Beautiful Young Souls – Episode 6

(No Generative AI used, this is original Tim Lee artwork)

This is unfortunately a true story from many years ago that as far as I can remember, isn’t exaggerated. While I can look back at it now and see the irony in it, as a young artist this was a defining conversation I remember having with one of my co-workers at the theme park we were drawing at that day. The fact that it still lingers in my head tells me I never really got over it, and I use it to inspire myself forward. I promise there is more meaning to this than airing out some dirty laundry. This truly is a “Negate the Naysayers” story.

Here’s the truth, this guy was an incredibly gifted artist, he new his medium well and any piece that came off his easel was a masterpiece in caricature far beyond what I was doing. I respected his skills, his speed, and his imagination. But I quickly realized I could not respect his opinion. I believed I understood why he felt that way. I was a nobody hired off the street and he had years of pedigree in the field of art, attending art college, and investing his money and time into understanding his art form. So from his vantage point, I was the baby with the crayon claiming to be an equal. So when he looked at me, the name “artist” didn’t come to mind because I had not earned it through the means he did.

The comical side of the whole thing was our working dynamic. We both wore the same rainbow costumes meant for the kitchens in one of the local theme park restaurants, bright blinding neon greens, blues, and oranges with lizards and frogs climbing up and down them (None of us liked the look very much). We used the same art tools, same brands of paint and markers, the same paper, and sat side by side at the same easels. We drew the same sort of clients, and we got the same laughs to our jokes and the same hugs when our clients couldn’t help but show their gratitude through affection. We charged the same amount per caricature, and while he completed his work a bit faster than me and was able to move more clients through his booth. We did the same work, and received the same praise.

I remember standing there listening to him, probably agreeing with him that he was right, and that I absolutely wasn’t as good as him, (which was true) but I always just gave in to what someone else said and didn’t stand up for myself. Frankly, I’m stunned I don’t remember leaving that day as a complete failure and charlatan because someone I looked up to for their work told me I wasn’t worthy of my position. I can only assume it is because God had a much larger goal for me because I never thought I would be where I am today, and caricature would be a key part of my career.

I continued to work with him for many years, and every time I sat next to him I intently watched his work because I knew I could learn some new techniques I could use in my work. I still treated him with respect and laughed and joked with him. I even still own all the caricatures he drew of me in our quiet moments at the parks. All masterpieces. In the end my choice had to be to not hear his words, and not to put them on myself. But instead to see his skills, and gleen what I could.

But, here we are, 20+ years later and I can say without a doubt that I am incredibly grateful that I am still in this field. To be one of the few, if not the only commercial caricature artist in Montana is truly amazing. I figured I would have moved on from this career to something else, but here we are and I am the only one in this part of the United States who can offer that product. That blows my mind.

Please stay strong in your goals my friends, there may come a day when you face a person head on who will challenge your value. Remember you are amazing in God’s eyes, so that when someone on this earth gives you their opinion, you can look to God and know your true value even when that is questioned down here. Now (not bragging) I hold the monopoly of caricature work in Montana and the surrounding states. There is a need here that I am fulfilling that the other artist cant. All we can do is not let people pull us down, which is so easy to feel. Stay strong my friends, reach for your goals. You are an artist, no matter where you got those skills from.

Except generative AI… You got work to do if that is your claim to artistry. Pick up the tools and get your hands dirty, no prompt can put your heart into your artwork. So please, reach past the generative AI world and find your artistic vision. It’s strong, and you don’t need AI to make it a reality!

Love you all
Tim