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Project list 2014

It's never too early to start thinking about what's next.

Last year I made a handmade a hardback book in a rounded spine---completely printed with my entire year's worth of fiction. And I painted a very nice painting for a critique partner. That's really it-- outisde of a couple of tiny little water colors.

With my change in work load, I've decided to schedule in more time to make. I have plenty of material to make more books, but have had no time at all to write. So, I'm not sure where I might be going with that this year. I know I should be going to illustration--and maybe I will.

But for sure, the first project of 2014 will be resin jewelry. Based on art work. This is a little similar to the tiny books I made--only more toxic. Less hands on. But expect this to appear in January. And felt flowers. I want to make some felt flowers.

One last project

At the last possible moment, I decided to squeeze in one last project before school starts.

Over the summer I wrote a chapter for the Baker of Benviue, made a couple of field painting, and did a lot of reading. It didn't seem enough, not tangible enough for all those weeks, so I made a book out of all my work from last year at Pittstate.

It's really nice. My Dad asks how many did I make? Ah, just the one. But I could make more. I have everything but the paper and the time. It would be better to make more while the process is fresh in my mind--and speaking of that--I really ought to make some notes on what I had to do differently. Software was the big challenege on this one. Programs that used to play nice together weren't even speaking this project. It was frustrating because I wasted a lot of time rebuilding files and reinstalling programs --none of which was ultimatly going to solve the issue.

But that's the way projects go sometimes. I was extremely lucky that it didn't cost me the book. I very happily managed to make a perfect one despite several close calls.

With that done, I went to the University and finished up all my paperwork for the GA. It's done and official. I'm hired. My tuition has been waived. All I have to do is buy books, buy some clothes, and figure out how to manage the household and classes on less time.

 

The End of Summer

Yes, the end is in sight.

Even with just a month left before things get unbelievably busy, I still feel like making one last project. Something completed and in hand by the end of August.

Oh, the choices!

A painting--something traditional in my watercolor style.

A printed handbound book-- a small (simply) illustrated edition of my stories from last semester--with author's notes. (Ambitious)

Some felt dolls--well, in truth the kids are chomping at the bit for this one. Probably doesn't exactly count.

A set of hand made digital brushes for map making--on my list for a year now.

A custom set of stamps to go with my new business cards.

I've actually managed to write two chapters for the Baker of Benviue this summer. I let people read the manuscript as is--the opinion: Finish it. Two chapters is really nothing, both on my writing outline anyway. But the good news there, it has lead to a twist in the plot that was not on my wiriting plan (which has all but expired to be truthful.) Can't beat that. Pure awesomeness. Now to get around to writing it. I don't have a lot of hope for that while in school and with a job too, but the writing center does NANOWRIMO, so I might find myself with the occassion to work on it.

In other thoughts, microlancing opportunities are jumping into my way at every turn. I could easily get some work right now. For some reason, businesses are starting up content sites with no content and are looking for that content on a micro, risk free business model. I could have more work than I can do--all on spec.

I don't know though. Somebody asked the real question--do I want to be a hard working freelancer for spec work--or do I want to make some real money? Because the real money is never in spec. Never. Plus, I'm selling out my fellow illustrators by taking work on a business model that no self employed illustrator can live on.

However, all this has nothing to do with my real reasons for needing to find a project. I've got to find something to fill that space between new things and old things. Otherwise that restlessness is going to make me really unhappy. So we'll see.

 

 

 

March 1st

Spring! I hear song birds this morning. Of course, I don't know what they were--yet--I do plan to learn at least a few birds by their song. So I am going to guess, meadow lark. I hear a blue jay right know. And I pretty much know the cardinal. Anyway--spring is coming.

Winter wasn't bad at all this year. Maybe just about right for a Southerner living in the Midwest. Really, the thing I miss the most is a wrap around porch. What is this ridiculous deck business? A poor man's porch added on at the last minute like a fire escape or something. Maybe someday I'll have something good and proper--more like when I am old and live alone in a tiny house somewhere. At least I've got hope to see it before I die.

So. My schedule is clear. What should I do? Yard work is going to pick up here in a month. I'll be starting the indoor greenhouse in April. I need to order some plants--potatoes and strawberries.

But what about artistic pursuit? Well. I have just one more story and I am done with creative writing. I have enjoyed it. And I have no idea where to go next. This next story I write--I'm going to take a risk. We'll see where that might lead me. Right into a ditch probably--but maybe not. It might be just the thing.

Still, I want to do something tangible. I'd really like to have another hardbound book made. I keep thinking maybe some of my classmates might want to buy one of their own work. I don't think I could take less than 150.00 for one. They take real time and precision to make, but they are beyond beautiful when they are done. And that's without illustration. Price goes up to 500.00 for that kind of work, and two months production time minimum.

I think though, rather than starting on Tangelina--which I am seriously thinking of rewriting--I might just just work on that book instead. But on the other hand, I need to keep practicng my painting--well, we'll see.

Here and Gone

It's always a shocking thing to get a print off a digital painting--for me anyway. As a designer I often don't get to see the finished products and sometimes only in photographs.

A canvas print then, is a special treat. It lacks the brushstrokes of a real painting--which is always half the fun when you go to a museum. But for 2013 and they way we have had to adapt art making to commercial purposes, a canvas print isn't bad. I can't help but love them.

But it's shocking too. It took me a day or two to get over the shock, but only ten minutes before I was gleefully snapping pictures for Facebook--remember, I could hardly stand the waiting. Worse than Christmas as a kid.

And, it's already out of my studio. Off to the library for exhibition. I missed it when I came in and it wasn't there--for the last few days I've been pondering it, turning it around in the light, looking up close and far away. Yes, yes, surely for flaws and things I would change, but it is not the whole of the experience for me certainly.

I had a dream this morning that instead of boxing up this painting as a gift, I was trying to box up a model of a sailing ship--something like a spanish galleon, but less elaborate. I was distressed because couldn't get the whole thing to fit in the box. This is a very simplistic dream symbol--but it is correct in every way. Not a bit of insight to it--unless you think the fact I had to take the masts and sail down and lay them on top means anything in particular. Or that I was a bit concerned the recipient had to put it back together again without my guidance.

It's funny, in that desperate sort of way most artists are at heart.

 

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Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter.
Oscar Wilde