Author: Jim

So I’m enjoying the no-pro lifestyle I’ve assumed. It’s great! I like working without a deadline, and not having to lobotomize my artwork in order to get paid. This is much better. But it’s really easy to slip into complete complacency, and not draw or paint anymore. Not only that, but some kind folks have expressed interest in what sort of work I’ve been doing and not showing to anyone. Well, I’d best get around to rebuilding this website– and here’s the first change. I’ve gotta come up with a new name, and get my recent stuff digitized and postable. I’ll get to that. I’m still raising a family, and have new hobbies and time-bandits about, so be patient. But it’ll happen. Someday.

It should be fairly obvious just looking at this blog that consistency is not one of my strong points. But everyday, and in one or two ways, I’m getting better and better. I made a decision recently to refuse commisions for now. Probably for about a year. When I say “I,” I really mean that my daughter made this decision for me. She’s 2. She doesn’t like it when I paint without her. I kinda have problems when she spills paint, water, juice, milk, drool, or whatever other fluid is handy over my paintings. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes this helps the painting, but I just don’t want to make it a habit. So I don’t paint when she’s awake, except for those times when spillage is required. This limits my productive time somewhat. Makes it hard to work on a deadline. Consequently, I’ve done away with deadlines. It feels nice. No more cooperation! No more comprimise! Art directors and editors can shove it! Hooray!

Now I can focus on painting for about 20-30 minutes a night on stuff that doesn’t have to make sense or be inoffensive. I would do it for longer, but that’s about as long as I can keep my eyes open after the “Terror of Two Years” has gone to bed.

“Freedom! Horrible, horrible freedom!”

Ok, so most of the time I’m good about maintaining a backup of important data. Most of the time. I’ll let you know: if you use, or ever decide to use linux, the -rf flag is very useful with many basic file manipulation commands, but if you’re going to use it, probably better add a -i and maybe a -v. ‘Cause sometimes you get on a roll, and only later realize that, well, you could have used that particular directory… particularly if it contained your address book.

At least with computers, what you don’t know can kick your ass. So, if you’ve been expecting an email from me recently, or if you would like for me to have your email address so that you can expect one from me from time to time, better send me an email first. Because I don’t have your address anymore. Believe me, I’m sorry.

No, I didn’t forget, but I did lose your email address. My brother is 20 this month. And now, finally, my mother has no more teenagers in the house. That makes about 19 years or so that she’s had to deal with some self-centered, obnoxious hormone factory. So happy birthday John, and congrats mom! You earned a vacation.

A few weeks ago I got fed up with Windows (again). But this time I did something about it, other than (I should say as well as) the usual cursing, hopping up and down, foaming at the mouth and chewing the rug. I switched to Linux. Gentoo Linux to be specific. This has been a slow and laborious process for me, but also one that was a long time coming. Consequently, I’ve been away from the blog– though it’s obvious I don’t spend much time here anyway. So, now that I’m back up and running, hopefully I’ll be stopping in a bit more often.