How To Be A Con Artist Part V

Hey, I'm back with some more advice in my ongoing series of "How To Be A Con Artist".  Again, I'll let you know that when I say "Con" I mean convention.  And when I say "How To Be" I mean that I am giving some advice based on what I've learned over the years through personal experience, reading and advice from others.

To read previous entries, just check them out here:
How To Be A Con Artist Part I
How To Be A Con Artist Part II
How To Be A Con Artist Part III
How To Be A Con Artist Part IV

Today is going to be a simple one and it has a lot to do with taking the steps towards being a professional.  Behavior and process at conventions are one thing, but you should also be thinking about how to handle your business at home when you aren't creating artwork.  You are essentially setting up a home based business and for your own mental well-being you should create some space for that in your life.

Early on, when I returned to my parent's house a year or so after graduating, I was lucky enough to have an extra room to turn into a studio space.  Somewhere there are pictures, but this was before digital cameras so I'd have to find the physical photos and scan them to show you. Needless to say, I worked hard on the room to make it a space I could work in and it was really great.  I made the closet into an art supply cabinet, I had shelves for my books and space for my large art.  The best part was, I could leave the office/studio space and be a part of the rest of my life without tripping over my work.  When I moved out of my parents house again, I had to make that space wherever I lived and it wasn't always easy, but it was definitely necessary.  Most times it was a corner of the room I had to use - living room, bed room, etc...  The area became half studio and half office.

Since I am still settling in and trying to figure things out, I don't have a studio/office set up - its under construction right now and I do find that I am missing it a lot.  Not having that area for my work makes me now feel up in the air and disorganized.

Seriously I tried to find a good 'home office' image and this is what I found.  But hey, its The Oatmeal!

But as for you...  Setting up your home office hopefully won't be a big deal because you probably have a lot of the stuff you need already.  Here is a basic list of some office essentials:

* Desk - Could your drawing table or part of your work space serve as a desk too?  Think about how to make the most of what you currently have.

* Comfortable Chair - If you have an office chair that works or even a normal dining room chair that you can sit in - you don't want it too comfortable because remember, this is part of work, not hanging out.

* File Cabinets - I've mentioned that you should print out all your paperwork for conventions in previous entries in the series.  You should have the paperwork for each convention in a file and you need a place to put those files where you can find them easily or they are within reach should you need them.  Also, contracts, emails and things like that.  You'll also want place to put important papers and such for tax reasons.  Piling things up is a good way to lose things (I've learned this the hard way repeatedly).  Some people may argue that the computer can hold all that stuff, but there are plenty of horror stories of computers dying and losing all those files.  Hard copies are still necessary!

* Sufficient Lighting - This should go without saying, but to work, either on paperwork or artwork, you should have good lighting.

* Calculator - Are you good at math?  I'm not good at math.  Why drive myself nuts when there are inexpensive things called calculator's available to do it for me and do it right?  I know for some of you that's like owning an abacus at this point with computers, but its easy enough for me to have a separate calculator to type on than pulling over my laptop for it.  And as I said, basic calculators are pretty darn cheap these days.

* Photocopier/Printer/Scanner - I lump these together because basically, what I mean is, a way to reproduce things.  Again, pricing has gone down on personal office supplies, so getting a combo photocopier/printer/scanner isn't too expensive.  If you already have a scanner and a printer, you can use that too. In the long run, you probably would need a printer and scanner anyway... so... yeah.

* Wastebasket - This might seem obvious but its not something you might automatically think of at first.  Trust me on this: You'll notice right away that you need it when you have the crumpled piece of paper and you're looking for a place to throw it.

* Paper Shredder - Identity theft is real.  There is no reason to put yourself out there.  Again, there are fairly inexpensive ones out there.

* Telephone - Your business number and your personal number should be different if you're using it as a form of contact with people for business purposes.  You might think that its not a big deal to have them combined in one, but one thing I encourage with all young artists is to keep the personal life and the business life separate.  Its good for your mental well being and honestly, its good for your personal safety.  DO NOT give your personal phone number to people at conventions, even if they have business cards and promise you work.  Getting a business card made is easy and cheap and doesn't mean they are legitimate.  If you have to give a number, it should be a separate business one that you have for just business purposes.  This might all seem obvious, but you'd be surprised by how many people make the mistake.

* Desktop Organizers - Might seem obvious but many people skip on this.  Then they have to find a pencil that they were sure was right there on the table, but its gone now and where did it go?  And didn't I put the scissors like, right here?  Who is coming in here and taking my stuff?  ARGH!  It was like here a second ago? 

* Computer cart and stands - Sometimes having your computer or printer etc. RIGHT on the work table or desk isn't the best.  Especially if you are a more traditional artist.  Having it sitting off the work area (if that's your office area as well) is the best way to handle it.  This is especially true of your external items like scanners or printers.  I had it set so my printer was on a rolling card that I could then roll out or under the desk.

* Fax/answering machine - With modern set-ups on the phone and services, again, these seem like rather archaic items to have.  But you'd be surprised by how many businesses still use fax machines and require you to fax things to them.  If you have a computer program that does the same thing and can dial to fax machines, great!  Same thing with answering machines. 

* Postage meter - Should you be doing business selling items online, this will save you some time and trouble and will make your life easier in the long run.

*Hooks, racks, hangers, organizing system - These are good to have just to keep yourself organized and to have a place to put things where you can find them and where they will be safe from getting mixed up in other items.

Some of this stuff you might already have or may have something that will work as an equivalent for your office.  For example, if you don't have a postage meter machine, a kitchen scale can help you determine postage cost. The organizer could be as simple as plastic cups cut do different sizes to hold different items...   It doesn't have to be expensive or store bought.  Don't let the matching sets at Staples lure you in or fool you. 

Here is a link to a web page talking about making a home office on the cheap: http://interiordec.about.com/od/planninganoffice/a/budgethomeoffic.htm

You'll want some office basics like pens (black and blue), pencils, scissors, manilla file folders, sticky notes, white-out or white-out tape, binder clips, tape, and glue.  I know some of these seem obvious, but you never realize what you need, till you need it and you don't have it. 

The biggest issue of course, is space.  If you can manage it, try to set it up some place where it can be untouched by the general populous of your home.  Sometimes, your business area will be the area that all house business is done at - that's fine.  Just make sure your files and your business specific items are separate from everyone else so you can access it and find your things quickly.  You can only do the best that you can with this.  I know many of you might still be living at home and that may not be a big home.  Maybe find a box to store your office items into that you can open and create a space that way.  The point of this is - you have to have an area that is able to be used for business purposes without it being contaminated by a lot of other things.  If you get it all mixed up, its easy to lose things and then you spend more time being angry and frustrated than being able to work on art.

Going back to the files and hard copies....  Having your registration forms and confirmations printed out and in a folder is a smart idea.  As I said, I've mentioned this in previous entries.  These forms include any communication between you and convention staff regarding your attendance and participation with the convention.

For example: If you are doing a panel and spoke to the coordinator for convention panels with a special request you made asking to have your puppy in there and the coordinator agreed, PRINT THE HISTORY OF EMAILS OUT!  Especially the email where the coordinator agreed and gave you permission to bring the puppy.  The panel coordinator is not always going to be available and certainly won't be able to come running to meet you and escort you and your puppy personally to your panel room.  That doesn't happen.  So when you get a con-staffer frowning at you and telling you "No puppies!" all you then have to do is pull out your file folder and the email where the panel coordinator gave you that permission.  Then its up to con-staff and you to figure it out and get the panel coordinator in there.  I'm not saying you will definitely be able to have a puppy at your panel, but you sure as heck have a better chance of it WITH the confirmed email printed there, than not.

The puppy is judging you right now.

Now, you might say that, "Yeah, but the coordinator said I could!" You're right, maybe they did.  But even THEY might not remember giving permission and under the hassle of the live convention and having to put out fires left and right before YOU showed up with your puppy, they might be too harried and confused to side with you.  Maybe they are disorganized and don't have access to their files or they lost them.  And under pressure, they may tell you no anyway.  "That's not fair!" you say?  You're right.  But people are human and they make mistakes.  So that leaves the onus on you!  You have to be prepared and ready when you walk in.  YOU have to be the one with everything in order.  Its your responsibility, not theirs.

And yes, there is the magic of your iPhone or Android or whatever right there in your pocket.  And you could simply pull it out and look up the email, searching through all your emails to find that ONE email where you were given permission.  Yup, that could work... If you're always in a place that has great coverage and it loads fast.  Of course you know the rule - if its important, all things load at a snail's pace.  Who says anyone has time to stand there with you while your phone loads the email?  Staffers are busy.  Your panel is only a certain amount of time.  How long do you think everyone has to wait on you?  How long do you think the puppy can sit there without whizzing on someone's foot? Why waste the time when you could simply have a piece of paper that says exactly what you need it to, right there in your folder?

Obviously you are not going to bring a puppy to the panel, but you know what I mean and you get the gist of what I am saying here right? 

That goes back to the print outs.  Having a folder of items specific to the convention also makes it easier as you pack up for trip.  Instead of having to look for or gather papers or make the mistake of leaving them behind, you have it all in one folder that you simply yoink out of your file cabinet (where things are orderly) and you are on your way. 

This doesn't work as well if you don't have space in your home (or your life) for your business.  Being organized may not come naturally to you, but if you plan on being a professional artist in any way, shape or form, it is essential to set yourself up for success.

Next is: How To Be  A Con Artist Part VI

Putting on the Big Girl Pants

I did it.

I made it through my first Session at the Red Engine school and finished Intro to Entertainment Design.  The 12 weeks are done and I am left with that strange happy/sad feeling.  Admittedly, there was more to the whole thing than just the classes - though that was the reason for the 4 hour drive to L.A. from Las Vegas.  My cousin lives in L.A. and I was able to visit with her and got to do her H2yOga sessions.

One of the sights on my drive to L.A.

My cousin Sue and I were very close when we were young, being only a year apart and much younger in age than our other cousins.  I remember many of the sleepovers at my grandparent's home, visits to her house and holidays, making up stories, and having our own epic adventures.  As we got older, the distance between us seemed to grow and when we started college we didn't stay in touch.  Being able to reconnect now has been a blessing, to say the least.

The classes have been a challenge for me.  Its been a new way of thinking when approaching my art and a new way of working.  I know I mentioned it before, but everything took longer than I thought it would.  I have been taking my first steps into knowing what I have to learn and what I have to perfect as I go towards this new career path.  During the class, I have wondered if I had any skill for concept art.  I was nervous about asking and really, just wanted to focus on the work I was doing.

Thursday was my last class and we had some guest speakers.  One of them ended up doing a critique of our work and I have to say, I was pretty happy with what he said.  Overall, he liked what I was doing and gave me some good advice.  He liked it so much he said that he hoped that I continue working on the project because he wanted to see what  I would do with it.  When I asked my teacher if I had the talent and/or skill for this type of work and he said I did, which definitely gave me an internal boost.

Giving my presentation on Saturday

On Saturday, we had a review session where all the classes presented their work from the 12 weeks.  It was nerve-wracking to think about showing my work when we ended up showing after the advanced class or even the intermediate class.  In the end, it went very well though.  The other instructors again had positive words for me and even better, said that my work was unique and they hadn't seen it before (in a good way).  My instructor Zach spoke on my behalf, telling the others how well I had done in class and mentioned my coming in once a week from Las Vegas - which drew gasps of disbelief, but also showed my dedication.  Walking out that afternoon with Sue, who I was glad was there to see the presentation, I was feeling pretty good about where I was and where I was going.

Giving my presentation on Saturday

For those wondering about the project, I am working on the concept art for a video game based on a Scottish ballad titled Tam Lin.  The ballad is interesting enough, but more so because the female character is the one who must save the male character.  The setting for the game is a future world that is sort of post-apocalyptic so everything will have an industrial feel.  Magic is cyclical and it has come around again - unfortunately the Earth is poisoned and half dead so the magic is warped.  Janet is the main character and I wanted a female character that both men and women would want to play.  She is strong, capable and smart.  The beasts that Janet faces are all warped by magic and the industrial world.

Janet concept art

Red Forest concept art

Cave Exterior concept art

Bear concept art

I'm going to continue working on this.  I know that normally with concept art, there is usually more than one artist working on things and there are hundreds of concepts drawn and worked on till the final is decided on.  Time and ability kept me moving a bit faster towards a finished product.  I'm excited to see how I develop the world and the characters and will continue working on and maybe, one day, it can become a real game.

So after all of that...

When I started school, I had began applying to jobs - mostly connected to the gaming industry since that's where I wanted to work.  There are more than a few places in Las Vegas where I'm located right now so it wasn't out of left field that I might be able to find something.  Unfortunately, that hasn't come through and I find myself facing another possible 12 week session at Red Engine without incoming money.

I'll admit, I didn't take into account the cost of gas and food when I went into the idea of attending Red Engine and that was a mistake on my part.  So entering the next session, I'm left trying to figure out how to have more income coming in so its not all going out.  That has partly meant that I have not invested in more materials for jewelry as the Etsy store has not been financially successful.  My hope had been that it would provide enough income so that I wouldn't have to go out to get a job to help support myself: That hasn't been the case.  This leaves me with having to look at a real job, but mostly likely something like Target, or Petco.  Its not the ideal but I can't shy away from hard work to get to where I want to go.

Now Ashton Kutcher has never been my go to guy for inspiring, intelligent and meaningful ideas.  He wasn't even an actor I enjoyed watching all that much or respected.  That changed after watching the video below as he gave a very meaningful speech at the Kid's Choice Awards.  Definitely worth watching:



I'm going to try and build the life I want, not just live it and I'm not better than any job.  Its going to be hard - the travel to and from L.A. was draining - but in the end, I have to believe it is worth it.  I have to believe this isn't a mistake or that I'm screwing up again or that I'm not good enough.  The fears I have that make me over-think and worry and stress have to be ignored.  Its time, once again, to put on the big girl pants...

Cruelty to Animals = Cruelty to Human Beings

This wasn't the post I was intending to make today, but due to things I learned yesterday, I felt like sharing my feelings on the matter of how we treat animals and how that reflects upon us as human beings.  I suppose I should give it a Trigger warning.

Yesterday, from a random Facebook post petitioning against Ashley Nicole Richards*, I learned about 'Crush' videos or animal crushing.  Apparently its been around for a while, but being the naive individual I am, I hadn't heard about it before.  If you don't know what it is, its videos that depict animals being tortured to death by humans. What's worse is that the videos are apparently produced to satisfy the sexual fetishes of those who watch them.  In the case of Ms. Richards, she dressed in dominatrix gear.  I have never seen one of these videos but on a search through the webverse (because I wasn't sure this was a real thing or not) there were plenty of descriptions of what went on in these videos to make me sick to my stomach: some descriptions in regards to the court case involved Ashley Nicole Richards and videos featuring her.  A run down of the situation can be seen here: http://www.houstonpress.com/2013-05-16/news/ashley-nicole-richards/  (It can be pretty graphic in the depictions of the videos and what goes on).

Basically Richards and Brent Wayne Justice (who filmed Richards) were charged after a video in which Richards tortured and killed a cat made its way to PETA. In it, Richards is dressed in few clothes and heels, first immobilizes, then tortures and eventually kills a cat.  You'd think that would be the end of it as justice was finally being served, but that isn't the case.  A federal judge determined that the videos contained no obscenities and that the charges actually violated their First Amendment rights.  The judge in this case determined that “the acts depicted in animal crush videos may be ‘patently offensive’ under community standards, but under no set of community standards does violence toward animals constitute ‘sexual conduct.’” While Richards and Justice are still in custody for animal cruelty, I am left still feeling sick over this.

I was told when I posted about this to Facebook that yes, these 'Crush' videos exist and that like 'snuff' films, there are a lot of fakes.  But, that means there are still real ones, as in the case of Richards and Justice.  Sometimes there are people that send their animals to the people who make these videos and pay to have the animal tortured and killed.  People make a living doing this.

In another case, a man tied explosives to the family dog and blew it up.  Horrific, yes, but he won't be facing charges of animal cruelty.  Why?  Because according to the authorities, the animal didn't suffer.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/06/christopher-dillingham-blows-up-dog_n_3713681.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

These are just a few situations in which the treatment of animals is unnecessarily cruel - where people go out of their way to torture or kill an animal which, for all intents and purposes, has done nothing to warrant it.  Yet we, as a civilized Western culture (as we like to claim) see nothing wrong with it and do not consider it to be that much of a crime.  Certainly I would not expect the same uproar over the death of a dog as that to a child.  I'm not a crazy animal lover shouting that we should kill all the people so animals can live free.  I'm not saying don't hunt animals or eat them.  But there is something inherently wrong with a society that doesn't put any weight upon the torture and death of animals.  Because, in my opinion, it reflects on underlying issue in that society. 

I have always been sensitive to the treatment of animals.  When I was little, I'd watch the news and apparently it affected me deeply as my Mother noticed I was drawing animals being hurt and hunted by people.  I had whole little books on the subject.  My Mother didn't allow me to watch the news any more after seeing what I'd drawn but I do specifically recall a story on men beating baby seals with clubs that haunted me.  So, I'm aware I'm coming from a place of emotion in a lot of ways.  When I got older I watched Animal Cops for a bit, but found that the sense of justice I longed for against those that harmed animals was not really there and seeing those poor creatures suffer was still hard for me.  In the end, the people charged never really understood what the big deal was.  They didn't get that what they had done was wrong.  They were only angry that they'd gotten caught and because of the dog or cat or horse, they now had to pay a fine or spend a few nights in jail.  Chances were, it only created animosity towards animals because to them, it was just a stupid animal.  Who cares?

I am Jewish and Judaism places great stress on proper treatment of animals. Unnecessary cruelty to animals is strictly forbidden, and in many cases, animals are accorded the same sensitivity as human beings.  For a full reading on it, you can look here: http://www.jewfaq.org/animals.htm  (its actually very interesting!) Part of the reason for this thinking is that a person who is cruel to a defenseless animal will undoubtedly be cruel to defenseless people.  Judaism doesn't say whether or not animals have physical or psychological pain as humans do, or if they have feelings like humans do - but it recognizes that it doesn't matter, you don't have the right to unduly cause an animal suffering.  Yes, the Lord gave man dominion over the earth and that includes animals, but it does not give man the right to cause pain and destruction.
Speaking up on the treatment of animals previously has gotten me a response of "Well if people worried more about children and other human beings as much as you do animals..." As if to say, I should worry more about my species than another.  Please don't think I don't care about children or adults or the suffering of other human beings.  I do.  Very deeply.  The point here is that, if we can be casual about how animals are treated, then it isn't a long step to be casual about how people are treated.  Its pretty well known that serial killers or people with severe cruel aspects will start on animals before moving on to people.  Harming animals is their testing ground, their first steps before moving on to something bigger.  How much do we let slide in the way we deal with things like animal torture or killing? 

I'm sickened by the idea of the 'Crush' videos as much as by any snuff video or even a cell phone video taken while a person is tortured, raped, abused and killed (which sadly, there are in existence).  My point here is that it is a true reflection of our mentality if we don't consider such things as torturing animals an issue.  It IS an issue.  It says something about us as human beings, put on this earth, as a society in a 'modern' culture.  What is our worth if we cannot treat animals with some sense of respect?  Even if you don't believe they have emotions and are just 'some dumb animal', what does it say about you if you can't manage to treat that defenseless creature well?  To me, it says a lot.  We are the caretakers of the earth and we need to teach that to our children even as they innocently pull a dog's tail, that there is a living creature beside them and it deserves to live its life without the pain of torture for the sake of torture just as much as he or she does.  If we can't manage that, how can we manage it in regards to our fellow man?


*While there are many images of Ashley Nicole Richards and pictures of animals, I have chosen not to post any here.  I know pictures make blog posts more interesting, but considering the sensitivity of what I'm talking about, I didn't want to use any.  This is my opinion and not just a fun posting for the sake of it.  Richards and Justice are people you can look up on the internet as well as 'Crush' videos if you want to learn more.