I know, posting on an old journal, but I know exactly what you mean.

Try breaking down the human body a bit differently. Find out what you enjoy about it and what you don't. Try exploring those. I know it sounds very short term, but leads into other things. Comparative anatomy can be rather fun. Not just 'oh, a horse foot looks like this, human foot looks like this' stuff, but the folds, the bone, the function. It fits with your abstract forms quite well I'd think. Pick a few things and play with them. Its one reason I picked stuff with horns and hooves and gave that a shot. I continue to play with the shapes those give and find what I like and look back over time to see how my tastes have changed.

I set small goals (most of which I'll never get around to ~_~'...) for things I'd like to learn or learn more about. Those range from sculpting and painting to other forms of art. It is a wonderland path where there will never be enough time in the day to get to everything. Which can be depressing and overwhelming. Don't let it bog you down, just keep moving forward. ^_^

I think there is a beauty that ties humanity together, including on a creative element. You, as are -all- artists, bound to find beauty in something similar and it is -very- frustrating when you find someone who you feel (or know >_<'...) does what you like better or in the medium you want to. Part of me twists inside when people are like 'this looks like so and so's work!', where they meant it as a compliment, but I take it more as a slap that even while not knowing I did something similar. I overcome that by seeing it for what it was meant to be. A compliment! That someone out there has the same draw to things I do. That for every one person that -does- art similar to mine and visa versa, there are hundreds who don't draw, but find the same sort of thing beautiful and can appreciate it. Think of your video games. There are genras for a reason, not just one FPS or one monster catching game. You bring something different with each piece you do. If I want to see a Bugshido character drawn by Ed, there is -ONE- person that can provide that in the whole world. You.

So yes, there are going to be similar artists and themes. There are people that will ape another style, people who use the same color pallets. I like to think most will grow past that and continue to grow as artists. That is just how some people learn. DA can be exceptionally overwhelming and depressing. Throw a word in and see a billion images done by very talented people and it can be a miserable feeling. Do I feel my elves and fantasy creatures are unequaled? No, not by far. But we still have people designing fashion and if you study the history of that you might notice there wasn't really a lot of change until recently. Yet, people still design pants, dresses, and shirts. One elf picture won't be the end all of all pictures on the subject. ^_^

I put my passion, knowledge and love into each piece I do. Into each design, I play with them like you do. (even if I hardly ever throw that stuff up on DA, cause people will be all 'Kip I have no clue what scribble mess I'm looking at'... which is something I'm considering doing anyway. >.>... annnnnyway.) I feel for your frustrations and being overwhelmed. When I get like that I actually keep away from DA, at least searching on anything similar to what I do. I go to my list of other things I want to know. That tends to be writing or sculpting and even painting. I'm not trying to master those things. I know I will never be a great sculptor or painter or writer for sure. But my ego can take it ^_~ It is better then staring at paper and becoming angry and shutting down.

You can also look at your personal drawing habits. Evaluate your things like proportions and textures, try ones you think will look bad or are not familiar. I'd be curious to see your take on natural textures like different rocks and barks, even flowers.

There is no shame in doing what you do well. I love monsters and that can get boring at times, painfully so. People can be the same. Perhaps take one or a few of your older designs and play with a few variations, even dressing them up or making stories for them. Don't force yourself to think in a marketable way. I watch people twist their hobbies into these bland static assumptions on how business should work and not think outside the box. Unnecessary limits. That isn't what your attempt at relaxing should be. (if you enjoy it, you will find a way to share it. That is always changing!)

One of my goals is in the next three years to sculpt a monster mask. I've always wanted to make those but for many a reason never have. I'm not thinking of the costs. I'm not thinking how to (if I even planned to) sell such a thing. I'm not thinking about what people would buy, or I think they they would. What I -do- think about is the different designs, what I find neat. Of the materials I'd make it out of, of how I'd make and cast the horns and attach them. Or trying to mix mediums and combine what I love of what I've seen. When I can't sleep I'll hit up Youtube and watch videos of kids doing what I thought was beyond me. (granted that is depressing in its own right XD... sorry) But that lets me know at the same time if I really really push it is a doable thing. I've learned how to punch and root doll hair off videos like that, and even actually did it! Learned a lot by just doing it as well. Like... I put too much hair in each hole or can punch holes closer or farther away. I let myself try and fail/succeed on something pointless. Well, pointless monetary wise. I'm not a huge doll person but I really loved putting the hair in. I'm sure some semi finished pictures will make it to my DA someday >.>.

So to wrap it up a little... It is easy to become overwhelmed in a sea of people. Easy to give up and think it is all pointless. Easy to just 'let better artists do it'. Which, is the saddest thing of all to think. They don't have your mind, they have their own. There own needs and wants and commitments. Enjoy what they do, try not to become overwhelmed by it.

This guy's journal puts together some thoughts I've had in some clearer words. Not quite what you are feeling I think, but thought I'd link ya anyway.
[link]

Might find it inspiring, or not. Only takes a few seconds to read. And I can say I've been in a similar situation and feeling and come up with ways to work through it.

So, long story short, I'd be sad if there was no more Ed arts. I love your little scribbles a lot. I don't just watch you to 'be nice' ^_~

I wish I had an easy answer with how to help with that overall feeling though. I have it often but keep working through it. *hugs*

~Kip

(enjoy the rambling novel... sheesh. Sorry.)

i often get the feeling that there is something...else... i should be doing. something different than what i am already doing or have done.

every now and then i'll find something that is new to me. from trying my hand at digital inking (which i am not properly equipped to perform apparently...), to making a watch band out of that survival cord. yes, its all been done before by someone else, but it breaks up the monotony of doing the same thing over and over. plus it never hurts to have an extra skill, even if you haven't mastered it.

try to keep the mind flowing. once it stops, it is very hard to get the creative juices going again

Well, maybe if you want to try something new, maybe try taking up making comics? If you make a comic, it may keep you from getting bored, because not only do you have to draw characters, you also have to think about the environment the characters interact with. Along with that, depending on the script of the comic, you have to draw the characters doing various things, other than just standing, like running, or making facial expressions.

How many times was Cobra Commander defeated? He never stopped trying, there is no need for you either...