Wow, it's only been... seven months? since I updated this. Whoops.

I guess I don't really know what to say at this point! I had an interesting summer, then landed a job in town. While I'm making sure to do my best at it, I definitely am spending a lot of energy thinking about and preparing for the future as well. I've considered taking some art classes at one of the schools near me - I'm not exactly strapped for choices, thankfully - and I'm putting a lot of my free hours into creation of some kind. I have to buckle down on a lot of the problems I still have with "flat" art if I want to get anywhere with that soon. I have to decide what direction, if any, I want to take the sculpting. My usual desire for detail pushes me to do realistic pieces, and yet I seem to be settling into a simpler style that I'm finding very enjoyable to do. Really, I need to be moving as much as possible. I'm not going to be 20-something forever! Gotta make it count!

I'm seriously looking into both doing more general-audience art (under my PhoenixBLUE Art name) and more anthro art (under my Nyomi name), since I find it a lot of fun. I've even been writing, though for a small audience mostly for the moment. After four years of attending Anthrocon in Pittsburgh and participating in Artist's Alley, I've finally applied to be a DEALER for my fifth year, which will allow me to bring a larger variety of goods and handle my own sales, among other things. I'm also looking into going to more conventions and possibly some shows, getting business cards and signs made... the works. I'm stepping on the gas because even if I don't succeed, even if I have to hold a day job until I retire, this makes me happy. Doing art for people and being considered, even by a few, as good enough to buy from or work with, makes me feel valued. Making friends with other artists makes me happy. And I honestly believe that if you can not only do what makes you happy but find a way to do it every day and live off of it... you win at life. That is the whole point. So I seek it.

I made a lot of changes this summer. I cut my long hair of ten years all off. I finished settling into a style and personality that's bigger and bolder than I had when I entered college. I'm feeling more confident that I'll find my place, my niche, if I just keep working. Something will be the thing. I even have a huge opportunity all but secured. Here goes.

Here goes, kids.

A note: I'm not as active here as I used to be. I mean, this journal should be proof of that. I'm just not as attached to the site anymore and have been less than happy with many decisions made on it in recent years. I don't plan to stop posting entirely, but I'm going to be directing more energy to venues where I'm actually, y'know, seen. On that note, you can check my work out in the following locations:

TUMBLR: [link] - Most of my art makes it here + previews, WIPS, etc. that do not appear elsewhere.
WEASYL: [link] - This is that brand-new general+furry art site. It'll be a mix - some anthro, some general audience, much like I've done here on dA.
FURAFFINITY: [link] - Mostly just anthro art. My stuff is always 100% clean, but I can't say the same for the whole site, so watch your step depending on what you're looking for/trying to avoid.
You can also follow me on TWITTER: [link] - Chatter and notifications of art postings with an emphasis on tumblr.

I am also possibly setting up some brand pages for PhoenixBLUE Art on other social networking sites. More on that as I decide what to do.

That's all for now!

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