Feb 22, 2009

Moving to California, Joining the DesignByHumans.com Team

Summary: I got a job as an Art Director for DesignbyHumans.com and am moving Irvine, California. Thank you internet and supporters! Now you don't have to read the rest. ;P

They picked me up the airport. Matt opened the back passenger door to the S-Class Mercedes and as I entered, the President said, "Hey Jimi, How was the flight?" as he put his fist up between the seats for a dap.

The whole experience even now seems pretty surreal.

Who knew that almost two short years ago when I took a flying leap into unemployment, that after those two years consisting of meandering out in the US, living at a ranch, freelancing, and pursuing art through design contests, that the experience would all be perfect training for me to be just the right fit for a ground level opportunity at a company that's without a doubt in my mind, poised to be a humongous online leader in the apparel world and art production, if it's not already.

So they flew me out to California...

It had been almost 13 years since I had last flow. I had a window seat.

As the plane began to move, I was surprised at how fast the plane was accelerating, and as the Super 80 lifted off the ground, the ground zoomed away, I couldn't help from chuckling in a wide grin and letting out a fairly audible and inadvertent "Oh S**t!", a little from fear, a little from awe.

I am somewhat anixous at the moment. I start March 2nd, and from now, February 22, and then, I am to find a home, and drive myself and my belongings 2000 miles across the United States.

Things seem to be moving just as fast as the ground fell away, and soon, I shall land, and everything will be peaceful again... I think.

I am excited. It's a bold move, and it's seems fairly daunting, but to miss out on such an experience regardless of it's outcome would be even scarier to miss.

As the plane rose, everything shrank: people, cars, buildings. I had a profound notion of how insignificant we all are in the grand scheme of things. We are but tiny specs on a vast endless landscape too far for our eyes to see, and the time we exist is even more miniscual. I think it is this notion that I seem to often entertain, that seems to drive me. There often is a sense of urgency, even fright and anxiety at times, as I feel my time and the time of those around me is plummeting faster and faster towards an inevitable and abrupt end.

Another thought that the experience conjured was that in a world (at least to me) which seems to scream of our insignificance, the best way to make a meaning for ourselves is to give meaning to others and raise them up on an alter. Most everyone wants to be acknowledged, to be heard, to be loved, to feel, to know that they have meaning. It is by fulfilling this need, that one can arrive at some sort of solace in the contradiction: Though we have no meaning, we can create meaning, by giving meaning. It's somewhat nihilistic in thought, except from nothing, something can be made. Anyways, that all useless, unsubstantiated drivel.

Regardless, it is assumed that like Teefury, the position at DBH will allow me to help artists get a little spotlight, a little acknowlegdement, and at the same time help me feel I have meaning as well.

I will miss my family.

I've spent the month of February with them as I had been anticipating the possibility, but I read one time, to be in the sun, you have to leave the shade of your family tree... so we'll see...

One more thing, when I first graduated college in 2002, I made idle threats about moving to New York or California, and after seven years, I'm finally not a liar. Now, I just have to become a successful gallery artist, create a company that is able to drop mad charity funds, and build and own a studio/home that people can come to learn how to create art. We'll see about those. For now, I am OK just scratching out the 'move to big city as an artist' item.

Anyways, you know, this opportunity would not have materialised unless I had the help of all of you out on the internets helping me achieve my goals and supporting me.

Thank you!
;j

21 comments:

Chadlonius said...

Congrats man,All the best in 2009!
Dont forget us little guys!

xiaobaosg said...

Congrats and All the Best , AD. :D

SailorButterfly said...

Oh, gosh...how exciting! Congratulations! :-D

-SailorButterfly

Adder said...

Epic news, Jimi. Congrats!

So I suppose it's but a matter of time before we see Rhanga print, then? ;)

Anonymous said...

Dude, best of luck and let's keep working together. Don't stop believing...

When I visit CA, can I stay with you?

kat said...

Holy Sh*t.

Awesome. All of it.

Anonymous said...

great news jimi , good luck! you'll do well.

Fable said...

Grats! It's very cool to hear that opportunities like that still happen, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

P.S. I miss ceiling cat.

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Jimiyo!

theinfinityloop said...

Such awesome news. So excited for you!

Anonymous said...

OMG thats awesome congratz dude!
hopefully when i get my crap together ill be able to start sending DBH some of my stuff.

Mike M

X said...

That is such great news!! It sounds like an exciting adventure.

And you are right...life has no meaning, but it does have tons of value.

Once you get settled, you'll have to let me buy you lunch...my day job down the street from yours!

Kat said...

Congratulations, d00der! That's really awesome news.

Anonymous said...

Congrats Jimi!...Killer News...Best of luck to you.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on this very deserved and hard worked for accomplishment. I hope this new job brings you new and exciting artistic challenges, as well as the opportunity to cross more things off of your list of goals. Very well done!

P.S. I feel similarly when I look down from planes. So many people living lives, it makes life seem both unique and common at the exact same time.

Anonymous said...

Nice Jimiyo! Congrats!
Irvine is a great area...
Summer in OC is ridiculous....
it is just like the TV show!...hehe..
Balboa island, Newport beach, Southcoast plaza, etc..!....Great time...
L.A isn't too far either...just about 1 hour drive.
I'm sure all the DHB guys will show the hotspots of OC!..

Mark
(from Tee fury)

Derek said...

wow, big news, congrats!

dengel said...

Aegis here! Congrats, and maybe now DBH will print something other than swirly stuff over the full front of the shirt :). J/K, best of luck to you.

Setup85 said...

You rock dude, congrats!

the Custom Artist said...

congrats! great opportunity for a very deserving artist

AttilaTheMom said...

Yay! Congrats Jimi, I hope everything works out great for you. Sometimes the meandering path works out best after all. :)