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I don't know if anyone will have noticed my lack of blog posts, but I thought I'd quickly let people know what's been going on.

I've been sick for the past two months, which I've tried to quietly work through but it soon became a burden, and I've been waiting for some kind of diagnosis.  Then I've had the flu for the past two weeks - hooray!!  Then I'll be going home for Christmas and catching up on essays, so there'll be no great picture posts for quite some time sadly!

I've managed to do some painting for my Children of Lír project, which has turned out so much better than I imagined!  That's eased a lot of my worries.  I really want to show what I did but, aarrrgghh...  I said I wouldn't until the exhibition!  At least not this image as it's too near the end.  Though I'll probably give in soon enough.  And feedback would be good to hear for improvements, as I'll always need them! :)

All this time stuck in bed, incapable of getting anything done but watching the whole series of The Wire, has given me plenty of time to think - about University, my loved ones, my future, how fast time goes, how easily it can be wasted, on people who aren't worth it/doing nothing at all/forgetting your priorities, and how even more easily it can all be over.

I ended up writing a list of things I want to do (not before I die or anything!).
There are a few personal projects that are still incomplete: The Winter Coast, an animation, t-shirt designs, character portraits...
And new art projects I've been dying to do that I'm super excited to start: photo-shoots, costume designing and creating, illustrative pieces to sell and loads more!
Then there are places to travel to and placements to apply for.

It reassured me that, no matter how this year turns out and could go awry, or what gets put on my degree certificate, my plans post-uni are going to stay the same.  I have so many things planned out I can't wait to begin my life in June!

After being in the education system since I was 3 years old and leaving it as I turn 23 I think it calls for doing whatever I want for a little while before joining the rat race or stepping onto the first rung of a career ladder.  With so many things that I'm interested in, I want to try a bit of everything and say yes to any opportunities that come along without worrying "where will this lead me?".  I'm not going to think about a single path to tread but enjoy meeting the crossroads.
Portfolios, CVs and publicity are momentarily put aside.  It's going to be time to just DO for a sense of my own personal achievement and, most importantly, for enjoyment!  The rest will then follow more easily, by creating a body of work I will enjoy looking back on and can passionately talk about.

It's going to be time that I lived my life as creatively as I try to be with my work.

As long as I can afford a roof over my head, food to eat, stay healthy(!) and keep my family and friends close I will be emotionally free enough to embrace and achieve my many mini artistic dreams.

Right now, I can't wait to be home for Christmas and get back to work.

Have a good holiday everyone!
Be merry, get fat, embrace your loved ones and all that!
(Poetry is not on my to-do list.)

J. x