Summary

• Far Side creator Gary Larson's advice: true artistic growth comes from within; as the artist learns more about themselves, and their art, their creative abilities will develop in turn.
• Frustration and restlessness are part of creative growth; committment to work, and refusal to give up, are the essential qualities of a successful artist.
• Gary Larson's pronouncement that creative evolution happens internally should give artists everywhere reassurance that they already have the tools they need to achieve their creative endeavors.

Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side, was a prolific artist, making his commentary on how illustrators in particular grow over the course of their careers incredibly valuable, especially for those seeking to follow in his footsteps, and those in the early stages of their careers. As Larson himself explained, his iconic artistic style developed in the usual way – with time and patience.

In The Complete Far Side Volume Two, Larson wrote about how informed his artistic progress: specifically, that it didn't, at least for the most part. He advised that instead, in his experience, creative growth – at least in his medium – is entirely an internal process.

Larson's perspective on developing as an artist should hopefully be a balm to the countless creative individuals out there who are still trying to find their voice, to pin down their style, and to actualize themselves in their chosen art form.

Gary Larson Explains That Growing As An Artist Means Growing As A Person

Cartoonist, Know Thyself

Though Larson was specifically discussing cartoonists, his dictum that artistic growth comes from a process of self-exploration is relevant to any and every creative medium.

Though it might not be clear at first glance – as was often the case with The Far Side – Gary Larson beared his soul to the reader with every one of his cartoons. He often did this in a quixotic, elusive way, so that it is only those readers who come to have a greater understanding of the artists who are able to recognize him in every caption, every illustration, every punchline. The distinctly "Larsonian" quality of The Far Side is perhaps the most laudable thing about it, from a creative standpoint.

Not unlike the Wu Tang Clan's O.D.B., there was "no father to [Larson's] style." That is to say, he was a fully actualized artist; whether any given succeeded or failed at evoking a reaction from his reader, it was not for lack of the attributes that made The Far Side unlike anything else in syndicated newspaper comics. According to Larson, the development of his unique style was a natural process, rather than a reaction to , criticism, or any outside influence. Further, he stated that this was the case for everyone in his field.

Larson wrote:

If cartoonists do improve as the months and years go by, it's only because we're evolving from within, exploring ourselves, our characters.

For him, this was the fundamental arc of the creative journey, so to speak. Though Larson was specifically discussing cartoonists, his dictum that artistic growth comes from a process of self-exploration is relevant to any and every creative medium. Considering the lonely nature of so many artistic pursuits, this may seem daunting at first, but it ultimately should be a comfort to emerging artists, who should seek to develop the tools they need to succeed, rather than hoping to be given them.

Gary Larson's Simple Reassurance Should Be Encouraging To Emerging Artists

Time + Effort = Progress

Gary Larson suggests that every day is an opportunity for an artist to get better incrementally, or to take a great leap forward. However it happens, as long as an artist carves out time to practice their craft...then time is on their side.

"We simply draw better with time," Gary Larson added, summing up his thoughts on creative progress. From this, writers and musicians, and all artists can extrapolate some reassurance, that they have everything it takes to become great with time. For creative types, time is often considered the enemy – but in truth, it is the essential, unchanging variable that every artist needs to learn to embrace if they want to fully realize their ambitions. Of course, it is not just time, but a consistent, dedicated effort, and an unwillingness to quit over time, which produces results.

In other words, Gary Larson suggests that every day is an opportunity for an artist to get better incrementally, or to take a great leap forward. However it happens, as long as an artist carves out time to practice their craft – whether it is sitting down to write for five hours, or five minutes, or even just thinking about writing in the shower, or on the drive to work – then time is on their side. It is only those that let themselves get discouraged that are in danger of "losing" time.

The Far Side's Creator On The Role Of In His Creative Process

Gary Larson In The Driver's Seat

Of course, many artists will question what role – from mentors, from peers, and from irers of their work and critics alike – should play in creative growth, if it is to be considered primarily an internal process. Gary Larson's answer to this question: not much. Certainly, this might be the most contested aspect of Larson's artistic advice, as well as the most variable from person to person. For cartoonists, at least, and for Larson in particular, had little bearing on his work.

As Gary Larson explained in The Complete Far Side Volume Two:

There's editorial , of course, but mostly at the beginning; after you've moved on from your learner's permit to your license, editors make friendly, calm suggestions as you head down the road. It's only once in awhile that they will actually scream and lunge for the wheel.

Saturated with the author's trademark humor, this age emphasizes the fact that Larson largely worked in isolation. If anything, taking into what his readers liked about The Far Side – or worse, what they didn't like about The Far Side – would have likely spoiled the entire project. Instead, Larson kept doing what he was doing, and over time, both his humor and his illustration evolved, though it never lapsed in its essentially "Larsonian" nature.

Frustration And Dissatisfaction Were Essential Part Of Artistic Growth

The Far Side's Gary Larson & Restless Creativity

Gary Larson's advice is valuable to the extent that it should encourage artists to believe in themselves, and to dedicate themselves to finding their own unique style, as Larson did with The Far Side.

For any emerging artist currently feeling frustrated with their creative output, rest assured, this is actually a good sign. Creative people are, by their nature, a restless bunch; case in point, Gary Larson, who was literally restless in the sense that he spent his nights drinking coffee and drawing The Far Side. In truth, frustration and dissatisfaction are what fuels the engine that drives creative improvement. For Larson, this was a matter of drawing and redrawing a cartoon all night, swapping out one funny caption for one that was hopefully funnier.

In the end, it is matter of not succumbing to frustration, and of not letting restlessness keep one from writing, that leads to any measure of success. This is, without a doubt, easier said than done – but one needs look no further than Gary Larson to find a potent example. While cartooning was not Larson's first choice of career, it became his profession, and his legacy, because he identified a skill he already had and committed to working at it with unwavering determination.

For emerging artists, it is important to look to predecessors like Gary Larson for perspective – but as the creator of The Far Side himself declared, this is no substitute for learning more about themselves, and their art, through the process of doing the work. Sitting down at the page, or with guitar in hand, and finding what comes out of that. Gary Larson's advice is valuable to the extent that it should encourage artists to believe in themselves, and to dedicate themselves to finding their own unique style, as Larson did with The Far Side.