New Year, New York

Hey all!

As you probably have figured out, I'm having trouble keeping up with this blog, mostly because (for some oddball reason) I am unable to relink this blog to my current email address, which happens to be a Gmail account. The odd part: Blogger, which is a Google Service, does not support Gmail email addresses. What the? So, I'm stuck with my super-old Yahoo email for this account. I never check that email anymore, and thankfully my browser remembers the password for me, or else I'd never get on this.

Aaaanyway, a lot has changed. I'm back in New York and I'm working as a Graphic Designer/Production Artist for a company in Bohemia. I'm loving it and I'm loving life. Another bit of information that is kind of big: I'm NOT married. Two weeks before the wedding, I called it off. I felt that I kind of "woke up," and realized I was too young to take that sort of step. I didn't feel "right." It was tough, but I'm so glad to have made the decision.

I'm hoping to figure out how to transfer this blog over so I can use it more often. If I can't, then I might be permanently relocating. It's unfortunate, since this blog has existed since 2008.

We'll see!

A Good Deed

Hello all! Long time, no see. My apologies for neglecting this blog lately. I have an alternative blog over at Tumblr.com that I am using more often these days. It's a combination of inspirational images, sporadic written blog posts, personal art as well as from other artists, and so on.

However, I am writing this morning because I have been inspired by the events that have happened rather early on this Monday morning.

 

Meet Kody.

I found this adorable, pretty, and super-friendly puppy today. She walked up to me as I sat outside the Victory Dr Starbucks in Savannah, GA and she seemed to hang around with me.


I didn’t see where she came from initially, so I thought at first the owner went in to Starbucks to grab a quick cup of coffee. I found it odd that she wasn’t leashed or anything though, so I kept an eye on her so she wouldn’t wander into the parking lot or road. I petted her, scratched her back and fed her some of my plain bagel I was eating and she was content as can be.

I waited about 20 minutes til I had this suspicion she was lost. Her tags said she was from 41st st! I dialed the number and spoke to a guy who sounded not only sleepy (it WAS 9am) but grateful and worried at the same time. If Kody was MY dog, I’d have been worried sick! She was such a sweetie. 

I helped her reunite with her owner this morning. I kinda miss her already. :)

Original blog post here: http://twinkletaters.tumblr.com/post/11864721728

Graduate

Hi all! It's been a very busy last week or two for me, hence the lack of updates.

I've graduated with my Master's of Fine Arts degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design last Saturday afternoon. I walked the stage for the second, and last, time with a 3.72 cumulative GPA and the Outstanding Achievement Award. I think I did pretty well! It was a very intense two years. I was also able to finish my thesis promptly AND on time, before graduation. I'm guaranteed to receive my diploma in the mail anytime soon.

The day after graduation, I went with my family to try on more wedding gowns. I ended up falling in love with one, and made my purchase! I couldn't be happier with it.

The following two days I drove 19 hours back to Long Island, NY, where I'm currently visiting until the 23rd/24th of this month. I'm taking some "me" time; some post-graduation rest & relaxation, as well as running essential errands, and putting together all of my wedding invitations (something I wouldn't have been able to do had I not had this bit of free time on my hands).

Toward the end of the month, I'll be back to Savannah and back to work: both at my job and my freelance work!

Anyone who might know someone who has design, art, or illustration needs, please send them my way! I am always looking for freelance work. I have a wedding approaching, after all. :)

Until next time, my lovelies...

Thesis: DONE

So here we go, folks. Finally, after all the hard work, my thesis has been approved after submitting to the graduate studies folks. It was approved a little over a week ago. My book came in a couple days ago and I gave it to Fish. I am officially DONE!

All I have left to do is wait around for graduation next week, pack, and move out into Ben and Jason's house. I'm excited to start my life. It's going to start out in baby steps, but after a year, it's going to get going for real!

I am continually open for freelance work, as always. I specialize in illustration, digital work, logo design, etc. Please contact me to discuss more!

http://flavors.me/dianamsmith :: portfolio

paintingwisdom (at) gmail (dot) com :: email

Another Sale at Lulu.com!

There's another sale going on over at Lulu.com! This one is for a short period of time, so listen up:

Now til 5/31, get 25% off your order w/code "CYBERMAY305."

Good time to order my book, eh? Either paperback ($7) or downloadable PDF version ($1.99).

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-tell-tale-heart/15713513

Thank you all!

Thesis: Wrap-Up

As of yesterday morning, SCAD Graduate Studies have approved of my entire Thesis! I got the email from the graduate coordinator at around 9 AM. Great way to wake up in the morning, I tell you what (I'm channeling Hank Hill lately, watching too much King of the Hill).

I feel not only relieved but shell-shocked. My thesis (both written and visual components) have been such a big portion of my life for the last couple of months (to a year now). Stress levels have gone up and down, the nights I toss and turn and sleep terribly from thesis overload, and just overall the amount of hard work I have sunk into it have all come to fruition. And? It feels great. Not to mention I am two weeks ahead of schedule.

It's great to have this peace of mind in knowing I will be receiving my MFA degree on time, as I walk across the stage in June.


Again, I'm going to plug my Thesis visual component. It's a 22-page visual adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Paperback ($7.00) : http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-tell-tale-heart/15713513

Downloadable PDF ($1.99) : http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/the-tell-tale-heart/15713514

Tell-Tale Heart Process: Pgs 14-22 (the end!)

Here are the last pages of my Thesis visual component.

It is now 100% finished, cover included, and up for sale on Lulu.com.

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-tell-tale-heart/15713513