the year in pictures
2017 year in pics
2018 year in pics
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| Coffee on Scott circle (wawa) summer with Hex |
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| Dog Days 22 |
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| Flesh colored papers - Love |
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| Hexy's Charm mobile |
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| Arts on the Ave Nov 22 (raindate) |
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| DOG days on 14th St August |
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| JDI HOLIDAY 2022 |
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| famous KAREN tote ! |
Time to talk about the year - all the goods and bads!
It felt a lot like 2021 - trying to get out of covid and back to our new normal.
Spring was sucky, grieving Jimmy, losing the house, and just general malaise. I can’t remember many highlights - except the postcard club! That was a really fun project to start - fun to be making postcards regularly, and to have somewhere to “put” them! But as the year went on, I had a hard time figuring out how to expand it.
After my initial burst of marketing, I couldn’t (and didn’t) figure out how to get more people to subscribe. Instagram and Facebook have become much more difficult to break through. Post just don't go out like they did before, so many fewer people see what I post now. And even that is just a post, a millisecond of somebodies attention, and really hard to convert that into action. I WISH I KNEW THE SECRET recipe!! It’s been so elusive, and discouraging.
My posting has tapered off a lot. For a long time I was posting daily, sometimes multiple things. But Nov, Dec that totally tapered off. Then “stories” seemed to get more traction than posts, and for a second “reels”. Anyway, ALL THIS TO SAY, marketing for branddave is always an issue.
Let’s see, summer just turned to fall, which became more busy. Ha, I really can’t think of many highlights without looking back at the blog.
We got Covid (mild) in June, and just bettered along. Feeling down and anxious and without much direction. Dog days was good, we did our standard setup near 14 / R, and I made lot and lots of totes in multi colors. That was really fun, because I felt free to be creative and just put whatever nutty design I could think of on them. And the colors made them fun.
Continued with my pixelated black and white prints, which I started Fall 21 for Arts on the Ave. That has been a lot of fun, and I have gotten better at printing them in bulk (in stacks) rather the ridiculous and insane method of one-by-one (and clean screen between) method I was doing before. Oh, also started making more dye cut stickers, which has been fun. Rainbow dog and cat. Stickermule proved to be stupid expensive, so when I made the leap to other companies, I was much happier.
Anyway, made a bunch of totes for dog days and sold out, then a few batches for Pixie, and 80 or so for Arts on the Avenue which also basically sold out. Haha, huge misstep was Patsy Baloney design. Turned out that was not at all universal, like I thought.
Shirt fabric, cut and color!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH ! ! ! ! ! !
This is always such a problem that I can never resolve, ever since BSUR. I can never be satisfied with the shirt colors, or the sizing. Finally gave up on v necks for women (low design is so awkward) and just stuck with unisex shirts. Finally, got sick of the heather combos, and tried to venture to the regular cotton shirts, with mixed results. Tried SO HARD to get the color combo right for Dog Days, and did pretty good. But I always look at them as a group and want brighter and happier. It's just hard when I'm only using black ink.
Switched gears for Arts on the Ave and was so afraid I had way too much flesh color and tan. But they all sold well. Then for Xmas I made it possible to order any color on site. That seemed to work out well. I just want this great combo that I can never seem to find. In the end, people buy the basics! Navy, heather gray, tan. Will always be a work in progress. But had fun making the tees again, and coming up with new designs that a fun and silly. Always nice to feel creative!!
Cards - sold a lot to shop made and pixies. Hard to keep up. I try to make them updated and “new” and try new designs. SM has 24 “slots” so I'm always playing catch up with inventory. Plus holidays. Pixies much more fun. She takes (and sells) almost all well. It’s amazing. But cards now are SO MUCH more expensive, so it always pains me to buy them. Especially with SM, when I’m not seeing the payment come back out right. I guess the prices will only go up. Selling for $5 each now. That may increase eventually.
Prints - more of the same. Wish I had more exhibits or shows to be more creative. I have been stuck in a production mode for too long now. It would be nice to feel more artsy. Commissions came in, but nothing sticks out. Not a good year, I guess. Feel like I have been pretty unproductive. Made Hexy a fun “charm” mobile, and would like to do more of that in 23. And the micros are still fun. I have a bunch of commissions to complete still for holiday 22. I'm actually having fun with commissions, trying to loosen up a bit and not feel so much pressure to make a likeness. To be artistic with it. To give it my spin.
Holiday started well, then kind of fizzled. But I feel ok about it. I got a lot of work in early, and so focused on that, not knowing if I could get it all done. Things worked out, but that always prevents me from doing a lot of marketing early/mid-December, when I can grab people's attention.
I want to mix things up next year - maybe plan to do a show, or more “base” products and not so much “creating” during the holiday. Sidenote: JDI holiday design came out GREAT! Was really proud of that, and shocked how easily the old dog drawings fit in.
Well, I have been ALL OVER the place with this post! Stream of consciousness. Hopes our 23: MORE CREATIVITY! MORE SALES!! MORE OPPORTUNITIES !! MORE FOCUS !! And less stress and worry and upset !
HERE'S TO A GREAT FUTURE ! xoxoxo
PS - forgot to include some stuff about arts on the ave - it was postponed to the 2nd weekend in NOV because a storm was forecasted in Oct. The storm didn't really ring the bad weather expected, but was a blessing overall that we still were able to have the event, and got some extra time to prepare. Was a little awkward with the timing and holiday, but luckily after the great midterm elections. The day was perfect with weather. Warm and sunny sandwiched right between rain friday and cold sunday. We were SOOO lucky! A really great day. Sales were terrific, and did the same as year before and took a lot of after event orders. Funny that we had nobody next to us, so we pushed the tables flat, only to be MADE to put them back after being found out by the event coordinator. All worked out great. Had to rent a zip car, which sucked and stressed us out getting in to, but these things are easily forgotten. Costly - I think $150 ?
2018 Wrap up
2017 Wrap up
2016 Wrap up
2015 Wrap up
2014 Wrap up
2013 Wrap up
2012 Wrap up
2011 Wrap up
2010 Wrap up
2009 Wrap up
dear dave
8pm friday, and listening to the sound of silence, a masterpiece. I just love it.
Strange holiday season. Everything just chugging along, but my urgency (and stress) is abated. There is a weird sense of calm. Maybe orders are way down? I don't know. I have LOTS to do, but it feels manageable.
Haha, we'll see.
Thinking about Jimmy today as I walked by this bush decorated with those classic bulbs we always used. Thinking about going there in December, pre Hex even, and setting up the tree for / with her. Our special little time together. Ugh, it's so hard. Always in the back of my mind as we go by these weeks, a year later. I'm hesitant to look back and find the day she actually died. Maybe better not to be so exact about it. I don't know. What a loss. Remembering her is so bittersweet. On so many levels I feel relieved, or free of the burden of all the worry. Lighter, and future pointing. And having the $ cushion, boy does that change things. It's all so sad, and I don't want to be sad anymore.
dear dave
always lonely in my thoughts on Thanksgiving Eve. The holiday ahead, and I'm here at the studio, hesitating to leave. Busy days ahead!
Working on site, and getting things ready for hopeful orders. Spent most of the day working on JDI, which very happily is coming together. But takes A LOT of brainpower and energy with all the details.
Turkey tomorrow in Rockville with John and Bill. First year without mom and dad. very sad.
dear dave
the dreaded H put a damper on the weekend, but think its getting better now
anxious about the weekend ahead and arts on the ave. Praying for good weather and good sales.
The whole week will be a countdown, for that, and dental appt wednesday. UGH is all I can say.
Today I tried to set myself up for the week. Freaked out about all the tan and flesh colored shirts I have. What was I thinking? I am never thinking. Now, a month later, it seems all wrong. But not fixable. Of course. All I ever do is second guess myself. I guess that is better than taking orders from some idiot boss. Keep having dreams of being back at bsur. CANNOT believe I have almost been at branddave as long as BSUR. Crazy. I just wait for the next chapter. I'm convinced it is coming.
Tomorrow is midterm elections. Very consequential and terrifying. Just want to disappear.
Another good day. Positive momentum? Worked on chipping away at the totes for Arts on the Ave, and finished Branches micro !!!! It came out great, which made me super happy.
Sorted out holiday cards, and am probably delusional about what I'm going to need. Anyway, I'm thinking a lot less this year will be needed. Time will tell.
Trips out to SM tomorrow, and more totes. Now anxious about getting my screen cleaner, which I put off ordering. Of course
Pretty good day. The buoyant mood from yesterday lasted, which feels like a miracle. We'll see if I can go 3 days now!
Better weather really helps. Printed the gator micro, and struggle over a branches mini, only to figure it out late in the day. Hopefully my new plan works. GOT IN THE EMULSION, which was on schedule. Luckily I went with plan b, because now Blick is saying it will be in stock DEC 1.
Printed a bunch of sailboats, which came out well too! Yay. Spread out all my prints on paper, and really love how they all look together. Wish I could capture in photo, but it's really hard.
Started sorting thru holiday cards and fretting about envelopes and time. RIGHT ON SCHEDULE. I knew I would be behind back in July. But it's all just a mindfuck. I'm fine. It's only Nov 2.
Feelings of well-being come and go. it really is very weird.
New month - maybe that is it. After some shitty weeks and days, today I felt lighter and fresher. A new page and attitude. Maybe because the weather was really great. Sunny and warm. Or maybe because I FINALLY got my screens cleaned. Or made some progress on shitty things. I don't know.
Anyway, things will work out. At least for today, or right now.
upcoming
election - UGH
art on ave - UGH UGH
Thanksgiving - fun
The blur continues. I guess I just need to accept that I am in this place, and roll with it. Weeks go by and I get some stuff done, but I'm really a mess: avoiding bid decisions, stalling on getting supplies, not really promoting myself or my website, and just doing the bare minimum to get by. Holidays are a big ho-hum. As always, I look to the future for solutions and not today. Today, my focus is just to survive and get by. It's a messy way to be.
Had lots of drawing inspo, only to fizzle with what to do with all of it. Again, struggling with the end game. OR, I get overwhelmed because there is so much I could do with it, and I can't decide where to put my energy. This stupid Art on the Ave delay really fucked everything up. Put me in this stall pattern, and I'm just waiting to get passed it, and fret constantly ABOUT it.
My screens are a fucking mess, full of ink. My ULANO orange is run out. My screen cleaner is almost out. My inks are sunning low.
It's Friday and as always, all I can do is feel bad for what I haven't done, haven't accomplished, and didn't even try to do. All the wasted time not working. Late starts, naps, lunch with cher and barb. I'm really anti Dave, and that's the problem/
Dear Dave,
Today I turn 54, and it's a day of reflection. Kind of a bummer - I kind of think birthdays usually are. Like New Year's and Christmas, you have all these expectations built up thru childhood that it should be a certain way, and there is an inevitable let down.
First year without my parents and I feel the sting, but happily it's not that bad.
The whole Fall -- august thru now, has been a series of let-downs and misfires. The memorial service, Labor Day with my infected tooth and emergency root canal(s) and then the build up and cancellation of Art on the Ave. Of course, I was happy it was rescheduled, but it just left a big emotional hole.
Anyway, I keep trying to right myself, and little effort leads to little reward. A meeting earlier this week left me a little muddled as well. Thought it would be one thing (and $) and it was another. Still could be good. I ALWAYS NEED TO STAY POSITIVE. I don't know!
Anyway, a fun weekend planned, so that is good. And weather is finally better. Healthy, and Emma and hex too. Day by day, week by week. Take it slow.
Happy Birthday Dave !
Back on track after some shitty days and weeks.
Printing on paper, which is fun. I think I'm sick of printing on wood. Especially for SM because it's so slow and the payoff isn't much. Anyway, paper is fun.
Really focused on totes for a few weeks. Had a lot of fun making them for Dog Days, and then Pixies, and now will focus on Arts on the Ave. Actually thinking ahead a bit. Hope the weather holds. Thought they would sell faster at Pixies, kind of disappointed about that.
Slow working on commissions, but made some progress recently that broke the dam, so that is great.
Tooth problems sorted for now. New dentist monday. U G H.
Summer winding down
Saw rat at studio just now crawling across deck. YUCK ! ! ! ! ! !
Ugh - I write every year about how I hate this time of year. Everything just stops - news tv blogs email fb IG, calls, texts, just everything.
Vacation time, and Im always not on vacation.
Leaves me feeling desperate for interaction and movement. I just feel like a blob. I want to do NOTHING! Probably because of the recent events, but made worse by A U G U S T.
Trying to work up energy to print, and I just don't have it. Ugh.
Still in fog, and trying to work. Combo of working all weekend, sad news and shifting gears has got me stuck. Drawing is the TIPPY TOP priority, yet I keep putting it off. Classic for sure.
Pixie (happily) wants some totes, so I shifted back to production mode which turned into a slog. Monday I used the screens for paper prints, then cleaned them thinking I was done done done. Then got new totes in, and wanted to give her a bunch of the good designs, so went back to making the same screens and printing printing printing. Ugh, a little sick of printing these. But they came out great, I got a bunch of designs, and love the branddave logo I print lower back. So all good.
Weeks / August going fast. Anxious to get thru weekend.
Tuesday after Dog Days and a momentous event Sunday: dad died.
After a crazy focused week of making tees and totes, I was so anxious to just get set up, and get these sold! Everything went well and according to plan saturday. Coffee at coffee bar in the morning, then we went to studio to get stuff, and then 14th to set up. Just tees and totes, so all was easy. Last minute decided to include the old women's tees and sold for $5 ea.
MER and Bill and Lee came by, and had a good day. Again, vibe is very different from the past. Lots of walk-bys, and just not the same neighborhood feel. But when people stopped to look, that seemed to attract others to look, and reactions were almost always good. Totes were a big hit, which was great because we really had no way to display like other years on the fence. In fact, we did no display, so of course a lot of people would walk by not knowing what we were about.
The $5 tees sold well, and others too, but I would say just ok. Like people are not so into buying shirts, or because it's on the street, or something. Just not as appealing. Maybe because they are not expecting to shop for these things like they are when coming to a festival like Arts on the Ave.
My instinct to concentrate on Mediums worked well. I don't remember anybody asking about XL. or not much L either. I was sweating that out last minute. I do think I got the colors wrong, I could have made them more appealing overall with more pastel colors like lavender and melon on lime. Colors like that. Instead I stuck to a more familiar masculine range. The best part was that they all looked good together, but was really dark when you saw them overall. I NEED TO SEE THIS AHEAD.
So good day, we wrapped at 4 then I took emma out to Dumbarton and had a GREAT time with her.
Sunday morning when we were at Columbe Bill called with news about Dad. My initial reaction was to keep our plan for the day, but happily changed course and realized I needed to go see him and acknowledge his condition. That I would regret not doing that, and it was the right thing to do for him. So Hex and I drove out, and he was in a sad state, breathing hard and not conscious, or aware of us being there. Just as we were leaving, John and Luke strolled in, so we went back up with them and left again, for a hot drive back to DC.
Hex was pressed for time to meet a tenant in VA, so we set back up quickly and he left. Another day of sales, but was typical Sunday with lighter sales and crowds. Time went fast, and repeating all the stuff we did Saturday, breaking down. Took Emma back to Dumbarton.
That night at 5:55pm, dad died.
Oh dear Dave, what a time.
Way overdue on the blog. Do I catch myself up?
June was a shitshow. Hex back from LA, with covid, then I got it, and it just fucking lingered. Lying around became the norm. I was so lazy and unmotivated and just sick. I worked thru some of it, but it was rough. I would lay on my studio floor and nap.
July became a blur. Felt much better and just trucked along on all fronts. I guess mostly on cards and prints and finishing up what I didn't get to in june. Sales at SM were a great in june, so that gave me peace in july. and another hallmark extension. And tees for pixie.
Here we are in AUGUST, and I resolved to get so much done and prepped for holidays. WELL, here we are already one week down, and practically all my time went to prep for Dog days this weekend, which I never know about.
Rain? Bad designs, wrong colors, wrong sizes? Ugh, I get so scared that I made a 1000 wrong choices. Here I am with it all finished, and I want to change everything.
Went into the week picking a new color pallet of shirts after bad choices. Yellow was gross, and purple too. But was that a bad choice??? I just don't know. And made a ton of totes - white! And pink! I like them, but with people like them? UGH
Lots of soul-searching today as I tried to finish up and take stock of everything. Yesterday I went thru old drawings from first months of BSUR, and made me so nostalgic, and then freaked out about how 30!!!! Years have passed, but I'm back to the same headspace and energy. Making these little jokey drawings and tees, and wondering / hoping if people will like them / buy them.
At that time, Adam was rocket fuel. Somebody who loved my work, saw its potential, and PAID ATTENTION. Constant attention. I realize now I CRAVE THAT ! ! ! I've had so little feedback for so long. IG has dried up, and SM feels so removed. Hallmark too, and storydistrict. All these sources of feedback are gone. I feel so isolated and sometimes very lost.
Anyway, lots of angst, but probably misplaced. If history is a guide, tomorrow will be great. Some misses, but lots of hits. And hopefully good sales.
FINGERS CROSSED !
Fraught monday spent worrying about lost packages and spending $$ on supplies that all have become more expensive. Took Emma to vet with hexy and got SCAMMED out of money for tests she didnt need. That set the day in motion.
Fighting with ALPHA to find lost shirts that I need for SM, and also frustrated with USPS for lost packages I shipped. One showed up, which gave em great hope, so maybe all is not lost.
Working on drawing that is due, and made headway, but not as much as I would have liked.
ha - it's such a chore to blog, but I know I'll regret it if I don't.
Worked on printing branches today for Lee, and turned out good. Made an extra for SM. SM still confounding me - the latest chapter is Gtown, where they moved again, and I lost my primo selling space (again). Now emails are not being returned, and I just feel more frustrated. Ugh,
Happy about the large order from Pixies, and got all to her in a timely way. Of course! Amazing how actually being paid for merch rather than the consignment model motivates. Obviously, so much better.
Thinking a lot about the various clubs I want to do, but I AM SO BOGGED DOWN in how to market things. IG is such a dead-end with the algorithm. And I've hit such a wall with the postcard subs. But I really want to do stickers, and paper prints. We'll see.
And color totes? I just need a place to "put" these, and I'll fly. I just don't know how to successfully market and find customers (who buy). The eternal problem.
Hot days with AC - always makes me feel a certain kind of way ; )
saturday of memorial day weekend. Always a weird bubble of nothingness. No plans, just same old.
Nice weather - coffee in morning with hexy. Got a lot done yesterday, so felt accomplished going into the weekend. Friday i got upset with SM and sent an email, but its all pending. So an upset hangover.
Got Father's Day cards in and happy with them. And ordered next month's postcards, but am stuck at adding subscribers.
WISH I COULD FIND THE KEY FOR MARKETING ALL!! Would love to be selling more online.
Ok, back home with emma, after not doing much here at the studio.
Business dramatically slowed this month - feels bad. Not sure why - SM was ok.
Allergies are killing me - itchy eyes and very blurry vision. Time to up my prescription. But of course I stall.
Slow days at the studio, plodding along on lingering projects and trying to start new ones. All the dark clouds that crept in around February are still there. Every day is a new chance to make a change.
Poor poor hexy still coughing after week and a half. Pretty sure its not Covid, but just as miserable
Forcing myself to blog - it's harder these days feeling like I do.
Tough few days, weeks, trying to stay positive. Things really are not bad as I perceive, it's just the perception that is screwy. But it's still there, looming over me most of the time. A lack of confidence and well being.
Monday today, so getting back in the groove. FINALLY, finished a longstanding commission, which is always a plus. One more to go, but I expect it to be much easier.
Plodding along on other things. Dragging them out, but getting them done at the same time. My M.O.
Distressed by the news.
Grateful for:
my freedom
my creativity
my luck
No wonder I get a pit in my stomach every time I go to SM - I never know what I'm going to find. Stressed out all week about getting prints there, and low and behold, another shop delivered prints there already.
So:
1. I didn't need to stress about the time, and bumping this ahead of probably more pressing things was a mistake that I cannot undo.
2. Great - the other shop doesn't want them anymore, so another shop in the system that is cutting off inventory.
Ugh - feeling sorry for myself the whole way home. I keep telling myself I need to change outlook, or look for other baskets to put my eggs. I know I am putting way too much energy into something that has diminishing returns. I feel so defeated.
Anyway - I like the way my prints came out, which is fundamental to everything. Sent in postcard designs for May and once again VP is only offering shipping dates way out - 9 days. Ugh
Gratitude:
My health
Emma's health
Hexy's health
ok trying to post more regularly - and it's a struggle.
Worked on all the prints I have in the pipeline - trying to get Gtown ones finished first. Then I got distracted on new drawings, and then postcards for May, and then it's 8! All going ok. More on track today mentally.
Grateful for:
new ideas
creativity
an outlet to express myself.
April has been kind of rough - similar to last year. Taxes were a huge hurdle, and then just general anxiety about future, past, memories, grief, and avoidance.
Hard to make choices about what to work on, and lots of avoidance of hard drawing projects, and plans for future (shirts, cards, calendar, sales, open studios) I think about these things, but don't act on them. I have a long list of things to buy, but I don't want to spend the $. It's all mental gymnastics and self sabotage.
ANYWAY, today was ok. Nice coffee with Cher this morning, and worked on moving forward with all the wood I cut yesterday. prints for GTown, and long-standing commissions. Really need to deep clean screens, but then I tell myself to wait until I've gotten this next batch of prints finished. Priority.
But there is always a new deadline, and I so easily procrastinate doing the drudge work.
Rainy night. Will be happy to get home.
Gratitude
for:
An amazing studio
Laughing with Cher
Emma is healthy
A wash-out week focused on how badly I don't want to do my taxes. We'll today I finally did, and all was not so bad. It's Mount Everest in my head, and a little hill to cross on paper.
Settling accounts, adding everything up, and facing all the ups and downs of last year. I wish I could go into more detail, but that's all too personal. Enough to say that working for yourself can be really bizarre and internal and like you are living off the grid. Taxes are a back to reality moment, a wake-up call.
Anyway, another late Friday, and I'm feeling the typical angst and guilt of not getting the things done that I think I should have done, while completely ignoring the things I did do, and should be proud of. I beat up on myself a lot.
It's so incredibly quiet here in the studio right now. Usually, music or blogs are blaring. I have this nice peaceful time to feel settled about all that I've been so worried about, to get through it, but my body and mind are still very caught up in a worry hangover.
I'll go home, enjoy my time with Hex, and stick it out of my mind. But it will come back tomorrow.
- - - -
7104 Old Gate Road was sold this week. Now that's a big deal.
Angst over drawing and business and taxes and everything else!
Spring downdrums continue. But I make progress here and there, so that's good. Postcard club going ok, but how to grow?
SM continues to bug me, but it's a journey, and so I approach it like that. Drew today, but not the most pressing ones. A few are just absolutely impossible for me to master. One just lingers and lingers and lingers. It blocks me from doing anything and everything else.
Another is just a lost cause. How to pull the plug? ugh.
A crazy time - bracing for worse, and proceeding like it's only on the other side of the world. Reminds me so much of covid when we didn't even consider the idea that it would have an impact here. I don't know, maybe it won't, but I think it will. Talking about war, and how it may escalate. I cannot believe it hasn't. Anyway, it's always on my mind, on the back burner, stalking me.
Nicer weather, and feelings like I should be taking better advantage of it. I always feel like I'm not doing enough. At least in winter there is always an excuse, but as spring comes, that evaporates. And as the restrictions of covid fade away, the city is teeming with new energy and activity. And I usually feel like just a spectator.
Resolved to buckle down after a few off the rail weeks of getting minimal done. Today Im printing on paper, and will be drawing. Have lots to draw.
Hah, low blood sugar, or low energy, so this whole post is sliding into a pity party. But things are ok, relatively speaking. Lots on my mind, but where to put it. I just don't know...
Fridays come around fast.
Month switched over, which is always stressful with $$$$$ going out.
My replacement credit card never came, so I've been reluctantly using debit, which also makes me sick to my stomach. Ordered a huge batch of cards / envelopes for SM, and it was a big hill to get over. Frustration with WSM coming to a head. Reached out via email, but no response yet. I guess it's just confirmation of what I already suspected? Hoping for the best, but bracing for the worst. I just don't get it.
After all my angst, I'll look at IG artists, and feel positive again. But then it always goes straight back to > How??? I know the answer is tied up into work ethic, which I'm always lacking. Anyway, wah wah wah
Working on REDBUD, and struggling thru commissions. Waiting to hear on a draft I sent out, which is super nerve racking! Reminds me of collecting on lawn cutting. I was always so hesitant about my work.
Dave - - - > what a mess!
it's a sunny friday morning, I'm here early, and already stalling. Pick yourself up, and get to work!
Wednesday already - the days melt away.
Finally got out some commissions out today after the lag in printing. Screens still showing pinholes, but they didn't really affect the printing much.
No work over the weekend - and monday was a holiday, so it wasn't really productive. I have a lot to do, but im dragging my feet (as usual).
Printing Nancy on paper right now. Mystified why I can't get the registration right - makes zero sense. So I plod along color by color, the hard way.
Its friday night - - -
ok day, but probably got half done that I should have. Made screens for commissions, and they all needed to be made again. Thank god, I figured out how to fix (pinholes galore) - - shorter exposure time.
When I'm working on these prints, I lag so much. And then problems arise, and all gets delayed. Its a clusterfuck.
Anyway, back on track, and just plodding along. Every day, I get more anxious about SM, and the fact that days are going by, stacking up, week by week. I let time slip away. I fool myself into thinking it's in abundance, when really it's not.
Thought about taking tomorrow off, but its smarter to work all around. And emma to great falls, she needs it!
Day was spent cutting and preparing wood for printing. Found a great long piece of plywood in a dumpster on my walk with Emma yesterday. Perfect timing. Easy to cut, and will be great to print on.
I also had plywood that I bought a few weekends ago, but I forgot I put it on the light table, and lost my mind looking around the studio for it. I was convinced that I had maybe used it? Because I remember interacting with it, but I was so stumped. Typical of the time - the digital and real world are blending together, and reality warps a bit. It's really strange.
Much warmer weather, so easy to be in and out. Poor Emma having an episode, but it's not that bad.
Feel blah.
Got postcards in finally, and mailed out all my club envelopes. The whole excitement about it has diffused. I don't know why. I hate when that happens!
I let myself get out of the habit of blogging, and days go by, and I say to myself, ahh, just skip it. But I think that's a mistake, so maybe I can course correct.
Good day after a few days of lousy discipline over drawing and being productive in general. I got a few good orders in for commissions, then stalled on actually doing them. Well, after torture drawing Piper for cord, I think I finally have something I like, so I was able to move on to others and forward. YAY ! ! ! ! !
Got postcard club up and running, but stalled on that too with delay from vistaprint, and just a feeling like I've over-pushed it already. Without the cards in hand, I feel bad with all the promo I did. Got a bunch of subscribers, which only makes me want more. High hopes for it all.
SM really stalled, and not sure how to proceed. No check for Jan yet, but I'm expecting it to be small. Ugh, what to do? Partially just time of year, but still, wharf has me most concerned...
Really need to set out on new paths, and motivations. And STOP WASTING TIME monitoring all the websites I use to waste time.
Ok, enough for today. oh, also my credit card was stolen for somebody's UBER trip, Glad I spotted online, but so violated, and pissed I have to get a new card. FUCKERS,
Thursday. Productive - made BEARS REPEATING and finished NOSE print. Realized that hey, I can print these on paper too if I want to. Maybe I will.
Prepared cards for ShopMade and Buzz, and last minute decided to put off delivery of both for tomorrow. Snow is forecasted, so I was all high on doing it tonight, then all fizzled when i contemplated driving all around. Easier to do in morning. I get so caught up in the timing. Suddenly it's just U R G E N T that they have these things, so they can put them out on the floor, and they can sell ! ! ! ! ! Now now now ! ! ! ! It's dumb. The reality is so different. They take their time. ugh
no word from Wharf which ticks me off. Another reason for not rushing out tonight. I wasn't up for the upset (that I anticipate when I see what is there)
Dad doing ok - which is nice to hear.
Super cold. Snow coming tomorrow but will probably fizzle. Hope it doesn't mess up Hex's travel, but of course it has potential too.
sort of productive days
Time shifting - coming in late, eating late, leaving late, and going to bed late.
Worked on Valentines and finished. Never satisfied - haha. Anyway, like them for now. Last year was such a super duper dud. Think I'm just bypassing SM, but well see. Tried to design so they could be year round.
Lots of things I want to work on. Get in gear, Dave!
Dad has Covid
John has covid. Fingers crossed.
