Sunday, March 2, 2008

A life in pictures

I've been impressed with The New Yorker's Cartoonist of the month blog. February chronicled the journey of Michael Maslin as he made his way as a cartoonist. After pouring through his favorite publications, The New Yorker in particular, he would submit idea after idea and would be rejected continuously. 

Early on he was offered a weekly gig with The Soho Weekly, and when he asked a mentor for advice, he said he's be crazy not to take it. Mr. Maslin politely turned them down. He was saving himself for the publication he truly coveted, The New Yorker. 

When your career's success requires someone else to accept your work, it may be tempting to take the first thing that comes along that carries any kind of paycheck. Especially in fields like art that are so competitive, there's a sense that you should be grateful if anyone takes a second look. Though just as it's important for consumer products makers to consider what channels they want to sell through, it's also important for artists to consider the best showcases for their work. There's something to be said for the old adage "you are whom you associate with." 

For Michael Maslin's full journey, visit http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/cartoonists 

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