2012 is the year of the dragon!

I was born in the year of the dog. We are loyal, dedicated and *mostly* obedient. 2011 was the year of the rabbit and was a terrible year for me. I lost my nearly 4 year job at Daly's. I was unemployed for 4 months before getting a summer temp job at Home Depot. I really liked it, but 4 customer service awards weren't enough to make me permanent in this economy. I now work at an independent video store, with very part time hours and minimum wage pay, but I like the job a lot. But it's not enough anymore. My boyfriend, bless his heart, is taking care of me and trying to keep me positive. My parents have been helping us with food and medical bills, especially with my back problems since November. Christmas came and went and I still have holiday presents I intend to MAKE for people. My New Year's Eve ended and began with a headache.

Myself and a few other ladies jumped into the cool, refreshing waters of Lake Washington
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/gallery/Polar-Bear-Plunge-at-Matthews-Beach-34146/photo-1987028.php http://www.seattlepi.com/local/gallery/Polar-Bear-Plunge-at-Matthews-Beach-34146/photo-1987029.php with hundreds of others and I want to feel as if it washed the bitterness of the last year away. I'm starting this year strong, with two new philosophies, one when my *almost* sister in-law asked why I and other people did the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year's Day. To which I responded "I did it because I could. I will never summit a mountain or visit most of the world, but they are there and that is enough of a reason for people to go there and do that." That inspired me. It reminded me of doing the BIG Climb. Another philosophy started because of that letter to Teatro Zinzanni. "You don't know until you ask. The worst they can do is say 'no'.'

In light of that, I have copied that same 'cover letter' and I'm sending it with letters of recommendation, my resume and samples of my costumes to theaters all over the city... seven packets in all. hopefully someone will bite.

Other goals for this year? (I'm not going to say resolution. It's a bad buzz word)
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Finish the Loch Ness oil painting
more sewn stuff for Etsy
belated holiday gifts
Robert's Starkiller painting and any others in the queue
mural for Bobakhan
work on the furry comic for years past
get healthier (toned up, more energy, that sorta thing)
get Aurra approved by ECCC

I need the rehindle the fiery spirit of the dragon that I used to have. I need to be awesome and optimistic. the best I can. The only one who can do it is me!

Oh...my...gawd..! It...WORKED?!

I am overjoyed and confused and elated and hoping it isn't a joke, but man, I hope this is for real! this was in my inbox tonight

"Hi Sarah,

My name is Mercedi and I am the Design Assistant in the Costume Shop at Teatro ZinZanni. HR forwarded your cover letter and resume to me, and I would like to meet you for an interview. When would be a good time to do that? The shop hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10-6. I am often away from my desk, so responding to this email is the best way to get ahold of me.

I look forward to meeting you!

Thanks"

WHAT!!!!!!!!????!!!!!!
How do I not mess this up? How do I prove that I am super awesome?
Please oh please ok please! Let this happen!

Going About it the Wrong Way

Too much has happened since my last post to go into any sort of detail, but
*Oct 2 was my last day at Home Depot, though it was my first day at Video Factory.
*Oct 26 was my first day at Jo Ann's and Oct 30 was my last because i hated it and the pay was terrible.
*Oct 28 was my birthday. I went to spa, sang karaoke and had awesome food with a bunch of friends.
*Oct 29 I trooped as Aurra Sing. The make-up worked the best so far. 3rd time's a charm!
*Oct 31 was Halloween. I gave Kevin and Merce the costumes I've been working tirelessly on for them. They offered me money, but I refused because they treat me to food and drinks and rides and staying at their house and Kevin makes breakfast and I could never afford to repay them for all their kindness (though I wouldn't mind a back rub)
*Nov 2 was my 30th day away from Home Depot, where I actually miss working at a great deal. I reapplied and called the manager to let them know.

But money has been hard. Robert has been exceptional patient and supportive of me and was the one who put the idea that Jo Ann's wasn't worth it into my head. Since then, the stress level has been pretty low and now I'm getting ready for a holiday arts and craft fair on Sunday.

Then, last night I went trolling around on Craig's List since I haven't done that in awhile. I saw a listing for a costuming intern at Teatro Zinzanni. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I went about it the wrong way...I was completely candid and honest.

Here's how I normally respond:

"Hello Bill, my name is Sarah Silverman and I feel I am a good match for your Graphic Artist position. I have talent traditional artist, though I'm familiar with the Adobe Creative Suite and Mac OSX platform. I also have an extensive knowledge of human and animal anatomy, and feel that illustrating for works of fantasy would be the perfect fit. I'm very detail oriented, dedicated and a swift learner. I am a highly motivated individual and am a good motivator of others.

Attached are my resume and a few samples of my fantasy work. I can provide others if requested. There is also a good assortment online at my Deviant Art gallery.
http://rummyhunny.deviantart.com/gallery/

Looking forward to hearing back.

Sarah"

Keep in mind, that was from 11/15/2009 and that was how I got the Area 51 gig, which was a big dream crusher. No pay. No job. Lies and heartache and hope of getting out of retail being dashed on the rocks.

I've heard of people only opening my emails and reading them because 'Sarah Silverman' sent them. I bet most people/employers don't even read them, don't even look at my pathetic resume or art samples. they most likely hit 'delete' after reading my opening line, so I figured I needed a hook.

This what I sent them:

"To whom it may concern,

Hello, my name is Sarah Silverman and I have a BFA in Illustration...

...but when you look at my resume, you'll see that it hasn't mattered much at all. I'm going about this completely the wrong way, since most employers look at my resume when I apply for art jobs and probably laugh to themselves, so I'm going to be honest with you. Aside from getting a few freelance jobs here and there, I haven't worked much as an artist since graduating from college. I've worked retail and customer service jobs to put food on the table.

Here's where I prove to you that I'm not wasting your time: I belong to a Star Wars costuming club called "The 501st Legion". It is George Lucas' preferred club and we do charity work in costume all over the world. We have very exacting standards for movie quality costumes. Prior to 2 years ago, I barely knew how to sew. Thanks to this organization, I know how to sew, fiberglass, dye and sew leather by hand and many other skills. I recently used my learned skills to complete a set of non Star Wars costumes for two friends for Halloween.



What I'm asking is that you take a chance on me. I would love to be a costumer for a theater or production company. I'm too long out of college to be considered for an internship, but I would be elated to be and unpaid intern under a master costume maker just so I could gain some experience. I have reliable transportation and I'm an expert at sourcing materials from second hand stores for when a production is under a tight budget. I'm a hard worker, fast learner and very dedicated. I just need the opportunity to prove it.

I have attached a copy of my resume and also a letter of recommendation from the C.O. (commanding officer) of Garrison Titan, the local chapter of the 501st here in Washington State.

I hope that you at least read through this message all the way. I look forward to hearing back from you, regardless of what the answer is.

Thank you for your time.
Sarah"

They might actually look at my stuff, right? Like I said, I've got nothing to lose. If no one contacts me back, no harm- no foul. It's not like they are going to take time out of their busy schedule to respond back and tell me how inappropriate that was, right? Besides, I just want an internship. Unpaid. They get my labor FOR FREE. All I want is for them to give me some much need job experience, but that seems to be too much to ask of someone. To just take a chance on you.

In this economy, why would you? You can pick through the most qualified of people, the cream of the crop, and not have to worry about those down here, at my level who want it more. I heard that job seekers are more likely to be hired away from another job than to get a job in the first place...like if you're unemployed. It's kinda lame, but that seems to be how if works. This is what they don't teach you in college. the cold hard facts of life. I have many unemployed friends and sadly, we're all creative types. Art jobs are harder to come by, harder to get since there are art schools out the wazzoo and everyone is going digital nowadays, so traditionally trained artists like myself have an even harder time getting off the ground.

We'll see what happens.

Back to Formula

I found out today that HD isn't going to make me permanent. I've got mixed emotions.
I'm sad since I thought I was doing great since I have 3 Homer Awards, which is a lot for a new employee, temp or perm. I had made friends there and had developed a good rapport with customers, some have even asked if I was hired yet. I'm concerned about my income being in jeopardy again, especially considering the birthday I started to plan for myself. Bt at the same time, I can put my time to good use with creative projects that were all put back on hold by the very inconsistant schedule I had. I can also look for a job with better hours or pay or distance from home. I can keep track of my HD friends through the power of Facebook and keep trying to convert them into the 501st! Plus, if I get a good with good pay, I can buy stuff for my yard and home from HD!

So, with all that going on, I was trying to get back to doing what I used to do at Daly's during my lunches: projects/ In July I brought my Aurra Sing belts and holsters to work on and the last two days I brought in a long over due portrait painting for Paul. I finished it today and was really happy with it. I also started on one of Robert as Starkiller, though I'm reminded that I SUCK at portraiture.



I have the next 2 days off, so I intend to use them to clean the house, especially in the hobby room, start on the cider making (need to buy apples....not enough were on the tree :( ) and work on all these crazy creative projects I've got stacking up (plus I'm also coming up with more!). Should be busy and eventful....hopefully.

More work with oil

I can in no way deny that I've been depressed lately, or at least melancholy. I'm happy to be employed. The people at HD are awesome and there is far less drama or 'politics' than at Daly's. But the inconsistency of shifts is hard to adapt to and EVERY department is under staffed and people get pulled around. It makes my ability to give good customer service harder when I have to deal with untrained people, or rather people who seem unwilling to be helpful. Sigh....

Because of the weird schedule (today I'm 12-9, the last two days I was 2-11, tomorrow I'm 10:30-7 I think) it's hard to find/make time for anything else. I haven't updated this blog in forever, or my thread on my Aurra Sing costume on the boards or done ANY sewing! Two friends broke up in June and one came to stay with us for awhile until he could get his own place. Then our current roommate announced she was going to move out. for 1.5 months there were 4 people and 4 people's worth of stuff living in a 1 bathroom house. I think I went into crazy bitch mode a dozen times. The roomie situation is now settled and we've been working on the recovery of our homestead, cleaning the kitchen and living room and painting in there. My next areas of aggravation are always my art room and the hobby room. The first is back to where I feel I can work on stuff and have so many things in the queue and new ideas being pushed back. The hobby room I blame mostly on robert since his airsoft crap is just dropped everywhere and my sewing stuff is nicely stuffed onto shelves. I need to force myself to get up at a consistent time and use my mornings well. Today I intended on updating my Photobucket, but I'm having issues with it, so I'm here.






August 3rd a day off, so I went Plein Aire painting with my mom (hence the title) on Queen Anne. The view was nothing too fancy, just a lovely afternoon looking west over Elliott Bay. I worked with oil paints, making a raw umber wash/ under painting and just started laying it color. It's very freeing to just mash paint onto a canvas board. I did the piece in maybe 3 hours. I'm not trying to be anal about it. It's for therapy. I got some good comments on my sky from my mom's instructor. Now it's one more thing to sit and collect dust in my art room. I'm happy I did it. Maybe I'll go again. Maybe I'll get back to feeling like an artist again and give a shit.

While cleaning out stuff in my art room I found my boxes of furry prints from cons and such. If ANYONE of here wants ANY of that stuff for FREE, you're welcome to come by and look through it. I've got prints and originals and shirts and stuff like that. I'm also getting rid of a bunch of art supplies but those are spoken for.

I'm sorry I'm being so moody everyone. I just don't like uncertainty. I'm assuming HD isn't hiring me on permanently and that I'll be unemployed again in a month, so I've already started looking and it hurts to feel like you have no skills...and that the skills you have aren't good ENOUGH to get you anywhere.

Maybe I should join the Navy.

Etsy Plug!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonCatArts

My Etsy store is now up with a couple of paintings. Dresses and such will be forth coming!

Etsy Plug!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MoonCatArts

My Etsy store is now up with a couple of paintings. Dresses and such will be forth coming!

Music that Inspires Art!

Again, you get to read the text in the image. Sorry.



But seriously, today I decided to use a YouTube playlist be my itunes and this is what I recommend...

Aston Classical- epically amazing classical covers of Lady Gaga and whoever did that 'Bulletproof' song.

Lady Gaga- 'Born This Way' (on repeat), which has become my anthem and that of every other freak and geek out there
Eels- just fun stuff

Then when I started working on Ordo (the clone trooper) I switched to Star Wars videos, starting with "Duel of the Fates" (my favorite piece from all 6 movies), then a techno mix of it, then a bunch of random songs set to SW clips (Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' and Justin Timberlake's 'Sexy back' [which featured Darth Maul clips]). I must say it got me going. Now I'm waiting for the layers to settle a bit, so I can assess what more needs doing on the dragon and background (if anything) and add the red to Ordo. I need that layer to be nice and set so I don't end up getting pink armor.

Also, I did more job stuff, started setting up my store on Etsy.com (nothing there yet, but soon) and went to the fabric store with my mom. She bought me enough fabric to make 5+ dresses, similar to the one I made for Nicolette (but not with sharks...that's exclusive).

Good things are on the horizon finally! I can feel it!