I'm a lucky guy. You see, I'm fortunate enough to work at a place with some of the most creatively talented people in the world, and the mix of styles and ideas is so diverse and rich that just showing up to the shop is an enlightening learning expedition. The most amazing thing about it, is that in the face of such talent, eighty percent of our professional efforts end up lining the floor in a pool of rejection. For the most part, its all ok. That's just the gig. We're looking for the best idea and that takes time and thought and tons of drawings, words and gags before the it can solidify into something tangible and real. But there's no accounting for the human element in the process. If I let it, that humanity in me can spin into some pretty dark places and trying to protect it can sometimes leave it vulnerable (toss in some lack of sleep or an extra shot of Dayquil and you may find yourself like some pot strung teenager huddled in a corner waiting for the "you suck" police to come busting down your door). Its all part of the game. Self doubt and self confidence washes over me on a daily basis, one coming in while other retreats or vice versa, shaping the malleable coastline of my talent (or lack there of). Depending on the tide, its either a good day or a bad day, but its never static. Ok, so I'm a fucked up artist, but ALL story artists are fucked up. That's where the impetus to tell stories comes from. Without conflict there's no story. So in that vein, I started to play with the idea of characterizing those emotional tides and found some catharsis in the exercise. Why am I telling you all this. Well, first of all, the blogg is free and so why not let it roll. Secondly, I wanted to explain the cartoon so the underlying intention is clear. I was merely trying to find humor in the conflicted inner child my ego has been molesting since I went to college. Time for my shot of Dayquil.
