Character Sketches

My beautiful mother is turning 70 next month. I can’t believe it. I was hoping to have the book that I’m working on completed for her birthday. It’s about her devilish childhood antics; unfortunately,  I am nowhere near done with the book SINCE I’M ALSO WORKING ON TWO OTHERS AT THE SAME TIME AND THREE COMMISSIONED PAINTINGS because I have no time management skills. Here is one of the failed character sketches of my mom as a lil’ stinker. It’s not devious enough. The one I’m actually using will not be unveiled until my mom sees it. Hopefully,  I’ll have a painting of it ready for her birthday!

Long Overdue

How I spend the majority of my time, give or take a few extra cats and dogs.

 

Hi! It’s been far too long since I’ve posted to this ol’ blog. A lot has happened.

 

I am still working for a veterinarian, and I love it. I have lots of adorable and also some gross stories that I will publish at some point. Also, I am still finishing up my next round of children’s books. I have them written, but I’m completing the illustrations and being extremely picky about them. I am also working on a book for adults that may or may not be picked up by a publisher I’ve been talking to.  That’s all I will say about that, because I don’t know if it will really happen or if I’m talented enough.

 

Other things that you should know include:

 

1. My bra tried to murder me yesterday. The underwire popped out and stabbed my boob and armpit all day long, but we were traveling to house calls, so all I could do was wrap the wire in bandage tape and hope for the best. Last I heard, I survived the attack.
2. We’re having a blizzard here in Bethlehem today, and my dogs can’t figure out if they love it or hate it, so I’ve been getting up to let them out, then right back in, since 8 this morning.
3. I have one commissioned art project in the works right now. It’s for three individual pieces for one client. I’m happy for the snow day so I can make some progress.

That’s it for now. Enjoy this mysterious shot of one of my book’s illustrations.

 

You’re intrigued.

 

 

HEART HEART HEART

I am geeking out over here. First of all, the Moravian Book Shop in Bethlehem, PA is carrying my books. They have been wonderful, supportive, and fantastic from my first book signing event and beyond. Second, they are now selling my Little L dolls/pillows. Third, OMG my books are on the same display table as a Neil Gaiman book!!!!! I mean, I know Neil Gaiman didn’t select my book to go there or anything, but the fact that a book I wrote is anywhere near one of his books physically in an actual store has made my day/week/year/life. I am so excited. It may be silly, but too bad, because here I am, drinking too much coffee, typing about this display table, and texting this same photo to all my friends. WOWEE!  WOOHOO!  XOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXO

Pictured: OMG.

Book Sales and other Problems

Book sales have fallen off for both of my books in the last six weeks or so, so I currently look like this:

That’s an upgrade from this:

But still not ideal. I am happy and excited about my current job, (which is working with a house call veterinarian as a tech in training). It’s pretty awesome, and I actually could not be happier. Now that I am not a full-time artist, however, I have been having trouble organizing my time so that I can work on marketing, and even creating. I know I will find the right balance soon, but in the meantime, my face is making faces of self-doubt. Ah, the sensitive demeanor of the artist. What a bunch of jerks.

Let me tell you about my new job though. I’ve been at it for about two months now, and it is fantastic. I work with wonderful people, and I get to see cats and dogs all day. Can you imagine?? It’s great. So great. Oh man, I hug so many cats and dogs every day. And then I come home and hug MY cats and dogs all night!  Yessssssssssssssssssssssss.

Buy my books:

This one

And this one

 

 

 

 

 

 

Super Models

This morning, I was brainstorming new ways to promote my first two books, Little L and Little L and the Monster Under the Bed. I didn’t have any ideas, but I sure did have fun taking pictures of my cats underneath the pillows I made to accompany the books.

 

Writing and Crying

I wasn’t sure what to write about today, so I chose to discuss my writer’s block. It’s not really writer’s block, it’s more like illustrator’s block…draw-er’s block? The book I’m working on has been written for quite some time. I’m at the point where I have begun the illustrations. The problem is that this book is different than the Little L books in that it is emotional and a little sad. I don’t want to get into the story here, because I have not yet released the book . But though it is a sweet story geared toward children, it covers a more serious subject than runaway imaginations or monsters under the bed. Every time I sit down to draw the pictures for it, I get emotional (because I am a wimp). I am too sensitive for my own good sometimes. I have used this illustration in my blog before, but here is a reminder of the kind of person I am:

 

Actual photo.

Anyone out there experience this kind of shenanigans when working on a creative project?

Writing, Painting, Hugging Animals

Hello!

Life sure has been busy lately; I have recently started training to be a vet tech! I also have continued writing and promoting the Little L series of books, and I have a secret project up my sleeve that I can’t talk about yet.

First, let’s talk about working as a vet tech: it is wonderful. I can’t really express how excited I am to have finally found a job in which I am not only helping animals every day, but am also learning new and important skills. Plus I get to wear scrubs, which is great because then I can make up imaginary names for myself like  Nurse MeowMeow or Dr. Puppy Paws, M.D.

Second, while I have been promoting the Little L series, I admit that I must get back on track with getting myself out there for events and book signings. As spring gets closer, I will surely find some new events to attend.

Third…the secret project: I can’t talk about it.

I hope you are all enjoying this early spring and today’s rainy, cozy day. Here’s a picture of one of my dogs misunderstanding how flying works.

Close Enough.

 

 

Pictures of Yourself Online

I was sending ridiculous photos back and forth with a friend on Facebook this morning, and while searching for “ugly vampire” to add to my arsenal, I found a picture that gave me pause. I thought, “WHOA! is that me?!” I think is is:

I guess someone took this photo before my morning coffee.

In other news, today I strive to get past my fear of failure regarding my two books in the works, and I will complete one sketch and begin the edits to the next Little L book and I will probably look like the photo above when I am finished. HOORAY! XO

Hangin’ out

Right now, I am procrastinating because I have to walk my dogs and it is cold out. I like the cold, but today I am using it as an excuse to procrastinate. I am also avoiding writing and drawing. I finished the first draft of the next book in the Little L series, but it doesn’t wow me. I have to stay away from it for a day or two and go back. As for drawing- I am working on another project that is very dear to me and the drawings, in my mind, must be magnificent. Therefore, I have put so much pressure on myself to make these magical drawings that I have scared myself away from my desk and paper and pencils. I will get there eventually, but in the meantime, I will do lots of laundry and cleaning and other things that are good to do while hiding from my creative work for a bit. I will walk my dogs, too, but only after dressing them up in sweaters and taking lots of pictures of them, then petting all my cats so they don’t feel left out.

Dramatic Reenactment.

The Creativity Conundrum

I have been struggling lately with the question of my career future. Here’s my problem: when I had a vintage clothing store, that was my “thing.” It was lucrative (until it wasn’t), and it was tangible. It was easy to see that I was doing and accomplishing things on a daily basis. Then I closed my shop, and went back to my other love: art and writing. A full-time job in itself, but with uncertain monetary reward and no real schedule. I fill the monetary gap with part-time work. And the truth is, I work just as hard and as many hours as I did when I had a shop. But the money isn’t there. No one is pressuring me to make more money, mind you. When you work independently and create for your job, you tend to have a full 24 hour day jam-packed with things that need to get done. You need to complete that drawing, submit that image, deliver that fabric, redesign that layout, figure out how the hell to promote yourself in the world to sell more/get recognized/make money. And the problem comes in when I start to question my priorities. I feel guilty when someone says “hey, can you do XYZ with me” and I have to decline because I am damn busy…but I can’t put into words what I’m busy with on the spot. I know that I can’t possibly fit another thing onto my schedule or my head will explode…but I can’t properly express it. And it’s not like I’m getting rich here, so how important can my job be?  But intellectually, I know it’s important. I know that outside my work, I also have family, a million animals that need caring for every day, a house, my own life and well-being to worry about, and so on and so forth.  So my head is spinning. I am a ball of stress and I almost feel as though I am starting out all over again, right out of school. It’s a tough position to be in. I’m doing what I love, but questioning myself every step of the way. I am so lucky to be in a position to do this right now, yet I feel guilty and unsure of my path. The Creativity Conundrum. I think it comes from growing up in a society where your accomplishments should equal wealth/children/status. I don’t go for any of those things in my life. And I sometimes fall into a pattern of worrying that outsiders looking in might think I’m lazy/unambitious/a dreamer. I’ve said the following to my friends before and I don’t mean to brag, but: I have over 23 followers on this blog 😉 If any of you have similar issues, please weigh in and tell me about it! In the meantime, here’s some good news… the first copies of my new book arrived today, and they look great. What a relief!