New Year, New Website, New Projects, New Semester!

Greetings again,

I have made several promises to myself over the years about this blog. What that has taught me, is to resist making promises. I am sure many of us were touched by the devastating tragedy in Haiti, and it is quite heartwarming to see the outpouring of support of the region in response. I urge and implore you to do whatever little thing you can to help. Whether it is an affordable monetary donation, or some action of a larger scale, it is moments like this that are true tests of our character.

I find myself with a full plate. This is always a double edged sword, but it forces me to think on my feet, and to be more organized than I would be usually. More importantly though, it is in these moments that my creativity is pushed by necessity. This is an exciting period despite the obvious increased stress, mostly because of a refreshed outlook on design, thanks to a Holiday break spent learning, practicing, and researching.

This space may prove to be a cathartic one at times, but I find the step back useful for perspective. Thanks for reading my (late) first post of the year.

"Sittin' in my Beamer, listenin to Ether" - It's Me Bitches!

At the end of the first full week of lectures, I'm doing okay. I pretty much like all my students, and I'm getting a good vibe from them as far as their state of mind and where I think the semester is going to go. They've got their first piece of writing due next week, and that's where I will really be able to determine what each person's strengths and weaknesses are. But already, this year's batch seems generally more attentive, more invested, and more interested in performing well.

That said, I am completely swamped on the design end. I'm juggling about 6 projects simultaneously. A friend of mine made the comment recently that she's always way busier than she thinks she is, and I think I will have to start subscribing to that as well. The biggest indicator of how busy I've been is that I am way behind on my invoices. So there's a bunch of income for work I've already done...just floating around. I've started getting them together to send out - so hopefully that will take care of itself in short order.

In great news though, I just got my complete penciller/inker set from Blue Line Pro and I'm geeked! I've got all my art boards, ruler kits, blue pencils, brushes...I'm about ready to start working on translating my novella I wrote for my dissertation into a graphic novel. The more time I get, the more I'll update folks on how that process is going.

One last note though, I love my 9-5, but when you can't go anywhere without being called 'Mr. Georges' or 'Teach', it makes your social life that much not harder....but awkward.

Till next time folks.....toodles.

First day of school...

Ahh.... the starry eyed, campus wandering masses. Lots of young and old new students completely overwhelmed by what they have chosen to undertake this year. Good. They do not yet fully realize that they have taken the first step in what can become the most rewarding experience of their lives.

Sorry, I really sounded like a teacher there....but I truly believe that and I hope all of them find that sense of accomplishment and feel the broadening of their minds and lives as it happens.

That said, the first couple classes are always a bit tentative as I try to feel out the 30 new personalities in each of my 6-7 classes.

As far as my art goes, Painter isn't here yet, but I've already started painting in Photoshop when I've got the time. Meanwhile the design work is coming in quick and steady. Guess I'm officially back on the grind I was on before the Christmas vacation...

Till later,
Rich