27 dogs

That was the assignment. Paint 27 dogs with acrylic and a brush, without sketching or planning them out. I have never painted before...but about halfway through, I kind of got into it. I started noticing a style that I was good at and kept going with it. I had a blast, although it did take me about 8 hours. I was not expecting any kind of praise, etc from anyone...I thought mine were just average but everyone freaked out. The teacher called me the "goddess" during class (that was embarrassing!) and she took my dogs and wouldn't let me have them back. I went into school the other day and there they were, right in the front hallway!!!! OMG! I never expected that, especially first quarter! And especially not with paintings!!!
This illustration class is really good for me. When I went to school at UTC, I wanted to be in the art department so bad but I just thought I was terrible at drawing and therefore I shouldn't even think about it. I took an art history class and I remember being so jealous of all the people in that building that got to study it all the time. I think if I had gotten into it back then, I would have never dropped out of school. This teacher, Lindy, is amazing. She makes you feel so good about your stuff, even when you don't think it is good. She sees the artistic value in everything. I wish I had met her years ago! I think I am learning that it is best to always follow your dreams no matter how good you think you are. Everyone is talented, some people just take more coaching than others.
I definitely think I am in the right place finally. It took me 14 years after UTC to get here but at least I finally got here. It is hard but it is definitely worth the work.

Where does the time go?

9 years....sure does sound like a long time. Sometimes it feels like it but most of the time it doesn't. Nine years ago today Chris and I said "I do". I am so thankful that I have him by my side...even when the going gets rough. I look at marriage as a choice. Things are not always perfect but who promised perfection? I knew that going into it and I know that no matter if I am with Chris or anyone else...there will always be tough times. I think going through life with him by my side is MUCH better than being without him...We are good together and I am so glad and thankful for that.
Don't we look like babies??? Crazy.

Life is a blur

It has finally happened...school started this week. I have been waiting for this for a long time but boy, I don't think I was quite prepared. I am taking four classes plus seminar...Natural Lighting, Illustration for Photographers, Flash 1, & Basic Photography. So far, everything has been great, but the natural lighting class is kicking my butt! We have to be up shooting every morning at sunrise and again at sunset. 7 days a week. Oh my gosh. I did not know how hard that would be! I am so tired and my brain has been going a mile a minute, proceeding to wake me up every morning at 3am on overdrive. I am a little sad to lose my sleep...it was so nice! Seriously, it is every single day from now until the end of the quarter...without a single day off. Wow.

Besides school, Chris and I have had a lot of freelance lately which is a super good thing, but it does add to the stress level around the house.

Here are some links to the stuff I have had to turn in the past few days, check it out. They are not masterpieces by any mean but I am slowly getting better!
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3