Salutations From The Trenches

I got some really good advice from a fellow Illustrator, Brent Watkins, a long time ago. He said, and I quote, "Make sure you draw what you like because you're going to be doing it a lot". Well, OK, that might not have been the exact quote, but it was close. Essentially the message was clear...figure out what you like to draw and make sure that's what you focus on. I couldn't agree more. In this odyssey called my art career, I sometimes feel like I have artistic ADD. I tend to do certain things in a style for awhile and then find myself looking to tweak it, or change it altogether. Perhaps that is my style...ever changing.

I know the personal growth is a good thing, but I guess I never have yet taken to the wisdom above. Generally, when I illustrate something, I tend to figure out what it's about just before (or more likely) in the midst of doing it. This is very difficult to produce something because their needs to be that advance research on the topic. But it is the topic itself that I struggle with I guess. I haven't quite figured out what it is I want to constantly illustrate...and furthermore, what to do with it. :) Some of my big influences growing up were artists like Drew Struzan, Hajime Sorayama...people who's main focus was the human body and in Sorayama's case, the female form. I do know that is of great interest to me...always has been...so perhaps that is where my content should lie.

I truly enjoy illustrating in the style I perform now, however I do feel it has further to be pushed...perhaps even into a 3D manifestation. I would like to incorporate my 2D work into 3D sculpture. That seems to be the biggest missing factor to my work now...that hands on feeling of actually doing some by hand. The computer is a wonderful tool and allows me to do many things, but I still crave the hand made aspects of it all.

These Guys Suck

On The Move

This past week has been a blur of work, driving, heading home and being at the hospital with my wife. I feel like I've been going 95mph the whole time...but it's all worth it to help her out and keep everything managed and under control. The doctors are still trying to ascertain what is going on with her, but I personally believe they had it right the first time (gall bladder). It seems every single woman I've spoken to has had their's removed at some point in their lives, and the symptoms she has been enduring seem very similar to what happens with gall bladder attacks. We are all hoping that they find something out today and formulate a plan of action for treatment. I know she doesn't want to be in the hospital any longer, and I don't blame her.

Our little guys, Gizmo and Salem, are definitely ready for momma to come home. Our cat and dog are very co-dependent and don't do very well when they don't get some mommy time in their day. I understand that...I don't either. :) Other than trying to be there for my wife as much as possible, I've finally begun to put in some serious hours on some freelance work and that's been very helpful. Extra income is always a good thing.

Feeling the Funk

My wife's been having it out with a bout of some kind of stomach flu the past few days so that has been pretty awful for her. After taking a trip to the family care physician, they felt it even necessary to admit her to the hospital and get her hooked up to an IV. She hasn't been able to keep anything down for nutrition, so they need to get some vitamins in her somehow. They're planning on running tests, and hopefully everything comes out perfectly fine and they get her on her feet soon.

Schemes and Dreams

Man, I need money. There are so many fabulous things I want to do to my house, buy for my wife, child and myself that it's just not right. All things in moderation I suppose, but damn. Currently, I am working on how I'm going to get my hands on a Madela breast pump for my wife (which is apparently the Jaguar of breast pumps...if such a thing existed), a PS3 for me, and last but most certainly not least, the cash and time to start the baby's room and finish the kitchen. And people wonder why folks rob liquor stores! :) I need to get my hands on this stuff though because the pump is important, as is the baby's room and the kitchen. The PS3 is the least important of the bunch, but still important to me. This year, after...what's it been...I guess ten years now of NCAA College Football play they have finally made online dynasty mode. My buddies and I have been clamoring for that for years, and it is finally upon us. Now all that stands in the way are $400 PS3's to enjoy it on.

It's a BOY!

Come October, my wife and I will be welcoming Gunnar James Sloan into the world! We are both so excited it's a boy! We would have been happy with either sex, but both of us really, really wanted a boy. Plus, as an aside, it's wonderful for my family as none of my immediate family have boys to carry on our last name. It was always kind of "up to me" and I'm very proud my wife and I were able to come through in the clutch. Now, we simply pray for a healthy baby and a easy and trouble free delivery. I'm so stoked though...I'll be able to be a kid again, buying Transformers and G.I.Joe's. :) Of course, we have a TON of baby stuff we need to get done before Gunnar comes. We need to get the baby room painted, which of course means we need to get the kitchen finished! I can see why home improvement is a big thing for couples (especially if they don't already have hobbies). It gives you so much to do.

In other news, I'm very proud of one of my best friends in the world, Stephen D. Robideaux, whom just graduated from Tulsa's school of law and will (hopefully) be moving up here to the city amongst the plains. My wife and I will actually be enjoying a little mini-vacation to Fayetteville this weekend to participate in all the graduation festivities. That should be great...we always have a fun time in F-Town with Stephen and Heather.