An Hour to Spare - Should I work and can I squeeze in a quick nap?

Seriously, after an exhausting day being creative at work it is soooo hard to get enthusiastic about being creative at home - even if it's just for an hour.  Sometimes I can muster the umph to sit down and "play" but sometimes it's all I can do to just stay awake.   If I can remember that when I do muster the umph and I do begin to do the art I love so dearly I usually find that other world that not only takes me to another place but all the energy I've lost during the day comes flooding back.  Isn't it wonderful?
I did check off another thing on my "2-Do" list.  I found some great portfolio books at a local art store and I put together my "Design" book.... I also did a lot of set-up work for a "Cards" portfolio book... the big nut seems to be the "Illustration" book.  For that I have to get serious... and stay awake!

The Artist's Way ... Julia Cameron

I am reading The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and thought I would share some of her "rules."  BTW - a great book.  I started it almost 20 years ago and couldn't get into it.   It's been sitting by my bedside all this time waiting for me to pick it up once again.  Some would say that I wasn't "ready" before and now I am.

don't forget design!

I have started looking at my portfolios, beginning with the one I work with the most - my graphic design work.  I work in graphic design everyday, have collected a very large sampling of it all and yet I have not put it together cohesively, to show.  SO, with that said I now have an on-line portfolio with a sampling of my samples.  I learned how to slideshow in a blog and kept it very simple so as to highlight the work.

Take a peek: 

www.cathyparkerbreese.blogspot.com

new order

I reordered my "2-Do" list once again... After watching some kiddy shows this past weekend I became enthused with my original idea of doing some motion work with a children's story. It brings me back to the list of all the things I have to learn and all the steps involved in finishing the stories and illustrations I began, what seems like so long ago. If felt a little like I was cleaning out a cluttered closet....Consolidated some of the list and then re-ordered the priorities to put the motion idea back at the top of my list.  It's great to feel redirected, refocused and enthused again. 

surviving a christmas card...

This year's Christmas card (which has a more involved design than what is shown above) took me a great deal longer than I had thought it would or really that it should, BUT it began with the concept of moving one step closer to the writing and illustrating of a children's book.  I wanted to do a complete project using some of the concepts and lessons I have learned so far. The poem woke me up one night and from there it all became a delightful, deeply involving project. After I completed the card and mailed them all out, I tried (in vain so far) to put the card to motion, in both Flash and AfterEffects.  I actually did both but I still haven't figured out how to make it look good on the internet.  My idea was to present the card, in motion here on the blog.  I haven't given up yet, but to be honest I can't figure out what I have done wrong.  The file "renders" either too large (way too large) or the graphics just aren't very crisp.  Even though this hasn't worked, the process of taking time each day to write, illustrate, design, and then to learn some Flash and AfterEffects has been great.   Inch by inch, I love the learning process and just imagining what I could do next!   By next Christmas I hope to have the "motion" idea down pat. 

Hour by hour this already has been such a great journey so far.

One Christmas Check off

It's done! The Christmas card is ready!  Printing & mailing this week!  One more project crossed off this list. 
HOUR TO SPARE note: 
It worked particularly well this year with my card.  Of course to be honest, in the beginning, I didn't spend one hour each night in any disciplined manner.... more like 3 hours one night and then none for three nights - then 12 hours all in one day!  But the putting together & tweaking was done in hour spurts and that was what pulled it all together.   Once I get them out in the mail I include the drawings in the blog!
Merry Christmas!  (in case I don't get anything posted before then.)
Ho-Ho-Ho!

inching along...

Hour by hour, inch by inch I am working my way down the list.  My newest (and really, my oldest) lesson has been time and the time we think each project will involve.  Because of the calendar (December & Christmas) I moved my Christmas card up the list and, of course, that has taken much, much more time than I planned.  In fact, yesterday I spent the day (almost 12 full hours) doing the final sketches and color work on my card.  I am going to include one of the drawings here and will put all of it up after I can get the cards in the mail.  I came up with an ambitious idea (my usual dilemma) and now feel compelled to get it done.  Anyway, here's a glimpse.  I am heading back to hour by hour (maybe I can get this finished within the next hour!)