TODAY MY BLOG IS ONE YEAR OLD

Happy birthday to me and to my blog! It was a year ago that I made the commitment to be creative every week by having a blog and posting my work here. My friend Nicole encouraged me to get blogging!

It was shortly after, that I discovered the wonderful world of children’s illustrations and realized my new path and my new mission in terms of my career. I set a few goals for my self for the one-year term: Create a portfolio, update my web site, create promotional materials and attend a conference to receive feedback. I accomplished all of those goals in about 8 months, so I feel very good about reaching those goals. However, the last year has not been all that easy.

After my conference, I thought my work needed quite a bit of fine-tuning to make it more appealing to publishers, and I’ve been working toward improving my portfolio. My new project is to illustrate a whole book. However, my biggest hurdle the past few months has been time. I’m not sure how many of you could relate, but as a stay at home Mom, balancing career and family is sometimes a daunting task. I’m not saying it is easier for Moms that work out of the house, but I do think it is easier to manage time if you have a block of time where you are ‘just’ working without any distractions and you know your kids are well cared for by someone else. I think it is a challenge to be productive when you have to stop your day numerous times to drop off, pick up, cook, clean, help with homework, play dates, go to activities…this is without including the unexpected illness, hospital visit (which we’ve had 3 this year!) or simply paying bills, holiday gatherings, doctor visits and other tasks to run the house.

Earlier this year I wanted to send out promotional materials to publishers since I know it may be a while before I get a call back, but the thought of actually getting a call back and be given a chance and not be able to fulfill because of my time constrains, stopped me from moving forward.

I have been reminded many times this year that my time is not my own, I have come to the conclusion (this is not the first time either) where I think I need to step back, count my blessings, enjoy my young kids (they are only little once) and wait. The time will come, where I will be able to dive into my work. As long as I remain creative even a little I’m being good to myself… My youngest starts Kinder in 2010, so I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.

I love having a blog, it has allowed me to connect with people that I would other wise have never meet. I have met so many other creative people that have provided kind words of support, inspiration and friendship. It’s been fun!

For this second year, I will enjoy my art, experiment, have fun and continue to refine my portfolio.

 

Thank you all for your continuous visits, comments and friendship. They really touch my heart. It’s Friday! Celebrate my birthday! GO HAVE A DRINK!