Filling in the Gaps

Hey, there sports fans, Al here with the latest:

So, in the last several posts, I had previously mentioned how I've had to constantly go over my story of Richard Parker and his watery adventure.

It has been a trial for me. Because like every artist I have ever known, the initial concept NEVER equals the finished piece. Sometimes you can come close to that ephemeral idea, but almost every time, it never happens.

SO as an editor on your work, you have to be super critical of your work. Those other types of artists who think that their work is the shiz are those who don't deal with criticism- of any kind. I think the popular word to describe this is "spreg out."

The only way to grow as a person, both personally and professionally, is through criticism. There is no such thing as bad criticism. If you're honest with yourself, listen and then move forward. Yeah, you might like what they have to say. They'll even try to troll you. But take it on the chin. Right now, there are art critics who roam this town of Portland's art scene that are toxic just by comments alone and have some artists in fear of their professional lives. That is just a side note btw.

With that, a few images fill in the gaps to make transitions between significant parts of Richard Parker's story.

A Combo of images of transitional images for “The Watery Adventure of Richard Parker”

I have been working on the battle before Parker's ultimate demise and strengthening (in my opinion) the reason why the mermaid depicted has an emotional change of heart towards Parker.

As I write this, the Prodigy's "Firestarter" is playing in the background. This song is a great sign to start a fire under me to get work going and finished.

I want Richard Parker's story to be done.

I know that a lot of other people are waiting as well. I know that a lot of other people are waiting as well. They keep asking me about it. Many people want to support the book when it's done, but they've been hearing tales of this epic tale, but the epic continues to keep growing, and it's epic Ness. So I got a finish it. Not only for me but for them, and it'll be a monumental piece of work. So here are some more images of the book groups and pages, and I got to get to work, and this kid is out of here.

Focus. Stay on Target.

Hey there Sports Fans, Al here with the latest:

What is a creative issue that prevents work from being done?

Fear is usually the first one that comes to mind. Real or imagined can cripple the creative spark within all of us.

Misdirection is another. This one is tricky because real life doesn't always run parallel with the creative flow. In fact, sometimes I have found myself falling into this problem because you don't want something to end other times you fall for ... wait for it...

lack of enthusiasm for a project.

I think that this happens all the time to creative people. Probably the best well-known person is Geroge R.R. Martin and the "Game of Thrones" books. It has been shown that he has been busy writing other stories and scripts for tv and buying a ton of stuff that most nerdy collectors would kill for. But he can't bring himself to finish the books. But down deep in the heart of the creative when you are bored of working on a project. Like you would be working at a restaurant in the dish pit and you are doing the same job over and over again your body just goes through the motions and your mind shuts down. It's like that returning to any art project.

HOWEVER, there are times when a renewed vigor comes in like a long-awaited tide to cover the rough edges that you had so many issues with, and then you are left with a self-question "why did I stop doing this?"

What has this to do with anything? Well, funny you should ask the metaphorical question. In my case when I was cranking out a bunch of Richard Parker stuff before the Pandemic lockdown I had a major hard-on for getting my Robot Monster story completed and written and drawn. At the time I wanted to prove to myself that I still could make a regular comic book that I would be into as a kid. And when the lockdown happened I had remarked to my girlfriend at the time, "Well at least now I can finish Robot Monster."

But what of Parker? He rolled out to sea like the morning tide. But with so many things in life like the lockdown, the civil unrest, the break-up from a long relationship, a move, a wildfire threat, rehired, move again, "Last Monster on Earth!" finished and sent off to my editor, and the recent election Parker rolled back in.

And as I had mentioned before - FOCUS.

A large explosion of creativity burst forth - where do I need to fill in the visual gaps to make sense to the reader? If I were picking this up for the first time would it make sense? I will admit that sometimes the burden to see things through is tough because you do sit down at an art table day after day using the same techniques to flesh out a character or general idea. But focus to sit down just to start is a good beginning. And unlike those dishes being stacked there is an end to the story.

Focus.