Revisiting my longwinded DJG is DONE ... as it was written in 2011.
It's best to pass the torch while it's still burning ...
Ten years ago I started a design odyssey. I knew going in my intent to be quite foolish financially, but I trusted my heart. After telling a great designer my scheme he coldly told me to starve, and to do it many times over. And I did. I have. Authentic advice served cold even when paid in food at times! But, the art has heart, I told myself, and that is much more rewarding. I truly believe it still has something pumping beneath as I find this when I'm left alone to my relationship radioing in to something higher. And it means the world when others find and feel that with me in the cluttered world we're in. But, sometimes the heart and life have other things in mind. I love making art. It's the only thing I really can do and feel like I should do. Unfortunately, I just can't really do it as a business or as a full throttle self-promoter, at least not the way I have been and in these always fast changing times. It sucks something from me every time I try. And to the best of my abilities, I've given it a good try.
But, it's not just that. The industry of graphic design has swept me under it's fast flying digital magic carpet, causing me to question what I'm doing and why I'm still doing it as the stuff I really want to do is lagging behind. Heck, anyone who can work a computer now is a designer and it's gotten to the point where I'm no longer needed. Not a bad thing, but I'm in a position where my work prefers a street life, not a screen one. Also, as we all know, the music landscape has changed drastic since I started and that was my initial plug. Not without benefit in proper hands, but computers and computer things have me less and less enthused as does the vast majority of graphic arts in the digital age. It's neat to share but ultimately I feel I missed a step in evolution. iDon't have it in me. I've felt distant from many things my whole life and began feeling distant to art and design when I was first put on a computer. But, I found a way back to finding my reason for making in the first place and used the computer as just another tool in the toy box. All of this isn't a bad thing and has lent itself to my make table, but it has also hindered me in certain areas to act upon professionally, to do this for other people, to keep trying to do this for a living as computers and people become one. Recently, I've never felt more disenfranchised by all of this as well as simply by the changing of the design guard and what I'm saying on the inside. Where others would build strength in the form of some little neck of their own woods (and maybe I have thus far), I'm better off changing things up than adapting.
I whispered behind a broom at 22 that if I gave graphic design a good push to 30 and still couldn't break over the day job hump, then it might be time to hang it up or to really go solo with my own art thing. Trying to make art for others while working full time day jobs (and at times night jobs on top of those) and trying to keep it all even at the game of life has caused a boil in me. There have even been times where it's been detrimental to my health and relationships. At 32, and in my tenth year of doing what it is I do, I now feel I need to reinvent myself artistically. A voice in me feels finalized after several years of struggling with this. Just yesterday, it felt right for me to admit this and sign the inner dotted dangled line.
I've never considered myself a quitter, rather a listener to what is changing inside of me. Ultimately, this has been more challenging to me than the state of design. Though, graphic design hasn't come without it's challenges in certain areas. To be quite truthful, a lack of creativity has never been one of these. I just can't find enough valuable resources of time and energy to do it for anyone other than myself. Trying to devote what little time I've got to thinly butter others' bread has become the constant burden for me. I do the most with what I can yet it's never enough, it can also lead to disappointed parties. And all the while I have to keep extending a leash to the personal projects I'd rather be doing. With certain freedoms I have managed to make every project somewhat personal, however there is still a responsibility to client, and even viewer, that I feel can't be fulfilled if I keep it dragging on as I am. There is great disappointment in not fulfilling another man's dream, let alone your own.
This is all not to say I haven't fulfilled for others nor have been fulfilled personally in the past 10 years. I think it's fair to admit I've done a pretty good job given my circumstances and conditions. I've met many amazing people who've offered many amazing opportunities. Thank you for bobbing for me and at times believing in me more than I do. Thank you to the few bad apples too. I've worked (somewhat) hard and produced a pile of work that I'm proud of. And a pile of work possibly contained within it's own little footnote of a footnote. The work has traveled more than it's creator. I'm thankful for those who have found something worthwhile, even to the extent of a smile, and those who have expressed great interest around the globe via publishing, interview, exhibition or simply kind words of encouragement. I will continue to honor these areas of the work. I will continue to showcase the work that has brought me to this point in the journey and beyond. I am currently seeking exhibition and self-publishing to get the collective work out and about in new ways.
So, why the long-winded explanation? I stink at editing and I've been tinkering with this thing for weeks. Partly so, but I feel obligated to those who have stuck with me so they know where I'm at (and if you're in need of a designer for a project, I know some good ones). I feel good with my decision and transformation as if something has been lifted and feel best putting it out in the open. My nature could easily just walk away without a peep, but I don't want to do that to you. I will continue to create and thread my voice as a visual artist. I'm extremely excited about this and have already completed many new pieces, which for now will pile up for me and be featured publicly at a later date. All of the design work I have accomplished has pointed towards more of a working artist since day one making original art that then transformed into design, so it's nothing really new. My new endeavors may even trickle to choice personal projects with others where and whom I see fit, but nothing will be forced. Design will always be there even as it frustrates me in every confusing restaurant menu, updated logo or new technology. It's a lovely poison like that. But, it's one I need to quit nursing on for a while or at least fuse it into my expression elsewhere. Trying to make it as a working artist with a day job and life stuff is no doubt as challenging as designer, but I'll just leave it to the mercy of the day to day. And if that never takes off, then so be it. I will still have my art and time for me and it will be easier. It opens up time to commit to myself rather than keep others waiting. This new work will be made and released under my real name or at times another. I just know I'll do my best and continue to be me, whom I'm trying to work on daily.
-Danny Joe Gibson / Feb. 2011
Photos: DJG, 2021
For the Record: The “great designer” who told me to starve was Art Chantry!
