Six days and counting

This countdown week marks the last of the all the political news and views locally and nationally. Its been downright ugly, from commercials to lawn signs...and I am hoping for change. The upcoming end of a presidency that never should have been. The divisive atmosphere is driven home daily and I hope that next Tuesday we will be back on the road to a new era. Personally I have checked out of politics going all the way back to Ronald Reagan, I couldn't listen to the actor as president anymore than I can watch or listen to George W. Bush. I'm inspired by Obama and hope everyone gets out and votes with their head and their heart. Love this fantastic video posted above, great music, graphics, outstanding message.

Warm and wonderful

It was a great weekend in the Pacific Northwest. We hit the Growers Market, a few garage sales and had dinner with Paul and Jamie at Aja.
I stopped by Joans for eggs on Sunday afternoon and had a nice visit with her and Bill before returning home to work on a job. Took some pictures at Joans' I will have to download and post in the next few days when I have more time.

How Sweet it is

It has been one of those "time flies wheter your having fun or not" periods. Been working long and hard on the trailer, an illustration assignment, and watching the season turn, turn turn.
Last night Jamie, Paul and Zoe arrived for a visit. While we were waiting for them to arrive, we made some delicious cornbread. Bobs' Gluten Free Cornbread Mix, THE best, far superior to the -from scratch recipes I've ho hummed over over the years. I've included a link to ordering some from Amazon below, the price is for a four pack.
It was wonderful to have The Pies in for a visit, its been about six months since they came up in the spring and we drove to Takilma and did a tour of the treehouses at Out N' About.
The weather these days is unusually warm and beautiful and all the trees are peaking.
Walking outside at night the sky is clear, stars twinkling and there is the intoxicating smell of woodfires burning.
Sweet as cornbread and good friends on a warm autumn night.

No pain no gain

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional...

Sometimes I feel like, is it all worth it?
...the initiative and effort it takes to be a self supporting artist in todays' economy and creative world, where imagination and passion come with a huge price.
Recently two new assignments came in that renewed my desire to get past the limitations and challenges, out of the ditch I was in, and back on the road. Hi ho hi ho.
It just feels fantastic to be working on something that makes me aware of how important it is in my life to be designing and illustrating- and what is missing when its not there like its sometimes been lately.
Appreciation and fair compensation are the icing on the cake.
I've been working with Ruth Ann Barrett who has been developing a business plan over the past month involving creating an online presence and branding called The Whole Brand. Her strategic marketing has been an effective business tool and I feel so fortunate to be working with her on this project. This weekend I finished her logo art and banner art-http://wholebranding.blogspot.com/

Howling with the wind

Change is in the air, geese are honking overhead in the morning and leaves are rustling and floating to the ground from the birch trees out my window. Yesterday they were downright glowing. Today is cloudy and there's the chance of rain in the next 24, in these parts, its nonexistant for a good 5 to 6 months. Its a welcome change but an unsettling reminder of all the things still to do before it happens, because as the saying goes, when it rains it pours ...through the winter. I noticed along with the beautiful colored trees in my front yard, the pine needles on the roof that will clog the gutters, the equipment around the property that needs to be put away, should tarp the trailer, it needs a new coat of sealer on its vintage roof. And so on and so on and so on. Makes me want to howl, so much to do, so little time.