1.13.18...

It's been a bit.  Okay.  It's been more than a bit.  Last semester just about killed me.  Getting sick and still fighting through classes and work and homework and life...I was beyond tired.  Physically I didn't feel well until last weekend.  It took that long to recover from pneumonia.  Now I'm beginning my last semester as an undergrad.  Let the party begin all over again!  I have to keep super organized this semester too, because I have just as much on my plate as I did previously.  Yes...I aim to be a glutton for punishment.  OR SOMETHING! Ha

Still no painting classes at school.  I'm okay with that too.  I have set up a mini-studio at Dad's house and am attempting to paint once a week there.  Is that enough?  Not nearly.  But it's what I can feasibly do right now.  My work has offered me the opportunity to hang my paintings in several offices throughout the building (thank you new ED!), so there is a "Susan Gallery" there.  It's pretty cool to see how art can impact people and an environment.  Plus...it's very cool to see my work up on a wall.  And it has lead to new commissions too.  Grateful. I'm grateful for the opportunity!

I've posted a couple of new works in the Gallery page (one landscape and two print pieces).  The paintings I'm currently working on are for a cohesive body of work I'm trying to put together for portfolio submission for grad school.  Yes, I'm still wrestling with this decision.  It's not an easy decision - 3 more years in school, the financial impact of not being able to work at all to pursue this endeavor, and attending a school away from Dad and Michael.  It's a tremendous amount to think about.  And honestly, I'm not getting any younger.  That weighs on this decision too.  I mentioned to a friend recently I'm tired.  Not the physical kind of tired either (although that certainly is true depending on the day and time).  This is the kind of tired where dealing with the enormity of school, assignments, portfolio work, finances, life, family, stresses of job...tackling all this alone is very tough.  I'm not whining.  I'm not wishing for something I don't have.  I'm just stating a fact.  Doing and going it alone isn't easy.  You don't always have a shoulder to lean on.  You make due many, many times.  You go without.  You constantly have to decide what's best in the moment and hope that tomorrow doesn't being any little surprises.  This too factors into that decision about grad school.  Yes, rewards are many, but the struggle to get to those rewards are very real.  There are many people who very flippantly comment to me about going to "art school" as no big deal.  I don't have to defend my decisions or choices in the conversation.  I politely smile and internally feel very sorry for them.  Perception and reality don't occur to some before they open their mouth and spew their judgmental shit.  School has certainly been a learning experience.  Not just book learning either. 

Anyhow...  Life is full.  I hope to be able to blog weekly again.  I cannot promise that though.  16 credit hours in school.  Working 32 hours to force my employer to recognize me as someone other than a PRN employee.  Homework.  Carving out time to paint.  Squeezing in time with Dad and Michael.  I hope to eventually sleep through the night without waking multiple times worried I'm forgetting something! Ha!  Maybe in June that will be my goal.  One step at a time currently.  It's all part of this journey.  Have a good week everyone.  Do something nice for someone....they might just need it!