Neglected unicorns

Things have been so cat heavy this year with all the little black kitties I have done. I have four more and then I am finished with them. I have had to put several projects on the back burner. Initially I thought this year I would be doing my 12 monthly unicorns I have poetry written for. I have every intention of getting back to those especially now that the kitties are going to be wrapping up soon. I haven't done a dragon in ages and I have promised to make more foxes, wolves and rabbits for my furry friends.

I want to address some opinions and "concerns" that I am becoming a digital artist. So what if I am? Do you like my art less? Do you think it isn't really art now? I sort of paint live all the time so you can see it isn't a magic program that makes the art for me. I VERY rarely use smoke and mirrors in the program and it is usually the standard photoshop brush. I have been painting digitally for a few reasons. One my black cats are a series meant to be the same. The first one was digital ergo they all will be digital. I like digital. There is NO waste. I sketch in there and paint in there and I don't create garbage. I love an undo button. I also need more closet space for supplies and supplies. I haven't gutted my closet yet so no supplies therefore no traditional art. I don't like it that people think it is just a cute little thing I do. I don't like being condescended to.

I tend not to list what I am doing unless I feel like I can finish it first anymore. There have been tendencies in the past where I would say I am painting this and then some people would slap dash the exact same thing because they are faster then I am and then pass it off as their idea. That really used to tick me off. I am sure it still irks me but really if mine is better then who cares? I really don't get the artists who want to be just like (insert still living still working rather famous artist here) Why? Why do you want to imitate when you can create? People say that imitation is a form of flattery. I beg to differ. Any big business who has someone too closely copying something throws a lawsuit at them. I doubt they feel flattered. Why is it that in this business in particular no one seems to follow proper business practices? Don't get me started about art theft we will be here all day. I see friends and other respected artists copied knockoffs on EBAY daily and it just makes me sad. Sad for the people who are either too lazy (or greedy) or not creative enough to be their own individual and sad for the artists who get violated with nothing much they can do. I mean the more famous you are the more infractions..you can't sue the world it takes too much time, energy and money. Little tip from me to you. Never fight another artists battle. Just email them with a link and let them handle it.

In the background lately I have been doing a fair bit of research for my graphic novel. Yes I realize I have been talking about it for years now but as far as I am concerned some peoples first novel takes forever. I need everything set up perfectly and styled perfectly. I have to do the words AND the art and the inking. It needs to be just so. I will be fussy about it until it is the way I want it and not a second sooner. I have buyers interested. It isn't a lack of money or motivation it is that I want it to be perfect. I am sure like most people in my position, you finish it, get an advance for the next three and get over yourself. But until then...

I am setting some pretty high standards and goals for myself this coming year. We are doing many many shows and all sorts of exciting things. I am going back to my research and sketching. Maybe I will even have something to show you tomorrow. Who knows..