i still exist...

it's been a long time since i posted. at least, it feels like a long time. i've done a lot of things since moving to Portland, Oregon, but somehow never had the energy to write about it. i made a new zine in August, just in time for the Zine Symposium, participated in a group art show at the Pony Club, and did a few craft shows. i moved in with my boyfriend, Evan, in november, and we are still trying to make the apartment cozy. i started knitting again recently, and i think it would be fun to design my own hats. i also felt really tired and stressed, and i'm trying to get my chi back so i can do all these damn things i want to do.

so it's the american new year today (chinese new year is the 26th), and i was looking on Etsy and became inspired by the featured artist: http://www.behappynow.etsy.com/. her stuff is so cute and free-looking, like she had a lot of fun creating her art. she mentioned a website called http://www.pikaland.com/, a blog that showcases different artists, which led me to http://www.undergroundartschool.blogspot.com/, a blog about art and creativity. anyway, they were looking for creative resolutions for 2009.

i have to think about it for a bit, because it's really easy for me to make resolutions or lists of projects, but i usually only do a tidbit at a time. my project priority changes lineup all the time as well, but for the present moment here is the long version:

"I would like to have more fun with the art I make. I want to keep a sketchbook to doodle in, and not worry about making mistakes. I want to develop an illustration portfolio and send it off to magazines and children's book publishers. I want to work on a children's book on my own, both the writing and pictures. I want to make an illustrated poetry chapbook, work on my novel, and perhaps make a small comic. I want to try my hand at cut-out animation. I want to experiment more, and above all enjoy what I'm doing!"

that was a long resolution. there's more I could've written, too. i should probably write that down and tape it to my wall.

anyway, i'm going to be in a group art show at the end of february, so i will have to start making some art! i definitely want to be experimental and have some fun trying out new things. i've had ideas for little sculptures, and this would be a great venue to show them. i also need to apply to the Stumptown Comics Fest before it's too late. so it would be good to make a "real" comic. my zines do have pictures and words, but i haven't done a real comic in a long time. damn, i just have too many things i want to do. the problem is i think about it all too much instead of doing it.

okay. above all, i want to be less uptight, and just enjoy the process.

well, that was my rant. oh, and i love portland, by the way. it's a beautiful, artsy, flower-filled city with lots of decent people and great roads to ride bikes on. the only draw-back is it's stuffed with too many people my age, making jobs scarce and competitive. hence, i have little money, which depressed me for awhile. but i think i'm over it. i just gotta make do, get a little help from friends (ie. parents), and make the most of it. as long as i keep working in whatever ways i have to, i think some nice little opportunities might come along.

oh, and here's my overall resolution:

PATIENCE.

happy new year!

love, me