I need to make an effort to post more on my thoughts.
Because I have lots of them and often get flak for keeping them to myself. So while I'm here about to start looking up references for the second page of the first Issue of Tales of the Red Angel, I thought I'd stop to put down some of my observations over the past few months. I'm sure some of you saw my excited "omg I'm working for a comic company!" post I made about 5-6 months ago. Since then it's had a lot of time to sink in. I've changed as a person and I've witnessed quite a few things myself.
While I'm in no way the professional I want to be some day, I find that just the act of sitting behind the table at a convention is enough for people to come up and treat you like you're one. I have a some color work and a sketchbook published, sure. But I don't even have comics that I've penciled/inked out yet, which is what I was hired for. It's really knocked some sense into me. It does NOT take much effort to FEEL like a professional at all. Have some decent work and go sit behind the booth at a few cons and people will be coming up to you for advice/critiques. It's nuts.
In contrast. It takes an ASSLOAD of work for YOUR PEERS to consider you a professional. These are people that know what they're doing and those in the upper echelons of the industry have been doing it for over twenty years. Some have been to school and even teach themselves. Impressing THOSE people is when you've really made it in comics. I hope to get there someday. My goal though is to focus on the quality of the stories I've had given to me, hopefully the payoff will come on it's own.
From what I understand so far. You don't just show up and get work because you're just amazing. This profession will bury you in hard, HARD work. For little pay and barely any notice. Don't ever anticipate or plan on this as your final career. ALWAYS have a backup. Comics is one of the hardest fields to break into and you HAVE to be able to talk to people, period.
To be quite honest. I would not be anywhere in this industry right now were it not for Larry. That he took notice of me and treats me so well is something I know I'm really lucky to have. It's not something a lot of people get. I have good feelings about this experience and will always be happy to answer any questions anyone has to the best of my ability because I've learned so much and know I'll only keep learning as time goes on. In the mean time, I'll try to keep this journal reasonably updated.
What the Flux Comics just recently sent in it's product package to Diamond Distributions for approval. This is a game changer for us and could give our company a MASSIVE edge over others like us. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED!
Also, look for Tales of the Red Angel to be coming out some time in March 2013.... As well as the start of Protei in early April
. That is all!
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
Fave this journal (it will be your number)
Watch me IF you like my art~ ;v;
Theme
.
.......... The design MUST HAVE ONLY 2 COLORS; BLACK AND WHITE
this journal 
It's very interesting to read your experiences too since you are in a transition period to pro. I guess going pro only really happens once in life? Since once your pro your pro, job or no.
And it's not really "once you're pro, you're pro". It's more "I did some art for that guy, now I have contacts that will lead to more paying gigs". The point is to get contacts and amass a list of people who will pay you for your work. So it's not really as simple as "being pro forever". You get what I mean?
The industry is changing, there is a lot going on and HOPEFULLY that means those straddling the in between like me will have a chance to get in. Right now I only listed myself as a professional on DA because I represent a comic company and thus technically I'm working in the industry. It's a job.
But artwise? A professional works 8 hours a day 5 days a week doing art that they've been contracted for or have been paid to do in other means. I don't do that, neither do most amateurs. That is what I want to get to someday.