Reevaluating my career as an artist.

I have been thinking about my life as an artist. I am 33 and some of the great artists have burnt out or died before their prime. Some key artists include: Bruce Lee, Jim Belushi, Wolfgang Amedos Mozart, and most recently Michael Jackson.

With all the craziness that happened to him in his private life. I think he was most happy doing what he loved, which was singing and dancing. Those activities along would probably wear any normal person. I think Michael Jackson and Mozart's lives parallel each other.

Like Mozart, Michael was a prodigy with his music ability. For all prodigies they do all sorts of crazy stuff, whether it was drinking or drugs. Unfortunately both Michael and Mozart died before their prime and left young children behind. I hope Michael's kids learn from their father's mistakes.

On the other side of the coin are artists who have succeed in their old age. Some perfect examples are: Walt Disney, Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, Osamu Tezuka, and Hayao Miyazaki. If I remember my history, Einstein was a horrible student when he was younger. Later he became a brilliant scientist and won a lot of praise from his contemporaries.

Osamu Tezuka was successful as a doctor and artist even as he gotten older. He saw a lot of things happen to him in his long life. He created some of the most well known animation characters, such as Astro Boy and Black Jack. He kept creating his work even-though he shouldn't overexert himself. I like that kind of work ethic and dedication.

Right now I am in the fork in the road. One road is the artist road and the other is the unknown. I have been through the artist's road and believe me it is quite difficult. If you aren't skilled at what you do, you might as well just fall over. At this point in my life I have seen many things. I have seen the Twin towers fall on 9-11 and I lost my job during the most worst recessions in modern history.

I think I will close my pencil box, for a while, and start on a new path. I have no idea where it will take me, as long as I get fed and get a good nights rest.

Here is to new beginnings.