[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]

Studio Wrap Up (SWU) – January 2018

 

 

The first month of 2018 is over, and it was filled with juggling a lot of things as usual. Although like most things in my life, it never all happens at once, which is a good thing as I wouldn’t be able to manage it all.

 

 

The beginning of the month, I spent celebrating birthdays in my family (as well as mine) and spent most of my free time going back and forth to home. In the midst of celebrations I also finally cut off a toxic client relationship in my life. It truly sadden me to do so as I stood behind their business and brand for so long and believed in it, but they had no concept of collaboration as well as respect for one’s time and talents. So far it has been for the best and all that has been lost is time and money. I have been cutting back my freelance graphic design work a ton since working full-time because I wanted to make sure I had the energy to put into the work at my day job.

 

 

Mid-month I began my volunteer duties as publicity chair in the Pioneer Valley Mycological Association. It was a rough start with a misuse of power in a significant project resulting in a member stepping down. I never like to make drama, as there is so much of it in my life in all of my projects, however, sometimes to prevent something from happening you have to make noise. They were making an unauthorized move and essentially ‘took over’ a project that wasn’t theirs to begin with, all in the name of ‘to get things going’ when there was no rush in the first place. It was a slap to my face and expertise as well as volunteered time. Thankfully the group recovered for the most part and we have moved on to releasing the first newsletter with a new design of the new year.

 

 

Not to mention this project drama happened while I was in Guatemala, celebrating my birthday and on a vacation and received a very hurtful email all the while. I check my emails at least once during every trip because of drama like that. The person in question used my trip as an reason to ‘act’ on the project in not the best way which made it seem like they went behind my back to make this decision while I was away. I check my emails for a reason, to stay on top of projects and to keep things in check. Thankfully most of the group was behind me in this one and not a lot of damage was done.

 

 

I ended the month with recovery from traveling to Guatemala as well as wrapping up the trip in several blog posts and a handful of photos and a video. This was not a PR trip as I didn’t want to feel pressured to produce something, but I wanted to practice a few techniques and skills in video and often use travel as a inspiration do to so.

 

I also began deeper work on my water quality project. I had ordered a small sketchbook and placed everything I have gathered about water quality in one place. From Masaru Emoto’s research on human consciousness affecting the molecules of water to my own water testing out here in western Massachusetts. I have started research and study on photographic sculptures because my hope is that the water quality project morphs into a photographic outcome that visually depicts the quality of water in a given body of water. I made color-coded vector graphics of the first water testing I did but then realized that particular body of water was on a private property where I am not living anymore. I now have to redo the testing on a more accessible body of water – perhaps somewhere close in Belchertown.

 

Additionally, I had also put out a call for a ghostwriter and met up with someone local. They had the interest and background education that I was looking for. We also seem to click on an interpersonal level which is important to me when collaborating and working with someone. I hope to have them be a constant contributor in the research department and put out monthly articles as well as help me with a book project. One of the things that is lacking in my career is the research side as I had to leave it for 3-4 years while I focused on the art and design. It’s time to return to that now.

 

 

Finally, I am now brushing up on my piano and instrumental skills 1-2 hours everyday. That, too, I had to put aside while I worked on the art and design and I am learning new pieces on the piano (and keyboard). I mastered Für Elise, Come Thou Font of Every Blessing, Simple Gifts and Amazing Grace in the span of the last several weeks. I would learn the melody and harmony and then arrange a piece for the keyboard with strings. I simply love playing the appropriate chords with the melodies and how closely it sounds to a real orchestra.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]