Nuptuals and lists...

I've been doing so much better this week. SO much better. What a difference positive thinking makes. And less drinking makes. For goodness sakes. Yes. Gee whiz, whoda thunk?

First off, been thinking about the 'ol wedding plans. My mom and I went to a baby shower this past Sunday. It was for her friend Margaret's daughter, Jennifer. Mom and Margaret are great friends since college so our families know each other pretty well. Actually, it was more like a baby "sprinkle" due to the fact that this is Jennifer's second baby, her first is six months already! Only a few people were invited and it was more of a celebration than a gift-giving extravaganza. Anyway, Jennifer is two years older than me and got married 7 years ago. She's a sweet girl, we used to play as kids but have lost touch since we didn't have much in common. For example... She was a happy, peppy, confident blonde cheerleader in highschool...I was a depressed, weird, frizzy haired, insecure dork in highschool. I know we're adults now and things change, but we're still a lot different. Her outgoing, positive leader personality sure comes in handy when planning a wedding though! My mom was DYING for me to talk to her...

"Go over and show Jennifer your ring!"

"Go ask Jennifer what you should do now that you have a date and a place set."

"You should take this opportunity to talk to Jennifer about planning, I got married 40 years ago...I have no idea what I'm doing!"

My mom thinks I should be bursting with enthusiasm. Of course...'cause she's my mom and wants me to be happy. You know how mothers are. They worry. I'm not excited enough...what if inside, I really don't want to get married! Like...like last time! I've reassured her no less than six THOUSAND times that, YES...YES DAMMIT! I WANT TO MARRY RON. I AM EXCITED. I AM JUST OVERWHELMED AND I PROCRASTINATE WHEN I AM ANXIOUS. Eesh. It's almost been a year since we got engaged (Nov 13th) and I still feel good about it. I was engaged to butthead for three weeks before I up and moved the fuck out. C'mon now, mah, you gots nuthin' to worry 'bout. I'm just not the enthusiastic type. I even got fired from a hostess job at a restaurant after three days because I wasn't "enthusiastic enough". Eye-lands...not a good place for me to work. A great job for perky blondes and cutsie brunettes...but not me.

ANYWAY...

Needless to say, I ended up having an in depth conversation with Jennifer. MAN is she ORGANIZED. Holy shit, she made up an itinerary for her bridesmaids and the DJ! She made up an entire BINDER of information and lists! I'm all..."You're hired. H-E-L-P-M-E." She's still got that binder and she's gonna lend it to me. We exchanged email addys and I've already sent her a list of questions. I am doing my homework like a good girl. I've even started sketching the invitation. GO ME! OOooh Ungowa oooh ooh Ungowa! Yes, I've found a truly helpful person this time. Someone who is more organized than I can ever dream of being. I appreciate that 'cause I need to improve my skills in that area. First off, lists are your friends...

And speaking of lists, I did my first art homework assignment given to me by Marguerite during her visit. She asked me to list things I'd like to do with my art. I came up with six things, all having to do with illustration...

1. Children's Books
2. Animal info/anatomy books
3. Custom painting - furniture, walls, windows, etc...
4. Pet portraits
5. Album covers
6. Book covers

My next assignment is to go through each of these things and figure approximately how long it will take me to do a project. Besides a contract, knowing what to charge my client is extremely important. I've had problems with this in the past when I used to paint store windows for the holidays. Rule number one...know what you're doing, or at least act like it at first, 'cause people will take advantage of you. It takes time and energy to produce a quality product, no matter what it is. I have to learn to be somewhat of a professional about this. Shit. A professional?! ME?! Yes...

OH and I made another list of personal art projects that I need to finish.

1. Fairy statue for Lisa... I painted this for her birthday a few years ago. She didn't like one of the colors I used so I agreed to change it. It's been sitting on top of my fridge for two years.

2. Book cover for Lucy... One of the first paid projects I did was an astrological calendar series for this woman I met at my restaurant job. They were for the year 2000 and we didn't get them printed 'til October '99. Lots of little technical problems that weren't thought through enough. Got tons of great illustrations though and we wanna make it into a book. I've sketched a great cover and I just need to ink it!

3. Got an email the other day from a contact I made a few years ago. He'd wanted illustrate a children's book idea he had. I did a few finished and colored drawings to go with his manuscript and he sent it out...but only to about 25 publishers. He wants to try again. I say cool 'cause I've gotten even better at drawing children and I'd like to re-do one of the pictures I did. I always figure, "What the hell?", when it comes to these things. Same with the Lucy project. Just DO shit and get it out there. A portfolio will come together before I know it.

4. Paint the fairy for Zen dear. I'm gonna go get the stuff I need this weekend, I hope. Gotta get started on it!

5. Finish drawing my wedding invitation picture. This one's obvious. Gotta get it done and printed!

Okay, for now I actually have a drawing assignment at work! Gotta do some drawings for my boss to take with him to the show he's doing next week. I did a lovely illustration of 'The Sacred Heart of Jesus' yesterday. I need to scan that sucker in! First I wanna color a copy of it in pencil though. Shit, guess that's item number 6. Better get started... Later!