HOME | DD

Description
We can be our own worst enemies as artists, or people in general even. For years I have always been hard on myself with my art---believing that I was mediocre in comparison to a lot of the greats and artists I look up to and aspire to be. And for a good long while I gave up. I got frustrated. I told myself that I was okay with being a hobbyist and staying at the level I was at because I was fearful. Yup. I was afraid of failure and exposing myself as a failed artist. That all my practice and what not was for nought. Tonight, on 1/4/2015, I came across an old folder on my external HD filled with unfinished sketches and pieces. What I saw I couldn't believe I actually drew. And I saw more than just good work. I saw an artist who use to challenge himself; who use to push harder with every piece. I saw an artist who wasn't afraid of failure, who tried new things and didn't care what others thought because he knew the next piece would be better than the last.

And now I look at the artist I am today. I am not that artist anymore. I'm timid. I'm a perfectionist. I want to get it right on the first stroke. I play it safe because I don't want to waste time and challenging myself often leads to frustration and a resounding "I TOLD YOU SO," that I built up in the back of my mind. And lemme tell y'all sum'n---THAT artist is on some bullsh*t! Looking back I can't believe how much I gave up because I started becoming afraid. This was a reminder to me that we are GOOD ENOUGH. For where you are at right now in your life, your skills, your talents, and who you are are good enough to get the job done. GREATNESS is upon you, but to get to greatness you can't dismiss the fact that you are good enough NOW and are working through those many pitfalls, shortcomings, and impurities as an artist or a person.

So this is a challenge to every artist on dA. You cannot give up. You cannot give in. You have got to pick up that pencil or pen, put it to paper, tablet, or Wacom, and get back to it. Look back at your past. What can you learn? They say leave the past in the past, but my past has been enlightening and awakening. The fire is back. And to celebrate I'm going to be posting several pieces that once were in my gallery but I took out because I believed they weren't good enough.

So it's go time! Join me. And use the #YouAreGoodEnough2015 or #YAGE15 hashtags to participate. By the end of 2015 lets be in a place where we can celebrate how much we've grown from this moment on.

Description
We can be our own worst enemies as artists, or people in general even. For years I have always been hard on myself with my art---believing that I was mediocre in comparison to a lot of the greats and artists I look up to and aspire to be. And for a good long while I gave up. I got frustrated. I told myself that I was okay with being a hobbyist and staying at the level I was at because I was fearful. Yup. I was afraid of failure and exposing myself as a failed artist. That all my practice and what not was for nought. Tonight, on 1/4/2015, I came across an old folder on my external HD filled with unfinished sketches and pieces. What I saw I couldn't believe I actually drew. And I saw more than just good work. I saw an artist who use to challenge himself; who use to push harder with every piece. I saw an artist who wasn't afraid of failure, who tried new things and didn't care what others thought because he knew the next piece would be better than the last.

And now I look at the artist I am today. I am not that artist anymore. I'm timid. I'm a perfectionist. I want to get it right on the first stroke. I play it safe because I don't want to waste time and challenging myself often leads to frustration and a resounding "I TOLD YOU SO," that I built up in the back of my mind. And lemme tell y'all sum'n---THAT artist is on some bullsh*t! Looking back I can't believe how much I gave up because I started becoming afraid. This was a reminder to me that we are GOOD ENOUGH. For where you are at right now in your life, your skills, your talents, and who you are are good enough to get the job done. GREATNESS is upon you, but to get to greatness you can't dismiss the fact that you are good enough NOW and are working through those many pitfalls, shortcomings, and impurities as an artist or a person.

So this is a challenge to every artist on dA. You cannot give up. You cannot give in. You have got to pick up that pencil or pen, put it to paper, tablet, or Wacom, and get back to it. Look back at your past. What can you learn? They say leave the past in the past, but my past has been enlightening and awakening. The fire is back. And to celebrate I'm going to be posting several pieces that once were in my gallery but I took out because I believed they weren't good enough.

So it's go time! Join me. And use the #YouAreGoodEnough2015 or #YAGE15 hashtags to participate. By the end of 2015 lets be in a place where we can celebrate how much we've grown from this moment on.