One by One

I think every artist has a bucket list. Projects they want to work on, pieces they want to create, companies they want to work for during their career. Anyone who knows me knows that I love comic books. They would say I'm partial to DC, and maybe that's true, but I don't discriminate against all the other publishers.

Yes, I do have a Superman shield on my arm. Yes, the default ringtone on my phone is the Superman theme from the movies. Yes, I do create more DC related content than others. BUT, I do read and watch other publishers stuff.

Ever since I was a kid and started drawing I always wanted to draw comics. Now through the years, yes, my taste has changed. Not only did I grow up on Superman, Batman and the Justice League but I also read Spawn, Archie and Conan comics. At a young age I wasn't following comic book companies because of politics or storyline, I WAS FOLLOWING THE ART.

I would find artists who's work I loved and try to emulate them. I would draw the covers or pages from the comic in my sketchbook the best I could and slowly I would develop my own style. I'm pretty sure that's how every artist starts their long career, copying other peoples work until they develop their own. I'm also pretty sure that every artist has about the same goals they want to complete at least once in their lives. So let's explore a couple of them...at least these are a couple of mine. My "Artists Bucket List".

1. WORK FOR A MAJOR PUBLISHER - Every artists dream is to work for one of the big boys at least once in the careers. To have DC or Marvel on your resume is a dream come true for many.

2. BE FEATURED IN A GALLERY - If you're not a comic book artist and you love the fine arts then having a gallery feature your work can be a great achievement in your career.

3. SELL YOUR WORK - Having someone tell you they love your work and give you paper currency for it is an amazing feeling. There are multiple ways to sell your art, I'll be writing an article on that soon.

4. MEET YOUR HERO - The day you get to meet that person that you copied as a kid can be a magical day. If you're lucky enough to work with him then you really know you made it.

5. BE FAMOUS - Yes...you can be humble all you want but the day someone recognizes you because of your art and they wish they could do what you do will be one of the greatest days of your life. I like to think we artists create just to create something. But deep down we count "Followers" and "Likes" and we love it when our work gets the attention it deserves.

I'm sure there are a few things I'm missing from that list but that's what the comments below are for. Let me know what you think should be added. For us artists, creating is everything. When something off that list pops and actually happens...it could be the greatest thing in the world.