45

 I never wanted my art to take a backseat and for many years I fought to keep it front and center even when it seemed impossible.  With so much happening in the world and even in my own life I've found it incredibly difficult to keep it all afloat. 

But nothing's impossible.  I find myself a victim to negativity and self-doubt on a daily basis, and I look back on all I've done still with awe.  How did I even get here?  Who made these works of art that I continue to admire and find inspiration over?  It was me...then, before it seemed the world was crashing down on me yet again. 

I hate playing the victim though, so it doesn't take long to figure out what I need to do to get out of it.  I love that meme that says eventually the pain of not doing art becomes greater than the pain of avoiding it or something like that.  Art finds its way in here and there, always.  But whatever dreams of grandeur I once held fall slowly away, and that hurts.  So in some way I set out to do something about it.  

In my post about reinvention, which I wrote about 2 years ago, I remembered what sparked the next wave of inspiration, the gaming world.  I didn't necessarily want to become a game artist, so much as I wanted to be a gamer and I needed a reason, a validation to do it.  It couldn't just be for fun, because that's a waste of time.  But slowly over time as I played more and more and tried to incorporate some kind of money-making strategy, the fun started to take precedence.  I logged onto my computer just to play and not worry about going live or making content.  The barrier became harder to get through.  The gap between my confidence and fear became wider and suddenly doing it all over again became too scary.  I needed to feel more ready.   I needed better graphics.  I needed better marketing.  I needed to network more and learn more about the process. 

I've gone live very rarely now.  Not just for the above reasons, but also because I suffered a great loss to anchor in this world.  Anyone who has experienced the loss of a close loved one knows how hard the grieving process can be, but also, I was not aware of how many ways it was affecting me.  Unworthiness, despair, and nihilism crept in, and took hold for a long while.  In recent months I've only begun thinking somewhat again of my future and how I used to be.  The pain of not doing what I once wanted is once again becoming too great.  Though I am still not sure how strong that pain is in taking me all the way, when now it has so much more to compete with. 

Time as also passed so casually and I'm 2 years away from where I once was and find myself so far from where I thought I'd be at this time.  Often times feeling I've barely started anything at all.  And feeling like it's too late, when everyday someone greater and younger comes along and does exactly what I wanted with so much ease, and with so much time to spare.  Imagine.  My high school self was so confident that I would be retiring in just 5 short years from where I currently am. 

I mean I know I was just a dumb kid, but I didn't feel like one.  I felt very confident in what I could do, and I carried that confidence into my college classes, and beyond.   I was told many times how lucky I was.  And while I'm impressed even now that I got as far as I did, I'm not where I wanted to be.  I may have been able to get this far with talent and confidence, but some "level-up" from that stage hasn't seemed to occur.  I feel like somewhere I got knocked down.  During my breakup?  During my grieving?  Either way it's still up to me, which is both hopeful, and not.  I'm more tired than I once was.  I'm less inspired.  I've done far less work than I used to.  I've lost space to make art that I once had.  I would almost be relying entirely on digital art, just to be able to work and not use up materials or space that are now very precious.  And to add to that I'm no unemployed, in a completely new state.  It is both excited and terrifying. 

And now as I write I'm feeling that long distance call for help.  Somewhere inside is that kid who was hungry: who wanted more.   All this time I was striving to impress that one person: to make their life easier and show them that it was all worth it.   Now it's as if I have to impress upon myself that this is all worth it.  That young dumb kid who said I'd be retired by now.  I know he thought he knew it all, and what he didn't he'd learn.  Man, the learning doesn't stop.  The fear doesn't just stop.  The self-doubt doesn't just go away.  I'm definitely carrying much more than I was those many years ago.  But I still look up. 

I don't know what I'm looking for, but somehow looking up reminds me that I'm still smaller and younger than this big old planet.  My time is finite, but there's still some of it left.  I do still want those things I wanted when I was half-joking with my friends around the booth eating pizza and drinking a coke, with what seemed to be not a care or doubt in the world.  Maybe I have been dropped into a much more elaborate obstacle course to my dreams, but I can still find my way.  It's not too late.  

Can I retire in 5 years? LUL, I don't know, but let's find out, I'm not there yet.  And at this point I'll take retirement to mean financially free, and maybe...

Quarantine Life

I'm so interested to see what life will be like when all this is over.  What things will change, what things have thrived and what things have withered away.  It's such a tough time for some many and surely Life in general will be affected for everyone in some way.

But I'm not here to talk so much about what the news is making us worry about.  While I can I'd rather offer up some distraction, education, and/or entertainment.  Someone told me blogs are coming back, *intrigued face* that is yet to be seen on my end, most people are still hung up on social media, myself included.  But a part of me misses coming here to hash it all out with whoever wants to listen. Haha.

I've done a few videos on life as an artist, and to be honest its not much different from quarantine life, except that I'm lucky enough to live more of my day as an artist.  I'll hate to give it up, but artist life doesn't pay my bills yet unfortunately.  With that in mind I turn to experts in the field and what they do to make their living.  There's so much information!  I'll have to start a notebook or something to contain it all.  Check out some of my favorites below.

My main sources are first on YouTube:
@arleebean
@frannerd
@audraauclair
@ergojosh
@DokeTV
@JacquelineDeLeon
@lulusketches

And quite a few others...there and Instagram. I soak up the information they have to offer like  a sponge, but in practice, always seems to be a different story.  In my more recent videos I discuss the woes of modern artists trying to live up to their potential, and it can be such a daunting task that its no wonder so many give up.  I've often had those thoughts, even though I told myself I never would.  I never plan to for sure.  But the fact that I'm older than I thought I'd be before I had some financial success, which is to say, very little right now, is a great cause for depression sometimes.

One thing keeps ringing true in my mind, but something I often ignore.  "You need a product not a project"  And boy do I have tons of projects!  So many things I want to do, so many creative avenues I can't wait to explore!  Many artists are like this I'm sure.  And then I watched this video by speaker and designer Chris Do @thechrisdo  and he explained this "shiny object syndrome" that many artists suffer from.  I recommend checking that video out here: The Futr - The Difference Between Art & Design

But to summarize, it has to do with the debate of "The Specialist" or "The Generalist"  that is to say, someone who specializes in one area of expertise, and one that practices a bit of everything.  No one goes to the doctor that also does culinary, and archery, painting, etc.  People go to the doctor that practices medicine and that's it.  But does that doctor do things in his spare time? OF course! The trick is being a "specialist" in professional practice, and being a "generalist" on your own time and mostly under the radar.  I'd say the generalist stuff will almost always inform your main work in positive ways.  But that doesn't mean you should go to advertise yourself as a Jack of all Trades.  Many times that title comes later anyway, once you're known for that one great thing, people discover what else you're capable of.  And wouldn't you know it, you just happen to have well rounded arsenal.  

Anyone that knows me knows I definitely suffer from Shiny Object Syndrome. I don't notice it very often because a lot of it has to do with my art, and to me, the focus is my art.  But on a more in depth level, I scatter my time between projects and end up having little time for any one thing, and especially the growth I'm looking for.  Which is to say, the business of my art.  I only have myself to blame.  It might also help, if I knew what kind of artist I really am? 

I studied traditional art, and have many experiences to continue that route, but here comes the syndrome and I want to do illustration, I want to be a cover artist, a comic artist, a character designer, a videographer, a youtuber, a teacher, and the list goes on.  Many of these things tie into diversifying income for me.  But its so so SO easy to get lost in all that.   So with so many aspirations what is someone like me to do? 

I think it boils down to getting more specific.  One thing that also rings true for a self sustaining artist life, is muliple streams of income.  This is definitely easier said than done, but I also can't be all things to everyone without making myself crazy.  (Gosh my nails have gotten so long in these past few weeks)

ME right now...

Where was I? I had to find this GIF, lol.  OK right, there is such a thing as stretching yourself too thin.  Burn out is real.  Artist block is real.  I probably don't have to tell you that. The other night I got lost in my new obsession creator, @DokeTV he's a very charismatic guy from Slovakia who does graffiti art.  I've seen some of his videos before, but this night, one caught my eye, and for some reason the idea struck a chord.  He bought a house for an art studio.  Cool, I see Youtubers, especially popular ones buying houses left and right.  But this was different.  I could already tell from the thumbnail, though it was a big house, it wasn't full of "curb appeal."  Did he go and buy and old house for the sake of redoing everything and exploding creatively all over it?  Yes he did.  I thought this was amazing.  He saved his money to find a space that he could go ham on.  Not a precious property to remain untouched and Instagram-worthy.  He could do whatever he wanted to it.  This little journey with the house drew me in, and I came across one of his other videos that seemed to be a turning point for him.

Up until this point he was an average graffiti artist.  Relatively unknown to me, but I have seen his videos show up in my feed.  I flipped back to earlier videos and saw that he made a turning point, to become a better artist.  He had a great following, he seemed happy doing what he loved, but he found a hole somewhere.  A hole that he could fill by improving and taking his audience on that journey.  He has a very simple plan.  And yet the dots began to connect.  He had focus, and he had a mission, and he wrote it down, and he stuck to it.  And every video afterward was a continuation of this goal, and his personality just got to shine in the midst of it all.  This was a lightbulb moment for me.  I felt stupid for one.  I watched so many artists like this.  I watched them not always to learn from them, but because I LIKED them.  They were funny, they were fun to watch.  Was I fun to watch? 

For some people yes, but I cringe watching my own videos.  Sometimes I just watch for the nostalgia of it all.  But overall, in my experience when too much of MY personal life snuck into the video, viewers got scarce.  But this guy... I knew nothing of his family, or situation, but he himself was a hoot!  It was just him being himself on camera.  I knew it.  I've seen this advice a million times from others.  Just be yourself, no one can be you, its the best commodity you have.  And I knew at this moment that my personality was lacking on screen.  And that the favorites I come back to over and over again, were the ones that the camera was barely there, and I was just hanging out with a friend.

And yet when the camera goes on, my mind flips to educator, people-pleaser, almost personality-less zombie.  I think that's what I've been cringing over when I see myself.  Not many people can handle being themselves much less watching themselves speak and emote on screen.  I certainly can't.  I have to credit @TheChrisDo again for his video that spoke about the inner critic.  Again, nothing that was new to me.  But he had small exercise that helped identify the things we tell ourselves, and then REPLACE those things with the thoughts of others.  That is to say, the opinions of those we love and who love us.  They would never be as harsh as we are on ourselves.  It's all about interrupting that thought process and becoming aware of that voice that isn't really ours in our head and belongs to the criticism we've heard over the tough times in our lives.  So lets replace those words with words of kindness from people who we deserve to be listening to.  As I write this I think of all the ways in which I've derailed myself.   I'll the things I've told myself that counter the dream.  So change those thoughts, because thoughts become your actions, and actions become your reality. 

And be your fucking self. 

New Studio!

Not sure I knew just how many times I'd have to set-up and take my down my studio in my life time, but here we are with a new one!

My new flat is awesome, small, but packed with everything I need, including all my ART SUPPLIES!  It's still a bit of a mess but it's workable.  And workable is the important part!  A creative must always find the time to make time for creative practices.  I've managed to throw a few things outside my studio into the mix.

Artist Dates, a concept born from The Artist's Way, is one way I've managed to keep the spark alive.  Nurturing the artist/child within by exposing it to fun creative environments, buying cheap fun art supplies or stationery, is the key to a successful date.  PLAY is the keyword.  I've also managed to a few of my friends in on the deal.

Finding time to spend with friends can be hard, but sharing my creative time with them and having painting sessions is one great way of getting some work in and inspiring others.  I find that my friends are always interested in what I do in the studio, and just where the magic happens.  It can be easy to forget when we're studying and improving, that other people do not spend such time on creativity.  This is one big reason I promote it to everyone.  It flexes different muscles, it fires a different set of pistons within the brain, and studies prove that it is beneficial to any and everyone!

With this thought in mind I've started a series of videos where I discuss the struggles of an artist, and hope to shed some light on the subject. Inspiration perhaps. Everyone needs a creative outlet, but there are mountains between us and our colorful endeavors.   One thing I hope to do is simply document my journey, tips I've stumbled on, and ways to make creativity part of your life.   It's not all glitter bombs and flash in the art world.  Trekking the hard trails and climbing the steep cliffs is daunting, but it can be done.  I intend to show its possible.

Epic Watercolor Paint Haul

I decided to film an unboxing video of my recent purchase from Daniel Smith Watercolors.  I've been using them since my college painting classes.  My friend Andre Williams (@artofandre) and I have been obsessed with them ever since.   We pulled our resources and created this massive paint haul, and now I'm sharing my selections with you!

This was a fun video to do, and share, and in future videos I'll be doing some swatching of the colors, so look out for that!

Thanks to Andre for sponsoring this video! :-D  He's a dear friend and you should go follow him on social media!

If you're looking or some watercolor or art supplies for you own, please consider using my personal affiliate links that support this blog, my videos, and art content!
Utrecht Art Supplies
Dick Blick Art Supplies

On Inner Demons...

"You cannot defeat  darkness by running from it, nor can you conquer  your inner demons by hiding them from the world.  In order to defeat the darkness, you must bring it into the light." 

-Seth Adam Smith

#INKTOBER #WITCHTOBER

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Witches Brew - Ink, Paper - ©JohnnyPerez 2017

Every year I am inspired to create during the month of October because that is when Inktober happens!  Artists from around the world hashtag their work to practice, engage, and inspire using ink as the main medium.

This year I chose witches as my theme.  All sorts of witches.  I'm listing my creations this month in my Etsy shop.  In celebration of Halloween, I am offering 40% for email subscribers!  I hope you enjoy, and have a safe candy eating, horror movie watching, costume dressing day!

Etsy Shop Link!

The Trials, Hardships, and Cons of Being an Artist

Detail of "Fool" - Watercolor, Ink - by Johnny Perez, 2007

We hear it all our lives as young artists...

Don't be an artist!  You'll starve!  You'll be poor!  You'll never make it, it's too competitive!

 I mean its not entirely wrong, but starting out is hard for most people, and giving up too early is a common thing.  I was lucky to have an encouraging family, and the fact that I grew up poor most of my life somehow made it ok or rather doable to live with no money.  So if I wanted to pursue a career with no money but I was happy, then I was confident I could still live, even if it was on nothing.   It really comes down to a matter of perspective for me.

I want to be real for a moment to say that I'm not some crazy successful artist, but neither do I consider myself less of an artist because I'm not "known."  I don't pretend to be more than I am, but I do choose to look at the bright side.   I do choose to think of myself as capable.  And I choose to define success as a never ending goal to better myself.  In that regard it is hard to lose.  I am faced with the same challenges as most in the world,  there is always someone out there better than you, and there is always someone out there more successful than you.  So what?  Am I just supposed to quit?

Going Home Home for Memorial Day

I traveled to my hometown to visit my family and do a little celebrating of Memorial Day.  I don't celebrate it regularly, but its hard not to when you're with family and surroundings you used to know.  Of course I took the beaux out to see the local cemetery.  Not surprised to see quite a few confederate flags there in a small row of small graves.  I'm from a small town!  The cemetery was big and full of 100s of tombstones and these (possibly racists and/or misguided) were only a small part.

Speaking of small, I found out yesterday that where I grew up is considered a ghost town!  I thought it was pretty cool. I lived in this small town called Odell for many years off and on.  I visited there a couple of years ago to get pictures of the old houses I used to live in, but they were all gone, except for two.  I lived in about 7 houses in the area and the 2 that remain are still inhabited, so I didn't wanna look like a weirdo in their front yard.  Anyway, a ghost town indeed!

I enjoyed living there as a kid, playing with the neighborhood kids and running the streets with hardly a car in sight all day.  Then we would run up to the local grocery store, Cooper Grocery run by Leoda, a little old lady who'd lived out there for years.  She looked perpetually grumpy, and the store was always warm, but we loved it.  The store has been made into something of a museum since her passing, and next door the old Post Office is now a small recording studio with a stage outside.  I heard they do "Odell Days" art and music festival, but I haven't heard if it still continues. 

Its funny to think there are parts of Vernon I have never seen, but going to explore it as an adult has proved fun on many occasions.  Things are changing here and there and some things never do.

Artist Life Series | Episode 002 | A Sampler

This one's a modge podge, a tit for tat, some bric-a-brac, a sampling if you will, of a day in this artist's life.  And a bit of my artist boyfriend's life.  I'd be content to stay in and play video games all day between art-making, but it I have to say that recording this series gives me some other things to look forward to and share.   There's nothing all that glamorous about an artist's life, perhaps not in the beginning, or middle.  It's just a lot of work and staying afloat and just trying to live.

Perhaps later there's some glamour, but I'm definitely not there yet!  See my previous post about answering questions from an artist.  Anyway the main idea here is to give you a slice of life.  Yes I like to art it up, but I also like to watch TV, and go to graveyards.. eehh well accompany my man to graveyards (he's one of those gothics) lol.  It makes me a bit nervous to be honest, but there's something there besides the spookiness and threat of a Victorian haunting.

And I threw in a bit of Food Network to boot! Check it out.  And oh! If you have some good recipes or copies of restaurant recipes let me know!  I'm a foodie too. :D

Answers from a Practicing Artist (But Not an Expert)!

If no one's ever told you before, being an artist is hard!  I love art and I love being able to create, it gives me a great sense of purpose in this chaotic world.  But trying to elevate yourself to any kind of next level can be quite the challenge!   I am by no means the best expert on the subject, but I do like to share my experiences because there is always someone out there looking to answer a question you may have asked and answered yourself.  I've been lucky to reach a few such people who have approached me with questions about being an artist.  I'd like to share with you some of what I told them.

Questions from a student of art:

1.    What first got you interested in illustration, and how long have you been illustrating?

I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil!  I didn't start selling my art until high school, to friends mostly, and then to strangers when I went to college in 2003.  Ever since then I've been on the path to making it big!

2.    What is your educational background? 

I have a BFA in Studio Art.

3.    What are the skills that are most important for a position in your field?

Determination! Perseverance! Patience! Working as an artist can be lonely, one must know how to be sociable and personable to market and sell work outside the studio, and disciplined to make work on a constant basis in the studio.

4.    Can you briefly explain your creative process?

I have videos! My new YouTube Channel is here. My creative process is linked to one of my favorite books The Artists Way by Julia Cameron.  Through this book I've learned that it's important to make art everyday or at least frequently, and that you must let go of perfection because more often it will create a block.  Thus I find inspiration in something everyday (almost) and make a small finished piece of work or study in the sketchbook.  This keeps creative skills sharp, and keeps artist block away.

5.    Do you have any side projects you work on? How is your time managed between both professional and personal projects? How many projects do you work on at a time?

This can be a difficult one. I try not to take on more than 3 projects at a time depending on the size/scope.  Professional projects always must come first in the day to finish on time.  I will either put personal projects on the back burner or work on them for a short time after the pro work.  I find it's best to switch between the two at times to keep from getting bored or overwhelmed with either.

6.    What are the best and worst parts of your job?

The best part, of course, is doing what you love! It gives you a great sense of pride and accomplishment, not to mention fulfillment.  The worst part is being responsible for EVERYTHING: Scheduling, Marketing, Financing, Bookkeeping, Inventory, Packaging, etc.  It all can get in the way of the one thing you want to do which is make art! There's also dealing with rejection of your work, and the fear of being vulnerable.  You find out quickly that making the work ends up being a much smaller fraction of your time.

7.    What mediums do you use/favorite to use? What does your workstation consist of?

My favorite medium is watercolor, but when I have time, and depending on the concept, I will work in acrylic, collage, or digital, and have enjoyed some paper sculpture before as well!  My workstation is setup for watercolor work mostly, I have brushes and pens, blank paper ready to work with, tubes of paints nearby, stacks of paper nearby, I have my favorite small pieces hanging on the wall in front of me as well as inspiration pics, pics of loved ones, and a calendar of upcoming events and shows!  I can't work without music, and often have the tv on playing a beautiful movie or inspiring music videos. 

8.    What is a typical day like for you? What kinds of problems do you deal with or decisions do you make on a daily basis?

Working alone can make it very tempting to avoid the studio and get distracted, there is always a desire to be out on the town, hanging out with friends, or any other distraction (including being on social media).  It can be very hard to develop the discipline necessary to stay focused, and the motivation to keep working when you're tired or busy with other areas of life.  You just have to learn the best way to find a balance.

9.    How did you get your job? What jobs and experiences have led you to your present position?

a.    Can you suggest some ways a student could obtain this necessary experience?

b.    What things did you do before you entered this occupation?

         i.         – Which ones have been most helpful

Being an artist is like being self-employed, so your job starts when you're ready to work. Not when you think your work is good enough or you've learned enough, or you've got a degree, or anything that tells you that you're ready. You may not ever be in the best position in life to "start' being an artist. You will never stop learning to get better.

a.)  I would suggest taking business courses with art, because they are both important.  I didn't want to learn business when I was in school, but now many years later I've had to teach myself, which is really hard.  Most artists do not want to know about business, its not as fun for sure.  But remember you have to do it all, on your own, for a long time.  And selling art is a business, and you'll have to treat it as such if you plan to make it work for you.

 b.)  I carry a sketchbook around with me everywhere I go, and draw in it at least once a day.  Make art that you like, and show it to people you know, and who like what you do.  These are your first customers.  Learn new techniques, and try new mediums, to keep the creativity fresh and new.  Once you have a lot of art on loose paper or canvas, ask around businesses to display it.  When you feel confident, enter art shows for free or cheap, and win prize money maybe.  ASK FOR HELP! You'll need people to help you carry your work around, hang it up, frame it, and talk about it to others. Galleries sometimes have free shows that allow ANY work to be shown, get in there!  Don't be shy and don't feel like you're not good enough yet.  There are artists of all levels and styles in these shows, they like a good mix.  And galleries are NOT the only choice!  Explore other ways to expose your art that you can do yourself, especially early on. These are all helpful to me, but anything that keeps you motivated in working, just keep doing.

10. What special advice do you have for a student seeking employment?

Make art everyday.  Learn something new about your techniques everyday.  Don't be afraid to copy for learning purposes, but always use your own references and photos for your finished work.  Everything has been done, but don't let that stop you from doing it better.  Market yourself for free on the internet but never post anything in full without your name or watermark on it!  Sell to everyone you know. Don't work for free (unless for a good cause).  Talk to other artists around you, develop a sense of community with them to help you keep going, it shouldn't be a competition. Fellow artists are sometimes the only people who will encourage you and be able to critique your work for improvement after you graduate.

Making art is very much an entrepreneurship and you will want to be self-employed, as most artists do.  The ability to make your own schedule and live off your own sales, will take a lot of work, but also a lot of help.  Artists tend to be used to working alone, which is great sometimes, but sometimes you need to know when to ask for help, to move on, and move on faster.  You do this by talking to new people, getting your art seen by more people, and creating relationships.  Its often been said that people don't buy artwork so much as they're buying into an artist.  It's maybe not true  100% of the time, but MANY of my sales come from people I know, and who want to support what I do.  The more people you have like that, the better.  Even when you have sales from strangers, they've probably looked up on you on their own, or heard great things about you. 

Questions from a fellow creative blogger: 

How did you first get into art?

I’ve been drawing pictures since I could hold a crayon. But I didn’t think of it as a career until around 6th grade, when we began looking at our futures for a class project. I have always been told I would be an artist, but I wanted to be many things before I chose to use my talents for work. My family was always nurturing, so I never had to fight to become an artist. My sister has great talent and helped me improve as a child, and then my own research took over from there. Plus I don’t sing very well, so that was out.

What inspires your work?

I have no lack of inspiration! My constant sources are mythology, folklore, animation, and comics. I find inspiration in nature, in people around me, and colorful environments like my recent trip to Mexico. I love authors like Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, and it’s no secret I love “Harry Potter”! I love directors like Guillermo del Toro and Baz Luhrmann, and old fantasy movies like “Dark Crystal”, “Labrynth”, and “Legend”. My childhood influences I believe are very strong in my work and come out in my color choices, my subject matter, and the fact that I really like to have fun with an image. Probably because I’m a big kid.

Your website mentions that your work features “figurative fantasy and cultural diversity.” What does that mean to you? How do those two things work together in your art?

To me figurative fantasy is a play on the traditional figurative model. In my work I don’t just want to portray the figure as it is in reality, because I believe there is so much unseen mysticism. I want to capture something that speaks more about who they are perhaps if dreams could be realized. For instance I painted one of my favorite singers, Erykah Badu, and instead of a traditional portrait, she is painted as a siren atop a jukebox in a sea of records with speaker-head fish, and a crane carrying a microphone. There is a nod to fantasy, and a bit of surrealism there. I believe in the veil between our world and others and I believe they are always influencing one another.

As far as cultural diversity, I try not to limit myself to what I know, but I want to heavily lean on ambiguity when it comes to cultures. Living in America I still hope for peace because I truly believe we are a melting pot of the world, and I find it so odd when people forget that. I want to express my cultural heritage from Mexico and Native America. I want to express my upbringing with Hip-Hop/African-American culture. I want to express the excitement of learning about cultures from all the continents, because it’s all so fascinating and it should be celebrated.

Beyond that broad sentiment I want to bring what I know to be a serious lack of diverse entertainment and imagery to what I do. I look at what other people are doing and I can’t help but see that I’ve been blindsided by popular media. I use my work to correct that. I’m not just talking about Hollywood, because sometimes they get it, and sometimes they don’t. But on TV, in movies, and on the internet, fantasy images (and images in general) are often devoid of colorful, unique characters. For a few years I took a break from American movies, because I got tired of the lack of flavor and tired repeating stories. I was missing some imagination. I was inspired by anime movies by Hayao Miyazaki, Makoto Shinkai, and those series that really pushed boundaries on what the medium could do. I try to do the same with my work...

Theres more to this great interview but you should give that blogger some love as well so here's the link to the rest of the interview!  The Quibblerview with Johnny Perez!
 

It's DAISO! Shopping at the Japanese Dollar Store!

My first visit to Daiso was so much fun!  I had heard that they had some cheap art supplies to boot.   I'd heard so many good things, I had to make the trip north to Plano to see what the fuss was about for myself.   It was a stormy day, but there was plenty of sunshine on the inside!  Haha.  There was loungy Japanese music playing, the place was so clean, and there were so many chachkies for all the rooms in your house!

Anyway check out the video below to see some footage of the inside, and then what I came home with.   Did I mention the majority of it was $1.50?!?  This place can't be beat!

Artist Vlog Series: Episode 001

Ok I'm taking the plunge into Vlogging, YIKES!  Its way out of my comfort zone, but I can't deny that it will be great talking practice, and all the cool kids are doing it!  I just really want to make it easier for new fans and current fans to connect with me on a personal level, since I've been out of the convention scene, and I'm not quite yet ready to jump into a public scene again just yet.   So here you go, me in all my awkwardness, please enjoy.  Vlog Episode 001.

Cleaning Out the Studio - Visit My Shop!

My work is piling up!

It needs some good homes to hang in!

My shop link is : http://www.etsy.com/shop/hotpressed

Here's a few things I'm putting in the shop that I've dug up from the archives...

Be sure to use the discount code to take advantage of the sale!  And I am offering an extra discount to my newsletter subscribers!   Contact me to get that code after signing up!

Busted Pipe Threatens to Sink my Studio!

The sun had not even come up yet.  I first heard the cat stepping lightly through the bedroom door to find his usual hiding spot.  I drifted back to sleep only to be woken up again half an hour later to the sound of rain.  I suddenly became startled.

"What is that?" I asked into the darkness.  The sound of water was on the wrong side of the bed, coming from the hallway instead of the window.  I raised up to the edge of the bed to see slightly out of the crack in the door, the tiny reflections of the living room light bouncing off a steady stream of what looked like water falling right in front of my bedroom door.

Let me just say here, that you should get renters insurance.  Luckily I did not need it this time, but I very well could have.   There's no going back in time to do what you should've done that would've saved you from a nightmare.  There are often no signs that something is wrong until it happens.  Until you wake up in the middle of the night to what you think is rain.  Or until you come home from a weekend visit and your house is flooded.

I keep thinking how lucky we were that we were home.  We hadn't finished unpacking every box, or found a home for every single thing yet, so there is a lot of stuff on the floor in various corners and under tables (especially my studio table!)  In moments of shock there is an uncontrollable frozen stare of disbelief as you wonder if you're actually having a nightmare, or if what is happening will just stop.  It didn't.

I must've stared at the ceiling not knowing what to do for what seemed like 30 minutes.  I saw the water start to travel from the hallway to the living room, going past my TV stand, my couch, to the front door.  I yelled for my partner to find towels, and I grabbed what few I saw and threw them to the floor.

"Oh my God, oh my God," I couldn't help but utter every time I looked up at this unstoppable waterfall of red water.  It was RED! At first I thought it must be coolant, and that it must go to the A/C unit, and that whatever tank was up there would run out soon, but it just kept coming.   I ran to the kitchen where the water seemed to be avoiding, to think, which seemed so hard to do  right now.  I knew I had to reach some emergency line for my complex, I had heard one before when we had other issues in our previous apartment.  I listened to all the options, nothing about dialing this or that number for an emergency.  How can there NOT be an emergency line?!  I called again to listen to the options again.  I chose an option. Not helpful.  I called again, chose another option, not helpful.

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye...And Hello Again!

After more than a year of using my website's native blog feature, I regret that it just doesn't work for me.  :-(  There are many great features like the custom build of each post, and the use of graphics in navigation, but it was all manually done by me, and it became more of a chore to constantly update links so that it all worked.  There was not a good flow for me, and trying to keep up with updating multiple areas for every post was just too tedious. 

On a regular blog, links to previous posts are automatic, and the job of blogging becomes much simpler when all you have to do is write and share.  I hate to leave behind the work I carved out there, but my intention is to blog more, and make that easier on my time.  Having the automatic features that a blog like this provides will make that happen, and be a huge relief to my schedule.  I will still incorporate some of the navigation features as best I can, and make the transition as seamless as possible.

Some of you may know this blog already, and it certainly feels familiar and easy to come back to for many reasons.  There is a wealth of older work to be seen here from my college days, and I'm happy that it will be available for easy viewing next to my current work. 

Thanks for understanding and I hope you will join me in a sigh of relief from here on out.  I will post links to my posts on my website periodically so that they still get some love and attention, as I put so much into them.  I'm not sure exactly yet what would be the best way to keep them linked, but I'll figure out, because I do want my .com/blog to point here eventually.

My lastest post can be found here: Mermaid, Witch, and Cosmonaut Walk into a Bar...

Share With Your Friends!

Interview

I had the pleasure of being featured on the Ripple I.Y.T. Soundcloud channel run by my friend and colleague Taylor. Check it out

https://soundcloud.com/therippleinyourthalamus/003-johnny-perez 

We talk art, movies, anime, inspiration and upcoming projects. On a side note im not a big fan of my voice, but hopefully it just sounds normal to anyone else.  Anyone else think their vocabulary changes when in an "official" capacity. Yeah that. LOL, anyway it was fun to do and I try to relax and be informal.  

Dallas Comic Con - Fan Days COUNTDOWN

Super artist team, Andre and I will be taking the October leg of Dallas Comic Con: Fan Days by storm! Literally!  Honestly Storm is my biggest muse, I really can't get enough.  She's shown up in most of my work so far and I couldn't be more thrilled! Of course I'll try to branch out into new characters, but for now, I like this...

Storm - watercolor, ink, gel ink, gouache

Yes I am a little partial to "Mohawk Storm" which is odd because I'm a hair kind of guy. I love to see it flying, I love it when its taking over the character, and becomes a character unto itself.  But I dunno something about the bad-assness of mohawk era of Storm that can't be captured or pulled off by any other character. IMHO.

My Instagram pics of recent Storm drawings (@aztlanean)

After a while though I did incorporate some other characters in this idea I had to make the X-Women a smooth Soul/R&B/Jazz band.  I mean the girls like to express themselves in other ways than showing off mutant ability or kicking butt.  Sometimes, some things are best expressed through song.

And speaking of musical expression, I mean why wouldn't Storm have played in a band while she was out sporting her edgy look?

I drew that in ink, and then colored on my little iPhone. It gives me a good feel for the color scheme I want to use, and it occupies some good time at my day job.  And the guitar, I mean come one, what else would she play?!

There's much more to come now that it's crunch time!

Portrait of an Artist

My computer desktop as I left it circa early 2012.

I thought it was funny this weekend that my computer decided to come back from the dead.  I've been without my beloved for almost 2 years. I gave up on trying to fix it, get it fixed, or thinking about it.  Then a couple of days ago I wanted to say hello to the gray startup screen and watch it try to load.  To my surprise, it did load.  I nearly lost my breath when I saw my desktop from over a year ago pop up on my screen.  I had forgotten the things I'd left out.  I forgot the things I used to look at daily. I'd forgotten my digital memory.

Of course I immediately started downloading data, pictures, music, movies that have been neglected all this time, and found a home somewhere safe in backup. Speaking of... do it. You never know what you have till its gone. That goes especially for the small bits of your life you want to remember, and suddenly can't.  Back up.  Just do it.

Anyway I thought it would fun to share some of the things I'm able to see now again.  And I want to remember this moment that me and Storm (so named because she is a silver Macbook) were reunited. Who knows if she'll stick around, but I hope so.  Until then I won't waste a minute.  So without further ado, using her built-in camera, here is a portrait of an artist over the years as seen through the eyes of my dear friend and computer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Me playing once again, today, 2013

and again...

I miss this.

		As evidenced by the last 3 pictures I took just now,  I've missed recording my antics, hairstyles and apartments. Something has been returned to me. :)