The Invisible Navigator

August 31, 2012 Writing Comments Off on The Invisible Navigator

Isn’t it funny how you can try to run up the same hill infinite times, but it’s not til you give up and head in another direction that you succeed? I’ve been struggling to rework a story idea, first as a graphic novel, then as a webcomic and currently a written work. It’s been like trying to sprint through a tar pit. I have read, researched and meditated, waiting for the answer to appear. And my muse is silent as the crypt.

Then 72 hours ago, a short story idea occurred to me. This one is practically writing itself. The concept keeps snowballing, and I think I may have enough material to eventually turn it into a full length novel. My veins run with adrenaline and I write down notes often. I feel…purpose, and a direction.

You can try to steer the boat [of life], but you rarely know what’s around the next bend. I think that means the navigation of your life is something that’s never completely in your own hands. Call it divine or call it chaos, it still means you don’t always get to pick the destination. For me that means it’s time to let go of the wheel and grab hold of my pen, for all it’s worth.

Struck by Lightning

August 13, 2012 Career Comments Off on Struck by Lightning

Inspiration is not a faucet. You don’t get to turn it on and off at will. It’s more like a spring. You find it, tap it, and move on once it’s dry. As an artist with ADHD, few are more aware of how capricious our muses can be. Sometimes I have to trick myself into working. Sometimes I have to plug away like a mule while my brain plays tug-of-war with my artist’s hand. But most times, I have to “incubate” an idea for hours, days, or even weeks before my thoughts congeal into a really great idea that I can execute. Today was one of those days.

I’ve got a ton of concept work to develop before this project can see the light of day. But I’m delirious with the prospects. And I can’t wait to share the new pieces once I’m on my way. But for now, I’m going to celebrate this new zygote by surrounding myself with pencils, paper, paints, canvases, reference books, good tea and a brilliant smile on my face.

In Dreams…

August 9, 2012 Random Comments Off on In Dreams…

I awoke from a dream… It’s a common topic of morning conversation, isn’t it? Sometimes crazy, sometimes sobering, but almost always thought provoking if you can remember it. This one was about helping others. It was mystical and ethereal. I walked from room to room in a beautiful, glowing palace, seeing friends in conversation wherever I went. And in each room, I had a philosophical response to one or more of them. I suppose it could have been interpreted as my meddling, but I was warmed and buoyed by seeing a spark of imagination and comfort in each of their eyes.

I will never pretend to know all the answers. I’m just as flawed as the next human being in the room. But whenever I find something that helps me, I want to share it. Not to put myself in a place of power or authority, but to help the ones I care about. To help anyone who’s struggling nearby, or on the other side of the planet. Because we’re all in this together. But a caveat: advice should always come with consent from the recipient. Unsolicited counsel can spoil the soup. It’s about giving. OK, I confess. It’s also about that wonderful feeling you get when you see it helped someone else… <3

Have a wonderful day. I know I sure will…

Sky Temple - Ganesha. Photoshop composite from 2012
Sky Temple – Ganesha. Digital composite, 2012

So Many Huge Steps

August 7, 2012 Random Comments Off on So Many Huge Steps

I’ve always been in love with science fiction. But we are in an era where science fact is just as, if not more, interesting. What a wonderful time to be alive, as we explore another planet in our solar system, and get up to the minute images and information. Hope you find this as interesting and fantastic as I do. The image below is a link to Curiosity’s very own Ustream page:

First color image from Curiosity

For the most current information, please refer to NASA’s Mars page. And what could be more fitting an image than the first color image from the Curiosity expedition:

Curiosity's first color image.

Something to Celebrate…

August 2, 2012 Random Comments Off on Something to Celebrate…

Joie and me at Sho Chiku Bai sake tasting, circa 2005. A wonderful day in our history. <3

When you look back on your life, you can find things to be proud of if you look hard enough. This one’s not too hard to locate. I’ve known Joell Schmidling-Peysar since we were 12. That’s 32 years, if you’re counting! She’s the closest thing to a sister I will ever have in this lifetime. The road has been long, and full of times, both hard and unimaginably good. She’s a devoted mother and family member, one of the most positive people I’ve ever met in my life, and a fiercely supportive and protective friend. She taught me to see the bright side of any situation. She taught me about patience and fidelity. And today, I celebrate the anniversary of her birth.

Happy Birthday, Joie! Thank you for making my life a better place. I look forward to many more memories to add to our virtual scrapbook. Don’t you forget about me…

Idle Hands…

July 31, 2012 Career Comments Off on Idle Hands…

Got a little freelance work on my plate!! It’s an enchanting fantasy/sci fi comic book series called The Words, from Floating Dock Comics. We’re putting Issue 5 together right now. Of course, this means customizing my Illustrator workspace, rerecording my actions on this new computer (why didn’t I save those to the flash drive along with all my fonts?!) and wrestling with Lion for control of my keyboard shortcuts. A simple case of measure twice, cut once. Or, measure twice, cut twice, rinse, repeat, /facepalm. Nice thing is, I only have to do this once and I’m sailing through clear waters after that…

The Search Continues!

July 30, 2012 Career 2 comments

I’ve been branching outside of my skill set to find work the past few weeks. The graphic design job market is flooded with candidates, and I have to take into consideration the possibility of not finding work in my area for a considerable time. But my intention is to stay, and that means being able to meet my financial obligations. We’ve reached an era when MBA’s are applying for entry level positions. I read long ago that the key to success is to constantly reinvent yourself. That means taking work where you can find it, rather than holding out for the perfect job while sitting on your duff, dreaming about it. Therefore, I’m making my parachute as multicolored as I can manage. My hope is to continually create as high caliber art as I am capable of. I’m proud of my artistic abilities, but not so much that I’ll turn my nose at a decent position to keep me fed and happily ensconced in Colorado.

But to shamelessly plug myself, the picture below is also a link to a random sampling of my art projects, both contracted and self inspired…The Artist

Round Two!

July 29, 2012 Random Comments Off on Round Two!

I’m up, dressed, hydrated, fast broken, and adrenaline pumping. My goal: Fill one more bin with leaves and twigs. It’s almost disturbing sometimes, when I get on a tear and want to barrel through a project. One might venture to suggest I’m obsessive about it. But I’m proud of the fact that I know when to call quitting time. But until then, I’m signing off, because part of knowing my limitations is knowing I should get the heavy labor done before the heat of the day sets in. Have a fantastic Sunday, everyone!

Communing with Nature

July 28, 2012 Random One comment

I just spent a solid three hours trying to tame the yard. I know it’s a never ending battle, but there’s something thrilling to me about getting your blood pumping, sweating your butt off, feeling alive, and having something to admire after you’re done with it.

Trying to keep it to small doses, though. Overdoing it in a new climate could be hazardous to my health, and just plain silly. So now I’m going to go sit on the patio with an iced cold barley tea and smugly survey my accomplishments.

OSFest 5

July 26, 2012 Conventions Comments Off on OSFest 5

A few of my very favorite authors (and one very talented seamstress) will be making an appearance In Omaha this weekend. If by some random awesome chance you decide to attend OSFest 5, look for Quincy J. Allen, Peter Wacks, Guy Anthony De Marco and Tonya De Marco. Tell them I said hi!

OSFest 5

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