Everything's Scarier in the Dark

This doodle kind of appeared and evolved like it had a life of its own... Did a little color study during my lunch break at work today. Hopefully I'll get to work on it this weekend, it's been a good while since my last painting.

Don't think I forgot about you...

It's been some time since my last post, months now. Getting settled with my new job at HMH has been time consuming and energy sapping; it's been break-neck speed since day one.

At least, it was until a few days ago, when an unexpected lull left me with time to collect myself, reflect on the past few months, and do a doodle or three.

I'm more than happy with my job, now that I've gotten used to what it is exactly I do/am expected to do. I've managed to find the time to join a gym, cook most every night, and have a little extra time for playing my DSi. All that has left little time for blogging, drawing, my own illustration, and etcetera. But during this past week, I've had down time at work to do some drawing, which has been really refreshing for me. Hopefully I'll be able to cut my commute time down in the future (please let us move closer to the city, please let us move closer to the city) and then I'll have the time to fulfill my ultimate goal of design and illustrating part time. Well, we shall see.

First Day at HMH

Time for a real proper blog update.

Today was my first day at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Got up at around 530am to get to my bus stop by 630am (hurry up and wait; the bus wasn't due til 650am... eep). Met some nice people also on their morning commute. Happily, the bus was on time and I got to Union Sq at around 800am. I went to the Starbucks for a pricey cup of joe and a trip to the loo and then grabbed a park bench in the Square. Spent a nice 45 minutes eating breakfast (packed some bread, peanut butter and an apple; no buying meals for me until I get paid :P) and reading a book.

I went in and was warmly greeted by the receptionist, Linda. My Art Director met me and a soon as I got settled at my desk, she threw me into a number of projects! It was really nice and exciting to get to go to work straight-away; I was expecting dull paperwork and running up and down stairs to complete my set up as an employee. I started working on putting books together, putting covers together, sending this out and that out, and moving type. I've never had a day of work go by so quickly! With all my various tasks, I was amazed I kept my head straight. (Note to self: get post-its, desk top calendar, and notepads.)

I left just before 500pm, a little after my AD.

How exciting to be where I am right now! I am so happy with my job, so excited to go back tomorrow and continue my various tasks... Most of all, I'm excited to be starting my career.

Illustration Friday: Drifting

Sir Raccoon is drifting with his plastic parachute through the night sky.

Illustration Friday: Unfold

This week's Illustration Friday theme is "unfold". Makes me think of unfolding my work clothes and stepping into the pants of my new life, one leg at a time.

This Just In!

I'm so pleased and excited to announce that I was offered and have accepted the position of Associate Designer at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing!

Illustration Friday: Craving

This week's Illustration Friday theme was "craving". I made a slightly autobiographical piece this time and I'm pretty proud of it. It was a great distraction from thinking about the outcome of my current career prospect which I'll find out about Monday or Tuesday. Wish me luck because if I get this job, it'll literally be a dream come true. :) "Craving" is very appropriate for this week...