Since I was a child I’ve been told that “drawing” is not a job. It’s a stupid hobby and there is no chance to make a living out of it. In Italy there’s no market, nobody’s interested, nobody will publish your stuff.
Well fuck them. Those were lies, and because of those lies I’ve grown up insecure and disenchanted. When my mom told me I should trash my drawings because she wanted the table “clean”, when my best friend told me “your comic sucks”, when an editor wrote that there was no hope for comic writers in this country, they left a wound in my heart that will never heal.
I have the luck to be one who fights for what she wants, I know what I need and I’ll do anything for my happiness. I trust my instincts, I trust my needs. At least, I trust them much more than other’s opinions.
I still feel bitter for the sharp words I received, and I don’t think I’ll ever forgive or forget. I’m more motivated to prove them how wrong they were.
My art teacher in 8th grade was so enthusiastic about my comics that she wanted me to bring them to the final exam discussion. I did, and instead of asking me questions about her subject, she showed the comic to the other teachers in awe. THAT was something that really warmed my heart and kept me going.
I need to draw as I need air, I need to express myself to free my mind, to feel satisfaction.
People should never give up on their dreams because someone else made them believe they can’t make it. We can make anything if we keep on looking for the right path, for the right people, for the right community and the right media.
They say the comic market in Italy is rising. That’s true. Will I be able to join in? I don’t know, but I swear I’m really trying this time. I’m trying to be more self confident. I realized I missed so much opportunities because I thought I wasn’t good enough, and the result is that people less dedicated to improving than me got a bigger slice of cake. I’m tired of being unsecure and overly self critical. Let’s jump and be brave.
Every passion can become a job, as long as there’s demand. There’s a market for everything, just look for it. Just go.
