My first official illustration job after college was in November of 1993. I took the summer off after college to work some part time jobs and create work for myself. I remember reasoning that after 13 years of elementary and secondary school, then college - I really just wanted to exist for a few months without that part of my life on my mind.
In September, I sent out 100 postcards and from that I got a phone call from Art Director John McLaughlin asking if I'd like to do two black and whites for him. My first job from ABA Banking Journal happened. I found the original invoice, FAX's and tearsheets from that job in one of the boxes in the basement. John, understanding I was a newbie, really took me under his wing and I worked for him for a good three years or so fairly regularly. Unfortunately, I lost touch and don't know what ended up happening to him. I remember that time so new and inspiring trying to develop being an illustrator and I owe lots of thanks to him.
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As a personal guide, I try not to dwell heavily on the past. I don't ignore it but like a sketchbook, I just keep adding to the pages and when one book is done, it gets put onto the shelf and I start a new book referring to old ones for hints to what I should do into the future. This keeps me moving forward and continue trying for the next goal, and the next one, and the next.
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Even so, for some time, I've been reflective about everything that has happened over the years. It's hard not to be during anchor moments in life especially associated with numbers. My thoughts weave in and out of various experiences. Has there been a meaning to all of this? What has been the point of all of it? All this art? All this work toward having a career in the arts? The few thousand pieces of art and drawings made -what does it mean to me? I guess these are some common questions everyone usually asks one's self at banner moments in their lives and right now, I am still working it out. The last time I felt some anxiety with a time period, I was 25. More than turning 30...or even 40. A quarter century. That felt big to me at that time. That was a lot of years that passed and I guess I was searching of what the future could be for me. When you think about it, when you're 25, you are really still at the beginning and barely have gotten started with the life which becomes the 'rest of your life'.
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If you would tell the Scott from 20 years ago all of the amazing and the wonderful experiences he's going to have stemming from being an artist, that Scott would've laughed. (I wonder what I would have said if John Norris asked where I thought I would be in 20 years?) Honestly, I am continually surprised of everything that I've experienced and lived through and really do feel honored that I am lucky enough to have them burned in my brain. Since my late 20's, I decided that I would purposefully live in my world through experiences. I was always such a worry-wart and to a certain extent, still am. I also lived in fear. Fear of the unknown. I taught myself that when I start feeling that way about something, then that something is exactly what I need to do. This is really what is important to me. The chance to talk with students, volunteer at the Society, travel around the country giving lectures - it's all amazing and I never - never - would have thought this is the life it that I would eventually have. Sometimes, I feel like its all happening to me randomly. Like the inertia created from so much hard work in my early years took over and now I am floating along for the ride. I don't believe in God, I don't believe in an afterlife and I am pretty sure my work will be quickly forgotten after I die. Hell, I wouldn't be completely surprised if my family just took everything and dumped it. At least I could say, if I were able to say anything when I am dead, is that I've experienced and seen so many rich things because of my work in my life that so far, it's all been pretty damn good. But what am I talking about, as an artist, I'm only '20'. There's a lot more to do. I just hope my 40-something body can keep up!
As a personal guide, I try not to dwell heavily on the past. I don't ignore it but like a sketchbook, I just keep adding to the pages and when one book is done, it gets put onto the shelf and I start a new book referring to old ones for hints to what I should do into the future. This keeps me moving forward and continue trying for the next goal, and the next one, and the next.
Even so, for some time, I've been reflective about everything that has happened over the years. It's hard not to be during anchor moments in life especially associated with numbers. My thoughts weave in and out of various experiences. Has there been a meaning to all of this? What has been the point of all of it? All this art? All this work toward having a career in the arts? The few thousand pieces of art and drawings made -what does it mean to me? I guess these are some common questions everyone usually asks one's self at banner moments in their lives and right now, I am still working it out. The last time I felt some anxiety with a time period, I was 25. More than turning 30...or even 40. A quarter century. That felt big to me at that time. That was a lot of years that passed and I guess I was searching of what the future could be for me. When you think about it, when you're 25, you are really still at the beginning and barely have gotten started with the life which becomes the 'rest of your life'.
If you would tell the Scott from 20 years ago all of the amazing and the wonderful experiences he's going to have stemming from being an artist, that Scott would've laughed. (I wonder what I would have said if John Norris asked where I thought I would be in 20 years?) Honestly, I am continually surprised of everything that I've experienced and lived through and really do feel honored that I am lucky enough to have them burned in my brain. Since my late 20's, I decided that I would purposefully live in my world through experiences. I was always such a worry-wart and to a certain extent, still am. I also lived in fear. Fear of the unknown. I taught myself that when I start feeling that way about something, then that something is exactly what I need to do. This is really what is important to me. The chance to talk with students, volunteer at the Society, travel around the country giving lectures - it's all amazing and I never - never - would have thought this is the life it that I would eventually have. Sometimes, I feel like its all happening to me randomly. Like the inertia created from so much hard work in my early years took over and now I am floating along for the ride. I don't believe in God, I don't believe in an afterlife and I am pretty sure my work will be quickly forgotten after I die. Hell, I wouldn't be completely surprised if my family just took everything and dumped it. At least I could say, if I were able to say anything when I am dead, is that I've experienced and seen so many rich things because of my work in my life that so far, it's all been pretty damn good. But what am I talking about, as an artist, I'm only '20'. There's a lot more to do. I just hope my 40-something body can keep up!