We had the pleasure of chatting with artist VeeTheBee all about their work! Check it out to learn more about what they have going on and their creative journey!
Question 1: What initially inspired you to become a creator, and how has that inspiration evolved throughout your creative journey?
Answer: Well, I’ve always enjoyed expressing my ideas in many different ways. Seeing different artists around me both in my family and online inspired me to want to draw and create so many pieces. The endless inspiration I get on a day to day basis keeps the ideas flowing, and it helps me practice the many different skills that are needed for art, such as color theory and anatomy.
Question 2: Can you share a specific moment or experience that fueled your passion for your current creative project?
Answer: Well recently, I’ve been getting back into a series on youtube that I used to watch when i first started creating, and with my newfound skills I have been able to improve quickly. I have even been able to improve on my core skills as a growing artist. I’ll show some examples of my growth here. Down below I have two images. On the left is an image from about 3 years ago. On the right is an image I’ve drawn in the last month after getting my newfound inspiration.
Question 3: What challenges have you encountered as an indie creator, and how have they shaped your approach to your work?
Answer: My main challenge that I’m facing right now is chronic pain that I suffer from. I’m not quite sure what the source of this pain is just yet, but it has been teaching me to take breaks while I draw so that I don’t overwork and hurt myself further. While I draw, I tend to lose track of time because it’s something I’m quite passionate about. This can cause me to get hurt if I’m not careful, however I’ve been able to take breaks and look at my drawings with fresh eyes so i dont make simple mistakes.
Question 4: Are there any particular creators who have significantly influenced your style or approach? How do you incorporate those influences into your own unique voice?
Answer: One creator I know for certain has influenced my style a major amount is Brodingles. He’s an artist I’ve followed since the start of my own journey, and was also one of my major inspirations to get into art in the very first place. Another major creator who has influenced my style recently is a man named Thomas Sanders. His series Sanders Sides has inspired me to make more content than I have in a while, and it has been so refreshing to make art again.
Question 5: How do you navigate the balance between staying true to your artistic vision and adapting to feedback from your audience or collaborators?
Answer: Sometimes I’ll give my followers a choice on whether I do one project or another, when i have multiple in mind. It helps me put an order on my projects so that I don’t get overwhelmed with too many ideas!
Question 6: Can you recall a memorable success story or milestone in your indie creator journey that stands out as a turning point for you?
Answer: Since I do a lot of fanart, when the creator of the projects actually see my work, and shows the work to their own followers, it gives me motivation and inspiration to create more pieces!
Question 7: What role do setbacks or failures play in your creative process, and how do you overcome them to keep moving forward?
Answer: Well for me, one of my main setbacks with creating is my chronic pain, and the fact that i can get easily distracted by my own mind. I usually overcome my pain by making sure i take regular breaks and stretch. By taking regular breaks, I’m also making sure that I dont stress myself out too much and get too distracted.
Question 8: How do you manage your time and energy to sustain a consistent creative output while juggling other aspects of life?
Answer: Well thankfully I don’t have too much to balance, as I just graduated from school so I’m currently working my one day job, and then coming home in the early afternoon where I draw into the evening (when I have the physical energy to) and then go to bed. My day job makes me most of my income, so that also covers my bills. I do commission work with my art as well, though its not super profitable yet. I’d like for my art to one day be my day job though!!
Question 9: Have you found any unexpected joys or rewards in the indie creator community, and how has it contributed to your overall experience?
Answer: Well something that I never expected was to make so many amazing friends, and even a super supportive partner as well. I couldn’t be more grateful for them all in keeping me inspired and believing in me when I didnt even believe in myself, and they’ve kept me on this path for as long as I have. I especially couldnt thank my partner enough!
Question 10: If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring creators, what would it be based on your own lessons learned?
Answer: My one piece of advice is to just create what you love. It doesn’t matter if everyone will like it, but as long as you create something that you yourself will love, thats the best part. You’ll also have more passion for what you love rather than trying to please everyone at once because that will just bring you burnout faster than you could ever think.
Question 11: What are your thoughts on All Ages of Geek? What are some things we should change/do? What is something you enjoy about our website?
Answer: While I haven’t heard of All Ages of Geek until doing this interview, in learning more about them Im very excited to see what they will do in the future. I enjoy that their website is organized, and that theres so much to do on the website itself!!
Question 12: Goals for 2024?
Answer: My goals for this year is to create more art, and have lots of fun doing so!
