Some of you might have been wondering about the reasons for my prolonged absence and half-hearted presence.

Darlings, I have graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA this spring. Currently, I am working at a dainty publishing house on Union Square, NYC as an assistant to the art director. I am happier and busier than ever, getting my career started and nursing grand hopes for a move to Europe.

In turn, I am glad to note that sciforums is prettier and slower than ever, like a pretty young blonde from southern mid-west USA.

Darlings, I wuv you all. ;)

Never noticed you before today.

sup

Congrats... good luck!

your avatar still creeps me out :(

Congratulations old stick, I'm highly pleased to hear you've not only graduated but gotten a half descent job out of the deal - so many people these days qualify with art and design degrees and end up working in Insurance, it's depressing.

Congratulations. Are you staying around or just making a flying visit?

Glad to hear you're doing well. Congratulations and good luck.

sup


My rooster.

And what's up on your side of the monitor?

Never noticed you before today.


I don't know who the fuck you are, but I send you a warm virtual hug.

your avatar still creeps me out :(


I am watching you.

Congratulations old stick, I'm highly pleased to hear you've not only graduated but gotten a half descent job out of the deal - so many people these days qualify with art and design degrees and end up working in Insurance, it's depressing.

Congratulations. Are you staying around or just making a flying visit?


Thanks. :) So many people think there's no way to make money in the field of arts, it's depressing. So many of those who should've never been allowed to touch a pencil manage to make money that it's inspiring.

Of course I'm staying.


Glad to hear you're doing well. Congratulations and good luck.

Congrats... good luck!


Thanks, thanks. :)



I wish all of you to reach success. May your most sacred dreams come true. Really, it's all about ambition and persistance.

Obviously, sciforums has played an important role in my growth and maturity. I couldn't have made it without your warmth and guidance and I am glad that there are many more long nights ahead of us. ;o)

Thanks. :) So many people think there's no way to make money in the field of arts, it's depressing. So many of those who should've never been allowed to touch a pencil manage to make money that it's inspiring.

Of course I'm staying.

:) ... Bladdy excellent news, you have of course been missed.

And, yes. I frankly couldn't agree more with you on that sticking with the arts side of things, business. It really has to be the ultimate motivator - why, if this jack-ass can make a penny, then there's no reason on earth why I can't. It's an attitude a thoroughly applaud.

Oh, and speaking of talentless jack-asses with pencils - http://www.sciforums.com/showpost.php?p=1148068&postcount=325 - just a rampant, unsubtle hint. I need all the free New York exposure I can get - I'm sick to the back teeth of the god-forsaken agents that infest this bladdy country. I want to work somewhere where there are descent Deli's and the pickings are good.

Just, y'know, a subtle hint.... ;)

No, but seriously. Great to have you back m'dear. And once more, sincerest congratulations.

A

:) ... Bladdy excellent news, you have of course been missed.

And, yes. I frankly couldn't agree more with you on that sticking with the arts side of things, business. It really has to be the ultimate motivator - why, if this jack-ass can make a penny, then there's no reason on earth why I can't. It's an attitude a thoroughly applaud.

Oh, and speaking of talentless jack-asses with pencils - http://www.sciforums.com/showpost.php?p=1148068&postcount=325 - just a rampant, unsubtle hint. I need all the free New York exposure I can get - I'm sick to the back teeth of the god-forsaken agents that infest this bladdy country. I want to work somewhere where there are descent Deli's and the pickings are good.

Just, y'know, a subtle hint.... ;)

No, but seriously. Great to have you back m'dear. And once more, sincerest congratulations.

A

Thanks for the warm welcome. I've missed everyone, too. I could've never excelled in eccentricity without sciforums elite.

That kitty is adorable! As soon as I settle in the publishing business, I will drag all of my creative friends and acquaintances along.

But, ahem, I thought the scene was far better on your side of Cat's Puddle. I've been considering finishing my education somewhere in Britain and settling there for a long period of time. What's the publishing world like over there?

Oh, and check me out here: belijvolk.deviantart.com and volchara.deviantart.com.

Some day I'll make myself a web site.... ehhhhh....

:) ... Depends on which publisher your interested in, and how well your placed. Let me put it this way, as a talented, young New York designer coming over here, they'll lap you up with a spoon. Believe it. You can quite literally write your own ticket...

If you're domestic, they'll step over your rotting corpse on the way into work every morning rather than look at you. We have to go over there in order for a London based publishing firm to "discover" us. Well, either that or blow up the Houses of Parliament....

Actually, no. It's nothing like that bad. With a reputable degree and good bit of work experience backing you up, you shouldn't have too many problems finishing off your education over here and finding work. Publishing contracts are notoriously short over here, that's something you do want to watch out for and getting adequate representation for your work, that's another matter altogether. But fall in with the right crowd and actually you'll find it a lot of fun. Even if you don't, London's a great city. It's certainly a good place if you're interested in making in roads into Europe and making a name for yourself over here doesn't do your profile the slightest harm back in the US.

Just be sure what you want to be doing with yourself and where you want to go with it - pick up as many contacts as you can where ever you get the chance to and network.

Just please don't get me started on British agents. I've never met a single one of 'em I wouldn't happily chuck out of a window as soon as look at.

You, on the other hand, should have no such problems.

Oh, and check me out here: belijvolk@deviantart.com and volchara.deviantart.com.

Some day I'll make myself a web site.... ehhhhh....

I can never work out the links in that place, could you pop us a linky direct to your actual work at all, I never know when hitting the buttons over their if I'm actually hitting the links to the person who's work I'm trying to look at or a promo for someone else... I can be and often am, extraordinarily dense. (there seems to be a prominent image in blue on the profile, is that yours?)

I can never work out the links in that place, could you pop us a linky direct to your actual work at all, I never know when hitting the buttons over their if I'm actually hitting the links to the person who's work I'm trying to look at or a promo for someone else... I can be and often am, extraordinarily dense. (there seems to be a prominent image in blue on the profile, is that yours?)

I've been told that site is confusing and slow as hell, but it's the best one for displaying work so far.

my most recent stuff:
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/41412626/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/39530712/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37295328/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37938752/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/30980336/?qo=4&q=by%3Avolchara&qh=sort%3Atime+-in%3Ascraps

I'll give you a detailed responce on the art scene here later today.

You are a very good artist. How long did it take to draw that cathedral?

I've been told that site is confusing and slow as hell, but it's the best one for displaying work so far.

my most recent stuff:
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/41412626/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/39530712/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37295328/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/37938752/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/30980336/?qo=4&q=by%3Avolchara&qh=sort%3Atime+-in%3Ascraps

I'll give you a detailed responce on the art scene here later today.

:) ... Thank you for showing us those, and sorting out the links. Delightful, really. I'm certain you've been complimented on your pencil technique many, many times, with obvious reason, as too your grasp of oil paint. But I have to say that I was particularly taken with those pieces of yours inspired by the style of traditional folk art - lovely stuff. The use of colour, choices of materials, themes.... Most impressive. Once again, thanks for sharing. http://www.sciforums.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

I need to eat someone alive and fast!.....woooooo!!!!!

You are a very good artist. How long did it take to draw that cathedral?

Thanks.

A few hours. All I want is an excuse to draw all day.

:) ... Thank you for showing us those, and sorting out the links. Delightful, really. I'm certain you've been complimented on your pencil technique many, many times, with obvious reason, as too your grasp of oil paint. But I have to say that I was particularly taken with those pieces of yours inspired by the style of traditional folk art - lovely stuff. The use of colour, choices of materials, themes.... Most impressive. Once again, thanks for sharing. http://www.sciforums.com/images/icons/icon14.gif

Thanks for the compliments. I will always do traditional drawing for practice, to keep my skills good. I love folk art and folklore very much, and I'm sticking to that style for now.

Ok, to be honest, it's just as tough here as it is where you are. When I graduated, I thought getting a job would take only a couple of weeks. My buddies take only a few weeks to find a job; although they come out looking for any job and end up with a position that's nowhere near their professional goals. I sent out resumes, called, and visited every day for two months and got positive responces only from start-up companies that offered unpaid internships. Printing is expensive and nobody wants to trust the design to someone with no experience (well, duh). They always say polite words, but their tone of voice is such as if they're wondering why the fuck you're calling. I came across an art director that was talkative and phoned her once a week and begged her for a chance. I'm very lucky that she needed an assistant. And my luck is enormous, because the publishing house is owned by another one in Britain, so I'm a few steps closer to my goal than I was initially hoping to be. I've only been working for a couple of weeks, but I've learned a good deal already and I'm dancing in glee every day. I guess it will be easier for me to get work as I gain experience.

I've also heard art directors say that they only work with artists who have representing agents. It'd help if I'd have one because I have no connections, but I decided that I'll find myself a rep. after I earn some money. A rep. would want to advertise in those annual promotion books and that's very expensive.

Whitewolf:

How do you like city?

I'm rather fond of Union Square.

Union Square is awsome in Manhattan.

Thanks for the compliments. I will always do traditional drawing for practice, to keep my skills good. I love folk art and folklore very much, and I'm sticking to that style for now.

It's a choice that shines in your work, pretty much what drew me to it. Absurd as it sounds, but you actually look happy doing it - it's something in the quality of the pieces. Hard to define exactly, but there nevertheless. And a good choice it is to - with your exact sort of cultural background and heritage to draw upon, not only do you come with source of inspiration ready built as it were, it's a particular niche market western art collectors find both highly charming and collectible. Pass you're folio around a few of the smaller modern galleries, I don't think you're going to find much problem getting a bit of gallery space... ;)

Ok, to be honest, it's just as tough here as it is where you are. When I graduated, I thought getting a job would take only a couple of weeks. My buddies take only a few weeks to find a job; although they come out looking for any job and end up with a position that's nowhere near their professional goals. I sent out resumes, called, and visited every day for two months and got positive responces only from start-up companies that offered unpaid internships. Printing is expensive and nobody wants to trust the design to someone with no experience (well, duh). They always say polite words, but their tone of voice is such as if they're wondering why the fuck you're calling. I came across an art director that was talkative and phoned her once a week and begged her for a chance. I'm very lucky that she needed an assistant. And my luck is enormous, because the publishing house is owned by another one in Britain, so I'm a few steps closer to my goal than I was initially hoping to be. I've only been working for a couple of weeks, but I've learned a good deal already and I'm dancing in glee every day. I guess it will be easier for me to get work as I gain experience.

Oodles more, believe it and if you enjoy your current position as much as you say, the longer you stick with the company the better placed you'll be for applying for in-house positions. Toughest thing is always getting your foot through the door - once you have and you find your actually talking to a human being, things start moving. I'm very, very pleased for anyone who not only gets a break but has the smarts to know how to use it - plus, actually enjoying your work - bonus.

I've also heard art directors say that they only work with artists who have representing agents. It'd help if I'd have one because I have no connections, but I decided that I'll find myself a rep. after I earn some money. A rep. would want to advertise in those annual promotion books and that's very expensive.

Well, first off, do always bear in mind - it's your agent who is supposed to be the one promoting you - that means they pay, you pay them back on a percentage basis based on sales only. Hear anything at all about such-and-such a place expecting money upfront for promotional work and politely tell them to swivel.

Yes, picking up adequate, let alone half descent representation - tricky. Very. Personally I ended up getting so sick of being either arsed around and/or fobbed off with crap from my early experiences with them I walked and never went back. This isn't to say I don't still to this day look back and still keep my ear to the ground, but I just gave up on the fine art market years back and concentrated on commercial/graphic work instead. You work for am editor or art manager, demonstrate your a can-do sort and they come back to you and take you're call when you're fishing for a commission. It's very hand to mouth, not to everyones tastes I'm certain, but I can honestly say I'm still learning through working and every job I get under my belt teaches me something I never actually knew before.

The education process really never stops, just the academic side of things.

You can get by admirably well without an agent: its contacts you need and favourable opinion regarding what you do and how you do it. Granted, your own art director may not want to show you around too much - but that you can always interpret as a good sign. If they like you, they'll really like you and want to keep you for their firm, no one else's.

In the meantime there are dozens of publications in NY, magazines. periodicals etc. They all use freelancers, you can increase both your folio and your visibility by getting a couple of them to take you on as a feature illustrator.

Pick a mag you like, pick a feature from it you like, recomposit it with a style and presentation you feel both suits the magazine and what you enjoy doing - make a few calls, see if anyone minds you running a couple of jpegs over to them. You don't need representation and, unlike what it says in all the books, get in touch by phone with the editor first and enquire if they're in the market for viewing your work. Oddly editors like people with pluck who deliver and on time. At the end of the day, it's all they really care about. Some will undoubtedly just pass you on to their art editor, but others take a more hands on approach. Ultimately its these people who have the final yay-or-nay on everything.

I know your new job will be keeping you busy for the time being, but incredibly sooner or later you start getting on top of things and find you have more free time. Not going to happen over night and all that, but it's something to think about as the weeks pass on and work becomes more manageable, more routine.

In either respect, you continue to learn and as long as you get that sort of experience, with pay no less, life is better than merely average and that's the only way, really, to live it.

My very best,

A ;)

Whitewolf:

How do you like city?

I'm rather fond of Union Square.

Union Square is awsome in Manhattan.


Are you guys in the neighborhood often? Perhaps we should go for lunch.

It's a choice that shines in your work, pretty much what drew me to it. Absurd as it sounds, but you actually look happy doing it - it's something in the quality of the pieces. Hard to define exactly, but there nevertheless. And a good choice it is to - with your exact sort of cultural background and heritage to draw upon, not only do you come with source of inspiration ready built as it were, it's a particular niche market western art collectors find both highly charming and collectible. Pass you're folio around a few of the smaller modern galleries, I don't think you're going to find much problem getting a bit of gallery space... ;)


The entire world seems to be in a folk craze lately. Many feel that the whole globalization thing is a threat to individual identity, cultural differences, and so on. Unfortunately, this trend will disappear, like all other trends. I like folklore simply because it's so... colorful.



Oodles more, believe it and if you enjoy your current position as much as you say, the longer you stick with the company the better placed you'll be for applying for in-house positions. Toughest thing is always getting your foot through the door - once you have and you find your actually talking to a human being, things start moving. I'm very, very pleased for anyone who not only gets a break but has the smarts to know how to use it - plus, actually enjoying your work - bonus.



Well, first off, do always bear in mind - it's your agent who is supposed to be the one promoting you - that means they pay, you pay them back on a percentage basis based on sales only. Hear anything at all about such-and-such a place expecting money upfront for promotional work and politely tell them to swivel.

Yes, picking up adequate, let alone half descent representation - tricky. Very. Personally I ended up getting so sick of being either arsed around and/or fobbed off with crap from my early experiences with them I walked and never went back. This isn't to say I don't still to this day look back and still keep my ear to the ground, but I just gave up on the fine art market years back and concentrated on commercial/graphic work instead. You work for am editor or art manager, demonstrate your a can-do sort and they come back to you and take you're call when you're fishing for a commission. It's very hand to mouth, not to everyones tastes I'm certain, but I can honestly say I'm still learning through working and every job I get under my belt teaches me something I never actually knew before.

The education process really never stops, just the academic side of things.

You can get by admirably well without an agent: its contacts you need and favourable opinion regarding what you do and how you do it. Granted, your own art director may not want to show you around too much - but that you can always interpret as a good sign. If they like you, they'll really like you and want to keep you for their firm, no one else's.

In the meantime there are dozens of publications in NY, magazines. periodicals etc. They all use freelancers, you can increase both your folio and your visibility by getting a couple of them to take you on as a feature illustrator.

Pick a mag you like, pick a feature from it you like, recomposit it with a style and presentation you feel both suits the magazine and what you enjoy doing - make a few calls, see if anyone minds you running a couple of jpegs over to them. You don't need representation and, unlike what it says in all the books, get in touch by phone with the editor first and enquire if they're in the market for viewing your work. Oddly editors like people with pluck who deliver and on time. At the end of the day, it's all they really care about. Some will undoubtedly just pass you on to their art editor, but others take a more hands on approach. Ultimately its these people who have the final yay-or-nay on everything.

I know your new job will be keeping you busy for the time being, but incredibly sooner or later you start getting on top of things and find you have more free time. Not going to happen over night and all that, but it's something to think about as the weeks pass on and work becomes more manageable, more routine.

In either respect, you continue to learn and as long as you get that sort of experience, with pay no less, life is better than merely average and that's the only way, really, to live it.

My very best,

A ;)


I still hope that the quality of my work will speak for itself. There's nothing that an agent would do that I can't do on my own. All I need is connections. So, after I'd get a few acquaintances, I'd drop the agent and proceed on my own. I heard they take about 25%.... So, it's whatever the miniscule amount I'd get for a job minus 25% for the agent minus taxes....

I realized I don't like begging for work. However, as a freelancer, I'm more free than a regular office worker. It's my dream to freelance and do picture books.

It seems more reasonable to freelance as a designer or an illustrator and also to sell the work in galleries. There are some good fine artists nowadays, but nothing comparable to Warhol or any of the demi-gods in history books; so there's room for talent and invention. It's possible to do that here, in US, because the copyright law allows the artist to collect money from every way in which a single work of art can be used. That still doesn't make artists rich, but it's enough to make them happy. I've often been told that fine artists don't regard illustrators as artists and vice versa. There are different programs for fine arts and illustration in colleges; in some, the fine arts curriculum is superior to illustration, and in others it's the other way around. Illustrators end up doing design work, too, eventhough the training for these two professions is different as well. I still hold the old-fashioned view that an artist ought to be able to do everything related to art.

I wish you lots of luck and success too. Do you have a web site? Can we view more of your work? :)

The entire world seems to be in a folk craze lately. Many feel that the whole globalization thing is a threat to individual identity, cultural differences, and so on. Unfortunately, this trend will disappear, like all other trends. I like folklore simply because it's so... colorful.

Well, yes. Both colourful and charming, hence the appeal. But as a "trend" goes, as you put it, it's been a pretty consistent one for about as long as I've been knocking around - and that's been far longer than I personally like to tell.

It's not exactly a bubble which is going to burst anytime soon.

I still hope that the quality of my work will speak for itself. There's nothing that an agent would do that I can't do on my own. All I need is connections. So, after I'd get a few acquaintances, I'd drop the agent and proceed on my own. I heard they take about 25%.... So, it's whatever the miniscule amount I'd get for a job minus 25% for the agent minus taxes....

Depends on the firm and where your marketing. Don't forget, galleries can take anything from 25% -45% plus on sales on top of what your agent charges, assuming you use as such to help get your work placed. Additionally, read very carefully the small print associated with what your agent feels they are entitled to taking a slice of whilst you are under a contract with them - it can get binding and rather acrimonious.

I realized I don't like begging for work. However, as a freelancer, I'm more free than a regular office worker. It's my dream to freelance and do picture books.

It seems more reasonable to freelance as a designer or an illustrator and also to sell the work in galleries. There are some good fine artists nowadays, but nothing comparable to Warhol or any of the demi-gods in history books; so there's room for talent and invention. It's possible to do that here, in US, because the copyright law allows the artist to collect money from every way in which a single work of art can be used. That still doesn't make artists rich, but it's enough to make them happy. I've often been told that fine artists don't regard illustrators as artists and vice versa. There are different programs for fine arts and illustration in colleges; in some, the fine arts curriculum is superior to illustration, and in others it's the other way around. Illustrators end up doing design work, too, eventhough the training for these two professions is different as well. I still hold the old-fashioned view that an artist ought to be able to do everything related to art.

:) .. I believe this is something to do with faculty snobbery, and has very little bearing on anything much outside the confines of full time education. Well, strictly speaking that isn't entirely true - but it's all stuff that has little do do with actual artists themselves, more those who wouldn't know one end of a paint brush from another if their lives depended on it.

Of course, all artists draw upon , use and explore any and all available avenues when finding what works with little regard as to the particular provenience of whatever particular discipline they may be drawing from - art dictates itself, not the market.

Though, that in the history of ever, never stopped those that dictate the market from believing themselves in someway pivotal with regard to Art.

I wish you lots of luck and success too. Do you have a web site? Can we view more of your work? :)

Your terribly kind, thank you. Lamentably, not currently - or should I say, nothing I'd personally want to flog around and happily put a pseudonym to. Not at the minute at anyrate.... ;)