dear dave,

making plans for my new work table, which I'm anxious to get installed. I don't want to fall into a lazy trap, and let time go by making due with what I have set up here. The time to strike is NOW! while the iron is hot!

I put an ad up on craigslist for help getting all the wood here, cut, and assembled, but Im realizing it's probably best just to try to do it myself (with Hex). It would just be so nice to hire it out, since I know it's going to be a big project.

Anyway, that plan is afoot, so we'll see how it shakes out.

Stuck with what to do with my cabinets. They just don't fit in my master plan, but parting with them will be so sad. Thinking about putting them up on craigslist, and seeing what the market is... Maybe they could finance the rolling stool chair I'm thinking about. I just don't know - I love them so much.

More snow is on the way, and it's all such a big distraction. Puts limits on things, and I'm not being so good a working around them. In my head I have all these projects to start. But I'm feeling zero creativity, so it's like eating when I'm not hungry.

Could be another reason why I'm focused on the desk. Something positive to accomplish, and something that will help me feel more settled.

Some people are just mean. I don't get it - but I do. It's hard not to respond, but that can only lead to a downward spiral. Emailing back and forth will solve nothing. I will probably just get more angry.

Deleting the stupid thing is the best course, so that is what I did.

Im in love!

-my white shirt "the blog"
-my dark floor
-snowy fields
-white t-shirts, soft just out of the dryer.
-crows cawing in the trees
-die another day REMIX
-the promise of spring
-cologne
-acorns
-budding branches

possibility!!

The very snowy weekend was spent with Hexy, shuttling between coffee shops, studios, Drs. offices, and friends houses. It was fun and social. Another storm is on it's way, but we have a few days to settle. The wind in blowing, but it's sunny.

We made some progress on the new studio Friday, painting the bathroom. Glad to see it coming together a bit more.

I actually tried to make it in to the Corcoran, but that was kind of dumb. THe building was open, but the studio was locked shut. Oh well. I think I just needed to try.

I'm sort of at a midpoint in things. I'm looking forward to charting some new paths. Time to draw.

I love the jacket and crest and sweats. not so into the lion t-shirt.

The SNOW has seized all our minds. Walking to work just now, I didn't think it could even be cold enough to snow. But a blizzard is predicted to start any hour now, and all of Washington is bracing, and going out of it's mind.

Hoping to get to the Corcoran early, to finish my project. We'll see. I'm thinking the Corcoran will fall like the rest of the area, and shut down before any snow has fallen.

Distinctive Lifestyle show is up, and our opening is planned for the 18th. Interested to see how that all turns out.

Rock Creek Park, February 4, 2010

dear dave,

getting into new routine, but its slow going. Each day feels new, and has different demands. Trying to get back to the gym, which should be really easy now that I'm working so close to home. But its still a challenge to get there. Or it requires determination.

This morning I lifted a bit, and its like my body just craves it. Funny, and nice. I really miss my mornings with Jenn and JP and Sarah, and Ryan (personal training 3 days a week for 3+ years). Yummy Ryan. Those were the steak years.

I remember so vividly walking down Corcoran st. with Remi, and thinking about the trade offs I was willing to make if I were to leave bsur. I had years of no $ worries, and those were great years. I never thought about spending anything, there was always more in the pipeline. But I REALLY was determined to leave, and change. And I was (am still am) so willing to sacrifice that comfort. I'm living it now.

-----

Had a pretty good day at the corcoran yesterday. Lori's print is coming along and taking shape. Its been kind of hard and slow going though - but I'm making progress. Think it will be great. Made two, and it's funny, because one is consistently coming out better (with each screen and color) Knock on wood! Hey - that would make a great t-shirt!

Today is a day of odds and ends. Then off to file at Dr. Price's tonight. Ahhh thursday. I love your comfortable cozy feel!

must get to Corcoran. Open studio starts at 3, and its 3:04. This crazyish schedule feels a little hard. I'm just getting into my day groove here at the studio, and I need to leave again. And its already Wednesday. And more snow is in the forcast for the weekend. Which means we probably wont have class Saturday.

Otherwise feel pretty good about things. Moving along.

More later.

remi helping me scale "gaggle" for Barb's large commission piece.

new ck ad. love it!

dear dave,

going to the corcoran today. hope to be productive! Thats all I really have to say.

There has been quite the creative glut the past few weeks. Turning that big giant ship around!

new studio at dusk

my pencil sharpener works!!

dear dave,

Today was my first day at 1716, and it went pretty well.

It was really nice to start unpacking and reconfiguring the room to my specifications. One of my very favorite things is organizing my space. So far so good, but MAJOR adjustments are planned. i love the idea of a big long tall work table going along the whole side wall. Right now I have a desk and a table as stand ins-a good temporary solution.

I'm loving the closet space. I was lucky to get a deep, tall closet in the hallway which has this terrific, sturdy shelf running along the whole length and both sides. This closet is perfect for storage, and will get all the large pieces out of my way. Its really really great. I get a good feeling every time I open the door.

Still not sure what to do with my beloved cabinets, but they will find a place. I'm thinking about axing them, but stocked them up anyway. They are like family, and when I put my stuff back inside them, everything in its place, I feel comfort. We'll see how they fit in as time goes by. I really like the idea of keeping one side of the room CLEAR of clutter.

Sitting here at my desk, I'm feeling pretty good. Not loving my computer placement, because its in full view to anybody that enters, but I guess Ill get used to that.

Oh, and I finally got serious about trying to fix my pencil sharpener, a birthday present I have loved since 5th grade. I was heartbroken when it wasn't working, and couldn't bring myself to toss it. Luckily I didn't because now its working just fine!

dear dave,

I am in major stall mode. The last few things need to be moved. They are the hardest. Fragile and loose. Hex and I did a major haul last night. One trip did the trick, which shocks me. So happy to have all the big stuff taken care of.

I need to buck up, and finish. NOW!

Dear Dave,

Driving in today I remembered that I forgot to write anything yesterday. That breaks a long streak!

Making my move - which means hauling all my stuff from the old studio to the new. Always a bigger project than is ever estimated. But I'm so happy that it worked out so I can use my larger rental car while my tiny saucer of a miata is being repaired. I was rear ended in December, and the timing worked out so that this is the repair week. Lucky for me, because the miata is USELESS for moving.

Anyway, things are going fine. Im unfolding my office like origami crane, since everything is so neatly packed away. It's amazing how much I've managed to pack into this small space!

Valentines are selling well. Im encouraged by my little foray into card making. I always thought that would be a good avenue for my drawings. Happy to be moving forward with it.

Probably best to get back to the move. Its another short day. More later?

VALENTINES!!

Birds of a feather flock together!




I give you my heart.




Kissss Me!




I'll never leaf you!


http://www.branddave.com/freehand/valentines.html

haha

I feel better now.

It's amazing what a little food can do. Just popped a quick sandwich, and I'm back in business.

Friday SUCKED, and saturday at the corcoran didn't go down much better. One step forward, 3 1/2 steps back. That seems to be the pattern lately. HORRIBLY frustrating, but it's not like it's in the plan. Things just don't seem to be going smoothly.

made some shitty choices. Bad ink color, bad envelope color, should have taken the VISTA credit, should have printed one board at a time. SHOULD HAVE!!!

So I've wasted some small amounts of money, time, paper, and paint.

------

Now it's monday, time to reset.

Working towards moving the studio this week - which should go smoothly. My new space is painted, so I can begin bringing stuff over. All in good time.

Anxious to get back to the Corcoran, and back on track. With drawing, photographing, selling, editing, websiting, all of it. I feel like I've been stuck in a swamp. When will I finally pull myself out?

haha -
thwarted ALL day! Im stuck in this time trap. Plan to get back on track. I feel like Im losing my mind. Hopefully more later.