Spaces

Pasadena was stupendous. For real. It was nice to actually get a chance to hang out with my classmates in a non-war-zone sort of environment. And to get to know them when they have had enough sleep. (Also? Illustrators know how to party.) We met super wonderful artists, explored the city and many museums (including my first trip to the Getty) and went to Disneyland. In all, a very good time. I had my first critique, which went very well, which was a great boost to my self-esteem. I officially have no reason to doubt my spot in the program. Even the toughest critic in the program had nice things to say, which meant an awful lot coming from him.

And, now I'm back. And, of course, back to the planning. Our lovely friend is our planner, which is SUCH a help. I honestly dove in and got way over my head already. It's such a relief to have someone who knows what they're doing.

We're trying to find a space now. We have a few in mind:

1. The Story Inn. We love this place. It's gorgeous, in the middle of beautiful woods and it will be so pretty when the leaves change. The only issues are the catering is hella expensive, and there is no backup space if the weather is crappy. I guess you can get a tent, but tents, bleargh. I am not such a fan. It really vibes with the sort of non-traditional space that I am looking for, and I think we could have a fun, low-key wedding there.

2. The IMA. Apparently the revamped IMA has this great space that is all glassed-in, so we could get the effect of being outdoors without actually having to be outdoors. I have no idea how much it is, but our planner suggested it. I'll have to take a look at it before deciding anything further. The art museum vibe may or may not be what I am going for. Might be too formal and modern, but I won't judge until we see it in person.

3. The Fountain Square Theater. I know this place rocks and the rental expense is hella cheap. Like, shockingly cheap! I am sure that the price of catering makes up for that. We're expecting probably around 100 people and so the place would not seem empty with that kind of guest list. It's the option that offers nothing in the way of an outside space in which to witness nature, BUT we could always have the ceremony somewhere else outside, and not necessarily inside the theater, and then just dance and drink and such there. They put your names on the marquee, which just rocks.

So I guess, informal and laid-back in the woods, modern and artsy in the museum, or funky and fun in the theater? Decisions...

Prepare to be wedding-ized

Well, I re-vamped the blog just a little bit, because I plan on updating more. Like now! Shocking. Prepare for me to talk a lot about wedding stuff. It's just going to happen.

I think we might have set a date. 10.10.10. How frickin' cool? It's a Sunday but we get all kinds of crazy breaks on stuff because of that. And, out of town people have to take off a day anyway to come, so it might as well be Monday instead of Friday. The space we want has all weekends free, so awesome. I better book it soon, though. It's not as horrifyingly expensive as I thought it was going to be. Yet. I already like the fact that they feature a lot of local foods and I know we're going to do local beers and wines. Because really, I thought about the beer first. Why not?

Now I just gotta get up there and check it out. So glad to have family around that can do it for me in the meantime...

I'm heading off to Pasadena tomorrow. I better get everything done before I go! Still so much to do...and yet I got distracted by wedding stuff. The coordinator finally emailed me today, which is why I got distracted. But now, NO MORE! I can look at wedding stuff on the plane.

oops

Well, I promised a post back in, uhhh....July? Oops. It's now October. Lots and lots has happened.

Grad school is going smashingly. I'm loving it lots. Making lots of friends and doing good work. I'm about to go to Pasadena in a little less than a week for our contact period. I am almost ready and not nearly as jangled as I was going in July. And there will be Disneyland!

The biggest news is this past weekend, on Halloween, I got engaged. I am absolutely thrilled. This blog might quickly have more wedding posts than anyone cares to read, though. Fair warning! If I put it all here, I won't torture everyone else with it! So, you're welcome. It was the best engagement I could have asked for. I'm very happy.

Very exciting stuff.

The book is almost done with the first issue. This is MAJOR. We're going to NY to celebrate in December and hand it off to the publisher in person. Only two more to go...yiiikes.

That's all for now!

home again home again

I got back to Savannah day before yesterday. It took all of yesterday (and apparently this morning) for me to get my land legs back. I'm really feeling the last couple of weeks right down to my tired bones.

But it was so worth it.

My first residency of grad school was spectacular. I was so nervous going in, sure that everyone else would be full of confidence and at a skill level that would take me a lifetime to reach. In fact, when I got there, I found that everyone felt this way! I made a lot of really great friends. The first week is basically Art Boot Camp - 12+ hours of class a day, followed by several hours of work at night, followed by inadequate sleep. Repeat. In those conditions, you can't help but bond. It really helped that everyone was so suuportive of each other, and really cheered each other on. It was amazing that people who met literally hours before could form that kind of bond that quickly.

However beaten up and exhausted I felt at the end of those 5 days, it was totally worth it. Our first assignment was to do six rough illustrations for our "dream project". This meant really defining my story and really getting to know the characters post haste. My teacher was a total drill instructor, but it wasn't a bad thing. The second week was a little better, with Children's Book illustration. I did a comic, and at first the teachers were very skeptical, but at the end they really enjoyed the result. The head professor told me how much he enjoyed my work and he thought I was great - I was over the moon.

I just need to figure out a way to keep this enthusiasm!

blerg

I'm suuuuper stressed out right now.

I start school in a few short days and I'm very nervous. I still have a lot to be accomplished, I need to pack, do a bunch of required reading, do sketches, finish up freelance... It doesn't seem like a lot but it does to me. Also, my stupid financial aid keeps getting hung up in stupid places. That's probably what is stressing me out the most. Time and money are running short. I know everything will be just fine once I get there and the financial situation is remedied, as it will be. It's just pretty annoying in the meantime!

I went to Indiana to visit for a couple of weeks. It was a very enjoyable time, although it had its stresses. I always wish that I was three people so I could go do everything I needed to do, and see everything I wanted to see, but alas, I am only one. I did do pretty much everything I wanted, though. There were a few people that I didn't get to see, and that was a bummer, but I'll probably be back sometime this summer.

Too much to think about right now...

worst blogger!

That is me!

I promise, when I don't have a bazillion things to do, I will WRITE A NEW BLOG POST. With content and such. Promise.

Okay?

To do....

Things I'm gonna do today:

1. Search for a great bag pattern to sew a bag for me mum.
2. Ink the robot designs I created last night for the website.
3. Bake peanut butter cookies and figure out what to make with the Indian eggplant I found at the farmer's market in Orlando this past weekend.
4. Cut out pieces for a super-cute dress from bamboo fabric I've had stashed for two years.
5. Laundry (blech).
6. Spend a half hour on the Wii Fit.
7. Watch season 4 of Buffy the Vampire Slayer while eating whatever delicious thing I came up with.
8. Draw some more robots.
9. Stay up past midnight.
10. Dance around.

Yup, this could work for me.

Update on my life: I am "gainfully unemployed". I passed my certification test with flying colors, but the schools aren't hiring so much. I'm going to look into tutoring places and private schools. I'll be fine in the meantime doing what I'm doing. I leave for Indiana for a long visit on Friday. School starts in just over a month (did I mention I got a scholarship? Exciting!) and I'm wrapping up financial aid business. It's good. I've been sleeping really well and feel like my old self again. Today I am wearing an outfit that makes me think of French 1950s musicals. It's a good day!