Some Thoughts on Setting Goals

 At the beginning of the year, I realized I was not drawing enough. I set a goal to complete 1 illustration a week. So far, I have been doing really well, just 3 weeks behind. Some would say I am not meeting my goal, in a sense this is true. But I like to look at it a different way. I have now completed 22 illustrations that would not have been done. That is pretty impressive.

This one is an example of a worms eye view. It is part of my series of different of camera shots that I am using in my Visual Narrative class (I am also illustrating my own images for my classes instead of using others work).

Progress

There is great value to working on something slowly over time. Years ago I was asked to create a mural. As stated earlier, for various reasons this project had been sidelined (There is new hope that it will be seen on a wall). Despite the setbacks, I continued to work on it. I added a character here and there working on it a few minutes almost every day.  

Now, after years of small updates, the image is getting closer to being finished. Still not happy with the background colors of fall and summer and I still have a number of Vermont animals to add to the Fall section. but it is coming along.

I moved the grey fox to the winter portion and I am working on a new tractor to place in the Fall. I think it will be driven by a Labrador retriever. I am also trying to decide if the cow should be jumping over the moon (not sure if I want to go that cliche).

It feels good to have this much done.

Happy Holidays!

 Wishing everyone a Happy Holidays! – Barclay

Delayed Projects

A number of years ago, I was asked to create a mural for a local company. They wanted Vermont animals clad in bowties progressing through the seasons of the year! It was a dream come true and I dove into working on it. 

I had never done a mural before so I started by doing a bit of research on pricing and different ways of making a mural. I have a friend, Breadwig Ballinger, that has painted a number of murals, so I consulted with him about the project. I worked on a color rough draft to present to the town and the project got stalled. At the time the town was not approving any permanent outside art. 

It was difficult news to hear as this had become such a joy for me to work on. In response to the delay, I decided to keep working on the project as if it was going to happen. So I have slowly worked on the final illustration. It has become a passion project for me. I work on it in-between other jobs as it has evolved into a very complex composition.

I am not finished yet. I have finished winter (to the far right). I am almost finished with spring and I have started refining summer.

I do not know that I will ever see this on a wall, but I have enjoyed working on it. The process has been a wonderful challenge and I hope that it will someday be seen by many more people on a wall.

Wild Vermont Transit

 My 3rd puzzle in partnership with Vermont Puzzle is now available.

Wild Vermont Transit features a quintet of bow tie clad Vermont animals waiting patiently amongst the fall foliage for the bus to arrive. If you are interested in purchasing one for a friend or yourself you can visit my website at barclay-studio.com

Puzzled!

 

I recently partnered with Vermont Puzzle and started the Barclay Collection of puzzles featuring my illustration work! The Vermonotaur puzzle is now available to purchase! 

The puzzle features the Vermonotaur, a solitary creature that roams Vermont helping collect sap for sugarers and other good deeds. It is a 12x18 inch 345 piece puzzle that has been individually printed (no mass production. 

If you are interested in purchasing one you can visit my site at barclay-studio.com

Hopefully, more puzzles will be coming soon.

New Illustration: Dance of the Blue-Footed Boobies

I just completed a series of mixed media drawings of a dancing Blue-Footed Booby for the 2x2 exhibit in the Quimby Gallery. I also put them on a mug that can be purchased at my Zazzle Store

The original 7 drawings are available for purchase at my store on my website or you can purchase a limited edition print of all of them together.

The Blue-Footed Booby can be found along the western coasts of Central and South America from the Gulf of California to Peru. Many can be found nesting on the Galapagos Islands.

My Journey: Dealing with Discouragement

My Probllama

I hit another low point this week. Monday was great. I was focused and got things moving along. When Wednesday hit it was quite a different story. I had the day planned out like I usually do, but then it all fell apart. Instead of working on illustration and marketing like I planned, I spent the day driving around for various appointments. I got more and more frustrated as the day progressed.

The most common thoughts that ran through my head was “why do I even try? What is the point of all of this?” Other things seem to constantly demand my time making it impossible for me to do what I want to do and what I need to do in order to get my illustration business going stronger. With these thoughts running through my head, I spiraled down to “I have been working on this for so long with no one wanting to hire me for illustration work.“ I began to question if I was any good at what I was doing. Again, the thought keep coming, “What is the point? I should just give up and do something else.” I was demoralized, discouraged and angry. I felt like everyone, my job, my family, everyone was intent on holding me back from my dream. 

This is a common feeling for me. It is something that crops up on a semi regular basis. Sometimes it last for days, other times it is just a few moments of self-doubt. As I questioned my attempts to get more illustration work this week, one message was also consistent. It was a still small voice that kept recurring to me. “Keep on the track you are going on. Just keep going.” As I held on to this other thoughts started to come.

First, “adjust your expectations.” Part of the frustration I am having is that I keep thinking that I should be where I want to be now. This is a deadline I have imposed on myself based on what others are doing and what I think should be happening. I have to remind myself that there is no set or specific tie as to when everything will work out. 

Second, (I have said this before and I say it often to my students.) Be patient. The difference between those that are successful in the visual arts and those that are not comes down to sticking with it and not giving up. One needs grit, diligence, and determination.  

Third, I needed to recognize that what I was doing on Wednesday was far more important that what I had planned. I needed to put things in the proper priority. I was helping my children, my family, and I was helping other people. This coupled with adjusting my expectations helps me to realize that sending out a number of portfolios to potential clients can wait a day or two. 

Fourth, help someone else. At the end of the day, I had the opportunity to be of service to others. Although I was still frustrated with my lack of time when I started helping, by the end I was in a better mindset. I was able to get out of my focus on myself and focus on others. This further helped me put things into perspective. I was able to think more clearly and move forward in a more positive manner. 

I also pray a lot for help.

I am doing better.

Now I am just continuing to move in the direction I have been going, even though it is so much slower than I expected.

The Benefits of Daily Practice: Part I, Finding the Joy Again

My grandfather often said, “Don’t get so busy making a living, that you forget what you’re living for.” 

In talking with a number of other artists, I have found a number of illustrators that spend so much time working on illustrating for others, that they lose joy in the creation of their art. It becomes a job and they forget the delight they once found in the creation process. I see this often with students as well. They get burned out with all the assignments that we as professors give them. It is no longer fun. 

Many do not spend time exploring and having fun with drawing because they are too busy with the work. They work, and their art is their work. They do not draw for fun anymore. It is their job and that is all. I believe, that in order to maintain the joy of creating art one must set aside time to draw or practice their art daily. This needs to be free of others expectations and demands.

For me, I try to fill at least a page in my sketchbook 6 days a week. This daily drawing is a free draw for me to explore, have fun, be creative without boundaries, or to practice drawing whatever I want to improve on. I have found that this drawing time generates ideas for personal projects that keeps me going through more difficult jobs and deal with some of my more stressful moments. 

This is not easy. Often the clamor of work, putting out fires, and other pressures cause me to sacrifice this drawing time. In order to combat this, I have started scheduling 15 minutes a day to just draw. Although this does not solve the problem of competing demands, it has helped me draw more. 

Recently, I have discovered again the joy of drawing guinea fowl. They, along with other creatures, like aliens, robots, and observational sketches, keep populating my sketchbook.

I am happier when I make the time to draw regularly. 

It's National Bow Tie Day!

In honor of National Bow Tie Day I am posting the beginnings of a series of Illustrations. These are more of my Parade of Bow Ties. Each one created will be related to a specific location or type of animal. This is the start of my Vermont Parade of Bow Ties. It involves real or mythical creatures and things that relate to the great state of Vermont. This is something that is coming along slowly when I am not busy with other things.

Seen in the image: Beluga Whale, Rabbit, Loon, Moose, Chipmunk, Blue Heron, Hermit Thrush, Llama, Enfeild, Snowman, Ent, Raccoon.

Moth Week and the Lunar Moth Bow Tie Guy

It’s moth week so here is a the lunar moth bow tie guy in celebration.

New Bow Tie Guy: Quetzalcoatl

I have been working on a lot of projects. It was nice to spend some time working on a new one.
Here is Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent.

Beautie for Valentines Day

Happy Valentines day from Barclay-Studio!

I am still grateful for the opportunity to design this and other bow ties for Beauties Ltd. of Vermont. I had an infinity scarf made for my wife with this pattern on it as well. We match today.

Bow Tie Guy of the Week: The Questing Beast

Questing Beast (kwest-iNG bēst)

A mythological creature originating from Arthurian Legend. This beast has the head and neck of a snake, the body of a leopard, and the feet of a hart (I included the haunches of a hart and a snake like tail as well). The name questing is based on the sound the beast makes, which is the sound of barking that comes form the belly. It is said to sound like a pack of hounds questing.

Bow Tie Guy of the Week: The Barclayic Spider-Man!

Over the past few years, I have been working on re-imagining popular characters as if I had designed them. I have struggled with Spiderman and Bat Man a bit. After watching Into the Spiderverse last month, I was inspired to re-approach Spiderman again. I found a great solution in keeping his identity with the scarf. Now I need to tackle Bat Man again.

64-68 of 100 Blue Logos

More playing with the bow tie. At some point it becomes just a bow.

#59-63 of 100 Blue Logos and an announcement.

It took over half of the 100 logos before I submitted to putting a bow tie on the logo. I took inspiration from Number 58 to create a face with the “L.”

Also, over the past few months, I have been working on marketing for my illustration business. My work can now be seen on the Directory of Illustration. Over the next year there will be more to come.

#100 of 100 Elephants: Stick Elephant

The last one! I went simplistic with this one. Upon reflection, this was an incredible creative exercise. Not only did I push myself, I realize now that I can push myself farther. It was frustrating. It was liberating. It was great to allow myself to explore with out serious consequences. I would highly recommend doing this to push your creativity.

Starting in the fall, 100 logos.

#99 of 100 Elephants: Dragon

One more day left of the 100 Elephants. Here is the Elephant Dragon.

#98 of 100 Elephants: Backhoe

One morning I was working on a wood service project with my church. One of the congregation members had their backhoe to help with moving big logs. As I looked at it I saw an elephant. I was seeing elephants in everything.