So many of you may know that we (my husband Cody and I) will be moving to Yokota Air Base, Japan this June. This is a very exciting time for us and we are really looking forward to it--I mean, we're talking about JAPAN. Home of anime, sushi, and samurai; technological headquarters of the world, and country of fine culture and cuisine. It's a place that I had once visited for a mere 10 days (ten years ago) and have dreamed of returning ever since. Little did I know that one day I would actually be living there!Yet amidst the excitement, I know that there will be a lot of changes we're going to have to make--many of them are not-so-favorable. Primarily, we will be leaving behind all of our dearly-loved friends we have made here in South Carolina and literally start from scratch in Japan. And, to make everything more difficult, not only will there be a language barrier, but a cultural barrier as well. I admit, I am daunted. I know the Japanese are very friendly, but sometimes I still wonder how accepting they might be of (let's face it) a foreigner. Granted, we will be living on an military base, but I don't intend to live the next three years inside an American bubble--I want to have balance by also engaging the culture and making Japanese friends. I just have no idea how that'll work, but I guess that's where I'm going to trust God.Apart from life changes, the other thing that I have been mulling over is the future of my art. I sense that I am at a crossroads: I am a college graduate, I have the first stage done with my children's book and am currently playing the waiting game, and I don't have any really big art projects going on. Sure, I'm always working on some piece of art to "expand my portfolio", but I'm feeling a little fidgety--like I'm waiting for the next big thing to come. I'm almost positive that it has to do with Japan. But the difference is, I strongly feel that the next step for my art will involve a collaboration or networking of some sort. In other words, I'm dying for an artist community. Artists who are illustrators that share similar goals and dreams that I do. Artists with whom I might have a chance in which to work in tandem. I am realizing that in order to bring my art to the next level (and actually pursue dreams of being a graphic novelist), I'm going to need help. I'm going to need to build relationships with other artists and not try to do everything on my own. Did you know that it usually takes numerous people to make a graphic novel? Typically the jobs of making a graphic novel involve a writer, pencil artist, inker, colorist, letterer--and that's not including project managers, marketers, and people of the like. Over the last few months I realized that if I want to tackle anything bigger than a cute little painting for my portfolio, I'm going to need the help and collaboration of others--and that requires patience, flexibility, and the ability to work with others. Hmm, those sound like things I really can work at...So there you have it folks. My thoughts and ramblings for Friday. However, I do have a little bit of news on Jess's artistic front. Lately I've found that I've been wanting to produce more sci-fi and graphic novel-ly pieces of art (I'd been working on a lot of children's book material and was seeking balance with my tomboyish side). However, I lacked a muse for this realm, until recently--because as of recent I had picked up the ol' x-box controller, blew off the dust, and have been gaming with friends again. The game of choice? Halo Reach. Oh, yeah. The results:
Some cool-spartan-kickbutt-chick! I know it's sketchy, but that's because it's in the process of being fleshed out (it's a little hard to see here, but she's taking off her helmet.) More to come on this!Until then, have a fantastic Friday everyone! (or whoever is actually reading this *laughs*) :)