I get frustrated sometimes because I struggle with getting my comic book done and being there for my family and others who rely strongly on me. It's like I have this dream to accomplish something, but I have to balance it out with work, bills, grandparents, friends, church, and the other ministry I'm called to do. I am not where I want to be in life. And I feel like things keep coming up to get in the way of me working on the comic. I really struggle with regret and sadness and I think it hinders me from having a better outlook on life. Does anyone have some good advice that can help me to be okay with what's going on?
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I definitely agree with Melchizedek that time management is important. Just as you schedule time for prayer, family, church,etc. schedule time for comicbook work. Put it on the calendar on the frig so everyone will know this is time slated for comicbooks.
One idea to master time, if you haven't already done so is drawing on smaller pages. This has cut my time considerably! I use to draw my pages on the comic standard 10X15 and so on, until I read something about the Comic artist Alan Davis. He didn't know that comic book pages were shrunk to 6x9, so he just penciled his pages that size. And you've seen his work, if not go to his website he's a legend in the field, his stuff is great. But the point is I began to do that and you don't give up any detail or anything. What you get is less time drawing and inking your pages and less money spent on ink pens and paper. I buy a 14x17 bristol board pack with 20 pages, but now I just split one page into two, less money spent!
I wouldn't be able to help with the comic, but fish around this site and you'll find a really good artist whose available trust me. You can put a post on the main page. Or here is another site that I look in on from time to time, but it's not christian based. It's called digitalwebbing.com Lee Savage said:
I am a Christian writer trying to connect with an artist, as I am not one. I need a good Artist for my comic Book
Hey Ralph. I feel like I wouldn't even want to do the ministry if the foundation were built on neglecting those around me. My wife, my boys, and those closest to me are my first ministry. They are my most powerful testimony. Who can testify for me when the comic is finally done. Who can say I'm a good man and yes he is a christian if it's not my family. When the book is done I would want them to be happy with me, not resent the book because I put it before them.
It's hard doing a balancing act though, but I'm praying hard about it, and I am trying to do things a little different. I am really glad I posted this though because all the words of encouragement helps. I'm very thankful.
Been there. I've been married for almost 27 years, raised 3 children, the youngest being 16. And yet, there are very few things I enjoy more than working on comics. However, where I at this time in my life is where the Lord has me. Would I have enjoyed working in comics full time? I think about it often, but when I look at my family, my church family, my Christian comicbook family and I see God's hand and I trust Him with my life to allow me to see what are real important things in my life. I wouldn't trade my relationship with my children and my wife for any job in comics. To know that your children know the Lord, that is priceless. It is the best investment that you can make. I love comics, I love being involved in almost every aspect of them, but when my children can come to me and share what's going on in their lives, for me because of the time I've sacrificed for them, there are only a couple of things more fulfilling. I hope this helps you achieve a proper perspective of how God's hand is already guiding you in what He has for you.
Lisa, your advice was exactly what I needed to hear today. I'm in the Air Force and it makes a lot of demands on my time. I find myself getting depressed and frustrated a lot wishing I could escape and work on my own stuff. Thanks for putting things in perspective.
Yo thank you guys.... I really appreciate all the post. I'm soaking it in. Everyone's advice is really helpful. I feel much better. I'm glad someone came to my rescue.
Sometimes I feel like I'm alone and no one understands but all of your advice motivates me BIGTIME! I want to respond to all of your comments, but my wife is sleeping and the kids are at school, so I better take advantage of this opportunity before I have to go to work. LOL. Thank you thank you.
this is a common frustration, and all creatives of any stripe face it. As I live in the south in the USA, I endeavor to make all analogies have something to do with eating pie - so here goes. You eat a giant peach pie one bite at a time, and you keeping eating it one bite at a time until it's all gone and there's none left for anyone else. ; > Large projects have to be broken down into small chunks (bites), it really doesn't matter what kind of creative project it is. The point is forward motion. maybe your time chunks are 15 minutes every day or every other day. As an illustrator, I have done many 80-90 page books where there was a full blow illustration covering each page and I had 2 months to do the whole book. Looking at the whole project was so discouraging and seemed impossible, even scary. after a couple of them, I quit looking at the whole thing and just concentrated on the next page - getting it done and making it look the best I could. it's like a marathon. break the project into manageable chunks that are realistic, and small enough to keep your enthusiasm fired up. meeting goals keeps your attitude good, and you can track your progress. forward motion is the deal and trusting God with it, one bite of pie at a time. Go for it!
Yo Chris, I totally understand as well. I currently have two jobs and working on a third. Also, every friday night, my wife and I have a Dave Ramsey Bible Study. It can be very challenging for me to work on my comic. I had to learn to prioritize my time meaning no more playing video games or watching movies when I can be drawing. It's hard but the biggest step on completing a personal project is telling yourself "NO". All artists deal with time management issues but we still have to improve on time management. When I complain about time, my wife reminds me of the time I wasted doing something else. The truth is there is always something that wants to our time but God gives us freewill to choose how we send our time. Choose it wisely my man. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. Realize where you can change and press towards your new goal.
Replies
Hey Christopher,
One idea to master time, if you haven't already done so is drawing on smaller pages. This has cut my time considerably! I use to draw my pages on the comic standard 10X15 and so on, until I read something about the Comic artist Alan Davis. He didn't know that comic book pages were shrunk to 6x9, so he just penciled his pages that size. And you've seen his work, if not go to his website he's a legend in the field, his stuff is great. But the point is I began to do that and you don't give up any detail or anything. What you get is less time drawing and inking your pages and less money spent on ink pens and paper. I buy a 14x17 bristol board pack with 20 pages, but now I just split one page into two, less money spent!
Hope that helps you and anyone else here.
Hey Lee,
I wouldn't be able to help with the comic, but fish around this site and you'll find a really good artist whose available trust me. You can put a post on the main page. Or here is another site that I look in on from time to time, but it's not christian based. It's called digitalwebbing.com
Lee Savage said:
Hey Ralph. I feel like I wouldn't even want to do the ministry if the foundation were built on neglecting those around me. My wife, my boys, and those closest to me are my first ministry. They are my most powerful testimony. Who can testify for me when the comic is finally done. Who can say I'm a good man and yes he is a christian if it's not my family. When the book is done I would want them to be happy with me, not resent the book because I put it before them.
It's hard doing a balancing act though, but I'm praying hard about it, and I am trying to do things a little different. I am really glad I posted this though because all the words of encouragement helps. I'm very thankful.
Yo thank you guys.... I really appreciate all the post. I'm soaking it in. Everyone's advice is really helpful. I feel much better. I'm glad someone came to my rescue.
Sometimes I feel like I'm alone and no one understands but all of your advice motivates me BIGTIME! I want to respond to all of your comments, but my wife is sleeping and the kids are at school, so I better take advantage of this opportunity before I have to go to work. LOL. Thank you thank you.
Christopher -
this is a common frustration, and all creatives of any stripe face it. As I live in the south in the USA, I endeavor to make all analogies have something to do with eating pie - so here goes. You eat a giant peach pie one bite at a time, and you keeping eating it one bite at a time until it's all gone and there's none left for anyone else. ; > Large projects have to be broken down into small chunks (bites), it really doesn't matter what kind of creative project it is. The point is forward motion. maybe your time chunks are 15 minutes every day or every other day. As an illustrator, I have done many 80-90 page books where there was a full blow illustration covering each page and I had 2 months to do the whole book. Looking at the whole project was so discouraging and seemed impossible, even scary. after a couple of them, I quit looking at the whole thing and just concentrated on the next page - getting it done and making it look the best I could. it's like a marathon. break the project into manageable chunks that are realistic, and small enough to keep your enthusiasm fired up. meeting goals keeps your attitude good, and you can track your progress. forward motion is the deal and trusting God with it, one bite of pie at a time. Go for it!
Yo Chris, I totally understand as well. I currently have two jobs and working on a third. Also, every friday night, my wife and I have a Dave Ramsey Bible Study. It can be very challenging for me to work on my comic. I had to learn to prioritize my time meaning no more playing video games or watching movies when I can be drawing. It's hard but the biggest step on completing a personal project is telling yourself "NO". All artists deal with time management issues but we still have to improve on time management. When I complain about time, my wife reminds me of the time I wasted doing something else. The truth is there is always something that wants to our time but God gives us freewill to choose how we send our time. Choose it wisely my man. Don't let your emotions get the best of you. Realize where you can change and press towards your new goal.
Pray for me as I pray for you. God Bless.
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