I get asked so often as to how one would go about having a career such as mine. Even the definition of what I do is hard to define on most days.
Folks constantly ask about necessary education and then where they might apply to get this type work. A few desire to start their own businesses.
The answer to these questions in my opinion is both extremely complicated and simple at the same time.
To quote my friend Steve Shortreed from another recent post
quote:If you have the desire, and are willing to do whatever it takes, nothing is impossible.
Most people aren't willing to do the above.
In my case I have no formal training. I have been self employed for all of my 'art' career. So I guess education & work experience (for others) aren't totally necessary although both would be a definite asset.
I have travelled extensively and learned lots of lessons on the way. Most of the travelling was work related, although lots of side trips were squeezed in.
I collect books & periodicals & read a great deal. Mostly books & magazines related to what I am doing.
I am constantly LOOKING & OBSERVING things around me. My mind constantly is thinking of ways to adapt what I see to my projects. My dad went with me to Home Depot last week & is still laughing as to how I shop. We went in with a list, but as we careened through the isles I stopped constantly and filled my buggy with all kinds of cool things. Many other things were filed away mentally for future reference. I discussed many of the things we saw with him, as to if it would work for the projects &I had in mind. My dad observed my thought process as hilarious but it works for me. I did forget some items on my list, but that is a good excuse to go back & learn some more.
You need an open mind... and must be willing to tackle ANY project that comes along.
I hire experts to help me with my projects and then LEARN from them while they work, both directly from the project at hand & to skills they possess. I ask questions constantly in search of answers I need for projects at hand & those down the road. Sometimes the answers I find inspire new projects and new methods of doing things.
I constantly make mistakes and then learn from them.
I take risks - all calculated. Some are small and some are huge!
I live & work with a MASSIVE passion. I enjoy what I do. I believe the projects I build add to the enjoyment of others lives as well as mine. I don't worry about what others may think.
I strive to remain childlike in my delight of obeserving the wonders around me. I giggle every day.
I celebrate the goals reached daily. Each evening I am thinkful for progress made, even if its only a little. Each morning I set new goals.
Those are my 'secrets' to doing the jobI love.
I'd love to hear of other's tips to achieving the dream careers they have.
-dan
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Dan,
There's not one word to add to your post.
Spoken with eloqunce and heart. Not a word wasted nor left out. Thanks for the reminder of not only how much I love my work, but how to keep it fresh and fun.
You just may be the truest letterhead of all.
Rapid
Posted by pierre (Member # 1462) on :
Follow Nike. "Just DO it!"
But an education first does help.
k31
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
All I ever wanted to do was design and pinstripe since I was old enough to read. Seeing Von Dutch in the ol' Hop-Up magazines my brother brought home was all it took. I started at 9 years old and it went from there. My first love is designing or re-designing however you look at it.
I believe you can do anything you want if you've got the time.
Posted by pierre (Member # 1462) on :
Joey did you EVER get your damned POR15???
k31
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
GREAT post Dan! The HOW TO question is posed by the non-artist usally in the form of.."did you go to school for that?" I belive it is based on our desire to CREATE ART that pushes my thought process to the (what if) mode. My desire to hand letter,came to me by working an 8 hour job(for bill paying)constantly painting on a glass layed over letters until I fell asleep. Just to get up day after day to the same regiment The term "In your minds eye" seems to seperate the artist from the non-artist concerning the ability of keen observation,linked to retaining all that we have seen. Enough so that we are able to reproduce accurately the small details that make for a reasonable fascimile. Combined together,thia allows one to become a very good COPIER of what we have just looked at. Some are better at this than others,while when taken to the form of people and how they act. It becomes the ability to "read" our customers and make decissions from these passed experiences OOPPS almost got of track of my PASSION to live life everyday to its fullest,by way of not letting one thing go unnoticed. With eyes wide open,I endevor to succeed!
Hope this helps
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Boy, I have just got to get one of those magic pumps....
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Pierre,
Was that Nike who said: “Just DO it!”? I always thought it was my mom.
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Dan,
When I am asked the same question.......quite frankly I say, "If you have to ask, find another way of making a living". Even if I explained it as beautifully as you did,......they wouldn't get it... AND....those people who ask, aren't customers so I keep it short, cause the customers DO GET IT!!! Thanks Dan! Joe, Makin Chips and Havin Fun!
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Every time I listen to Dan I get a headache. I'm going to take a nap now.
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
(Among others) I have said many a time I would like to live in the head of Stephen King for a day, to see how I can scare somebody s^%*less with just a few words about most anything, or M.C. Escher's to see how to subdivide a clean page into puzzle pieces that brilliantly and cleverly interlock, and I must say ( before I join Raymond in taking a nap), that I want to add Dan Sawatzky to the list to see how it feels to have so much energy, optimism and joie de vivre.
I know Dan, that you must have setbacks and disappointments and projects that just don't work out to your liking - as we all do. It's all in how we handle it, and you are an inspiration in sharing your positive perspective.
Posted by Bruce Evans (Member # 44) on :
Off topic but... Dan, have you ever done any wall work in Twenty-nine Palms, CA.? I was driving through there a few weeks ago and saw some work that looked your style. It was very nice, whover did it.
Posted by Bob Burns (Member # 268) on :
Bruce.... I think I found the pump you're looking for. A friend of mine just went from a SEPTIC TANK to CITY SEWER. He's got a slightly used spare pump!!!!!!
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
As large as the number of admirers, is the crowd of the envious.
Seneca
Posted by Bruce Evans (Member # 44) on :
Ya lost me on that one Bob.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
wrong Bruce, Bruce.
...been reading your screen saver again Myra? Posted by William DeBekker (Member # 3848) on :
Very Nice post..
David you had a nice mom. telling you to "Just Do IT" All I remember my Mom yelling was.. "Get off Your Sister"
Posted by Myra Grozinger (Member # 327) on :
Yes Doug – you remember it right! Me and my screensaver are an all-day team. It has gotten to where it knows just what I’m thinking most of the time.
And you are a person who pays attention! I like that.
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
Myra, you are my heroine. Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Bruce
29 Palms is one of my favorite places. It's all about the wonderful folks there.
I also have painted 2 murals in 29. The Key's mural (the one on the main drag through town) is one of my all time favorites.
Thanks for noticing!
-dan
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Well said Dan... did you know that 'experience' is that tremendous ability that enables you to recognise a mistake when you make it a second time!
Posted by Chris Elliott (Member # 1262) on :
After being lucky enough to spend 3 unforgetable days helping Dan in Sterling, IL recently, I can testify that he sure practices what he preaches!! Thanks for the example of a life well lived and thanks also for the explantion of how you look at things, Dan!!
Ian, that's the best definition of experience I've heard!!
Meanwhile, remember, "The world's your playground, act like it!!"
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