Have you ever heard the phrase “Don’t change horses midstream”. Which is really about staying the course. If you are crossing a river on horseback don’t decide that your horse won’t make it and try to get off at the deepest, fastest part of the river.
It’s about following your path until you can see the end, instead of giving up in despair or withdrawing your support or changing leaders part way to the finish line. It’s a phrase that is most often used in politics when a candidate is trying to win a second term.
In art, it can best be related to the “ugly stage” when your drawing or painting is looking like it won’t turn out. Stay the course. Keep working because it will improve. Don’t let the ugly stage get to you.
So, what is this all about?
Well, I’m changing horses.
I know I just said not to change horses midstream, but I’m doing it anyway. For five years I have been making fan art and selling it at Comic Expo. (well, that and bad portraits which is my real money maker). But I’m tired of fan art. I’m tired of making a copy of something that people already know so well.
So, I am switching it up and making more original things. Because that is what being an artist is all about, is making stuff that lives in your brain and sharing it with other people. Will this change my profits at Comic Expo? Will this change anything – or everything?
I don’t know. But another thing about being an artist is not being afraid of taking risks.
So, hold on to your hats folks – things are going to get weird
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