Staying Positive 2

"Do not think negatively about it (sketches). If it is not as satisfying a start as you would have liked, do not be critical--that is where you are--face it. Just turn the page and start another. All those faculties that are required to make a more satisfying sketch are being awakened--even now--as you search for a new subject and begin to sketch. No one in the universe would have drawn it quite like you. If you think you would like to do better make another, and another, and another. Keep the first ones. Watch the growth of your facility and your interest. " ~Walt Stanchfield, Drawn to Life Volume 1, pg 34.

So since my last update I have been working 2 non-art jobs. Both are just part time, but it pays the bills, especially since my sister and I inherited more after my mom passed. It's exhausting sometimes but I'm starting to feel much more motivated lately. I like working at my first job because it's just busy work with my hands, and my mind is free to wander. I've come up with more stories and ideas while working there than I ever did in college. It does get frustrating when I can't really stop to get it down as much as I would like to. And I've always enjoyed working at the Cafe so that's fun too.

I joined a gym last week. It's a good rate and when my brain is tired at the end of the day and it would be counter productive to make myself do artwork, I'll go there and work on my health instead. I'm feeling better about myself already. I'm trying to eat healthier too, but that's more difficult than I thought it would be....it's girl scout cookie season....

All my free time is going to a comic that will be published in April or May by Cellar Door Comics. It will be part of an anthology of many people's works, including my great friend Laurissa's. Mine is 18 pages long, and I'm really excited....and nervous because it seems that April is just around the corner. And it's the perfect reason to get my butt in gear and work on comics as much as I can. And it's good practice to see what kind of techniques I'd like to work on.

And when I'm not doing any of that, I'm going to try to read more art books and tutorials and pretty much study all the time. When I get bored with something, I'll just pick up something else more productive.

So pretty much, I'm working really hard and loving it. And the little time that I'm not working, I'm usually hanging out with my seester and my roommate. It's been great. I recently found out that my roommate and I are interested in Ghost Hunters and I'm glad I have someone to watch them with! And my seester is my best friend and I don't know what I would do without her. The three of us are planning on a road trip through Texas and New Orleans and Miami... kinda hunting for a new place to move to....ideally someplace warm.

As comfortable as I am and how great I feel right now though, I still have a hard time with most other people. I don't really want to be around them and I get frustrated very easily. Very. My birthday is coming up and I know my sister went through this too (and I didn't quite get it at the time) but it's not really a time to celebrate....the day my mom gave birth to me... It just feels wrong somehow, and it's frustrating when other people start pushing a celebration on me. I think it's nice but I just don't know how gracefully I can handle the pressure I'm feeling. So I'd rather just back away and have other people understand and leave me alone.

Anyways,
"Someone said "Change will keep the balance sheets in order" or something like that. We are not talking change for the sake of change--but for improvement--for expanding the consciousness, for an ever fresh and open-minded attitude to your piece of the universe" ~Walt Stanchfield. Drawn to Life Volume 1. pg 32