This year was busy! It’s been a very creative year, I think. It’s funny how from day to day it can feel like nothing’s happening, but when you look in the aggregate, you see that there was indeed a lot going on. What’s that saying — the days are long but the years are short? Jesus, it’s true. It’s the most true cliché there is.
What did I get up to creatively this year?
• I didn’t blog much. (Obviously.) But I did do a nifty one-second-of-video-a-day project to document the year. It turned out great, and I only missed one day (May 25)!
• I started another new job. I’m now a proud denizen of the nonprofit world. Being in communications is different from journalism and art direction, but much of what I learned in my previous career has proven extremely useful in this new venture. I’m learning, I’m growing, and I’m working for an organization that is making a positive impact in the community. Those things are all what I was looking for in a career change. I’m excited to see what the future holds.
• I wrote a lot this year. Not as much as I want to write in 2019, but a significant amount more than in years before. I started several short stories, a couple of kids’ books, and two novels. And I wrote a couple of mediocre poems! Most importantly, I’ve gotten the ol’ brain primed up so that it can more easily generate ideas, which I’m keeping logged. In 2019 I’m hoping to get a first draft of one of the novels done. I’d love to also finish a few short stories.
• I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. I’m trying to find my niche and work out what it is that I want to write. I have a lot of ideas that span multiple genres and I have yet to figure out which ones fit my style and interests best. I’m excited to get better at illustrating (see below) so I can feel more comfortable illustrating my own stories.
• I went to a workshop about writing the weird. I’ve long been drawn to strange and off-kilter stories. I want to learn how to write them better. The workshop was fun but I have a lot more to learn, and need to do a lot more practice.
• I got published. Coffin Bell was kind enough to publish an edited version of my blog post, “The Handoff.” I’m so grateful to editor Tamara for her encouragement and great edits to the piece. You can read it here.
• I joined the masthead of Coffin Bell and helped produce a book! It was a lot of fun to art direct and design the inaugural print anthology of Coffin Bell, and I have enjoyed doing other art/design assignments, like making postcards.
• I rebranded the Eyedot Creative Etsy shop to lean into the weirdness, and made some new art for it. I’ve got more ideas for 2019. (Now to find the time.)
• Deadnettle Apothecary Supply did well! I got some decent (organic) traction on Instagram and made more than 50 Etsy sales in 2018, and several of those were large orders, including one custom order of 12 jars of witch nails. I even took Deadnettle wares to a craft fair in November. I didn’t sell much but a lot of people stopped to marvel. Kids especially. Who knew creepy potion ingredients would find a home? In 2019 I’m considering setting up shop at a renaissance fair, to get in front of the fantasy crowd.
• I read books. Sixteen! And I have three or so I’m in the middle of right now. (I tend to have several going at once.) A couple of the ones I finished were outstanding. Little Fires Everywhere, On Writing, Educated, The Power. And I really enjoyed We Know It Was You. In fact, I liked it so much that it inspired me to start a dark YA novel of my own. And to DM the author, Maggie Thrash, on Instagram. She replied and was so nice!
• I started drawing again. I got an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil and the experience of drawing on it has been amazing. I’m finding my style and experimenting with the different drawing apps and tools. (Procreate is awesome!) It’s been so much fun. I even doodled on our Christmas card this year.
• I exhibited a photo at the Gordon JCC’s Valentine’s Day show.
• I got a new camera. It’s an upgrade from my trusty 50D. I’m looking forward to pushing myself to take more photos in 2019, so that I can get back in the habit of having my camera with me more often than not. The photos I’ve taken over the years have truly proven to be gifts that keep on giving.
• I went to a mixed-media collage workshop hosted by one of my favorite artists, Wayne Brezinka. It was super fun and I learned some excellent collage tips. I made one piece I’m proud of and began another that I think will be cool if I ever finish it. It’s based on a painting my grandmother did.
Here’s to continuing to push myself creatively in 2019! I got some resin casting tools and a bottle cutter for Christmas, so I see some new and fun projects in my future.