Illustration Friday- Juggle

This is a tribute to my own challenge of juggling life, love and happiness and trying to keep it all working!!!!!!!!!!

New Day

Today is a new day- typically I am not fond of Mondays but I am finally feeling better (I can breath again!) I am refreshed, and I am ready to be productive this week! The weekend was spent taking time to get better, working on my book, and finishing up tote bags to send off this week. I forced myself to move slowly and not feel pressure to get everything done (and not punish myself if things were left unfinished). There is something about being sick that helps me to refocus and as much as I hate being forced to do nothing- I end up really appreciating my body and what it feels like to be in good health.

Day Three

So here I am- day three at home from my day job- still sick- and while it is nice to be at home, my head is so congested that I can't seem to focus on doing anything. So I have been laying around watching day time tv and I can only watch so many episodes of the Tyra show or TLC remodeling shows or MTV reality shows! I received the thumbnail for my book in the mail and it is so exciting to see the photos from the shoot back in July. I should be working on it but instead I have decided to do all sorts of things to occupy my sick days at home like painting my toes blue, eating lots of chips and cheese dip and looking up trashy celebrity gossip sites...ugggg!! This afternoon I decided enough is enough and sat down to paint a little and now I am exhausted but feel good about at least accomplishing something.

Relax Alisa

You might be asking yourself- what in the world are you up to now Alisa?? Well, I have been working on a little project that involves hand screened totes that I will be putting to use in the near future (stay tuned!!) AND a handful of these totes will also be donated to STITCH in Austin, TX. I love using my sketches, textures and designs with the silk screening process- so exciting to see the end results!

Other than that I have been crazy busy at work then as usual when things get crazy- I got sick this weekend but tried my darndest not to let it get me down. I am patiently waiting for the thumbnail of my book to arrive any day in the mail- I am very impatient and can't wait to see it. There is something about having something physical in my hands that makes this whole book experience more real!! Tonight I am forcing myself to sit in one place for more than 1 hour and RELAX!!!!!!!!!

Makin' a Mess

Life is moving along rapidly and I am juggling a million projects, trying my hardest to hang in there working my day job and STILL dealing with many challenges. Lots of ups and downs, lots of personal trials that seem to be coming at me on a daily basis- what is up with this??!?!?! At least I am building character? After a long day at work I came home to paint and that always makes me feel better especially when I splatter paint. There is nothing more satisfying than splattering paint and making a mess, even if a little ends up on the kitchen floor and the cat- I cannot help but feel as if all is made right after I make art.

Another Busy Weekend!

Another busy weekend! We celebrated our anniversary by eating out Friday night at one of my favorite spots- it's the ambiance that I love! And then Sat we were at a family gathering- It was Andy's Oma's 80th birthday. Lots of yummy Indo food good company and a gorgeous day! But today I am wiped and trying to get lots of stuff done so I can feel good about starting the week!!!

But a Speck in Time

Today is my 3 year wedding anniversary. It was early morning on Sept 7th that Andy and I were married on the rocky coastline in Monterey, CA- it was just the two of us- I guess you could say we eloped but with everyone’s blessing. It was the beginning of an adventure, we set out after that morning and made our way up the coastal 101, exploring California and Oregon and finally reaching my lovely hometown of Seaside, Oregon where we spent time relaxing and bonding with family. It was such a lovely way to start our marriage and so very “us” to do things in our own unique way.

When I think about it three years sounds so small compared to everything that has happened - so bittersweet at times-challenging-amazing. Life is never boring with my husband- he is a free spirit who always inspires adventure and flying by the seat of our pants!! We have experienced so many adventures and travels, grown together and also faced many challenges that we never expected to encounter.

I have known my husband for close to 10 years and it feels like forever, he feels like home, like a piece of me that I cannot remember not having in my life. I know that three years is but a speck in time but for me it has been the most enlightening and life changing speck and I cannot wait to see what comes next!

Poor Foot

You might be asking yourself- what in the world is up with these feet??? Well, these feet were my focus this holiday weekend! My husband is an avid surfer and every year around this time he gets stung by a sting ray but this year it was BAD- his poor foot (which is usually very nice and slender) swelled up and kept swelling and swelling- he was not in pain, no fever, just very uncomfortable and couldn't walk on it! But it now seems that he has now developed a bit of an allergy to sting rays over time. So after a trip to a crowded ER yesterday in which we walked in the office and changed our minds and then went straight back to the car where we called our surfing EMT friend who offered some helpful advice and comfort!! After another call to the doc today, it seems he has to just let time pass and ride it out- perfect excuse for Andy to have another day at home!! In the meantime, San Diego had record temps this weekend- yesterday was in the 100's!!! I am hoping this week will be a little more peaceful and cool.

Kickin' Back and Daydreaming

So here I am sitting at my little computer desk trying my very hardest to work on my book and the writing that I have left to do. But as it usually works, I am not inspired or in the frame of mind...argggghhh...to be an artist and a creative soul often means things are centered around emotions and state of mind- sometimes a curse and something that I have been really trying to work on! Life doesn't stop and wait for me to be inspired in order to get stuff done- in fact I have had to really train myself to do things even when I am not inspired, even the mundane things - otherwise nothing would get done in my daily life!!! Though I have actually been quite productive, I am just not feeling inspired anymore- so instead I am browsing through the latest Domino magazine, reading one of my favorite cookbooks, pacing around the house changing my clothes, eating gummy bears and day dreaming about the next book I would like to write- am I crazy or is this normal? To top off my lack of inspiration, it is HOT here in San Diego. The lovely 75 degree weather with cool ocean breezes has been replaced by 90 degree sticky humidity and those of us living near the beach don't have air conditioning- needless to say it is hot and I think I may just blame my lack of inspiration on the weather!! So right now I am kicking back and listening to this CD and fabricating another daydream- a daydream where I am on a trip in Udaipur, India staying here-
and though it is hot and humid, I am enjoying the weather because it is part of the experience...yes, I have just managed to kill a little more time pretending I am in India.

Lighten UP and Embrace the Good

So today is Monday, a fresh start to the week, a brand new day- at least this is what I am telling myself! My weekend was a challenge- Friday ended with more drama and “news” in my “professional life” which meant I had more to process over the weekend, which typically means me venting to my husband, crying then needing to plan, find hope, and figure out what is in the not so distant future for us. It is funny because so much of the stuff I have been dealing with lately has nothing to do with my creative life- my book, my art, my upcoming teaching opportunities, the demand for my purses all of this stuff feels good which is so fitting that the things that are authentic to who Alisa is are the things that keep me balanced and happy and don’t involve drama. The other stuff: in-law drama, day job drama, people that come in out of my day that challenge my faith and my patience- these are the things that throw me out of balance and often distract me from what is truly important like my marriage, my family, my art, my big dreams. Amidst my emotional highs and lows, I spent a good deal of the weekend writing and working on my book and also had my picture taken for my book as well as more fun photos which my hubby got to model for! Today is going to be a fresh start for my state of mind, time for me to suck it up and move on and embrace the good, hold close to the people who lift me up and just not take stuff so serious!!! In keeping with this goal I have attached a clip from last night’s flight of the Concords which made me laugh and smile and feel a little lighter!!!

Me Being Strong...

This was the way I tried to approach today- yep this is me being strong (and a little goofy!) After yesterday- a day full of challenges and what felt like major obstacles to overcome- today I dove into everything I had before me and used all my strength to ignore and move past the distractions and the things that have come up that I have no control over- yep this is me being strong- minus red hair (because my hair is back to normal)

Today

Today was one of those days- challenging- emotionally, spiritually and socially!

Summer Days

As usual life has been busy, preparing for students coming back, filling some orders for purses and other little creations that I have been working on and trying really hard to work on the writing for my book. It is hard for me to get into a mood to write- too many distrations that are easy to give into but I am making progress and I will make my deadlines no matter what!!! I have also been trying to enjoy the last days of summer, savoring the extra warm Southern California weather, spending time with my hubby- helping out my photographer friend Duvy build up her portfolio-

by "playing" model, spending time with family, trying to keep our fat cat Jack nice and cool-

and most importanly been doing my darndest to live in the present and not worry about the future. I can feel fall approaching and though San Diego is usually warm and sunny, there are still signs that time is passing- In the six years I have lived here, I have NEVER gotten used to the lack of visible seasons, but I have found new ways to identify the approaching months- the days are get shorter, the nights are cooler, leaves start to change on trees other than the palms, and the tourists will soon leave the sandy beaches- thank goodness! Though the weather will continue to be warm and sunny even in December (the most beautiful of months) I can still feel fall and winter approaching!

Weekend Fun

What a weekend it was! Friday we went to the Del Mar Races- I have never been to a horse race or ever gambled (never even been to Las Vegas!) but I have a friend that owns a few race horses and has seats so we accepted the initiation to attend as their guests and we actually had a great time. Unfortunately I lost interest in the races after the 2nd race, which probably means that I don't have a gambling problem- I had more fun people watching! The best part was that we got to go down to The Paddock before their horse ran and meet the jockey and I got to take lots of pictures, we felt very important! Then after the races we got to go out to the stables and feed carrots to all the horses that had ran that day- this was the best part! Saturday my wonderful friend Duvy who is a photographer asked me to do a little photoshoot at a boutique so I got to try on clothes and get my picture taken! Then Sunday we went to church, then to a movie- saw Stardust which was a lovely movie and lots of fun. I worked on writing and purses for the the rest of the day and then sat watched all our favorite shows- Sunday is our favorite tv night starting with Big Brother, John from Cincinnati (which I love), Entourage, and last Flight of the Concords which might be my favorite show ever- it is brilliant-my husband and I laugh and laugh and laugh- check out my favorite clip!!


Now it is Monday morn and it is back to work and time to get serious about all the stuff I need to accomplish!!

What is Going to Happen?!?!?

So I have been absent for a bit. There has been a lot going on- personally and professionally trying to make some life decisions, preparing for my students to come back (again my hubby and I live on campus at USD and participate in a mentoring program for upper class students-yes our home is a lovely 2 bedroom dorm- strange but entirely life changing!! ) Lately I have been in a bit of a funk- trying to not stress about the future or where our lives are going. I am such a black and white thinker that I struggle with wanting to know what happens next- our living situation is very fluid and as more opportunities come my way with my art I cannot help but feel that change is coming and I just want to know WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!?!?!? But I know part of this process of growing and moving forward is putting our trust in bigger things and trust that there is a plan for us and patience might be the key for me. On a more uplifting note, I have begun the writing of my book which feels good, I have been making a ton of purses for some more opportunities and I have been working on some new and improved classes and teaching proposals. Life is busy and I know that I just need to keep moving forward and stop being scared and impatient- (way easier said then done!)

The Con

What you might be asking yourself is what is my husband doing with Jaba the Hut?!?!?!? It is Comicon sillies- or "The Con" if you are a regular (which we are not). In fact this was the first time we had ever been and my husband is a HUGE comic junky and I just wanted to go to get to see some cool artists, movie stars and sit in on a panel discussion on my favorite show Battle Star Galactic....but we ended up disappointed and overwhelmed and left WAY earlier than our $30 admission tickets should have allowed- the crowds were insane, the people were strange (and i usually love strange people watching) and I felt there were way too many video games, marketing ploys, and the topper was all the wasted paper on postcards and adds being handed out left and right!!!! We were not able to attend any panels because of the lines, I had a strange run in with a Storm Trooper while wandering around by myself and my husband and I kept bickering the whole time over the different paces that we were walking- never again will we attend but must say it was a once in a lifetime thing to do and I got some fun shots!!!

At the end of the day we were exhausted and our senses were OVERWHELMED!!! Andy dozed on the short trolley ride home and I dreamed about laying by the pool on Sunday!

And on Sunday I did actually spend some time reading my book (that I cannot put down) by the pool and I must say that I did successfully get some more freckles (with SPF OF COURSE) which I am convinced will someday will grow together to form a tan as dark as my husband's Pacific Islander skin- yeah right!!! The topper of the weekend and better than the pool or Comicon was that we fixed my closet which was the best thing ever to work on- thanks to Andy!!!!

More

So yesterday was back to work for me and I actually had a nice day, it is good to get myself back into a routine instead of waking up late and bumming around all day trying to find fun things to do around San Diego! In my art life, this week I am working on some gifts for people back in Cincinnati, some new stuff for my website and workshop proposals! This weekend Andy and are going to Comicon. I have never been before but I am so excited and particularly excited to attend a panel discussion on feminism in the show Battlestar Galactica which happens to be my favorite show! Who would have thought eh? Then on Sunday, my lovely photographer friend Duvy is going to be taking some bio pics for me for the book and a few other things...exciting- another photo shoot!! I have to figure out what to wear...hmmmm???? I had not checked my mail since being back, (again I was pretending I was actually on a vacation out of town which means not getting your mail!) Much to my surprise I got a lovely necklace from Tonia with one of the buttons from our trip to St. Theresa's Textile Trove- such a lovely necklace!!!! I am afraid to wear it because it looks like a piece of art I should hang on the wall- thank you so, so, so much Tonia!!

And last, I included a few more of my favorite pics from our vacation at home- it was actually so nice to get to spend quality time with my husband- I forgot all about wishing I was on a beach in Fiji or the Tuscan countryside!! We always have so much fun together when we stop and enjoy living in the moment and last week was no exception, we had a blast!!

Back to the Grind!

So I am back to work at "the day job" and actually was not dreading going back to work. Since my return from Cincinnati Andy and I took off this last week to take small trips and excursions around S. Cal and quite frankly had a wonderful time. Originally we had big plans to take an exotic trip somewhere but after sensible thinking we decided that after all the preparation and work for my photo shoot I may not want to travel so we opted for staying local and I am now quite glad that we did. My favorite excursion was the San Diego Zoo- we had such a nice time, great weather, lots of active animals and I got to finally use my new Cannon Rebel and take tons of pics! After a week of "down time" and mini trips about town, I finally got to relax and re center myself and I was actually ready to come back to work. Right now it seems that having a day job forces me to be structured with my art and my life and I am not so good at staying in vacation mode for very long, I need something to focus my energy on. So it is back to the grind for me but there will be lots to do- working on the writing for my book, planning workshops, preparing for students to return to USD and trying to just enjoy life and not worry so much about the future.

Home- At Last!!

So much to tell since my last post- I finished my photoshoot a day early and it felt so good to be done. Since I was not scheduled to fly out until Sat that meant I had a free day to do a little site seeing and wonderful Tonia took me to one of the best little craft stores I have ever been in called St. Theresa's Textile Trove- I was in heaven! So many little one of a kind goodies! Then we had yet another yummy lunch

(the week was full of fabulous lunches thanks to Tonia!) Then I got go visit my very first Hobby Lobby which I have wanted to do for a while since we don't have them in California and its a good thing because I don't need anymore places to blow money!! The week ended on a really good note and then.......... it all went down hill when I got to the airport on Sat. As the plane was pulling out it broke down on the runway, no electricity- no air and we were stuck, then back to the gate, still stuck and then we de-planed and all had to get new flights out! It was so late that there was nothing for me until the next day so it was another night in Cincinnati! I finally made it home late Sunday afternoon and I won't go into all the craziness but it was quite a travel drama will all sorts of craziness!!! But I am thankful to have made it home safely and though I am exhausted, I am just so thankful to have gotten the opportunity to have spent my time and energy on my passion!

Blessed

So here I am on day 3 of my week in Cincinnati and though I am exhausted, I am feeling really positive and so blessed. This experience has been great so far- lots of work but really great to get the opportunity to just do something that I love so much- paint! I am really close to finishing all my projects and this might even happen early! Now I am glad that I took lots of time to prepare! I have met so many lovely people and Tonia D. who has been there from the start has been fabulous to working with and so helpful. More to come tomorrow!

Day 2

It is getting late and I am tired but Day 2 went great and I am even more excited and encouraged- more later when I am not so sleepy!!

Under My Belt

So day one of my photo shoot is under my belt! All my worries and anxiety are gone and replaced with inspiration and the reality that this is actually happening! Today went great- lots of fun techniques and a day full of re creating everything....again! I will share more in time! It is so hot here and I thought I would go walking once I got back to the hotel, but I just cannot take the humidity and heat- I am spoiled by San Diego! So I have been enjoying the cool comfort of my hotel room and cable channels that I miss out on at home...like Bravo, Style and E!!!!! So needless to say I am happy and relaxed.

Pay Off

So it is almost time for me to leave for Cinncinati! Months of hard work, my hands even my feet have taken a beating but it all comes together for this week- yikes! I am trying not to be nervous but of course I am but I am quite excited for my hard work to pay off, not to mention, I am now on a 2 week vacation from my day job...yipeeee!!!

What am I doing here? Well besides finally sitting down after a long day of work at my day job and then home for another 5 hours on artwork- I am taking a look at my advance copy of Cloth Paper Scissors. And though I knew one of my articles and artwork would be in the mag, I was surprised when I opened the package to find that my work is the cover artwork!! This was just what I needed for an extra push for these last two weeks until my book's photo shoot. I must admit I am close to running out of steam getting all my art finished, prepped and perfected but this was just a little taste of hard work paid off!!!

Good Intentions

So my good intentions of blogging everyday obviously seem to have gone down the drain- so here we go again- I promise this time I am going to try really hard to blog as much as possible because there are lots of exciting things on that I would love to have record of! But I do have a good excuse and that is working on the projects for my book and upcoming trip to Cincinnati for the photo shoot. I have been working nonstop and my fingers and hands are actually sore from painting! At this point I am starting to freak out and I am finding myself fighting what I always do when creating something that will be seen by others- which is start questioning and thinking I need to start over- I have done this since college art classes- a project would be due and I would work non stop for weeks and weeks and then the night before I would get this sudden rush of new inspiration and grab my brushes and paint over the entire project and stay up all night and start over creating something I felt better about and AMAZINGLY finish it- crazy eh? I am fighting this horrible creative pattern I have gotten in because everything I have created is wonderful and I need to know when to STOP!! Anyway, lots of work, lots of paint, lots of mess around the house but lots of lovely moments where something bigger takes over and I step back and think "wow where did that come from?" I keep trying to live in the present and just be thankful for the opportunity to put my passion as a painter to good use and to share with others....so exciting!

Lovely Long Weekend

So I spent a lovely long weekend back in my hometown on the Oregon Coast. I went home for a wedding and it was great! Not only did I get to see lots of faces from the past but I got to beachcomb minus tides and scavenge for photo ops in tidepools, go on walks with my parents, ate at Pacific Way and got to relax. Now I am back and ready to finish up all the art for my book ! one month and counting until I go to Cinncinati for the photoshoot and I am thrilled, excited, inspired, and nervous (but in a good way!)

Sick

So my goal of posting an entry a day has been postponed due to the fact that I have been so sick for the last week, in fact this is the sickest I can ever remember being!! I have completely lost my voice, and am coughing my brains out, have not slept a full night of sleep in over than a week!! All my goals, inspiration, worries have been put on the back burner while nursing myself back to health.

Wonderful Times

So my parents were here this last weekend and we had such a nice time. I am always complaining about living in San Diego but this was a spectacular weekend for weather and it is fun playing tourist here. We went to Coronado which truly transports you into another time and place and we did lots of walking and hiking and of course eating Baja Fresh.

I'm Back

So I have not blogged for a while..so busy...but I am back and I have a goal of an entry a day! Life as usual has been crazy, I am not quite sure how exactly I am making my schedule work right now but I have been able to fall into a groove with the balance in my life. I cannot believe that I work a day job (which I love) and that have a second job- I work and LIVE with college students and am actually making it as an artist. I recently signed a book contract- YIKES and have officially started the process of writing and creating for the book- so exciting yet daunting but I have this feeling that this crazy juggling that I am doing may be coming to end in the not so distant future. In the meantime it seems that because I am so busy I am actually more focused and productive as an artist. Back in college if I had a painting or a project due, I would procrastinate until the 11th hour and waste all sorts of time doing other things! Now I don't have that luxury and it is actually working in my favor- I am more creative, more productive and quicker to plan and execute art. And to top it off, all the college students I am around actually keep me current, yes I am only 32 but there is still a huge difference between myself and 20 year olds. They keep my eye, and taste current and actually challenge my creative thinking. And the best part of this journey right now is sharing it with my husband. He is the greatest support and even though he usually has can't keep my schedule straight but he has this amazing ability to make me feel like it is all going to work out.