Hi friends,
I mentioned in my last letter that Iām moving to Chicago in July. Well, July is here. The U-Haul arrives next week, and my last day of work is over.
I got to Los Angeles four years ago, with a vague plan of getting into a creative industry. I found my way into designing posters for movies and television. Since then, Iāve been lucky to work on gigantic movies. Minecraft, Sonic 3, Transformers, Nosferatu, Aquaman, SpongeBob, Wonka, The Naked Gun, The Smurfs (pictured), and more that I canāt remember right now.
Andā¦ for the past three years, all Iāve done is work. The pace and pressure of the film industry is relentless. I didnāt even work hard comparatively; my coworkers teasingly called me āpart-timerā whenever I left before 8.
Despite struggling with the pace, I still fell in love with making art for movies. Going forward, l hope to find my own path in the industry. But my days of being an on-staff designer are over, and I couldnāt be more happy about it.
So why Chicago? Thereās a couple reasons, but this letter is already gonna be too damn long. So for now: Iāve got a good feeling about it. Iām scared as hell to leave LA and all itsā creative opportunity, but I need a change.
Three years ago I made a decision to broaden my skillset and lighten the financial burden on my personal art. I think it was worth it. But it also meant de-prioritizing my own work, which was hard.
For whatever reason, I need to make my own art. It feels like what I imagine homing pigeons might feel when theyāre flying home; innate, precise, and overwhelming. Itās been difficult to feel that familiar pull, and be too mentally drained to follow it. Art demands time and space, and Iāve had very little of either. Itās made me sad.
So now, it feels like itās time fly home. Iām scared as hell, but relieved too. At the end of the day, the thing that makes me the happiest is to be left alone with my pencils in a quiet, bright room. Iām so happy to be prioritizing that again.
Thank you all for being so kind and supportive. I hope that whatever projects grow out of this change can be a gift. Thatās always my hope.
As part of this big change, Iām unloading some old stuff. If youāve been around, you know I do this every few years. I like to let go of old drawings when Iām ready to make a big leap that needs a financial boost. So I sifted through my flat-files and pulled a bunch of sketches that Iām ready to let go, as well as some old merch that Iāll be retiring after this sale.
Clear shelves, clear mind, paid for U-Haul.
I hope you enjoy picking through my wares.
PLEASE NOTE: This sale is for the e-mail list only. The shop will only open with this password: rat pack
Hereās a little slice of whatās there now:
- Fancy Rat Original ā Tiny original. $30.00
- Secure Love Original ā 9x12 original drawing $35.00
Stop Talking Original ā 8x8 original watercolor painting $75.00
Rad Original ā 9x12 original drawing $65.00
I Am Sexy and Popular Original ā $85.00
Froggie Print ā 8x10 print $25.00
- Good As It Gets Original ā 6x9 original drawing $22.00
And, as always, a little treat for the locals:
Enjoy free shipping with code FREERAT
Unfortunately I canāt offer free shipping on International orders, or orders less than $20. Shitās expensive.
Thatās all for now. My shop will stay open through this weekend, and Iāll ship everything out Monday and Tuesday next week.
I hope wherever you are in your own journey, you have the opportunity to pursue what feels right for you. I feel very lucky to be in this position, even if Iām gonna pee myself in the process. Life is too precious to not be as intentional as you can with whatever youāve been given. Iām lucky to have been given a lot, and Iām curious to see what this decision makes room for. I think itāll be good.
Until next time,
<3 Janie