From unions and NFTs to the problem with preachy art (and what to do about it), join Jake Parker, Will Terry, and Lee White for a vivid discussion!

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SHOW LINKS

When Do I Earn Out web calculator
Episode 78: To NFT or Not to NFT
Episode 157: Can I Use AI for My Art?
Manifold
Pickleball Paul
J. Kirk Richards
The Manderfield Devil by Rachel Allen Everett

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Preaching isolates; storytelling invites. Focus on telling great stories rather than teaching lessons, and your work will reach and edify a much broader audience than it otherwise could.
Real illustrators don’t wait for someone to show them the way forward; they figure out their careers by being proactive and pursuing their options.
In art school? Don’t wait until graduation to start your career! Begin freelancing, create side projects, and don’t wait for your professor to give you assignments to start creating.
If you have the money (or get scholarships), art school can be a great experience, but it’s not worth going into debt for, especially with the many online and local options available now.

QUESTIONS

Jason asks, “How do you make sure your art and the projects you take on match your personal and religious beliefs and purpose? In other words, if art were my ministry and my way of fulfilling my mission on this earth, how do I frame that art in a way that fulfills that purpose?”

The obvious answer is to create work with overt moral or religious lessons. While there is a market for this, it’s rather isolating to people who don’t share your exact views. Instead of trying to teach lessons, write and illustrate stories that entertain and compel. This will allow you to reach a broader audience who can be edified by the quality of your work. All great stories include valuable lessons, but most moralizing tales repel the very people you want to reach. By serving the story first, you open up opportunities to touch lives that would normally be closed off to your message.

On the flip side, if you want to illustrate religious stories specifically, target religious publishers and bookstores with the understanding that you’re creating for a small, niche audience.

Loni asks, “I’m on an advisory board for the career and technical education department at my local high school. I advise over their curriculum as a graphic designer/illustrator professional in the community. I’m often asked, ‘How do students who want an art career get there?’ What is your advice for those kids right out of high school? Do you think they should go to art school if possible?”

We can’t give blanket-statement advice for every student, but here are a few things to consider when deciding between art school and alternative paths:

Art school is a great place to network, make lifelong connections, and find mentorship, but all those things can be found elsewhere with a little effort.
DO NOT go to art school if it means taking out substantial loans; debt is a ball and chain that will hinder your life and career after graduation.
If you take the school route, look for programs that emphasize developing your craft over finding your style.