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June 4, 2012
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About four years ago, out of impossible luck, I stumbled upon a fantastic artist and a stellar human being while seeking guidance over the internet.  By the time we actually met in person, he had already spent many hours of his personal time teaching me everything I know about hand-painting textures.  A year and a half after my first email to him, I built a 3D portfolio with a lot of help from him, and miraculously managed to become a developer in my most favorite game company in the world.  My mentor became my coworker then.  As we crunched together, we discussed stuff ranging from art to life, arguing at times.  Our illustration styles differed wildly; however, when I needed help with my paintings, he always quickly pointed out the problems, made fun of them, then proceeded to help me fix them.

Our game has been successfully completed and shipped, and today was his last official full day before he goes on to join another company.  It didn't come to me as a complete surprise.  In this industry, people often leave at end of projects to pursue other challenges.  This knowledge didn't help me feel any better when he left the office late tonight, though.  He stayed behind after the sketchgroup party we threw for him, just to finish a last draw-over for my work-in-progress Warcraft card.  I know that with internet and online games and everything it's not like I've lost a friend, but it certainly feels like it.

Workplace will be different tomorrow.  I had thought of myself as a full-fledged developer for a while now, but I have always had the safety net to rely on when I have difficulties or doubt.  That's no longer the case.

With the mentor gone, the pupil will have to grow up.
  • Mood: Sadness
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:iconeddiesubarashi:
i just gotta ask did you have awesome drawing montages or something just a random thought tht popped up
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:iconzapydos2:
~Zapydos2 Jun 5, 2012   Digital Artist
Oh you are lucky to find a mentor. Seems like it's impossible these days.
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:iconnightblue-art:
~Nightblue-art Jun 6, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
Definitely takes a lot of luck. Don't give up though, persistence really is key.
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:iconlucas-irineu:
~lucas-irineu Jun 5, 2012  Student General Artist
This is a beautiful journal. Moving on is hard, and its not easy to go on when you used to have someone there to support you, but with time, we all learn. But as you said, now you have to grow, and perhaps from his pupil, to somebody else's mentor? All changes have a bright side to them.
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:iconnightblue-art:
~Nightblue-art Jun 6, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
Haha I have mentored a few students already, and sometimes I consulted my own mentor when I wasn't sure what advice to give. I guess now I'll have to manage on my own...
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:iconlucas-irineu:
~lucas-irineu Jun 6, 2012  Student General Artist
Haha. Indeed.
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:iconsilverlute:
~Silverlute Jun 5, 2012   Digital Artist
I know how it's like but you'll see, you will make it :) True you'll miss him, as I miss my dance mentor (even though we quarreled too hehe) but after 10 years ... yes... I still miss him :)
deviantART muro drawing Comment Drawing
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:icon00frostfyre00:
*00frostfyre00 Jun 5, 2012  Professional General Artist
While his absence will be felt, I think the community that remains is still strong, and growing, just as we all are as artists. And you'll definitely see each other again :-)
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:iconnightblue-art:
~Nightblue-art Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
Thanks :) Yeah, I've always appreciated the artist community here. This loss just hit much closer to home... but like you and Phil said, world's small.
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:icon00frostfyre00:
*00frostfyre00 Jun 5, 2012  Professional General Artist
Not too mention you're awesome! I can't wait to see your stuff in Spectrum some year. ;-)
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