A sample for a freelance job.

In the age of political correctness, men find it hard to be men. Part of being a man is having something to protect and stand for, be it family, values, dogs, or vegetarianism. Being a man also means reserving the right to be wrong or changing your opinion. But in recent times it seems fitting in, making everyone feel good and accepted, and not stepping on toes is more important. Kids basketball games where score is not kept, police intervening on parents disciplining their children, banning of words that used to be widely accepted seem to have appeared over night. The world is barely recognizable. There are few things worse than a man with no back bone or clear stance. That is a man not to be trusted. Strong clear positions were once held in high regard. But in present times if an opinion sidelines anyone in the least, swift social punishment and disgrace is levied with often devastating results. We have all seen the headlines; A fast food owner gives his opinion on a topic and his chain is boycotted, a CEO weights in on a topic and he is forced out, an athlete speaks and he is critecized. Soon society will be full of soft spineless eunuchs with less testosterone than the mannequins in Lane Bryant’s display case. We are individuals in a diverse world. We cannot expect to agree with everyone, nor stick to our believes from birth to death. But stand for something or we run the risk of becoming eunuchs wearing the same outfits and smelling like Nubian Lavender & Wildflower body spray.

Having been a designer for quite some time now I have learned a lot. Safe to say all designers would love to have their subjects be wowed with their first try, but of course this is rarely the case. Everyone, even counterfeiters, have their own style. Often with inexperience comes a sense of worthlessness or a need to prove self. So, often students or recent graduates do work for free or for next to nothing, something I was advised against while in college. ‘You are worth as much as your value yourself.’ one particular teacher explained many. Many artists look at the chance to work for free as a way to build their portfolios, but in the end it not only damages that persons worth, but the industry as well. Exposure does not pay rent and portfolio pieces do not quiet hunger pangs. Similarly when customers price shop, established artists may find it difficult to find patrons willing to pay a fair price for their trade. When pricing your artwork don’t feel guilty about factoring in your time, education, materials, software, or the like. More importantly do not compare or allow yourself to be compared to anyone else, but be fair. There are many pricing tools available to ensure you are compensated fairly and the customer is not gouged. The same goes for musicians, another under-appreciated discipline. Most importantly do not stop creating or the world will be very bland.

The internet ruins just about everything. I know Al Gore meant well when he created it, but I am sure even he is face palming right about now.  These days everyone is doing it for the vine, posing for the camera, selfie-ing, and pretty much just trying too hard. Cars are at the top of that list. People do up cars for personal reasons, but lets be real, it always feels good when someone appreciates it. But that last factor has now become the main reason. People have becoming famous in the fore front of their minds. Drift cars with instagram handles on them for photographers to tag them, cars with super rare parts that don’t match just for wow factor, cliche trends mashed together just to get in the latest e-magazine.

If you find yourself changing the look of your car every “season” then you might be part of the problem. Close the internet and take a breath.

Still working on this one…

Arctic Cammo is cool. Pun intended. Ehhh? Ehhh???
Which one?