I’m not very happy with the new layout of the blog and I”m also having a bit of a time trying to find a new one that I’m happy with.

I have a few sketches I want to show, however, I really want to figure out this whole “take attractive pictures”  thing I have been hearing so much about.

I also have more than a few exciting changes up in the air right now.

My goals for this blog, this year, are to have better images and to brush up my writing skills. By the end of the year I want this blog to be so lovely you never want to leave.

Oh and I also decided to go back to deviantart.com. It’s still not a site I’m happy with, but it’s very difficult to ignore the size of it’s community. Not to mention I’m lurking a few more places online, but once I actually figure out what those places are for I will let you know where to find me.

I finally found an insurance company for General Liability. I decided to go with Hartford, but I am keeping my options open for next year.

Now that the insurance is out of the way I have all the paperwork filled out to acquire an intern. Let’s hope the Institute accepts me. I will be dropping the paper work off today when I meet Sharon for  our long over due artventure.

I may stop by the city college and sign up for a basic math class and a french class. I have 4 and a half years to learn French and I know I should get started now. I also really need to become better at math. Two classes will help me get out of the house and still give me plenty of time to paint.

These two websites offer a bunch of things, not just insurance. Check them out.

http://www.fracturedatlas.org/

http://www.artisthelpnetwork.com/dataread.pl?DB=CR_SI&STATE=ALL&menu=ccomforts&order=psv+org+pub+per+web+pro

On Saturday I finally had the internet hooked up at the new place (new as in, we moved in June) and yesterday I received a new computer since my old work computer was dead. (Although it’s life was short, it was much loved.)

So last night and this morning I have been taking the opportunity to set up my computer right from the start.  I downloaded Google Chrome for my web browser. I thought that would be easiest since I have gmail and a Google Reader account.

I cleared everything off my desk top and put my most used programs down at the task bar. It makes me happy inside when my desktop is empty.

Anyway…

I took this opportunity to finally figure out how to download and import my bank statements to my YNAB (You Need A Budget) program. OH yeah! I’m organized now.   I have had this program for 3 years and opened it once. Well, now twice.  It was deceptively easy. I don’t know why I was so confused before. Probably the whole “numbers, numbers everywhere!” thing.

I also set up my Flick! software and inventoried my artwork. Fun.

I got on board the bandwagon and downloaded iTunes because of all the free art podcasts. (Artbizcoach has about 183 last I checked. And you all know how I feel about Artbizcoach examples 1, 2, 3, and 4.)

Lastly, I set up my MailChimp account for my mailing list and added a nice tab on my facebook fan page to sign up.

Well, lastly as far as the computer goes. I also started putting down paint on the hospice logo.

I’m so busy it’s almost like I have a real job.  Except I have an awesome boss, work in my pjs and I get to cuddle with my dogs while working on the computer.  Oh and don’t even get me started on the commute!

Here’s a bit of a peek for your Monday:

The morning of the show my Grandma and I sat in her living room painting our nails together.  We hadn’t done that since I was tiny.

Next up was the pizza party my Uncle put together for me.  Delicious food and wonderful people gathered at my other Grandma’s to hang out before my show. My niece and I stood at the bathroom mirror doing our make-up together and laughing before getting in the car. We rocked out all the way to Flavors Cafe and Wine Bar, music blaring and back windows rolled down (had to be careful with the hair.)

The next day. Yep, that’ s me. Glad the arrow cleared things up.

People who I hadn’t seen in 12 years showed up.

I talked about my work, learned some new information and now I have my first solo show under my belt. Not to mention a few articles.

This is about a quarter of the space. (Psst, that’s Blaine’s pottery on the table. It’s amazing)

There’s not much else to say. It was a great time and I am sure I will be working with Lynn and Flavors again in the future.

The day after the show Joe and his mom came down to see how everything was set up (and take photos.) They brought down their friend Blaine so he could finally deliver some of his work to Lynn. I have quite a few pieces from him and I love them all.

So…Yay for me!