Here's to being a better artist! *clink*

Taking a very little break from the thesis updates, although not for the reason that I don't have anything to update on. I actually do, but I'm going to wait until I have the maquette done next week. So tune in for that!

I'm here today to just muse about some other things. I've been getting some fun little doodle inspirations recently. And although I don't have hours upon hours to work on them like I wish I did, I have been putting off sleep for an hour here and there to play.

This also comes from the fact that I've recently started to follow some artists on twitter who I admire like crazy, so it's really been inspiring me to get better. Because I want to be in their club. (The "I work for a cool company making awesome things people love" club. Also known as IWFACCMATPL. There's a handshake. Or at least I'm assuming so...)

Also possibly pushing me forward is the fact that in 9 (NINE!) short months, I'm hoping to be employed making art somewhere. NINE MONTHS IS NOT MUCH TIME. There may be a little bit of freaking out happening in my brain.

So I'm taking a little break from finishing all my school projects (this is the last week of classes for the summer! Yay!!!) to say this:

Hi, I'm Beth. I desperately want to be an artist. But more importantly, I desperately want to be a better artist.

I don't think I'm going to post any of these little doodles or projects here today. If you want to see what I'm working on, follow me on Twitter, because that's where I make bad decisions to show stuff in process.

The biggest thing I'm working on in the shreds of spare time I dredge up is a wedding portrait for one of my besties, Trisha, who has asked me to be maid of honor when she marries Jordan in October. I am having TONS of fun with that one, but she hasn't seen it yet, so no spoilers. (She has also picked THE BEST brides maid dress ever. And I get to go to Calgary in October!)

After finals - in 2 weeks! - my brother and sister-in-law and I are road tripping out to Colorado to see my parents. I'm getting really excited - I've haven't driven around the states really at all, and can't wait to see some amazing sites (Yellowstone! Arches! Grand Tetons! Other things!)

Being away from normal life for a few weeks is just what I need (boy oh boy I can use a vacation after 11 months of intense grad school); but I mostly need to step away from the computer. I've been drowning in vertices and UV's and layers and shaders... I think I've forgotten what graphite and ink feel like. I'll definitely post a "road trip sketch book" update when I get back.

~~~

On a slightly different train of thought, our game team has started a podcast!!! We talk about the process of making a game (at least that's the goal), but of course things get off track. I've been recently working on the art direction for next year's game, so we've been chatting about that. We're also finishing last year's game, so you get to hear a little about us just wanting to be done with it. We have a ton of fun recording it, so tune in for a slice of our weird team dynamic! Subscribe on iTunes - the next episode should be dropping today or tomorrow.

Also, if you're going to PAX at the end of August, go play our game Flickers! We'll be at the DigiPen booth.

Thanks everyone! See ya next week with the update on Spaz, the little lobster dog that could.