving artists for a reason, and 97% of artists I know have a regular job too, even popular ones, even though some work for illustators, which would be a good job idea, have you ever thought about it?
well this is the longest comment I ever wrote... just remember, I am not trying to say you can't I'm saying it's super difficult...
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royal-violet [2014-03-01 22:37:14 +0000 UTC]
Don't listen to them, it doesn't matter if you aren't famous with more money than you'll ever spend! What matters is if you're happy and surrounded with people who make you feel good about yourself. Kaleid, you're an amazing artist and I love your style and maybeΒ wolves aren't the most popular thing in the world, but look at how many popular wolf artists are on dA! and they're super popular. You're cartoons are great which opens up another area in art. Do what makes you happy and everyone else can do what they want with their lives. If the only thing that makes them happy is success shown through money, then so be it.
Also, I love this picture. it's quite pretty and the shading is extremely well done. Good job and keep up your hard work.
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kaleidoscopial In reply to royal-violet [2014-03-01 22:58:35 +0000 UTC]
Ugh, I like don't want to listen to them, but I need advice from somewhere because I have no idea what to do in the real world ;-; I don't want to end up making a mistake and having to live in my parents' basement forever ;-;
but thank you, it was really time-consuming but definitely worth the experiment
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royal-violet In reply to kaleidoscopial [2014-03-02 18:25:27 +0000 UTC]
You won't end up like that, to be so good at good at something you have to have a passion for it. That passion will drive you to do well in whatever you want to do in life.
and of course
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MauGraphorse [2014-03-01 22:07:02 +0000 UTC]
I'm french, but i totally understand you, i've so much problem with my dears friends in that moment, it's hurting, but life continue ... :>
Great work, your explication are great and so true ...
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ssivo [2014-03-01 22:05:16 +0000 UTC]
I'm sorry about the collage thing (I'm a stresser, I'm not even near finishing secondary and I stress about what I'm going to do in collage) BUT The lady was rude -not even her house- and just because it didn't work out for her doesn't mean it wont for you. It sucks as well that Matt wasn't there but your friend cant exactly tell you what he doesn't or does want,he's not Matt. To put it simply I'm sorry you had a bad week/day but either way this drawing is awesome and don't let anyone tell you different!
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ssivo In reply to kaleidoscopial [2014-03-01 23:36:00 +0000 UTC]
Welcome and good luck in the future! Β
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hannnahbal [2014-03-01 21:55:30 +0000 UTC]
aww I'm really sorry your day turned out like that ; ; just don't listen to those people. You're art is fantastic and art can actually make money in some jobs, such as a Multi-Media Artist/Animator, like the people who work for Disney and things like that to make the characters. (at least thats what I want to be later in life) And if you look I'm pretty sure there are other jobs out there art related that you can make money with, if that's what you really want.
I hope your weekend gets better and you see Matt soon <3 if you need anyone to talk to you are free to talk to me(:
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