I graduated!

Yes I did.

I wasn't going to write a long essay about this. I wrote a long one on my Norwegian blog and it was so emotional that I am left feeling a little drained, but it seems like my brain decided that I need to do just that. It was such a big day for me. It was the completion and the end of a dream that I have been carrying in my heart for years. I always dreamed of becoming some kind of artist, studying abroad, getting a degree. And now I have done it. I have officially graduated with the award Bachelor of Arts with Honours, Second class, first division in illustration.

I couldn't be more proud of myself and my accomplishments, I've worked so hard for so long, and it finally paid of.

Yesterday went by so fast so I didn't really have the time to take in the gravity of the moment, but now I do. I cried when I realized that my dream had finally come true. I cried because I was happy, and I cried because it was over.

"Parting is such sweet sorrow"
-Shakespear

I have that feeling now. I am letting go of a part of my life. I am not a student anymore, I am not striving for a degree, I have it. I am an artist. I get to make a living doing what I love doing the most. I get to draw and paint and illustrate every day. I can't really ask for more right now.

Sure a house to live in is a necessity, but things have a way of working themselves out. I am just grateful that I have been given the chance to follow my dreams, and that I knew what it was I wanted to do with my life from an early age.

On a final note I would just like to tell everyone how much my moms support has meant to me over the years. She never pushed me, but always supported me. She never once told me I couldn't do something and I give her full credit for me getting to where I am today. The past 4 years my dear Ole has also been an invaluable support and my rock. He left all he knew just to be with me when I decided to move first to Oslo and then to England. No man I have ever known gives up almost his entire life for the woman he loves, but he did and I don't know if I could have made it without him.

Until next time
Anita Night

Achievable goals...Not such a bad idea...

What better way to start the post than with a happy drunk pirate ^^

Ok, so I totally lifted this idea of my friend Vinter over at Lazy inhouse illustration , and she in turn was forced to do it by her boyfriend.

The name of the game is as you might have guessed: Achievable goals. Things you want to accomplish during the coming year. It got me thinking, do I know what my goals are? Surprisingly enough I kind of had a mental list, but writing it down makes it more real and forces you to do more than just thinking about it.

Here is my list:

1. Set up illustration business and apply for government funding.

2. Take business classes so I don't run my own business to the ground within the first year

3. Buy a new drawing tablet and Painter 12...And then learn how to use painter..

4. Explore other niche markets in the illustration market besides fantasy and Sci-fi art. (editorial, children's books, packaging or licensing)

5. Maybe set up a "drink and draw" sketch group (creative people gathering somewhere like in a pub and enjoying some nice beverages while sketching and socialising). Because let's face it, illustrators tend to be way too solitary and some social stimuli must be good for our creative mushy brains!

Most of that actually sounds coherent and semi -intelligent. So not too shabby if I might say so myself.

I don't know if I'll be able to actually achieve all of these goals but they should be within my grasp if I push myself just a little bit more. We'll see.

Until next time
Anita Night