Oomph and Guts

[Quaidis]

I need some life advice.

First off, I'm an artist for a living (not professional quite yet, but not new either. I'm in limbo.). I've already entered myself into an open contract and written contract for a game publisher and a convention organizer. I also owe a handful of people random commissions on the side.

I have no real problem doing art. I sit there at one of the drawing stations in my home, tune off to distant lands, and art magically appears. The problem I'm having is getting myself to sit there, and not procrastinating once I'm down. If I give myself an excuse to leave the station, I'm off loping around for three hours. And I seem to have a tough time convincing myself to sit there and do art hours on end.

If anyone knows of any tactics I can use to make myself work and get jobs done, it'll be a world of help.



The second problem is my family. They treat me like crap. My father, especially, makes it a point to attack and insult me with every word that comes out of his mouth. It's been getting worse over the years, and especially bad these last few weeks. They find me, demand I do something for them (even if it's really insignificant like making them food or taking their clothing to the washer), and when I don't they up and lose it. And I'm not wholly innocent on the matter, either. I have some anger management issues; I get frustrated and flip out easily. My mother sometimes makes me spaz out for kicks. It's not a healthy situation and it's hard to simply tell them to bugger off.

This gets in the way of my muse as well. If I'm throwing fits and bottling stuff in, I'm too distracted to do art.




So... Any tips? Solutions? Tactics? Help?



Captcha: true life

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

First part...
It can be hard to sit down and do artwork, especially if it's a commission you aren't enthusiastic about. You probably have a few projects going at the same time. Instead of trying to sit down and work on a specific piece from start to finish, work on it until your enthusiasm dies, then switch to another project, rinse and repeat. This will keep you working but hopefully will prevent you from getting bored enough to quit.

Second part...
Sounds like you're not in a good environment, I really dislike unsupportive families. Especially since having the right support group can do wonders for self esteem. The only way to make that better is to get out, move out and start your own life away from them, which you seem to be well on your way to doing anyway.
Also, it's normal to get frustrated when you're trying to work and people keep interrupting you. I do and I've snapped at a few loved ones for it, and I feel horrible about it, but you're trying to get work done, which most likely will determine if you get paid or not.
Do you have any close friends or a special someone? Having those people around can really help when you're feeling down, and make the time you have to spend with your family a little bit more bearable. If you know someone you can room with for a split of the rent, that may help you move out.

 

[Tiger King]

hey buddy.
I'm not an expert or professional but I do like to doodle a bit, even managed to sell a bit.
I think I know where your coming from with this. as I've gotten older I've noticed my concentration span getting a bit smaller, or at least I thought it was.
there is so much to distract nowadays and I found that's where I had a problem. You only have to answer a call on your mobile then you just check your email quick or Facebook or whatever and before you know it your work has been sat there ignored for a good half hour. Before you know it the motivation has gone.

I started sitting in a quiet room with nothing but some CDs to listen too. I found having no distractions helps, if you keep having problems maybe you need a break. go and do something active maybe to get it out of yourself.

I'm sorry your having issues with your family, I can't help you much there I'm afraid I hope you can work it out.

 

[FilipJPhry]

What works for me is if I shut down everything around me. I unplug my TV, put my DS away, put on some motivational music and open a bottle of coke and just start at it. But this is art, though, so a potentially useful tactic is if someone is watching you draw. I've watched artists do livestreams of them making their web comics and they usually say that having an audience and talking to someone as they draw helps them focus.

For your problem with your parents, move out. Anywhere. Your grandparent's, a friend's, an apartment, anywhere to be away from your family for awhile.

 

[Quaidis]

Thank the lot of you for taking the time to reply.

I don't think avoidance is currently possible. At the present time I don't have the funds to move any further away from my family than I already am (ie: I'm an artist, not a lawyer!) Besides that, they would call me or find me out. If things get bad, I will see about visiting one of my friends for a night or two. And I have taken advice from a friend to use my MP3 player or earplugs when I don't have to listen to the current slate of nonsense and guilt-trippery.

I will try to seclude myself from all electronics outside of the radio and general motivation music when I do sketching, inking, and painting. But it'll be hard. I mean... Facebook. Damn you, Facebook! That and I need the computer on to do half of my art/talk to customers/get reference material. Is there some sorta psychological off/on switch I could use to get myself off the computer or keep myself to the art program and not the internet?

After I write this, stocking up on cola and tea will be my next priority.