Animation Guild

Fall 2022

Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine

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THERE IS A MYTH THAT GREAT ART COMES FROM GREAT SUFFERING. THAT SOMEHOW LIFE'S CHALLENGES, VICES, OR FAILED PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS ARE THE MUSES OF MOVING WORK. While art can be a great medium for working through issues, that approach can take a great toll on a person. I've known artists who have delayed or denied themselves the mental health therapy they needed because they worried that their art would suffer—but instead they were the ones who suffered. Denying personal care and what you need for an enriching life is a great sacrifice and completely unsustainable. The life of an artist who works their fingers to death, ignoring every other aspect of who they are, is difficult. There are too many tragic stories: overdoses, self-destruction, and even the death of many talented musicians, actors, and artists. The truth about art is that although it can be emotionally and spiritually satisfying to create, you need to have a balanced life to have a long career. It's a non-romantic view that a career in art is a job choice just like any other. And that career should be just one part of a well-rounded life. Everyone should be able to enjoy the human right of time spent with family and friends or hobbies. To have domain over your time—everyone, not just artists, needs this to feel inspired or to just relax and be in the moment. This is why The Animation Guild exists. We are here to protect workers' ability to live a long and balanced life in the animation industry. In Solidarity, Jeanette Moreno King | President The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839 BALANCING ACT ON THE COVER Tim Sullens photographed Shavonne Cherry, James Baxter, and Jennifer Yuh Nelson for this issue's cover story about career longevity in animation. L E T T E R

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