Mike Krahulik was born in '77, and was 22, nearly two years younger than I am now, when he and Jerry Holkins created and started the webcomic Penny Arcade. The comic is now a national (and likely international) hit. They are up to their 5th published book, and Krahulik has illustrated for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, World of Warcraft, and several other well-known games. They have their own Expo, they both appear all over the country at different conventions, as well as E3 every year.
His work has improved immensely since 1998. Today's comic in particular is absolutely gorgeous.
Part of the reason I bring this up is because as far as I know, he never went to college. Drawing every day - doing what he loves most in the world - has given him the opportunity to succeed as a professional artist.
Topics like these are what make me wonder if spending more than $100,000 to go to art school would really be worth it.
Just a thought.
1 comment:
I don't think there's any substitute for passion, style and persistence, and he's obviously got all three. And really, institutionalized learning environments aren't always conducive to creative output -- occasionally they seem to work only as a hierarchy for the inner rebel to react against.
If you aren't excited, aren't motivated to plunge into art school -- especially for that many monies -- I'd give it a pass. Listen to that which speaks to and nurtures the better part of yourself and follow that, whatever form it takes. Might be school, might not. But if it doesn't fulfill you, it's wasted, and your work will suffer. (Even if it's brilliant work and your soul is still stifled, I don't think it's worth it.)
That said, I've definitely seen your passion and your style -- the persistence is up to you, but I know you're up for it. And when you share them with us, we're all richer for the experience.
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