Jealous. I want that for me…

In general, I like to say "YES". 

Not just because I'm a people pleaser (I am trying very hard to be less of that). But because I'm a relentless optimist and often when someone proposes something, I think "maybe it could be cool?"

As I've been figuring out DTM Studio and trying to understand exactly what kind of work I want to be doing, I've been lucky to have a few smart, creative people reach out with ideas for collaborations.

An unexpected benefit of saying yes to cool new things is that it has sparked an odd professional jealousy. In making illustrations to be used in clients' marketing, I keep finding myself thinking: I want that for me….

Drawing a self-introduction

One of the smart, creative people I've worked with is Lucy Patterson. Lucy recently sold her business and is launching new offerings under her name. 

As part of her launch, she wanted to share more about herself. Not just her entrepreneur, design thinker, podcast host, consultant self. But the person she is and the life she leads that informs all of that work.

That, of course, is a big ask for a drawing. 

Was I interested in the project?

"Yup! I haven't done it before, but we can try."

I want that for me….

Lucy's new website isn't yet launched, so you will just have to wait and see....

As I was working on her illustration (which is very cute, if I do say so myself), I found myself feeling a twinge of jealousy.

Why didn't I have an illustration to share a bit more about myself?

Since no one was swooping into my office to make a drawing for me, I turned the consulting questions I'd asked Lucy on myself and got to work.

Making drawings move

I also worked with Maureen McCarthy on a few videos highlighting magazines she publishes.

I'm not an animator. Really, I'm just learning to be an illustrator.

When Maureen asked if I could make a video of a drawing, my first instinct was to back away slowly. Learning new software does not make my heart sing. Editing video is not my happy place.

But, maybe it could be cool?

So I said yes. 

And then figured out how to do a bunch of things for the first time, including a new software program, converting my handdrawn images into PNG and SVG files, hiring a voice actor, digital colouring, file compression without messing up the audio, and on, and on. And Maureen patiently waited and gave the very best feedback as I figured things out.

And I think the videos did turn out pretty cool (1, 2).

I want that for me…

As I fiddled with the scene transitions for Maureen's videos, that twinge of jealousy came back.

Why don't I have a cool video?

...So I made one myself.

P.S. I received a few great responses to my call for better Shit Management Systems in my last newsletter. I'll share some new comics about this soon. If you want to share your systems (or failed systems), reply to this email.

P.P.S. If you're feeling like "I want that for me", let's chat.