I am the Queen.

Well, where to begin... lots has happened over the holidays. Procrastination, accomplishments, friendships were lost, relationships were started... among other things. And oh yeah.. it's New Year's Eve! It's been a little hectic.

For starters, I was Queen of Sales again last week in my unit for Mary Kay. Go me! I sold over $700! Unfortunately, meeting was canceled last week because of the bad weather and we were able to celebrate.. bummer. But that's ok... I'll just be queen again soon!

I have some doodles I was working on at my art show this past Final Friday. It's Wonder Woman. She's not finished yet, but as soon as she is, I'll scan her in and get her up here. I do, however, have a drawing of Hawkgirl. I started her a while ago, but had to stop because of my freelance load, so I finally finished her this past week. Here she is:




(And just for the record, the scanner does my drawings NO justice in the shading department.)

So I think February will be my last month at the Pendleton now, not January. I'll be out of town the last week of January, and I want to be there for my last month. I'll keep you posted with any details.

That's all for now, back to work...

Ol' Blue Eyes... Sorta

So today was one of those days where I was obligated to do nothing. That doesn't happen.. hardly ever. I did the Jingle Bell Run this morning and then went to lunch with my mom, sister and aunt. After that, I had nothing to do. It was so weird.. I was so perplexed.

When I got home, I had the urge to paint. And old Frankie boy has been sketched out on my canvas for months now. So, in hopes of having him ready for Final Friday, and not to mention that I need some new artwork for me (most of the artwork I do is commission work and therefore, I don't get to keep the originals), I decided to just suck it up, and get painting.

Here's my progress so far:

Obviously his face isn't done yet, but I got a pretty good start on it today. I'll keep you updated on the progress!

Sweet Satisfaction

2 portraits.. done! Here they are!

The Gordon House
9 x 12 Graphite on Bristol board



The Groves House
9 x 12 Graphite on Bristol board
Yay me! I'm still waiting on confirmation from my contact for the Groves house so they can be sent to the printers. They are being made into Christmas cards.

I feel a great sense of accomplishment!

Turning Points

Great news! I've been asked back to Fat Shannon's for another art show! So I think I'm going to have it in March. The last time I was there was back in April and I just wasn't happy with the amount of pieces I had there. There just weren't enough. Drew, a friend of mine who also has art shows there, has a TON of pieces. So, I decided to get the ball rolling and get working on some new pieces.

My friend Marley is also going to have some work of hers there too! We've decided to collaborate and have a show together. It'll be good exposure for her too. She's in DAAP, for fashion design; she's amazing at what she does. It blows my mind.

I'm going to get smaller prints made of my 24 x 36 oil paintings of the Hollywood Stars project I'm doing. Hopefully - that can get pretty pricey. I'm also working on a few art nouveau pieces.

I've also decided to go into a different direction with my large size old Hollywood movie stars project. I like what I have done, but I feel that if they were a little bit more stylized, they'd be a bigger hit. So I've got a new angle in mind. I'm not sure if it's going to work, but I've got faith. I can't wait to get some done and get them out there! I can't wait to see people's reaction. I might save them for the art show in March.

I've also decided to stop showing at the Pendleton. If all goes to plan, the Final Friday of January will be my last month there. It was a good run, but it's starting to get a little expensive. Especially when I haven't sold anything there. It's good exposure, but it's time to focus on bigger and better things. Like my greeting cards. I may finally be able to get the thing copyrighted and trademarked. Wish me luck!

My parents have talked to the owners of this cute little shop in Mt. Orab, Ohio and they've agreed to carry my greeting card line when I'm ready. So I've gotta get on it! Until I can get it copyrighted, maybe I can just focus on some artwork I already have done, shrink it down to fit on a greeting card. By golly that's it!!! I'm so doing it.... maybe I can get it done before Christmas.... no! no! no! I've already got enough to do!

Here's a doodle I've been working on when I get a little bored.. lol. It's not done, but this is kind of the road I want to go down with my art nouveau project.

Proud Mary, Keep On Burnin'

Yesterday was an absolutely amazing day. It was a day that made me proud to be who I am and do what I do.

In the Pink Bubble: I interviewed 2 ladies, and for once, it didn't bother me that they didn't sign. I mean, I don't need them. It happened for a reason. I had a 6 person skin care class and sold my first roll up bag, not to mention it was around a $500 class. And I got quite a few second appointments scheduled with the guests. BIG deal.

I finished that painting up - of the CEO and the COO. And I just wasn't completely happy with the end result but I couldn't look at it any longer. I stared at it for too long and I just couldn't work on it any more. So I did what small changes I could and sealed it with a protectant. I loaded it up in my car and prayed. Prayed that she'd love it even though I wasn't happy with my work.

Well, I met up with her and she loved it. Thank God. It was a great project for the experience, but I'm glad it's off my plate - it was causing me a lot of stress, because I knew it was important that it looked like the actual people. So check that off my list! Done!

I had drinks with my parents last night; that was fun. And then I saw Twilight! For the second time! I was going to go again tonight, but I don't think I'm going to. I just have so much to do before I leave for vacation on Wednesday and I'm going to my parents for dinner. I asked my mom to make my favorite meal for dinner - she did - and I don't want to seem rude and rush through it just so I can see the movie I've already seen twice this weekend. Bummer, but it's not the end of the world.

Now I've got 2 house portraits to do before Christmas. So hopefully I bust through those, and I mean fast.

Work? Well, sure!! I love it!

I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. And I can't thank anyone but Denise, my director. Last week was pretty hectic. I was busting my butt trying to get 10 appointments on my calendar for Mary Kay, trying to start/finish 4 freelance projects, working my 9-5:30 day job and all the while having issues with my friends, especially the best of my friends. It was rough.

I sat down with Denise last Tuesday and just let it out. It felt so good. Finally, someone to open up to. We talked about many things; life, my best friend, my job. Specifically, my Mary Kay business. It turns out, I was working my business like a full time business. Holy crap! No wonder I was exhausted! I already have a full time job.. I don't need another one on top of it!

So I spent the rest of the week just being steady with my life and it suited me just fine. Go me :)

Next up: Freelance World

Ugh. Let me just start off with that. This painting is kicking my butt big time. It's a painting of the CEO and the COO of a local construction company. The one guy looks ok, but the other looks all wrong. Like a muppet, if I had to get specific. ;) It's due by Saturday afternoon. Which is no big deal, but I have to work on it MORE tonight to get it to look like him so it'll dry in enough time. Oil paints... take... forever.... to dry...
I'd post a picture to get feedback, but frankly I'm too embarrassed! When it's done I'll post it up.

In the middle of all this, I decided to take on 3 more freelance projects. What was I thinking? Someone better stop me next year before I say yes too many times. I'd like to spend my Thanksgiving vacation not working.. but apparently, subconsciencely I like to work over vacation.

It's not that I don't like working- I mean I guess you technically wouldn't call it work for me. It's drawing, so I like it. But I like to have some down time where I can just relax for a few days.. as everyone surely does.

So the projects I have are a logo design and 2 house portraits, one of those will be shrunk down into Christmas cards. So those have to be sent out sometime. Good thing the printing company I use has a 24 hour turn around. Thank you OvernightPrints.com! I'll get them done... as I always do. I've noticed that I work better under pressure anyway :)



This past weekend was my friend Mary's wedding. It was sooo beautiful! Her affianced blog is on my list of blogs (to the right). Check it out; she has some fun entries. Her wedding was Wizard of Oz themed; she even had red shoes!! She also had a little photo booth in the back with Wizard of Oz props and a polaroid camera for her photo guest book. I've included a picture of my good friend Captain and I rockin out to AC DC (I think...).


A fabulous time was had by all! We both made some new friends and had plenty of free beer (Thank you Mary & Chad!) Congrats to them!! They are on their honeymoon right now.. I'm so jealous.

Anyway- 5:30 is just right around the corner. Time to go to the gym and work off those couple Reese's Peanut Butter cups I had earlier.....

Weekend getaway

Do you ever have those days when you're just down? When nothing seems to go right, everyone seems to be avoiding you and you just can't get that smile on your face. You mope around the house, looking for chocolate, waiting for someone to text you, just to give you something to do to keep the bad mood off your brain. Well, that was my night tonight. I don't know what did it, but something just brought me down from the clouds.

So I started to paint to get my frustration out. It did help for a bit. I got pretty far on the commission piece I'm working on of the CEO and the COO of a construction company to be hung in the front lobby of the business. It's turning out ok, it'll be my first full color oil painting of people. This is definitely an adventure for me. A learning experience.

It's 1:13 in the morning and I need to go to bed. I have a big day tomorrow. I took the day off work to go down to Bowling Green KY for Shaw Area Advance. It's a Mary Kay thing. Pam Shaw is our national so myself and a bunch of others in my unit are road trippin' it down to BG tomorrow afternoon. I can't wait; I love to be in the space of these women. Very positive. No backstabbing. It's awesome. So hopefully while I sleep tonight, my bad mood will get wiped off my slate and tomorrow it'll all be better. I'll be coming back late Saturday night, so it'll be a nice weekend trip.

It definitely felt good to write this all out. My cat isn't exactly the best listener.

Catwoman: She has class!

As many of you know, I am a huge Catwoman fan. For those of you who don't know me that well- take a look at my page- she's everywhere. And being an artist as well, I admire all those who attempt to portray Catwoman in their own personal, artistic way. Catwoman is a hard woman to draw. I'm not talking about who has the talent to do it and who does not. I'm talking about who can illustrate her personality and her true nature through a simple drawing. What's really behind the cat- her feelings, her sense of style, her thoughts about her 2 lives; living the high society life by day and pouncing from building top to building top, robbing jewelry stores by night. Feminine but not a feminist. Keeping her feelings locked up but at the same time wearing them on her sleeve. I mean, who can really portray Catwoman?? There's few who can. A few well known artists can, one being Adam Hughes. I guess the point that I'm trying to make here is this: Catwoman may be a foxy little sex kitten in the bedroom- but she certainly does not boast about it or flaunt it! So those of you who feel the need to draw Catwoman in the nude, being pleasured with a dildo or having wild lesbian sex with Supergirl or Batgirl- good God what is wrong with you?!? She's just as sexy with her skin tight catsuit on! If you're looking for examples of what I'm talking about- here's the link: Comic Art Fans So for your viewing pleasure, I've included a quick sketch, (sexy, but not sexual), I did of Catwoman earlier.


"People who hate cats will come back as mice in their next life." -Faith Resnick

If you could live forever, what do you live for?

It's done! This one was for Erin, my best friend. It was her birthday present. It's a few months late, but at least it's done! Phew!

This is Bella and Edward from the Twilight saga. This is a pretty popular picture. But Erin loved it, so I decided to draw it for her.

It probably took me about 5 hours all together from start to finish. I worked on it at a couple Final Fridays, and I got a really good response from people passing through. They like to watch an 'artist' in action.

Anyway, onto the next project......

A little crazy

::Sigh::

That's the first time I've been able to really breath all day. Or week, for that matter. It's been absolutely insane. Parts of this weekend kinda sucked. Not to mention Monday was the worst day I've had in a longgg while. Not only was I stuck at work from 9am- 7:30pm, but I had a bunch of interviews for Mary Kay cancel on me. That was frustrating. So I pushed through it and went home, went to bed and started over the next day.

Tuesday was a little better. Even though my guest couldn't come to my Mary Kay success meeting that night, I took it as a nice break. I could just relax at meeting and catch up with some of my unit members. Denise and I were able to talk about some things that I’ve been meaning to talk to her about. But something happened last night that gave me hope. It was small and maybe nothing that anybody noticed but it put a smile on my face.

I was given the opportunity to stand up in front of everyone at meeting and present our guests to everyone. As I was standing up there in front of everyone, asking the guests questions, I could see myself in the brown director suit. I could see myself leading my own unit and leading my own success meetings. I want it so bad, but I know it’s going to take some time. I’m ok with that.

Later that evening, I was talking with Denise and I told her about that vision I saw of my as a director. She told me she got chills. I love her, she’s just an amazing, motivated women.

I can’t wait to show people that I succeeded at this endeavor of my life.

We’ll see how it goes.. who knows what the future holds for me. When I’m old and gray, and I look back on my life, I’ll know that everything that happened was supposed to happen. For some reason or another. He’s got a plan for everything.

I Draw Pictures All Day

Ok, I saw this picture yesterday and I had to share! I think it's hilarious!!! It's from Asylum.com - great website, hilarious pictures and good articles. Check it out.

So GREAT news! I recently have taken a new position at my job! I was on the Design Team before, as a product designer for Hershey's, Reese's, Star Wars and many other licensed accounts. It was fun, I've learned a lot. But by the time the project got to me, I was only able to do so much with it. Not much freedom to get creative with it.

Now, I'm on the Creative Team as a Creative Assistant. I'll be brainstorming new ideas and products from the very start. I can't wait- I have a brainstorm at 10 this morning.. man am I ready and rearing to go!! I've got my pad of paper and my pencil! I can literally say now, "I draw pictures all day."
It's going to be so much fun! I can't wait to really get started! Yay me! :)

All I'm asking for is a little respect

Last night, I was making phone calls for Mary Kay, booking new customers. I had 13 names to call, and even though I was tired and the couch looked so comfy, I sat at my desk and called every one of those names. I could tell my discipline was starting to kick in. I got a lot of answering machines, but I got 4 new bookings and that’s enough to put a smile on my face.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being involved with Mary Kay, and ultimately, just great parenting on my mom and dad’s part, it’s to respect people. And to treat them as I would like to be treated. Thankfully, Mary Kay Ash founded her company on the Golden Rule, and she also taught us that our lives should be in this order: Faith first, Family second, Career third. A week or so ago, I was making more booking calls, and 2 girls scheduled facials with me. I had them booked, and I told them how every thing would play out. When I called to confirm with them, they never picked up. Their facials are this week, and still no word. It’s just rude that they would choose to ignore my phone call and messages. It will not hurt my feelings if they decided to cancel. But please let me know, so I can open that time slot back up for someone who is more willing.

I wish more people had respect today. Whatever happened to treating people with courtesy and kindness? I make sure I do that every single day of my life, and you know what? It makes me happy to make other people happy. At the end of the day, I think back at my actions throughout the day. It makes me smile to know that I made someone else smile that day. If you have a positive outlook on life, I truly believe that it feeds into your everyday life and actions. You become like the 5 people you hang around, so choose them wisely. So if you’re hanging around cynic, pessimistic people all the time, you yourself will become cynic and pessimistic. But if you have a positive attitude and demeanor, one day, it’ll feed into the people around you.

Most people that know me, know that I can’t stand when someone doesn’t RSVP to an invite to something. I recently was invited to a party, that asked for an RSVP- regrets only. Well, the invite got lost in the jumble of papers on my counter, and I had forgotten all about it. I couldn’t make it to the party and I didn’t RSVP. I have to apologize to her, because it was wrong of me to not reply. No matter the reason. It’s plain common courtesy to RSVP or just give people the respect they deserve.

I’ve preached, hollered, and screamed about this stuff a thousand times over. Unfortunately the only way people will start to act on common courtesy and respect others is if you yourself set an example. That is what I do. Try to set examples for others, so that someday they’ll see that it’s just plain common courtesy to respect others and treat them how you want to be treated.

The point I’m trying to make is that, while making my booking calls last night, 2 of the women I had called, and left messages for called me back, like I had kindly asked them to. I couldn’t have been happier. They took the time out of their night to take a chance, call me back and book a facial with me. And I will take care of them and their skin, no matter if they buy from me or not. I finally had an ‘ah-ha!’ moment and realized, that this business is not about me. It’s not about the money. It’s about giving confidence to women who may not have it. It’s giving hope to women who cannot find it. It’s giving them a reason to become independent and have a way to reach their dreams. Whatever your goals may be, shoot for the moon, if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.

Remember, you were born an original. Don’t die a copy!

Final Friday

Wow. Do I have a headache. From the moment I got up I had a headache. Not to mention I got up late, so that doesn't help anything. I've been rushing around since 8:00. But I wasn't late to work, so that's good. I've got to leave early to go to the ATM, then to pick some kind of sweet treat for the food table, pick up my drawing stuff that I forgot at home and get down to the Pendleton- in 30 minutes. It's going to be rush central. My head just throbbed thinking about it.

So yeah, Final Friday tonight. I've recently gotten into the habit of taking my latest drawing with me and working on it while sitting in the studio. It's a win-win situation. I get a few hours to do nothing but work and people like the whole 'demonstration' thing.

My latest piece is a pencil drawing of Bella and Edward, the 2 main characters from the Twilight Saga book series. It's a birthday present for my best friend. It's a good thing she's patient.. her birthday was in July! She's just happy that's her present in the first place. But as soon as it's done I will be putting it up here for your viewing pleasure!

Until next time...

Corporate America

I just read an article about how a mob laid-off workers in India killed their CEO. Let that sink in for a minute. Can you believe how horrible people are sometimes? I mean, I know you lost your job, maybe the CEO was an ass, but that's NO reason to kill him! I was laid off back in February. It sucked, but at the same time, I was happy after I realized that it was all for a reason. I wasn't being creative enough and I was only staying there because of the people. I saw that this was exactly what I needed; some much needed time off and a new beginning.

With those 4 weeks off, I utilized my time well. I sent out lots of resumes, I did a lot of freelance work and I slept in.. a lot :) The 4th week of unemployment, I got hired on at the first place I sent my resume to and interviewed. But before I knew that would happen, I actually decided to walk down a completely different road in my life as well. I decided to say yes to the Mary Kay opportunity. I had the opportunity offered to me a few times and I declined politely every time, claiming I was 'too busy' to do that. What I've learned is that busy people will ALWAYS be busy. I love to be busy. When I said 'no' the first time, I was just as busy as when I said 'yes' the 4th time she asked me. And that was about 4 months later. Being busy is perfect for having a career with Mary Kay. You have many circles of people to build your business with. Not many people realize this. You fit Mary Kay in your life where you can.

Reading that article today about the murdered CEO, getting laid off at my job without any warning and not to mention the nightmares I have about corporate America just confirms that a career with Mary Kay is something I see in my future. That will give me the freedom to stay at home and do my artwork. Not to mention that Mary Kay is one of the 3 recession-proof industries in the world. The other 2 are alcohol/cigarettes and entertainment. Women will always wash their face and put some sort of makeup on. Did you know that in the 80's, when there was a huge recession in the economy, Mary Kay was at its peak. It was actually doing wonderfully well in an economy that was failing. Mary Kay Ash started the company in the 60's as a wig company. When she realized that wigs were not recession proof, at least not as recession proof as cosmetics, she starting selling makeup. And so we have Mary Kay Cosmetics today, 45 years later.

I know that in my future, even though I have a Graphic Design degree, I want to pursue my career with Mary Kay. I will be driving that pink Cadillac someday and I won't have to worry about making sure I have enough money for rent this month.

I can have a career in my art. That I know will happen. Someday I'll get my big break and have artwork hanging in a restaurant or my own gallery and hopefully that's what I'll be known for. It's my passion and I'll do whatever it takes to get it out there. Short term sacrifices for long term success.

Crossing another one off...

So the big day has come and gone... Leah and David's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful. Hot, but beautiful. It was outside. Everyone loved my invites that I did, and I even got my own call-out in the program!
Life is busy as ever. Got a few more freelance projects done. One big one in particular. The others were just small favor-like projects. Here's the one I did for my cousin in Columbus. She works at Scott's Company and this was for one of her co-workers that was leaving the company. He worked in the insect division, if you couldn't tell...

Final Friday is this Friday, it may be one of the last ones I have. It's getting a little expensive unfortunately, but that's ok. I'll find somewhere else to show! Anyway, just checking in for now... I'll be back soon!

Lastest commission work

This is my latest commission work. John Wayne. This is an 11x14 pencil drawing. It was for my dad's boss' birthday. We gave it to him this past Saturday... he loved it! Jay (my dad's boss) was in the same fraternity as John Wayne. Obviously not at the same time, but you know what I mean! So he's a huge John Wayne fan.

A little scare

Sunday night, I was on the way home from dinner when I got a call from a friend of mine. Turns out, one of my best guy friends had broke his neck on Friday night. He dove head first into the shallow end of a pool. Another friend, Bob, noticed he didn't come up from the water. He started to float. Bob jumped in after him and drug him out, he wasn't breathing. He proceeded to give him CPR. Thankfully he started breathing and they took him to the hospital. After 7 grueling hours of surgery and a couple days in the hospital, he's ok and coming home tonight. I love Nick to pieces, and to hear something like that about one of your close friends is so frightening. I cried when I heard. Cried when I thought about it and cried when I told my mom. Apparently, if he'd broken his neck in any other place, he'd be paralyzed. Thank God he's not.

I'm moving in about a month! I can't wait. Unfortunately, the ultimate reason is to be closer to work, but at least I'll also be closer to my friends and night life.

Procrastination has set in again. I was supposed to paint last night, and I didn't. I sat on my leopard chair and starting reading my new book. I was pretty tired though, so I passed out until about midnight.

Leah's wedding invites are done- they should be getting delivered to me on Wednesday. Woo hoo!

That's all I have to report at the moment.

I did it!

I'm so happy with myself. I said I was going to sit my butt down and finish Leah's wedding invites and I did. I got them done and sent out to the printer yesterday. I feel so accomplished. It's such a great feeling know that they are off my plate. Well, for the most part anyway, I still have to approve the proof they'll send me and still type up the return address in the correct font for the envelopes.. but that's hardly anything compared to the actual invitation! Yay me, I'm starting to kick procrastination in the butt.

Tuesday night, at my weekly Mary Kay meeting, we discussed goal setting. I can't tell you how much this helped me. Like I said, I have that small little problem called procrastination. When I'm at my meetings, and I'm surrounded by such awesome and positive women, it just gets me all fired up to get my goals accomplished and get out there and do what makes me happy. So I've started a new thing. I've got a post-it note taped up at my desk that reads: "Goals for today" and underneath that I write what my goals are for that day. They are usually small for now, but that's what I'm most comfortable with. I did it yesterday and I did what my post-it note said. I accomplished my goals for yesterday.

I did another thing yesterday that I was proud of. I slept with my windows in my bedroom open. This was a huge feat for me. I have a pretty big fear of uncovered , open windows at night. Ever since I was a kid, I had this fear. I always felt like someone was outside pointing a gun at me. Funny thing: My Grandpa who was in WWII and my uncle who was in Vietnam have the same fear. They have a reason to have it, they were in a war with lots of guns! But I've never been remotely close to something like that... so I looked it up and it's called genetic memory. It when the fears of someone in a family get passed down through the heredity genes and clings to someone else. Pretty interesting. Every time I walk by an uncovered window at night, I get chills, tense my body up and brace myself for the pain of a bullet. So as soon as it gets even remotely dark out and I can't see out there, all the windows and doors get shut and covered up. Believe me, I'd like to keep the windows open at night, but I can't help it. But last night, I slept with my windows open and I slept so good. I woke up in a great mood today. I'm going to do it again tonight, but that doesn't mean I'm over my fear!!

I did have a dream last night that woke me up at 4:30 am. It was a very disturbing dream. In my dream, I was sitting on a ledge of a skyscraper. Happy as anything, just enjoying the day, taking a break from work. I was surrounded by sky scrapers and huge, tall buildings; corporate America. They were everywhere. I started to look more closely at these buildings and I noticed that there were men in business suits standing on the ledges of every building. At first I just thought they were out there enjoying the day as well, but no sooner than that thought crossed my mind did they start jumping. Grown men, corporate men all dressed in their suits and ties and briefcases, were falling all around me. All of them jumping to their deaths. Some with families at home, some single. They all just started jumping and plummeting to the sidewalks below. I woke up, my arms and legs were numb and tingly, I had a horrible sinking feeling in my chest and I couldn't fall back asleep easily at all. I haven't had a disturbing dream like that in a while. Uck..

Oh, and my hair isn't purple anymore. All brown and normal...

Before things get a little fuzzy....

When you're 23 years old and on the verge of becoming a workaholic, life can get a little hectic at times. Unfortunately, in the case of having so much going on, the brain starts relying on a planner to help keep it all organized, thus leaving the memory to do much less remembering on its own.

And while I consider this to be one of the best times of my life, I'd like to remember it too, which, consequently is why I'm starting this blog. Just in case things start to get a little fuzzy down the road...

Well, I had another Final Friday come and go this weekend. It was steady for the most part, always a little slow at the beginning. Still haven't sold anything there, which is ok, I never plan to. I don't like to depend on that anyway. A friend of mine put this whole Final Friday thing in perspective for me on Friday. He asked me how much it cost to rent out the wall space I have in the studio. Now, keep in mind, these rooms are NOT cheap. They cost a pretty penny even for a small one, about the size of a bathroom. My two 4'x8' spaces run for $75 a month. Unfortunately, the only time anyone sees my work, is on Final Fridays, from 6-10pm, one day a month. To which he replied, "So you're basically paying $75 for one day?" And that got me thinking... when you break it down in black and white.. that's basically what it is. So I have to make the decision to stay there after a year or leave. I love it, but it is $75 dollars for one day. And the way the economy is going now, I know I can be putting that money to, for lack of better words, more useful things. On the other hand though, this is the only studio space I have. Other than the wine room at Dutch's in Hyde Park. And I really like having my art work out there for people to see. Any suggestions???

I've started Frank Sinatra. He's all sketched out on the canvas. Now I just need to add paint! I'd like to get him done before the next Final Friday. But with the amount of freelance work I have on my plate- I'm not sure how well that'll play out.

Leah's wedding invitations are in the works now. I've started looking at fonts and picking pantones. I've already got quotes from a printer. Now the hard part.. actually sitting down and executing it. I've got such a problem with procrastination. I know how good it feels to actually sit down and do a project, get it done and off my plate. It's wonderful. But for some reason, I can't get myself to do it all the time. I'll find one little obstacle in the project and that's what will hold me back. For example, the background design on Leah's invites... I can't decide how I want it to look and what will be the easiest (and by that I mean, what will take the least amount of time) way to get the daisies on there. Should I paint them? Draw them? Colored pencil? So it's a Monday today.. and I'm going to the gym (yet another thing I've recently decided to fit back into my hellish busy life of 4 jobs and occasional social time) after work and tonight, after all is said and done, I'm sitting my ass down and working on Leah's invites.

Leah was my very first best friend. We met when we were 4. Through our lives, we've been through many an argument, been through many changes, and I'm flattered after 19 years of friendship and differences, she still wanted me to design her wedding invitations. Now the wedding is 9 weeks away! I've got to get these things done!!! I can't disappoint her!

I had a huge Mary Kay sale this weekend too.. and if i wasn't busy enough already. It went well. Got a lot of sales and I'm happy!

Now at some point... I have to update the way my blog looks... which got me to thinking... I think i want to change my logo... again. I've got a good idea... maybe it's time for a new look... oh Lord.. here comes another thing to put on my plate....