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Post by Nora on Jun 12, 2019 14:12:33 GMT
Widowed, a free-lance illustrator. I worked by contract for Hallmark, Disney and Meade, plus a few smaller companies. In 2000, things went downhill fast. I had to get a 'real' job to support myself and have health insurance. The illustration industry was going completely digital, and I didn't want to re-learn my craft on a computer, so I settled for a lesser job, but with stability. what was that new job and do you still draw/paint? |
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Post by Spike Del Rey on Jun 12, 2019 14:22:22 GMT
I was in my mid-30s, had just lost a job, and had decided to finally get my college degree. Surrounded by 18-21 year olds who had no idea what significance the date of Dec.7, 1941 has...seriously, there was actually a girl who asked our History professor "So is that date like important, something we should know?" The Rams were getting ready to start their fifth season in St. Louis and based on the first four I wasn't expecting much from them; in fact I had considered not renewing my tickets. Little did any of us know they'd go on to have the most prolific offense in the history of the NFL that year, and eventually win the Super Bowl. Now I'm in a dreary job that has nothing to do with my degree, and the Rams moved back to LA.
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Post by rachelcarson1953 on Jun 12, 2019 15:26:51 GMT
Widowed, a free-lance illustrator. I worked by contract for Hallmark, Disney and Meade, plus a few smaller companies. In 2000, things went downhill fast. I had to get a 'real' job to support myself and have health insurance. The illustration industry was going completely digital, and I didn't want to re-learn my craft on a computer, so I settled for a lesser job, but with stability. what was that new job and do you still draw/paint? For two years, I worked for an animal shelter whose board of directors I had sat on for years. I was the development officer, fundraiser, communications liaison and general adult-at-the-office - we had a new crop of workers that didn't really understand about sheltering issues when it came to money. The job nearly ruined me emotionally - I left, and volunteered with a rescue group that I still associate with today. Then I fell back on my old skill of proofreading. I have an eye for detail, can spot anomalies, and worked for newspapers and eventually a company that sold truck parts, and their catalogs were updated quarterly. It was extremely detailed work, and though I enjoyed the work itself and my co-workers, the company had a very hostile atmosphere, and I eventually quit when I could start collecting on my late husband's Social Security. I still draw, with plans to paint, but have found a new medium of fiber art (art quilting) that has kept my head from exploding during my non-illustrator years. I didn't think I was good enough to make the leap to fine art, as did one of my closest friends and mentor. I'll never make a penny from art quilting, but it satisfies my creative side. I may have one more children's book in me, and have contemplated starting it's development later this year. But my 96 year old mother's issues may worsen, and I'm trying to deal with the financial side of her care. That may postpone the book. Thanks for your interest; I hope that wasn't 'input overload'! 
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Post by lenlenlen1 on Jun 12, 2019 15:49:25 GMT
Working at a job I effing hated! At least I can tolerate the one I'm in now. Dating someone I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. That didn't happen. Still living at home. Thank god that's over!
In terms of being in control of my own life... I'm much better off now. My health could be better, but that's another wrench with a monkey!
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Post by Feologild Oakes on Jun 12, 2019 15:51:58 GMT
20 years ago i was 6 years old and in kindergarten. It was my last year at kindergarten before starting to school I can’t be the only one here who is surprised by your age, right? You are 26?!? Color me Very surprised. No i am 36 I was thinking about 1989 not 1999 stupid me 20 years ago i started high school and i was 16
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Post by mecano04 on Jun 12, 2019 16:08:15 GMT
Widowed, a free-lance illustrator. I worked by contract for Hallmark, Disney and Meade, plus a few smaller companies. In 2000, things went downhill fast. I had to get a 'real' job to support myself and have health insurance. The illustration industry was going completely digital, and I didn't want to re-learn my craft on a computer, so I settled for a lesser job, but with stability. So you're a popular yet unknown artist because everyone bought or saw your cards without knowing you.
What are the chances any of us bought a card with your art on it?
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Post by vegalyra on Jun 12, 2019 16:40:32 GMT
Finishing up my undergrad degree after partying too much at another school and deciding I better get my GPA up and moved back in with my parents and transferred to another university. On the weekends hanging out with friends (still partying but much lower key) and dating several girls that were not wife material.
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Post by Nora on Jun 12, 2019 16:40:50 GMT
what was that new job and do you still draw/paint? For two years, I worked for an animal shelter whose board of directors I had sat on for years. I was the development officer, fundraiser, communications liaison and general adult-at-the-office - we had a new crop of workers that didn't really understand about sheltering issues when it came to money. The job nearly ruined me emotionally - I left, and volunteered with a rescue group that I still associate with today. Then I fell back on my old skill of proofreading. I have an eye for detail, can spot anomalies, and worked for newspapers and eventually a company that sold truck parts, and their catalogs were updated quarterly. It was extremely detailed work, and though I enjoyed the work itself and my co-workers, the company had a very hostile atmosphere, and I eventually quit when I could start collecting on my late husband's Social Security. I still draw, with plans to paint, but have found a new medium of fiber art (art quilting) that has kept my head from exploding during my non-illustrator years. I didn't think I was good enough to make the leap to fine art, as did one of my closest friends and mentor. I'll never make a penny from art quilting, but it satisfies my creative side. I may have one more children's book in me, and have contemplated starting it's development later this year. But my 96 year old mother's issues may worsen, and I'm trying to deal with the financial side of her care. That may postpone the book. Thanks for your interest; I hope that wasn't 'input overload'! no not at all i am always interested in creative hobbies and jobs peoole jave and pursue and how thet deal with their need to create even when they have “normal jobs”. i can relate good lick with tje childrens book! |
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Harmless elf
Junior Member
I'm a slick shyster the pest Meister
@amiable
Posts: 2,924
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Post by Harmless elf on Jun 12, 2019 16:44:21 GMT
For two years, I worked for an animal shelter whose board of directors I had sat on for years. I was the development officer, fundraiser, communications liaison and general adult-at-the-office - we had a new crop of workers that didn't really understand about sheltering issues when it came to money. The job nearly ruined me emotionally - I left, and volunteered with a rescue group that I still associate with today. Then I fell back on my old skill of proofreading. I have an eye for detail, can spot anomalies, and worked for newspapers and eventually a company that sold truck parts, and their catalogs were updated quarterly. It was extremely detailed work, and though I enjoyed the work itself and my co-workers, the company had a very hostile atmosphere, and I eventually quit when I could start collecting on my late husband's Social Security. I still draw, with plans to paint, but have found a new medium of fiber art (art quilting) that has kept my head from exploding during my non-illustrator years. I didn't think I was good enough to make the leap to fine art, as did one of my closest friends and mentor. I'll never make a penny from art quilting, but it satisfies my creative side. I may have one more children's book in me, and have contemplated starting it's development later this year. But my 96 year old mother's issues may worsen, and I'm trying to deal with the financial side of her care. That may postpone the book. Thanks for your interest; I hope that wasn't 'input overload'! no not at all i am always interested in creative hobbies and jobs peoole jave and pursue and how thet deal with their need to create even when they have “normal jobs”. i can relate good lick with tje childrens book! I wrote an award winning children's book |
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Post by rachelcarson1953 on Jun 12, 2019 18:37:47 GMT
Widowed, a free-lance illustrator. I worked by contract for Hallmark, Disney and Meade, plus a few smaller companies. In 2000, things went downhill fast. I had to get a 'real' job to support myself and have health insurance. The illustration industry was going completely digital, and I didn't want to re-learn my craft on a computer, so I settled for a lesser job, but with stability. So you're a popular yet unknown artist because everyone bought or saw your cards without knowing you.
What are the chances any of us bought a card with your art on it?
Since I worked mostly for the juvenile licensed properties department, my stuff was all Rainbow Brite, Hugga Bunch, and Zoobilee Zoo, and the books I illustrated were the same, plus Winnie the Pooh. If you were a kid, or had a kid, into that stuff, chances are high. For Meade, my back-to-school notebook covers were targeted at 9 - 11 year old girls. I also designed plush toys - unicorns, horses, and bears for that age group. My name is actually on some of the books, but they are long out of print. Being a published children's book illustrator made me neither rich nor famous, lol, but I did love my job! I used to be able to Google my name, and have those books pop up, but alas, no more. There are some amazing artists that worked at Hallmark, back in the day; some of the top ones were allowed to put their initials on their work, but you still wouldn't recognize them except by their art. My co-worker and mentor went on to become a wildlife painter, and though it took years to get established, she is now doing well and some of her images are going to be licensed onto products. There are tons of old card artists out there, retired from Hallmark, American Greetings and others, but the new card art is created by computer, or photos, or reworked art from the vaults of those companies. Few artists that use a brush and watercolor can make a living at it. Times change; buggy whips went out when the horseless carriage was invented. I'm a dinosaur, but I sure did have fun while it lasted! The original look of the characters and their environment. It was meant to promote diversity; every character had a different personality and sometimes skin and hair color.  The image on the left is the original era artwork, the one on the right is the current, digitally reworked version. 
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Post by President Ackbar™ on Jun 12, 2019 19:04:53 GMT
I already answered "the same" but i decided to do a comparo!
1999:
same woman for 12 years
two year old red sports car
owned my own home ( condo ) in st louis county
had a job where i could pretty much do whatever i wanted
went out with my friends a couple nights a week
2019:
same woman for 19 years
four year old red sports car
owned my own home ( house ) in st louis city
have a job where i can pretty much do whatever i want
go out with my friends a couple nights a week
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Post by Nora on Jun 12, 2019 19:13:32 GMT
no not at all i am always interested in creative hobbies and jobs peoole jave and pursue and how thet deal with their need to create even when they have “normal jobs”. i can relate good lick with tje childrens book! I wrote an award winning children's book i made an award winning movie, i guess now we are even? 😉 what was your book about? |
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Post by Nicko's Nose on Jun 12, 2019 19:31:38 GMT
I was 9 and life was awesome. Can’t say the same for life today.
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Post by miike80 on Jun 12, 2019 19:42:56 GMT
Just finishing high-school.. Oh, the times
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Post by mecano04 on Jun 12, 2019 21:17:41 GMT
So you're a popular yet unknown artist because everyone bought or saw your cards without knowing you.
What are the chances any of us bought a card with your art on it?
Since I worked mostly for the juvenile licensed properties department, my stuff was all Rainbow Brite, Hugga Bunch, and Zoobilee Zoo, and the books I illustrated were the same, plus Winnie the Pooh. If you were a kid, or had a kid, into that stuff, chances are high. For Meade, my back-to-school notebook covers were targeted at 9 - 11 year old girls. I also designed plush toys - unicorns, horses, and bears for that age group. My name is actually on some of the books, but they are long out of print. Being a published children's book illustrator made me neither rich nor famous, lol, but I did love my job! I used to be able to Google my name, and have those books pop up, but alas, no more. There are some amazing artists that worked at Hallmark, back in the day; some of the top ones were allowed to put their initials on their work, but you still wouldn't recognize them except by their art. My co-worker and mentor went on to become a wildlife painter, and though it took years to get established, she is now doing well and some of her images are going to be licensed onto products. There are tons of old card artists out there, retired from Hallmark, American Greetings and others, but the new card art is created by computer, or photos, or reworked art from the vaults of those companies. Few artists that use a brush and watercolor can make a living at it. Times change; buggy whips went out when the horseless carriage was invented. I'm a dinosaur, but I sure did have fun while it lasted! The original look of the characters and their environment. It was meant to promote diversity; every character had a different personality and sometimes skin and hair color. The image on the left is the original era artwork, the one on the right is the current, digitally reworked version. 20 years ago I was 13 but somehow I recognize that art. I must have seen it somewhere in during my childhood.
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uncreative
Sophomore
@uncreative
Posts: 406
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Post by uncreative on Jun 12, 2019 22:14:46 GMT
Middle school sucked.
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Post by someguy on Jun 12, 2019 22:17:34 GMT
14 years old. Just finished my freshman year. Desperately craving independence and sex, and getting neither. Not liking hardly any music being played on the radio, but at least pro wrestling was still pretty good.
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Harmless elf
Junior Member
I'm a slick shyster the pest Meister
@amiable
Posts: 2,924
Likes: 1,170
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Post by Harmless elf on Jun 12, 2019 22:19:19 GMT
I wrote an award winning children's book i made an award winning movie, i guess now we are even? 😉 what was your book about? It was about a girl trying to get over the loss of her puppy with the help of a mysterious owl |
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Post by Nora on Jun 12, 2019 22:43:33 GMT
i made an award winning movie, i guess now we are even? 😉 what was your book about? It was about a girl trying to get over the loss of her puppy with the help of a mysterious owl sounds nice |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
@Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2019 22:56:05 GMT
8 was on top of the world, but only on my mind, and not in reality.
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