Sorry for not posting in over a month. School, work and commissions kicked in hard and I suddenly found myself with zero minutes to spare. In fact, I still really don’t have time to be doing this, but if you don’t tell, I won’t! To give you a sampler platter of the monotony, Tuesday, I had a meeting with my Honors Program teacher, for which two papers were due, two major tests, and a project due that, for my sanity, I did not finish. This program is coming an every day thing. Yikes! I had forgotten just how crazy school was.
A picture I took of one of the many buildings on Park’s campus.
Don’t get me wrong - I love stretching my brain. It feels great to be back in school and working towards my bachelors. I hate the unfortunate association with school however. When I had “already graduated” (with my associates, though it was in art), people considered me a professional. Now that they’re learning I’m in school, I’m back to being an “aspiring artist.” It feels like I downgraded; like I was demoted, and put on a pedestal with a dunce hat. Kind of ironic. The hard truth of art is that an artist is always learning. We’re always in school! There’s always something new to pick up, a new medium or technique or program to learn. There’s always a skill to refine. So think of it as Marietta 2.0. I’m getting better every time!
Another picture I took on Park’s campus of one of the many gorgeous trees.
Fortunately, Kaman’s season is over. For now. This season was exhausting, but I’m really going to miss many of my coworkers. I’m hoping we can get together again this winter, and we will if they’d RSVP to the Secret Santa party (cough cough, hint hint!).
The closing Kaman’s Crew on the last day. Courtesy of my manager, Mike.
My winning entry for the Marilyn Manson contest. Last contest of the season.
I also have a hefty collection of commissions on my back. I’m hoping that the majority of my commissioners understand; so far they seem to. I suppose I misjudged this semester and took on too many commissions, but three or four commissions at a time never bothered me before while I was in school.
Commission for a wedding.
Character design commission.
Continued character design commission.
A page for a webcomic commission that was eventually dropped.
Maybe Park is harder?
Despite my business, I have tried to take a little time to enjoy life. My husband and I went for a stroll around our local park a couple of weeks ago, right as the trees were in their best for fall colors. Gorgeous walk!
The lake.
Aaron and I in the park.
We also took time just this weekend to say goodbye to a very close mutual friend of ours, Tony. About three or four years ago, Tony and Aaron met over Vent (if you’re not aware, a very common gaming chat program). They immediately clicked. When Aaron moved out on his home, and even more when we got married and I moved in, we would make regular trips to go get Tony from Atchison, about an hour from where we live. Tony and I also immediately clicked, and, in the end, Tony became one of the closest friends Aaron and I ever had. We would make monthly trips to go get him for three or four days and let him bunk on our futon.
I think one of the hardest things in the world is finding that one friend that really gets you. And even though we technically didn’t know Tony for very long, it felt like a lifetime.
Tony was caught up in a number of layoffs over the past year, and as his roommate brought in his girlfriend and they had a kid together, he felt down on his luck. Aaron and I offered to let Tony move in with us, but he refused, not wanting to be a “burden.” I was actually terribly heartbroken when he said no, and even more so when I found out he had joined the Airforce. He leaves this weekend, and I wanted to send him off the proper way. So we brought him down one last time and surprised him on the last day with a little “Good luck” party.
Aaron serving and Tony in his fake airforce hat that we found him for his goodbye party.
Tony, myself and Aaron.
Goodbye my brother, my friend. Aaron and I wish you the best of luck and, if you don’t keep in touch, I will personally come down to kick your rear.
More pictures from the going away party? Click Here.
However, these sketches should give an idea as to the artistic path I’m looking at. I would like to push the silhouettes a bit more - I think that the bottom two side characters look far too similar.
New Goal: Graduate cum laude or better.
The front room all decorated.
