It's a learning curve, Capt'n!

A year is a long time to be away. A long time to roam your sketchbook, and draw a hundred little drawings without thinking. It was good. I don't regret it, as much as I'm suddenly reminded how little I know or am capable of doing. This isn't a beat down, just a reality check and wall I'm working on scaling. Or maybe tearing down. I wouldn't mind remodeling.

Upon reflection, I think I felt wiped after graduation. Then I felt guilt for not pursuing all the things I thought I'd pursue afterwards. The freedom to be free, and you just....drift. I think it was a good idea. Now I'm much more motivated and willing to pick the pace back up again. Is that so wrong? Don't mistake my approval of "vacation time" for no work ethic. We should work even when we don't want to. That's what a sketchbook is for perhaps. Just a record, just a stay busy. My only problem was facing the lack of challenge. Oh boy am I on now.

I'm going back to my first love. Digital art. It's what brought me in (unless you count that glorious Player's Guide that came with my N64 Ocarina of Time that was packed full of art that made me dream and draw). I have 11 days left on Corel Painter 12 free trial, and boy has it been an eye-opener. I feel like a kid again who doesn't know how to use paint. It's been great though, and well worth it, so I'll stash money here and there to buy it. I tried some other free programs, but I still like Corel.

It's going to be an interesting ride, this one. I've got dreams that I'm preparing for. I see the next two years as a perfect opportunity to explode and grow. It's pretty exciting. Painful even, but gratifying!

I didn't make a new years resolution, but it did occur to me just after the year turned that I was going to draw without fear, the way I did when I was younger. I'll accept the flaws and crappy art for little steps forward. I'll take my time to study color, line, shadows, fabric, landscapes, and all those things I used to think were so boring during undergrad. I'll take time to flesh out my foundations. It's great. Kinda no-stress exploration. It's a chance to be a little forgiving.

Chow!

-Issa