On a TED talk I listened to recently, a designer spoke on finding happiness. "Happiness must mean doing more of the things you love, and doing less of the things you hate." But... doing less of the things you hate can pile up on you. That is exactly what has happened to yours truly. Now you know I love creating art, and over the last few years I've created quite a bit. I have been very happy. Now, Mr happy is bemoaning the piles of procrastination that have accumulated. Mending a fence built over 11 years ago, hacking through a jungle that was once a beautiful garden, and fighting the color green in what should be an azure blue pool have been taking up quite a bit of my time.
The inevitableness of our move back to Texas is fueling this weekend warrior faze. May it pass swiftly!
We are moving back to be near family. Now I love my family, and I love living in California, but when there is a choice between the two, I know there really is no choice. One must sacrifice. The truest expression of love is self sacrifice. And so, I prepare the body. With the jagged edge of a hedge trimmer I let loose the crimson in my vanes and try not to think of all that I will miss. Friendships made, incredible beauty just a few hours away, the place that Walt built, Yup, I'm gonna miss California.
There is however a glimmer. I will at long last be loosed from the salt mines. 16 years in retail is long enough.
"But Sam! What will you do for a living!?" I would like to say that for a change, I will live for a living. Becoming a working freelance illustrator and Author is of course my goal, but to reach that goal, it is going to take more sacrifice. We will simplify. Living in Texas will be much less expensive than living here. (There is no state income tax in Texas for one thing.) I will find part time work. We will not eat out. We will go camping under the stars rather than doing Disneyland. Then, within all that "Meantime," I will continue to pursue my goal, be with my family and, put first things first.
For me this feels like a leap of faith. Faith in the talents that Jehovah has given me, and that it is his will that we make this move. My mother is 74 and not getting any younger.
Yes I've read Quitter by Jon Acuff, and yes all the way through I was looking for the affirmation to quit.
All good council and I applaud him. But he didn't speak much of being trapped in a toxic job, heading away from where you want to be. His jobs always seemed related to his ultimate goal. At the very least, he was able to use his creative skill sets on a daily basis which by effect, got him closer and closer to his goal. I have been on the wrong buss headed in the opposite direction for a LLLooonnnggg time. If I'm ever to expect to get to where I want to be, I gotta change busses NOW!
On a HUGELY Positive, Wonderfully SPLENDIFEROUS note,
the gang from the http://illopond.com are forming a new group the Anthology 8 group of artists. Paul Caggegi, with his marvelous brain and bounding talents has taken initiative to set up a site dedicated to a core group of artists. Those who have been involved in our anthologies in the past, and who will be taking things to a whole new level. We are not leaving the Illopond, we just feel the need to make this a sustainable enterprise for all those involved. We encourage others to continue to pool their talents and build something like we have done through the illopond. And of course we will continue to drop in from time to time to encourage & foster continued collaborations there.
My next Story for FarFaria will be out soon. Here is a lil peak. If you have an iPad, I hope that you will download subscribe to the app. It is the best value for Digital Children's literature out there. Most single book apps out there are running anywhere from 3.99 to 12.00 for a single book! FarFaria delivers new books added every week to an already huge world of Children's titles. The first month is on the house. you can read as often and as many as you like. After that, it is a 3.99 a month subscription, but like I said, new books are added weekly! And you will find soon five stories illustrated by yours truly.
Lastly, and certainly not leastly, I'm honored to be part of an exciting project. My friend
Ian Narcisi, an incredibly talented musician, singer song writer, invited me to contribute some visuals for an up coming Concept album There will be a kickstarter campaign in conjunction with this project that I hope that you will consider contributing. Can't say much about it right now, but I've been messing around with animation Via Corel Painter for it. I think you will be blow away!
At any rate, Yup. Life is busy, and once my seat on the bus is final, I will breath a sigh of creative release. And if you know of anyone needing a dedicated, easy to work with illustrator mention my name!!! I'm only an email away.
The inevitableness of our move back to Texas is fueling this weekend warrior faze. May it pass swiftly!
We are moving back to be near family. Now I love my family, and I love living in California, but when there is a choice between the two, I know there really is no choice. One must sacrifice. The truest expression of love is self sacrifice. And so, I prepare the body. With the jagged edge of a hedge trimmer I let loose the crimson in my vanes and try not to think of all that I will miss. Friendships made, incredible beauty just a few hours away, the place that Walt built, Yup, I'm gonna miss California.
There is however a glimmer. I will at long last be loosed from the salt mines. 16 years in retail is long enough.
"But Sam! What will you do for a living!?" I would like to say that for a change, I will live for a living. Becoming a working freelance illustrator and Author is of course my goal, but to reach that goal, it is going to take more sacrifice. We will simplify. Living in Texas will be much less expensive than living here. (There is no state income tax in Texas for one thing.) I will find part time work. We will not eat out. We will go camping under the stars rather than doing Disneyland. Then, within all that "Meantime," I will continue to pursue my goal, be with my family and, put first things first.
For me this feels like a leap of faith. Faith in the talents that Jehovah has given me, and that it is his will that we make this move. My mother is 74 and not getting any younger.
Yes I've read Quitter by Jon Acuff, and yes all the way through I was looking for the affirmation to quit.
All good council and I applaud him. But he didn't speak much of being trapped in a toxic job, heading away from where you want to be. His jobs always seemed related to his ultimate goal. At the very least, he was able to use his creative skill sets on a daily basis which by effect, got him closer and closer to his goal. I have been on the wrong buss headed in the opposite direction for a LLLooonnnggg time. If I'm ever to expect to get to where I want to be, I gotta change busses NOW!
On a HUGELY Positive, Wonderfully SPLENDIFEROUS note,
the gang from the http://illopond.com are forming a new group the Anthology 8 group of artists. Paul Caggegi, with his marvelous brain and bounding talents has taken initiative to set up a site dedicated to a core group of artists. Those who have been involved in our anthologies in the past, and who will be taking things to a whole new level. We are not leaving the Illopond, we just feel the need to make this a sustainable enterprise for all those involved. We encourage others to continue to pool their talents and build something like we have done through the illopond. And of course we will continue to drop in from time to time to encourage & foster continued collaborations there.
Lastly, and certainly not leastly, I'm honored to be part of an exciting project. My friend
Ian Narcisi, an incredibly talented musician, singer song writer, invited me to contribute some visuals for an up coming Concept album There will be a kickstarter campaign in conjunction with this project that I hope that you will consider contributing. Can't say much about it right now, but I've been messing around with animation Via Corel Painter for it. I think you will be blow away!
At any rate, Yup. Life is busy, and once my seat on the bus is final, I will breath a sigh of creative release. And if you know of anyone needing a dedicated, easy to work with illustrator mention my name!!! I'm only an email away.
Way to go, Sam! I was in a similar position with a day job that was about as creatively fulfilling as dirt. I have been "free" for almost 9 months and have NEVER been happier. There has been stressful (and downright scary) moments where I wasn't sure where the next paycheck would come from, but faith, simple-living, and focused priorities have been my personal secret-weapon. I know it will work for you, too. GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteThank you Denver good buddy! I do hope it works out alright. We've got a TON of work to do around the house to get it fixed up to sell, but we'll get-er-done!
Delete