Another Friday check-in

One of my resolutions for 2009 was to spend more time in my studio, but my administrative task to-do list has required some attention as well. Last week I spent part of one of my studio days visiting the friendly folks at Brick Tudor Studio, (the guys who created my lovely website) getting a tutorial on how to make modifications to my website myself. If you visit my website you will notice that nothing has changed. Sang made it look so easy, but after reviewing the step-by-step notes i was given, I’m more than a little intimidated. We (and I use that term loosely) also updated the webpress version of this blog. I’ve been thinking about changing the look, personalizing it a bit and adding some of those widget and plug-in doohickeys but the version I’d been using was too old and outdated to support such changes. So now I’m using the latest version but again, you’ll notice my blog looks the same as it always has. Is this an example of two steps forward, one step back? Sigh.
Other administrative tasks have been vying for my attention as well…applications mostly, some of which almost completed and ready to mail. I habitually apply for things because you never know and because rejection letters keep one humble. They are also fun to paste on studio walls.
But, true to my resolution, I have spent time in my studio working on a print associated with the sketch I posted a few blog entries back. Here it is so far. The color is a bit off in this image…too blue…I guess calibrating my monitor should be placed on the to-do list as well.

Sow's ears and silk purses

Recently I purchased a stack of used flat files from an admirable young man. He is a fellow member of the Seattle Print Arts group, and he has a knack for finding used flat files which he then resells using the proceeds to fund trips to New Orleans to help with post-Katrina demolition, (jeez, do I feel lazy). For several months I would email him immediately after seeing his ‘for sale’ posting in the SPA newsletter but, as he told me later, I was always the second person to contact him. grrr. My luck changed in late December and I’m now the proud owner of this used flat file, (it’s the big grey thing under the gaudy dollhouse):

It’s banged up a bit, it has dried up tape stuck to the outside, but the drawers work fairly well and the inside is clean. And it was relatively cheap. Where to put it had me flummoxed. My studio, at 100 square feet, is too small. My bedroom, the next option, has the space but putting it there required negotiating the flat files up a flight of stairs and around a corner. Too difficult. So I decided on the living room. Enough space, easy to install, but there is a definate clash with the decor. The room now has an artsy, bohemian feel, no? And the flat files are barely noticable under the dollhouse, right?
I spent the morning filling the drawers with print editions and paper, freeing up shelf space in my tiny studio. The rest of the day I continued working on the print i referred to in my last post. (Meant to be a simple little print but I have made it difficult.) Tonight, I will sharpen tools.

Friday check-in

With a to-do list a mile long, yesterday I returned to my studio. I need my lists, otherwise everything in my head demands immediate attention and nothing gets done. With a nicely prioritized list I’m able to accomplish at least a little something. So today I paid my business taxes, (omg, e-filing makes it SO easy!) and I continued working on blocks associated with the pencil sketch below.

A lot of people have “a drawing a day” blogs, (go ahead, google it, you’ll see). Oh, to be so disciplined. Here and here are two I like.

Local girl hits it big!

I love Molly’s editoons! And look, now she’s going to be famous!

1 January 2009

I love the new year. Not all the partying and hubbub of new years eve, (really, why would anyone want to start a fresh new year with a blazing hangover?) no, what I like is 365 days spread out before me like a big, blank piece of paper; the unknown; the possibility; the opportunity. Below are (some of) my new year goals. I love lists and have twenty or so more that I wrote down upon waking this first day of this new year.
My new year goals:

Make more art

Read more

Have more fun

Happy New Year!