Posts

From time to time, I’ll post up some job openings I know of from around the world. Usually with a focus on the art side.
So feel free to check back from time to time to see what’s out there. Hopefully, there will be something out there on the list that is just the right gig for you.
Be warned…if you GET it, dinner is on you!! 😀
Good luck!!
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*PowerHouse Animation: Austin Texas:
Storyboard Artist-

Looking for a storyboard artist for a project similar to their “Castlevania” show. (I think it probably IS for their “Castlevania” project.)
-“Professional experience in Adobe Flash, Photoshop and/or Storyboad Pro is required”
Check their website for more details and to submit portfolio and apply.
http://www.powerhouseanimation.com/career-portal/?gh_jid=724245

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*Digital Extremes: London, Ontario, Canada
Concept Artist-

Storyboarding experience would be a plus.
Check their website for more details and to submit portfolio and apply for gig.
https://www.digitalextremes.com/careers/postings/art/concept-artist

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*Digital Extremes:London, Ontario, Canada
Weapons Artist-

Weapons artist needed for the creation of hi and low poly models, textures, and materials for use as
real-time game assets.
Check their website for more details and to submit portfolio and apply for gig.
https://www.digitalextremes.com/careers/postings/art/weapons-artist

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Create props, architecture, and terrain models, textures, and materials.
Check their website for more details and to submit portfolio and apply for gig.
https://jobs.suckerpunch.com/index.php?m=portal&a=details&jobOrderID=10967371

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*Deep Silver Volition: Champaign, Illinois, United States
UI Artist-

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and samples to jobs@dsvolition.com with “UI Artist” in the subject line.
Check their website for more details and requirements.
https://www.dsvolition.com/careers/ui-artist/

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*Castle Hill Gaming: Charlottesville, Virginia
Artist: for casino type gaming-

Check page for more details and requirements, as well as applying for gig.
https://boards.greenhouse.io/castlehillgaming/jobs/1212157?gh_src=ae31ce6f1

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*Cryptic Studios: Los Gatos, California
Character Artist- (for magic the gathering project.)

Art test may be required.
Check their website for more details and to submit portfolio/apply.
https://www.crypticstudios.com/position?id=204

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Good luck people!

VIVA!!!

Have you ever sat down…toiled over a piece of art for hours and hours (…and HOURS), feeling great about what you’re doing?

You’re in that zone.

Where every line is just flowing. Every thought and idea just shooting through your fingers right onto the page.
And VIOLA!
You’ve created at long last something that you’re actually PLEASED with!
You then get a deviant art email link from a pal saying “dude! Check it!!” And you click that link, and boom…..
What hits you in the face is a gorgeous piece of art that sends your artistic heart soaring.
You’re amazed.
You’re INSPIRED!

And then like a needle that scratches across an album…..you look back to your own piece.
You know…that piece that you felt so great about not more than 5 minutes ago?
And every flaw, every knick, EVERY small issue, is now magnified. 100%

So, what do you do?

You shelve it. Toss it in a drawer. Maybe even toss it entirely.
Never to be seen. All because of what?

Self doubt and insecurity.

Got news for you guys..and this isn’t exactly a news flash either.
You’re not alone.
Nope. We all have it. All of us.

It’s a battle we all fight on a daily (sometimes minute by minute) basis!
Whether you’re a young new artist trying to break into the creative fields or a hardened artistic veteran who’s worked in the industries for years.

And that’s normal. How you deal with it is another thing altogether.

One of the first things any artist who’s wanting to eventually work in an artistic industry needs to do, is realize that there are always…ALWAYS going to be people that are better than them.
Technically and creatively.
Now, I know that many out there are sayin’ “yeah…ok. Duh”.
But no. There is a school of thought on this.

Yeah. You’ve sat down…and you’ve probably had that discussion with yourself. Over and over and over.
But the problem is..You may not have had that discussion in a fair and reasonable way. And therefore not in a positive way.
So…your insecurities grow.

You sit and you look at that incredible art and it underlines in your mind everything that you’re *not*
Ok…I get that. But what it should also do, is inspire you to push forward in bettering your skills.
Improving on them.
But not to BE them. Because quite honestly…There’s a good chance you won’t.
And ya know what? That’s ok!

The art world HAS one of him/or one of her…what it doesn’t have, is one of YOU.
It’s already hearing their voice…but what it needs to hear is your voice and what you have to say.

There is strength in that, my friends.

And once you’ve realized that…you’ve gone a long way at clearing one of the biggest obstacles in your way…..YOU.

And with that…you now have the room you need…to BE you, and do the work YOU need to do.

Yes….
There ARE tons of AWESOME artists out there. And that may be what’s tripping you up some. But you’d be amazed at how many very very mediocre artists are out there as well. People that YOU…are far better than!
Working in the very industries YOU want to be in.

And why is that?

The answer is simply this:
While YOU are throwing your art away in a drawer, discouraged and not putting it out there.
Afraid to start.
Others ARE putting it out there. ….and making themselves visible.
Doing what THEY can to make their presence known.
Moving forward.
Sure…maybe slowly. But where does that leave that big swath of good unknown artists who are too afraid to take that first step? To move beyond their comfort zones.
Or discouraged when they see absolutely mindblowing art?
Well….it leaves them left behind. Where they will always be. Until they get over that mental (and emotional) speed bump.
Leaving a lot of art gigs open for the pickings by many many people that while not as good….are at least willing to get out there…willing to try.

Which leads me to this final part. The GOOD NEWS:

There’s Room For Us All!

Yup. There’s room for us ALL. There is.
Now that doesn’t mean that I’m saying everyone is going to find their ‘dream job’ of working at Marvel or Disney or whatever.
I AM saying that there is an audience for just about everything. You just have to find yours!
And you don’t do that by shelving your work, or crawling back into your shell, or being discouraged by other peoples work.
You do that…by getting on out there. Learning from others. Learning from your successes and learning (especially) from your failures.

Yeah…its a crowded field out there. But as crowded as it is…..people are hungry for a unique view.

A different voice on the subject matter.

They want to hear…from you.
And yeah….some are gonna hate your view. Straight up hate it.
But some…are gonna dig it.
And those are the people you gotta build upon.

So get over that self doubt speed bump!. Grab your pen, pencil, wacom (whatever)….and go do your stuff!

Your audience is waiting.

VIVA!

-SG-

This is a subject that whenever I speak about with fellow artistic types, it never fails to spark a debate. People get defensive and even angry. And I can understand why.
First, let me say that this is just my opinion…and only my opinion. And should be treated as such.

Okay? Here we goooooo!

I think that the artistic “digital” age has been nothing short of miraculous.
Giving artists all kinds of tools to create, manipulate, and experiment with in ways we could have only dreamt about not so long ago.
Making it much, MUCH easier to make corrections, alter on a whim, and send off for print.
Becoming the standard for just about every publisher and studio in pretty much every industry.

On the other hand, I also think that in a weird way, that it’s also limited us. Some far worse than others.

First: The terminology.
One of the terms I hear from many of today’s art folks is: “I’m a digital artist”.
And whenever I hear that it sort of grates on me like a thousand tiny nails on a very dusty chalk board.
Not, “I’m an artist”…but “I’m a *digital* artist”.

I know, I know….It’s just a term. But, WHY the term.
Does someone who works in oils say they’re an oils artist?
Does someone that works in pencil say that their a pencil artist?
Well, maybe they do…I’ve just never heard them say it.
I guess one of the reasons it bothers me so much is that too often people when they hear ‘digital’ will think that the damn computer does everything for that person. That *it* itself is the *artist*. That it’s just a matter of poking at the right buttons and presto!!
You have ‘art’.
I remember when I was animating in 94’, that everyone and their mother thought that all animation was done by computers. Even way back then. I would politely (through gritted teeth) correct them by saying it was hand drawn..(And I had the nervous and emotional breakdowns to prove it!)
So yeah…the term ‘digital artist’ does and probably will forever bother me.

Second: The weaknesses and limits of the digital age.
Yes, no doubt there are some extraordinary art pieces out there. Valid and important works.
But…and this is a big ‘but’….It, in a sense….is worthless.
I know…that’s a huge gauntlet thrown. And I don’t mean any disrespect to the many artists out there that do digital work…(Heck…I’m ONE of them.) But,….it’s the truth.
When I say ‘worthless’ I mean it beyond the point for which it was intended.
Beyond the prints.
Beyond the printing for publication.
Beyond the work itself…

It’s digital….
There IS no ‘there’ …there!
It doesn’t exist beyond it’s intended use.
To go to *print* in some fashion. And that’s it. And that’s kind of tragic in a way.

The argument from many of my pals is usually this:
“The computer is a tool. Every bit of thought process and technique that goes into something in a traditional medium also applies to the digital medium.”
Yes. Absolutely true.
And also largely irrelevant to what my point is.

Example:
Norman Rockwell and Frank Frazetta worked in oils. There’s been tons of prints made from their works. But there is also the original to marvel at.
Or even collect. Something that’s handed down through the ages.

Example#2:
The amazing animators from the 40’s…their animation keys EXIST.
They’re real. And when you sit there and see them….it’s dazzling. Even breathtaking.
Inspirational. And yeah….historic.
There is none of that in the digital age of art. It just doesn’t exist.
And it’s kinda sorta heartbreaking.

Sign of the times? Perhaps.
But as someone who worked in traditional mediums in both illustration as well as in animation and now works a great deal in digital mediums for work, I can tell you that just because this is the standard…it doesn’t have to be the end all ‘standard’ for you, the artist.

Solution:
And it’s an obvious one. Although, one that can quickly become forgotten or put off.

Push yourself as an artist, to create as much as you can…traditionally.
Sketch, Draw, Paint, mold (clay) studies or finished pieces as much as you can on your own time.
Create something tangible. Something touchable. Something…real.

I myself have tried to work on sketches and drawings and even some light traditional animation, Just to keep some things rooted in reality. Keeping some of the ‘value’.
No, not because I believe any of these things to be worth a plumb nickel at any point…but mainly so that my kid will have some original work to look at and say ‘my Dad did that’. And if there be anything other than sentimental value….bonus!

Many artists that I know just don’t seem to think it’s a big deal. And they’re fine with that.
And that’s certainly their prerogative.
But I for one, when I look upon the  original comic book art hanging in my studio from
John Byrne, Bernie Wrightson, Kerry Gammil, J. Scott Campbell, Bill Sienkiewicz, and drawings from Disney animator Glen Keane (amongst others)….I for one am thankful that these artists work and continue to work in traditional mediums. Because I would much rather have these originals…than only a digital print of them.

And I hope, that someday waaaay in the future…that someone looks on their walls at a “Hogarth Hughes” (“Iron Giant”) key original drawing that I did for the film…..leans back in their chair…..and smiles.

VIVA!

-SG-

So here we are! First post!
What to write about. What to write about?!
First off, a hearty hello to all who are even remotely interested in whatever ramblings I’ll have on this page.

This blog area will primarily be about all the different industries I’ve had the pleasure of working in for the past 28 years. The appreciation of those art-forms as well as
my history and experiences in them: The good, the bad, and yeah…at times, the ugly. (And sometimes very ugly.)
I will be very honest and candid in these posts, and as open as I can possibly be.
I’m also open to any questions that you, the reader might have.
Whether they be from a ‘fans’ point of view or from a fellow creator just wanting to have a back and forth on any given subject.
I would also like it to serve as a source of encouragement to fellow artists. Both the new, as well as the experienced pro’s.
We are, after all…in this crazy creative world together.

That doesn’t mean that you have to be an ‘artist’ to participate. If you love any of these fields: Comics, Illustration, Games, Animation for Films and TV…you may find this area a fun and interesting spot to visit.
…or at least that’s my hope! HAH!

The Jury is still out on whether I’ll post any tutorials. The internet is already chock full of those. Not sure if one more would be all that beneficial to anyone. But…we’ll see later on down the line.

Lastly!
Apologies up front on a few things:
I, like many other creative peoples, shoot from the hip. We are indeed prone to (ahem) ramble on a bit at times (Just ask my wife!). And yeah…I’ll say it. Our spelling can be a bit…let’s just say ‘off’, now and then. 😀
So! Please forgive me for when those times come up. (Oh and boy howdy they will indeed come up! )

With that! I’ll again say Welcome, and I’m truly glad you are here!
Hope you enjoy the experience. And feel free to leave a comment, question, suggestion or slab of lasagna. ALL, will be responded to and deeply appreciated (Especially the lasagna.)  😉

VIVA!!

-SG-