T
Joined: Apr 30, 2004
Posts: 610
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T
Lemme say first of all..I had NO idea I was finding a site with such warm and wonderfully supportive people. Again, if you knew me and my character in person...you would understand how much I appreciate the traditional camaraderie of artist to artist. I am just seeing that here. As far as giving my feedback and sharing experience..I am a person that is very open and generous with that. Along with my job at Disney I taught workshops there to those wanting to learn to sculpt and paint or draw. Many were accountants or secretaries that just wanted a chance to learn. I love sharing what I know..and am always happy to do so here..as well as ask questions about what you all know. I wish this was a huge dark lounge loaded with couches and wicker chairs and a loong bar with endless little trinkets of past tiki eras to play with as we all sat and shared our passion for this stuff. I look forward to a time I can be part of a meet somewhere in the us...or Hawaii.
How I got where I am so far..for what it is worth is just a result of persistence and hard work painting and learning and most of all...never forgetting to be a kid. My memories from the early 60's when I was but a few years old are still vivid! I use these memories of Hawaiian hotels and restaurants or bars my parents used to frequent in my work. They fascinated me..scared me and intrigued me. I recall Trader Vic's and countless restaurants in LA now long gone. All this just gave me the passion to create the art as much as I have. Remember, though I am new to selling art to the public, this was never just a hobby. I worked my butt off at Universal and Disney Imaginnering for countless hours drawing and painting the images to motivate others to build these things at the companies..rides..shows...creatures and environments. I paid my dues..with plenty of sweat and blood. I left Disney to use this experience to share with others like me..who just wanted to be surrounded by cool little escapes in their own homes..magical tropical bubbles to lounge in and share with friends. You see this in my work..I don't just paint a tropical tree house..I step in there and build it...if you look closely.
In all cases, someone saw my work in a print shop or through word of mouth and that lead me to opportunities. I believe if you really believe in your art..it comes through..and people pick up on it. So any publishers or licensing connections I currently have happened cus these people were attracted to something that I am doing. I wish I had a secret formula..I don't know myself how to control things..so I just paint things I truly am passionate about. At Disney..I did that..and then had to get up and pitch to Michael Eisner or Disney corporate who were as tough a crowd as you would ever want to be in front of. I just let it all go..made noises and rolled on the floor demonstrating the actions that my paintings and storyboards would have if you were inside them. Much of the time..I pulled people into my worlds..other times...got a deadpan response and a simple statement of " ok...how much will it cost". Anyway...my point is..passion is a huge driving force to getting people to back you with money. So is strong, well executed and crafted art. I am still learning the business psyche part.
Anyway...there are a few questions addressed... I look forward to getting to know more of you!
~~THOR
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