Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Happy Anniversary, Animal Cruelty!

It seems to me that the better you get at doing one thing, the worse you get at doing everything else. All the time you spend practicing and refining one skill robs you of the time you could have spent pursuing other interests. Consider the example of Bette Midler. She sings, she dances, she acts… but there is a 100-percent chance that Bette Midler is not your favorite actress and dancer AND recording artist, because to excel at one thing, she has had to accept an unavoidable level of mediocrity at everything else. With that in mind, don’t you wonder what Bette Midler excels at? It’s certainly not anything I’ve seen her do... unless wrecking a figurative train is a notable skill.

I mention this talent based give-and-take because it’s so clearly evident in the comparison of these two drawings that I did 25 years apart. As you can see, my ability to draw consistently-sized tires has improved dramatically, but while mastering that skill, my attention to hubcap detail has suffered. I’ve also found that the effort I’ve put into improving my drawing skill over the years has had an adverse effect on some of my other talents, such as my ability to read, to resist sugary snacks, or to care about what other people are saying. I don’t miss those things, though. Life goes on without them.

My first thought when I found this old drawing was, “What’s in the box?” The unfortunate answer: Dalmatian puppies. This is precisely why you’ll never hear of anyone giving an entire box of free puppies to a rabbit. Happy 25th Anniversary to my unique understanding of "animal cruelty."

15 comments:

Joal said...

It was funny to see the drawing comparison. What were you, 8, 9, when you drew that first drawing? That's not too shabby. I still wouldn't be able to pull off that first drawing. But then, I like to read.

L. D. Torres said...

I'll assume that your attention to road signs and markings has taken a hit too...
sure it may just be a mile marker here, but what if it were a stop sign in real life?

btw, always love that grass effect ;)
'nother hilarious post, shane! This pic is definitely my new desktop!

Ryan Green said...

A box of dalmations?! What kind of screwed up kid WERE you? Any normal kid would have filled that box with chiuauas.

Sean "It's a capital N actually" McNally said...

-1 point for the grass, but +100 for the pose and expression <3 the background is real nice too, and the cars are well drawn! The perspective is interesting too <3

I like the old picture too, just cause that rabbit looks so damn HAPPY with picking up a box.

Also I really like the shading/highlights on the pickups door area. vary nice

Hernan Cerezo said...

Actually, I think you make come good points. Very valid, and easily agreeable with.

Also, new follower of your blog. I really dig your art, dude! Found ya through Trent Fox's blog. Good stuff all around. :)

ps. I'll never look at rabbits the same way again.

Ken Chandler said...

I came up with Tacks... shows how unoriginal I am.
Personally, I think those 25 years have been good to you. Call me crazy.

Jose Ramos said...

It´s so funny dude , i like it !

Congratulations

Rochelle Burrows said...

Hilarious!
I love seeing "improvement" drawings. And your comments made me giggle.

Heather Dixon said...

Brilliant! I couldn't stop laughing. Also it is painful because you were a better artist at 8 than I am right now...

Kris said...

You were an great artist at age 8 or 9....who can do this when they are that young? Natural talent, born with it! You make me laugh.

Adrian Ropp said...

Look at the detail on those tires! What a pro!

I wonder how people react when they do a google search for "animal cruelty" and "Happy Anniversary, Animal Cruelty!" comes up.

DAD said...

I think I saw that rabbit once. He is about the meanest animal alive. They used him in Monte Python's Search for the Holy Grail, and lost a few good actors due to that mistake. But to throw boxes of dalmations out of a moving vehicle is even more callous than attacking girly actors with only prop swords for their defense. Thank you for once again alerting the public on the dangers of this world. If it hadn't been for your timely information in the past, I might have swam with some killer whales. Now as I pass every car on the backroads of America I will be vigilant of rogue rabbits.

EDGAR ERNEST said...

I really love your work.very inspiring.I'd love to learn how do you come across creating a great art like yours. If you have a chance ,please check it out and leave a comment telling me what you think.

Heather D. White said...

This is crazy awesome...everything about it.the writing, the drawings, the comparison! LOVE IT!

Jeremiah said...

Great job on the bug! they are not the easiest things to draw! I really love this post.