I just want to add why is anyone "entitled" when they simply want a better QOL. I literally debated this with someone who had to admit his opinion was only fueled by never having the understanding that there was a better QOL than wage working. He honestly wasn't happy to live a paycheck status lifestyle...he was taught that was the best but no one exposed him to other options.

So interesting to hear your perspective and how you arrived to where you’re at now!! Congrats on launching the art book I’m sure it’s incredible!! And this portrait is beautiful 💖

So impressed with how transparent you are with the financial aspects. It's still a stereotype that an art degree won't get you a decent pay check and it can as long as you're determined and aggressive just like any other field. But investing in education in any art field can give you quite a lot of flexibilty to work idependently, which is very intriguing.

Hi Chris, I’m a 38-year animation industry vet and I’m here to tell you that you made the right choice. Well done 💎

I think about this often! The fact that society has pushed us to a point where we are basically slaves to these corporate companies(not just in art). We are expected to work so much! Most of our life is spent working. Meanwhile, the people at the top running these companies get to sit on their millions. You know what, weekends need to be changed to 3 days instead of 2. People need more time off!! Ugh sorry I always get so heated thinking about this.

I do not think that knowing your worth makes you arrogant and full or yourself nor that realizing how unfair your work experience was turns you into an "untitled millenial". When you mentioned you thought as yourself as a "good artist", I downright went "THAT'S RIGHT, YOU ARE" and I was so glad you knew!! You know your potential and I see you know well where the line between that and egocentrism is (even if you did have that "boy i'm gr8" phase back then. That's pretty normal, I guess 😂). You are contributing to the world to the best of your ability just by being yourself and showing it through your art. There are so many people looking up to you and I think you are showing us all a good example by always speaking so honestly, always challenging yourself, always pursuing your dreams earnestly.

This happens to all creatives. Working for someone else will make you miserable they will not understand the way you think, but they want to use your talents.

It saddens me to hear about the grueling workload and unpaid time you experienced in an animation studio. Unfortunately it doesn't surprise me. I closely follow news on the video game industry and scenarios like that are absolutely the "norm". It's truly disgraceful how the people who work so hard to make the games, bringing money to the companies, are taken advantage of. And, even worse, many of them aren't even employed. Many of them work on contract. The animation and game industry needs to be unionized. Things will never improve without some kind of consequence for employers treating workers this way.

I feel the exact same way! Right now I'm working as an animator in norway, and I also feel like I'm wasting away. The projects we work on doesn't even begin to challenge me as an artist. I'm always making these super simple things, and it breaks my heart also seeing other amazingly talented artists who have to make this super simple stuff, just ignoring that they have sooo much more talent. You are an AMAZING artist, and I wish everything you want will come true 🙏 I'm also in the middle of a salary negotiation, and hopefully I'm going to be able to raise it, because now I'm just making enough to afford food ^^;; But yeah, hopefully we can change this in the future, go artist rights ✊✊

You literally narrated my story! with animations and everything, however, I haven't achieved the part of giving up on my full-time job to pursue an art career. Haven't done it yet. Wish I could...This is constant war in my head and I'm going mad!

I empathize so much! It means a lot to me to hear someone else came to the conclusion that the 9-5+ work schedule in an art position that isn't even your main passion isn't sustainable. I use to work as a graphic designer but for very similar reasons, I switched to self employment as an illustrator because that's my main passion and the job was sucking my soul away. Thank you so much for sharing your story, it's super encouraging! I can't wait to buy your art book!

Aw, I’m sorry I won’t be able to buy the art book, since I’m saving up for college :(

seriously thank you for speaking up, this is such an important video. nobody should be forced to exhaust themselves until the point of depression. toxic workculture.

Hey! I live in Montreal and I’m also studying in the 3D animation field. I am just like you I’m a painter and a pencil crayon girl so ive been super worried about not loving my job for this exact reason. I’m glad someone else feels this way it’s honestly making me feel normal! Love seeing Canadian artists on the platform!!

Oh my!! I can't wait to have your artbook 💖💖

I’m so excited for your art book!! 😭🖤

I am looking forward to having your artbook!! I can't wait to see all the work you have done over the years!

im gonna get it of course 🙏i love your art , so this is almost like a little dream come true!

You’re not wrong, and what you’ve decided makes perfect sense… if you’re young and single. But when you’re married and have kids, that’s a luxury. Many people have to work full time jobs (and sometimes work overtime) to pay the bills and provide for their family - and most of the time it’s not even an art-related full time job!! I work full time as a UI/UX Designer… but I would LOVE to be able to quit and just do freelance illustration (my true passion) instead. But again, that’s a luxury my family and I can’t afford - so for now, my illustration remains a hobby I seldom have time for. Anyway - enjoy being able to do what you love, and don’t take it for granted while you’re able to do it! You’re an amazing artist, and your art is very inspiring! 😊

Your description of a 9 to 5 and what is does to you is spot on. I did the same thing when I decided to leave my well-paying 9 to 5 and start my own business. It's a lot more work by yourself but it is so much more fulfilling and healthy IMO. Also not being able to save money or have mobility in life. But as you said it is a privilege to be able to make that decision and most people can't. Also adjusting for inflation: Yea! Good luck! lol

YES! Another artbook to add to my collection! Woo! Will there be signed versions available?

Thank you for sharing! Can't wait for the artbook! :)

You are literally one of my favorite artist! I love how honest this video is and I can’t wait to have you’re art-book when it’ll be founded! 🥰

Thanks so much for this video! What you shared it's very useful and inspiring for many people like me. It would be amazing to hear about your experience after you quit that job and how you made it through to your actual artistic recognition. Still thanks a lot and keep creating so much beautiful art 💪

Hi Chris! Thank you for putting up this video! It helps me feeling better about my plan on resigning from my current office. I live on a still developing country so it's 8-6pm with low salary and no insurance or benefits for me, and now they change my position (i applied as 2D Artist, but after 2.5 year, they put me in QA which have nothing to do with visual development). I've been thinking on resigning for more than a year now, yet keep being held back by the bills ('cause well, the pay is barely enough, and i can't save up), but watching artists like you speak up about work life balance and ultimate goal in the future really helps me feel confident about my plan. I'm still desperately doing side jobs outside that 8-6pm to be able to save up money, but hopefully I can find or make better opportunities like you do! Again, thank you for sharing and making me feel less of a bad guy for thinking of resigning 🤗

Thanks for shedding some light to what it's like in the animation industries, and admitting your faults too. I think we all think how we only want to work for big names and want to be the best, but once in a while we get that reality check. You were super honest, and I appreciate that!

💜 Thank you for sharing its helped me think about my own goals differently. And congrats on the art book!!!

I adopted the 'earn to live instead of live to earn' mindset when I was made redundant from a 48+hr/week at a college. If you can handle living like a student for a while until you establish yourself as an independent artist, it's a far better way to live for creative types imo.

I related to this so much. It was like someone else telling my story. Thanks so much for sharing, it gives me the courage to follow my dreams like you did

I will order your book after been available on store! Even if Toronto is far away from Saudi. Me and all my friends love you and we’re always been inspired by your works.

it is a perfect description of any job.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! Your thoughts and feelings sound so VALID!!!!! You don’t come across as arrogant or entitled!

❤️❤️LOVE YOUR STYLE…… adore it. Oh my goodness, I feel like I can relate a bit… I was over booked, under appreciated and completely losing my morals in the process. I had NO TIME with my children and was constantly locking myself in my studio coming up with new ideas and making art, while managing hand made Step packets.. and a senior ART outreach program I put my heart and SOUL into because that is who I am… I wasn’t aloud an assistant or they would take it from my paycheck. I lost 10 pounds and was struggling with SLEEP. I was possessed with this little world, and had a boss that was all about cheap ways to make money and disregarded all the potential of students and programs. This almost broke me DOWN.. mentally and physically. THIS IS ART! It’s not supposed to be A LIFE SENTENCE and run by ROBOTS. ARTIST need to be cherished and encouraged to grow creativity and kindly. I am SO HAPPY YOU DID YOUR THING. I LOVE YOUR WORK, seriously stay true to you, I idolize it. Thank you for making this.

16:00 preach it! I totally agree with everything you said, It's nice for other artists' to hear that they're not alone in feeling this way 👏💯

I love you and your videos! You're my favorite artist!

Your art is always so inspiring, you are just amazing ☁️🍀✨❤️

😍😍😍😍 this IS so coooool, Amazing New's kickstarter

Ong I LOVE YOUR VIDEOOOS!

I’m rooting for you !

Yayyy new video 😢🦋🦋

It's so true.Thank for your sharing.💖

YEAAAH!! ! Your very first artbook are welcome!! I would buy it! 🥰🥰 i cant wait to see your artbook will launch soon!! Maybe your artbook have mini tutorial watercolor?

wow an art book ? :) congratulations Chris on your continual success

Wow..really interesting to hear ur story about the animation job..(I luv that medium & always fantasize working in that industry)..sorry to hear of ur struggles but so Happy that things worked out for u!! Ur an Uber Talented & gifted Artist!! I just happened to come across ur channel randomly & I'm so glad I did!! Really inspiring work u do!! So keep it coming & Congrats again! the book looks really amazing aswell!! 👏🏽 💥💯💯

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had no idea you were in the animation industry! I always thought your art would look amazing if they get animated. I admire your decision and confidence in your career as an artist. I've been working in an animation studio for few years and realising that a job in animation can really eat you away if you don't pause and look after yourself. For me, the worst part of full time job is blaming myself for not working on self improvement. Forcing yourself to do personal art after a long day at work wasn't a good idea either.

It's interesting because your reasons for leaving are my reasons for staying. I like having a 9 to 5 (sometimes even getting off earlier if I get work done early which is often lol) so that I have ample free time to work on personal projects, spend time with my boyfriend, cook and workout, explore other interests, and have a similar work schedule to friends outside the industry. Being in the industry humbles you into knowing you are apart of a pipeline and even when people become art directors or directors.... they can't take all the credit for a film and the decisions that went into it. If anything it's people's egos that drive me out of the industry, even production is a team effort! Working in preschool animation in Toronto allows me to still be in the industry but have a life beyond work and the Western "hustle culture" that glorifies working beyond 40 hours a week or that every hobby should be something to make money off of. Of course I absolutely do not want to be only doing preschool work for life but I've grown more in my spare time by not killing myself at work and am more capable of doing advanced work since I'm not doing it in my day job & growing tired of it. And working for the lesser known studios or productions on a preschool show pays me the exact same as people doing flashier work at bigger studios in Vancouver. So I figured, why do all that harder work for the same pay? The answer is usually ego so I remind myself to be humble and remember that my job title and what I do for pay is a very small fraction of who I am as a person as well as who I am as an artist.

I would love be self employed. I've been at my graphic design position for a local mom & pop shop working in the art department as a graphic designer going on 6 years this September, and it has been strongly killing my creative spirit. I don't really have a solid plan yet, but I took the leap a year or so ago and started a patreon. So here's to hoping in my own time I can take my side hustle and dream as a career because working in this sort of setting for people that don't give a damn about you or your health sucks. I'm so young ( 28 ) and have a lot left to give, but often I can't help feeling so burned out out life in general ;;

Thanks for sharing, Chris! I would love to know more about how you took the leap to work for yourself! What were the steps? How scary it was.

flippin' amazin!

Yaayyy I'm early again we miss you!😭💙✨

This video made me feel a little better, rn i was working in concept but, it all felt so empty, just working barely to do better, instead stuck with ur boss' ideas, feeling unwanted and unappreciated. And then theres no more job for me so i've been struggling to even find a job because i dont want to go throw the same thing. I also wanna be a freelance artist but idont know whereto start im feeling overwhelmed and lost. Thank you for the video tho

The same thing happened with me but for years I would say it was a matter of months ...I was getting more than people around me but the job was just so hard and required my soul to be put into that and I felt like they were ripping me off ... Felt like I was doing nothing but working so I left and many people told me I had a very good opportunity but I would be working at my home for low income on my terms than be a slave for someone else

I’d be super interested in hearing you talk more about how you make it work and the pros and cons of choosing independent work. A lot of your thoughts and experiences sound very similar to mine (tho in the video game industry) and I am very tempted to quit the industry, but I just don’t think I could make enough money independently. I also live in the US and have extremely high monthly medical costs for medicines and therapies, so that adds to the reasons why I don’t think I could survive without a job’s health insurance.

omg your back i miss you and youre video so much

Chris you are another kindred spirit of mine. I seriously believe I know which school you went to as I went to that overly popularized school for Illustration. I too felt my skills were draining down a hole and maybe Ill share my story too because its so long I feel bad writing things here.

Ah man I've had the exact same thoughts but not in an art field. My conclusion was to switch to the art industry at some point so I can finally work on art, but it sounds like the same scenario could happen. Guess I'd better think over my decision more carefully 😕

I'm so happy for you that you've quit that slavery. Slavery in old times covered housing, food, clothing etc. plus it provided with the job security. In modern slavery however, they took away that security, many working people are homeless. In the U.S. there are so many people working full time and they're still homeless, or can't afford healthy food, can't go to vacation. The system makes you work, work, work and it makes you worry, worry, worry... Looking at your art, you obviously deserve much much better. You're very talented..! And you're inspiring as well.

Count me in! ^_^ ♡

most animation jobs in the uk now are 9am -6pm now

I love how sweet and soft Your drawings are 🤗 ｡◕‿◕｡

Literally feels like I am listening to somebody describing my story. Glad you're out of it

What brand of watercolors do you prefer/recommend? I’ve been experimenting with watercolors, I’m an oil painter generally, but I’ve been switching over to markers and watercolor/ink lately. I’ve been investing a TON of money on the marker end, I love your use of color with the watercolors so I’d like to hop right in and go that way instead of shopping around and dropping money where i don’t need to.

I'm late to the party since I just found out you are releasing your book only NOW T_T I've always admired your work and love watching your processes! Is there a way for me to place an order for your book? I'm outside the US and Canada btw

YAYY

same in the uk, mostly production work than the creative side

I am feeling drained with my current graphic design job as well. But living and supporting my family has to come first. Every time I reconsider I am told to think of the consequence... always the consequence. So I stopped asking for opinion. Hopefully things work out soon.

What mechanical pencil were you using in the very beginning? I'd love to know. Beautiful art as always.

I love your all vedios ❤️....... It's all are very impressive....... I love sketch 😍..... Your sketching style is an amazing 😍😍😍😍...... So encouraging 😍😍😍..... I want to draw like u 😊...... upload more......stay happy and well ❤️❤️

Watching this video, it seems like the most optimal role for you is very pre-production driven, but because of immigration challenges being a Canadian, you’re constrained to a lot of the asset production heavy jobs in your local labor market in Canada. Though I agree a lot with you a lot of the jobs in the animation industry are quite bad for ones health. I myself found a happy middle ground where I took my animation skillset for more tech industry related jobs vs entertainment which still allow me to use my skillset but with a better lifestyle. I can still write animated comics on nights and weekends but at a pace that is sustainable

❤️

Loved your video! I am in completely different industry and not a millennial. It is just how corporations work. They have to compete globally to push out products faster with very little regard to their employees. Being self employed has its own drawbacks but I think you’ll be better off.

This all sounds so familiar. After working in an animation studio I've just realized how messed up their politics is. They just put people in this tight frames where you earn barely enough to stay alive and it's all presented under the sauce of working in a "fun" and "creative" environment. It's a rat race no matter how celestial the goal might be and it never translates into a better life or healthier work schedule.

Hi Chris ! I was thinking about getting into an animation school and go to US or somewhere else where I can work for bigger companies because here in Turkey animation industry is so new and there isn’t many companies that I can work for. But After watching your video I feel a little lost. I’m going to be a senior on high school this year so if you have any recommendations about what should I study instead plz let me know 💓💓🧚🏻🧚🏻

Very interesting video! happy to see you back :> I am someone who is studying animation at this moment so it was an interesting point of view. Still, I went into animation because I like the industry and the ability to switch between project but my views may be still naive. My goal is to be able to choose projects that I really believe in and care about and to someday make my own. However I always wonder how it would be like to be independent and create what you want on your own instead of working in a team. So my question is this, do you feel like you have achieved your goal since becoming independent? Such as, do you have a satisfying salary that can support your future? I imagine it feels freeing being able to grow as an artist and get income from having fun but I would like to learn more about that period of transition and trying to figure out life outside of that nine to five job.

i've always struggled picking a laboral path, specially anxious at the moment since i'm only a year away from graduating ! recently i've been interested in studying animation but wow i'm terrified, it's almost like you gotta really hit that pot to succeed and have a balance between personal well being and a stable income :( thank you for sharing your perspective, really makes me re-evaluate what i truly want and plan out my future better :) i don't know if you'll happen to read this but, have you got any tips to figure out what i would truly like studying?

I thi8nk the salary thing is the same in most professional industries. I graduated with an art degree but ended up in the IT industry my first job paid 45k a year and I worked 60 to 70 hours a week for 25 years. Part of that I owned my own company so when I sold it I had to retire because my health was just crap.. I ended up in a coma from stress so I retired at the age of 48 and went back to doing art. Im 54 now and in much better shape but still working on it. Yeah I think the world is working them selves to death.

Taxes are too high with 1099 work for me, imo. I've added up deductions and I'd still make more curating. I'm happy for everyone else, but I just can't.

As an animator, these are the exact reasons I'm thinking of quitting the industry. Low pay, too high quotas, unpaid overtime, no pension, moving from project to project with little prospects of getting a higher pay. I love the actual work, but man...

Hello Chris, Thank you for this amazing video as always. I completly see myself through many of aspects that you mentionned. I love to express my sensibility and it's hard to find those kind of opportunity in the industry. In addition of that, we have to put so much pressure on us, up to make our health decline.. I had the same issue also with my family, because they were so worried... Are you happy now and do you feel better? Do you think you have a better balanced life ? I still consider this opportunity but I don't know where I could start... Thank you in advance for your time 🙏

hiiiii!

Same story for me

mmmm greeeen

Try not to worry about the word "entitled". People will say anything to get what they want from you. Don't let them.

Beautiful ! what paper did you use for this piece?

You literally describing my retails job but worst x'D They called u in at unexpected hours expecting u to cover for someone's else shift because they skipped their works. also what weekends off? we dont have any weekends off at all I remember one time I had to work like 13 days straight with no off day and I was really really burn out near the end and for what? just to get that one day off from work and then go back to work the next day. Man, it was horrible experience for me as of going back on time I always get frown on for getting home on time. x'DDD employer expected u to do as u said a few ots and depending on the hq sometimes we get the ot and sometimes we dont. I feels you girl :') after almost 2 years I quit my job oh gosh u were right all the time and hours I'd been missing man just mannn x'DDDDD

Is it okay for me to ask what art school you went to? I’m actually working on my apps rn, I’m looking at SAIC or DePaul in Chicago but I’m not set on a single college :00

Hiya Chris! How do we purchase your book? your website has expired? Anyone knows? Please. Thanks in advance xx

The story you told basically is the story of every corporate job in the western world. Hard work earns you more hard work. Pay caps out early. Usually questioning conditions will get you a response letting you know how lucky you are you don't have it worse. This is nothing specific to the animation industry it occurs it almost every industry. High profits are a product of low wages and long working hours. What you experienced most people get later on in life and it's usually diminished as a mid life crisis. All the people that have left their jobs in the last few years seeking self employment are evidence that people are not seeking privilege but a better quality of life. We are fortunate enough to live in times where life is physically easier but at the price of mental difficulty. Depression, anxiety and work related injuries are high because of the way corporate world has shaped our lives. High cost of living traps people into their jobs. Don't feel guilty for not liking it. Few like it, but most of us haven't had the opportunity or made the opportunity to walk away from it. Your artwork is really great and cheers to you from finding your own way.

Where is the kickstarter link?

Hey just wondering. Did you go to Sheridan? If not what school? Just curious

do american studios really care about talented artists from the states considering that most studios hire underpaid artists from poor asian countries because it makes them a higher profit?

I miss you .

Yeah animating is tough

i love animation i love creating whatever i like a bringing it to life but as a job i kinda hate animation especially how the animation company tells you what you can and cant make all you do is work on others ideas with no say you get paid for it but feel like you're suffocating.

Yeah, that's the norm. It's wrong. I'm glad you left the industry, both so you could pursue your real talent, but also because the more people who start their own companies, the less power big corporations have to abuse their employees.

100 percent yes to making your own job when you cant rely on people/studios giving it to you. However, looking at your pay, you mention 1000cad PER WEEK. in uk that's close to 600gbp p.w>2400p.m I've been trapped working retail and hospitality bouncing around jobs for 10 years, unable to break into those easy jobs you mention while being more than qualified to get them, particularly storyboarding, and have learnt to survive on far, far less. I'm talking under £800 p.m. Maybe the cost of living in Canada is high, i dunno, it can't be different to London/u.k costs but, in some way, it does come across as entitled. If you think 4000cad a month is not enough to save anything to build for yourself I can only imagine how you would feel working minimum wage retail while trying to keep your art habit alive... I fully 100 percent understand your sentiments and where you're coming from though Chris. go get what you feel you are worth. love your work

Your store page doesn't work...

I remember being an arrogant 16yr old thinking I was gods gift to drawing, oh lol.

That's a good drawing. ^^👍👍👍👍Please stop by my room. ~ ^^❤👍👍👍

It's not the Animation industry's fault at all. You were just not educated well about the animation industry and you learned the hard way but congratulations that you now know how it works. Unless you own the animation studio or animation company, you won't be able yo express your art in animation as an animator. That's why I didn't pursue it. I thought I was going to become an animator for the BIGGEST Japanese animation company. They already trained me for months but they made sure that they remind us about that. That you cannot express your own art in such company because you are animating for someone else not on your own. Why? Because they don't want their employees leaving abruptly because their reason is that they cannot express their art lol. And yes pay is not high. It is quota based and commission based so it will depend on how fast you work. Now I just paint whatever I want and I work for a different industry.