All we want to be is art...

I haven't put up a post in a while. Everything became quite hectic between the end of school and going to Spain (which was a wonderful two-week trip to Barcelona and Asturias). A lot of changes, a lot of the same. At least I have had time to enjoy myself.

On another note keeping track of finances is both annoying and infuriating. It seems like every time you spend a penny, somewhere in the universe they are charging you a dollar for doing so. Banks are horrible, scamming monstrosities trying to spin you into confusion. Then, when you're bewildered enough they start throwing mysterious charges at you, and you're too perplexed to even question them. "I don't remember making tha... oh it's from where? But I've never really been there... oh so you're saying it's because... but that doesn't make sense... I guess... maybe... uh... whatever, here's all my money. Solve it."

But on a lighter and more positive note, I have a "pocket" watercolor set and a watercolor Moleskin notebook now and I'm loving the heck out of it.

Here's a giant tree to prove it!

It's quite fun to fiddle with. I've been working on this particular piece for two days, I hope I can finish it by the end of the week and then it can end up on my DeviantArt.

I've also been enjoying my new Moleskin sketchbook. I try to sketch in it whenever I have the time or inspiration. I've also been practicing anatomical structures of animals and wings, as well as colors. Here are some of my current sketches, doodles and scribbles.

A mommy and her children. From a photograph I found online (in-progress)

 

This is from a dream I had in Spain, the picture is in progress

 

I just like the look of the black pen on the beige paper :)

I had to pull over to write/sketch this one. Extremely sudden inspiration.

 Wing tutorial on DeviantArt

 Left- From an art book I have about color // Right- Random thoughts

 Working on facial structure of different animals

Wolf anatomy from tutorial found on DeviantArt

I kind of wish I had more time to write lately. I've been able to slip in the occasional sketch or doodle, even a random quick writing of current thoughts, but I haven't really had the chance to sit down and write. It's a process for me. Joseph can just pull a little book out of his pockets and scrawl to his heart's content, I cannot.  Maybe writing comes more naturally to him, but I have never been able to write without mental preparation. Ah well, life will settle and I can get back to writing. 

*The sky is over...*

I forgot to give this a title first time around...

I am experiencing hunger.

Isn't it strange how people learn coping methods? How they find ways to work around their dysfunctions? I suppose it's not really strange, it's actually quite normal. It's something that's done every day by most adults, and maybe even some children. Teaching yourself ways to function, regardless of circumstance, that's part of the human condition.

I've always had difficulty finding a happy medium so I have two modes: panic mode or lackadaisical mode. I either care too much, or I just completely lose interest. Everyone at school always comments how I'm "so relaxed" and how they wish they were nearly as relaxed about school. Little do they know that if I didn't force myself into that state I'd probably lose my mind (as I almost have some semesters before I taught myself to cope). It is a bit frustrating though, I never quite know how to give myself the proper level of motivation to get things done. If I let myself get into a panic things don't get done anyway because I just break down. To hell with it. I just have to keep teaching myself around it.

I actually got a chance to keep reading Game of Thrones last night, it was only a little while but I got a couple of chapters read. It's fascinating so far. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm looking forward to finishing it and moving on to either the second book or something else.

I am working on a story, I may have mentioned it before. It doesn't have a title yet, but it's looking quite lengthy. I got a copy of Campaign Cartographer and am using it to make a map of the world it's in. I started to lose track of where the hell the characters were while writing the outline. Decided a map was necessary.

Added a new little guy to the previous picture:

I like how fluid he looks, I don't usually get that effect very easily. 

I'm still waiting to hear back from graduate schools. No word yet. Ah, well. Soon, I hope.

*The sky is over...*

You'll never survive 3005...

Been listening to Scars on Broadway a lot lately. I can't help but feel like the line in 3005 where he says "While you are sinking in the ocean I'll be in my spaceship still alive" is a Portal reference... Even though I know it's not. My stomach's been standing on a ledge threatening to jump lately. Quite horrible. I've sent some people down there to talk him out of it, but he's not listening. Stomach suicide is a serious problem. Stayed home today, I'll probably catch up on some homework and play more Dragon Age II. I'm pretty sure I'm almost in Act III. I'd probably already have beaten the game if I didn't insist on searching every little corner and playing several simultaneous games. It's so enjoyable though.

I continued to work on the outline for that story. It's become quite massive and has reached a much larger scale than I imagined. Pretty crazy. And I still don't have an end in sight. I wonder if I'll actually be able to write it? I'm pretty excited about it now, but for how long? I also found an old story I'd started a few years ago that I'd like to revamp a little. I don't know what to do with it though. It's a good beginning, it just lacks a reason. I think I am going to make sure I do more writing and less trolling the internet. Not that I don't love spending hours on my google reader or Reddit or Cracked filling my brain with useless knowledge, I just think I'd rather be spending that time writing or reading, or drawing for that matter.

I was sketching with my tablet for the first time in a looonggg time yesterday and this is what happened:

She's changed a little since then, and the picture's focus was redirected but I kind of like it. I should spend more time with my tablet.

Man, I could really use a lot more time in my life. Maybe when I finish school. Maybe never. We'll see. I'm kind of glad I'm getting back into the habit of blogging. I think it helps my writing when I write a lot, even if it's just garbled mess about things that don't matter all too much.

*The sky is over...*

Because there isn't a greater taste than a potato in a cup...

Some interesting events that have occurred since my last post:

1. I have had two stories published in e-zines located here-

To Live a Life That is Not My Own <http://www.yesteryearfiction.com/2010/08/82110.html>

Wayfinder: Home of the Lýkos <http://www.downdirtyword.com/authors/suanycanarte.html>

2. I have drawn some Pyraliss pages and will begin updating again starting Monday
3. I attended the New York Renaissance Faire in costume (twice)
4. I have begun the Fall semester and it is CRAZY

So I've applied for graduation and have realized just how close I am to finishing this section of my education. I had some trepidations about applying to graduate schools in December considering that I am currently retaking a class I didn't do well in and it brings down my G.P.A. but I've noticed that many schools have February deadlines, which improves my situation greatly. My only concern is that I am not sure how to go about asking professors for letters of recommendation or how to take the GRE. I am also concerned about taking the GREs while I am stressing out about school. I have always done fairly well in standardized tests, but I have not taken one in so long that I fear I have become rusty. I feel like I have so little time to study, do homework, work and sleep that I cannot imagine taking more time to research graduate schools, study for the GREs and worry about applications.  The entire school system is unnervingly flawed.

In class this afternoon a couple of students just chewed out our Professor for not being clear with what she is expecting from us when it comes to the homework and the midterm exam. She was so flustered and boggled by the idea that most of the people in our classroom have NEVER done "logarithms" or even heard of them.  This ties back to how flawed the school system here is. Although I admit that her expectations of our abilities is far above what we actually can do, I also believe that it is not her fault. She is an awkward woman in many ways that has studied, not only Audiology, but physics which gives her an edge of understanding that most of us would never have. Most people that go into Speech-Language Pathology go into the program never expecting to see a math problem again. Then we get to a class like Speech Science and it is a mathematical nightmare (for those who are mathematically impaired). Even I, who have a decent background in mathematics, have had trouble understanding how to use her notes to figure out the relatively complicated mathematical problems she is presenting us with. I am pretty concerned with the midterm exam and I cannot afford to do poorly in another class. My weekend is currently booked with horrifying amounts of studying (although I plan on playing a Magic game or two with Joe and brother :P).

I have one more thing to write about for now, and it is a new website I plan on starting up soon. It's a silly idea, but I think I will enjoy playing with it. It's name-in-progress is "Class Notes" and it will be a webcomic-like site that updates with pictures of little sketches and doodles that are all over my notes. I doodle a lot in class (bad habit, I know) and I tend to like a lot of  my little doodles. Some of them turn into character designs for stories, some are kind of fan-art, and some of them are just plain silly. I have a little quick design sketch of what I would like the website to look for. If I find myself with any time this weekend (haha, wishful thinking) I may just start setting this up. I'll associate this blog to it. I may also set up the Pyraliss blog next week (I'll link when it's finally up).

One final announcement

I can't wait. :)

*The sky is over...*

A back too high for your tail...

Expect a plethora of pictures and writing. Warning Complete.

Watermelon is set out on the table and I want to feed it to Snoopy, Joe's grandparent's golden retriever. Last time we were here he ate a few pieces, rind and all. We're visiting Joe's grandparents down the shore. The dogs are cute. Well Snoopy's cute, Patsy is funny looking. His butt arches upward and his tail looks out of place.

Patsy

Snoopy

So I started this post two days ago and now it's no longer the day we were at Joe's grandparents house. Joe's grandparents are very elderly, but Joe's grandfather still does a lot. He has a garden all around the house and grows all sorts of vegetables. Yesterday we had a salad with some lettuce and tomatoes from his garden.

Grandpa's Gardens

On the drive up we stopped at a diner (as always) and our table had crayons on it. I happily scribbled on my placemat.  

We took Snoopy on a walk, possibly his first and only walk his entire 12-year life. He seemed pretty happy but he kept slowing down. Poor old puppy. That night we went to the boardwalk and walked on the beach.

Seagull Feet

Busy boardwalk

On Friday Joseph and I went to the mall and I got some Magic cards. They have a new set called Archenemy and something called the deck builder tool kit which has over 100 cards in it. 

My new cards

I also got a very silly mythic rare:

I put it in a deck but haven't used it yet

We also had an enjoyable 4th of July. In the afternoon we traveled to Footbridge Park for a festival. There were a handful of stands with different things up for purchase. I took pictures of the dogs I saw.

We bought a stuffed puppy for charity and I stuffed it and put a little heart in it. He's full of love.  

Later we went to the field to watch the fireworks. They were awesome. I just laid on the grass with Joe and watched them. My favorites are the ones that crackle. 

This weekend Joe, brother and I have been playing Heroes of Might and Magic V. It's pretty fun and since it's from 2006 it runs beautifully on my laptop. While playing today I discovered a tiny spider perched between my USB plug and my laptop. Joe tried to remove him, but he just ran into the USB hub. He eventually fell and disappeared into the rug.

Later today we plan on heading to my mom's house to give her a birthday present. I'm not looking forward to starting classes tomorrow. I'm going to miss my "vacation."

*The sky is over...*

A Single Footprint in the Sand...

Where did it come from, where does it go? One single footprint.

I have decided to start blogging again. I've had many blogs, I always give up on them after awhile, but I decided to start once more. Blogging is a simple way to practice writing and elaborate on your ideas.

Recently, I've been sending some stories in hopes for publication. I have two out now and I'm waiting for some replies. I'm thinking of sending out a few more, but I'm not feeling too motivated. I haven't been drawing a lot lately, but I've been poking around with the tablet a little bit. Corel Painter stopped working for some reason and I'll have to find a new version soon. I kind of want to make a background to replace the generic one I have now.

I just finished my first session of summer classes. Had an exam for Basic Audiology this afternoon. I'm relieved that it's done and over. I start another class in about a week and a half, but I'm jut going to try to enjoy the break. I'd like to spend the next few days working on Pyraliss updates. I would like to make a buffer for myself because it's very hard to keep up with updates during the school semester. It'd be nice if I can get a big chunk of it done to tide me over until I'm done with school next year.

Just watched the first new Futurama episodes in years and I wasn't too amused. The characters seemed a little strange. Maybe they just have to get back into the swing of things.

*The sky is over...*