Quiet time

So the past month has been a bit of a world wind. If you are one of the no people who reads this thing, you might have noticed the lack of posting. I suppose there were several issues for the insanity: Getting back to work (adjusting my schedule), doing a lot of subbing at NCC during the day and most of all preparing for the big NY ComicCon, which just happened.

Pronto has been preparing for this for several months, printing up fliers, postcards, t-shirts, and most of all comics. I took 3 days off from my other jobs, but it wasn't a breeze in the park. It was hard work for 3 days, a lot of standing, talking, shaking hands and meeting people. In the course of the con, I went to numerous panels, planted post cards repeatedly in rooms and on tables, took a lot of cards and contact information and put comics in the hands of a lot of people. I was even able to do 3 podcast interviews for Pronto. So it was a lot of work, which hopefully, will pay off.

Other things that I have been doing are researching, working at all my other jobs and making some pottery. A couple of months ago I decided to go to the library and look up books on inking, freelance illustration, and marketing. I felt I needed to get more serious about my career and how I approach it. Also I wanted to learn more about inking and the craft that goes with it. I took out several books on comics and noir style of art, as well as general pen and ink illustration. Finally, I've been trying to take out one hour of every shift at Dowling to work on the wheel. I want to focus on making some production pottery to eventually sell online. I did some research into websites that sell crafts and artwork.

So as always I have my multiple irons in the fire...

Back to normail-ish

And so Labor Day has come and gone and summer is unofficially, officially over. This week begins my new work schedule. Today I'll be heading to Dowling to start replenishing glazes and slips and I am sure numerous other things.

Last Thursday we had a Pronto meeting at Pearl Studios, which was successful. A lot was accomplished and we should be coming into the convention season with guns blazing.

For my own work I've begun to update and rework my website, as well as researching marketing again. I am finding that if I make a detailed list everyday of what I need to accomplish it makes it easier for me to stay mentally organized and not get overwhelmed.

One of the reasons, I think, I was not as successful over the summer at accomplishing my goals, was that I wrote large ambiguous goals, like "work on website." Now that is a goal I've wanted to get to all summer long, but thinking about what it entails would often cause "paralysis by analysis." However, by writing down that goal and then writing down everything else that needs to be done:n updating my resume, adding/removing art, looking over the copy helps me realize what needs to done and allows me to focus and attack the project.

It's back to school time

Yep that's right. I went back to my job at Dowling the other day, and it felt like no time has passed and there was no summer. In its own way, slightly bizarre. I am looking forward to being back in the studio though. I really enjoy my job at Dowling, making clay and glazes, loading and firing kilns and helping the students.

Also there is always the upside of being able to make art there as well. I hope to make some work this year as well. I have plans to work on my throwing, make some new busts and sculptures. It should be fun.

On the Pronto front, I have a meeting tomorrow and I finished another overdue page. That means I only have one more to do. Then there will be new pages to do and new projects, which I am looking forward too.

Caught up...a bit

So I caught up a bit since getting back last week. Now I am preparing to go back to work at Dowling, which I am looking forward too.

Right now I am working on my long neglected page for the Pronto Spectacular. I've penciled it and done some inking, and currently coloring it. I hope to have it done by the end of the day. There is always plenty of Pronto work. I've been emailing like crazy, adjusting files and still have several scripts to read.

However, with all this work, I need to figure out a way not to loose what it is that I want to do. Recently I sat down and wrote down all the tings I would like to do. Also I've spent more time making quick lists of the tasks that need to get done on a daily basis. It reminds of something I read in a cookbook, to make lists to keep yourself organized and if you do it enough you begin to think in lists. Mentally able to check things off quickly and succinctly.

The thing to do now is to organize my mind and realize what goals need to to be achieved in what order. Instead of trying to do everything and getting mad at myself for not getting enough done.

Back to work time

So for the last couple of days I was out of town. While away though, and thanks to the wonders of modern technology I was able to stay on top of my email.

So now I have a lot of emailing, and catching up to do. I have a couple of final pages to work on before I get a whole new set of pages to ink by new artists. I am really looking forward to that.

Also NCC is done until the fall, so I am hoping to use this time to get a lot of things done off of my list. .

First and foremost though I need to do some cleaning and straightening out both on the domestic and professional front.

So I will be busy today.

Wrapping it up

So I finished another inking project, which always feels good. Now its time to finish off the last, long overdue project, the Pronto Spectacular! As of now I have 3 pages I need to work on. 2 need to be inked and 1 that I am pencilling myself.

I also have a final due date for them August 19th. Which is good because it makes me have to focus on them.

Aside from that, I've spent most of the day emailing and working on the Internet. Being the Editor-in-Chief is hell on the inbox, let me tell you.

I've also been very bust subbing this summer, to the point that I've been getting paid from NCC on practically a regular basis...that's always awesome.

What amazes me though is the speed in which this summer has flown by. Before I know it I am already in mid-August and soon, very soon, I will be back to work at Dowling. Who knows though, with the limited time left and the finishing of these project will i get the time to work towards my allusive goals, that have attained almost mythic, Holy Grail-like status.

We shall see...

final stages

I am coming to the end of inking...sort of. I am almost done with these last three pages of this story I am working on. As always I am approaching this systematically. Right now I am taking care of all the little details and anything requiring a straight edge of ellipse guide. 

After that I will do all the figures. I like to use quill and brush when working on the figure, it allows for my varied line weights. Where as for inanimate objects, building and backgrounds I am more apt to use mechanical pens. I got this advice from an inker I met last year at Comic Con, Nelson DeCastro. 

Overall these are the easier pages I have been saving for the end. That way my brain is a little less taxed. 

When these are done there are two more pages that I need to ink for another project, the Pronto Spectacular and then there is the very long overdue page I owe for the Spectacular that I am pencilling. 

On top of this it is time again for another Pronto Monthly Business meeting. So I will be spending a majority of my time tomorrow in the city. I am sure I will be busy, as there is always something that needs to be addressed or my attention is sought on some issue. 

It amazes me how fast the summer has gone, and how little I have gotten done on my list. The time seems to have just passed me by. I have been just as busy, but seemingly have just as little to show for it. 

Who knows...