Advice from Oliver Jeffers

On the 21st of October Oliver Jeffers gave a talk for Adobe’s annual Creativity Conference, with advice he would give to himself as a graduate. This year the conference was free so it was a great opportunity to watch the video Jeffers made and I found it to be insightful and motivating!

Point 1 - T.C.O.B

Taking Care Of Business. Invoices, taxes, contracts, etc. All the non glamorous stuff just as important as the artwork itself.
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Point 2 - Never work for free!!

Exposure? No thanks, not worth your time. 
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Point 3 - Act the part

Act like the artist you want to be, just be your own voice. Not about lying, being honest and proud of what you do, not worrying about what anyone else thinks or is doing.
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Point 4 - Everyone is full of Shit!

No one really knows what they are talking about.
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Point 5 - Are you good enough to make it?

Reality is you might not get exactly what you want. Or do you even want it enough? Do you have the stamina, energy, grit, determination to push on and get to where you want to be?
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Point 6 - Get ready to hear no, a lot.

Rejection will be inevitable. It is how you move on from it or find a new way that matters. Be the river not the rock. 
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Point 7 - Use a bigger brush

Embrace the ‘mistakes’. If you keep smoothing away at something it removes the charm, it no longer has anything interesting to it. In a sense just sketch but better.
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Point 8 - Find your people 

Wether it be family, friends, a community, peers get feedback. Conversation opens up what if’s. Be curious, ask for advice, it can really help and open up new thoughts.
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Point 9 - Authenticity is an asset

Why are you making art? Is it for validation, is it what you are good at? Look at other creatives motivation, not their actions. Why are they doing it? Just be yourself.
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Point 10 - Listen to your style

Be your own style. It will only go out of fashion if you follow trends. It makes you unique. Draw a straight line. All those bumps, imperfections in that line, make them louder because that is your style.
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Point 11 - Be inspired (not too much) 

Anything could be an inspiration. Be constantly open or looking for it. Though don’t plagiarise work, not good!
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Point 12 - Show up and work

Talent is not enough, it only goes so far. You have to do something to get something back. Even if it is one sketch, it is one sketch more than yesterday.
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Point 13 - Recognise bad days

If everything seems or is going wrong, cut off early, have a break, it won’t improve without a clear mind. Also if it is a good day recognise that and carry on.
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Point 14 - Remember life isn’t fair

We can all complain especially if something hasn’t gone the way you hoped. Maybe you have envy of something, so make an enemy of that envy, you don’t need it. Be grateful, it is a luxury to create art and have a comfortable life.
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Point 15 - We don’t have much time

Best advice for artists block? Move on to another project, or just draw for fun. Remember you are going to die! No one else is going to do the work for you, only you can.