So You Want to Quit a Book Project...

So today I let a project go that I thought I could muscle through based on my pure strength of will. I couldn't.  There were some minor (and sincerely not minor) hiccups along the way, and I feel badly for the impact that delayed production might have had on the author.

However, it has been a brilliant lesson in approaching my creative aspirations authentically  and not following the path that it seems like I should. There is no should, there is only choice. Once things settle, I will be interested to see the direction my work heads in.

This  will be one of those "hard way" lessons in my career.

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Lessons

I had a number of epiphanies while working on this piece. 

  The first is that the coloring stage is by far my least favorite part of the process. I love the end result, but I hate doing it. I could ink all day long, but unless the piece screams for color, I am loathe to actually do it.  

  The second is that I have evidently had a persistent artistic fantasy since I was a young girl. There used to be show on TV called "Caroline in the City". Lea Thompson played a popular cartoonist with an awesome apartment and a hot, sarcastic nerd who did all her coloring for her. I still want one of those. Seriously. If you know anyone who didn't grow out of coloring books (in a good way) let me know.

 The third (and arguably most important) insight is not to leave a mug of coffee, my almost finished picture, and a paper-hating cat unsupervised together for long periods of time. 

Luckily, I had scanned the picture before I went to town on it, so if I can muster the will I'll color it in digitally. Or my mail-order nerd can do it, if he ever shows up.

"The Lady Pigstack"

The House of Pigstack has been breeding Sofa Swine for centuries. Arguably the most comfortable, pillowy pigs you could ever hope to perch upon, they are an elegant addition to your home. They are well-read and brilliant conversationalists, provided you also have an interest in Pig-Lit.