As much as I appreciate the invite, it likely seems odd that somebody who shoots on automatic with a Nikon D60 would be writing anything on Scott Kelby’s blog. Despite my own ineptitude behind a lens, many of my close friends are photographers. Just don’t ask me what an ISO is or how to use a speed light, and don’t expect me to join you on a 3am photo walk in Vegas. Fool me once.
I’m a cartoonist, illustrator, and painter, and in addition to a pencil and sketchbook, my tools of the trade are Photoshop and a Wacom tablet. What may surprise you is that I had never planned on being an artist, and I didn’t go to art school. For most of my life, I only doodled and rarely created any finished work. I didn’t start down this path with any kind of effort until I was in my thirties, and I’m only 40 now.
My wife and I were living in Banff, Alberta, Canada, and I had a decent job working at a hotel. In 1997, the local weekly paper advertised for an editorial cartoonist, and I figured it might be something fun to do on the side. Nobody else applied, so I got the gig. In 2001, I became nationally syndicated and four years after that, I quit my job. These days, my editorial cartoons run in papers across Canada, I’ve had illustrations in international magazines, and my paintings are selling in galleries. Summed up in a couple of paragraphs, it may seem like I knew what I was doing. Let me assure you, I did not.
Over the past decade, I tried adding a few other skills to my creative repertoire. For awhile I attempted graphic design, because that’s what people told me I should do and that’s where the money was. The fact that I disliked it intensely and wasn’t very good at it probably should have been taken into consideration.
When the newspaper industry began to struggle, many of my colleagues figured that online animation was the future. Wanting to get in on the ground floor, I learned all I could about Flash, created a weekly animated cartoon and even had a couple of TV networks and newspaper chains wanting to run it on their websites. They did not, however, want to pay for it. After five months of no time off, I found out the hard way that I didn’t want to be an animator.
As a cartoonist, I’ve always tried to improve my caricature skills, and eventually I became pretty good at painting detailed caricature portraits. For awhile, there were a few commissions, but the economy suddenly tanked and the price I had to charge to justify the work, had become unaffordable for most people. I just couldn’t provide detailed studio paintings for a quick-sketch price. Looking into my future, I didn’t see this being a big part of it.
When I returned from my first Photoshop World in 2009, I found myself inspired. For years, I’d been looking at what others were doing in the cartooning industry and I’d somehow convinced myself that I had to follow them, even though they weren’t actually leading me anywhere. I finally asked myself the most important question. “What unique work can I do that I will really enjoy, and be able to sell?”
Having lived in the mountains for so many years, I knew that tourists came here for the scenery and the wildlife. As painting landscapes didn’t interest me, the choice between the two was easy. In the Fall of 2009, I painted a portrait of a funny looking grizzly bear, and it changed everything.
It felt completely right, and best of all, people loved it. After the Grizzly came the Raven, then the Elk, and I was hooked. In February, 2010, browsing in an art gallery on a slow day in Banff, I got to talking with the assistant manager. She asked what type of work I did, and I showed her the three images on my phone. After only a moment, she offered to sell the paintings in the gallery.
With another area gallery wanting them as well, the next year was a crash course in the business of canvas and paper printing, limited editions, live painting demonstrations, and everything else I didn’t know about selling work in a gallery. And I kept painting.
In September of that year, I was a finalist for the Guru Awards at Photoshop World in Las Vegas. Not only did my Moose Totem win the Illustration category, but to my great surprise, the Wolf Totem took Best of Show. In a moment of reflection, I recall thinking, “All this time, I’ve been painting people…”
I’ll always be a cartoonist, editorial or otherwise, and I’ve no plans to give that up anytime soon. Commercial work, portrait, caricatures and cartoons, all still pay a good chunk of the bills, and it’s not like I’m working in the salt mines. I’ve got a pretty sweet gig. But that which I am most proud of, that I can see being a big part of my future, are these animal paintings.
This work has opened many doors for me. The prints sell well in the galleries, I’ve recorded training DVDs on cartooning and painting, and I’ve twice been a guest on Wacom webinars this past year. They even hired me to represent their tablets last summer in Calgary at Scott’s ‘Light it, Shoot it, Retouch it’ tour. Personally, I can think of no better validation as a digital artist than being noticed by Wacom.
So what are you supposed to get from this odd story? Well, here are some things I now know for sure. There is no one map to success. When it comes to finding your creative niche, learn from everyone, but copy nobody. Never be completely happy with your work, because you will always have room to improve. Take risks and be willing to fail.
People may tell you that you’re doing it wrong, and while it’s wise to consider that they might be trying to help you and could be right, there is an equal chance that they’re not. When I first started promoting my Totems, more than a few people told me I should do more realistic paintings of wildlife, because they’d probably sell better. Asking my galleries for their thoughts, they told me they weren’t interested in that, because that’s what everybody else was doing.
While working on my latest painting this month, the Cougar Totem in the video above, I woke up at 4:00am on a Sunday, because I knew that I only had a few hours left before the painting was done, and I was excited to finish it. When you find that which you would do even if nobody paid you, that creative work that feels indescribably right, then that is the work you’re supposed to be doing.
If you haven’t found it yet, keep moving forward. Challenge your own assumptions, be willing to experiment and get comfortable with rejection. I’ve always learned much more from my failures than my successes. Most importantly, keep trying new things, because the next one could be it. And even if you are lucky enough to find the work you’re meant to do now, it’s still only a stepping stone to the work you’re meant to do later.
You can see more of Patrick’s work on his website, keep up with him on his blog, follow him on Twitter, and like him on Facebook.
Patrick, you are one talented person! I enjoyed meeting you at PSW in Vegas and your also a pleasant person too. Thanks for posting the video of the Cougar Totem. I must say that when I first saw your work in 09 at PSW I thought it was a PS manipulation! After speaking to you this year I realized what Tallent you have. Hope to meet up with you again in Vegas, goodspeed.
KT
woow thats inspiring.great works there, you are one talented human being. do you create these from scratch??
This is the best post I’ve never read. Your words inspire people.
Thank you
Love your work and one of your Fans :)
Thanks for the video.
Best Wishes
-Ali
Great post! I really love your style with the animals and you’re going in the right direction! Cheers!
Hi…
Beautiful editing in picture excellent job.i love photography since form my child hood and specially nature photography.And some edit it with photo shop so its look more beautiful.photo shop is one of the best photo editing software.thanks for sharing these photos.this is best post.
Hi Patrick, enjoyed immensely your post and its naked truth.
I love the humour, although subtle, of your creations — very refreshing. It makes me wanting to touch them, therefore approachable.
I think it is a great new way of having us rethink about our impact on the wilderness and the increase of species extinction as a by-product.
I’m from Toronto and I’ve had the opportunity to visit Banff a couple of times. I felt so drawn to it and inspired by its beauty that I did considered packing up and moving … that was 20 years ago :)
Best
Rui
Well Done Patrick. Good to see illustration is still alive and kicking!
Superb post. I especially like your “lessons learned.” Your talent is amazing and your creations are stunning.
Your post made my day better.
Regards,
Dave
This is one of the best guest postings in quite a while. Patrick, you are one of my favorite artists. Keep up the great work.
Really enjoyed reading this! My favorite part? There is no one map to success. When it comes to finding your creative niche, learn from everyone, but copy nobody. Never be completely happy with your work, because you will always have room to improve. Take risks and be willing to fail. People may tell you that you’re doing it wrong, and while it’s wise to consider that they might be trying to help you and could be right, there is an equal chance that they’re not.
Thank you!
Sage advice that if I’d do it for free, it’s meant to be! Of course getting someone else to pay for it is the rub, isn’t it? Seeing your way, and not everyone else’s way will help you make a way in a very competitive world.
Really like your take on things, and can see the parallels in your work to the world of photography. I think Shakespeare (who didn’t use a Wacom tablet, but did great work with a quill) said it best, “To thine own self be true!”
Nice post:) love you animals, they have amazing detail in then!
Thanks for sharing.
Tami
Monty, thanks for sharing the story behind the wonderful images.
Awesome post! Inspiring!
Truly beautiful work Patrick :)! Thanks for sharing your message too.
Great to see you on Scott’s blog, Patrick! I hope readers flock to your website and see the incredible work there. I know the animals are your passion – and I’m proud to have a print on display in my home – but your caricatures are fabulous, too.
“learn from everyone, but copy nobody”, love it! Thanks.
Patrick your story is inspiring to hear! I love the last paragraph the most. We learn more from our failures than from our successes!
Your artwork is beautiful. It has that something “else” that surprise, that humour. A notch above.
Incredible work Patrick, inspiring… nothing like following your inner voice!!
Great post!
What a pleasant surprise this morning to see you as a guest blogger. Now you’ve hit the big time :-). Your work is fabulous, so incredibly talented and it’s great to hear the story behind you finding your passion. Do you have your work in any galleries in Canmore? (we’re just in Red Deer so go through there quite often). Thanks for sharing.
Awesome stuff, and thank you for the inspiring message!
Fabulous story, fabulous art! Loved this post, thank you.
Thank you all for the kind comments, and to Scott and Brad for the opportunity. I really enjoyed writing this. To answer a couple of questions…
Yetkin: While I do use photo reference, no photos or textures are used in any of the paintings themselves. It’s all brushwork, started on a blank canvas in Photoshop.
Nikki: The galleries where you can currently see my work are Two Wolves Trading Co. in Canmore and About Canada Gallery in Banff.
Pretty cool stuff!
It’s truly great when you find your passion, even better when
others are willing to help support it!
Keep up the great work, and thanks for sharing.
Patrick I am honored to know you. Every day you inspire me to want to create something new and try something I haven’t done before.
Great creative work Patrick !!
About how long, from blank canvas to final product, does it usually take to create your masterpieces?
INSPIRING post about finding your own way. Thank you very much!!
Fantastic illustrations. Great to see the other side of photoshop. an inspiring article.
Great to see you as a guest post this morning Patrick. I always enjoy your work and your frank talk about your journey. Hope the doors of opportunity continue to open wide for you my friend. Your hard work and determination to improve yourself are inspiring.
Great stuff Patrick! so glad you got the chance to let other folks know about your work. Love the bird! :D
Just love your stuff, Monty! Hope to see you again at another PSW (maybe this fall)?Regards, David
Patrick, your work is excellent. I’m glad you are following your passion. It’s more fun than just doing something to make a buck. Keep up the GREAT work.
What a great “guest blog”!!!
So inspiring and motivating… thank you for honesty and inspiration!!
:)
WOW! Love your work! Really good post and I will share this with my animation students. It is nice to see that you are from their backyard. I love going to Banff as many time as I can! Hope to cross path with you someday!
Wow. Amazing paintings man, and absolutely unlike anything I have ever seen. As someone who is still working to get to where photography pays the bills, it is so encouraging to hear how you pushed and pushed and it sounds like you absolutely earned the success you have enjoyed. Appreciate your willingness to share it with all of us. Really great work! Cheers!
Very inspiring work Monty! Congrats on all your success!
Yours is one of my all-time favorite posts to Scott’s blog. Gives hope for all of us trying to find our art. Wonderful images. Thanks for taking time to guest-post.
Patrick, Great job ay, Love your work, and cause I met you in Vegas I know your as great as your work ay. Humble to, and that’s a blessing with such a talent ay. Glad to read you as a blogster ay. Hope to see you in Vegas later this year ay.
Thanks again, everyone. Glad that you enjoyed the read and even if I’ve spurred you on just a little bit, to keep working at it, that makes me happy.
To Lewis, who asked, “About how long, from blank canvas to final product, does it usually take to create your masterpieces?”
These take anywhere from 15 to 30 hours to paint, but that’s just an estimate. I don’t really keep track. But while that first Grizzly Bear Totem probably took me about 20 hours two years ago, it would only take me 10 now, but I’ve become a better painter since then, so were I to repaint it today, I would still spend the same amount of time putting in a lot more detail and making it larger. These are also done over a span of weeks, sometimes going days without touching a painting, because I’m working on other deadlines.
To Mike: Thanks, ay! :)
Amazing work.
love the fact you featured a Canadian on your blog Scott!! His story is inspiring :)
This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. I’m pushing myself to pursue some creative projects that I should have had the nerve to try already and this is so inspiring! Patrick, what an incredible gift you have. I love this story: that talent it was inside you, dormant, waiting for the time and moment to bloom and be nurtured. Your work is amazing!
I checked out this blog post when it was first published but
really only looked at the amazing art work. However, I returned this morning to
actually read the text and found it to be absolutely inspirational. I’m always
intrigued by stories of how people found their passion/calling. This really
makes me want to go ahead and finally start learning how to create digital art.
Great post!