Wow, I can't believe I'm already 162 days into my "365 day project". It's been 105 days since I last blogged about what I've been up to with my business so I thought it was time for a bit of a round up.
Business Update
Christmas orders have started to flood in, so I'm on overdrive at the moment. Luckily I'm now 5 months pregnant (as of this Saturday) so my energy levels have returned enough to cope with it all.
I'm working on a whole range of different projects at the moment, all with rush deadlines, all due to be completed within the next 2-4 weeks. The great thing is that now I'm getting a whole variety of projects to work on and keep driving my illustrations to the next level.
When I think of client jobs I will admit I do have a bit of a chuckle. Just after I started illustrating back in 2007 I applied to various illustration agencies at the time and was told that they couldn't take me on because they didn't think I'd be able to get client jobs. Well Mr Agencies.... look at me now! I absolutely love client jobs/commissions. (BTW - Applying to illustration agencies is once again in my future sights, but I've decided I'm going to wait for the baby to come first)
So.... I'm currently working on the following projects -
- CD Design
- Poster design for a series of community art courses
- Commissioned painting for a wedding gift
- 3 x character illustrations for a lifestyle website
- 3 x dating illustrations for a dating website
- wholesale orders
- proper multiple page spread & interview for a major magazine (eep!)
- graduation show
I am a little bit panicked at being so busy during peak market season, I think I've got 12+ markets before January already! I don't want to cut back on them though as this will be the last few months I'm going to do markets for a significant period of time. Our aim is to earn as much as we can through the business so we can put as much $$ aside as possible for the baby.
My aim for the next few weeks is just to work, work, work and keep the flow going. I've got so many plans for the future but until I know where life is heading, I don't want to overplan the business.But great news - I've been accepted into the Life In Style trade show next year!! My first trade show, and I'm super excited. =)
Life Update
In 5 weeks time both myself and Mr R graduate from our studies. Hooray! Our plan once that has finished is to take a few days off housesitting to recharge before throwing ourselves into work again.
The downfall is that because our studies finish, so does our financial support from the government. I won't be able to get help again until I give birth, Mr R's income from the army stops as well (they go on holiday) so it will be an interesting time relying completely on me and the magical artwork I can create. He's applying for jobs in the interim period, but no-one seems to want to hire anyone right now.
We have our 20 week ultrasound booked for next week that we are SO excited about. I can't believe we are already 1/2 way through the pregnancy. Oh, speaking of halfway Mr R and I have our 6 month anniversary on Thursday night. We are going to go out for a meal, so exciting!
We're just impatiently waiting now to discover if Mr R has a job teaching next year, and where that may be. As soon as we find that out we'll organise a house, move into it, then set ourselves up. I'm hoping that can be done in January as I'm not keen to move during the hottest month of the year - February where temperatures often sit at 40 degrees+. Yuck!
Pregnancy wise everything is going great. I have very little problems, just little niggly things that remind me of what I'm going through. I feel like a dried out shell everynight. I can't drink enough water and my skin, mouth and nose are bone dry. I'm affected quite badly by hayfever at the moment, first time in my life. My record of sneezing so far has been 21 sneezes in a row! Other then that I've been keeping my fitness up by both walking and swimming - sometimes laps in the pool, other days in pregnancy fitness classes. I really really miss exercising stronger, and I've been aching to run up and down sand dunes. Of course I can't, so I'll just have to wait a bit longer. Oh, and I've started to waddle. But don't stare! LOL
Last of all, I just wanted to share a sneek peek with you about an upcoming exhibition I've got one work in. I really wanted to do more works for it, but had a reality check that time just isn't on my side. This exhibition revolves around fairytales. The story I was given is "Puss In Boots". So here is a sneak peek.... when the exhibition opens I'll show you the full image and the story behind it.
Sneak Peek - "A Gift For The King"
Here is the exhibition poster. It's been getting a lot of press, and it has been so exciting to see my name everywhere (including a mention in the latest Frankie magazine!)
So I hope your day has been going well. Hopefully I can pop back onto here quicker next time with plenty of new things to finally share!
