Personal Thoughts from someone who is not so young

There are a lot of things that happen beyond questions of how big the eyes should be or how you should shade clothes to make them look realistic. Some of these things impinge on economic reality, our future choices and our identity as artists, as Filipinos and as human beings.

As people who don't play singular roles in our lives-- who are artists but at the same time students; at the same time, sons and daughters, perhaps fathers and mothers; at the same time, Filipinos or Chinese or Spanish; at the same time, Christians, Muslims, atheists or downright confused; what do the things that happen when we put our pencils down mean for us as artists?

• "What does it mean to draw for money? How many Filipinos have actually gotten rich in this business?.. or have at least made ends meet? What cool things do they get to do? How'd they get to where they are?"
  
• "What does it mean for Filipinos (or any other race/people) to draw using Japanese styles? Is it colonial mentality? Ethnic inferiority complex? Unoriginality? A tendency to copy everything?"
  
• "A lot of people can call a lot of different styles 'Japanese', 'Manga' or 'Anime'. But at the extremes of cartoony-ness and realism, these different styles can have very little in common. So what the heck do these terms really mean? What can you say about the stereotype of 'big eyes, small mouth, blue hair'? What is it about the idea of 'manga' that seriously turns some people off?"

I think being one of the oldest here in the Forums, I could give a small input on how I handle these issues that younger generations tend to over exert your mind on.

Let's focus not on what the Art can give you, but on how much you could give to your work, right now as beginners all of us and has not landed anything, being too contemplative on things that would greatly affect your emotional balance could spell disaster for your art. don't get me wrong here, I never said being aware of the the implications of your art career is hazardous, but it is already given that the path of being an artist in the 31st century is and may never be easy. So why go through all the trouble?

As I quote Mr Chester Ocampo, "Insted of trying hard not to make mistakes, try to overcome" Get a job, don't be a Fine arts Graduate, take up Accounting, Make your parents proud by not making your Art your priority. That is how this system work for most of us but cope up by not letting go of your craft, instead of always partying all night with friends do some artwork. To hell with what critics say, about not being original, colonial minded crap, Urduja was a Disney rip off and they accuse us of being copy cats? Shame on them...


Quote
"A lot of people can call a lot of different styles 'Japanese', 'Manga' or 'Anime'. But at the extremes of cartoony-ness and realism, these different styles can have very little in common. So what the heck do these terms really mean? What can you say about the stereotype of 'big eyes, small mouth, blue hair'? What is it about the idea of 'manga' that seriously turns some people off?"

I love these questions, the answer? it does not have to be logical, art is like love, it's almost impossible to put in words expressions that only you can put into paper, bottom line is, if people appreciate it then that is more than enough, don't torture yourself with the thoughts of logical people, they only understand themselves.

What can you say about Sterotypical Graft and Corruption? Does it compare to a Stereotypical Blue Haired Wide Eyed Witch or Warlock? If it does then I think you should take up law and if you still got the time in the world after memorizing all those Articles like my father then by all means draw.... Art is not just thought of, it is enjoyed

There are people who hate SISIG and TAKOYAKI Balls, I hate High School Musical, So why not hate Manga? Preferences vary, again...

I suggest let the world worry about itself we as artist have the responsibility to create worlds for others to appreciate...or hate...