2016 year in review

In with hope and promise and out with upset and fear (of the future)

2016 was some year!

Started out better then 2015, I was getting commissions in and started selling prints straight off my website.  Finally had the bright idea of setting that up after buying a TIVO online and realizing that things had changed, people are willing to buy bigger ticket items (online) and that I need to make it more convenient.  See it, buy it, get it.  No longer a cumbersome process of back and forth emails and arrangements.  And it paid off!

In the spring I dabbled a little bit in mobiles and posters, but in the end the cards, prints, shirts and commissions kept me busy.  Spring MCA went well, but Fall was kind of a bust.  The group is broken and disjointed, and it doesn't work to just be a passive participant.  Not sure my plans for 2017, but it really seems like the default is to stop with the Open Studios.  We'll see.

Summer I got involved with Cheeky Puppy, which put me on the path of aluminum signs.  Put a lot of energy towards them, going back and forth on size and prices, and did a large(ish) test run.  Like the posters, they felt a little off.  Sold most of them, but I'm not sure I'll do any more.  I love how easy they are to produce, but do they help me?  I can't decide.

July I ran out of transfers, which was always no big deal until this year, when they suddenly became completely unavailable from Dharma.  SUCKS!  Still not in.  Week after month they fore casted future resolution, but it looks like they are not coming back.  Bazaar and horrible.  I don't really know what to do - they are completely unique, and I'm totally dependant on their "ghosting" quality and softness.  A huge question mark going forward.  Impacted the entire fall, especially Dog Days, Art on the Ave (we didn't even go) and holidays.

Also summer I contacted Cork & Fork on 14th and offered to make artwork for their awesome window.  Promising at first, but after I sold my first piece and replaced it with another (less fun and positive design), they seemed no longer on board.  They took it down for Gay Pride (understandable ((pulse nightclub shooting))), and that became the end of that.  A funny experience, dealing A on phone and B in store.  A was all about me, B was super circumspect.

I hate it when I'm in someplace, and super communicative and flexible, and owners take it upon themselves to move or remove or somehow alter my work without even consulting with me. Makes me feel really shitty and defensive.  Happens more than I would like.

After July I went into sonic speed into August and the Fall.  Suddenly I had a million projects taking me in opposite directions with similar deadlines.  Commissions, illustrations for Story District, Print show for Willow St, print show at Dolcezza, Artomatic, Holiday cards, holiday commissions.  it's been crazy.  Good (great!), but I have felt really heavy trying to get everything done.  Lots of spill over into Jan with the holiday work, and one looooooooong running commission, and poor Noah.  Wish i could be fast with drawing.  But I'm just not.

Willow St - fun interesting work.  Pushed myself, and like what I came up with.  Opening was a BUST, nobody showed.  Really inexcusable on my part.  But I was pulled in 10000 directions.

Artomatic - bad site selection day, but got a good spot.  Liked my work, and sold most.  Show itself was hard -- time of year to blame.  Location was much better, and I really loved the building.  But I made a mess of my volunteer shifts.  such a mess.

Dolcezza -- much shorter show this year, took all down just before Thanksgiving.  Sold a bunch, but the impact is waining.  Still a good effort.

OVER ARCHING the entire year was the election, and it's culmination Nov 8th with a horrible result.  We watched endless tv commentary,all the debates with javi, and listened to TONS of podcasts about all the minutia.  A really shocking outcome.  Still can't believe it, and have incredible fear of where it's taking us.  Broken and sad.

A big year!  Better than 2015.  More solid and busy.  Still LOVE my studio.  Amazing and incredibly grateful that Remi is still thriving, and love having her at the studio.  All my potential is still there.  just need to stay focused and positive and flexible.  And hopeful.

goodbye 2016.

2015 Wrap up

2014 Wrap up

2013 Wrap up

2012 Wrap up

2011 Wrap up

2010 Wrap up

2009 Wrap up

2016 - The year through pictures

2013 year in pics

2014 year in pics

2015 year in pics

Blizzard, winter 2016

Wedding "guestbook" print

business card give-aways

Jack commission

Bandana commission

H I T ! ! !

m i s s .

Last night at Cafe Asia boo!

Before (windstorm)

Cheeky Puppy display

Elephant ear + hail

Bugsy comission in progress

Peregrine sign

DC tees for Dog Days sale

Aluminum sign collection

Dog Days 2016 on 14th

Redbud on Acoustic panel

Willow Street Opening for Say What?

Willow St Opening

Dolcezza 2016

New landscaping in Rockville

Shaw Dog Park Howl-o-ween

Artomatic 2016

Remi at the studio "working"

14th St Sign for Holidays

Christmas nice in Rockville.  Missed Hex. 

Fatty meat, moist cakes, shark tank, $ exchange and parcheesi.

Slow day at the studio doing odds and ends.  Would like to be in front of a fireplace watching a good movie.

2016 coming to a close.  planning my year end review.

Finished for the day and the season.  Lots to do after Christams, all that i couldnt finish before, but I'm leaving today feeling like I got a lot done!

Merry Christmas to all.

Success!!  Last bit of drawing before Christmas went smoothly -- printing silly oslo tomorrow.

Nice day with Remi.  Must always remember these days with her.  I cherish them - in between being frustrated with her following me everywhere.  I quickly turn that around to feeling happy that she is so energetic that she can.

I kiss her all day long and snuggle with her and smell her fur deep.  I never want to be without her.  She is so precious to me.  I take deep long sniffs between her shoulders and near her belly.  Remi has such a specific smell.  I want to remember that smell forever.

I feel so drained!  relaxed enthusiasm friday became stressed out exhaustion tuesday night.  Feeling a little better after today, but still things to get done before I can breath a sigh of relief.

Its a long and short week at the same time.  5 solid days, but not enough to get everything done, and as the week progresses, it's more and more lazy hazy and people start leaving.  Anyway, I'm working, which is a good thing.

I will forever be ingrained with Catalog-season-itis from the 15+ years at bsur finishing up the catalog this time of year.  Long days and nights working with everybody, and no social life. 

Lucky to have Hexy and Remi to smooth out the rough edges.  tree up last night, pizza tonight.  Lucky Dave, no doubt about it.

Everything going good!

Last friday before Christmas and I'm in a surprisingly good and zen mood.  Everything will work out and get finished and I'll be happy.

Went into the week feeling similar, but the stress built up steadily, culminating in a print freak out Wednesday night when I f'd up YOLO and rushed remi out-of-my-way.  She has this need to be at my feet towards the end of the day, and I was having none of it. And all these pin-holes showed up in my screen, when I was printing the final black screen on yolo.

But -- things took a turn.  I was freed thursday of my artomatic shift drudgery, sent out some emails freeing up my drawing schedule, and things started to work out.  I settled into the mess and found my way through.

Early this morning I drove back out to Artomatic (rockville) only to drive back after seeing that nothing was going to be happening.  So much angst and mess surrounding these stupid 3 shifts.  Guilt and frustration and excuses and regret and resolve and freedom.  its in the past - I'm moving on.

party at Sally's tonight, busy work day tomorrow, social sunday, then back to the grind Monday.  Need to keep up my pace.  I feel the holiday lag in the distance.--especially this afternoon.  All I wanted to do was call it a day and go home.  But I can't.

ps - freeeeeeeeezing past few days.

pps - remi doing well.  I am shocked and thankful!

waiting for the world to end

CRAZY(er) busy since flash sale

shipping and drawing and printing.
feeling zen for some reason, like all will work out.

1 million things to do.

I'll get it done

stupid post office closed, so lots of hauling.

big print swap at buzz yesterday.

remi here today.

calling it a day.

good catch up day.

buzz runs

diapers for remi : (

and set up my FLASH SALE for tomorrow.

off to the gym, with buzzy screen eyes and cold feet.  Remi is pacing the studio

Jack 3.0