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"Success" is the ultimate aim for any venture. When we undertake any project, be it large or small, we anticipate success. But, what exactly IS it? When I first decided to become a full time artist, I had to ask myself this question, and I continue to ask it every day.

I recently had a conversation with an art student about how her professors emphasized pre-sketching the piece before approaching the final draft. I couldn’t agree more, at least in most cases. When we talk of pre-sketching, if we’re doing it correctly, that doesn’t mean just draw a few lines and dive in.

What constitutes "bad" art? What constitutes good? And why "punish" the artist based on one's opinion? By "punish" I assume he meant rejection.

I came across this question somewhere in my literary travels. It got me to thinking about the creative process. Why do we create? And mind you, creativity doesn't just lie with artists or musicians or writers, et al, but it exists in all of us. I see creativity all over the place: in sports game posters, quilts, graffiti, and God knows MEMES! Literally everywhere. Something exists where before there was nothing. I'll bet you have created things all the while never considering yourself an artist. Well, you are. So why do I do this particular thing? These mostly strange images?...

My father was talented in art, although he never pursued it. He encouraged me to follow my talent for drawing by bringing home reams of unused office forms so that I could draw on the blank backs. This I did constantly, all and everything that popped into my head. Over the years I became proficient enough to apply to art school upon graduation. Although I learned a lot, and became pretty good, it became apparent that I couldn't apply what I had learned to any kind of meaningful work. Most art jobs paid doodley, if you could get them, and...