Dispatch #11: On Beards & Buñuelos & Bummers
¡Buen dia mi buena gente!
Before I start the dispatch, have you seen my lil’ studio announcement vid on IG? Kind of my way of telling my audience that I can do more than just draw NYC themed pics. Please like/save and SHARE WITH ANYONE YOU MIGHT THINK COULD USE SOME GRAPHICALLY DESIGNED STUFFS! if you don’t mind 😋 The algo hasn’t pushed the vid to very many new followers, but four potential clients have come out of just that one so…… I guess I have to start making more vid content 😳
On that note, you might notice that- (starts dispatch)-
.. . ….. . … ……. . ..
I’ve got a Beard now and it makes me look like I’m in my 40’s.
And I’m ok with that.
I grew it out while in Colombia.
And about Colombia, que pais mas bello. Muy bacano.
Ahhh Vale.
Bueno.
I didn’t take too many pics because I was making a conscious effort to avoid my phone but it was one of the most beautiful countries we’ve ever been to. The food was especially mind blowing.
The people in the various states (departamentos) we visited
(Antioquia, Quindio, Bolivar) had a passion for their gastronomia; they prided themselves on making sure that a meal isn’t just for sustenance, but an experience that brings you joy and creates memories (shout out to Alambique in Medellin and Cande in Cartagena). And they eat a lot of pan de queso and Buñuelos.
With that in mind, I was surprised to not see even one living,breathing boterito the whole time I was there.
And back in the states, a Bummer wrapped in a milestone:
I experienced a rejection that helped me learn a lesson.
I was contacted by a pretty big band from the UK to work on two show posters for them. I was offered a fee per poster that kind of blew my mind so I didn’t do my due diligence to cover myself (establish a written agreement with a “kill fee” stipulation ((the amount to be paid if the work is cancelled by the client dependant on what stage of the process it’s terminated at ))) and since I was just thankful to be considered and I’m a fan of the client I just accepted and started to work.
Both designs were submitted as sketches and approved by the art director, so I started working on the finished pieces (these being worked on while on vacay since I was offered the job a day before flying to Colombia). Each piece, from sketch to completion + back and forth email communication, took about 12-14 hours each.
When I finally submitted each finished piece, I was told that they still had to be approved, presumably by the band.
Turns out, only one was approved = full fee paid.
The rejected one? = about a quarter of the original fee compensated.
This was a bummer because:
I dedicated the most time to the rejected one and it actually turned out being my fave out of the two.
It was kind of on me for not making sure I knew what I was agreeing to.
I learned that, no matter the client or the opportunity, being transparent about what contingencies might affect your compensation is something that as a designer/illustrator you have to kindly demand. Sometimes you feel unworthy and just grateful for an opportunity. But you have to value your work and time and asking for a written agreement clearly stating the basics of your working relationship for a project should not feel like you’re asking for too much.
And if the client thinks so, then it’s probably not one you want to work with 😁.
Still grateful for the opportunity and happy with how both posters turned out. And the Art director was a pleasure to work with. At least the reject makes a good portfolio piece.
I won’t share the finished designs till after the show dates, but here are the preliminary sketches for the rejected design:
*Sigh*, but yay for learning!
Here are some tunes:
“Corazon de Roca” - Los Fresno: heard on my trip and my good friends good mom’s place, and it’s a jam.
How’d I sleep on this foo fighters song last year in which Mr. Grohl duets with his daughter?
Planning on sending another dispatch out fairly soon with some highlights from my recently completed sketchbook but till then catch you guys on the flippity flip.
Thanks so much for your continued support; your kind words and support really help this small lil’ business keep goin.
This dispatch is a completely reader-supported publication.
The best way to support it is to buy some art, YumaYewels, some stickers or hire me to illustrate and design for you.
¡Hasta la proxima!