Just Another Break In The Wall

So I took a week off of studying.  I regret nothing. It’s Christmas time and everything was pretty hectic and I decided to take a week off.  However, the downside to this? Well, I have to REVIEW EVERYTHING. I”m reviewing everything by continuing to transcribe my notes into simplenotes.

What made coming back even harder was than I thought because I had a huge fight with parents about money, and basically I’ve been cut off which adds stress. So I might have to try to get a part-time job on top of EVERYTHING ELSE I’m doing.

While I’m reviewing, I decided to finally crack open my typography book. And I will be doing a few chapters, before I switch to visual communication. I really want to avoid making any typography mistakes. Especially since I am actively designing things like book covers and what not.

Speaking of my book covers, I have decided to finally get off my duff and start actively and aggressively promoting my blog and my art. I did this by fan groups (facebook fan groups are a great way to promote your stuff) and Archive of Our Own.  I decided to get some much needed practice in photoshop by doing some book covers for my favorite sterek stories.  I got permission from first KouriArashi and then later ShanaStoryteller and I was overjoyed  at the response I’m getting.

I’m making a stir, and slowly gaining a community of patrons, which is what I want. Someone even asked if I was taking commissions and my price range (I’m fervently praying that it does turn into my first commission).  Honestly, at this point I need recommendations.

Oh, and I have decided to start participating more in the m/m and f/f book communities and to start reading original books again so I might be able to make some connections with those authors as well. The name of the game here is just networking at this point.

I just know that I’m going to make it as an artist. I just need not to drop the ball, and to keep challenging myself. Sometimes, I just want to stop studying, stop doing photoshop tutorials, and go my own way. But then I have to remind myself that I will only grow as a designer with practice and study.

Oh by the way, I’m thinking of adding a log on my portfolio full of my mistakes so I can learn from them. I think that will just help me grow further as designer.