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June 4, 2012
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Comments: 30
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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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:iconpupsie:
~Pupsie Jun 5, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
Aw, you are an amazing artist, I'm sure you will be fine on your own! And you can always stay in contact with him anyway!
I wish I could find a mentor-like person to help me out as I feel a bit stuck at the moment.
Anyway good luck dear!
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:iconnightblue-art:
~Nightblue-art Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
That was super lucky for me! Thanks a lot for the kind words. By the way, if you are looking for breakthroughs, try using online forums like CGHUB or conceptart.org. The teaching power of the online communities is pretty amazing.
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:iconpupsie:
~Pupsie Jun 5, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
It's my pleasure really, your art inspires me a lot so it's the least I could possibly do!
I do follow some of those already, I will make sure to have another look, thank you!
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:iconwreckonning:
~Wreckonning Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
:(
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:iconhai-ookami:
~Hai-Ookami Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
its hard to "lose" a partner in work, and even harder if this partner was your mentor, but, Life never give you a challange you can't overcome.
I'm having a really hard time now living on my own but its really worth it!
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:iconnightblue-art:
~Nightblue-art Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
It'll be an interesting challenge. I never realized how much I looked to my mentor for confirmation and wisdom until the fact that he's leaving sank in. Now I'll actually have to form my own opinions and make my own decisions 100%... it'll be interesting :)
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:iconhai-ookami:
~Hai-Ookami Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
I'm sure you'll do fine ^^
it'll make you more confident i'm sure!
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:iconericbraddock:
~ericbraddock Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
:) He obviously saw talent in you, Grace. Keep on moving forward! Your work rocks and just because he's joining up with another company doesn't mean your friendship has to end :)
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:iconnightblue-art:
~Nightblue-art Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
Yeah... it's not like the friendship is ending. Just feels really weird when coworker friends becomes no longer coworkers, but I guess I knew him before we worked together anyway.
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:iconericbraddock:
~ericbraddock Jun 5, 2012  Professional Digital Artist
He's like Obi Wan. :P ...does that make you Luke?
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