Hello there ໒(⊙ᴗ⊙)७✎▤

[Dominicque]

Hi OG, it does seem like Crimson Daggers is that 'Last man standing' in terms of art forums. Of course, it's not as popping as OG ConceptArt back in the day, (which looking back feels like a 'lighting in a bottle') or it's many off-shoot like Syrca's forum or Algenpfleger's 'Permanoobs'. It's small and at times quiet, but it still has regular posters! Like you I'm glad this places still exists. People immigrated to Twitter and Discord, but you get lost in the sea of people on Twitter and on Discord posting your work can feel like spam. A forum is the best to show 'real time' process on your own demarcated area.

Ahem, as someone whose number 3 is no longer in the units column and is travelling rocket speed towards the tens column. I feel you. I definitely want to pursue art, but my art journey so far has been very tough and anxiety-inducing, so I don't know whether I want it as a career. If I got an adjacent job in the arts that allowed me time to create that would be great. I looked into finance/IB related jobs and they work ridic hours and I know it would kill me. Curious, what finance sector you would recommend. I'm still searching for a career that will leave me satisfied.

'Overall I just want to be a great storyteller.' AYO.

Hello Dominicque :)

I totally get what you mean about social media as a whole. I use discord a lot but I am lucky enough to be in small art server with people I consider family. I don't really have to deal with the sea of twitter links and constant promotions. Similar to what you said, I love art forum like this because you get to see people grow over time but also their thought process along the way. It way more genuine. 

As far as financial career advice, I honestly couldn't give you solid answer. Even for people that pipelined into the company I work for, it just a matter of circumstance. 

I work back office banking (for a credit union). Specifically in operations, I act as a file processor and fraud investigator for debit cards. I only really have this position because I transferred from the contact center of the company and just worked my way up over 5 years. The demand for WFH and higher pay from all over definitely helped. Instead of resigning, I just stuck it through and came out the other side with a great wfh hybrid schedule and  higher pay. Really just a matter of circumstance. I'm also like what I do and am damn good at it so there is that too. 

I would suggest you follow your path of finding work you enjoy. If that just happens to be something in the creative field, then go for it!

Yeah, a forum allows to have your own dedicated section that let you see you progress over time and future artists that may be inspired to start their very own journey get to see what you did to tackle certain artistic problems. The layout is easy to see, I just wish the majority of artists didn't flock from art forums. CD is still around, but much, much quieter from its peek. 

Ah, your lucky, because I heard finance is hard to get into and the hours are killer. Nice to know getting a well-paying salaried job is possible, while pursuing your creative interests. If I even got good enough to make a (more than) decent wage from my creative work, I wouldn't want to be afraid to leave. Even getting a retail job is hard. I'm spending all my non-work time studying and getting frustrated over my progress and thinking, 'If it's like this with a low responsibility job, how would I do with something more full time?' Ah.