I've fallen in love with the process called screen printing.  For the longest time, I could not understand how it was done or why.  Now I do.  The results can be beautiful.  It's true that I can't resist a new project, even when all my other projects are unfinished.  At least this one can stay on the back burner for a little longer. 

I'm determined to get at least two more things finished before I pick up another one.  The first is my book, and the second is a commission I've been working on for longer than I care to admit.  The buyer is a very patient person but probably thinks I've abandoned the project altogether.  It will be a surprise when it finally gets delivered.

The dragging issue on my mind is:  Do I go back to school?  If so, for what?

I don't know what the next 45 years hold, but I have enough curiosity and desire to fill up every second.  How many more skills and projects can I squeeze into the rest of my life?  I guess only time will tell.  I'm starting right....NOW!

I'm still learning programming, but I have to diversify daily to keep from falling asleep at the keyboard. Reinvention, or reclamation perhaps, is a long process.

The children's book I'm working on has been written and sketched out.  Only a couple of pages still need drawings.  Now I've started the process of really painting the pictures.  I printed out a mock-up of the whole book for my son (who is 17) and showed him the first painting. He actually sat and read the whole thing. My original bear is, of course, a Louisiana black bear, in keeping with the family tradition of home-state promotion.  My son, however, thought the bear I painted might be a little too scary for little kids.  This is coming from a teenager.  Then, of course, he followed with, "It should be a Kodiak bear."  Oh, yes, that's very cuddly.  The most dangerous and aggressive of all bears is less scary than a little black bear?  Well, I figured even some black bears have slightly greyish or brownish fur, so I lightened him up a bit and made him a little more friendly for the book.  My son did enjoy the story, which says a lot, because if he didn't like it, or just didn't care (which was more likely), I never would have heard, "I like it."

In addition, I'm back on the trail of researching publishers and literary agents, because once the book is done, I want to hit the ground running.  So much to do, so little time.

I have had some luck in the day job area.  I have nearly enough work with my current job and contacted a previous employer about some extra work, so now I don't have to be frantic about my immediate future.  This is a big relief.

Now I can focus on creating my art and my book and redesigning myself.  I have so much to do, so I'm going to cut this post short and get back to painting.  My bear is revised, and the second panel is started.  I'm very excited about having shipped off a commissioned painting to its owner today.

I don't know if I've ever said this before, but I think I'm looking forward to autumn.