Various Goingz On

HEY ALL! Thanks for checking back! Bunch of stuff going on. I'm doing commissions and art pieces to replenish my convention stock. Here's a couple:

Also I have been recoloring/retooling a few of the old favorites. Here's a peek:

All three already got more comments and "favorites" on DA than they did the first time. Seems I'm on the right track! 

I got more commissions this week, including a stack of sketch covers headed my way that will be slabbed and graded through the CGC. Very exciting and great for the people who are getting them to trust me with such esteemed honor. Also I've been selling some promo cards through FB and selling off some of my collectibles on ebay. 

This is all in an effort to keep up with daily bills, which have fallen behind. First quarter of the year was quite tight and quiet. I kept afloat but just barely. The wife and I have done some talking and the decision was made for me to go back to overnight part-time work. To be honest, I am sort of looking forward to it. It will get me out of the house a bit and a break from the kids and talking to people. They can be a handful sometimes and it will feel good to know that bills are defintely covered. Plus the wife and I have some goals to finally drop a ton of bad habits we've always struggled with such as eating out all the time and saving money. We want to save for a house, really bad. But right now living check to check it just won't become a reality. 

SO: We've sat down and made up goals and expectations and have come up with a two year plan to make everything fall into place for us to get the life we want. And as we do this, many things will come to pass. Such as: Losing weight, staying active, less stress, comic conventions funded, comic printings/art materials funded, the ability to do more conventions in the future, a house (The one we want) and the ability to decorate it how we want, newer furniture, better style of living, all bills paid and other things. The only downside to all of this is I will likely have to get a late night job that likely don't pay super well and I will be struggling with a "regular schedule" of sleep. The wife will have more regularity than I will, but that is fine. I can grab whatever sleep I can and attempt to stay sane.

I know, reading all of this makes you scared that I am quitting or I won't have time to draw. Well, thats not accurate, exactly. I will MAKE the time to draw. I will still be as productive as I am now. In the past I have worked 2-3 jobs, went to college classes and STILL did my comics. So I am a good juggler, especially when its for things I am passionate about. So nothing changes. This is all a good thing and I hope I score a good job that allows me everything I need. I tossed out a ton of applications and like everything I do, I am just tossing it to the winds and come what may. 

No worries folks. This is gonna be great! I appreciate all the support and thoughts. We're gonna make it all work. And in the end, we'll emerge triumphant. Rock and roll!

Cheers, T

Various Goingzzz On!

I thought I'd do a non-business/pluggy type of blog. Don't want to be all businessy around here all the time!

Well, this week our house got a bit more interesting...

Yes we adopted a little 3 month old Chihuahua. We've been combing the animal shelters for a smaller dog. I was hoping for a wiener dog, but we found this girl. She's pure bred from what we were told. VERY well mannered. We're working on potty training now. She's a tiny little thing and she sleeps with us. She certainly loooooves me. She's always laying on me.

We toyed with calling her Gabby, Minnie or Baby. But I used to have a terrier/chihuahua mix named that and its sorta weird memories cause she got hit by a car when I was like 10. So we were trying to figure out what to name her, when I started this little voice of what she would say to me if she could talk. I'd say "Do you love me puppy?" She'd say "Si Papi!" So I started calling her Si Papi. But she's a girl, so I thought POPPY. Cause she resembles a little poppy seed due to her size.  Plus the kids have taken to calling her "puppy," so it just makes sense all around.

To be honest, I'm more of a cat person than a dog person. But I wanted  a dog for several reasons. To get a more active animal in the house so the kids could play with it and keep active. Someone for me to take on walks. A buddy who shows me affection. (the cats always hide upstairs all day and are more like roommates than pets) Also a bit of a watch dog if someone is messing with the doors trying to get in. And I wanted something smaller that reminded me of my childhood dog. Poppy certainly is all those things. I never really wanted one of those ritzy Paris Hilton type of dogs, but this one, I fell in love with. And yes, we've bought her little sweaters and things. We're head over heels with her right now. Very pleased we met her!

I've been watching a bunch of classic Doctor Who lately. Trying to go in order with all the Tom Baker episodes. I am really enjoying them so now I want to watch them in order.

Okay, one plug: This Friday at 8pm at Connxtions Comedy Club in North Lansing, they are having a fundraising night for my pal Lindy. I worked with her at the strip club last year and she was one of the only people where were nice to me on the club side of things. Anyway, this December she was hit by a drunk driver and had to have major surgery and is still in therapy. She really went close to the edge. She has no insurance and things are getting expensive. So while I won't be there doing comedy, I will be auctioning off some artwork and a coupon for a free exclusive 11x17 original art piece done for you or your family. Perhaps a portrait or a parody of a movie poster featuring you? Who knows! All proceeds benefit Lindy and her recovery costs. If you are in the Lansing, MI area, come out to Connxtions Comedy Club this Friday starting at 8pm. Comedy for a good cause.

The wife and I are excited because at the same club later this month, Steve-O from Jackass is coming to perform. We're big Jackass fans in this house! So definitely we'll be going to that.

I keep seeing the previews for the new Godzilla flick coming out and man does it give me wood. I can't wait for it.

Okay, thats enough randomness. Thanks for reading!

T

P.s. I got ARTBOOKS coming this week from the printer. Now is the time to order one! Visit our ONLINE STORE to order. Thanks!