to do lists forever-long

So it turns out I am a terrible blogger. 5 months since my last entry? Terrible. And I can sit here and say I'll get better, but let's be serious... that hasn't happened so far. So, until it does I'll just continue and let the bloggys come as they do.

So, five months in a paragraph or so? Let's give it a shot...

Completed a theater set for a friend from college for the play The Importance of Being Earnest with a friend from work. What a blast! A sitting room set and a garden set both on one stage split by a wall on wheels. Had lots of help from the crew kids and Mikey and Kristen too.

I also just finished a backdrop for the production the school put on this spring, Les Miserables. Was not as pleased with this piece as the last. A backdrop of a Parisian cityscape, 34ft x 8ft in 3 weeks in a 3ft wide alley-way space on stage while the kids are acting = not ideal. However, I'd do another piece for them in a second.

Besides that, I bought a Mac and I love it. I'm applying to Disney for an internship and am just working on finishing up my portfolio before they start posting the positions. Am working on two tattoo designs and a logo design for friends, and am still working on Stephs mural, which is going along pretty well (when I actually get the time to go over and work on it at least).

New things on my list of projects: re-do my studio space... or at least clean it out. I'd love some new lighting, and to get organized since its such a small space. I need a table to set my palette on instead of keeping it on my drafting table, because I would love to actually use that for, ya know... drawing. And I NEED to take photos of all my paintings so I can figure out which ones I want to sell and which to keep.

I also need to finish these designs for my friends because once they're done, I'll have more time to work on my own pieces for shows and other things! So... blog logo for Joe, angel tattoo for Jen, cross tattoo for Matt. Plus, editing my portfolio for Disney. And maybe submitting a design or two to threadless for some possible T-shirt publication. Oh yea... and a children's book. I've developed a concept for a series of children's book directed toward kids around 7-10yrs old about different cities around the world.

Lately I've been very into cooking, which my boyfriend seems to like. I made him prosciutto and parmesan rolled chicken last night, which seemed to be a hit. Maybe I should start painting food? Food and shoes? Food, shoes, and italy? ::brainstutter::

I guess that's it? My biggest goal lately is the Disney internship. And the children's book, too.

stuffy nose

well, consider me a crappy blogger. hopefully ill start keeping up with this better... im just not good with routine. boo.

so lately, its been mostly work work work, plus some sweet set designing for kristen. its coming along pretty well, minus a minor setback this weekend of me being sick and having to drag my ass from panel to panel trying to make trees look like trees. besides that, a side project here and there. loving the new season of the Office, most especially the wedding episode (i'm a sap, blah blah, i know), making new friends, getting closer with old friends... life has been busy. too busy to put into a brief blog entry.

the art show i had a chance of snagging this month escaped my grasp before i could snag it, but it looks promising for the future. the Art Guy at milkboy coffee (a coffeehouse/recording studio/venue/art gallery) said to keep in touch and we'll set something up for 2010. woo!!

lately ive been very into reading graphic novels. i love them, i think they are so fun and easy to read. plus, it amazes me how much of a story these artists/authors can fit into one panel or page. awesome. i need to find some new ones to read. so far, ive read:

Blankets
Carnet de Voyage
French Milk
Persepolis
Maus

if anyone has some suggestions, please let me know!

oh, and my breaktime hobby at work is a blast. after i finish my lunch, i do a quick, 20 minute ink sketch on a 4"x5" piece of cardstock, then give it away. ill start selling them eventually i guess, but mostly its just to practice and excersize my hand and eye. yayyy pen and ink!

and i almost forgot!! i sold a drawing!! one of my drawings on etsy.com sold to a man in austin, tx. yay!!! i was so excited, but i almost forgot!! now everyone go and see my things and buy them :) AmyKitz yay!!

i wish i had more fun things to say, but my head feels like its stuffed with feltballs and i can barely think.

Watermelon and Hot Dogs

So my goals have not been going exactlyyyy as I hoped. Actually... not at all. I've only drawn a handful of times, and painted even less. And tomorrow won't be any better, as I'm having my second surfing lesson all afternoon after work (woo!). But Tuesday!! Tuesday is art day. After I get my oil changed. But then!! Art!!

So I talked to my dad and we're gonna start making a real effort at turning my basement corner into a studio. Yay! That means shelving for still life set-ups, racks (or something similar) for storing, moving around the furniture and supplies... anything to turn my 8 x 11 foot space into a workable studio space. I'm not moving out anytime soon, so I might as well make the best of it.

So the more and more I think about it, the more and more I want to do a painting a day instead of a drawing (my indecisiveness may be the death of me). I sketch enough here and there, and draw everydayyy at work which is SO fun. I need more color and more paint in my life. And although the title of this page unfortunately has nothing to do with art (I ate watermelon today, and will be eating delicious hot dogs on Wednesday), I now REALLY want to paint both of those. Maybe tuesday. But even if I don't complete a small painting a day, I at least want to make progress on bigger works I may be working on.

Success!

I painted today! For like 3 hours, which is very exciting. I almostttt finished Dave and Lil's wedding/shoe portrait. I'm starting to get used to my makeshift studio space in my basement. I shouldn't be so picky... it's free, it's at home, there's a sink and a fridge, and when I get really frustrated I can go upstairs and have my mom talk me out of wiping everything down. It works for now.

Things I have that make it feel like a studio:
- iPod dock
- cabinets full of blank/do-over-able canvases
- shelving and some storage

Things I need in order to make it feel more like a studio:
- a table like in Arcadias studio that I can sit my palette and stuff on so I can clear off my drafting table finally
- a tea kettle
- a new location for my cats litter box (it stinks awful)
- a new layout
- higher ceilings (obviously can't happen in my basement, but one can wish)
- paint. i am running dangerously low.

And until I find an affordable space to work in, this will do.

Photos of Dave and Lils painting will be up soon!

More of my Slackerdom

Day two of my goal not going well. Spent a day at the beach instead of drawing or painting. BUT... I read an art book on the beach!! If you have never read Art and Fear, please do so. One of my favessss.


So I mentioned before about losing our golden retriever. Well now I have a question for the probably small audience who may read this. Our 3 year old beagle seems to be dealing with some doggie depression now that hes lost his buddy, and we don't quite know how to help. Does anyone have any wise words of advice on this matter, because it certainly breaks my little heart to see this pup so sad.


Now... on a happy note :) It is currently 4 AM and I am getting ready for work. While this may not seem happy to you, it means I did not oversleep like I did on monday and I won't be 45 minutes late for work. Also, the day I spent at the beach yesterday was with my siblings and my 17 yr old brothers friends. I think its a great day when you realize you and your brothers and sisters are finally all close enough where you can hang out for a day and not want to fight like 5 year olds.

And since I did no creating today (yesterday?? we'll just say Tuesday), then today I must do double. (Note to self... blogs at 4AM ramble... avoid this in the future...) Time for some coffee!

New Goal

One drawing per day (non-work related) and one painting or large drawing per week. That is my new goal. And considering that it is monday, the beginning of the week, that is what I will work on after this.


So I'm pretty bummy today, and have been pretty much all weekend, aside from a few good times here and there. We had to put our 11yr old golden retriever/yellow lab, Jack, to sleep on Friday. Our whole family was and still is devasted, to say the least. We had never lost a pet til now, and even though I always knew it would be really hard, this REALLY sucks. Well 11 years of the best dog ever is better than none.


So on a happy note (because who wants to end a bloggity post on that), I had the most delicious watermelon today with lunch. Mikey brought half in and we ate a ridiculous amount of it. Then before I went home today I bought one for my fam, which we will hopefully enjoy after dinner tonight. Summer fruits are definitely the best.

slacker

okok I knowwww... I have been a terrible slacker. I don't think I have updated this little guy in ages. But that is all going to change! Promise. This is for a number of reasons, the main one being i need to stop being so lazy and be more proactive. And I can owe much of this to a recent coffeedate I had with a few good friends from school who graduated the year after I did, and who I outwardly admit I wish had graduated with. You can actually check out her fun little blog and I think you'll be amused by miss JanaBailey .


Aside from that, I made a little page to start selling old/new drawings and paintings. Again, proactive. So go buy some and make me smile .


Another life update I'm fairly sure I left you out on is my new, fun, exciting employment since last year. I got a job as a Sign Artist at Trader Joe's in North Wales. I work with 2 other very talented and fun artists at the store, and the three of us do the display boards and shelf signs for the store. So, if you're ever around North Wales, or even if you're not, some stop by, check out our art, sample some food, and see if you can find Ollie the Orca.

Anyway, i'll be back soon. Promise!