Here's an article I posted recently on LinkedIn.
This last year of mine has been full of pratfalls and gifts. It's been a year like no other. While I miss my past adventures and relish their memories I look forward to the next big thing in my career... whatever the hell that is.
Being an artist means to expect change. It seems to be a blessing and a curse of the creative communities. I don't know a single artist who hasn't been expendable in the eyes of their employers. I once had a boss who told a fellow artist, "artists are a dime a dozen." Yes, he actually said that! He treated his artists as if they came by the dozen too. Actually he treated his entire company that way. He's not the only employer I've worked for who radiated that attitude. Employers need to be wary of how they treat their people since it molds their reputation but that's a conversation for another day. The point is that artists need to be able to move on when you-know-what hits the fan.
My career is nothing like I had planned but it has always worked out. This is something I wish I could have told my younger self as I'm sure many of us wish. I still have to remind myself of this and often. I'm not a plumber with a new job every day to keep me secure. I'm just a blissfully ignorant artist who can't imagine doing anything else. I create not because it's my job. I create because I must. So when bad things happen... and they happen often... the calluses build and I move forward.
I created the above and following cartoons to express my frustrations about how hard it is to convince employers that I'm the one they're looking for. Noodling these cartoons is like therapy. I've found small job opportunities to keep me active and creative but for now the next Big Gig is evading me.
So I diligently seek my new creative thing. I'm anxiously searching for a new adventure. It's out there. I'm not expendable. I'm who you're looking for. Check me out.
Come at me, future!
- Jeff Willis
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