We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dan Orgill. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dan below.
Hi Dan, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
This was/is a skill that has been imprinted on me by my parents and how I was raised. My father had one of the best work ethics I’ve ever seen. He is a walking poster child for ” If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right “.
I was also taught and later came to experience myself that no one is doing the work for you. I also firmly believe that no matter how good you are at something, there is:
1. Always room for improvement
2. Always someone out there better than you
When I was trying to improve my art skills & needed motivation to practice, I always told myself ” Nothing is going to happen if I don’t put the work in “.
Ultimately, self discipline has to come from within. Artists spend a great deal of time alone, so it’s a very important skill.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a professional artist located in Ontario, Canada. I specialize in art related to comics, science fiction and pop culture. My work is done traditionally in gouache.
Being a traditional artist has been an appealing factor to many clients of mine, as we seem to be fewer and further between in the modern art world.
In between professional work, I occasionally accept commissions on a very limited basis.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
My insights here would apply to those pursuing a career in visual arts. The best thing one can do ( aside from constantly honing your skills ) is to have a regular job that pays the bills, plain & simple.
1. Whether you’re seeking work in illustration, comics or perhaps movie posters, it’s a very tough field to break into. Hanging around ” waiting for your big break ” without a steady income can take the wind out of your sails in a hurry. You might wind up abandoning your dream altogether instead of being patient and pushing through slow periods.
2. Make connections with other artists. Whether in person or on social media, it all helps. You never know when one simple interaction could lead to a job. It’s also great to have someone to ask questions if you’re needing advice ( which we all sometimes do ).
3. Learn the business side of your chosen profession. A few years ago, I knew nothing about contracts, kill fees, or pricing for clients. Artists are notorious for being terrible at business, so don’t be one of those people. Be professional in EVERY aspect of your career.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
My ideal client involves a few important elements:
1. They have a clear vision of what they want, tempered with the ability to let the artist ” do their thing “.
2. The client communicates well & promptly from the start to the finish of the project.
3. They don’t make unrealistic demands of the artist or have expectations that are unattainable or well beyond the price range of the project. Ideally, I love clients who have worked with artists before and are familiar with how these projects generally unfold.
4. And this is just a cold, hard business fact: don’t make me chase you when I have an important question and especially don’t make me chase you to get paid.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.danorgillart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danorgillart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dan.orgill.7/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanOrgill1
Image Credits
All images are created by myself, Dan Orgill
