Being an artist isn't a profession

Being an "artist" can't be considered a profession unless one makes a living from it.

These last few years the living I've made from my flash work has been inadequate. I actually don't feel bad about it though since I picked up flash as a hobby, and I decided to pursue it as a job while some legal shit worked itself out.

I've starved, hawked my shit, done side jobs, learned to hunt, and forage for fruit in order to supplement my income. However the one thing I haven't done is go on welfare, or visit a food bank, primarily because when one chooses to pursue art as a profession it's a purely narcissistic act, (it needs to be since one needs to feel that they are better than others, in an unfathomably competitive field). For someone able bodied as myself the idea of asking society to cover my expenses while I figure out how to turn a profit from my "art" is a repugnant concept.

That said there are certain exceptions where an artist should be allowed social security, say for example an established artist becomes ill, or is injured and is unable to work afterwards I think it would be reasonable to help said individual during this kind of situation.

I'm getting sidetracked, my point is if you've decided to choose the arts as a profession you've gotta take responsibility if things don't go well, you can't expect society to help you if you've gone bust. I've personally been screwed by several people, needed to deal with late payments, and obscene demands, but I've needed to suck it up because this line of work is what I chose to do.

And that brings me to some dour news that I am at a displeasure to announce, I've barley managed to make a living from my work, and as flash starts to die off as a viable web design tool, I've decided to pursue a different career in something completely unrelated after I wrap up one last website for a client.

I feel this is important not only to my financial well being, but also to my health. These last 5 years I've spent, in a viscous cycle of checking my email, placing advertisements online, pounding the pavement inquiring about work, responding to emails, staving, and wondering how the hell I'm gonna make the rent every month. Wash, rinse, repeat everyday for the last five years.

I need to move out of this city, start making new friends, and for fucks sake start eating something more nutritious than discounted stale bread.

This means I will be putting down the pen, but not before I complete my final vanity project...

A Twisted Transparency

"A Twisted Transparency" is the last story in a trilogy of stories about violence.
The prior two were "CoolJaw: Dreaming Darkly", and "The Sugar Claws: Full Course".

"A Twisted Transparency" is a spiritual successor to these last two projects, but will differ from them substantially in the following regards:

- It will be fully animated. (Although the option to flip through it like a comic will be present).
- It will be the first in the series to be designed at 848x480 to allow for transfer to video.
- It will be the first to feature sound effects.
- It will not be a horror, but rather a "noir".
- It will feature an art style that uses elements from both "Cooljaw", & "The Sugar Claws".

Like the prior two stories, "A Twisted Transparency" is a stand alone tale that takes place in the same universe as "Cooljaw", and "The Sugar Claws".

The plot revolves around a box, and the several people intertwined in a conflict over said box.
It will be violent, dark, and a worthy end to the saga.

Look for the trailer near the end of this year.
Sincerely,
- Celx