Life becomes infinitely MORE hectic once you have kids, I’m convinced. However having YOUNGER kids is nowhere near as crazy as it is when your kids get to be of an age where they’re gone at sporting events every night of the week. I’m not the type of dad who is going to miss TOO many games that my kids play in, I rarely have an excuse to not make a game since I work from home. The wife and I have decided to trade off going to the away games this year for my daughters bball team, simply because I don’t feel like shelling out $10 at away games and subjugating my son to have to travel and sit through the away games as well. The season is roughly half over, but….on the horizon is track season (and having run track and been pretty successful at it, I think I’m going to have to venture out to see how those meets go too) as well as “conditioning” and “training” that my son wants to start for football this coming fall. In addition to the time that the kids want to spend on basketball. I won’t complain, at least not right now when I don’t have any deadlines creeping up on me. My kids are healthy enough and have the DESIRE to go out and play sports, and really, that’s what is the most important I guess.

Been a LONG week in the studio. Wrapping it up by saving out high rez files and getting those uploaded today, and enjoying a semi-day off here. If I can manage it. Going well so far though. One the agenda for the weekend are 2 pages that I have to get colored by Monday, need to help with taxes (which hopefully haven’t become too complicated being self-employed), and I’d like to do some other things over the weekend as well. Need new biz cards designed and printed, need to update my portfolio with new work since it hasn’t been done in MONTHS now. Saturday is going to be an all day bball tournament for my son, so I’m planning on that entire day off as well. more after the cut…. Continue reading

I’m not going to blabber on and on today. I’ll keep it short and simple. I’m taking almost the entire day off here. I’ve earned it. I’ve worked extremely hard since the beginning of December here. I’ve worked myself to the point of pain and exhaustion. However I’m beyond thankful that I’ve been able to do that. With the way the job market and economy is right now, I’ve been truly lucky and blessed to have work to DO.

So today, I will wrap up invoicing, and a logo design and then enjoy a day of change. I’m going to watch the Inauguration. I’m going to pick my kids up from school. I’m going to enjoy dinner with my family and spend time with them tonight. I’m going to draw in my sketchbook. And above all, I’m going to enjoy what it is to be an American today. I’m going to enjoy what it is to be able to LIVE the dream that is the American dream. And above all, I’m going to enjoy a refreshing change of pace in my schedule- a day off! I hope you are lucky enough to do the same.

I know, I know, it’s almost a week late. I’ve been extremely busy, which is of course a good thing in these troubled times. I had to go back and actually check the blog from last year here to revisit my goals I had set for 2008, and to recap them a little bit. Funnily enough, I sort of KNEW from the start that they would be hard to accomplish because life is in flux so much of the time, however I think I came away from the year having done just that. I’m going to just update my last year goals first here.

2008 goals revisited.

1- Find more time to create art for just me. CHECK.

2- Finish losing the weight I wanted to lose last year. I lost 15 lbs in 2007, I have about 10 more lbs to lose to get to where I wanted to be in 2008. CHECK. (although I seemed to gain quite a bit back between Thanksgiving and New Years )

3- Become a better digital painter. CHECK!

4- Learn a new software program. HALF-CHECK. picking up on Vue 6 somewhwat.

5- Paint the elvish script around the decorative ceiling shelf in our living room for my wife, and include a large celtic/elvish design motif painted on the ceiling for her. FAIL. we put off painting the living room until this year. so it’s not exactly a fail I guess.

6- I have a comic coloring related goal I don’t want to mention really. CHECK.

7- Make more connections. CHECK.

8- I want to start to step back a bit and give my kids more freedom. CHECK.

9- Relax more. HALF CHECK.

10- Become a better person. Don’t get me wrong, regardless of the few people out there that may think I’m a jerk, I’m really a good person. There are certain things I want to work on though for sure. I think we probably ALL have this goal somewhere deep down, for some it might be buried in their sub-conscious, but the bottomline is just being the best person you can be. A better dad, a better husband, a better friend, a better brother, a better son, a better artist, a better citizen….that’s a lot of hats for any of us to where, and yet finding the BALANCE is the key. CHECK.

2008 in review.

Now on to the recap. Talk about a crazy year. Work was erratic, which was complicated by an erratic financial situation as well. Through it all though, I accomplished more work wise, and had my best year financially as a freelancer. SOMEHOW. So in retrospect, I’m not going to complain about any of the problems that arose, as they were overcome through good fortune, grace, and perseverance.

This was the LAST year that I coach for 6-7 months out of the year though. I think I’ve decided that I’m scaling back the coaching to JUST my sons football team for the next 2 years, and then I’ll be done likely as not. That proved to be quite an added amount of stress trying to juggle all of that responsibility on top of the hectic and sometimes crazy deadlines of a freelance career. There were times that I was completely worn out looking back. Thankfully enough football coaching came last and was high energy enough to keep me going until the end.

The kids have taken huge strides this year in finding their own independence and discovering what they’re made of. My daughter is going through a lot of adversities and what not as she navigates the waters of middle school but is managing fairly well thus far. She really enjoyed playing on the MS volleyball team and the competition, and the team had a great year. She’s just now starting basketball and is loving it, I think

My son had a really good year of baseball and the team did really well. This was also the first year that we decided to get him into football. He’s been bugging for a couple years now and the timing seemed to be right, in addition to the fact that I was asked to help coach his team. I think there was an adjustment period at first, but it was definitely something he enjoyed. He learned a LOT about himself, and I learned quite a bit about him as well from the entire experience. He seems to welcome the challenges and responsibilities that come with playing quarterback, and he’s determined to make himself the absolute best player that he can. He’s already started his off season conditioning for NEXT year, and if the kid wants to go outside and throw a ball at targets when it’s 5 degrees outside, I can respect the heck out of that sort of commitment and determination. It will lead you down all the right sorts of roads in life.

My wife and I enjoyed our FIRST anniversary away all by ourselves in 12 years this year as well. Needless to say, we don’t get enough time with just the two of us when we’re running around everywhere, but it was nice to spend time together for a change without having to be anywhere at a certain time, or do anything in particular for a while. It’s amazing still, that we can both work from home and not end up at each others throats all the time Honestly though, we are both extremely fortunate in today’s job market to be able to have that kind of luxury. It’s one of the incentives for working hard all the time I think in some ways. I would go get a real job in the outside world again if I really had to, and I’ve been pretty damn close to having to over the years, but it’s hard to imagine having a better job than I do right now.

In general, we just really kept ourselves busy, tried to handle all the obstacles that came our way, and enjoyed our time together with family and friends. So a big shout out to all of those friends and family that we enjoyed spending time with this year. You helped us get through a topsy-turvy year whether you realized it at the time or not. We don’t have anything to REALLY worry about, and our lives continue to be filled with nothing but AWESOME for the most part.

On to 2009…

So as the New Year gets underway, I have some of the same goals I had as last year. I’d like to lose another 10 lbs, 15 if I’m lucky, that would put me at the “perfect” weight. Plenty of things to get done around the house obviously, when isn’t there. I’d like to really work on the RELAXING bit more I think too Finding more time for my own artwork, and really get at least one of my own projects off the ground this year, regardless of setbacks. Aside from all of those things, after having spent 2 years coloring comics for a living now, I’d really like to land some work at DC or Marvel I think. Something related to, or including Batman is my goal. It may not happen, but looking back on my past goals the last 5 years, there is very little that I have NOT accomplished if I have set a goal to do something. So I figure I’ll get that out there in the Universe somewhere and see what happens.

Okay, wrapping up almost a complete day off from actual work here, and it’s time to put on the Dad costume and go do some running kids around now.

forgive the spelling mistakes today. just finished an all nighter, literally, and I could care less about how many spelling errors I make right now.

just wrapped up colors for Beyond Wonderland #4 with Nei Ruffino, Garry Henderson, and Blond (who came on at the last minute to save all our butts) The issue is made of complete AWESOME in my opinion, Dan Leister did an amazing job on the art for the book.

Put on a pot of coffee for my wife who’s waking up in about 5 minutes now, thinking of cooking a huge breakfast, and then crashing till the afternoon once these high rez files finish uploading. I probably won’t take off the entire day today, I’ll squeeze in another page or so I think likely as not. Strangely, not too tired right now, so if I can’t fall asleep I may just stay up all day and dork around.

this week, have to get the rest of our xmas shopping done, for the kids. I have a couple things left to get my wife, but I think we’re planning on heading into town on Friday to do shopping. then I’ll probably take the kids either Saturday or Sunday to pick up gifts for her.

It’s pretty apparent that I’m jumping all over the place right now too. It’s been really refreshing to have so much work lately, regardless of how busy it seems I am. I’d much rather be swamped right now, than be out of a job like so many other people. I think I’m doing some good work too, at least it seems that way to me I’m pretty happy with what I’ve been cranking out, and I’ve been cranking out a LOT of stuff. The first issue of my Dabel Bros. comic, Take A Chance is out this month. Can’t wait to get a copy of that and check it out, the art is fantastic, and I love the concept of the story (and the writing)

K, I’m losing it, it’s time to wrap things up, and get something to eat here, I’m starving!!!!!!

Was a long day yesterday. Took my daughter to get her braces on yesterday morning. It was probably the LEAST stressful appointment I’ve ever taken her to for anything. She did a really good job of not getting too worked up, and she seems to be taking the right approach to getting braces. She likes them, and isn’t all upset about having to get them either, which is a good attitude to have considering she has to wear them for almost 2 years She toughed it out at school yesterday, and is still a little sore today as well, but she’s doing a good job handling it, and I’m proud of her.

It was a late night last night. Went to see the MSU/N. Carolina game at Ford Field with my son and his friend and his dad and brothers. Was a good time, and the kids had a blast. MSU got TRUCKED by 35 points, and they embarrassed Detroit, the auto industry, MSU and the LIONS on ESPN this morning when they played the highlights of the game, but the kids enjoyed going and staying up so late on a school night. My son was dragging this morning heading to school, and I won’t lie, I’M tired myself this morning too. I took some pictures, and shot a couple of short videos as well.

I finished a painting commission yesterday that I’ve had for a couple of weeks, and it turned out good I think. I’ve got 4 days less to finish my Grimm Fairy Tales annual here, but I’m DONE with prior commitments and stuff now until I’m finished with the book, so I’m looking to knock pages out like nobodys business the next week here. Then I have 6 pages left to finish up issue 3 of Take a Chance, then I MIGHT be tackling Grimm Fairy Tales issue 35 before the end of the year as well. So things are definitely busy on the work front. Somewhere in there, I have to find time to take the kids xmas shopping for their mom too.

I need another pot of coffee today for sure, and maybe another piece of the AWESOME peanut butter/chocolate fudge my wife made. mmmm, mmmmm good!!!!

Was a busy weekend decorating the house, setting up the xmas tree and working here. Wanted to take as much time AWAY from the studio as I reasonably could with a deadline only 2 weeks away here. Still a few things on my mind this morning as I prepare for another LOOOONNNNGGG day in the studio here.

First off, I didn’t get a chance to sit down and really express what I was thankful for this year, even though I may have done that in my head the last few days. So here goes…I’m incredibly thankful for such a beautiful, loving wife (even though when I say that out loud it always sounds like kissing up or sarcasm it’s not, I genuinely mean it) I’m thankful for the 2 kids which have caused me to age prematurely, start losing my hair, turn the hair I DO have still to gray..just kidding. I’m incredibly thankful to have 2 very intelligent, well mannered (when they want to be) talented, loving children. It makes the difficult job of parenting that much easier, because everyone knows I’m unfortunately not the most patient person in the world, even though I try to be.

I’m also very thankful for the job that I have, even WITH all of the ups and downs that come with being a freelance artist. I’m afforded the luxury of working out of a beautiful home, having my own studio right off the upstairs living room, and being able to spend my days coloring comics, creating artwork and painting. It’s been a hectic, rollercoaster ride of a year here, however I am looking at my 5th straight year of growth since I started freelancing, and I’m actually making more money than I have at any other job I’ve ever had before. It’s encouraging to keep setting the bar higher and higher, and somehow finding a way to get over it. It’s not easy by ANY means, but it is rewarding.

other things that I’m trying to file away this morning….I’ve got 14 days to get 41 pages of comics colored here for 2 different books, and a painting to finish before Wednesday. Lots of work. I can do it, but thankfully we got the house decorated for Christmas over the weekend, the tree is up, and all of that is out of the way. The only other real tricky part over the next 2 weeks is this Wednesday. Taking my daughter to get her braces in the morning (which won’t be nearly as bad as she thinks), then am headed down to Ford Field with my son to catch the MSU vs. North Carolina basketball game which doesn’t start till 9pm. Going to be a LATE night. Then it’s JUGGERNAUT mode until I’m done with deadlines and hopefully, HOPEFULLY, a little time off this year for the holidays. I’ve got a staircase and railing in the basement that needs painting, and some other things I’d like to get done around the house, in addition to being able to just relax with the family this year.

k, time to get things going this morning, finish the page I started at 7:30 and find a groove.

at least that’s what it’s felt like here the last few months. we’ve been so busy and in a lot of ways so stressed, that it’s felt like we’ve been buzzing around inside a huge bee hive trying to keep up with all the other worker bees and keep making enough honey to keep the hive going. Maybe a terrible analogy there but it’s all I got this morning.

Football is finally over, we’ve been done for a week now. I’m glad to be done myself with all the coaching. It was a blast, but it was time consuming as well. My son played his heart out this year, made some great progress at QB I think if I look at things objectively, and his team finished in second place in the league. We lost the game last week which would have made the kids league champions, but it’s been a long year, some of our kids were starting to show the wear and tear of a long year, and we played against a team that decided they’d try to put all 11 defensive players up within 2 yards of the line of scrimmage. So we did well I think. My son learned a lot about himself, his abilities and his weaknesses and strengths, which is what sports is supposed to teach you. So in that regard I think it was a successful season.

My daughter finished in 2nd place in her conference for volleyball this year as well, and it was nice to get to some of her games this year and see her play that sport. I wasn’t very familiar with it before, but I think I almost understand all the rules now. She’s driving me crazy with how hard things are in middle school, and I really DON’T envy her having to go through all of that stuff right now. I’ve been there before, and there’s a reason why it’s better to look back on those times and enjoy the things you remember as being fun, and to forget all the other crap that goes with going through middle school and high school Still, I’m proud of the way she’s handling herself and I’m sure that we’re not screwing things up TOO badly with her.

work has been crazy. Mostly in ways that aren’t good. I’ve been extremely busy at times, which doesn’t bother me quite so much as times where I don’t have work to do. There was a stretch where things were falling through on me left and right, project after project that never got off the ground. While things seem to be looking up lately, and I have plenty of work now things still haven’t really settled down much. It’s one thing to have a ton of work, but to have a ton of work and to try and keep working while you’re owed money is not a good situation to be in. I thought I had left all of that behind me earlier this year after I had to wait for months to get paid from another client, but sadly it’s happening to me again right now. It’s November and I’m waiting on money for work I did in August. NOT the least stressful thing in the world. Been making an attempt to supplement our income here by picking up a TON of little jobs that pay on 50/50 terms, but I can only get so much done in a day here. So we decided to open up our own ebay store, and while most of the stuff on there is basically us cleaning out my studio and our basement with things we don’t need, or use or that are just taking up space, it’s been a mild success so far. I’m going to start offering custom artwork on there, and yes, there will be things that are not actually related to comic books shortly as well. I am a real artist as well, and I have plenty of ideas for things to sell.

Which leads into my to do list today, hopefully I can accomplish everything on here today (since I’ve already done the first 2 I’m making good progress)

-set up the Coldplay and Radiohead marathon in iTunes for background music today
-blog and organize my list of things to do
-VOTE
-make another pot of coffee
-color 2 pages or the equivalent
-work on sketch cards for ebay store
-kiss my wife and tell her how much I love her
-bug the people that owe me money to find a way to pay up soon
-color studies for a WoW character painting I’m working on for a client

So I’m off to start my day. If you do nothing else with YOUR day besides work and read blogs, make sure you get your butt out there and vote for change today! This country NEEDS to start moving in a new direction and we need to make sure that we’re at least voting.