The most encouraging and educational moment for me was meeting with Steven Tabbutt. He showed us his work and talked about how he got where he is today. The apricot ale during lunch was pretty good too.We met Steven on the street. He wearing black sunglasses and these boots. He had a certain air about him. At first I thought he was kinda cocky with his dark shades on, but maybe I was feeling intimidated by his amazing art. He opened up quickly and soon I realized that what came off as 'cocky' was just a certain confidence and straight-forwardness he possesses when speaking and showing his work.
His professional attitude and air of importance is something to note, as it has gotten him where he is today. You gotta talk the talk and walk the walk...you know? Act as if you are a professional, then you will be treated like one.
For instance, Morgan/Gaynin agency saw his work in an exhibition, liked it, and approached him wanting to represent him. The agency asked if he had any offers from other art reps, and even though he didn't, he acted like he did. Morgan/Gaynin wanted to represent him even more because they perceived him as a big shot.
More invaluable knowledge from someone who is gaining recognition, popularity, and clients, (the position I would like to be in...):
Never say you've never been published. Basically if you are new to the trade, lie and act like you know what you are doing. Don't ever apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for.
Show your work in your community, enter contests, art shows, be visible and people will notice you. Steven said that just because he went to grad school in New York at SVA, that's not really what helped him. It was getting into the Society of Illustrator's show, and being recognized from the exposure of exhibitions and contests.
He said if an art director told him his portfolio was crap he would fuel his anger into his art and try to prove them wrong. You can't take what an art director says and try to mold your work around their comments, trying to de-construct what they want, because you'll drive yourself crazy. You just have to keep working on your art for yourself, put it out there, and you'll get the kinds of jobs you want according to the work you like to do.
He talked a little about the advantages of having an art rep to back you up, get you more money for a job, and his first hand experience with a crazy art director/client who hounded him and was never satisfied. His art reps stepped in and were able to negotiate with the overly demanding client, getting him more time to finish the illustration.
He showed us how he works in pieces on an assignment, so if the client changes their mind, he doesn't have to redo the entire piece. Normally heads and other large important objects are separate cut outs which he pieces together in Photoshop later.
Never give up. Keep working on your art. Don't get discouraged easily. Things don't happen over night. Don't psyche yourself out and think you'll get jobs right away. Patience, perseverance, commitment, energy and maybe hope too. His advice seemed very zen in a way, maybe also an outlook on life.
Talking with Steven gave me a sense of camaraderie between fellow illustrators and SCAD folk.
His down to earth personality made him seem as if he was one of 'us', and we kidnapped him and took him with us to Pennsylvania.
I guess that's the thing, that really he IS one of 'us', he's just successful. But the point is to act successful and you will become successful.
Represented by Vicki Morgan and Gail Gaynin:
http://morgangaynin.com/tabbutt/
Published in 3x3 Annual:
https://www.3x3mag.com/NewTalentGallery/Steven_Tabbutt.html
Personal Site:
http://www.steventabbutt.com/Site/Fine_Art.html
- Katrina Kopeloff
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