A Glimpse Inside My Art Journal

I have been MIA like a dude who makes ghosting a science. Better yet, like when I ghost fake friends, f boys and the like (DELETE).

BUT… I can happily report that I return with a major accomplishment in my career and that because of this and a few other things, I have been on a quasi-spiritual, transformative and humbling journey.

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My last post was about “still being unstoppable” and how I went on an interview and tanked it but in spite of my “failure” I had felt extremely confident. From there, long story short, I started UBERing to earn additional income to supplement the major rental increase affecting Sacramento. So instead of coming up with blog ideas, drawing, or doing anything related to art, even coloring a coloring book; I was grinding in these streets trying to make a few bucks while working full time.

Luckily, at the time, my full time job had endowed me with a great opportunity to put my creative skills to use by creating a massive power point presentation. I know, Lame. BUT IT WASN’T. Who remembers making power point presentations in Jr. High? I do! I created a 125 slide presentation encompassing the Veterinary Hospital Inspection Program and it was a rewarding experience. I never had the opportunity to do anything remotely creative for work but to make lame holiday and potluck flyers with the use of paint and word. So with my design skills and enthusiasm in tow, I tailored a simple, clean, well designed presentation for them that can be used for years to come. (still nerding out about this)

While doing that I got another call for an interview and this time I didn’t have to change in the car but more importantly, my portfolio saved my life! So within a span of four months, I took a transfer, started UBERing and promoted while my parents came to visit for two weeks.

002-blog-sizeSo yea… A lot has happened and I couldn’t be more grateful for where I’m at. The fact that I have finally broken into my career field is the greatest thing I could have accomplished this year. And with that said… can you believe that we only have three more months before the end of the year. My goodness! That means three months to accomplish a few more goals. During my time away I’ve been researching how to implement a schedule, how to stick to one, and how to accomplish your goals. So in the next blog post I will be sharing some tools I’ve learned and programs I’ve tried to help become a bit more self-disciplined.

BEautifullyODD is still and will always be my baby and during this time away I have had to honestly re-evaluate, not only what it means to me, but how to find the courage, strength, and discipline to make my art a priority. The one thing I’ve been doing is art journaling; I’ve been trying to draw or doodle for 15 minutes a day. Granted I’ve been writing more than sketching or drawing. But you can’t be afraid of a blank piece of paper. You just have to jump in and f it up. Scribble all over it, pour ink all over it, burn it and spill coffee in it, hide flowers in its pages and keep scribbling motivational quotes in its seams… inspiring you to keep going.

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But I want to leave off saying that no matter how crazy, difficult and challenging life gets, take comfort in the fact that no one has the power to kill your dreams. So just keep going.

BEautifullyODD

 

Rebuilding Your Graphic Design Portfolio: Step 1

Hey Guys

So as promised I have started my, “Rebuilding Your Graphic Design Portfolio” series and step number one is to do the project you fear most.

So over the past year I have been procrastinating, dreading the idea that I need to seriously update my portfolio. I have a few solid pieces but I need to be honest and recognize where and why my portfolio is lacking.

One of the most basic projects in a portfolio is a 3 fold brochure. I’ve created a couple but I never seemed to have the right amount of content or cohesive enough images to pull it off. Well I am so very excited to say that jumping in, doing the project that I have been struggling with the most helped kick-start my need and eagerness to build a stellar portfolio.

Maybe you have a completely different project that you struggle with, like creating identities or packaging, or perhaps it just a learning curve thing like learning the pen tool and working with clipping masks. My point is that what ever project you have been avoiding, one that is preventing you from taking a step forward; is the very project you need to begin.

This turned out much better than I had expected. If you are struggling with a lack of content try finding an organization that has tons of it or use images strategically to create a cohesive story.

So yea, I’m glad I finally faced my graphic design portfolio fears, wasn’t that bad after all. Up next… logos and identities!

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