What I hate about people who aren't artists

As some of you may know, I've been an aspiring cartoonist/comic artist since I was 4 years old.

It's what I've always wanted to do. My parents/myself have probably dumped enough money on my ever expanding comic collection to pull the US out of debt twice and fund 2 additional wars.

I did all the usual things to grow as an artist. When I was a kid, I swiped every comic image I thought was "cool". As a teenager I drew from life and attempted to find my own "style" that would make me rich. And in my 20's I've been sketching out and laying out numerous comic stories, most which probably will never see the light of day, some I hope will allow me to make some sort of living where I will be able to escape the 7th circle of Hell known as my job. I don't even care about being rich and famous. I don't care if I win multiple Eisners and my comic ideas get picked up by big Hollywood execs to make fortunes and I end up in court because I was promised money after Net and not Gross and I get the shaft.

I DON'T CARE.

But you know what I HATE?

What bothers me like no other?

Are people who aren't artists and...well...act really stupid without even realizing it.

I hate it when I'm sketching at work and some jackass comes up and says "Whatcha drawing?"

I reply, "Just a picture of a person. Just in the outline stages. Not really sure of who."

They'll peer down at my sketchbook. "That doesn't LOOK realistic. I thought you were an artist?"

My fist tightens around my pencil. I think of all the horrible things I can do to the person's face with it. "I am. I just enjoy drawing in a more comicbook style. My big passion is superheroes."

"OH! I get it. You're not a REAL artist. You draw superheroes. Like Superman!"

If I wasn't fucking colorblind, I'd be seeing red.

"Comics are art." I say.

"No they're not! They're cartoons!"

I sigh and shake my head and go back to drawing.

"Hey! Hey!"

This fucker will NOT leave me alone.

"Yes?" I ask.

"You should draw me a picture!"

I sigh...and before I can stop myself, I say "What would you like me to draw?" Dammit!

A shrug. "I dunno. Draw something COOL!"

I could choke you and hide your body in the vending machine in the break room. Nobody eats the food out of there. You'd dissapear.

"Cool? Like what?"

"I dunno. Something AWESOME!"

I give my most annoyed look I can. "Define.....awesome?"

"How should I know? I thought you were an 'artist'?"

The person leaves me alone.


Ladies and gentlemen.

This happens EVERYDAY to an artist of some kind.

This has been happening to me since the, oh, 7th or 8th grade.

I used to let it slide. Especially if a cute girl asked me to draw something. I figured if I played it cool enough, I'd be like Leo DiCaprio from Titanic and the girl would be my Rose. Word.

That's also around the time I figured out that chicks don't dig comics. At least none of the ones I knew.



Moral of the story.

If you see someone doing something remotely artistically, either say something nice, constructive, offer to buy said piece of art, or just SHUT UP AND MOVE ON.


I need some coffee......

Some pics of Christopher

Hellboy

A sketch I did not too long ago.

Old Man Riddick

I was browsing some new Wolverine issues and forgot that they were doing the "Old Man Logan" story arc. It looks interesting but I'll wait for the TPB.

So I went home and was watching Pitch Black (AWESOME movie) and decided to draw Riddick but when I was done....a little bit of Old Man Logan had snuck in.

Sorry for crappy pic, still no new scanner. Go buy me a new one. Now.

Sketchin' again and American Gods

On my deviantart page I've been uploading sketches (http://jpjart.deviantart.com/).

My most recent one I drew while I was reading my favorite book, American Gods. The book has a few chapters dedicated to old, "forgotten gods".

A must read book. I've been rereading this book since 2002 and I've gone through three copies.

Return of the Jesus

I haven't posted on my Blogspot in a looooong time. Almost a full year.

So I figured why not bring it back once and a while?

I've been busy writing in my forum/column at bigfanboy.com Check it out at the Jesus Speaks! messegeboard. I talk comics/movies/video games blah blah blah.

My deviant art page (link at the right) has a couple of newer drawings. Not much. My cheap ass printer/scanner went to hell.

I've got a stack of drawings chilling at my drafting table waiting to be uploaded. I tell ya what. Let's start an internet campaign. Let's get Jesus a new scanner! And photoshop!......and a big screen tv.

So that's pretty much it for now.

Maybe I'll right another post SOMETIME this year. 8)

Happy Halloween!

Hey folks!
Hope everybody has a great Halloween.

I'm gonna be boring this Halloween. The wife and I are thinking of just staying in with a scary movie marathon.

So far the movies we have picked out are:

Dawn of the Dead
28 Weeks Later
Evil Dead 2
Saw
Friday the 13th Part III
Brain Dead (Dead Alive)
From Dusk til Dawn
Planet Terror

Think that's enough? 8)

Check out my deviant art page for my recent up dates!
http://jpjart.deviantart.com/