Helloo everyone. How are you all doing? Good I hope.
Today I just want to talk about the little things that make the big difference. The last two weeks have sort of been my holiday this year. It's been raining almost non-stop and I couldn't afford to travel anywhere so I was pretty much stuck at home. I haven't drawn a thing in over a week. Not because I didn't want to, but because needed not to.
My mind and my body needed a break, to relax and to think of other things besides illustration. I have a tendency to get a bit manic when I work, and a lot of you know this already. I plunge into projects, work myself half to death and no one really gets to see hide nor hair of me for days or weeks at a time. That's why it is very important for me to take brakes when they are available,and try to have a decent life beyond that of illustration and promotion.
So what have I been doing all this time? A lot actually. My mother and some of my younger siblings came to visit, and they are quite the handfull at times, but it was very nice to see them again. Go shopping, go swimming, visit the amusement park and things like that.
My adorable siblings. He's trying to game in peace but she is not having it!
I have tended to my new hobby, jewellery making and beadweaving. Some of my results turned out pretty great as you can see below. It's tons of fun to have a hobby like this where I get to create something tangible and wearable.
This is a flat spiral stitch bracelet
Brickstitched hoop earrings:
Simple seedbead embellished bracelet:
Purple pearl earrings:
Wire wrapped blue droplet crystal, and silver angel wings earrings:
Antiqued silver key, and cream pearl earrings:
I also decided to participate in the DnDNext playtest where players get to test the new edition of Dungeons and Dragons and take surveys and give the developers feedback on what they think of the new rules and systems. I can't really talk about it much since it's all very secretive but suffice to say that it's interesting and fun, and I'm the DM for the first time in my life which is kind of intimidating.
I've also attended a party, redesigned some band stickers and I've gamed a lot of Ratchet and Clank on my PS3.
Now the plan is to get back into working mode, promote the business, make new videos, try to get illustration gigs, participate in challenges on imaginefx.com and theartorder.com and of course go back to my regular part time job...
My days are looking a bit full, but hey that's just how it's got to be.
Until next time
Anita K. Olsen
www.anitaolsen.daportfolio.com
contact: anitaolsen.illustration@gmail.com
