a glance back/ a look ahead

now that the flux of holiday existence is evaporating, it's time to get back on the horse and head out on the trail again. but not without a little nod to where i've been in the past year.

most meaningful events of 2004 (in chronological order):

1) Submitting my 1st picture book to publishers - there's a big difference between having a great idea for a kid's book and having that idea typed-out, sketched-out, and in an envelope. it may not be published yet but it's still a book to me.

2) Moving to Brooklyn - 1 and a half years after leaving idyllic and comfortable Austin, after 6 Manhattan couches and a year or so in Queens, i finally moved to a Borough that fits. (all the real artists live in Brooklyn)

3) Starting a blog - i've no idea who actually reads it or what it's for half the time but i've tried to share more of who i am and where i'm trying to go with those who care to look

4) Having an art show- it had been years since i actually created art for art's sake and it led me to create things i'd never even considered. not bad when people buy stuff either.

5) Meeting bridget - requires no explanation

6) Losing my job - stability is never insured and when it's gone it presses you to try new things. change is hard but change is good.

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a look ahead to 2005 >> projects and goals (in no particular order):

1) Coloring Books - i've been hired to illustrate a coloring book for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to be distributed to children and families undergoing stem cell transplants to treat cancer. i'll be visiting some children's cancer treatment centers this winter and drawing their experiences as inspiration for the activity/coloring book. i've always wanted to do a coloring book and this will give me an opportunity to draw kids instead of monsters and animals.

2) Continue to submit picture book projects to publishers - it ain't easy but it's what i was born to do and i believe that. in addition to "What Time is it Now?" my monster picture book about the concept of time (ages 2-5 years), i'll start to send out "Wall" a universal tale of tolerance seen through the eyes of 2 creatures and the wall between them (ages 5-8 years), and "Animals on the Go!" my playful look at animals and their amusing modes of transportation (ages 2-6 years).

3) Develop new story ideas - the ideas keep coming and i'm anxious to develop some new stories involving bumble-bees, angry vegetables, a town with some bizarre grammatical ideas, and whatever else pops into my head.

4) Re-design my website.

5) Define my characters - i'll be exploring who exactly my monsters are and what they want. Now that i've named them, i hope to take "Bludo & Friends" from sketches to well-defined personalities capable of leading their own adventures.

6) The Ladder Project - since much of my free-time artwork included the subject of ladders, i hope to continue the exploration of the visual metaphor for climbing, hope, and achievment through sculpture, paintings and additional mural work.

7) Get involved working with kids again - i've taken a year to work on me and now i'm ready to re-connect regularly with the audience that sees the world the way i want to.