I got the job, ladies and gents! Yippee! Today was my first day of work, and I gotta tell ya, it was pretty damn sweet. The job is basically this: Photograph the abstract metal art pieces and sculptures, edit the photos so that they look spectacular, and prepare the eBay listings for them. The main goal that the studio is aiming for is to make the images look as close as possible to how the pieces look in real life. A lot of times, people will see the images and think that it has blue or orange when it really doesn’t; it’s simply a light reflecting the wrong color onto the piece. My job is to correct old images and take new photos with the correct lighting and camera settings for the best final result. I spent the majority of the day taking photos, which is like heaven for me, since I love doing that anyway!

One of the nicest things about the job is that I get paid on Tuesdays. That means next week on Tuesday, I’ll be getting my first paycheck, which is so desperately needed right now, even if it will only be about $240 for Friday, Monday, and Tuesday. I work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 9 to 5. I’m so excited! Hopefully now, with the money coming in from the two book covers, and this job, I can finally fix my DAMN CAR! LOL. Until then, my wonderful hubby Audi is driving me to and from work.

Tomorrow, my parents are coming up to visit my family in West Palm Beach, and Audi is gonna drive me over there so I can spend some time with all of them. Later on in the evening, I’m going to the movies with the neighbors to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D. Audi’s really not in the mood to see it, but he said that if I wanted to go with them, that it would be cool. Heh. What a party pooper! ;D

Anyway, that’s pretty much it for now. Still waiting for a final confirmation from Random House, and planning on enjoying my weekend before *giggle* going back to work on Monday! XD

Ciao!

Art, Audi, Entertainment, Family, Friends, Fun, Job, Life alice in wonderland, Art, Audi, car, Family, studio, work

So I was contacted by Random House Australia, and they’re going to be printing Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’ “The Shapeshifters” in Australia/New Zealand. They want to use my work “Dirige” for their covers as well! Hooray!! I’m so happy and excited.

I called the art gallery/business I visited last week, and it seems they still haven’t filled the position. So, here’s to hoping they call me up! *crosses fingers* I’m still looking around at other potential jobs, since I don’t want to hang all my hopes on just one location.

On Sunday, I went down to Miami to spend some time with my parents and my best friend Chris. Sunday night we went to the movies to see ‘Shutter Island’. It was pretty intense. It’s the kind of movie that you need a really strong stomach to watch. I don’t mean in the sense of gore or bloodshed, but some of the subject matter is just… wow… like a punch in the face. I thought it was really great, though. The story was definitely unique and gripping. Now, I’m even more interested in buying the novel it was based on to see what might have been edited in the film.

Right now, the hubby is over at our friend’s house helping her out, since she is very pregnant and has a busted ankle. I would have gone with him, but I just wanted to enjoy being home today. I’ll be going over there tomorrow.

Anyway, I must continue my commission work. Ciao!

Art, Audi, Family, Friends, Fun, Job, Life Art, book cover, chris, Job, miami, shutter island

Yes, yes I am lonely. Why? Cuz my hubby has been away at his dad’s house for the last few days and I want him back. Now, preferably. Thankfully, he just called me and let me know he’s on his way. Yay! While I do enjoy having the bed to myself, I do miss having him in the bed with me. Awww. How romantic. =P

I’ve got some great news. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes and her agent seemed very happy with the book cover, and after fixing just a few minor things, I’ve sent off the (hopefully) final revision. Wee! I’m so excited. Plus, I’m so grateful because we really needed this money. Things are getting tougher every day.

I’ve sent out a BUNCH of resumes and job applications in the last few days, but I’m most excited about this one job in particular. An artist with a studio literally down the street from my apartment needs someone to work in-house with digital photography, Photoshop, event planning, etc. I am planning on going down there tomorrow and dropping off a resume in person to accompany the one I sent via e-mail. I am really hoping that they haven’t gotten someone to fill in the position already. It pays $10/hour, which is excellent considering right now I’m making $0/hour. Haha.

I’ve also entered a contest on deviantart.com being held by a OOAK (One of A Kind) miniature and figurine sculptor. The premise of the contest is to use a photo in her gallery of her dolls and create a digital work with it (meaning a photomanip, digital painting, mixed media, etc). You can see my entry here: Fairytale. I REALLY hope I win, because the prize is either a custom doll, or the cash equivalent once she sells it on eBay. To be honest, I’d rather have the money since I could definitely use it more. Thankfully, the lovely lady holding the contest is understanding of this, and said that if the winner prefers the money, that it would be totally fine. Here’s to hoping I win! *crosses fingers again*

Still busting my butt on those commissions. The hardest part is actually finding the stock. The three ladies I have left to do commissions for had A LOT of demands for their works, so it’s taking longer to finish them. *sigh* But, that’s OK. I don’t mind a challenge.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Now, just gotta wait for my hubby to come home. Ciao!

Art, Audi, Job, Life, Love Art, Audi, book cover, Job, studio

As soon as you think shit has hit the fan, a shining ray of light comes beaming right into your eyeballs.

Random House has contacted me about making another book cover for them, and this time they wanted an original artwork based off of a concept for Amelia Atwater-Rhodes upcoming novel. I’m SO excited, and I feel so truly blessed. I’m so grateful that fate has granted me three book covers with my art on them. I’ve pretty much finished the artwork, but I am just waiting for an OK from the last model. As soon as I get hers, I’ll send the preview along to my contact at Random House, and see what they think.

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I have a feeling that nothing particularly special is going to happen for it. (Yes, I know I have a hubby to spend it with.) The thing is, he’s never been much for celebrating it. But, we’ll see what happens. Perhaps he’ll surprise me. Hehe. Speaking of which, Audi and I will be driving down to Miami this weekend for Valentine’s Day.  Hooray for visiting the family.

Anyway, that’s all for now. Ciao.

Art, Audi, Love artwork, Audi, book, Family, valentine's day

I visited my family again today. My cousin came to pick me up, and surprise, there’s my mama coming up the stairs. She figured, why not just drop off all the stuff that she got for me right now? Here’s a rundown…

- A liquid concealer from Cover Girl.
- Some bamboo place mats for the dinner table.
- Important car papers I needed.
- Two webcams (but after testing them a few hours ago, only one of them really works).
- And best of all, a Minolta 5000i 33mm camera with two lenses, a Minolta flash, two battery packs, lens cleaning cloths, and this awesome camera bag with spaces for everything. She got all this from a friend of hers who was just going to give them away to Goodwill. My mom stopped her and said that I was a photographer and that I would probably love to have it. Wee for mommys who support your craft!

So off I went to my cousin’s house after my mom dropped all this off. My brother and his two kids were also there visiting. So picture this: My mother, cousin, my aunt, my brother, my niece, my nephew, my three godkids, and my grandmother, all in one house. Hahaha. Hooray for big families! All in all, it was a pretty drama free day, thank goodness, and I took the cutest pic with my niece. You can see it here on my Facebook. I also took another really cute pic with my youngest goddaughter, where we’re pressing our noses together. haha.

Around 5 or so, my cousin went and dropped off my mother, brother, nephew, and niece at the train station while I babysat my godkids. My youngest goddaughter gave me the worst scare. We were in my cousin’s room, coloring and playing with those Webkins toys. I’m taking a video with my iPhone of my oldest goddaughter throwing the Webkins at me, when all of a sudden I see the little one fall head over heels off the bed. She must have miscalculated where her knee was supposed to land on the bed and took a nosedive. I panicked and rushed to help her. Other than a big scare, she had NO signs of damage. Thank you, baby Jeebus! I thought at first that her arm was broken since she wouldn’t move it. But then she relaxed a bit and I flexed it back and forth just fine. *phew*

Anyway, the day went on as usual. A few hours later, before my cousin dropped me off back home, the whole lot of us (except my grandmother) went out shopping to different places. I bought a really cute jacket at Walmart, and I plan on taking some photos in tomorrow. Wee! I’ve already got a make-up idea planned out for them.

At the present moment, I am camming with a good internet buddy of mine, Jenest. Hey, look, I plugged your name, girl! She’s super adorable, and very sweet.

Well, I am off for now. Ciao!

Audi, Family, Friends, Fun, Life camera, Family, gifts, shopping

Oh boy, life has been hella interesting lately. My computer caught a nasty virus. Long story short, I ended up having to just salvage all my important files and wiping the hard drive to install Windows XP again. Much thanks to my amazing and wonderful Audi for helping me out. I LOVE YOU, BEBE!

Now, while the situation might sound really bad, I think it might have been a blessing in disguise. I basically got a brand new computer out of the deal. Sure, I have to now re-download and re-install a lot of programs that I lost, but none of my photos or files were lost. I am now going to be EXTRA careful on the interwebz.

The only downside is that I didn’t have a computer for about a week, so I lost a lot of precious time that could have been spent working on my commissions. I’m right back in the groove now, though, and I’ve been working on the group shot. It’s almost done, actually. Right now I am in the process of finishing up the details. The hair has been the most aggravating part, but I have a feeling they are all really going to love it. Sorry, ladies!!

I’ve applied to work at Publix and at Gamestop. Both are pretty much in walking distance, so if I get a job at either, I’ll at least be earning a steady income. I’m going over to my cousin’s house tomorrow, and she said she’d print out the Job Application Form for Gamestop. I’m mostly visiting though for my grandmother. She’s been missing me a lot and has been asking when I’ll be able to pass by again. Awww. Hehe. So, I’m sure she’ll be very happy to see me tomorrow.

Ohh! And I played the demo for Bayonetta. HOLY MOLY!! That game is the very definition of the word EPIC. Now, I REALLY want to get a job just so I can have enough money to buy the game. Haha. So nice to see I have my priorities straight, huh? Forget the light bill and the rent and food… THE GAME. Haha. I’m nuts, huh?

Anyway, I am off to work on those commissions some mo’. Ciao!

Art, Audi, Family, Job Art, Audi, Bayonetta, commissions, computer, virus

Yes, indeed it was a very busy day today. I woke up around 11am. Of course, this was after taking a 3-hour nap, being awake for 7 hours, then taking another 3 hour nap right after… Heh. My sleep schedule is fucked, I know. I installed the part I’d bought from my friend Dave, and… the car still accelerates on its own! Apparently, changing the mass air sensor did NOT fix the problem. So, that means that it might be a vaccum leak, or a problem with the fuel injector. I really don’t know anymore. My uncle suggested just taking the

My hubby and I also finally ran those errands that we’d been putting off for days. He sent some Magic cards to a friend in Miami, and I sent a package to a buddy of mine that I know through deviantart.com. She had bought a Fella doll (Fella is the site mascot and they sell stuffed toys of him on the site) and sent it to me. I in turn would send it to her for MUCH cheaper shipping than what deviantart charges. I only paid $11 to send it to her in Romania, whereas deviantart charges almost $60!! It’s highway robbery.

Thank goodness though… we have less things to stress over now.

Our friends Arthur and Ellen invited us out to the local county fair. We drove over to their house and then we all went together in their SUV. The fair was actually a lot of fun, and nothing like the fairs I am typically used to. I didn’t get any souvenirs or anything, unless you count the ticket stub. We also didn’t ride anything; we mostly just went for the sites and the food. They were also giving the H1N1 vaccine for free in one of the main buildings, so all of us except Ellen got the vaccine (she’d already received it previously). Considering the vaccine costs $20 and the entrance was $15, we basically got a $5 discount on the vaccine shot. LOL.

I put up a new website layout a few days ago, and I also re-arranged some of the information and images on different pages. It was time for some clean-up and TLC. I figured now would be the best time to do it, since I am going to be very busy in the next few weeks with commissions.

I also put up all the prints that I’d gotten through deviantart up on my walls. I made a sort of mini-gallery right behind my computer. You can see it below:

My goal now is to get even more prints so that I can make the collection more impressive.

I can’t think of anything else to discuss, so… ciao!

Art, Audi, Entertainment, Friends, Fun, Life

I kind of have been Gaga-fied lately. I’ve been working on an entire series of photos based on Lady Gaga’s music. Each photo shows off a different make-up design inspired by different songs. You can check out the photos at my deviantart gallery or at in my Facebook gallery.

I’m gonna be driving down either the 22nd or the 23rd to Miami for the holidays. I’m really hoping things start picking up for us. I’ve been feeling pretty useless and miserable without a job, and it doesn’t help that the commissions just aren’t coming in fast enough, even with being DIRT CHEAP. *sigh* It sucks. A lot. If there was ever a time when I needed another book cover deal, this is it… hell, a few book cover deals would be even nicer, but I’ll settle for just one. LOL.

I just finished contacting a few publishing companies to see if they are in need of any artwork for upcoming releases. An acquaintance of mine from dA said she did that a while back, and I had no clue that you actually could. So… here’s to hoping one of them writes me back with some good news.

I’m gonna go to bed now… my hubby is beckoning me away from the computer to watch Bladerunner with him. Heh. Ciao.

Audi, Family, Life Audi, lady gaga, money, publishers