Irojin

When I first started this account, my original intentions for it was to post my art and sketches for people to enjoy them. But why would I do that? Why would I expose myself and my art, knowing very well the risk of art thieves and reposters? Can I really be that naive to post my art that I've worked so hard on?

Well I've recently experienced an epiphany (a few months ago)... and it's probably something that we all have thought of. But now I'm going to put it into words, so my friends and family could understand why I do what I do.

I'm sure we've all been there, that extensive time in our lives where we always thought "What am I going to do with my life?" or "Will I ever meet their expectations?". And if you haven't, well, congratulations. I was around 10th grade, a sophomore, when I was afraid I wasn't going to amount to anything in my life.

I would draw in my art class, but I wasn't really trying very hard to impress my teacher. After almost every drawing I would show a friend or two. They would look at it and go "That's cool" and then go back to their task. I would throw my drawing away after that. What's the point? If everything I draw is so uninspiring and boring that my friends would respond with such apathy in their voices after glancing at it for two seconds, what's the point in drawing anything?

I haven't realized it until much later, but the truth is, I was never really trying to improve myself.

Back then, I drew sketches and drawings so they could compliment them, and in extension, compliment me. It was an artist's way of fishing for flattery. I turned to drawing things I didn't really like, like dress designs and cars. I drew things that other people liked, and I got a little more attention. I would purposefully leave my sketchbook open to a drawing and "pretend" to work on something else so people would see it as they walked by. It never really worked very well either. And I would throw away my drawings more and more, tearing them up or drowning them in water.

Of course, this all changed, and very quickly too. I moved to a vocational school in my Junior year. All of my friends said they'll miss me and keep in touch, but of course they never did (of course there were exceptions). I joined a graphic communications class, with other students that were interested in art.

This is where everything changed.

I knew nobody, and nobody knew me. The teacher was more like a boss and we were employees. We learned about Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and other software on the computer. We learned different maths for calculating maximum printing potential and the sorts. We learned about old fashioned press operations; how to work the ins and outs of a printing press. We learned about the binding and finishing and finalizing jobs; making booklets, spiral books, notepads, padding NCR paper, etc. We learned about customer service, and how to organize jobs that come into the graphics class. We dealt with real jobs from real people, simulating a real work environment.

The kids who were not cut out for such tasks left or were kicked out within the first half of the year. And within the people who were left, I found true and supportive friends. I would draw a picture, and they would give me positive and supportive feedback. This is where I found out I wanted to improve myself, in both my art and in my life. I started to draw more, and I would try different styles and forms of art. And every time they would comment on the drawing and say things they liked and things that I could improve on.

Senior year was filled with learning more and creating more. Some people didn't return to graphics for senior year, but they weren't that invested anyway. The friendships I made in that class were strange and unlike any others I had. We were all artists, with all different styles. Some preferred traditional while others preferred digital. Some drew inspiration from imagination while others drew from real life. In the end I was happy.

With senior year closing and graduation slowly approaching I was panicking again. My parents were expecting me to get a job, but I didn't have my license. I decided to settle for a fast food job as my first job.

That is... until I hit a stroke of luck.

My graphics teacher received a notice that a print shop was looking for employees. And the place was within walking distance of my house. I reached out for the job and I got an interview with the boss. To make an intricate story simple I got the job and I've been working there for six months now. I started as a graphic designer but I transferred to a bindery operator.

I was going to tell you what my epiphany was, and it actually started with me wanting to start a YouTube channel. I wanted to play video games and make stupid sketches. That is, until I realized I was camera shy and socially anxious. I wanted to entertain, and I couldn't figure out how. Then my mind wandered back to my art. I didn't need to make videos playing video games to entertain and help people escape the real world. I could make art, I could share it with everyone.

I want to make people smile at my silly comics, I want to inspire others to always try to be better.

I want to entertain through my art.