So You Think You Can Draw?

 I love to teach others how to draw and one of the benefits I espouse about drawing is how it levels the playing field. Anyone can learn. It doesn't matter about their physical prowess, their income level, their popularity, looks, social status or age. It doesn't matter who they know, who their parents are or were, their education level or where they went to school. 

It's true. It's a way for the unnoticeable to make an impact.  

What's the Difference

 So often in the world of the self-employed and advertising, people and companies claim to be "the best" at what they do. "I'm the best realtor", they say or "We're the best car dealership", "I'm the best insurance salesman" and on and on. It gives rise to the question of  determining the meaning of "the best". If I have a leaking pipe and I need a plumber, can one plumber fix the leak "better" than another one can?

Most people in my environment will agree that when it comes to chicken, Chic-fil-a is most favored not because they have the best chicken necessarily but because they differentiate themselves not just in the chicken fast food industry but from every other fast food restaurant out there.  

In light of this, what makes what I do preferable over all the others who do what I do? I think it's all in presentation and attention to detail. It means I have to stand out, do what others can't or are unwilling to do.

Let the Tools do the Work

Upon reflection of all my desires and aspirations, I find myself frequently and way too often "planning" for my success when this morning it hit me; I already have everything I need. Further planning is a waste of time.

General George B. McClellan was general of the Union forces early in the American civil war who had several golden opportunities to gain strategical advantages and shorten the war but was reluctant to engage the enemy because of an unreasonable fear of the enemies strength. He always requested from President Lincoln more troops, more horses, more cannons or a better plan. He rarely attacked.

I, myself, have all the tools and planning I need at my disposal. I have the skills to use said tools and the maps and strategy to locate and uncover the treasure.  

 

Catagorized

It was a neighborhood party and all but two of  my drawings were of children which is fine. It's work, right? However, as thankful as I am for the job, I felt a bit under appreciated not only by the children, too young to appreciate art, but more so by the ungrateful and at times rude parents. I couldn't help but get the sense that so many of the parents were angry. I was just stuck by what appeared to be an angry demeaner. 

I also felt a bit under utilized as I was next to a balloon clown and a face painter. The event was booked by Twist it up Balloons, an event planner I've worked with for several years, and this is her major clientele so I should expect this flavor. Twist it Up is the only event planner providing me with gigs since the start of the pandemic as the others have either gone out of business or started a new line of work. 

This event plays into my desire to seek out clients who have deeper pocketbooks and are willing to pay for a higher quality of art as well as the outfitting of me as a digital caricaturist. 

 

Do You See the Light!

Short of re-hashing the rhetoric I've expressed over the past months and years, the situation is as follows: over the past nearly 10 years, Dollhouse Windows has met our financial needs enough to keep us fed and with a roof over our heads but the reasons for starting are not the same reasons to justify its continuation under these circumstances. 

I've hired another helper, a kid named Kameron and so far so good but I've resolved that if he doesn't work out then he will go the way of an ever increasing list of helpers and so will DHW. Needless to say I've commitments to customers and at this point it would be foolish to turn down money from anywhere but my intentions are such that my only fulltime vocation is BDI.

 

On this Memorial Day I thought I would post this drawing I recently made for my grandson whom I've nicknamed The Blonde Bomber because of his beautiful blonde hair. One of the products I offer are these personalized posters from a small 8 x 10 to poster sized.

Part of my endeavor to be productive in my life's work is to become proficient in making people aware of products I can provide and selling them accordingly. One of my projects I'm undertaking, especially since covid restrictions are being loosened, is the digital presentation of gigs for my caricatures. This type of presentation provides a polished, professional look for company functions such as trade shows, company parties etc. and along with it comes the promise of more money.

 

The Pump

There is an illustrative story regarding motivation which was so eloquently and colorfully told by the late Zig Ziglar involving a pump type water well. The operations of a water well is that one must prime the pump with a small amount of water in order to get water flowing. In short, you must put something in before you can get something out. In fact, in order to actually get water from the well, one must pump vigorously to get the water to the surface but when the stream of sweet water arrives all one must do is keep up a slow steady pressure on the crank to keep it coming.

That's my commitment. I vow to ordain my efforts toward BDI until such a time as to enjoy it's rewards with steady pressure. I welcome the obstacles, temptations and heretofore unforeseen problems associated in pursuing this endeavor. This includes gigs, digital conversion, SUD editing, marketing SUD, merchandising and anything else associated with my life's work.

This includes a holistic approach that spills over into all my personal as well as private endeavors. The biggest benefit in reaching a goal is not in the accomplishment but the person one becomes in it's pursuit.