Well kids, I said I'd let you know what the good news from my previous entries was, whether it happened or not. So here it is:
"Yenny" creator Dave Alvarez offered me the chance to illustrate an ongoing comic strip that he would write which would be published in Puerto Rico.
Basically he'd e-mail me the scripts, I'd draw the cartoons and e-mail the work back to him. It sounded like a sweet gig. When Dave asked me how much I'd need to be making to be a part of this project, I consulted my friend Greg Evans (creator of the comic strip "Luann") to see what the standard rate for such work would be. Once I had those figures, I sent them to Dave and waited for his response, which I just got ten minutes ago.
Unfortunately, Dave said he wouldn't be making enough off the comic to realistically meet the amount I required to be a part of it. He was very cool about it, and suggested that maybe we could collaborate again sometime down the road.
So that was that. I love the guy, he's been very good to me, a fellow cartoonist whom he's never actually met. I'd just be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. Once again I allowed myself delusions of an actual steady, good-paying career in cartooning, just to see it come to nothing. It's very, very frustrating. But there you have it, good news gone bad.
On another topic, I hope you guys have gotten the chance to check out my illustrations in the recent issue of Interlude Magazine. For a list of places in the tri-cities where you can find it, cut and paste this link:
http://www.interludemag.com/index.php?page=Circulation
And on yet another note, my friend and co-worker Betsy who hired me to draw caricatures at Merrill High's prom this past Saturday has provided me with a couple pictures from the event which I'm posting here for you to see. The lovely lady with me is my beloved fiancee, Laura, for those who don't already know. It was a very nice event, and I appreciate Betsy allowing me to be a part of it, and for giving me the great photos to remember it by.
4 comments:
Jay, it's just a matter of time before you get that "steady, good-paying career in cartooning." I know you're good, the Yenny guy knows you're good... it's only a matter of time before the rest of the world figures it out.
In the meantime, I'm holding on to a number of blackmail photos to use against you when you're big and famous... :)
-- Melissa
JAY! I'm sorry it didn't work out THIS TIME, but you are totally on the verge of hugeness! I am so excited that things are going so well for you!
Keep up the amazing work, and I hope to see you soon!
-T.D.
Just gotta keep plugging away at it man. It's frustrating at times, but hard work pays off eventually.
There are a number of factors that keep any sort of job in this businiess from ever staying steady, but when you love it you find ways to turn a career out of it and make the career grow.
While I'm certainly not suggesting you invest your time and work for less than it's worth, is the door to the Yenny guy totally closed?
Getting work printed is essential. Maybe you could both compromise to the point where your work could at least be featured semi-regularly in his books, and he could pay you a rate that doesn't sell your work short, even if it's not what you were looking for initially.
Don't worry. Quality, consistent work like yours won't have trouble finding publication.
Jason Minich
I could go any number of ways with a positive "your time will come"-esque comment, but instead, I will be frank, and you can still be Jay.
You're an amazing talent. Anyone who knows you knows you're talented. I believe good things happen to good people. Since you're both good and talented, I'd say it's in the bag. Head up, young person.
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