Is it time for an update? I think so. Some of you are probably wondering what I've been doing lately and whether or not there's going to be any new submissions from me.
Well, I wasted no time starting my life outside of highschool and getting involved in a bunch of things to preoccupy my time. The day after my last exam I was already working full time and have been since. Basically...I go to work and get to paint Muscle Car dashes that we have rechromed. I've also started learning violin, leading in a youth group, teaching a Sunday school class for 3 & 4 year olds and I'll be starting a Red Cross First Aid training program in May. In addition, I've decided to join 26 other people from my church to go on a 2 week missions trip to Guatemala at the beginning of July. We'll be working in an orphanage there as well as building homes and distributing clothes and other necessities to some of the families. It'll be quite the experience and I'm really looking forward to it.
As far as my life is concerned artistically, I've been busy doing commissioned drawings for the last few months and unfortunately, I've found that it's burning up my creative drive. When all I'm doing is drawing a picture of someone's grandchildren, or their truck, or their cat, I spend my freetime trying to get them done instead of creating something for myself, from my own ideas. I never get to work on what I want to work on. Anyways, I've stopped agreeing to do commissions for now so I can focus on my own art, so there will be submissions from me in the near future.
As far as art school in the fall...that idea has taken a back seat. Right now, Im going to continue working full time, working on my portfolio and creating art as I feel like when I have the time.
On a side note, prints of "Hold Yourself Together" have not been made yet, I've been looking around in my area for a good printer that can make copies of a drawing as large as mine without having to take multiple scans and piece it back together. But my plan is still to have limited edition prints made for purchase through ebay and offline through me personally. I'll keep you all updated as I find out more information and the links will be posted on here once I have the prints up for sale.
Thanks again to all of you who have expressed interest in my work, it means a lot to have people appreciating and enjoying what I enjoy doing.

So, it's time for an update, I feel bad for not 'showing my face' around here more for you people watching me...sorry my posts/submissions are few and far between.

Good news though, as I said before, my "Joy" painting is done, and I just finished the drawing of my sister and me today. (I posted a WIP in my scraps of it half-finished) Unfortunately, my art teacher likes to take my artwork once it's done and display it in the hallway at school for months on end even though I tell her I need to take them home first to take pictures for my website (and here). So, unless you live in BC in the Abbotsford area, you won't be able to see the finished pieces until I get them back from her, which will be next week. Sorry X 1 000 000...

So I'm gradding in 2 months and have already been on a grad retreat and am looking forward to our grad banquet/cruise at the end of May!! I've decided to hold off with applying to college for this year. I couldn't get my portfolio finished the way I wanted it for the deadline, so I'll spend this next year perfecting it and making it entrance scholarship worthy. This way, I'll be happy with it, it will be my best work, and hopefully, I'll get some of my schooling paid for through scholarships. I'll probably end up going to Capilano College instead of Emily Carr, that way I can get my teaching degree at the same time as my art, and Cap has an amazing art program. All in all I'm really happy and content with my decision, I know what I'm going to be doing for the rest of my life career-wise, as long as the doors stay open, and I'm not stressed out. (besides the thought of my 5 provincial exams in June: math, english, biology, chemistry and physics)

Hope you all are well!

PS. I redid my website a while ago, so it should be working properly now...

Well...besides being overly tired, attacked by a flu, and so completly swamped with homework,tests and projects, I have some good news... my painting...is....finished...
I finished the 'Joy' oil painting about an hour ago and now I'm just waiting for it to dry so that I can sign it I plan on putting a picture of it up here on DA within the next few days. I've also got another drawing on the way...it's not as unique as 'Hold Yourself Together' concept-wise...but I think it'll still be good. I'm starting another drawing with my own artistic/creative flare as well now that my painting is done at school, so if you're into work like 'Hold Yourself Together' then you'll like this one coming up. (hopefully) Anyways, thanks again for all your comments and favorites, sorry I can't reply to most of you

Well, guess who's birthday it is today... yep that's right, this little girl's 18 today If there was an election...I could now vote!
Anyways, I just thought I'd share my excitement with you all I've been loaded up with ice cream cake, Tim Horton's doughnuts , and of course, the giftage...
of which I got an mp3 player, friends season 1 on DVD, Napoleon Dynamite...and tomorrow I'm skipping school with my mom to go shopping for my grad dress
But yah, art project is coming along nicely too

Alright, so I finally have a direction for my 'Joy' artwork project I was talking about in the last journal entry.