A little lost today

Every couple of weeks or so I get a lost feeling. Today I have one. Sometimes it is hard for me to figure out what I need to be doing and what needs to be worked on. This typically occurs after completing something urgent of of importance. It's kind of a "What now?" feeling I guess.

So I suppose that today will be dedicated in part to the answering of that question. This will involved reviewing goals, brainstorming and a general thinking of assessment of what I have done so far. Hopefully this will also lead me to think of new ideas to illustrate as well.

Also at some point since it is Tuesday I want to go to Adelphi and finally start making some significant advances in making work for the upcoming firing. That would be nice.

An interesting Weekend

So this Saturday I was in Flushing at the Flushing Public Library. I was showing some older sculpture work I have that related to an event that was being hosted there. The event was The Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy Institute. It actually went pretty well.

It gave me the opportunity to meet with other artists and seewhat other people are up too. also I helped me realize how hard it is for everyoe these days. Every artist their was struggeling and many were in much more serious situations then I am currently. In a bizarre way though it was gratifying. At least I know it is not me, that I am not the only person that can't seem to find work in these difficult times.

While their I did a lot of networking got the names and emails of a lot of people., That is always cool, and I handed out a lot of cards and talked to a lot of people. I was even fortunate enough to sell a piece to some one. So I would have to say that the event was quite successful for me and I would love to take part in it again.

Aside from that the weekend remained the same. I saw some friends on saturday night and sunday I worked at the gym. Also I made another entry into my food blog which you can check out here: http://journeythroughfood.wordpress.com

Today's plans are pretty simple. I am going through my typical routine tasks and then i hjave to itemize and tally all my reciepts for 2008. Joy it is tax time again. You will be able to re4ad my grumblings if you follow me on twitter (http://www.twitter.com/dsparano) or are friends with me on facebook.

The Ups and Downs

It seems like there are only two states for me right now when it comes to work. Either I have got nothing going on or suddenly there is and rush of work coming my way. It's sort of like living in Florida i guess. Completely calm one minute, torrential rain storm the next.

Anyway the past 2 days I was pretty much chained to my light box inking away on a patent job. I received the job Monday night and it needed to be turned around by Thursday. i got it back around Thursday 11 pm.

No i just want to clarify that I'm not complaining about the work. Actually I want more of it, I would like to be doing illustration work about 7 to 8 hours every day. I just wish I had a little more time and didn't have to rush. Unfortunately though that is the nature of the beast. So in case anyone was wondering that is where I have been for the last couple of days stuck in my basement.

Plans for the day are simple. They involve a lot of typing and trying to get a couple of articles posted up and one submitted. It is interesting lately, I have to say, I have been seeing more writing positions on craigslist then art ones. Needless to say this is what I have been applying for. Will something break that way, who knows? It is a nice break through from art and illustration however.

The weekend

I feel like I have spent the bulk of my weekend typing, writing and watching Marco Pierre White on my computer. Which is pretty much how I did spend the weekend. I did get out though a bit. I went to the friday dance social and out on saturday to buy a friend a beer for his birthday.

While out I promised to Adelphi studio-mates to mention them in this blog. So hello Jackie and Chris.

Here are some updates on the things I've written:

Reuben, Irish Stew and other goodies

Internships didnt we fight a war to stop them

Why wont the Republican Party shut up

Why are they famous

New Articles

Here are some new articles:

Are you bored of the same old sandwiches?

Gallery chat: Talk about art like the experts

Tips for successful wheelthrowing

What is your favorite fast food and why?

Hard working man yesterday

If you read this blog ergularly, Louie, then you know yesterday I covered at NCC. It was a good but long day 7:15 to 3:30. The morning was nice a quiet. People came in and worked, I loaded and unloaded some kilns. Afternoon though, it seemed like the work never ceased. Everyone was throwing, glazing and just adding more and more to the carts. I have to say that is the most I have ever worked as a T.A. It was pretty cool.

After that I went to Adelphi and did some throwing for the upcoming firing. Then went home cooked dinner, which I will post on www.journeythroughfood.wordpress.com on sunday. Finally I went to dance class to work on my east coast swing.

Today I plan to do a lot of typing to get hese articles and rants published. Something that I have had to put on the back burner for a couple of weeks. I've been trying to catch up on writing all this week.

Busy Day

I got a call yesterday to work at the gym for a couple of hours today. I agreed because a little pocket cash is always nice. Then this morning I got another text to come in an hour earlier, so I'll be heading over there around 1. While there I am going to try to do some long neglected writing and brainstorming. The past couple of days I have had some mild malaise and confusion as to what to do and what to work on next.

Tomorrow I am covering at NCC for 7:15 to 3:30 and then hopefully I will have enough drive to actually make some work or get something done at Adelphi.

Happy St. Patty's Day

'Tis St. Patricks Day and I have tweeted my thought on the subject which can be read here: St. Patricks Day

Aside from that I have finished the illustration I owe and plan to spend tonight at the studio making a little work and hanging with freinds. Yesterday I made some irish stew from an old recipe which i will be bringing. It is quite excellent and you'll get a chance to read more about it next sunday on http://journeythroughfood.wordpress.com.

Yes I am a shameless self promoting slut, I learned that from Kevin Smith.

Also since today is a day for celbrating the irish, let us not forget the best irishman. Don't forget to go to www.edwhitefacts.com today.

Getting back on track

Trying to get back to the regular routine, now that the rush work as come and gone. This week again looks to be busy though. Currently I am finishing up that kid illustration I mentioned yesterday. Later I plan on making come irish stew to bring to the studio tomorrow for St.
Patrick's day.

Got a call this morning and Thursday I will be covering again at NCC which will be nice. I always liking working there.

I got a couple of nice comments on my food blog today, http://journeythroughfood.wordpress.com which was very nice.

Also I am not sure I mentioned it but an editor at Marvel got back to me about sening me inking samples. So that is something I need to get on and mail him this week.

Aside from that there is always the list of personal projects and goals to attend too. At least I know money will be coming soon.

Where Have I been?

This has been a busy week. Wednesday and thursday I spent most of the time working on a raush patent job. My boss was pleased with the result so that is nice.

Friday I was busy with personal errands and a little cooking.

Saturday was a family day which is always nice.

And

Today I worked. I worked at the gym and then went to Barnes and Nobles to do some writing. Also I updated the food blog you can read it here: You don't mess with MPW. A little later I have to finish a kids illustration for a client I had over the summer. Plus I have new facts to ad to EdWhiteFacts.com and some other things to write and publish. It will be another busy week.

Inking

Got some inking work in yesterday Have to get it back by tomorrow afternoon. I will be busy for a little while.

A Busy Day Ahead

Today looks to be busy.

Yesterday I got a call from a fellow T.A. at nassau and she needs me to cover for her tonight. She's not feeling well. Good for me bad for her, I hope she feels better.

Also some more patent work is coming in. I finished two sheets yesterday and there is more for me today. So I have a meeting at 2 to pick up the work. All in all it is good, cause this means money is coming.

A hell of a weekend

This weekend was a long one. Friday night I saw Watchmen, a kick ass flick. Very faithful to the graphic novel, amazingly so. After that I went to the regular friday night dance social.

Saturday I spent the day cooking and preparing for irish night at the house. You can read up on the food that was served at my other blog: http://journeythroughfood.wordpress.com. Aside from that we bought our tickets for the Ireland trip and watched the Quiet Man.

Sunday I worked at the gym, watching drunks and hot pieces of tale walk by on their way to Huntington's St. Patrick's Day Parade. After work I was on my way to a freinds gallery opening but I got a call from a friend who had car trouble, so I ended up giving him a hand.

It was quite the exhauasting weekend.

Busy busy busy

Yesterday was a pretty busy day. I did the usual tasks, but had some trouble emailing a coupe of art directors, which slowed me down and put me about a half hour off schedule. I email 3 art directors a day, it is part of my daily regiment. At first I thought it might be my email, but eventually as I went down the list I was able to email some people. I wuill have to see if i entered those emails into my contacts incorrectly.

When I finally got moving I had a bunch of errands to run, which included depositting a check i got for freelance work, plus some more work which is always nice. It is always good to have money in the bank. Eventually I ended up at Adelphi where I lacquared another metal pice so it can be kept outside, thus freeing up some more space in the studio which helps out An Ti and the other students.

Aside from a couple of other things that was the day.

Today I will watch the Watchmen. Awesome!

Accomplishments

Yesterday was a good day for me in terms of personal projects. I finished my food porn illustrations, completed the video and loaded it up to youtube and I finally published this website I've been working on, edwhitefacts.com

Does this mean anything financially: Absolutely not

Personally however, it feels good to finish somethings and hopefully in the future it will make me some money.

Finished Something

An illustration I was working on

A Little More Progress

I've been able to make some headway on my little personal project. I finished my food illustrations and now I am working on creating the video of it coming to life. The video editing is much faster then the actual image editing. I photoshoped over 150 images. The plan is that after i edit this video I will load it up to Youtube and use it as an advertisement. I hope it will be impressive when an Art Director comes to the website to see this video.

Also yesterday I got an email back from an Art Director. It was a simple courtesy email letting me know that she will keep my information on file and use me if a project comes up that my style would work well on. It doesn't mean much but it is nice. Gives me a little mor resolve to email three Art Directors a day.

Progress slightly

Yesterday I did my best to shovel the snow, but holy crap there was a lot of it. I was able to clear the walk and get access to my parents cars and exit the driveway. The snow was so high that I had to to shovel it in stage. Of course the snow plow makes it higher then what actually feel. By the en of the driveway I guess the snow was about 2 feet high, certainly up to my knee.

Later that night I got an email response for an interview for a website. The are looking for a reviewer. The interview will be satruday, we'll see what happens then.

Also last night I made significant progress on an illustration I have been working on. I am titleing it "Food Porn." It is done in my looser style. Throughout the process I have been taking photos of it to create a video animation of the piece coming to life. The plan will be to put it on Youtube to hopefully drive more traffic to my site and eventually business and money.

The weather outside is...

So unless you were sleeping under a rock all weekend you knew that there was going to be a huge snow storm coming. Of course now it has blanketed our area with 12 inches of snow. Joy!This is going to be a lot of fun shoveling out of this.

Aside from that the regular daily tasks and projects still apply today.

I'll be emailing 3 art directors. Working on an illustration I've been working on for a while and going to make a video out of. Work on websites plenty to keep me busy and maybe at some point make me some money.

And there goes the weekend

Not much was done this weekend, for which I of course feel guilty. This biggest thing I got to was beginning another blog on another site. Is this by the way somehow sacrilegious to promote one blog on one site on another blog site? Am I breaking some unwritten law of the internet? Do I really care?

Anyway I have made up a new weekly food-centric blog on Wordpress. It can be found at http://journeythroughfood.wordpress.com.

A little later I plan on working on some other idea's and illustrations. Hopefully I will have more art news to talk about tomorrow.