I have resisted blogging for a while, thinking that I didn’t have that much to say, and what I did have to say didn’t need to be plastered on the internet. My husband, Dan, however has been a blogging machine for quite some time now. But after poking around on some friends blogs, most notably family friend and incredible photographer, Ken Spencer, I realized that I could use a blog to help me with my own growth as an artist. Mainly

My parents are both extremely talented individuals in varied art forms, especially in the visual arts. Growing up they were extremely encouraging both my brother and myself, but it’s easy to get intimidated. Especially after a 5th grade art teacher gave me a C- on a drawing that I worked very hard on—which was much more detailed than the stick figures my friends got As and Bs on (bitter much?)—because he “expected more of me.” Later that year, that teacher was interviewed on the local news while buying the Vanessa Williams Playboy looking like a total perv, but I digress. After that I sort of kept to the performing arts, following my love for dance and theater.

After 9 years immersed in Rochester School of the Arts’ dance and drama programs (I started in 8th grade) and Ithaca Colleges’ TV Radio production classes, I entered the job market and failed epically. What do you mean there is no opening for radio drama writer/producer who can act and is a might fine dancer to boot. I did the resume spam thing, and kept looking for several months, while working a couple different jobs to bring in some cash.

When it came apparent that my chosen career might not exist right now, my dad started teaching me how to use Quark, Photoshop, and Freehand. Looking back, I am not exactly sure if I asked, or if he offered. And I don’t know if he had any idea that 15 years later I would be making my living using those skills he taught me a in couple of weeks. Now, I am a freelance graphic designer working on several magazine, but while I excel in print layout (hey my blog, I am allowed to brag), I have always regretted that I never developed my hand illustration skills. I try on occasion, seeing the image in my head with such clarity, but I never seemed to be able to translate to the page.

I also have developed a real love of photography, and have started learning it on my own. I have a very good camera, and a very patient cat, Devon, who is starring on the header right now.

So I am challenging myself to start blogging often (I would say daily, but let’s be realistic), and include an image of something that I have created in each post. That may be a drawing, a photo or if I am really busy, a sample of something I am working on. So my for my first image, I am placing a photo of Sarah Chelsey, my incredibly awesome pilates teacher. I took this photo and several others for the website I built for her.

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