An Unexpected Return

After a long hiatus, I have decided to return to the world of blogging.  Much has changed over these past two years and life seems to be passing me by rather quickly.  In an attempt to record my adventures as an artist, I have been drawn (ha!) back into the world wide web with hopes of improving and evolving my work.

Dude, I'd totally love to be a Concept Artist : An Introduction
As mentioned, I am currently a Chalk Artist, Game Artist, & Illustrator.  Many people ask how the heck I got here, and honestly, I'm not quite sure myself.  Everyone says how important networking is, and though I kinda sorta believed it then, I'm truly a believer now.

Much of it really started with casual conversations coworkers.  Someone who knew someone in the industry.  Sweet.  What's there to lose?  Back then, I was a cashier straight out of college -- convinced that I just paid thousands of dollars on a worthless degree.  I mean, who would hire a studio art major with an emphasis on drawing?  I had nothing to lose.

So I went.

Against my lifelong struggle with social anxiety, I went, d*mnit.  And you know what?  Even though 98% of those leads lead to empty promises and a deflated self esteem, 2% followed through.  And those odds were good enough for me.

No Experience, But Willing to Learn : Life After Landing the Job
Life has never really given it to me easy.  I've been thrown into nearly every job I've accepted and expected to sink or swim.  Chalkboard experience?  Yeah, as a 6 year old with giant crayola chalks.  Adobe experience?  Sure, if you call photoshopping spotlights and wings onto a 90s pop star legit.  But honestly, much of my on-the-job experience and knowledge resulted from jumping in half blind and hoping for the best.  And so far, I'd say it's worked pretty well.

Two Jobs & a Freelance : Ramblings & Doodles
Four years post-grad and I'm living the dream of every art student -- to land a job in our field and not live in a cardboard box.  Granted, it sometimes takes 60+ hour, 6-day weeks, but honestly, being able to sit around and draw all day long makes it completely worth it.  And in the end, I wouldn't take anything back.

So, here I am.  Living a life I never thought was possible, in my mid-twenties...and blogging about it.  Phew! That said, here is a compilation of things and such that I've created, I love, or inspire me.

Until next time, here is an early chalk illustration of a rad raven.

Cheers,

CZ