dear dave

2012-02-14T17:47:00.003-05:00

2012-02-13T18:00:00.000-05:00

geez - bad postal day (few days).

come on usps - work with me

2012-02-13T15:33:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

at the corcoran once again, waiting for my screens to dry.

Saturday I printed a smaller version of "branches", and today I'm making another, revised version. Not so happy with the small flowers, and the way it came out overall, so I think this should help. VERY tedious print - so many little passes. I wish I could revise both, but that would be crazy.

Worked all day Saturday, then had noodles with Rhodsa (and hex). Sunday was FREEZING, so after being out for a few hours in the morning, we isolated ourselves inside for the rest of the day, binging on Whitney Houston death news and later, baking cookies.

Those days always make sense and feel good at the time, but then Monday comes, and it's hard to be motivated. A blah Sunday definitely leads to a blah Monday.

Things are chugging along, but these are the dog days of winter! I tell myself to be patient. Moods will change. Gridlock will subside. The sun will come out. February is always rough.

So that is where I am - waiting and trying to feel patient.

2012-02-10T17:02:00.002-05:00

worked today.

2012-02-09T18:16:00.000-05:00

productive day, but I'm feeling really edgy and agitated. Not sure what my problem is.

Got through some roadblocks, but not yet satisfied with the solutions. Or maybe I just feel like they are band-aids. Quick cover-ups to looming issues I can't figure out.

I have so much anxiety lately about big choices. I can't make them. And that makes me anxious.

Down on myself - and that's never a good place to be...

2012-02-08T19:39:00.000-05:00

blah,

the more I change things (on my website), the more I want to change things (on my website).

And prints, and cards, shirts, and my studio. It snowballs into this overwhelming feeling of NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

If I just do this....it will be better. "this" means tweak, tweak, tweak till the cows come home.

Then I look at other sites and all these feeling multiply exponentially.

Where is my time best spent? That is what I always need to ask.

This time of year I want to change everything. Nothing looks fresh or exciting. But I can't! I need to be fucking realistic. Its sooooooo easy to get bogged down and overwhelmed.

Anyway, I need to have a small focus. I can't be everything, sell everything, appeal to everybody.

Blah - i'm going home (frustrated)

I need to figure out my future once and for all. Or at least the next five years. What do I want branddave to be?? I need to settle on something, and be it.

2012-02-07T18:37:00.000-05:00

Before

After

2012-02-07T18:35:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

not such a great day today. GREAT day yesterday! but not so much today.

Back and forth with the auto garage. Final result -- $800 repair. First thought I would get away with a no charge! but as I drove away, I still heard the whizzing noise that made me bring it in in the first place.

Few hours later I got the bad news. Spent a lot on that car the past few years!

yesterday I had a really successful day printing. Got another honey badger print finished, and three other new ones. Excited to get them out, and SOLD!

Tried to rally towards the end of today, but no luck. I feel bad leaving the studio for the day with this little accomplished. I hate this feeling.

2012-02-05T12:59:00.001-05:00

Made a print this Saturday, and documented the progress

Painting the boards

Laying out the positives before making screens

Mixing and testing colors

Each color is printed separately-layer by layer

Printing table

Just need to print black outlines

Two finished prints!

2012-02-04T11:25:00.001-05:00

2012-02-02T18:22:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

the days have been going by quickly - sort of.

I'm still in this uncomfortable mode. Like I don't feel settled in my skin. I come to work, have stuff to do, but I'm not feeling great. Or as good as I should, or something. I don't know. I just have this unsettled feeling lately. Blah!

Anyway, very busy with shirts. Which is good. Anxious to switch to prints, but know it's probably best to stay focused on shirts.

Made another stop at BUZZ last night. Stealthy with Hexy. We go in, unpack prints, wrap prints, hang prints, label, photograph and exit.

Last night we enjoyed a quick cupcake before leaving. A departure!

Anyway - they are really cool there. The vibe is really nice. Always feel good after I visit.

-----

massage didn't help my lack of focus much. Too bad. I feel all over the place. Getting things done, but i know I could be more efficient!

-----

Listening to BLACK SHEEP show, and heard my name mentioned! What a kick. Really really cool.

2012-01-31T16:49:00.002-05:00

today I sent out a bunch of emails, shipped my big card order, made shirts, and am getting a massage.

hopefully the massage part will be beneficial.

I am SOOOOOOO scattered lately. I have absolutely no focus when I'm sitting here at my desk.

Let's see if this works. I'm sure excited to find out.

"Monty" commission

2012-01-31T12:25:00.002-05:00

2012-01-30T19:14:00.002-05:00

2012-01-30T19:12:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

great weekend with Jimmy, first baking Saturday (stressful) then celebrating her 77th bday Sunday with the whole family. A lot of Rockville, but good.

busy day today. Stressing out about card delivery, then working hard to pull the big order together once they arrived. Happy that there were no printing errors!

My neck hurts, and I really want to veg out. But we have dinner plans with Marshall, so be it. Steak! That will taste good.

LAZY at the studio. THIS HAS TO CHANGE!

Hey...wait......I just realized: I'm healthy! No cough, no cold, no sicky feeling!! Just sort of dawned on me.

Anyway, until tomorrow.

2012-01-27T17:32:00.002-05:00

January is going out with a blah. Can't shake the pre-cold. Rather then get incrementally better each day, it's going in the other direction. Seems like everybody is sick. Somethings in the air.

Much nicer day weather wise. Up to 63.

Hex and I bought 4 lasagnas this morning for this weekend. And 3 pounds of rawhide chewies for Remi. Then I delivered 200 cards and 24 shirts to Trohv, and finally hung my 2 new signs at the front gate of the studio.

Finished up 3 illustrations for speakeasy, almost finished up 1 commissioned print, ate 5 chocolate chip cookies, and probably 8-10 hard pretzels.

Its after 5, I'm going home. Wish all these numbers added up to something exciting, but I don't feel like I accomplished enough this week.

BUT - valentines were marketed/distributed, blank shirts are en route, a bunch of orders got processed, a commission came in, a commissioned print went out -- along with a hefty illustration invoice, I sold a few more prints, found a new model, and a big card order came in, and a big card (printing) order went out.

not such a bad week after all?

2012-01-26T18:17:00.003-05:00

sickish, but still plowing ahead.

2012-01-25T18:04:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

I'm fighting the good fight, but this cold just wants to take me over. Hex will have a cow if I actually get sick (again), so I'm trying hard not to give in to it. We'll see how it pans out.

Good past few days. Pushing out valentines, and ordering a lot of supplies. Excited about my big card order, and the future of that.

Busy this weekend with Jimmy's bday stuff, so I won't be preparing to print. But I'm anxious to get going on that for spring. And more shirts.

Lots to do...

LOVE it

2012-01-24T18:14:00.000-05:00

both photos via briefmagazine.com

2012-01-23T18:11:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

the weather continues to be bleak! We are under this thick blanket of clouds and cold (and darkness) and it really sucks. I'm sick of it!

BUT --

weekend was good. Back at the corcoran all day saturday, and was able to finish all my projects. Helped massively that nobody was there in the afternoon to be in my way!

Got my valentines in today, and they came out awesome. Really really happy with the printing this time. Colors looks fabu-loso!

So so day today. But what can I expect in this time? This weather? This health? (another cold???)

I go through my list, get things done, surf the net, and hope for a more creative tomorrow!

2012-01-23T11:07:00.002-05:00

I LOVE THIS!
(thanks golriz)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsuQUP1lfDA

2012-01-20T18:17:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

another mixed bag of a day. One one hand I'm really stuck on a few illustrations for speakeasy, and on the other I'm avoiding making any big decisions/moves concerning t-shirts.

In the meantime, I got a lot of little things done. Tomorrow is the first day of SPRING '12 printing at the corcoran. I have a few commissions lined up, so now is the time to finally get them finished up. It will be a busy day.

Valentines come in Monday, and I'm really anxious to see them. FINGERS crossed tightly that colors came out well. I'll be sweating that out all weekend.

Meanwhile - t-shirts. ENORMOUS potential is right there, at the tip of my fingertips - - -

I just need to reach out - - - - - -

and

grab.

New Newsprint always excites

2012-01-20T18:11:00.000-05:00

2012-01-19T17:36:00.003-05:00

blah!

hyper distracted today. Working on drawings, but constantly looking for a diversion. i don't know what my problem was, but I don't like it!

Kind of cold, and pissy.

blah

-----
Update: still crabby! What's my problem? I swear there must be some metaphysical reason. I have no reason to feel this way right now.

2012-01-18T11:16:00.003-05:00

via briefmagazine.com

Valentines on sale now!

2012-01-17T17:52:00.001-05:00

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

2012-01-16T17:44:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

woke up and got ripped off. Set a bad tone for the day.

grabbed my phone this morning, and saw a phishing email from "tvvitter" that played right into my vanity. I blindly clicked the link, entered my password, then realized I'd been had. I don't think there will be much damage, but felt crappy. Just last week my visa account was stolen, run up, then closed. Luckily Visa caught it quickly!

I'm feeling vulnerable, and not it a good way.

----
working on Valentines a little late. I'm behind on most things, but will catch up. Just need a few solid days of solid work.

Some good news came late in the day, so that frosts over the bitterness from earlier.

bye for now.

Florida

2012-01-15T13:36:00.001-05:00

Landing

On the beach

the morning we departed

2012-01-10T18:35:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

last few days have been better health wise - but I've stayed sort of in the "down" position. Cold kind of wiped my excitement about the new year/new me vibe I was feeling last week. This week has been more about hide, avoid, protect, blah.

Hate that - but can't do much about it except ride the wave. Good news is that Hexy and I leave for a few days of sunny miami tomorrow. That should (has-to-be) a mood lifter.

----

Branddave news has been good. Had a terrific December when all is said and done. I know it was going well, but numbers came in to prove. Best ever.

I'm in a good position to make moves and grow.

2012-01-07T19:05:00.003-05:00

Dear Dave,

Still trying to recover from this cold. Second day of feeling really crappy, and I'm really sick of it.

Sheon gave me meds last night, and they have knocked me out all day. Not sure if it's them or the cold, but I've been in a deep fog. Poor hex--that's all I can say. Sucks to have a sick partner. All I want to do, eat, talk about is... Nothing.

Fell out of my work groove, which sucks. Was anxious to make creative progress, now that is stalled. Off to Miami next week, so that pushes it back further.

Poor remi waits for her walk in the woods. Hopefully tomorrow.

2012-01-06T17:43:00.000-05:00

Sick day. Sucked.

Couldn't sleep at all last night, so I read my old journals. Right on the cusp of meeting Hexy, leaving bsur, and starting branddave. Fascinating to look back, and see the seeds of change. They were planted in those days.

Great December at Trohv!! Excited about that.

2012-01-05T18:26:00.000-05:00

so so day. Started out sour with a red light, and the energy just never moved much from there.

worked on more speakeasy. Stumped on one, which is a bit frustrating, but I think I just came up with a new plan for it.

I like working on these a lot!

----

cold progressing. Hope to feel better for Miami next week

2012-01-04T18:04:00.000-05:00

productive day working on speakeasy illustrations. So much fun - I love doing these!

FREEZING cold outside. I'm off to the gym after letting ms. remi out.

2012-01-04T18:00:00.001-05:00

Thank you triple 5 soul wallet, for all the great years of service! I'm sorry to have to let you go, but it's time.
I bought you at Urban Outfitters years ago (6+ maybe??), and you have been a great and beloved companion ever since.

goodbye! (of course I couldn't throw it away, so I stashed in away in a "precious things" drawer, where it will stay until I finally am able to let it go for good)

2012-01-03T18:03:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

A respectable day back at work. The past week or so has been off and on. Here but not here. I just wanted to do nothing, but quickly felt guilty about that.

Anyway, took Jimmy's christmas tree down yesterday, saw Sherlock with Hex, and lazed around. Back to the studio today after a false start - replacing a burned out headlight.

Really interesting lesson - thoughts lead to actions! Hex was convinced I would buy the wrong bulb, so he went with me to buy it. Even at the store he was so anxious about it - but we looked it up, and bought the bulb that their computer data base specified.

We returned home, struggled to get the old one out, then couldn't get the new one in. We had the wrong one! He knew it! It was wrong! Told you so! We needed one with 2 grooves! The one we bought had one! They told us the wrong one! We have to go back!

Drove all the way back to the store (not a fun trip), returned the bulb, but they didn't have any of the "correct" bulbs in stock, so we went across the street to another shop.

There we finally discovered our mistake. Hex pulled the high beam bulb out to replace (one groove), while we needed to replace the low beam bulb all-along (which is what we bought and returned, then bought again!).

Not to blame poor Hex, because I know he had the best of intentions, but he created all this in his head. He was so convinced I would buy the wrong bulb, that his thoughts and actions made it so.

Kind of interesting....

Highlights of 2011

2011-12-31T15:42:00.062-05:00

It was another interesting year! How could it not be? Things are always changing, growing, stopping, and coming and going. I'm so lucky to meet and work with such great people! Caroline, Megan, Barb, Tom Drymon, Amy Saidmen, Tom Goss, HEX, Gary, TROHV, Alan, Sarah, Romaine, Dave K, Peter, Renato, Bobby, Geran. So many great supporters, patrons, friends and cheerleaders.

I end the year determined to grow, and work from experience. MORE tees, less prints, MORE cards, MORE freelance and maybe some photography mixed in!

I'm excited to go forward. Here's to 2012!

2010 Highlight Post

2009 Highlights Post

DC Design House -- Early in the year I scouted out the new Design House living room that Barb was going to transform. I was really honored that she commissioned two paintings from me to be part of her design. The end result was GREAT, but it took me in another direction for Axis that didn't work out so well.

---------

Axis Show -- My Axis project was to go up in February, but luckily it was pushed back a month. I was really stumped about what to do, and made a big mistake with what I settled on. a series of really simple colorful silhouettes printed with tempera paint on 30 x 30 wood panels. looked good on paper, but not so much in the windows after we finally installed. Blah! The whole thing was a fiasco, start to finish. Luckily Sue form Axis recognized the mistake instantly. In less then a week hex and I installed 10+ different prints. More me, and better overall. It was rough going! Hard to install, and tough emotionally. But turned out well. Great exposure and good will. Most of all, experience for how to do things better.

Renato -- I met Renato in the spring, after placing rounds of new ads. I noticed that responses through craigslist grew thinner, but managed to meet a few really great guys that I used for shirts as well. Renato stands out from the guys in the spring. A Brazilian guy who came to the US via Australia with his new wife. All around awesome guy. So friendly and handsome and enthusiastic about life. Just rock solid. We met up later in the summer, and had coffee after the shoot. A terrific memory, sitting on the curb, summer afternoon, talking about his brother's surf camp back in Brazil. Such a great experience, working with great people.

------

Screen prints -- Early spring I also started making smaller prints. I was thinking they might sell easier at Trohv and the studio. I could sell them for less and they are easier to hang, to fit in people's decor. Had some success, but not as much as I thought. Still, a good evolution of my print work.

Another change -- more ties between shirts and prints content-wise. I started doing more things with captions, and humor. Very much like what I was trying to get away from early on after leaving bsur. It gives me a hook, and I needed to recognize that and build on it.

---

Speakeasy -- I got an email from Amy Saidmen (speakeasyDC) about purchasing a few prints. What a great turning point. Eventually I began working freelance with speakeasy, and it's been a great experience. New inspirations and outlets, and income. I big deal that has lead to great things. It all started in spring, with this initial design.

Trohv -- Things were going well with Red Tree in Baltimore (prints and tees first went into the store Nov '10), and I was really excited to be included in the their new (huge) Takoma store which opened in the spring. The name for both stored was changed to TROHV. Awesome stores, customers, and new opportunities. It's been a great year with them, culminating in a banner Holiday selling season!

Swish Edition -- I was contacted by Scott Wallis of Swish Edition, and was invited to be interviewed on his radio show, plus he commissioned a print (flamingos) for their green room. Being interviewed on the show was really great, and he was so enthusiastic about working on some things together. The print turned out well, and was a lot of fun to work on. All in all, a great experience, and great new friends. Around this time I was also working on stuff for Tom Goss. New shirts for him to wear on tour, and designs for him to print himself and sell. A terrific partnership that just grew stronger this year.

Wall of Prints -- Mid City Artists Open studios came around again in the spring, and I decided to max out the wall with prints rather then just hang a coordinated few. My collection of prints had grown leaps and bounds. Too much actually. The wall was fun to hang, and I've decided to keep the format going forward. 2 "walls of prints" since.

Peter -- I'm messing up the timeline, but somewhere in Spring / Summer I made the honey badger design, and shot it with Peter. A great time to get back together, and got a bunch a great new pics for the site. I love working with Peter! And the design -- a big, huge hit!! On another note, my whole underwear project took a back seat. Need to pull the plug (regrettably), but think it's the best choice.

Geran -- Also over the summer I met and shot Geran. A really sweet and beautiful guy. I had so much fun shooting with him, especially a bunch while he was doing tricks, in the alley no less. Flips and kicks and handstands. It was really fun. I remember when we were first talking as we walked down the street I asked him what he did. When he mentioned (really quietly) "tricking", I thought for a split second he meant "escorting". Was relieved when we quickly cleared that up. We shot twice, and when I contacted him again, he replied that he was living in LA! All the very best to him. He is gold.

Prints -- Printing in '11 wasn't as creative. I made a few new winners, but there was a lot of reprinting, some commissions, and a bunch of duds. I would usually get in a groove when the corcoran semester was ending. Summer was tough because the open studio hours were cut way back. Fall was a little better, but I was really busy with shows most saturdays

Mid City Caffe Show -- Early Fall I got a chance to show at Mid City Caffe. Turned out they would close 2 months later, but it was a exciting opportunity after the missteps with them the year before. I have good and bad memories of Hex and I struggling to hang the show while all the customers sat passively underneath us, in our way! Trip after trip, hauling all the prints a block from the studio and up the stairs. The walls were "hungry" and endless. So much space--we ended up hanging almost 20 prints. What a huge job! Had some good sales and contacts out of it. And sad to see it close just after de-installation. Goodbye Mid City Caffe! We liked you a lot!

Sidewalk Dogs -- Also this year, throughout the year, I started taking pictures of sidewalk dogs around the neighborhood, and posting them on Facebook. A really fun project that always keeps me interested. Slowed down considerably as winter hit, and other things became more pressing. But fun, and something I plan to continue.

Greeting Cards -- In July / August I turned my sights towards Christmas, and cards. I made valentines in February, and had good success--building from the year before. Only problem was I wasn't happy with the printing and paper. Late summer I set out to make improvements, and to design a whole collection that would coordinate together. Had some ups and downs with designing and printing, but everything then fell into place!

Started with a collection of 9, then added 5 Holiday designs in December. They were a big big hit. Sold tons through very DIY outlets (shows, studio, stores, salon, online). Excited to continue and expand the line! And most of all, get them in more stores. I think I have another hit on my hands.

Bobby -- Met Bobby late in the Fall, and he made a quick and lasting impression. Lots of fun to work with, and love the pics we took for fun and for the site. Hope to work with him lots this spring with new tees.

SpeakeasyDC tees -- not sure how this will work out. We designed a small collection of shirts around the "I did it for the story..." theme, and sold them online and at open mics. Still haven't found our sales groove, but I still really think it has a lot of potential. anyway, wanted to record it as another project completed in the year.

Pandas -- Didn't work out as planned, but still were fun to do. Another fun thing to record, late fall.

Temple Garden - In December Hex and I saved a bunch of plants from the Temple Garden, a community garden set to close this winter. We transplanted a few convertible-fulls of perennials to a large tree box in front of my studio. So excited for spring and summer. To see all the plants flourishing again in a new place!!

Studio -- I thought it would be a good idea to have a holiday show at the studio, so we managed to put it all together pretty last minute. Another fun DYI thing. This year there were a few - but one other that sticks out is Dog Days in August. The year before I was so down on myself for not making the most of a great sales opportunity. This year I did much better, selling tons of shirts and a few sale prints. Another positive step. Our holiday show was another good building block.

BUZZ -- Very late in the year I got the chance to show at Buzz Bakery in Arlington. What a fun hip place. It was a stretch to hang everything up very last minute, but Hex and I did it! I'll never forget arriving at 11pm, unloading, and hanging until 12:30. They thought it was best to do it when customers were away (ha-unlike mid-city caffe). It's been another great success. Sales and good will. Excited to see how things go with Buzz in 2012

Last but not least -- The Derrick and Romaine Show on XM radio. Met through Tom Goss, and participated in their Holiday Stocking promotion. AND was interviewed on the show in early December. AWESOME response. Orders for tees flooded in, and gave me the best December ever. Loved being on the show, and it gave me a big rush of confidence. A GREAT GREAT way to end the year.

2011-12-30T19:03:00.003-05:00

2011-12-30T18:59:00.000-05:00

bigger
better
stronger
faster
smarter
happier
more organized
more focused
more efficient
more positive
more charitable

2012 is going to be great

2011-12-30T17:20:00.000-05:00

great day today. brought erin a cupcake for her last day at bsur, caught up on shipping, shopped at Montgomery Mall (abercrombie is insane, other stores really empty of merchandise), then swung over to Trohv to drop more shirts. Awesome to see Ben and Koli, and check in with them. And Erin too.

That's it. My look back at 2011 will have to be another day. I think I'm just going to enjoy being lazy for now.

2011-12-29T20:21:00.000-05:00

Up and down week and days.

Remi throwing up after eating chocolate on Monday, has led to sleepless nights, long mornings, work disruption, and a trip to Rockville (vet) this afternoon. Adding in the holiday weirdness, and I feel strange, unproductive, frustrated, and blah.

Tomorrow is Friday, another weird day. Hopefully Remi is better, and I can get on track. Or feel better too.

Looking forward to my annual "highlights of the year" post. Coming tomorrow probably.

2011-12-25T23:11:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T17:32:00.000-05:00

Odds and ends day. Quick shopping in Georgetown. Binged on magazines at Barnes and noble. Sad to see the store closing. Big sale, empty shelves. End of another era. All that time spent filling time there, getting lost in the magazines and stacks. Lunch escapes from bsur. My little heaven. Sorry and sad to see it close down.

Met up with hexy, and lazed around. Baked some pies and watched too much sex in the city. Stomach "thing" still bothering. Waiting for it to pass.

Christmas in Rockville tomorrow.

2011-12-23T19:28:00.000-05:00

This week just kind of drifted to a slow end. I was so so busy at the start, but things got done, shipped, emailed, and picked up. Piece by piece, I was able to accomplish a lot.

Dropped Tommy off at the airport yesterday, and that became the unofficial start of the holiday. Studio is quiet without him.

A few emails came in about delayed shipments. All I can do now is hope that all the shirts eventually find thier way through the mail traffic.

Feeling happy and relieved and sad. Done for now-but never really am a fan of endings.

All the attention goes to celebrating Christmas, baking with hex, last minute shopping, and resting through this mild stomach "thing".

2011-12-22T17:27:00.001-05:00

Holiday Card Sale! branddave.com

2011-12-21T19:20:00.000-05:00

Frantic couple of days. could have been much easier, but timing kept getting in the way.

Anxious to get over the hump, and onto some relaxation. Tons and tons of shirts out. Prints up, cards sent.

Bring on Christmas, or at least the weekend. Or maybe I just should be content that the day is over!

-------

All good, all positive! Such a fantastic couple of weeks! It's been a whirlwind keeping up.

2011-12-19T18:35:00.000-05:00

burned out worn out tired dave! Each day is chock full of high impact activities, work, emotions, concentration, stress.

After a super busy weekend on top of a crazy busy week and another really busy weekend before that, I'm tired.

Today wasn't that nuts, but having a still long to-do list is making me feel overwhelmed.

All will work out just fine -- I'm just in the weeds, facing another busy night at Buzz.

2011-12-15T19:06:00.000-05:00

another crazy day, but better. A lot of progress on orders. Finally got long awaited shirts, so it's just a matter of getting them out, which is going well.

Prints selling at BUZZ, which is really exciting. BLADE QUEERY article out, which is great! I feel a little exposed. Or more exposed then normal.

What a great December. I could never have imagined it. Or it's what I dreamed of a few years ago...

step by step, I'm making progress

favorite shot of nate

2011-12-14T19:55:00.001-05:00

2011-12-14T19:52:00.003-05:00

another banging day. Spent the whole day in one place! my studio. worked on shirts, tons and tons of shirts and orders, and the holiday illustration for integral. Came out great!

tired. glad the day is over so I can go home, satisfied.

2011-12-14T01:40:00.001-05:00

Crazy crazy day!

9:00 am my parents Christmas tree fell over. Jimmy was sooooooo upset. I dropped everything, and hex and I went out to Rockville to put it back up. 2 hours later, back in dc.

Packed up tons of orders, got photographed for Blade article, then interviewed.

Off to post office, then back to studio to prepare prints for Buzz.

Packed up 20 prints, and prepared tons of cards.

Dinner with hex

Back to studio to finish commission drawing.

Home to grab postcards

Back to studio to meet hex to load zip truck with prints for buzz install (10:30pm)

Arrive at buzz (alexandria va) and unload truck.

Install 17 prints plus card rack at buzz 11pm-12:45

Back to dc to drop truck.

Home in bed (1:37)

Tomorrow busy, but not like today!!

Good night

2011-12-11T15:59:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

great couple of days at the studio, hosting our first annual holiday show. Cards and shirts continue to be a big success, which makes me super happy of course.

While hanging out I worked on my questions for the Washington Blade. Excited to be in the paper for their Queery column Not sure when it will run, but will keep everybody posted.

Hex and I went to the farmers market this morning. Fun to feel all the holiday buzz.

Tonight: Hanging my parents tree.

dave k

2011-12-10T13:13:00.002-05:00

2011-12-10T12:47:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

Holiday open studio today! and it's quiet. But that is to be expected at 12:42. Things always pick up later in the afternoon.

It takes SO MUCH WORK to prepare everything in the studio. Prints, shirts, cards, ornaments. All require so much time to pull together, sort, finish, fold, package, label, price, display, hang. I am soooooooooooo lucky to have Hex's help. He can do the work of 5 people (happily). We got here at 9, and he didn't stop until 12. Not to mention all the baking last night, and sorting this morning at the apartment. He is a dynamo.

-----

Things are on fire here at branddave. In the last few days I've exploded. Orders, prints, shirts, commissions. It's a little overwhelming but REALLY exciting. I feel great!!!!!

and tired. I could easily curl up and go to sleep.

2011-12-08T20:14:00.001-05:00

MEGA-PRODUCTIVE DAY.

I feel like Superdave. It's like I jumped over a mountain. Yes-of course things are not done-done - but soooo much further ahead. This morning, as I got out of bed, I was miles behind.

not anymore!

I'm walking on air.

2011-12-07T17:26:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

blah!!!! the past few days have been frustrating only for two reasons:

1. I'm sweating thursday big-time
2. I can't seem to get these drawings done

Flip side: Lots of orders. productive on other fronts.

I hate anxiety. It paralyzes me. Will be sooooooo happy when I move past it.

remi

2011-12-07T17:23:00.002-05:00

2011-12-05T17:31:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

kind of tired. Washed out. Didn't do much today to make me feel this way, beside mail the rent check and order a ton of shirts. Both emotional hurdles that require lots of mental energy!

Quick session at the corcoran produced (1) "meet the cast" print. Probably not a good use of my time at all. But whats done is done.

Mondays are always complicated.

Stressed out about: radio interview thursday evening and holiday show over the weekend. Everything else is doable. Those two (unknowns) make me terribly anxious.

------

website orders picked up pace! That is awesome. Really great!!!

i miss summer

2011-12-05T17:26:00.002-05:00

2011-12-05T16:08:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it's a mistake to start talking to people, because then you have to be rude, and start ignoring them when they want to talk your ear off about anything that pops in thier mind.

Re: corcoran studio

2011-12-04T17:07:00.001-05:00

2011-12-02T12:02:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

it's been an interesting emotional week. I got a lot done, so I'm happy about that. But I realize I'm spinning my wheels on a few fronts. It's not a new revelation, but it's somehow come into focus more. A few years back I was so focused on future future future. All the potential. At some point I've arrived at that distant point I kept focusing on, and am not impressed.

Dissatisfaction leads to change. I need to make changes, and stop going into directions that don't pay off. But how do I know WHY they are not paying off? What if success is just and hour away? A minute away?

A-ha! The biggest change that needs to happen is in my head. Success is what I make of it. What I think it to be. I am going somewhere. I have done great things. I've been happy with my work. I've made other people happy. I'm FREE.

Happiness is an option. A choice.

focus on that!

----

My beloved hexy has a birthday this weekend. I am SOOOOOOOOOO lucky to have him. He is my everything.

2011-12-01T20:22:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

quickly:

working late-- second night this week. Lots of little stuff to take care of, and I need the extra time.

Drawing below is for xmas card commission. Client wasn't so into the little dog, but I see it and smile. She thought it could possibly be mistaken for a melting snowman. It's supposed to be a little white dog with santa hat pulled over his head. Ha - I really like it - but understand how it may look weird. I'm just used to seeing this dog that way. (wow, I'm over explaining all of this!!)

Anyway, rough night last night, frustrated with myself, and how a few things went. Had a hard time getting to sleep. I wish I could explain it all out, but that wouldn't be smart. When all is said and done, they are my mistakes. Too needy, too anxious to please, and not confident enough. I need to learn from it all.

Positives: my work was good.

December is here. Christmas is fast approaching!

2011-12-01T17:52:00.003-05:00

2011-11-30T19:20:00.000-05:00

2011-11-30T19:17:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

working hard -- drawing a lot of custom things. Coming out good, but stressful!

Finally got prints and shirts out to Trohv takoma today. A big undertaking pulling it all together.

Blah- I'm too anxious right now to write. More tomorrow.

2011-11-29T18:41:00.002-05:00

I just can't get enough...

ink
shirts
transfer paper
gas
munchies
change
plywood
screws
framing boards
hanging wire
envelopes
corcoran
newsprint
postcards
cards
time
sandpaper
cell phone juice

$

I'm always (always) ALWAYS, always running on empty.

2011-11-26T18:47:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

Thanksgiving was nice -- quick run down --

Hex and I went to temple Garden in the morning, then trekked to leesburg. Turkey done early, we all arrived late.

Great to see Sue and Carly. So glad they made it.

ate and played chinese checkers with Jimmy and Matt (then chad). sudden death round with Hex. (I won)

No Bud and Terry, so we stayed home later. Thats the way it goes. Things change.

-----

Rotten day yesterday (work-wise). Better today. Have so much to get done this week. I'm overwhelmed.

Two things off my list today. Thats good. Tomorrow is another chance to improve. I hope I do.

Hex & Remi (last year) No pies baked this year :(

2011-11-26T18:43:00.002-05:00

2011-11-23T18:17:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

there is something comforting about working late before a holiday (now). I have the comfort of Hex, knowing I'll be with him tonight and through the holiday. Life was so different before!

Not such a great week. The weather held me down. Made me lazy and unproductive. Dark and cold and wet. Not good.

The to do list never was really tended to. Things got shirked off. I'm not happy about that.

But oh well. Spent some time with Jimmy this morning, making sweet rolls. Surprisingly easy, just takes long to wait for the yeast to rise (twice).

We filled the time by cleaning out her fridge (which is on the fritz) Thinking about the smell makes me gag. It will stay with me. Strange spoiled food + plastic smell. Pickles, celery, apples, mayo. Yuck! I want to vomit now. I wonder if reading this in the future will instantly bring it back. I bet it will.

ANYWAY-- I'm off. Back Friday.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanks to Jimmy for helping me make these today!

2011-11-23T18:09:00.000-05:00

2011-11-22T18:11:00.002-05:00

busy busy busy wasting time, doing this and that, making progress (?)

One step forward, 1 and a half backwards.

Anyway, pizza with Bill, but gym first. Goodnight.

2011-11-18T19:29:00.001-05:00

Shoot with Bobby today. Really fun. He is easy to be around, laid back, and looks great. Clearly a keeper. I expect I'll use him a lot going forward.

Worked at the corcoran in the morning -- on a sign for the studio entrance. Worked out ok. Nothing too exciting though.

Tomorrow is another print day, but I'm not prepared. Somehow, tomorrow morning, I'll pull it together.

No more progress on XXXXX with XXXX. Blah!

Bobby, today

2011-11-18T19:27:00.002-05:00

2011-11-17T17:32:00.002-05:00

2011-11-17T17:31:00.000-05:00

dear Dave,

went through lots of pictures yesterday, sprucing up my site and thinking about the holidays. Looking through all the underwear shots with Peter. All the nudes. Wish so badly I could use them somehow. I really think they are great -- he's GREAT, but not for the site anymore.

I want a public place to put this stuff, but not on my site. It's part of me, but not something I'm ready to show to EVERYBODY. I always feel so stymied by this question. Self satisfaction vs. public disclosure. looking back it's really hard to believe I included all those nudes with my prints at Artomatic. That's not a choice I would make now.

Will I ever (again)? I like to think so, because I know in my heart, that is my fuel. Whatever public face I show, that stuff (male sexuality) is just below the surface. It drives me hard, always has. I need to accept that, and build on it.

2011-11-17T17:20:00.000-05:00

XXXX hasn't XXXX which makes me so frustrated! When I got his XXXXX, I was so excited! But then, nothing. Frustrating!

2011-11-16T18:48:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

rocking out to Kelis, and missing my co-conspirator Erin. all this music is so associated with her, sitting in the back-room of bsur, working and playing with her. I miss her terribly right now!

Made some creative progress today, but most important, I feel my creative mojo!! All I want to do is sit here at my computer and keep working! But I cant (wHa- wha)

I need to get home and tend to Remi and Hexy.

----
Had a mini breakdown last night, but I seem to have gotten over it. That's how breakdowns are for me (VERY luckily)

I found my way. (?)

Adrien France by Duane Nasis

2011-11-16T12:38:00.001-05:00

via VGLMEN.BLOGSPOT.COM

2011-11-15T18:13:00.002-05:00

want to keep working, but have to leave the studio, and move on to the other activities of the night!

Good day overall. Happy to be making progress on illustrations for speakeasy. Once I get over the hump of working on them, ideas tend to come. I LOVE that feeling. Flow. When it happens, it's invigorating. What I live for. When it doesn't, I want to die.

so dramatic!

2011-11-14T18:08:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

scattered end of the day, but things worked out. Printing angst always trips me up.

Fantasy: Prepared with new print. Wood boards painted, positives made, excited, new, prepared, there.
Reality: Unprepared! Can't decide what to print. Wood boards (wet) on the studio floor. Half ideas. Positives printed, but need to be all put together. Unsure! Frustrated, late.

I had a bunch of things to get done before going, which I guess I should be happy about finishing. But then it gets late. Im not sure about what I'm printing. My screens are a mess. and it just gets later.

The new sign was tripping me up, so I tossed it aside.

ANYWAY, I decided to go, not go at least three times. Finally, somehow I was in my car, driving there.

Finished my saturday print, cleaned my horrible screens, and got back to the studio in record time. I'm glad I did it all.

NOW - off to gym then whitlows.

Good night

saturday printing

2011-11-14T18:02:00.004-05:00

finally got branches 2 hung. Louise was thrilled

2011-11-11T16:53:00.000-05:00

2011-11-10T18:19:00.000-05:00

dear dave,

feeling a little more on track today, after a foggy couple of days. Happy for the change.

Shoot yesterday with Patrick probably has something to do with it. Makes me feel creative. Gives me some juice.

Planned on shoot with Dave K today, but it got rainy so we rescheduled. Bobby planned for tomorrow, which is good. Anxious to soup up website in prep for D&R and holidays.

Good news from trohv also put a little bounce in my step. Always nice to be selling.

patrick, today

2011-11-09T16:12:00.002-05:00

2011-11-08T16:44:00.001-05:00

dear dave,

I miss my blog. It's like an old neglected friend.

Today I took some time to spruce it up a bit, or change things around. I'm happy with the result.

It's funny, I've tried many times to change up the top, the header text. I try a million tweaks, but always return to the original. It feels most comfortable. Looks best with the rest. So I keep it.

I've been allllllllll over the place today, in my head. I have zero focus. All I can think about is time passing, and how I'm not doing the right thing. I'm not doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I feel rotten about it. Beat myself up. And continue. It sucks, but I'm stuck.

I've been feeling stuck for awhile now. Everything always feels ahead or behind. I'm not in the right time or place. I feel displaced.

I was thinking the daylight savings delay (a week plus late this year?) would right me, and it has a little bit. The time matches the day a little more.

Speakeasy event tonight. I need to stay positive, or I'll tank.

more tomorrow.

2011-11-08T15:53:00.001-05:00

2011-11-07T18:04:00.000-05:00

Dear Dave,

Sitting in my parked car, kind of pinned in by whizzing traffic. Behind me, a blah day, mostly spent at the studio, trying to work up something (drawing + enthusiasm) to print. The hours went by, I did a few non pressing things, and just generally struggled.

Last hour I decided to wing it. Wrapped up, drive to corcoran, and managed to make a quick print I'm kind of happy with.

Now, before me, is the gym. A short walk up the hill, but again, I'm so uninspired to go!

But I know I must, I have to. So I will.

Typical Monday. Very typical!

2011-11-04T18:42:00.001-04:00

more of the same!

good day, busy & productive

feeling blue in the morning, but things turned around nicely.

now- gym then hex.

goodluck tomorrow!

2011-11-03T19:05:00.001-04:00

branddave.com website work today!

holiday cards up!

New prints photographed added and reformatted!

that's a lot - my eyes are bugging

gym/pizza/bed.

goodnight

2011-11-02T17:59:00.002-04:00

bummer - cards in, and I'm not happy with the printing. Blah - I hate when this happens!

another productive day. Don't have much to say about it though. Guess I'm just focused on this now.

rats.

2011-11-01T18:06:00.000-04:00

dear dave,

I've noticed i'm really stinky lately. Either time to throw out my t-shirts, or I'm just more nervous. Probably both.

Productive day - but more to do. I'm sweating over this promotion material I need to finish. I don't know how to start, and it needs to get out tomorrow or thursday (now I'm sweating more!) Blah!

Yesterday printing was kind of a bust. This whole Fall has been that way. I'm anxious to turn things around.

Hmmm, not much more to say. Need to get going (to gym)

over and out

2011-11-01T17:57:00.002-04:00

2011-10-31T18:00:00.000-04:00

dear dave,

back at the corcoran this afternoon - but feeling super blah. Doing a reprint, which is becoming kind of boring. I'm going through the motions.

I need to do something new!

Great productive weekend spent drawing in the studio. Happy to have _ _ _ _ done! A big breakthrough. So so so so happy.

Busy week filling in blanks, and hopefully launching christmas cards. They arrive wednesday, and I've resolved to photograph them all. We'll see.

Have lot's of upcoming drawing things, which makes me a little wary. I'll make it through.

-----

Think I'll finally activate my 4s. It's been sitting on our counter for almost 3 weeks. Crazy and ridiculous. i just can't seem t commit.

2011-10-29T18:37:00.000-04:00

PANDAS
prints
rain
snow
wind
IAG
winterberry
home depot
transfer paper
cartoons
couches
elf
remi
cards
bad light
bad models
stiff
hot
rooftop
4s
postcards
meetings
phone calls
pretzels
adele
cranberry juice
portable heaters
massage
harry
vampires
law and order SVU
8:00 phone call
tree limbs
sauna

t-shirts

2011-10-28T01:16:00.000-04:00

I've been so blog neglectful! Shame on me.

Tuesday night --high heel race. Tuesday--photoshoot with Doug, and what else? (can't remember)

Wednesday -pandas and Christmas card

Thursday- dr., pandas, shirts, and elf dog Christmas card.

Days fly by. I get too focused on few things. Most of my to do list gets pushed to the next day.

Im happy pandas are done! And most of new Christmas card. And new postcards. Now onto the cc, and photo editing, and prep for Saturday. Weeks tumble by. I feel like I have no control over my creative self. Happily though, feeling better about my work. Or at least able to draw some again.

(writing this on my phone, hex sleeping beside me) hard to write on a phone, so it's a little stilted.)

Ok--more later.

2011-10-24T16:04:00.000-04:00

dear dave,

here I am at the corcoran waiting on screens to dry. Another monday!! This seems to be the best time to write.

So - the weekend. Pretty good, but not great. I felt a little out of place, or in the way. Just generally awkward. With Tom's studio closed, it felt like the flow was really altered.

There were great times when I was happy to talk to people, selling shirts and cards, and flowing. Enjoying it all. Then other times I didn't know where to be, where to stand. How much to engage with people. I felt shy and embarrassed. Of course I hate going into that mode, but it's so familiar. My go-to.

Sold some work very happily, but I still feel really anxious about all that I have, and I'm itching to unload more. I really think I need to clear the decks (more) in order to move forward. It's hard to feel motivated to make more (new) when I haven't sold what I have. blah blah blah. But I'm super happy with my display, and overall work. All worked well together.

Cards a big hit, and shirts too as always. Humor always wins the day. I need to drill that into my head. people like to laugh, and it's soooooo great listening to all the silliness and comments as people went through all my work. A huge plus that I need to focus on.

2011-10-21T22:19:00.000-04:00

Today I could have done all my work in half the time. I finished most everything for the weekend early--so I fiddled to fill the time. Of course I could have worked on next-up projects, but that would be way too forward thinking!

Besides, I'm too distracted by thinking about the weekend. So much seems to hinge on it. All that work layed out. It's kind of scary.

2011-10-20T13:13:00.001-04:00

2011-10-20T13:07:00.000-04:00

dear dave,

I feel spent!

Rushed yesterday to hang all my prints, but took a break mid-day to go to spa world with hexy. We got free passes, and needed to use them up, so Wednesday at 3:30 seemed as good a time as any.

Spa World is a Korean bathhouse 40 minutes from DC. Surreal and great. You get naked, and hang out in tubs, jetted pools, steam rooms & saunas. Eat a little, then do it all again. Of course there are parts for men & women together, but we stayed pretty much in the men's area.

We drove home in the rain, kind of zoned out, and smelling like chlorine. It was all really weird but nice, and very memorable. I love doing new stuff like that. I've really stepped back from adventure the past few years. I miss it.

Back to hanging today, and 80% done. Such a big job that takes a lot out of me mentally. I feel kind of foggy, and its only 1pm. Shooting with speakeasy soon, so that such wake me up, and take me out of this fuzzy place I'm suddenly stuck in.

Shoot with Bobby was really fun tuesday! want more!

Bobby, today

2011-10-18T17:54:00.001-04:00