Sometimes getting to the work is like trying to move while wearing lead shoes. I have to give myself little rewards for everything. ("If you finish this task you can sit outside for half an hour.") The weather is reason enough to keep one from anything that needs doing.
I am currently working on a new promo which in fact I am quite excited about. I was speaking recently to a friend who is a graphic designer and we talked frankly about how we both got overwhelmed at the idea of doing a new promotion. Every time. A string of thoughts immediately fly in, must make sure it is appropriate, must have excellent presentation, must show our best work. All of these things only serve to pressure me to do something great, the bane of every artist. As I sort through my recent illustrations I feel inadequate and discouraged. And in fact most times it just causes me to give up in frustration.
So when I was asked by my new agent to do a two page promo showing a selection of my work I was a bit hesitant. She was asking for colour copies, something she could hand out to various publishers, brief bio, client list. Quick and dirty. Hmmmmmnn. Well, normally I would want to create a little booklet, a small portfolio with at least 12 pages, bound nicely, etc., etc. I would want to, and it would be too much for me to do. I got excited about trying something different. And I was reminded of one of the things I like to tell myself...do the OPPOSITE of what you thing you SHOULD do and see what happens.
So I went home and put together a two page colour promotion (in less than a day), showing several pieces, got it printed, and mailed it out. All in under three days total. No labouring for weeks, feeling grumpy and untalented. I feel pretty proud when I see all of my work and accomplishments sitting there simply on those two pages. Done.
So now I have decided that I am going to send this out to various clients too. My professional mind screams, "you haven't sent out a colour copy since you were in art school, what will they think! Real illustrators do flashy printed promotions." Yup it's true. But I think I'm going to try it anyway, what the hell. The interesting thing here is that when I talk to art students I often tell them to just send out good colour copies, don't fuss over it too much. Needing to follow my own advice.
Do the opposite. It is much better than getting overwhelmed, taking weeks, and potentially not doing it. Sometimes doing Less than expected means that you actually complete the task at hand.
(*above piece done for American Salon Magazine, April issue, on the topic of domestic violence)
Posted by kerismith at April 19, 2005 12:02 PMgreat advice thanks!
Posted by: Katherine on April 24, 2005 08:06 AMHi Keri,
Your "violent man" must be a relative to my "march man"! http://www.camillaengman.com/bilder/march.htm
I think ure soooo right.
Posted by: lauren on April 20, 2005 11:11 PMhi keri,
big time fan, love your blog... just went out to get bust magazine to read your interview--well done! anyways, this may seem weird as you don't know me, but i just read a new book called "the mermaid chair" by sue monk kidd (who also wrote "the secret life of bees") and it reminded me so much of you. i don't know if you reminded me of the author or the main character, but my idea of the "essence" of you (whatever that is) was definitely present.
thought i'd let you know... take care!
Greetings from the west coast! Are you really thinking of moving here? That would be sooooooo cooool! Thanks for the advice on self-promotion - i'm just out of 2D Design school and are about to embark on that specific daunting task. So thanks for that - and I really looooove your art and approach to it.
Posted by: Jan on April 20, 2005 08:32 PMKeri:
Your own advice is excellent...I'm going to start practicing it today.
-Joy
Posted by: Joy on April 20, 2005 12:16 PMHallo Keri,
thank you, thank you, thank you for your "do the opposite" advice. This perfectionalism can be such a good excuse for achieving nothing, getting frustrated, ...! I knew that already, but I forgot it ... I have to do some promotion at the moment, too (since a few weeks already--!!) and I'll get it done by the end of this week. Yep!
Posted by: claudia on April 20, 2005 03:59 AMi know that, as a beginning teacher, i can definitely agree with what you are saying. teaching is another job where there is always more to be done, more to be perfected, more to fuss with. what too many people often forget to do is to stop and just enjoy life. i have remembered the simple beauty of simplicity itself only recently, and have been finding that my days feel a lot longer, a lot fuller, and a lot more pleasant.
Posted by: lisa on April 19, 2005 09:24 PMHi Keri,
I feel like I'm always commenting the same thing here...but I just love that illustration! It's gorgeous. :)
Sorry for sounding like a broken record....
-penelope
Posted by: Penelope Dullaghan on April 19, 2005 06:30 PMI have the SAME problem, Keri. It is so easy to get overwhelmed by self-promotion. My last self promo was an elaborate offset piece that I worked on with 6 other illustrators (a fairy tale calendar) and it was so labor intensive and frankly, an emotional rollercoaster (7 artists coming together on the same project? forget it! It was wonderful, but challenging). Quick and dirty is a-ok sometimes. Keeping things simple is ok sometimes as well. And keeping that momentum pushing forward is always a positive thing.
I am sure your promo looks fabulous and don't be afraid. What the hell is sometimes exactly the way to go *smile*
Sometimes I get amazed that even wonderfully talented and successful illustrators like yourself have the same fears, hesitations and challenges that I have. It actually brings some comfort to me today. I admire you in many ways.
Posted by: Amanda Woodward on April 19, 2005 06:30 PMi must confess, jenny, that i also have a crush on keri's colour palette. i suggest we arm-wrestle.
it's nice to read that you do have some insecurities about your work; not because you should, but because it's encouraging when someone you so admire also experiences doubt about their stuff.
Posted by: matt on April 19, 2005 03:59 PMAmen, sister! It is so easy to get overwhelmed by a bunch of ideas. I just remember to K.I.S.S.
Always works when you need a promotional piece quickly.
Posted by: Lu on April 19, 2005 03:10 PMKeri,
I have a crush on your color palette, and your advice is so true! It seems that I have had several oppurtunities lost for th very reason of waiting to do it perfectly and taking too MUCH time. Cheers to sending out your new promo in only three days! (gasp!)
Do the opposite. Such great advice - I bet people will be just as thrilled by your talent Keri :)
Posted by: Ali on April 19, 2005 02:06 PMWow- this is incredibly powerful. Just... wow. You just gave me a huge permission slip to stop being such a damn perfectionist. Thank you so very much- I needed this message very very much today.
Posted by: Chel Micheline on April 19, 2005 01:59 PM