I’d sent some new illustrations to my agent to get feedback on the entirely different technique I’ve been immersing myself in (i.e. doesn’t look
anything like my existing work), and she came back with words I’d been
secretly fantasising about hearing.
“Yes! Please
do more like this...” she said, which was lovely, but it was this bit that got me bouncing: “...so
we can upload them to the website under another
name”.
Another
name! Haha, if I can pull this off then
I have, you know, proper permission
to create a whole new alter ego. Sadly, this thrills me far more than it’s probably wise to admit. Like
an adolescent who’s invented their band’s name and album title before learning their first guitar chord, I’ve already decided on a pseudonym. (Just have to
make a lot more work before I can use it, but what an incentive.) I'll be looking at wigs next. Maybe coloured
contact lenses?
The different persona thing is quite common in illustration so clients don’t get all
confused, they like to see a name and know what they’re getting, not get befuddled by the crazy notion that an artist may have more than one style. Like authors, of course, when they use different pen names.
This got me thinking about all those musical aliases as well; I totally get why bands
and musicians might want to work on spin-off projects without affecting
identities they’ve already established. XTC did it (exceedingly well), and the Damned, Elvis Costello... I'm sure you can think of many more.
Because, don’t we
all want an alter ego from time to time?!
(XTC as) The Dukes Of Stratosphear: Vanishing Girl
I suppose I can understand your excitement, I'm just a little worried that the work you really want to be doing won't be credited to you? Why aren't artists allowed more than one style? Are clients really so dim that they can't accept that artists can do different things?
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I kind of use a pseudonym at work (my first name... Rol is my middle name, although it's the one used by family and friends). That way I know I won't be traced on the internet by students... or seen moaning about my job by the bosses. They have no idea who Rol is.
Ultimately, I'm just glad you got the reaction you did if it means you get to work more in your new style, because I know how much that means to you.
I know what you mean, Rol - it's a shame that my real name won't be associated with my new work if I feel more connected to it and want it to represent me, but just one of those things... at least *I'll* know it's me and it could be a bit of a laugh! Clients have so much to choose from so when they glance at all the illustration samples on offer they want to know that's exactly what they'll get. If there were fewer of us and more of them I'm sure it'd be easier to show more versatility but sadly this is no longer the case...
DeleteHaving a pseudonym in the way you do is a great way to separate things (especially from your students!) - I'm averse to the idea of blurring everything too, don't want any cross-contamination - we need compartments! I wouldn't want my clients to read this for a start...
Such exciting news, I'm so pleased for you C.....or whatever you call yourself in your latest alter ego! I hope you'll share some details of the new work as and when you feel it's appropriate.
ReplyDeleteThanks TS, I'm so energized by working in new ways too, it's given me a new lease of life creatively (although not without its struggles...just par for the course!) I must admit the idea of an alter ego (with a far more exotic name of course) tickles my fancy!
DeleteThis is excellent news! I hope you will keep this little corner of the Internet informed regarding your new persona...?
ReplyDeleteI had an alter-ego too, briefly, for a writing project... but nothing like this. I wonder what your pseudonym is, and how/why you chose it?
Thanks Martin - not sure I'll be disclosing anything for a while yet but at least I've made a start...
DeleteI love that you had a writing alter ego and hope he will continue to produce more work! Maybe it helps us to feel a litle more free?
I have quite an anagrammable name so my choice was quite easy and I rather like the idea of there being a clue in there!
I think he described his sole publication as "his first (and possibly last) published story."
DeleteAnd I think I read it... :-)
DeleteI hope it will not be his last.
Confession time -Charity Chis is not actually my real name!
ReplyDeleteChic even
ReplyDeleteAn old pro at this alias business!
DeleteHow very Bond. Will you now be D?
ReplyDeleteM
This could get very confusing...
DeleteSounds ace C. Looking forward to hearing more. Pseudonyms are where it's at. Since Bob Zimmerman.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and yes I'm sure Mr Zimmerman had no regrets... nor Reginald Dwight!
DeleteCongratulations C - No matter that you can't use your real name as the new name is still you and I have a feeling you'll have had fun choosing it. As Rol said (and CC and TS), many of us around here use an alias (I use my middle name) and I find it very freeing, as I can write about what I want without friends and family knowing about it (hopefully).
ReplyDeleteI loved the glamourous names Hollywood actors/actresses were given back in the day - Veronica Lake (Constance Ockelman), Lana Turner (Julia Jean Turner), Judy Garland (Frances Gumm), Doris Day (Doris Kappelhoff), Fred Astaire (Frederic Austerlitz)...
It's occurred to me it could work in reverse nowadays - To stand out from the crowd you could change your very pleasant name to something wacky as per the bands you mentioned above. I'm intrigued to know what your new persona is and hope you'll share it with me at some point - Might have to make another trip south!
I think C should let the readers of SDS choose an alias, don't you? What could go wrong...? ;)
DeleteThanks Alyson and lovely to see you back too. Yes, fun to have a different name but I feel myself getting carried away and inventing a whole new other fantasy persona (not in the 'catfishing' sense at all, of course!) Not sure how it works with the artist biographies that we often have to submit!
DeleteI love the names you reference, although some sound quite exotic before they were changed, perhaps that's just to my ears, though.
If I can launch this 'other' illustrator successfully I will let you know. A trip down south for you, though, is on the cards regardless, I hope!
Martin - that could certainly be interesting - or perhaps we should come up with one of those random name generator things like your own personal porn star alias from your pet's name paired with mum's maiden name. Wasn't there a Peel Show indie band name generator too... a charity you support combined with a parent's job. Hours of fun!
DeleteHa! The Dementia Chefs...
DeleteExcellent! And let's not forget The Mind Secretaries, in session tonight.
DeleteI would go to a Mind Secretaries gig on the strength of the name alone.
DeleteIs it too late to form a band..?!
DeleteNever.
DeleteAbsolutely not!
DeleteOkay, you two, who's gonna play what?
DeleteWell, I can play guitar (just like anyone...)
DeleteThanks for that... I do love Jonny Greenwood's famous guitar moments in Creep. We'll have some of that if you could oblige! And I could probably pick up the recorder again!
Delete