PROBABLY BRAVE. already.

The tricky part about being an artist. 

is that life looks different 

every day. 

I am without a completely expected schedule.
Which I love. and am also terrified of.

The amazing part about being an artist.

is that life looks different 

every day.




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look. I snuck a picture of me teaching a night class. this cracked me up.

I always say
I wish I was a little more comfortable.
I dont mean living in a castle.

(I think I would be slightly afraid people were hiding in other rooms that I couldnt see.)

but I would like to just relax a little more. Less leaping from project to project.

just a little more comfortable. 

EXCEPT. 

when I was talking to my friend who had a giant amazing music hit recently. after a lot of hard work.

I realized. 

What crazyamazingthing has ever happened as the result of - being comfortable. 

Am I redundant? Do I say this all the time? Am I going to take the honey sample from the bee keeper EVERY time at the Farmers Market?

Yes. 

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And


I sort of beg for discomfort. I am a walking target. 

*I found myself in a graphic novel. not mine. Madeline L'Engle's--- A Wrinkle in Time. by Hope Larson. 

I say these sort of things a lot because I have to remind myself a lot. 

*

*

Because I want to be brave. 

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I am brave. 

I am. 

shhhhh.



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My dad told me that being brave isnt not being afraid. 

It is being afraid. 

and doing it anyway. 

AND I DO THAT A LOT. 

I have the afraid part down you guys.
but thank goodness I also have the DRIVE THERE ANYWAY part down.


.........


Sometimes that is where my illustrations come from. ok. Let me be honest.

I saw myself in the mirror a couple weeks ago. and I realized. um.

where my characters come from... maybe





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AND WITH THAT.

Let's move.

braveheart style
( which I watched again recently and is really a lot of intense gore. Whew)



....



not a lot is scarier than a blank start.
and
not a lot has more amazing possible potential than a blank start.







lots going on at once right now.

but one cool project I am doing is interior and exterior design for a new restaurant/bar.


Foo Dog.


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Sneak Peek at the 30 foot sign going across the front of the building. 

Think Chinese Zodiac Animals. 

dragons like tea.  and also breathing fire. 

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Side note:

a different project...

LOOK AT THIS INSANITY. im aware. 

im really very aware especially because it is very late. and 

my reality.

............

..................



It is good to be a little scared.



only if you do it anyways.



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LOVE IS still KIND

A while ago I posted this:

And I am posting it again today because VA is for LOVERS. 

and for a second, that was challenged. 

Thank God though. 

Truth is still truth. 

and love is kind. 

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I love holidays. It is no secret. 

and it is because I love days that feel different and more exciting. 

I DONT CARE WHY REALLY. 

In elementary school, it was field day. Happiest day on the planet. 

In college, it was... a lot of days. 

And, any holiday where children write you things. Is probably a smart one. 

HAPPY VALENTINES TO EVERYONE. 

EVERY ONE. 

who can love whoever they want. 

because

One day, if it hasnt already, something big will happen that makes you realize it isnt all carnations and rainbows. 

It is serious. 

Love, I mean. 

and I take it back. IT IS ALL CARNATIONS AND RAINBOWS. 

and I dont care who knows it. 

This reminds me of another illustration. 

so. go outside and just be nice to people. 

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They will feel badly at some point. and kindness goes in some sort of bank. so you can reach in and find it later and remember that things will never be completely terrible. 

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I apologize now that these are all recycled illustrations. but that means I am saving the earth. 

so in conclusion. heres more, about love: 

Happy. Valentines. Day. 

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It feels different than it looks.... i think.