Wow it has been a super busy week! Here is a quick lowdown on what I've been up to, and now things are returning to normal, I hope to be posting this project daily rather then a lump summary to help get me back on track.
Day 20 - Monday
Went to art class this morning, my final class for painting materials. Was quite disappointed with the class as a whole. Hardly anyone created any work, and considering it was a 10 week class that was supposed to be about experimenting with new artistic materials, I was really surprised that most people had almost nothing. I wonder what the rest of the students actually did for the last 10 weeks??
My assesment was first, I got good feedback and the class ended up finishing early. Thank goodness because I'm so far behind on my exhibition work, client work and everything in between, I'm starting to panic.
Got home, threw myself into my work and started/finished and illustration. Finished my wholesale catalogue (woohoo!!) and tied up a few other loose ends.
Day 21 - Tuesday
The house is looking at me begging to be cleaned, but it just has to wait. Got up early this morning and went straight into illustrating. I've got 2 illustrations that need to be sent off via express post this afternoon. The pressure is on!
Thankfully I got them finished and posted. A bit burnt out from creating, so I was planning on spending the rest of the night on administration work and filing. Plans change though and I decide to get stuck into 2 canvas artworks in progress that need to be posted off on Thursday.
Day 22 - Wednesday
Now I'm struggling. Really struggling. The paintings aren't working for me, and whilst I like how they are progressing they just aren't quite there yet. They have to be finished tonight as I've got to post them out tomorrow. I've also just discovered that my final critique for my whole semester of art study has had a time change. It will now be at 9am instead of 1pm. Damn. I've got to finish off work for that, plus get there early enough to setup all of my work ready to show. Oh, and did I mention I'm sick as well? Why do I always get sick when I've got so much work to do? No time to rest, I just have to keep working!
I'm tired, I'm drained, and the more exhausted I'm getting the harder it is to paint. Both paintings are about 70% finished and not quite progressing the way I want them to.
I took a break to call a client and discuss a potential job. It sounds exciting. However now I'm distracted, and even more stressed. I need to get these pending jobs/exhibition work finished and out the door so I can clear my mind to think of concepts for new work.
Still distracted I called Mr R, just to chat it out, he's as stressed as me (studying to be a teacher & he is on a 3 week prac teaching in a school). Somehow we both came to the decision that we had to stop working and spend the night eating a good meal and just relaxing in front of the TV. Even though we both had so much work and tight deadlines. So we set ourselves a challenge. We had 2 hours to finish all our pending jobs for the night, and then we could relax.
Well, strange enough I finished the two paintings with time to spare. I had no time to think or procrastinate about what I was doing, I just had to paint it out. Paint it out I did, and the magic happened once again. I just love both of the artworks! Even had enough time to coat them multiple times and put hanging implements on them.
Still stressed though about my critique/assesment tomorrow. At least I'll get a good meal into me.
Day 23 - Thursday
Today I was up at 6am, and boy is it cold. I'm so thankful Mr R is here though, we have a really good breakfast and then head out to work/study. I arrived at college early, only one other student was there setting up their work. I missed the rain, so I'm quite pleased with myself and I end up setting up my work in record time - and I can't believe how much work I've got.
So. The critique. I have mixed feelings about it. It took about 30 - 40 minutes. I had three lecturers reviewing my work and discussing it. My work consists of small peices, illustrations, studies and a series of drawings on vintage book covers (as you can see from the photos). The biggest feedback I had was on the figures that I draw on the vintage book pages - they want me to do that. Funny thing is I tried not to do it because I was initially told that it wasn't art. However they want me to do that, but do a bit more of a variety in the figures that I draw, a little more softer in the style, use different mediums (ie things that fade) and to miss out sections/parts so it leaves a bit of mystery to the viewer when they look at it. Interesting. I had 2 other students write down all the feedback for me, which I'm so grateful for.
I still don't know what my final years work is going to be. My graduation show is in less then 6 months time, and I don't like feeling so lost.
I couldn't stay for all the critiques, so I left early and went straight home. I posted out the paintings just in the nick of time, then Niina came over to work. Filled wholesale orders, administration work, sorting and organizing things. Got through so much. Didn't finish until 11pm, and boy am I stuffed.
Day 24 - Friday
This morning I woke up feeling sicker then sick. I haven't been this sick since last year sometime. I woke up with the hint of a migraine, anotherwords I could feel it sitting there just waiting for the attack. (I get a pain going up my neck into the back of my eyes, and struggle to open them or handle any light). I think I'm sick because of all the stress and exhaustion coming out physically. I wish I could stay in bed and rest, this being the first day of my 'holidays' (no studying) but I can't. I've got work to do.
I had to go into college and re-enrol/pay for second semester of my art course. Which just adds to my stress as financially I'm down to a whole $22 across 4 bank accounts. I've been slogged with so many bills, and of course because it is the end of the financial year clients are pushing payments back for jobs I've completed. Which of course drives me crazy as I don't like to chase up payments, but at the same time I desperately need them.
I got into the units I wanted, I'm only at college 3 days next semester - Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, which I'm quite pleased about. I am however a bit worried about time in general, and how much of a balancing act I'm going to have to pull off. Exhibitions, markets, studying, wholesale, products, creating art and of course still having a life! Mr R is just as busy, as he is also in his final stage of his course. So it is going to be an interesting balancing act, but one that is going to create so many incredible experiences and adventures! I can't wait. =)
After enrolling, I got a phone call about an upcoming exhibition I'm participating in at Pigeonhole. I dropped into the shop and picked up a couple of items that I get to customize (paint) for an upcoming auction. I'm so excited and have so many ideas. I was given a bottle and an alarm clock.
By the time I got home though, the migraine kicked in and I was down and out for the rest of the day. My house turned into a cave. I was so sick that I didn't even hear Mr R arrive (he has a noisy motorbike), but once he did he took care of me, cooked me dinner, and tucked me into bed. Awwww.
Day 27 - Monday
A new day, a new week. It is funny that I think of myself on holidays at the moment, even though I'm not on holidays from my job. Just my studying. The great thing is I've finished most of my exhibition work and my urgent client work which allows me to really get stuck into my job and I'm so looking forward to it.
First thing though is to work on this time issue that I've been having. Which means bringing some organization back into this house. Cleaning, decluttering and sorting. So I'm putting everything else on hold for a few days whilst I take a quick break and bring this chaos of a house into order.
Day 28
The house is fighting me. Honestly. I've been going through the entire house room by room, cupboard by cupboard and asking a simple question. "Do I need this?" If I answer yes, it either stays in that spot or moves to where it should go. If I answer no, it gets put aside to be sold/thrown/given away. No maybes allowed.
Well, wow. What can I say. For one woman, who is only 27 years old, I have bought/hoarded a lot of stuff. The thing is, I've filled a spare bedroom already with all the items I don't need. The problem now is how I'm going to get rid of it quickly, because as each hour passes the piles keep growing. My master plan is to ebay as much as I can, and do a few car boot sales. I've got clothes, books, furniture, CD's, DVD's, electronics, toys, bags, jewellery, art supplies, craft supplies... the list is never ending.
I will admit the experience is a lot of fun because it feels as though I've moved into a whole new house. Each room has been carefully reorganized furniture wise, there is no clutter hiding away, containers are labelled and sorted, all in all it feels rather liberating. Everything has its place and the house feels a little more homely. Photos of the final 'scenes' still to come though!
I am however exhausted, this is back breaking work. I moved far too much heavy furniture on my own and one of the cabinets fell onto the back of my leg leaving me with a massive bruise, blood blister and a few swear words shorter. Still, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has also taught me to see life differently. Rather then plan everything in the future, I can now see things as "Anything can happen".
It's now 9.30pm, I've been house sorting all day. I'm going to spend the rest of the night updating a website for an organization I'm involved in, replying to e-mails, and then doing as much work as I can with the house sorting. Now my mind is clear and free I know that tomorrow I can get stuck into some real work and get it all finished in no time at all. Oh, I've also got to do some washing, hang it all out on the line, put away all the clean clothes and make the bed. I don't like doing housework at this time of night, but at least it is getting done!
Day 20 - Monday
Went to art class this morning, my final class for painting materials. Was quite disappointed with the class as a whole. Hardly anyone created any work, and considering it was a 10 week class that was supposed to be about experimenting with new artistic materials, I was really surprised that most people had almost nothing. I wonder what the rest of the students actually did for the last 10 weeks??
My assesment was first, I got good feedback and the class ended up finishing early. Thank goodness because I'm so far behind on my exhibition work, client work and everything in between, I'm starting to panic.
Got home, threw myself into my work and started/finished and illustration. Finished my wholesale catalogue (woohoo!!) and tied up a few other loose ends.
Day 21 - Tuesday
The house is looking at me begging to be cleaned, but it just has to wait. Got up early this morning and went straight into illustrating. I've got 2 illustrations that need to be sent off via express post this afternoon. The pressure is on!
Thankfully I got them finished and posted. A bit burnt out from creating, so I was planning on spending the rest of the night on administration work and filing. Plans change though and I decide to get stuck into 2 canvas artworks in progress that need to be posted off on Thursday.
Day 22 - Wednesday
Now I'm struggling. Really struggling. The paintings aren't working for me, and whilst I like how they are progressing they just aren't quite there yet. They have to be finished tonight as I've got to post them out tomorrow. I've also just discovered that my final critique for my whole semester of art study has had a time change. It will now be at 9am instead of 1pm. Damn. I've got to finish off work for that, plus get there early enough to setup all of my work ready to show. Oh, and did I mention I'm sick as well? Why do I always get sick when I've got so much work to do? No time to rest, I just have to keep working!
I'm tired, I'm drained, and the more exhausted I'm getting the harder it is to paint. Both paintings are about 70% finished and not quite progressing the way I want them to.
I took a break to call a client and discuss a potential job. It sounds exciting. However now I'm distracted, and even more stressed. I need to get these pending jobs/exhibition work finished and out the door so I can clear my mind to think of concepts for new work.
Still distracted I called Mr R, just to chat it out, he's as stressed as me (studying to be a teacher & he is on a 3 week prac teaching in a school). Somehow we both came to the decision that we had to stop working and spend the night eating a good meal and just relaxing in front of the TV. Even though we both had so much work and tight deadlines. So we set ourselves a challenge. We had 2 hours to finish all our pending jobs for the night, and then we could relax.
Well, strange enough I finished the two paintings with time to spare. I had no time to think or procrastinate about what I was doing, I just had to paint it out. Paint it out I did, and the magic happened once again. I just love both of the artworks! Even had enough time to coat them multiple times and put hanging implements on them.
Still stressed though about my critique/assesment tomorrow. At least I'll get a good meal into me.
Day 23 - Thursday
Today I was up at 6am, and boy is it cold. I'm so thankful Mr R is here though, we have a really good breakfast and then head out to work/study. I arrived at college early, only one other student was there setting up their work. I missed the rain, so I'm quite pleased with myself and I end up setting up my work in record time - and I can't believe how much work I've got.
So. The critique. I have mixed feelings about it. It took about 30 - 40 minutes. I had three lecturers reviewing my work and discussing it. My work consists of small peices, illustrations, studies and a series of drawings on vintage book covers (as you can see from the photos). The biggest feedback I had was on the figures that I draw on the vintage book pages - they want me to do that. Funny thing is I tried not to do it because I was initially told that it wasn't art. However they want me to do that, but do a bit more of a variety in the figures that I draw, a little more softer in the style, use different mediums (ie things that fade) and to miss out sections/parts so it leaves a bit of mystery to the viewer when they look at it. Interesting. I had 2 other students write down all the feedback for me, which I'm so grateful for.
I still don't know what my final years work is going to be. My graduation show is in less then 6 months time, and I don't like feeling so lost.
I couldn't stay for all the critiques, so I left early and went straight home. I posted out the paintings just in the nick of time, then Niina came over to work. Filled wholesale orders, administration work, sorting and organizing things. Got through so much. Didn't finish until 11pm, and boy am I stuffed.
Day 24 - Friday
This morning I woke up feeling sicker then sick. I haven't been this sick since last year sometime. I woke up with the hint of a migraine, anotherwords I could feel it sitting there just waiting for the attack. (I get a pain going up my neck into the back of my eyes, and struggle to open them or handle any light). I think I'm sick because of all the stress and exhaustion coming out physically. I wish I could stay in bed and rest, this being the first day of my 'holidays' (no studying) but I can't. I've got work to do.
I had to go into college and re-enrol/pay for second semester of my art course. Which just adds to my stress as financially I'm down to a whole $22 across 4 bank accounts. I've been slogged with so many bills, and of course because it is the end of the financial year clients are pushing payments back for jobs I've completed. Which of course drives me crazy as I don't like to chase up payments, but at the same time I desperately need them.
I got into the units I wanted, I'm only at college 3 days next semester - Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, which I'm quite pleased about. I am however a bit worried about time in general, and how much of a balancing act I'm going to have to pull off. Exhibitions, markets, studying, wholesale, products, creating art and of course still having a life! Mr R is just as busy, as he is also in his final stage of his course. So it is going to be an interesting balancing act, but one that is going to create so many incredible experiences and adventures! I can't wait. =)
After enrolling, I got a phone call about an upcoming exhibition I'm participating in at Pigeonhole. I dropped into the shop and picked up a couple of items that I get to customize (paint) for an upcoming auction. I'm so excited and have so many ideas. I was given a bottle and an alarm clock.
By the time I got home though, the migraine kicked in and I was down and out for the rest of the day. My house turned into a cave. I was so sick that I didn't even hear Mr R arrive (he has a noisy motorbike), but once he did he took care of me, cooked me dinner, and tucked me into bed. Awwww.
Day 27 - Monday
A new day, a new week. It is funny that I think of myself on holidays at the moment, even though I'm not on holidays from my job. Just my studying. The great thing is I've finished most of my exhibition work and my urgent client work which allows me to really get stuck into my job and I'm so looking forward to it.
First thing though is to work on this time issue that I've been having. Which means bringing some organization back into this house. Cleaning, decluttering and sorting. So I'm putting everything else on hold for a few days whilst I take a quick break and bring this chaos of a house into order.
Day 28
The house is fighting me. Honestly. I've been going through the entire house room by room, cupboard by cupboard and asking a simple question. "Do I need this?" If I answer yes, it either stays in that spot or moves to where it should go. If I answer no, it gets put aside to be sold/thrown/given away. No maybes allowed.
Well, wow. What can I say. For one woman, who is only 27 years old, I have bought/hoarded a lot of stuff. The thing is, I've filled a spare bedroom already with all the items I don't need. The problem now is how I'm going to get rid of it quickly, because as each hour passes the piles keep growing. My master plan is to ebay as much as I can, and do a few car boot sales. I've got clothes, books, furniture, CD's, DVD's, electronics, toys, bags, jewellery, art supplies, craft supplies... the list is never ending.
I will admit the experience is a lot of fun because it feels as though I've moved into a whole new house. Each room has been carefully reorganized furniture wise, there is no clutter hiding away, containers are labelled and sorted, all in all it feels rather liberating. Everything has its place and the house feels a little more homely. Photos of the final 'scenes' still to come though!
I am however exhausted, this is back breaking work. I moved far too much heavy furniture on my own and one of the cabinets fell onto the back of my leg leaving me with a massive bruise, blood blister and a few swear words shorter. Still, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It has also taught me to see life differently. Rather then plan everything in the future, I can now see things as "Anything can happen".
It's now 9.30pm, I've been house sorting all day. I'm going to spend the rest of the night updating a website for an organization I'm involved in, replying to e-mails, and then doing as much work as I can with the house sorting. Now my mind is clear and free I know that tomorrow I can get stuck into some real work and get it all finished in no time at all. Oh, I've also got to do some washing, hang it all out on the line, put away all the clean clothes and make the bed. I don't like doing housework at this time of night, but at least it is getting done!
