Natalie Perkins

Oh and listen to the supporty peoples you have on RB and any other places.
They know and love you. And shall make your bubble stronger against the negative jabs n jaunts :D

Natalie, you can spend time feeling bad about what other people expect you to do or spend the rest of your life enjoying what you do and living happily. Which will always be the true measure of success.

I feel that way too a lot of times, now i just look them in the eye, and tell them how amazing it is…to be doing this…sometimes they jump on board and join in the fun…sometimes they give me dirty looks and are done with me….it’s just a matter of deciding that this is you, and it’s brilliant….and be your own bright beautiful shining star, because to me, that’s what you are!!! you glow with gorgeousness, your art is incredible, you are there, but don’t yet know it…believe in yourself like we do…and it will all happen …don’t stop now, you’re nearly there, i can feel it in me waters as kimmy would say lol :)

other than that…i lock myself in a dark cupboard and have a really good cry, and great whinge to someone trustworthy and true, a little spoiling with a caramello koala or two or three…...and nice cappucino and snuggle up with some groovy art mags….self indulge for a while with my favourite music…smash out a few ballads on the guitar so all the neighbours can hear …. and then i come back out fighting, ready for the next round!! :) xxx

oo one other thing…....so it doesn’t seem like we’re just playing around drawing pictures…..

i set goals….achieve the goals…..then you get to brag about them :) and it sounds better than just drawing pictures :(

I get this sometimes too Natalie. Sometimes people jab at me saying “I don’t have a job” when I know I work really hard. Just because I don’t go to an office or have business hours doesn’t mean that I’m unemployed. People don’t see that most days I am up at 2 in the morning working on jobs. They look at the fact that I wake up at 11am, but hey those hours work for me and I feel good doing that.

Unfortunately it’s something that comes along with doing work that is conducted in a way that is seen as unconventional. Sometimes I want to yell at these people and tell them to fuck off and that they have no idea how hard I work and stress. Probably as much as they do, but I do it between 11am – 2am, without a boss, in my PJs if I please and with Oprah on in the background.

What keeps me going is that I know what I’m doing will pay off and I will reach my goals because it is my desire.

I think they’re just jealous that I can travel whenever I please and take days off – and that I control my work!

Natalie, you are a star and if we did not have people who create for a living we would all be living in a much duller place. I used to be a full time creator and I loved it and would be back there in a minute if I could pay the bills doing only that.
Aslee’s right, there’s one word for it- jealousy- maybe some new friends are in order- ones who encourage you and tell you how great you are- You deserve that support !!!!
WE love you here Natalie- sometimes only other artists can appreciate how hard it can be.
I think Karin’s advice is pure brilliant and so is Aslee’s attitude, Hope you feel a bit better to come back fighting.
BIg Hugs xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As everyone has said above!
Your work is amazing. And I use the term ‘work’ because that is what it is.
I’ve had people say the same thing to me. But once you explain what it is you actually do, plus the benefits like everyone has said above, people usually just get jealous I think.
Hope you’re ok.
I mean, the 2 shirts I bought of your designs are now my favourite shirts and I look forward to buying more of your work, so keep it up! :)

Ah yes, this ol’ dilemma. I’ve done the really really unconventional thing and gone straight to freelancing straight out of college. I’m 26 and I don’t want to waste time doing something I don’t love and enjoy – so I’m taking a big risk and just going for it. There are times when I stuff up or it;s obvious I don’t know everything, so I remind myself of older, more experienced designers I’ve met who still didn’t know how to prepare a file for printing. And try to learn from the times when I’m shown up for not knowing something!

At the end of the day I’d rather work a part time job somewhere else once a week to give me a little support – and spend the rest of the time creating. A lot of people around me are trying to convince me to get a job fulltime in a studio but I know it won’t work for me and I’ll feel even worse about myself – I’ve always followed my gut instinct and it’s never failed me yet.

I’m sure you have things you love to do to keep you inspired – stick with them – they’ll keep you sane! I enjoy going to Semi-Permanent each year and catching up with design friends and soaking up all the amazing work. And flicking through mags, watching interesting docos… Being my own boss, having flexible hours and most importantly, absolutely loving what I do. Of course people are jealous! And people can be very nasty when they’re jealous.

I just tell everyone straight out that my profession is “lazy cow” That usually stops them in their tracks ;)

the people judging you? they’re just jealous that you’re doing what you want to do and that you have talents that they know they don’t. ignore them. your work is gorgeous.

you’re a star :)

The whole idea of people working like maniacs 24 hrs a day is a relatively new one linked with the Industrial Revolution- before that people worked to grow food and survive- and when they didn’t need to work- they blood well didn’t!
Honestly this whole self-flagellating Protestant work ethic thing will NOT get you to Heaven, only a kind of living hell.
If you let other people make you feel that bad about being an artist, then maybe it would be easier for you to just stop and get a full-time job somewhere? I don’t mean that unkindly, because I know how stressful it can be, but you have to be kind to yourself and choose a path you can live with. Being an artist (which you very clearly ARE!) is simply not an easy path, and you may never achieve “success” in other people’s eyes- but is that enough to stop you making art? No- I didn’t think so.
I personally love Mel’s comment- it’s a corker.

all these amazing and very clever women have pretty much summed up what I think. but all I will add, Miss (effing, amazing, oh my god I am so jealous of your talent) Perkins is that you are a legend and you should really sit back and enjoy that you are a little different to the norm in your work style. I have taken to really embracing those comments from people and relishing them as compliments rather than attacks. Once you start doing that, your home free to feel wonderful just as you are and about your chosen (and totally legitimate) career!

I totally agree with what everyone has mentioned….be proud of your amazing gift! I stay at home with my two children and draw all day….so you’re not the only one! I often get funny looks when I say I stay at home….but I’d rather do that then be stressed all day in an office!

Just remember you are an Alien on a Planet that just doesn’t “get” what it’s like to be an Alien :)