My job killed my art dreams until I did this + now I'm successful

[@jetboyblue4478]

My main goal would be to complete and release my own graphic novel

[@JoeBradley151]

Same. Do you have a pitch?

[@superherochestsymbol1032]

Same here, I’ve wanted to make comics of some kind since middle school, I’m finally ready to but the things I need are so costly it’s not even funny, but I’m still working on them on paper lol

[@jetboyblue4478]

@ For me I released only two parts of my graphic novel one through publisher and second I had to do through Amazon on my own.

[@JoeBradley151]

@@jetboyblue4478 I’ve got a base outline. I work twelves so it’s hard to get the energy. My goal is to in three pages this month and maybe ask someone else to color digitally

[@superherochestsymbol1032]

@@jetboyblue4478 Proud of ya 😎

[@superherochestsymbol1032]

It’s really nice and refreshing to find an art channel that’s honest but still says you can absolutely be successful with art, instead of “art will get you nowhere, you cannot make ends meet with art, art will end you on the streets or will drain you and make you quit, that’s just the reality” or something like that. I use to follow quite a few art channels that said that almost all the time, it’s like do they want me to be encouraged or discouraged? Cause I usually felt discouraged lol

[@MaakaSakuranbo]

It gets clicks, hence they make big thumbnails and stuff about it.

[@superherochestsymbol1032]

@@MaakaSakuranbo I do be forgetting that negative stuff gets more attention than the positive on any platform.

[@TheArtMentor]

Well thank you so much for the kind words! I agree, there's a lot of fluff out there, isn't there? I'm so thrilled to hear you resonated with this video and my content.

[@superherochestsymbol1032]

@@TheArtMentor Absolutely, but you’re positive I’m general so that’s why I’ve been subscribed for a while, you, Serkworks art lab and Jake Parker give me genuine motivation to make the stuff I want (which is comics) and actually prove that you can be successful with it, though it’s taking me a long time cause it seems someone beats me to an interesting idea or I’m trying to figure out what style I want or how to make my comics, digitally, traditional, both? And I’m currently writing down all my scripts and how panels and coloring works. It’s work but it’s worth it, and I’m having fun with the process, and you can’t rush time or art, so I’ll figure it out eventually and take my time and just jump into it when I’m ready, but still thanks for actually sharing you can go far in art.

[@gabudaichamuda2545]

Cold showers are dope. Caffeine, if used properly, is a MAJOR booster. As for mental health, I've gotten to the point where I feel I have to cut people off in order really dig my heels in. I had to threaten my boss with quitting in order to get the schedule I wanted, and when he went behind my back and got my uncle involved with a work injury (they've been friends since high school), I went and bought 14 sketchbooks out of spite. By the time I fill those sketchbooks, both of them will eat their damned words. I feel very alone in my art journey, and you know what? I'm okay with it, for the first time since I moved here.

[@Shapoufiiie]

Best wishes to you mate. Hang in there and I hope you'll make it out just fine.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's a boss move! Much respect for standing up for yourself. And your employment is still good after standing your ground on it?

[@gabudaichamuda2545]

@@TheArtMentor He's still trying to cut my hours out from under me, and he keeps calling me in on my days off. I've had to tell him off multiple times at this point. I'm actively job hunting too.

[@rezzbuilds8343]

I quit my job. Living off of my work. Yeah it’s hard, my spending habits have adapted though. No more fast food, no dumb purchases, cutting the costs and making smart decisions for my business. It’s actually forced me to take my business seriously because my basic needs are at risk. No wage to fall back on as a safety net.

[@rezzbuilds8343]

I must admit, I did moonlight for over a year and pretty much fried my brain. Call it burn out, call it whatever. Just called in one morning and never came back. By then I already created over 40 products over the year

[@TheArtMentor]

I bet that motivates you to continually improve, doesn't it? You're a warrior!

[@shifflettartstudios2335]

It's like I don't even see that as all that difficult. I only get fast food or buy stuff because i leave the house for work. If I'm home all day making art I need to buy stuff unless I know it's something essential

[@rezzbuilds8343]

@shifflettartstudios2335 when you're busy pouring 12 hour days into a job, while trying to moonlight a side hustle. Fast food becomes very efficient. Cooking at home is a luxury of time and energy I now have being self employed. I listed that because that's where I was spending a lot of my money. I'm not the type to settle for week old meal prepped food, I like my food fresh and delicious.

[@imb4928]

9:05 this man has called me out in so many ways. This is definitely a sign for me to shift my mind to whats actually important...

[@TheArtMentor]

Well I am good at reading people lol. It's always more important to think about your true desires and your need to create over what obligations can do to your creativity, isn't it?

[@cervineblue3767]

I always leave these videos with a rush of motivation, it’s so refreshing to hear someone tell me that for once I can make my success without doing social media all day every day and simply focusing my time and motivation does so much more for my business I eventually want to rely on and not my soul sucking 9-5 😅

[@TheArtMentor]

I'm glad that resonates with you! It's crazy how much information always starts and ends with growing a social media following, isn't it?

[@orenjidesu7290]

my GOD you came in clutch with this video, I was trying to maintain my full-time project while I also try to pursue commissions works again. Thank you for your advices in this video :"

[@TheArtMentor]

Glad to hear I read your mind! lol! How have you shifted your mindset since watching this?

[@utopiademujer]

Just focus on one thing, make me realize that I need to slow down and focus! So grateful for your tips! Thanks!!

[@TheArtMentor]

It's so much easier and more sustainable in that way isn't it? Otherwise it's so overwhelming lol. What is your one thing?

[@darktanuki2207]

Oh my god. This is perfect. Like THE perfect advice video.

[@TheArtMentor]

Haha glad to hear! I read your mind while scripting this

[@monkemonkerson5620]

The one thing I noticed as I got older was just how many people casually doubted illustration as a dead end career that only a small percentage of people are lucky enough to achieve. I tried getting into tech, manual labor, management to "be responsible and "think of you future" but I just can't shake off the notion of becoming something greater than myself, making the sacrifices to become who I always wanted to be since 2nd grade. Let the doubters fuel your drive; it may seem disheartening and hopeless, but let it drive you to prove them wrong.

[@TheArtMentor]

I'm proud of you for staying true to yourself! Can I simply this effect? It's just a war of attrition. There are less people who make not because it's impossible, but because most people just quit. Don't quit and you'll make it

[@Chonkeeartist9001]

Finally a new video I could latch into for some dose of inspiration and morale boost.

[@TheArtMentor]

glad to hear it! Is this your favorite type of content I create?

[@shifflettartstudios2335]

I make art whenever I can. I've been sick since Christmas so it has complicated my energy to sit down and work. I've started on something and am excited to see it through but I gotta beat this thing....

[@graveyardshift2100]

I'm actually getting ready to leave my factory job of ten years and collect my 401k. I'll have to pay taxes since I'm way under retirement age, but what is left will be enough to put me up for a year. Gonna try to finally do SOMETHING with art.

[@rezzbuilds8343]

Go for it, dive right in. Get obsessed with it. You got your shot, make that game winning drive

[@TheArtMentor]

Sounds like fun! Keep me updated!

[@nonyabusiness3619]

I just started a new job, so this is great timing.

[@TheArtMentor]

Great to hear! How did this help shape your mindset with that?

[@Ayzay1717]

Excellent, thanks Sean.

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure! Do you have this circumstance as well?

[@MarcMcKenzie-qb6or]

Thanks for this, Sean--very much appreciate this advice and it's something that I should definitely apply to my life.

[@TheArtMentor]

You're always welcome! What advice do you want to start applying?

[@thisistherun4015]

One of your best. I would be interested in your media versus consumer talk, and about making thoughtful time for media or even deriving productive consumption.

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed today's video! I'm making that video currently btw

[@curtis5799]

My labor intensive day job is pushing me to not give a F anymore about if im good/not good at being creative. Im rdy.

[@TheArtMentor]

Exactly! You don't have to be the best to get started, but you'll never be the best if you never get started, right?

[@shwarmashwar1415]

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the consumer vs creator mindset.

[@mizubiart6230]

I’ve slept for 3 hours, or like a raw all nighter and I still wouldn’t be able to sleep before like, 2 am. I also draw all the time so that is true, there is no prime time just push it

[@TheArtMentor]

Well said! Would you say that's your typical drawing time/routine?

[@mizubiart6230]

@ I don’t really have one, I usually just adapt to what’s going on. So if I’m in a car or some other place, I carry a small sketchbook. But I do go to art school so that gives me some kind of structure but outside that I like to draw with music or stuff in the background, but then I turn it off when I really need to focus. Sometimes I’m more in the zone and other times I’m more distracted, I’d say I draw better in the afternoon and night time.

[@BluelineDesignStudio]

Great advice - I wish I had heard this when I was younger.

[@Cacalotlraven]

Hey! Nice seeing you on the web.

[@BluelineDesignStudio]

@@Cacalotlraven Ha! Good to see we are running the same circles. :)

[@TheArtMentor]

Can I say I wish the same? Haha. Literally why I made this video

[@BluelineDesignStudio]

@@TheArtMentor Thats for sure one of the benefits of age... you can teach the younger generation what NOT to do. Lol! Keep up the good work.

[@Uhhhhnope]

i'd love to see a video where you break down the differences between being a consumer and a creator media :)

[@Uhhhhnope]

also, what you said on 23:46 is so true and it's a very good advice. I tend to feel guilty when I'm not working on something, or doing something productive with my time, this also means that I feel guilty for taking time off (like playing videogames), and/or taking the time to sleep, when I could be working instead. I just think I could be making a better use of my time, but I've never stopped to think what did I do in a week, or how many hours did I invest on my art. Instead of amounting everything on "did I make a good use of my time by working on all my free time?"

[@TheArtMentor]

Can do, and it's in the works!

[@ywlumaris]

Getting my snack and cup of coffee while listening to this (while i work at my full time 8-5 job lmao)

[@TheArtMentor]

I hope your snack was yummy! I'd love to know what you thought

[@someuser4166]

Discipline was never really the issue for me. My biggest detergent is lack of confidence. I've pretty much only done studies but no actual artwork as I feel I'm not good enough. And when I do draw something I feel this need to prove myself so I do things that ends up hurting the art piece, thus reducing engagement but it's technically more accurate that way. (like over defining anatomical landmarks shows that I know anatomy but it also makes the characters look old and if you draw pinup type stuff that's not really ideal...)

[@TheArtMentor]

Hey did you see the concluding point in this video about building confidence? You might realize after watching that segment that you actually have confidence backwards 😅 if you have discipline and consistency, it builds confidence. You don't have it innately, okay?

[@IshiGray]

Good advice in this video. Its what im kind of already doing myself. However you may want to address the major elephant in the busyness room. Im not sure if you did but its a sad reality that we all have to deal with taxes based on an individual's income per year and gov only allows a sum amount of money to be consider a non-taxable amount.

[@TheArtMentor]

Why is that a concern before you build a business though? I mean it’s not hard nor expensive to establish an LLC, but you have to build something first, you know what I mean?

[@Dtgray12]

I don't have the financial support nor drive, nor discipline to turn down a guaranteed paycheck that not only supports me but enables me to buy art tools and practice my craft than to go full time artist. The sad truth is there are too many starving artist out there. Btw I also poorly manage an art business on the side that's more of a tax write off.

[@TheArtMentor]

Hey thanks for watching! Can I just point that I believe you're perhaps misunderstanding the focus of this video? As carried through the intro, I don't ever encourage nor do I suggest quitting your job and going all in on an art job, do I? This all about working on your art business while carrying a full time job, so no worries, my friend! And since you're currently struggling with your art business practices, what do you want to improve on that now after watching this?

[@byronrhodes1659]

Your voice sounds familiar, like the voice of the infographics show or something like it.

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh really? Think I should be a voice actor? lol

[@byronrhodes1659]

@ do it! Thanks for all your good advice by the way, it’s been very encouraging. I’m 43, just finished my first short comic book and planning to do more and a children’s book too.

[@acryptidthatdraws]

four gallons is like 15 liters are you alright sir?

[@TheArtMentor]

It’s a half gallon jug lol. Not quite that much

[@rachelledellinger174]

I am so depressed at my job……😢

[@TheArtMentor]

So how can your art help you cope with that?

[@rachelledellinger174]

@ I am working on drawing every night so I can reach my goal of creating new worlds and beings some day😀

[@nittani.]

Good info

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for watching!

[@nittani.]

@TheArtMentor no seriously i wanna build a university playlist get a bunch of youtubers together to teach and create a better school I call the project yt university

[@ruthelives4jesus]

Your face reminds me of J.R.R Tolkien

[@TheArtMentor]

oh?

[@billyliar1614]

Sometimes it's not so much a job which sucks your energy and mojo but the people that are surrounding you. Living with a moaning, grumbling, complaining wife who is hinting not-so subtly that, despite being the 'breadwinner', you should be doing something 'more' but without specifying exactly what that might be, and demands every ounce of your time, energy and emotional bandwidth is far, far more soul-sucking than a job you don't want to do. With a job, you can literally switch off when you clock off, with an overbearing partner ...not so much. Sometimes you have to make really hard decisions in life if you want to pursue something, but that means being able to accurately assess where the problems lie

[@lcdesigns6145]

Yikes! You might do both of you a favor by moving on 😮

[@battmall9785]

Just went through this same exact scenario. We broke up. Sucked moving my stuff out but, buts its for the best.

[@TheArtMentor]

Yeah that's true, and I actually made a video about other sources of energy drain recently. Have you seen that one?