Snow. Ice. And more snow tonight. I miss our *real* winters. I don't even dare go on my walks - not only is it fairly frigid, but it's so icy I'm afraid that I might slip and fall and injure my much needed drawing hand. That would be bad. It is currently in constant usage in attempts to meet this next near-impossible deadline.
How does one meet near-impossible deadlines do you ask? First you cut out everything else but work, an occasional shower, meal and sleep. Then you start cutting back on those (I've been getting into bed and waving goodnight to my husband as his morning-alarm goes off for the last week or so). Then you start recruiting the teenagers to do things like press and scan the artwork for you and stay home until your additionally recruited good-friend picks up your package to take to FedEx for you since you've been up for over 24 hours and are unsafe to drive on all the icy roads... You completely neglect your house, your kids, your bills, your laundry, your blogs... BUT you make your deadline. You can no longer see straight and you can't type without your hands shaking, but you made your deadline... Hmmm. I may need to rethink my professional goals... Weren't we talking about balance about this time last year?
In the meantime, I got a lovely little package from sweet fairy Maya who lives off in the exotic land of Cypress. I've decided that mail from here to there must go by carrier pigeon - it is three times the expense and takes three times as long as anywhere else I've mailed to in the world. Thankyou Maya. It was very nice to be thought of this week.
I'm going to bed.
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12 comments:
Congratulations, miracle woman!
You've had one deadline after another in quick succession Tara. I don't really know what that feels like despite your brilliant description. When I had what felt like a pretty unremitting workload at one point last year I was grateful for the lull straight afterwards. But now the lull has become a slump I'm not sure if I would prefer to be in the situation you are. I guess if nothing else at least you must feel wanted ;¬) I'm not sure it's possible to find the happy medium - 'scuse the pun
It's amazing what one can do when needed! I pretty much spent the months of August through December in the same situation - four hours of sleep a night, irregular eating schedule, weird diet, messy house, neglect of friends and family.... Then the repetitive motion sets off aches and worries - "If I'm too injured to work, then what?" I always worry so that come January I'll no longer be in demand. Luckily, thanks to the internet and to kind bloggers, I'm busy hroughout the year now. Your artwork is so wonderful, I imagine you have to say "no" a lot.
Stay warm and don't forget to eat and sleep!!!
I am so glad you got a package at just the right time to reward such a hard worker !!!
And look at that snow ! whewww !
you know, I used to work for myself doing artwork with deadlines (textile design, surf & swimwear companies, children's clothing designs...etc.) I used to stay up all night and have gobs of work to do and either twelve deadlines all at once or nothing for a day or so and I would start to worry "will there be more ?" and there the flood would come rolling in again.
I DO NOT MISS THIS !
It always felt good to somehow come up with designs or get the designs that were already bought out as promised in the colors contracted , etc....I did feel ACCOMPLISHED and successful...but sheesh. What a nightmare trying to make it right / paint brush shaking in your hand and the time tick tocking away over your shoulder.....
I FEEL FOR YOU !
Hope you get a break and can sleep and eat and SHOWER FOR GAWD'S SAKE ! laughing.
Much Love, S.
I so feel for you Tara! I totally understand the reality of deadlines as I work for myself too, and there are days when you wonder how on earth are you going to do all that needs to be done in such a small amount of time. Recently I worked till 3am only to get up again at 6am to start all over. But top hats to you Tara for doing creative work under such pressure!!! I so admire you but wish you an easier flow of work. At least the weather is not tempting you to play hookie! And I hope you have a lot of post-deadline treats lined up :-)
Keep yourself warm and cozy.
Hi Tara, Thanks for spending some of your very precious time visiting my blog. I have just had a quick browse through this and also your website. WOW, what amazing art...no wonder you're so busy! Thanks for visiting, I'll definitely be back here soon. CJ
I love all the snow wish we had it in the uk. It rains and its windy and everywhere is so muddy. Thats a lovely little package you got. Hope your finding time for some nibbles on chocalate to sustain you through all this hard work
You mean it takes ~LoNgEr~ than to get to my ~mountain~ giggle.
Nice surprise for such a hard working mommy...yes get some rest! Hugs NG
I feel for you...my agent rang yesterday (just as I was nearing the end of the tunnel of the christmas illo work load) with the good news that from now untill may I shall be "busier than I have ever been"...oh great...but you have to do it, I day dream of an ordered and balanced life! Hang on in there.
Poor Tara! We love you and hope you make it ok. Love T & R and baby P.
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