Ali J Art & Illustration

365 Day Project - Day 162

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

+ more jobs not yet finalised.....

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!

365 Day Project - Day 57

I woke up this morning feeling a little better.  This morning I had a journalist & photographer come over for an upcoming article in my local paper, so that was a great experience.  Last night I spent the night typing up my sales/purchase records for the past year, and I'm hoping I can finish it up today.

I'm motivated, ready to take on the world, and ready to get stuck into my to do list.  So - this is what I've got to achieve in the next three months.  (in no particular order)

1. TAFE auction work on wood
2. Apply to  market stalls - Fremantle Bazaar, Unwrapped, Jacaranda Festival, Distracted, Subiaco Craft Fair
3. Sew a patchwork patch for charity
4.  Illustration to submit to Amelia's Magazine
5. Photograph remaining 500+ product photographs
6. Finish packaging designs - prints, badge sets, hairpins, large badges
7. Update website
8. Update etsy shop
9. Update madeit shop
10. pay outstanding fees - associations, bills etc.
11. Finish & package wholesale order 99
12. Finish & package wholesale order 100
13. Finish client job of illustrations for a dating website
14. Finish client job of a CD
15. Finish feature work for solo exhibition
16. Draft up and send out press releases for solo exhibition
17. List on eBay
18. Sell excess supplies etc. off
19. Design new business cards
20. Design thankyou cards
21. Cost all products/parts
22. List all suppliers & contact details
23. Finish sales/purchase records
24. Organise tax
25. Do a stocktake of products
26. Start t-shirt designs & costing
27. Start stationery designs & costing

Today my plan is to finish my sales/purchase records.  Then I'll ginish my TAFE auction work on wood.  Oh, and finish my product packaging.  I'm going to my boyfriends house, and my plan is that when he is out at army training tonight, I'll be glued to the computer typing like a crazy madwoman. 

Then tomorrow I'll be attending a media workshop at the WA Newspapers with 4 key people in the arts scene of journalism, and then after that I'll finish my artwork for the auction.  Fingers crossed!

365 Day Project - Day 56

I very rarely get angry.  There aren't many days when I get up and don't want to go to work.  However lately things have changed a bit.

I'm frustrated.  Really, really frustrated.  You see the problem with working for yourself is that sometimes the business and real life intermix with another.  If you go to work you are worrying about life, if you return to life you can't stop thinking about the business.  Which means that at no time of the day can you 'switch off' and truly relax, so of course I feel like a wound up toy with nowhere to go.  Let me tell you exactly what is frustrating me at the moment.

Money.

To me personally money isn't a high importance.  We shop at farmers markets, love finding free goodies, shop at secondhand stores, recycle everything and live in a house full of mismatched items.  We cook up our mail meals in one hit, then eat them throughout the week.  We don't buy takeaway, I've only been to the movies twice this year, and I love taking CD's/DVD's out of my library because they are all free.  My idea of pay TV is downloading a TV show or two on the internet, and an exciting afternoon is taking the dogs to the beach or going for a bike ride.  Basically we survive on very little and are quite happy to.  More money isn't going to stop us living our life as we do, it will just enable us to put more away.

However when it comes to life we need money - which is where the frustration comes in.  We need it to pay the rent, buy what little groceries we need, pay the bills.   And of all the important things I need money for, I'm behind on everything. 

Of course it all goes wrong at the same time and I feel like I'm between a rock and a hard place.  Business wise I've got a number of issues.  Clients are paying late, customers are paying late, and I'm in 'off season' because I'm currently working on things behind the scenes instead of getting new work out there.  Which of course means less sales all around.  My wholesale catalogue only just went out a few weeks ago, I'm on the eve of market season, and we are still in a recession.  Each aspect affecting a regular income.  I fund my business through its own earnings, I have no investors, no loans, no credit cards.  So with no earnings, or delayed earnings because everyone keeps paying late, it means the business moves like hiccups.  Up one second, down the next, flat the next.  It doesn't quite move forward smoothly, and at the moment not at all.

In my personal life I've got huge financial issues.  As most of you know my past long term relationship dissolved in early January.  Since then I've been struggling to keep my home (which is too expensive for me) because I have my beloved pets and can't downsize as I'd lose them & the business as well.  I went from paying 20% of the living costs to 100%, which is more then I can afford.

I survive week to week, have absolutely no savings, no credit card, and I'm not able to get any loans for either myself or my business (I can't put up security for a business loan - and even if my business was earning over $200,000 a year I've been told that the bank wouldn't give me anything either.)  At the moment my main income is Austudy from Centrelink every fortnight which allows me to study fulltime and finish my art course.  To supplement that I pay myself the absolute minimum from the business, which goes straight on bills.  My 'spending' money comes from earnings off of eBay or garage sales.  All that income however barely covers living costs, so I live a pretty downscaled life and have learnt to enjoy the simple things.  =)  Anyway, the problem is that because of all the money problems in the business in the past few weeks, I can't pay myself anything in my personal life, which means I'm short on rent, bills and food.  Then, when I was on holidays something happened to my Austudy and it was cancelled.  Leaving me with absolutely no income for over 4 weeks.  Luckily my Austudy has since been reinstated, but I've now discovered that I've been reporting into them wrong for the whole year (their fault).  I have less then 14 days to organise my tax return for the past financial year and submit it to them or my Austudy is cancelled.  You know what is funny about that?  I need money to pay the tax agent to do my tax or I won't earn any money, and of course I don't have any money to pay to get it done.

So at the moment I'm frustrated and exhausted.  I'm sick of constantly being challenged by all aspects of life.  I know it is supposed to make me stronger, but I'm kind, gentle, determined, passionate, driven, helpful and loving.  I'm not evil, I'm not mean, and yet I feel like I'm constantly being punished.  I feel like a failure, even though I've achieved so much.  I feel so alone.

So what to do?  I don't know.  I'm going to just hope all these payments magically appear in my account so I can pay all outstanding debts.  I'm trying to ebay as much stuff off as possible, but find time is my biggest enemy.  Especially as I've spent the last 3 days typing up business records for the tax agent and I'm only up to december.  My plan is to also to sell at a few car boot sales in the coming weeks to sell those bigger, stranger things for whatever price they get. 

Business wise = here are my current problems.

1. My plan is to do almost every market in WA by the end of the year.  Too bad they all require payments for the stalls upfront, which I can't currently pay for, so I can't reserve those spots.  Which means unless money comes through soon, I won't be at many markets.  =(
2. I want to put more artwork into exhibitions, but once again have to pay entry fees, which of course I can't pay.
3. I need supplies for various items, and guess what?  Yes they have to be paid upfront as well!!  Whilst I have a lot of stock made up already in advance (I started christmas preperations in May), there are still a few items that are about 5/6 finished.

I know things will sort themselves out both personally & business wise.  I know by the end of the year I'll have a clearer idea on where my life is going and where I'm going to be living.  (It all depends on where Mr R gets a job).  I know that in time all will be good.  That I can look back at this as a huge challenge, as a hurdle that most people & businesses go through, but succeeded past it.

However, right now it is hard to keep that vision in mind.  I feel lost.  I have food in the cupboards/fridges/freezers but mere cents across all four bank accounts.  I can't even afford to fill the car with petrol.  I can't have all of  my products ready before  my market on Sunday as I can't finish buying the essential supplies (So whilst I'll have most, I won't have all). 

I'm not writing this for pity.  I guess I'm writing it to try and understand what is happening, and to get it out of my system.  I just don't know what to do.  It's like a poison sifting into every part of my mind, a worry that overwhelms me.  The thing is it isn't even about money, it is about security.  I'm worried about my home, my pets, being able to feed myself.  I have no motivation, I'm depressed, I'm lethargic, I'm stressed.  And whilst I have a lovely adoring boyfriend, I also want to feel safe in the life I lead.  I want to be the best person that I can be and have a joyful happy life.

On the positive, I've been living like this for almost eight months now, only four more to go before changes should happen, for the better.  Surely that has to be a good thing?

365 Day Project - Day 40

Today has been a strange week.  My plan -

Wednesday - working

Thursday & Friday = My Weekend!! (yeah!)

Saturday & Sunday & Monday - working

So far it has worked really well.  This week I've managed to

• Fill another wholesale order
• Setup my studio/sewing space
• Answer all outstanding e-mails except one
• Sort out exactly what original artworks I have for sale
• Rewrite my resume
• Organise my pricelists, wholesale price lists and other reference sheets
• Follow up on all oustanding invoices
• Continue packaging designs

Not too bad.  However, today is Saturday.  I've got three days to finish a lot of things.  My aims -

1. Laminate all certificates
2. Finish packaging designs
3. Fill as much of my wholesale orders as possible (have to get supplies when I return from holidays to fully finish them)
4. Buy ink, post out sales
5. Edit photos and send them through to my agent
6. Finish 3 x illustrations for a zine I'm participating in
7. Edit my new wholesale catalogue and resend it out
8. Finish customizing objects for a  group show

Sounds like a nice list with a lot of variety.  Unfortunately things aren't going quite to plan.

1. I've injured my wrists again, both are lightly sprained.  I've had this problem ongoing for the last few months, it goes and comes back again.  I don't know what to do.  I mean, on Wednesday night I was quite comfortable lifting weights in most poses, so why on earth do I struggle to type so much???  They've been sore since Monday now and are driving me crazy!
2. I've got a sore throat.  Which means I'm about to get really sick.  How do I know?  Well everyone around me for the past 3-4 months have been really sick with the cold/flu etc but I've been so busy that I told the sickness to go away.  Now however I'm on holidays, I'm starting to relax, and I'm vulnerable.  I was at Mr R's house a few days ago and he caught it from a child at school, which of course has been passed onto me.  I only realised it last night and I'm so not happy about it.
3. A fire has disrupted my hosting server.  Which means my e-mail is down and will be for at least 12 hours.  I'm sure I'm getting withdrawals, because I'm totally and absolutely addicted to the internet and my e-mail.  I have six e-mail accounts, but one of them is the main one, the most important one, and of course the one that isn't working.  Ack!  I'm sick and it is the perfect day to do admin work.  However, I can't without  my e-mail.  =(  Damn.

I'm really grumpy right now so I'm going to look at the positives.  I've only got these 3 days left of working before I go on.....

Holidays = 7th July - 15th of July

Mr R is taking me on a mystery holiday!!!  How is that for excitement?  I know we are staying in a caravan somewhere north from where I live.  Within a 6 hour drive.  Near a body of water and somewhere I have never been before.  I'm so EXCITED!  A whole week with Mr R, in fact it ends up being a tiny bit longer because he's here for a few days too.  I can't believe how great things are going with him, he's the love of my life.  =)

The holiday is going to be great, except for that whole time I will have no phone, no computer, no internet and little to no communication with the outside world.  How will I cope??  It is also going to be absolutely freezing.  I expect nights to get close to zero degrees, maybe even minus.  Mr R is really sick, I'm only just starting to get sick.  So we'll be two holidayers constantly rugged up in jumpers, pants, scarves with coughs, sore throats, blocked noses and lots of sniffles.  Still, I'm not letting that ruin my holiday.  We've already planned to go outdoors a lot, we are taking our bikes to trek through the wilderness.  Oh - and I'm taking about 5 blankets and 3 hot water bottles.

On that note, I'm signing off.  I'll be back around the 15th of July to share my adventurous holiday with you.  Enjoy the next few weeks and stay well!

365 Day Project - Day 36

Day 36 - Tuesday

This week has been amazingly productive.  I can't believe how much I've accomplished.  It's too hard to recap each day, so instead I'm going to do a week in pictures.



Resorted my study/warehouse.  Ha ha ha.  No seriously, this is the room I store all the admin side of things, schedules, paperwork, stock, supplies etc.  Originally it was a bit chaotic and difficult for myself or Niina to get to things.  Now, everything has its place and is easy to access.



I love that everything is in containers.  I also sorted out my schedule board properly.  This lists all the pending things I need to send applications into, or to submit work to.  My client jobs are stored in a seperate area.



This is how I store my greeting cards.  Named and labelled, seperated and packaged up individually.



My new system for my badges/magnets/rings and necklaces.  Previously they were stored packaged in bags, in big tubs.  A total pain to sort through when I only needed one design and had to look through 40 of them!  Also, storage was a huge issue to store them packaged.  Too much packaging would get damaged, and it was time consuming to package up everything in the first place, then have to repackage things all the time.



So now this is the new system.  Each badge made up in its own section, numbered.  Then as a sale comes through, or a wholesale order, the item is popped onto its packaging.... and all done!  I wish I had containers like this, but bigger for my badges and pocket mirrors.  I'd love to sort them in the same way.



I also sorted all my supplies out so the parts for certain products correspond to eachother as wekk as relabelling all the containers.  Unfortunately I ran out of labels halfway through, so I still need to finish that job.  The containers are working really well though, and make it easy to see when I'm running low on a certain part.


My new packaging!!  I can't believe how much I've learnt since I last created packaging (October 2008), and how much more advanced these are in comparison.  It was nice to sit down and work out exactly what I wanted from the new packaging, and correlate it to the needs of each individual item.

There were a few reasons I wanted to repackage my products.  Firstly, there was no colour and they were quite flat when displayed in a group.  Secondly, I wanted to have a clearer identity into my brand.  I work with bold bright colours, patterns, and wanted that to come across in how they were displayed.  I also wanted to be more environmentally conscious on how I packaged my products.  To do that I wanted to use recycled card, less plastic, and less packaging as a whole.  So that is what I've been working hard on to achieve.


As you can see my magnets are just simply tacked onto a sheet of card.  (Originally they were packaged in a bag, then had a fold over card stapled to them.)  Less time consuming to package, less wastage, and looking gorgeous!!

I'm so excited and I can't wait to finish it all!  I'm really pleased so far.



Lastly, we've been doing photoshoots for the past few days.  I'm totally loving the end results.  This is one of my prints simply popped into a frame.  Doesn't she look gorgeous?!  Only 450 photos left to edit.... =)  Oh, and probably another 500 to take!

I've also -

• caught up on all outstanding e-mails
• updated the Made On The Left website
• cleaned my art studio and set that up
• started to file and sort through my reference images
• changed over all my costs/purchases to my new visa debit card (fake credit card) to seperate all credit card purchases from my personal finances
• started working on some wholesale orders
• oh and most importantly baked some choc chip cookies!!

My aims for the rest of the week -

•  finish all of the product packaging
• finish all outstanding illustration work
• complete as much client work as possible

Next week I go on holidays and won't be back until the 15th of July (Mr R is taking me on a mystery holiday).  I really want to write a proper list of 100 things I want to achieve by the year end but I don't want to write it until I get back.  That way, I've got goals ready to achieve as soon as I've returned.

This week has been so productive that I'm really excited about the next few months and what things may bring.  I still can't believe it is less then six months until Christmas!!

365 Day Project - Day 29

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!

365 Day Project - Day 16

Feeling much more positive about everything today.  I've gotten so much done!!  So great to see a light at the end of the tunnel.


(work in progress)

Day 15

Got up early today and painted.  Painted, painted, painted, and painted some more.  My work is starting to change, starting to morph into something.  I mean, it is still my work, and my 'style' and can still be identified.  But it has much more depth to each piece, a definite story to it.  I love to think that I'm a storyteller of sorts.

Even though I painted for over 14+ hours today, I will admit that in my breaks I had a great time reading blogs, writing e-mails and even sneaking in a computer game or two.  I can't paint non stop.  I need to break every 2 hours or so, just to step back from it and not look at it.  That way when I return to it I can easily identify what may be bothering me.

I'm working on two works currently - first real time I'm working on two paintings at the same time.  One with a girl (pictured above) and one with a boy.  All I can really say about them is that they involve themes of a rainforest and endangered animals, and something is happening that may be a bit darker then you'd expect.  I'm quite excited by how the works are progressing as there is a bit of magic happening in the process.  I can't really describe it, but sometimes I just feel it when I work.   I love this feeling.

The only time I left the house today other then walking the dogs was for a few minutes to get the mail.  Was annoyed by that as I didn't have any - even though the post office told me I did.  Grrr.  Such a waste of time (and petrol!)

Paid most of my bills up to date.  One was a whole 40 cents.  Hey big spender!!!


(page from todays sketchbook)

Day 16

Today was amazing.  Talk about go, go, go.

• Got up early and made muffins!!  Yeah!  What a great start to a workday.  Made Cinnamon muffins as well as cheese muffins.  (We have a fundraising cake stall for our Art graduation show and it was my turn this week to contribute goodies.)
• Painted even more of my boy painting.  It is at the 'I kind of like it, but still think he looks weird' stage.  Needs way more detail, only on the base layer.
• Braved the thunderstorm and made it to class early.  Today I had studio practice in the afternoon for a few hours.  Got half of one of my childhood themed 'books' finished.  Watched a video about an 'artist' who thinks of ideas, then pays other people to create the work.  Which involves hardcore things like hanging dead horses from a roof, and making wax figurines of the pope getting pulverised by a meteor.  Great.  (not)  I hate studying at a 'contemporary' art school.  Am I the only one that thinks artists should at least try and create work themselves??

(childhood book project work in progress)

• Niina came and worked tonight.  She was all rugged up and white as a ghost, the poor thing was sick!  We worked on simplifying storage problems that I'm having for my products.  ie, I have 37 choices when it comes to badges.  Which means I need to have a stockpile made to fill any sales/orders as they come in.  Which means I need to store them.  Seperately. Somewhere.  The previous system just wasn't working (individual types in bags, labelled, in a container, packaged ready to go).
• We transitioned most of the items so that they are created, but not packaged to save on storage/time/environmental issues.  Only packaged when they are purchased/ordered.  I have to design new packaging - which is an absolute must, must, must - in the coming weeks.  New packaging that is simpler, more eye catching, more environmentally friendly.  I'm ditching most of the plastic I use, but can't figure out a better way to package my pocket mirrors.  (ATM - in a plastic bag, attached to a card)
• Researched how much I will need to invest in future products.  That is t-shirts, posters, A3 prints, double sided greeting cards and postcards.  I need to research, or plan, on where this initial investment is coming from.
• Reworked my packing lists, itemised codes, and what else I need to finish my wholesale catalogue.  I thought I had finished it last week, but have to make some changes.  Another thing to do tomorrow.
• Another client enquiry.  This job involves bartering for payment which is so cool.
• Baby-sat Blender Gallery tonight.  Was there for 2+ hours, unfortunately only 1 visitor as it was a Thursday night, raining and thunderstorms.  Still, gave me time to do some sketches that are very different to my 'usual' stuff.
• Got an extension on submitting works for one of my group shows.  I'm over the moon.  I still have to post it over super express post next week, but at least it gives me another day or two extra to resolve the paintings I'm working on.  I want to send over some drawings with them too, will see what can be finished in time.
• I've been receiving forms for markets left, right, and centre.  I'm now just deciding which markets I want to do once spring appears.  I'm itching to do some, and want to do one now, but I'm going to make sure I choose the right ones for my products.  Definitely on the cards for applying - Distracted, Subiaco Rotary Fair, Fremantle Bazaar.  I am also considering Upmarket and Claremont Craft Fair.  The hardest part with them all is paying all the stall fees upfront (All cost about $200 - $600 each).  I'd love to say I'm doing Made On The Left in July, but I'm not sure at the moment.  I'm one of the organisers, and will only setup a table if there is room.  I don't want to take anyone elses spot.
• Printed 100+ greeting cards.  Went through 3 more ink catridges.  It is amazing how much ink the printer goes through.
• Other points to note.  Up to date with e-mails.  Enrolled for my final semester of my art course and chose my electives (only 6 months to go!!).  Still waiting on a client to pay me.  Still waiting on someone to volunteer to clean my house.
• 10.59pm = knock off time!  woohoo!

Tomorrow = hand in final assesment for one of my classes.  Then.... weekend off!!  See you monday.  =)

365 Day Project - Day 14

What a week.  Seriously.  The business at the moment is just getting to the point of ridiculous.  I mean, how many balls do I have to juggle before it all falls down?  Yes I know, I'm not very optimistic.  I should be, but I'm so drained - we all have these weeks, but for me it has hit hard and all at once.  This is the busiest week I've had since December 2009 (which was at the extreme with market stalls & wholesale orders).  I am not used to being so busy and I'm not looking forward to the next few days.  I feel quite alone right now.



Day 10

S**t.  It is Friday.  I just looked at my calendar and realised what was coming up.  Much easier when I had a diary and could just close it.  Now, I've got a big month calendar on my wall outlining what I'm doing basically every hour of every day.  The next week is horrendously filled with deadlines, now the stress is really starting to set in.  Post it notes everywhere - and I'm sick of seeing the little yellow things.  Almost as though they have little beady eyes and are watching every move I make.

Today I went to my visual culture art class for a whole 2 hours.  We visited two galleries - The Art Gallery of WA and PICA to compare two exhibitions between eachother.  Perspectives (high school graduates) and Hatched (college graduates).  I feel awful, I was pretty critical of both in regards to the type of works included, and the quality of works/display.  I did like that Perspectives had a lot of illustration based work included, and I could connect with a lot of it.  I couldn't identify with any of the works in Hatched and found it really dull.  Mainly video installations and controversial work (two giraffes having sex, a work made out of bubblegum etc).  But hey, I guess there are people out there who love to challenge 'What Is Art'.  So not me and I'm not fussed knowing my work won't be the type to be chosen for that exhibition when I graduate next year.

Took some time out to take the dogs to the beach and clear my mind in regards to my painting.  I've painted the basics on, but I hate it, so frustrated with it.  The beach wasn't good, the dogs got tired and misbehaved.   So much for clearing my mind.

I came home, then had a mini meltdown from stress.  I started talking to Mr R about it on the phone, and we broke our 'agreement' of not seeing eachother for 2 weeks (made originally so we could both focus on all of our work/critiques/exams etc).  So, went to his house that night and refused to pick up the paintbrush again for at least a few hours.  I really needed to get my thoughts off my chest - I can be really critical about myself, which is depressing.



Day 11

Apparently is it the weekend today, but not for me.  Today is painting day.  I've got group shows that I need to finish artwork for.

I've painted all day, and just hate what I've created so far.  I don't understand why it isn't working, and why I'm so frustrated with the whole process.  I can get into the 'zone' but as soon as I do, my emotions come forth.  Anger, frustration,  stress,  disappointment, anxiety.  This is really starting to suck.  As much as I love finishing a painting, the actual process of painting it makes me want to pull my teeth out.

I've stepped away from painting this afternoon, I really need to get my wholesale catalogue finished and sent to my agent for proofing.  It is taking me weeks to finish, and I'm a bit over it.  I'll feel better when I get it done.

Sent!  I think I've finished what I can for the moment, so I sent it to my agent and I'll see what she says.

Tonight, I'm going to my parents house for dinner and take some time away from it all.



Day 12

Sunday.  Supposedly a relaxing day, but once again the painting and I had a fight.  A major fight, it won.  The thing is I really need to finish it, I can't give up now.   The whole process just feels unresolved, the work isn't quite working for me and I can't work out why.  For the next few hours I'm going into battle until one of us walks out alive.  I've spent days and hours on this canvas and I can't stop being critical over it or the process or myself.  Packing it all in now sounds good, but I guess it it also the easy way out, something I never choose.  Drats.

The painting is supposed to be of two girls in a tropical rainforest with birds chatting to them.  At the moment though the colours are chaotic, the figures are confused, the whole thing is a mess.  I'm all over the place right now, and the painting is definitely a reflection of that.  Why can't life just be quiet and simple?

~a few long treacherous hours pass~

My goodness, I don't know how I did it, but I survived.  Oh, and the painting!  THE PAINTING!  At some moment after having about 90% of it finished, it morphed into something else.  Something so RIGHT.  So wonderful!  So bright, so colourful, so amazing!  It takes my breath away everytime I look at it.  In fact, I don't want to sell it, I want to keep it forever.   I love the figures, the birds, the colours.  oh, oh, oh!  Sometimes when I finish a work it surprises me, and this one definitely has.

I just hope that I don't endure this emotional seesaw everytime I paint in the coming days.  I can only fight with so many things at once.  Good news is that I do feel on a roll, so I've started the next painting.  A girl in a boat with tropical fish jumping into it.  I'm really loving this tropical theme I have going on.

 
Day 13

I can't believe I tried to get up at 6.30am this morning to finish my assignment that was due two weeks ago!  I feel awful, I've had almost no sleep after staying up really late to paint.   It is Monday, just the start of a new week and this is not a good start.  On top of that my second painting, of the girl in the boat, is due to be delivered to the group exhibition tonight.  7pm at the latest, the latest.  I've got the outlines down, and the basic colours, but that is it.  Now I'm stressing again, this is going to be a tight deadline.  What is wrong with me?

This morning I've got a class on materials research, which means exploring the use of materials in art other then the traditional.  I was late because I didn't get up early enough, I slept in a bit, then crammed my assignment onto the computer, raced out the door.  I presented my work in class and got really good feedback.  I'm creating artwork on books based on childhood objects, dreams and aspirations.


(work in progress)

Talking about it though just made me realise how much more work I need to do to have my project ready for two assesments & critiques next week (my final week before the holidays).  I've been working on these on the train, when I'm travelling anywhere else, or when I have a spare minute somewhere to try and balance my 'job' with my 'studies'.  I've got 2 finished, 4 in progress, and was hoping to have 10 to present next week.  We'll see, but my optimism is sliding.

~hours pass~

I can't believe I finally finished the girl in a boat painting.  At 6.10pm.  When the artwork was due to be delivered between 6-7pm.  I had to help parts dry with a hairdryer.  I'm not sure what I think about it, I'm tired and my critical eye won't go away.  I mean I like it, but I think I need a break from looking at it for a while.

I delivered the artwork which was a messy experience.  It was freezing cold, I was covered in paint everywhere (face, hands, arm, clothes, hair....) and the person at the gallery forgot we were submitting artworks tonight.  So, they weren't even there and we had to wait for them to show up.  I'm so hungry, I don't know what I'm doing for dinner, and I can't afford any takeaway.  Need food now.

I signed the artwork in and just found out that I volunteered a few weeks back to babysit the gallery on Thursday night during the exhibition.  (It is a community gallery space)  For 2 hours, this thursday night.  Stupid, stupid girl.  I have no free time at all, and can't really afford to spare any, but I made a commitment, and I have to bite the bullet and accept it.

My grumpy meter has hit 10/10.  Came home and went on strike for the night.  Starting chatting to Mr R at around 9.30pm and we realised that we both just needed some company after our day.  He just finished two of his exams and he is just as exhausted as me.  We watched trash TV, he saw what I've been creating, and it was good just to feel some support.

Day 14

Mr R left late today, which was good.  We walked the dogs and had a really filling lunch of Japanese.  As soon as he left I got stuck straight into admin work for a few hours.  I'm behind, and need to catch up.  I've had a lot of sales, I've got heaps to post, and client enquiries and building up.  I don't know what has suddenly happened?  Ever have that feeling someone is talking about you?  Well my google hits are increasing too, I hope they are saying good things!  I am very excited about these potential jobs, need to find out more about them though.  A lot more.  At this rate, I'm going to be flat out until December next year..... at least.

The rest of tonight will be spent researching ideas for my next two paintings.  I'm worried about how I'm going to get my artworks over to Melbourne & Sydney in time for the group shows, the deadlines are tight and postage isn't always reliable.  I just found out last week that two of my artworks for one of the group shows (painted records) is lost somewhere in the postal system.  The first show I've pulled out of.  So I'm hoping I can post these works in a different way to usual, which takes a few more days but has better tracking and my artwork can be insured for its full value.  Just incase.

365 Day Project - Day Nine

Day Nine

The past 24 hours has been crazy productive.  I had a really late night again last night.  As you can see from the photo I've been preparing canvases over the last few days.  I don't like to use canvases that are straight from the shop..... I like to use better quality canvas (so often I rewrap them), and also do a bit to the surface too with gesso.  It makes the canvases stronger and not so flimsy.  Anyway, I've made a start on collaging a few of them too.  Started painting on them last night, have an amazing work started that I feel so right about.  Two girls, a tropical paradise and birds.

Finally got my ink for my printer, so I'm finishing off my catalogue & template files.  Phew.  Too bad my camera battery died on me, but I was saved from ultra panic mode when I managed to find a store today that stocked replacements.  Of course that was after ringing 30+ of them!

Booked in for a media seminar with The West Australian newspapers, pretty chuffed to find out about that one.  I get to interact with a panel of 4 experts in relation to art in the media (art journalists), and it will be great to put faces to names.

Had a class this afternoon - studio practice.  Only 6 of us turned up, so the class was pretty lame.  Thankfully though it didn't bother me too much as I've been working on my project of drawing on vintage book covers.  I've now finished 2 of them..... only 8 more to go before assesment in 2 weeks.  I'm pretty hopeful, and absolutely in love with what is happening with it all.  I surprise myself sometimes, because the work isn't my 'traditional' way of working or subject manner.  (It is portraits of childhood objects - teddy bears, lego, dollhouses, trees etc).  But the work still looks like my work.... just more in an 'arty' format.

I'm not as stressed as I have been.... and I finally found the painting 'zone' that I've been so desperately searching for over the past few months.  What I mean is that space in my mind I can just sink into, forget about the world and just create.  I'm so relieved I found it again, and the good thing is that in the past few days I have been able to slip back into that zone without any troubles.

Niina is working again today, getting through heaps of creating/packaging in relation to my new image lines for my products.  I'm almost ready to release them to stores & the webshop etc.  They should all be ready to go in a few weeks time which will be very exciting.  I'm a bit annoyed at myself that I can't spare any more time to updating things - etsy shop, madeit shop, website, ebay etc. but at the same time happy to prolong it a few more weeks when I can do it right.  Time at the moment is a subject that is really bothering me.  I just don't have enough of it.

So, I went missing.... but I'm back for the 365 Day Project : Day 8

Yep I know it is Wednesday.  One moment I was happily sitting at home being a recluse.  The next, I was out in the big wide world and now, well I'm back again..... 6 days later!

I can't believe I'm onto Day 8 already of my 365 day challenge.  Wowsers.  Where did that time go?  I think that is my main problem.  That I keep losing time.  =(  I mean, it isn't as though I'm not getting things done.  It is just that the year keeps passing at such a crazy rate!

So... let me do a quick recap on what has happened between now and last time we spoke.

Friday - Day 3

Exhausted.  Drained.  Tired.  I worked so hard on the previous night (around 10pm) that by the time Friday came I was already off with the faeries.  (Plus I think I chatted on the phone to Mr R until about... *cough* 3am *cough* so was a bit tired!) I did a little bit of admin work in the morning, then went to my class of Professional Practice which involved an art gallery visit.  Then.... weekend!

Saturday/Sunday - Day 4 & 5

No art, no business, no computer.  My new aim is to have weekends off, spend time with Mr R, and only do business things on weekdays.  Whilst it is great working all the time, the reality is that long term I can't do it and stay stable in my life physically, emotionally or mentally.  It is a challenge to switch off after having the same routine for so long (2 years now), but exhilirating to be able to walk away from it too.

Monday - Day 6

Today was a public holiday.  So barely any e-mails or admin work to deal with - yeah!!  It also meant the start of winter which involved thunder, lightning and plenty of rain.   I couldn't go anywhere, and couldn't paint (too damp, the canvases weren't drying) so I decided to get stuck into my wholesale catalogue.  I was originally supposed to have the day off for downtime, but found working on the catalogue to be fantastic.  It was easy, repetitive and monotonous work (cut, paste, resize, cut, paste....) didn't take too much mental powers, and good to get stuck into seriously.  Finished 65% of the catalogue, and bed time was about 2am.

Tuesday - Day 7

Woke up on a  roll today.  Feeling great that the catalogue is coming along nicely, so continued to get stuck into it, aiming to finish it.  Too bad I ran out of printer ink... again!  (I go through about $200 - $400 of ink a month!)  So my master plans of finishing the catalogue and the template files are on hold.  Ordered the ink via the internet (which saves me tons of money) I just have to wait an extra day for it to arrive.  In the end I've finished about 95% of the catalogue, and all my template files, putting them aside for the moment until I can print them off.  The final part of the catalogue to finish will be the front cover and branding the pages.  Also double checking for any errors, something I can't do unless I'm totally focused.  Which I'm not.  Spent the rest of the night preparing canvases with collage for upcoming exhibitions.

Wednesday - Day 8



This was my view today for most of the day, a very productive day!  Today I attended a Grant Application Workshop held by ABAF.  Great views, fantastic course, and I even got food/juice... all for free.  Now how is that for supporting artists?  ABAF sends out e-mails to interested parties about these courses, and if you are quick enough to reply..... you are on the course.  They are well worth it and I've now attended most of their courses such as Promoting, Marketing and even Websites.  Basically they host a lot of business workshops for artistically minded people - whether you are a knitter, artist, dancer, sculptor etc.

Anyway, the course was on grant applications.  Who offers them, where you can find them, how to apply for them, and what you need to do in each stage.  I've always wanted to apply for a grant and have been eligible to apply for a huge number, but I'll be honest I've been way too chicken.  The whole process is intimidating, and I wanted to be confident about my work before expecting others to support my endeavours.  Now I am confident I feel I'm ready, so I'm going to research them a bit more then take on the challenge of applying for some.  (To give you an idea grants can be anything from $500 to $60,000+.  All you need is a strong concept of why you want one, and fit their criteria to be eligible.  Plus give yourself weeks, even months to go through the whole process of applying, budgets, concepts etc.)

In the end I didn't get home from the course until 4pm - and to be honest I'm so drained and tired.  I had some time out chatting on the phone to Mr R which was great.  He's quite funny actually, he's intrigued by me as a person.... and by my alter ego "Ali J" but hasn't quite put them together yet as one person as a whole.  I guess he hasn't really seen "Ali J" in action.  I'm excited though, he's already offered to help me out at any market stalls, or exhibition openings, or anything I may need his support for....  he'll be there.  =)  How sweet - and great to know because I haven't always been supported like that in the past.  I must admit that he's taking the whole "Ali J" business thing quite well, I must imagine that it could be kind of intimidating.  The other day he searched for me through google for my facebook page, and was gob smacked by how many times I came up in the searches.  You see, I withheld the whole "Ali J business" from him initially, wanting him to get to know me as me, not the business (plus scared he'd read the blog which is pretty full on).  Bit by bit I've been introducing him to this other world I belong in, this surreal yet amazing world that totally spins me out, but is fantastic.   I just love that he is so excited and fascinated by what he keeps on discovering about me.... (and me in return about him) we work so well together.  I could go on.... but lets just say that I can see a future of infinite possibilities and the more I talk to him, the more paths I can see.  I am honestly realising that literally right now I could choose to go in any direction I wanted to in business and in life and I love that feeling.  Exhibiting, products, clients, commissions, grants, scholarships, fellowships, residencies, travelling, moving.... anything is possible.  Not only that but he works with film and animation.... and I love the idea of working together creatively.  It just keeps getting better!

Tonight I'm getting off and away from this computer.  It is cold and raining.  I'm going to be working on canvases and preparing a new series I'm working on.  This series is a reflection of how I feel mentally at the moment - lost, challenged, hidden... kind of like I'm in a jungle.  So the series is based on a rainforest.... and you'll just have to see what develops.  =)

AIM - my aim for the rest of the week is =

• finish catalogue
• finish template files
• print off template files
• photograph new stock
• organise sample products
• start 6 - 8 new paintings, finish at least one

365 Day Project - Day Two

Day Two.

Well it is Thursday, but it might as well be Friday.  I'm totally shattered - both physically and mentally. Someone tell me why I decided to do this crazy fitness stuff anyway?  The problem is that because of the fitness training my energy with the business is now concentrated between the hours of 9 - 3, and then anything after that goes flat.  So no more working until 10 or 11 at night like I used to, which is strange and unsettling.  I'm certainly not in my comfort zone right now.

This morning I tried to illustrate, but it just wasn't working.  I started a line drawing of a gorgeous girl... but that was it.  I couldn't draw the boy that was supposed to stand behind her.  So in my frustration, I decided to stop drawing, let it all out in preparing some canvases for upcoming exhibitions.  Which was a combination of covering some with gesso.... or collaging vintage book paper.  So soothing.  That was almost 12 hours ago, and they are still drying!

I went to my afternoon class for college.... my studio prac.  Spent the whole time discussing things with the class, reading passages and exploring how to present work within a gallery space.  A bit frustrated that I couldn't just go to my space and work on my art.  Then I came home and shortly after Niina arrived to work for me, and we've had a pretty productive night.  Filling a wholesale order, creating new products, updating the website, answering interviews, starting the wholesale catalogue, throttling the printer, lining up the diary.

So yes, a productive day.  Just not in the illustration/artwork way.  I'm itching to do some painting and need to get this admin work finished quickly so I can spend the next few weeks working on some large canvases.  I need to paint.  I'm losing my sanity.

365 Day Project - Day One

So I have a few different things going on with the blog at the moment.  A dash of personal, a dash of fitness, some illustrating..... but I want to go in a bit more in depth about what my business is.  Afterall, that is the reason I even started blogging in the first place - to share with others what I do.

So inspired by The Delight Society and Make It I'm jumping on board for the 100 Day Project... but changing it up a little.  I'm going to do a 365 Day project - yep a whole year!  (I'm always up for a challenge!)  Basically, I'll just post about my journey with my business, my highs & my lows, and everything in between.

So...

 Day One.

exciting huh?  Not really.  Got up early this morning, went and did a totally kick ass exercise session to clear my head and invigorate me for the massive list that I've got to get through today.  I am behind a little with everything, my wrists are killing me (I worked out I'm sleeping on them funny) but I have to ignore that and keep moving forward.  I came home to a truckload of e-mails, 74 to be exact (just from today!).  I tried to answer most of them, some I put aside, and a few were reminders of events/exhibitions/courses that I have coming up.  (Which I'm thankful for because even though I have a calendar, I do forget bits and pieces sometimes!)  At least 15 of those e-mails were spam - all about my so called Commonwealth Bank account, which of course I don't have.  I'm getting used to these types of e-mails and enjoy the delete button.  However, it takes up so much time to go through them all..... everyday.... maybe I should get a personal assistant.

Other jobs tackled - sent out invoices, paid invoices (one was a whole $1.22... hey big spender!), applied for an everyday VISA debit card.  At the moment my business is self funded, no debts, but so many suppliers only want payment via credit card, and I'm sick of doing it with my own personal account and transferring money back and forth.  Too hard to keep track of what is coming in, going out, what I'm being charged.  So by getting a VISA debit card I can have that 'credit' card without actually going into any debt.  This will definitely help with my time management.

I'm updating the website for the not for profit organization that I'm chairperson of, Made On The Left, updating the blog for it, and doing a lot of behind the scenes work such as lining up guest bloggers, organizing specifications for the promotional material, and proof reading things sent to me including press releases and mailing lists.  We're about to announce our next market for it in July... so things are flat out.

It's already 2.30pm and I haven't even cracked into most of my "to do" list yet.  Shortly I'll get off the computer, and refuse to do anymore admin/other work, it is getting distracting.  I've got an inspirational illustration to finish for a great website project, and 2 other illustrations in the format of love/hate to finish for another project I'm participating in.  Then I need to finish the templates for all my new designs being released sometime (to make the products such as hairpins & rings etc.), finish updating my template folders, and start on setting up my wholesale catalogue with all the pictures, codes and details for stores to order easily.

Oh, I also need to prepare canvases for my upcoming group shows @ Famous When Dead gallery and Blankspace = all in the coming weeks.  I know what I want to do, I just need to get some of this other stuff finished first so I can concentrate.  So preparing canvases will hopefully channel some of that stress.

My mind can't switch off at the moment..... I'm really struggling today.  I keep thinking of what needs to be done, how quickly it needs to be done, and need to make sure I don't get distracted.  Damn, I just realised that an assignment for one of my art classes is due tomorrow too.  It is going to be a late night tonight.  When I stop getting distracted I'm going to sit down and write up a long term goal planner.  I feel lost.