There is something, that over the years I have come to notice. When you start getting into art, I mean really getting into art. Collecting work, books, visiting galleries and so forth. It seems to me that the work your favourite artists, painters and illustrators, they seem to create quality that seems unattainable. In the sense that you look at it and think 'How do they get so good!'
Living Colour would call it 'WTFF', the 'What the Fuck Factor'.

I remember seeing 'Violent Cases', illustrated by Dave Mckean for the first time and being fearful if I never reaching that kind of quality. In terms of imagination, finish and style. Then I saw the Sandman covers by him and it was confirmed. I would never reach that level. As time went on, more and more artists came into my awareness, all reaching these heights too. It is pretty damning and depressing and thinking that I would have to try and compete with these guys, especially as a teenager and trying to perservere with a career in a industry where these guys are the big fishes. It seemed pretty pointless.

However as I got older and had the opportunity to gain some experience in drawing and hopefully improve over time. I look back on these artists who daunted me, when I began to take my drawing as a seriously as I should have (not too seriously as some would like though). The bar seem to get lower. Don't get me wrong, they still have the 'WTFF', though the work they produce has become more and more in my grasp. I know looking at the work of others has a different effect than your own work. A great piece by someone else is better than a great piece by yourself. This is a fact. You have toiled with it, wrestled it into existance, wanted to burn it and start it over again. I don't know if everyone else has ever experienced this at all. Though I think its reassuring to think, it is possible to get as good as the artists you appreciate and would like to emulate one day and have a career like them. It just takes time and hopefully it will happen. I certainly hope so in my case.

It's strange I've been in a positive mood allday.

Though forgot about reaching the level of Phil Hale, I've seen that guy's paintings in the flesh. He is a freak. You will never be that good. Never.

Toodles