Dragons that sing. and other big projects.

__________

I thought life was crazy a week ago.

my sister came by and offered to wear this costume while I worked on the back. 

slight resistance for one second and then she knew she had to.

It just looks really great out of context. 

when I saw her working and tolerating it. as if it wasnt on her head. 

__________

This dragon is for the Virginia Rep production of Shrek! The Musical. 

see. she's nice.


___________________________________



and sometimes when you turn your pieces in... they are needed immediately.
to make the day weirder. better.

just working backstage.

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but then there was THIS week. 

and I was on a ladder last night at 1 am thinking... will it always feel like I am in art school?

Yes.

Is that so bad?  

No. 

creative jobs mean working at weird times and with weird bursts of fuel. 

Coffee. 

Friends. 

Music. 

I dont know. I need everything. 

Because I am spent. 

roommates set up camp. hilarious. and necessary.


they said they could hear the waves.





early stages.

Insomnia results in neat things though.

subjective. maybe. yes.

but for me, my best things are when I am at my extreme limit.

and at that point. I always make something new. or insane.

and I am glad I felt like a truck hit me. 

photo credit- Becca Hankins.

And it may sound dramatic. BECAUSE IT IS. 

photo credit- Becca Hankins.

 

photo credit- Becca Hankins.

photo credit- Becca Hankins.

I am working on a restaurant mural. And people tap on the glass at night. and the later it gets the creepier that gets. 

It is amazing how creepy a thumbs up can be at 2 am. 

once your vision adjusts and you see it. 

horror. 

who would have guessed. 

also not the most comforting imagery.

I know I am the one to blame. but still.

eek.

_______________

Also. when you are working in a new establishment, they don't always have working restrooms yet. 

Just saying. 

And while I am being honest. 

The best way to make it through. is the Aladdin Pandora Station. 

it always is. 

I cannot fight it. 

and I don't want to 

Im too tired. 

__________________________________________

Cant wait to show the final interior of the restaurant. which wont be long. because the deadline is chasing me like a lion. like a creepy scary Foo Dog. lion/ wolf creature. 

hmmmm 

last night I had a granola bar and a piece of cheese for dinner.

______________________________________________

Carry. the heck. on.

I thought three days this week were Monday.

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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.




___________________________________________

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. 

________________________________________

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. 

________________________________________

I am brave. 

I am. 

shhhhh.



____________________________________________

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





___________________________________________




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.


__________________________________________

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. 

____________________________________________________________________

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.



_________________________________________________________________

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. 

_____________________________________________________________________

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. 

_________________________________________________________

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. 

___________________________________________________________

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.