Hi. My name is Gene DeCicco, and for as long as I can remember I have been an artist. I'll share with you when I knew what I wanted to be...
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When I was a young boy, around 10, my Father (who worked in a factory since he was out of high school) told me he wanted to show me something. We had never talked about art, or drawing or anything cultural. My Dad was practical, and never spoke of art or anything having to do with it. He dug through a closet and found an old manilla envelope. He opened it up and displayed a stack of drawings of comic book covers from the 1940's that he had copied when he was a teenager growing up in Brooklyn, after the great depression. The drawings were beautiful. He did them all in pencil and colored pencil. I was amazed and shocked as he flipped through the art, and he said, "I wanted you to know that I used to draw too..." As tears filled my eyes, my heart raced and at that point I knew what I wanted to do with my life...
Sadly those drawings were lost due to Hurricane Sandy... But they changed the course of my life...
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I am grateful for my family, my health and the support I have... I am just putting it out there as I am not in a position to move forward in the art world... not yet...
Due to the nature of the commercial art industry, everything is going digital... and I need to follow along or I'll be left in the dust.
The more work an artist does the more their drawing/ painting hand and wrist are exhausted and over-stressed. Using the tool I need, there is smoother, less stressful strain on your hand and wrist. This will help me in my journey as an illustrator to provide for my family. I am not in a position that will allow me to acquire the appropriate tools I need for my hand's stress and my career's progression.
How Your Contributions Help
My campaign is a simple one. I need funding to purchase a drawing tablet so I can continue working and push my art forward. There are screens called Cintiqs, which are computer monitors that you can draw directly on.... they are expensive ($2,000.00 - $2,500.00) amazing pieces of technology that one day I may be able to afford. But I am realistic and don't need much, only a chance... and my campaign would allow me to get a less expensive Yiynova MSP19U Tablet Monitor ($599.00+tax+shipping). It works similarly to the Cintiq and is more affordable. ![]()
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It is the solution that will help me get my illustration production to the next level and continue to do what I love as I help my wife to provide for my family while protecting my hand and wrist from further stress and pain.
With this monitor, I will be able to create for my kids and survive in the commercial art industry.
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York everyone I knew thought I would become "rich and famous" for my art.... but that hasn't happened. I am almost making a living at it but surviving due to my wife's career as a NYC public school teacher. It's not a pity parade, its just an unfortunate fact, like many can attest to. I was told by an illustrator buddy of mine about Indiegogo.... so I thought it couldn't hurt to try.
If You Can't Contribute
I understand if you can't contribute.... Heck, I am asking for contributions for an art tool... so I get it. I just appreciate you reading my story and spending time here with me.
You can still help by sharing my campaign with people who may want to be involved and contribute.
You can use Indiegogo share tools to post my campaign on social networking sites...!
If that is too much, any advice to how I can get to my goal would be great too!
Even just a positive word is a step in the right direction for me...!
I sincerely was concerned that people in the illustration field who are friends of mine (and associates), plus other friends who don't draw for a living were going to think I was pan-handling... but with tears in my eyes I'll tell you, sometimes just scraping up the money for something that will turn the tide seems impossible. So thank you.... thank you so much for not judging me.
I really appreciate you reading this much and hearing my story. I am so very grateful for your time and understanding.... I wish you a life of health, happiness, love and laughter! Because everyone deserves to find happiness...! Find your bliss and make it your life.... This is not a dress rehearsal....
Thank you all so very much for your time and understanding. It means more than you know!
:)
AND - Thank you so much to those who have contributed... we have reached our goal; and I am beyond honored and humbled by your generosity!!!!!
THANK YOU-THANK YOU-THANK YOU!!!!!!
Some have told me to keep going to get the better tablet... that's not up to me... It's up to those who want to contribute...
I still can't believe it...!!!! Thank you so so soooo much!!!!!
Sincerely,
Gene DeCicco
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