How far Would You Go To Pursue Your Dreams?

My friend Zero quit his job in CG, terminated his lease, sold everything he couldn't fit into his truck... and is now traveling cross country - living his life, taking photos and writing about it!!!

He is accepting activity challenges along the way.

In his words...

 I will go to places that people suggest I visit, do things that people suggest I do, and meet people that want to be met. And I will connect with people around the country.

I posted a challenge for Zero on his forums to help me here at my loft in Los Angeles with a creative project for my paintings.  I suggest you challenge Zero to come to your house and help you clean your bathroom, tap a cold keg of beer or make dinner for your mother-in-law.  It's up to you!!!

What a wonderful idea!  Everyone should follow what their spirit is telling them to do with their life.  Otherwise, you are living skitzophrenic days on this planet doing what other people think you should be doing.  Does that sound like fun?

Check out ZeroDean.COM

All Spice Cafe

I have a new artist spotlight!
JD Cowles!

I started the "artist spotlight" to feature artists who have turned their passions and hobbies into cash making machines. Past spotlights have included: Cro Customs, Jamie and Drew's Art Show, Total Escape, and The Visual Amalgam Show

To start 2009 off right we have J.D. Cowles! CG Sup turned hot sauce chemist!
Check out his hot sauces and he is having a tasting at Surfas in Culver City this Saturday!!! Buffalo burgers, venison tenderloin, elk ny strip steak . . . all treated with All Spice Cafe Hot Sauces! Come on by!

Surfas AllSpice Hot Sauce Tasting
Time and Place

Date:	Saturday, January 10, 2009
Time:	12:00pm - 3:00pm
Location:	Surfas - A Chef's Paradise
Street:	8777 West Washington Blvd.
City/Town:	Culver City, CA

Total Escape.com and Danamite

It's time for this month's Artist Spotlight!

In June, I spotlighted Caleb's Owen's Cro Customs Chopper Venture. Then July I spotlighted my co-author Jamie Oliff's art show at the Dresden with his animator buddy Drew Edwards.

This month we spotlight my good friend Dana Williams.

I met Dana on my first animation job in California working at a traditional animation studio in San Diego. Dana was the first female animator I had met and we hit it off famously...even though most of the guys at the studio were convinced she was packing heat.

Dana left animation to take her love for camping, hiking and the out doors into a full scale business. Dana has been running her business for 12 years now and I am so proud of her. Check out her website TotalEscape.com to see the best campgrounds, hiking trails and outdoor fun in California.

Sole creative force of Total Escape, Dana Williams left her 3D animation career to start her living dream. Utilizing artistic talents, computer skills & the simple love of nature to make it all come together for a killer web site called Total Escape. The GOAL: To get more outta life, 'get outside' more often - out of the city, off the computer & away from television.. so far from daily grind of everyday life. Educating the public about respecting the land, responsible use of our resources & how to get more enjoyment out of weekend.

http://www.TotalEscape.com

Artist Spotlight - July - Jamie and Drew

Last month, I decided to spotlight one CG artist a month on the blog who has taken something they love to do outside of animation and turned it into additional income - as inspiration for us all. I started it off with Caleb's Cro Customs Chopper venture. This month, I thought none better than to spotlight my co-author Jamie Oliff. He had an art show of his paintings last month at the Dresen with his friend Drew Edwards.

Jamie and his buddy Drew Edwards met in Canada working on Ren and Stimpy. Both, still have one toe in the animation industry mostly doing storyboards. They created a show together that was held at the Dresden. These are the pictures of the debauchery of the night. It was great fun and Jamie sold all of his paintings.

Proud artists...Look at Drew's shoes! Awesome!

Beginning of the evening as people start to come in...

The paintings in black and white are Jamie's
and the monochromatic color ones are Drew's.

This was one of my favorites...look at the character in his face!

Drew was inspired by the movie swingers for quite a few of his.

Guess who this motley crew is supposed to be?
I will give you a hint - see below.

Samir eyes a painting he wants...and decides to buy it for 600$!!!

Jamie places the red dot to show it's sold!

Very happy patron the arts!

Sarah Bockett's smile could light up any room!

I am obviously talking about something VERY important,
since Drew is listening so closely.

Cro Customs

The climate in animation/VFX and CG today changing so quickly...

runaway production,
overseas studios,
downsizing,
underbidding,
shorter schedules,
smaller budgets,
lowering of animators salaries...

In light of these changes in our industry, many artists are starting their own businesses to create additional income. Most artists and animators have to be self starting individuals to last in this industry. CG artists are an unusual breed who believe they can make anything happen - even turn a hobby into their career.

I think it's because working in CG you incorporate so many facets of life and experience like writing, acting, anatomy, cinematography, lighting, storytelling, textures, design, kinetics, math, code, architecture...the list goes on and on. Think about it. How many other jobs use so many parts of your brain and so many skill sets? I have seen many people turn hobbies into careers in the past few years, artists who started their own businesses like: camping guide websites, fine art painting, bass fishing dvd's, clothing design, motorcycle fabrication, and toy production.

So, I will spotlight one CG artist a month on the blog who has taken something they love to do outside of animation and turned it into additional income - as inspiration for us all. Don't get me wrong here...I still support animation as a fruitful, and fun career. But! I also believe change is good and comes from the willingness to allow new ideas, different opinions and maintaining an open mind to the infinite possibilities there are when one is willing to take chances. I believe in the power of creativity and doing what you want to do creates more opportunity and an empowering state of mind.

If you would like your business spotlighted here on the blog, send me an email angie@spicycricket.com

The first artist to be spotlighted is:

My good friend Caleb Owens has started
a blog for his bike shop Cro Customs.

Cro Customs Blog

Caleb is another "artist friend" of mine
making way towards doing what he loves.

I love the quote on his website...
"Does Over Time make up for Time Lost?"

I say...Nope.

Go out and turn your love into what you do everyday!
Make something with your hands!