First Blog
The irony about setting up a website is that you do it to be seen. And yet the worst thing in the world (for a period of time) is if someone were to see said website.
So I’ve done it, I’ve set the wheels in motion, uploaded the illustrations, documented the dates and collected the photos, edited, scrubbed and polished the resume/cv. And yet, of all the things that felt daunting it was starting this part. A blog. Because its what I have to say. And after drawing all my life and being a creative for the vast majority of my working professional career, I have plenty to say so this part should be effortless.
I sat down,
and got scared.
The other part of working as a professional is that 9 times out of 10, you are working for someone else. And your opinion doesn’t always matter. At first that may hurt. And I figured out why. It’s not the the message itself. “Your opinion doesn’t matter here.” It is completely how that is brought to your attention. You see I’ve had some absolutely vile managers, terrible human beings who’s words echo in my head in the darkest moments. And then I’ve had the pleasure of working with and alongside some of the most uplifting and empowering people. And at times they are saying the same thing. "Your opinion doesn’t matter here.” But that doesn’t mean its not a good opinion, it’s just not what is meant for this project, at this time.
Oh note to self to do a separate full blog on that topic at a later date.
BUT THIS IS THE TIME THIS IS THE PLACE, THIS IS MINE ALL MINE! *cue maniacal laugh
This may become a bit of a diary, a bit of a sound board, a bit of a Q&A, a bit of a catch all.
At the moment I am on leave for work because of a knee injury. I am a performer at Disneyland Paris and have been since I moved abroad in Feb 2020. And my knee injury has forced a few things.
1) Down time. A lot of down time. 7 months of downtime to be exact. And that has come with some self reflection.
2) Solitude. One of my absolute favorite things. I am a person who loves people but LOVES her alone time. Oh no, more time for reading. Say it isn’t so. No, I need to dedicate days on end to my own needs and build my own timeline? Say it isn’t so.
3) Plans for the future. I am a woman in her late 30’s. And while I may be in good shape, that shape is not that of a fresh, uninjured 20 something who is new to performing. I spent years honing my skills behind the scenes with set and prop building, scenic decorating and scenic painting. And performing has taken me across the world to Europe to explore and experience things that I have been oh so privileged to see. But I would like to take my vast knowledge and pivot from performing to a more creative path. (What exactly that may be I have no idea. Time will tell.)
I have also been able to give more attention to illustrating. Curled up with my IPad has been a welcome change. Procreate and I have been getting on well. I am still learning and still trying new things, which has also been nice. I have been collecting DTIYS (draw this in your style) prompts like a crow collecting trinkets. And it has been a refreshing new way to expand my reach and my humble audience on my social media.
Heading into this Christmas season I would like to get a few works sold. That’s a personal goal.
