I've been thinking, and it wasn't pretty

Custom design is a good challenge, but it takes up a lot of time. I think most artists agree that commissions tend to take the fun out of the process. Even though you love the work, it becomes just that -- work -- and it gets tough to be excited about it when there's half a dozen other projects you want to work on.

I once thought I might enjoy doing custom invitations, announcements, etc. full time. And although I think I would certainly prefer it over my current employment, could I handle it 24-7? I don't know. One of the things I like least about design is the need -- nay, the requirement to try to make everyone happy. This is despite the fact that I am naturally inclined to want to please people; I tend to gauge my self-worth based on my perception of others' satisfaction with me. So, ironically, that problem-solving aspect of intuiting many points of view and making them all work is also the thing that draws me in. Mind reader + diplomat + magician. That's me.

So we'll see. I'd love to take time to build up a body of current work, enter some shows, get into some galleries. Unfortunately I don't see any time for it in the near future: I'm working on A&R's wedding through the end of August, marathon training through October, plus I'm hoping to start the last of my grad studies classes this fall and finish my master's thesis project in the spring. I'll then probably allow myself to be a bit lazy for, like, a month after that, which brings me until right about this time next year before I'll be free to do whatever the heck I want with my spare time.

That said I'd rather design invitations until my mouse bleeds than be a bridesmaid. Un-bridesmaid? Anyway...

On the WAAAAY UP side I finished A&R's invitations, as one of several accomplishments and/or significant strides achieved over the long weekend. We even saw WALL-E. I feel very productive.

So I'll get to take a very short break from A&R's wedding, after delivering 65 invitations -- printed, trimmed, wrapped and tied -- yesterday afternoon. Between cutouts, linoleum and crochet, I almost don't know what to do. Really, I should just get working on a design for the programs.

This rare photo of me is brought to you courtesy of Keith, who was kind enough to visit my messy, messy studio and play with my camera while I was cutting lengths of cord. He is suffering from DSLR withdrawl while ours is being serviced. I should clean. I should also get to the gym. Look at that. Can't even tell she's training for a marathon. Yeesh.