I’m going to ask you a question and I need you to be honest with me…
Don’t hold back.
Whatever the answer is, I can take it…
Am I good enough?
Do I have what it takes to succeed as a professional artist?
Artists ask me this all the time.
…and not just young, aspiring artists but seasoned pros as well.
My response is always “No.”
“No, you’re not good enough, nor am I.
…and we never will be.”
And that, my friends is an encouraging revelation.
Children’s illustrator, app author and art guru Will Terry joins me for what I think is one of the best episodes of the ArtCast ever recorded.
So if you want to rid yourself of the insecurity that comes from constantly worrying that you’ll never be good enough, click through and listen…
Listen To The Podcast:
Here’s an amusingly-ironic bit of Will Terry trivia:
As a student, Will was almost kicked out of the art school. …and now he teaches there.
The first thirty minutes of the episode is basically an interview about Will’s career.
From his time as a failing art student to his current career-reinvention as a creator of interactive storybook apps for children, Will’s story is inspiring.
The following hour is an exploration of this question: “Am I Good Enough?”
Though we do attempt to answer this question, we’re more interested in providing better questions that we think you should be asking…
“I believe that everyone has greatness in them. …and I think regret is never knowing what that is.”
-Will Terry
Episode Highlights:
- What Chris thinks is the rarest and most valuable artistic skill.
- Why the key to a long, successful creative career is now the complete opposite of what it was ten years ago.
- How the opportunities for creative professionals are more numerous than ever before.
- How the definition of “illustrator” has changed forever.
- How to respond when your “personal style” goes out of fashion.
- What is true creativity?
- How you might be taking the benefits of the Internet for granted.
- Why a job at Disney (or some other studio) usually isn’t enough to completely fulfill you as an artist.
- Why failure is necessary for artistic success.
Links Mentioned:
Will Terry’s PortfolioGary’s Place by Will Terry
Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus by Mo Willems
Snowmen At Night by Mark Buehner
Where To Learn More:
“The Death Of Freelance Illustration” With Noah Bradley
Will’s Speech To Illustration Students:
Will just released an awesome YouTube Series and an amazing blog post which provide a well-reasoned (and inspiring) explanation of the “death” of freelance illustration which has been validated by some of the top editorial illustrators in the world.
Watch his “Speech To Illustration Students” video series in the YouTube playlist above and then head to his blog to read Where Are All My Freelance Jobs?
