The Busy Seasons

So I suddenly find myself immensely busy with commissions of a sort. I've been making my Mom's Christmas cards (well not MAKING per se, but drawing) for the past two years now, and now all of a sudden a bunch of my other family members want some of their own. Cool, right? Well, yeah, because it's more money and more chances to get my work out there, but all at once?! It's rather stressful, especially since my free time is basically nil since Fiona was born. I'm getting a crash course in time management, one that has been long overdue methinks.
Anyways, work is the same as when I left it almost four months ago. Depressing, because it wasn't good. I had hopes of things getting better, but it seems they must get worse before that can happen. (And worse it is) I guess I should count my blessings that I even HAVE a job, given the current state of the economy. And I am hugely blessed in other areas of my life, particularly my family. Fiona is growing so fast, and gets cuter and cuter every day! Rory is such a huge help and is so good with her, and I can't believe how lucky I am to have married him! My Mom helps out a lot, like buying her tons of clothes and taking days off to come down to GR to watch her. I wish she could babysit more often (and I know she does too!!)
Fiona's just started rolling over from her back to her tummy. Takes her a little bit, and her arm gets in the way a lot, but she gets determined and keeps trying. She is quite the talker! And so smiley! I like to show her off, so here's a picture of her fropm a couple days ago all bundled up for a walk.

So tired ....

I really need to update this more! But I'm back to work and I spent a five day marathon there, so you can understand my need for sleep. Especially since I have to wake up early tomorrow! I'll try to update more tomorrow evening after I get a chance at some much needed free time. Until then, feast your eyes upon my adorable baby girl!

Only 4 weeks of freedom left!

Of course I'm talking about going back to work. I know I shouldn't complain; at least I have a job, right? But I have been dreading going back basically since Fiona was born. I'm luckier than most, because I was able to take the full 12 weeks allotted off for childbirth. Granted, it was all unpaid, but Rory and I were able to save enough for me to be able to do that. Most women only get 6 weeks off and are already back to work full-time. I can't even imagine how hard that is. I know I'm going to have a really hard time of it when October 13 rolls around ...
It's strange to think that I'd rather be a stay at home Mom than a working mother. I have a college degree, and I always was of the opinion that women are more empowered by working, that I'd never be a housewife, etc etc. Now, that's what I want to do! Being a mother does totally change my perspective. Anyone know of any work-from-home deals that really work? ;)
Other than an impending sense of doom (God I wish I had a different job) things are OK. Fiona is growing like a little weed. Here's a picture I took a few days ago. Is it even possible she could get cuter than she was??
I've gotten a few commissions while I've been off work. In fact, I did two portraits for the local Arts and Entertainment magazine here in Grand Rapids, On The Town. I had to draw the editor and assistant editor, and their portraits are going to be in the magazine indefinitely. Pretty cool, eh? I might even be illustrating the cover for February's issue, which will hopefully get me some more hits on my website, and more freelance work. Maybe even a real art job!!
Off to take care of the little squirmer, and hopefully find a chance to update my website as well!

I am now a Mom

Yeah, with a capital M there. It's a crazy change and not what I expected, but how do you really prepare for such a life-changing event anyways? I don't mean that negatively, either, other than I miss sleeping a full eight hours every night!
Fiona Geraldine Webb was born July 19 2008 at 3:43 in the afternoon. It was about a 15 hour long labor until the docs decided to perform a C-Section; her little head was in a wonky position, and after an hour and a half of pushing, it still wouldn't budge. She was 6 pounds 9 ounces and healthy as can be, so that's all that matters!

Commissions!

So, for the first time since I started with the crazy business of taking artwork commissions, I've got a backlog of projects! Whee! It's exciting and stressful at the same time, because I don't like to spread myself too thin and work on eighty things at once. I spend all of my energy focused on one thing until it's done, then methodically move onto the next. I feel like I'm such a jerk when I have to explain that to an interested "customer," but so far all the people I've worked for have been really awesome and understanding. I've only had one bad experience in the 2 + years I've been doing this, so I can't complain about that! Granted, I'm not some amazing pro who has work all the time. It's just recently that I've gotten a few all at once. Up until this point, I wasn't working on much of anything. I think part of it was the bad experience I mentioned above (basically finishing some illustrations and not getting paid for them) and how stressed I am all the time at work. (Can't really get into that!)
The only negatives in my life right now are my job. I work 40 hours a week, and usually until 7 PM, and when I come home I'm so tired and sore from carrying this baby around that all I do is laze around on the couch watching Jeopardy. :( If I had even two or three days off in a row, I could get so much done!! I'm hoping Fiona isn't a fussy baby and likes to sleep so maybe I can take commissions while I'm on maternity leave. ;)
I'll post some links to the newest commissions I just finished as soon as I get the OK to publish them on my website.

Hey ya'll, if you've got a few extra bucks and love comics as much as I do, please read this! The local comic book store I go to, Apparitions Comics in Grand Rapids MI, was robbed last Friday and the owner, a super nice guy named Dave, got shot in the process. Now I'm sure you can imagine the dude doesn't have any health insurance (which he doesn't) given the nature of the business, and he's going to be struggling hardcore as soon as he's released from the hospital.

Check out this website here if you are at all interested in helping Dave out.:
Donations for Dave!

I want to get the word out as much as possible! Even if you live near Grand Rapids, maybe stop by the store and pick up a few comics to help, ANYTHING! Here's a handy link to Google maps for directions to the store:
Apparitions Comics

Thanks guys for any help you can give! Spread the word!!

New Stuff

So I FINALLY got my scanner hooked up here in the new house. I'm lazy; just ask mi madre. Anyways, check out the new artworks I posted over on my website:

http://www.mandapandarawks.com/laraie.html

A picture for my lovely WoW friend Laraie's birthday. Granted, it was a little late, but when he told me what he wanted me to draw, the inspiration hit and I was all like BAM, it is done.

http://www.mandapandarawks.com/annie.html

http://www.mandapandarawks.com/tyler.html

http://www.mandapandarawks.com/revin.html

Some concept sketches from a webcomic I'm sorta working on as I get the time. My favorite by far is Revin; his costume was fun to design.

http://www.mandapandarawks.com/sixswords.html

http://www.mandapandarawks.com/eightcups.html

http://www.mandapandarawks.com/knightcups.html

A few more unfinished Tarot cards I inked a while ago. I'm almost done with the sketches; only nine more to go! Then I have a ton to ink and THEN color before I can even think of formatting them into actual cards. It's quite a lengthy project but I'm gonna finish it! I wonder if anyone would actually buy them ...?

So that concludes the art updates. Other than that, I'm still depressed about not having an art job. That is a constant in my life. I wonder whether or not I have the ability to even do that for a living, or if I will be relegated to keeping it as a hobby. That would certainly suck balls, but it's a distinct possibility. I really need to branch out, use different media, draw things OTHER than fantasy-themed people. Le sigh; I do so hate to do that sorta stuff, though. I had a weird sorta moment at work the other day, like this huge restlessness that told me I need to kick my ass into gear and get some shit done. For instance, I want to possibly plan on going to some conventions, printing off nice copies of my best work and shoving them into art peoples' faces so maybe someone will take notice. I've had enough of being a bank teller.

So, other, not so depressing news: Halloween! I'm going to be Yuna from Final Fantasy X-2. Here's a pic if you don't know what the hell I'm talking about:

http://www.ffcompendium.com/art/x2-yuna-a.jpg

OBVIOUSLY I don't have the body to pull off the skankiness of some of the elements of her outfit, but I think I can manage making it look halfway decent. I ordered the costume from eBay; now I just gotta get me some of those ass-kickin boots and a necklace and I'll be good to go!

I'm having a LAN party at my house Nov.3-4; it outta be interesting! A few of my guildies I play WoW with are coming from out of state, so I really gotta get my house in some semblance of decent shape so they won't think Rory and I are weirdos.