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Hello there.  Well its past 6am and I'm up thinking about the important steps I will have to make to reach a high goal in my career as an illustrator. A year ago, now, I've managed to pull off a dream move that many thought was highly improbable. That is, making a career out of drawing what collectors and businesses call, sketch cards. Small 2.5x3.5 size cards with actual drawings on them by hired artists from many parts of the world. My star set was Marvel Masterpieces 2007. What an experience that was. ;-]

Now... I know that recently, many believe that my card drawing career is now over due to my announcement regarding my departure from card drawing and transition into the comic book world.
But that doesn't mean I wont draw another card ever again. Tsk tsk if you thought that I was completely done.
I have so much more to do. Though many will argue, I don't believe I peaked just yet.
There's something more I want to offer but this time, I won't be doing it with second hand card companies.
I've some pretty incredible plans for the card world who follow non sports media. And the only way this could work, is if I call all the shots.

And this should send a very strong message to those slimey business men who stepped on my toes recently. No, I'm not saying who. That's not important. What's important is that artists must be reminded to be aware of not just the snakes that slither around the industry, but the mere fact that we artists are powerful forces (the real hard workers) who should be treated with most respect.  Not like gods, no.  But with acknowledgment that we are the reasons
why this world rocks. The comic book industry is graphic. It's all visuals first.  That's the marketing point number 1.
Without artists...there's no comics. There's no cards. There's no websites, posters, toys.. you name it. There's even artists that can write, draw and produce their own reading material and even market it. All it takes is time and money. But if you're really passionate about your work, then you know its totally worth every minute and effort.
 
Artists have a special ability. It's not exactly something you get taught in school. You can get taught technical references through technical drawing. But being an artist is something that's embedded in your mind since the first day you held a drawing tool. The rest is a very long and tough journey polishing your abilities to the point of amazing.  And if you're an artist reading this...then you know exactly what I'm talking about.  For some, its an incredible struggle to reach a peak point. For others, its second nature. Regardless, we are a commodity whether we are marketable at that specific time line or not. When kids pick up a comic book, they're not picking it up because of the little dialogue balloons inside. They're picking it up because the artwork is attracting them. (sorry writers, but it's true.) 

So tell me... why are many of us being treated like crap by people whom depend on us? Why are we getting paid peanuts when everyone else is above us making tens of thousands of dollars? Why are we getting cussed at, threatened and kicked around like a sweat monkey when our health benefits aren't even covered at all?  Why are we living day by day with little to no sleep busting our asses while the editors, publishers, writers, managers, chief execs, etc etc, are sleeping like babies and waking up at normal hours to have delicious breakfast in the morning?

The answer is very simple. Because we allow them to. Period.

A popular artist trait is insecurity. And they KNOW IT.  We sell ourselves short.  At first instinct, many of us have said things like  "hmm..I dont think I'm good enough to call out a complaint" or "hmmm...  maybe i'll only charge 5 dollars a card because I'm a no namer and that's what a no namer is worth to me..." or in some situations "hmmm everyone says its an honor to work with this company, so pay shouldn't matter to me I guess." etc etc...

If you really feel you have to sell yourself short to achieve some type of goal pattern or plan, then I guess that's what you gotta do. Hey I did it myself, but I knew exactly what I was doing and also knew that my financial stability would if any chance at all, be taken care of by the product of my work from the good people who support it. Aka, the fans.  But if that didn't work the first go around, I would have immediately shifted to plan B. And that is to cut my losses and spill my blood sweat and tears all over my own creative properties which I have great faith in. I'm not making anything with the other company so what difference does it make if I just jump on my own created universe and enjoy myself doing what I'm completely in tuned with and passionate about? Possibly break big with it too? Who knows? Sounds like a game of chance don't it? ;-]

But if you're looking to get more because you know deep inside you deserve more, then GO OUT AND GET WHAT YOUR WORTH!

I'm a fighter by nature. I hate politics but when pushed,  I handle them viciously. I've already set a mark for myself.  And that wasn't easy nor lucky. I believed in what I wanted to do and went out and gave it everything I had. And it worked. My surprise was that all the good stuff and attention came to me almost instantly after the card set debuted. That is something I really didn't see coming. I wasn't anticipating buzz reaction till atleast months after. heh.
But it came knocking right away. And I had to prepare immediately for it. Which wasn't or should I say, ISN'T easy at all.
This is my first year being a top shelf card artist thanks to the card fans. And though the fans have been incredible supporters, I wish I could say the same for the few companies I've connected with and donated my work to. 

That's why I'm on a mission to set things straight. If not generally, then at least for myself.  However, I want to help as many artists out there as possible. But they gotta be willing to throw it all down like I did. A suicide move that they have a chance of surviving. If we can band together, we can really come up with an incredible revolutionary realm of pure saturated kick ass comic ART! And we will hire our own editors, publishers and management team.
We are the pillars of this realm. That's THE NUMBER ONE SECRET.

So don't sell yourself short. YOU HAVE the ability to ROCK HARD!!! So don't just sit there. DO IT!  DO IT!!! Because life is too short to worry about stupid conspiracies rather than actually going out there and seeing for yourself and discover the realities of your true potential. Come up with a good game plan, then rock it!
Ok.. I'm going to cut it short here. I have lot's of work to do.

This is ultra Nar saying goodluck and fight hard. Our fans are waiting and they are the only ones we should keep above us all and take care of them. Nourish them with all the coolness you got in your powerful work. Love them as much as they love you.  As for all the snakes you see slithering around... STEP ON THEM. And remind them your place in this world. They seek out your insecurties and will stop at nothing to get you good for their own narrow plans.
Make your own plans. Be independant. Be strong. Don't lose faith. Don't lose the fight.


Let's rock!
-Nar
www.narcomics.net