Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Focus


Focus in my art has always been a problem with me. I hop from one project to another and seldom finish anything. I admire artists that set deadlines and meet those deadlines.


Taking time off from blogging I was going to work on my novel but being the care taker of my 80 year old parents made writing a complex story too difficult at this time in my life. I thought about all my unfinished projects and tried to decide which direction to go with my art or writing.

Finally I made the decision simple for myself. I made my oldest unfinished project my focus.

When I was a teenager I loved Science Fiction and Comedy. For years I wanted to make a movie combining these two loves. Never having enough money to make a full length movie I decided to take the designs and create a graphic novel. Using collage art as a starting point I've worked on this concept off and on for years.

I'm near finishing the alien interview part of the story. The above alien art is my latest splash page from the graphic novel. I'm hoping to finish the first chapter soon "Raygun Wedding" so I can start pitching the project to publishers.


Sometime in May I'll post a photo of me with the first 200 pages. I just need to stay focused.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

I understand the problem with focus. Me and my dad are the same. But if I may share a thought on the subject, I only believe focus to be important if it matters to yourself.

If you feel better to finish your projects, or if you are doing something for somebody else, then you should spend energy on learning to focus.

I may be focused when it comes to my writing, but I have hobbies that come and go and some come back and go again. This I have accepted, and I only do these things when and because they are fun (or whatever feature I'm looking for), not to make a living out of it.

It makes me less stressed.

My dad on the other hand always dives into a project with the intention that he should "make something out of it" and when he fails he falls hard. He can't do anything just because it is fun.

Robert A Vollrath said...

Thanks Desiree this was a very helpful comment.

I need to make a living off my art and writing as I have health problems now that don't allow me to do my former work.

My oldest son Mark has told me the same thing about failing hard as you said about your Dad.

The one time I'm not thinking about art or writing is when I see my grandchildren. Then it's just pure fun for grandchild and grandpa:)