I suppose I might as well talk 2013/2014.
In 2013, I gained the confidence to embark on my new career and made measurable steps to that end. I made many new friends, caught up with faraway pals, and met some old ones I haven't seen in decades. I contributed voluntary work and tried to give a lot to the community, vital in this current climate. I had my first stall where I exhibited my art, and proved to myself I'm not uniquely unsuited to being an artist.
It was tough, too. There's been a lot of upheaval, some pretty profound effects on my personal life. Lots of heartache, turmoil, anger, sorrow, strife, and confusion. Friendships have been sorely tested, family relationships strained, even things like handling finances have taken a toll. Sometimes I wondered how we were going to get past some of those hurdles. Some of those hurdles are still there. And I see others yet uncrossed.
2014 will be one of the most important years of my life, on the grand and the modest scale. Grand because of the most important referendum in my country's history which will determine its future and that of my family and friends and their children. Modest, because it will be the year where I finally evolve as an artist and professional. Perhaps I'll never feel like I'm a "proper" artist, but now I've learned that I won't let that stop me from trying.
I'm looking to release the first issue of Bannockburn in April, before the other great 2014 anniversary: if it isn't released by then, then certainly as a single issue for June. Depending on whether I feel satisfied with the story I wrote or not, perhaps I will revisit it in the future: plenty of authors adapted short stories into novels, after all. I'll also continue writing on the blog when the fancy takes me,
hopefully with more regularity (every week at least). I've had a nasty
habit of not writing anything for ages, then vomiting up 5,000-word
essays. That said, I have a backlog of posts which I'll do the finishing touches on.
I also plan on embarking upon the 5th Scottish Invasion of Cross Plains (and hopefully actually finishing the posts on the 4th invasion, jings, Al) and my 3rd trip to the Arizona Comic-Con. Maybe I'll bring some copies of Bannockburn over for my New World pals!
Until then, best of luck, one and all, for 2014.
Congratulations on the art. And I'm glad to hear you're coming to Cross Plains again. My attendance is a little iffy, at least for the whole weekend, but I hope you have copies of Bannockburn with you.
ReplyDelete2013 has been a weird and not altogether nice year for a lot of people I know... but various people also have taken it as a sign to square their shoulders and gird their loins (?) to make changes in 2014.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll also see the fruits of the seeds you've sown in 2013. You can sign us up for a copy of Bannockburn (as long as you don't make it a very expen$ive one) - we're interested in the material (and hopeful after the illustrations you already showed), but also because we know how difficult it can be to get friends interested in ones creative output.
Definitely a steep decline in blog posts noticeable, but I figure that you're spending your time better (= drawing pages instead of feeding the Great Glutton Internet). What volunteer work do you do? I understand that you're also interested in disability issues?...
Remco (& Angeline)
All right, let's sum up!
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