Should be sleeping...

This week is super busy so far, can't wait for the weekend so I can have some free time to really get some work done- which is kind of an oxymoron.  I've been cranking out the merch to post in my etsy store all while working a 40 hour work week- which is not normal for me. Here's some t-shirt samples  of two of my latest designs and the gears are already turning for new designs...

Aside from being a freelance artist and designer I also work as a make-up artist. I have a long history in the entertainment industry and love working in theatre and movies- there really is no business like show business. If it wasn't for my eclectic journey through the entertainment world I would have never found my current place in this world as an artist. My fun side job is working at Universal Studios Orlando in their make-up and prosthetics department. I love it there. I've worked as a make-up artist for their Halloween Horror Nights event for the past three years (as well as other stuff around the park) and it has come to be my favorite time of year. We are starting pre-production for the event now so the fun (and busy-ness) is just beginning for me.

I recently got to work one of the most exciting events I've ever been involved in at the park. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter just recently opened and I was one of the hair stylists and make-up artists working on the Hogsmeade villagers featured during the red carpet and opening events. I'm a big Harry Potter fan so it was so exciting to be a part of it all. Here's our Hogsmeade crew all dressed and ready on set- I heart these guys! 

To legit to quit

Hey hey!

Just got back from seeing Pat Benatar rock the stage. I freakin' love her. She always puts on such a GREAT show! She was promoting a new biography she recently released that sounds interesting, Between a heart and a rock place. I think I'll pick this up if I ever allow myself time to read something just for fun.

That cover is awesome. Maybe I should do a Pat Benatar screen print design next. I saw a cool 80's style themed tee at her merch table tonight I was really inspired by. I know it's cliche now that there has been such a rebirth of 80's style, but I just love the graphics of that era. They were so bold & colorful.

In other news...

I've been busy busy lately screen printing the blank shirts & totes I've had sitting around. It took so much time to build all the web pages, blogs, etc... that I haven't had much time to get back to the business of actually making stuff to sell. I'm so excited about everything that's progressing though. I've been talking about opening a etsy store and selling more of my work for over a year now. Now it's actually happening and I can't wait till this all comes together!! Here's a preview of one of the designs I drew that I burned into one of my silk screens- you'll definitely see this on some prints and apparel soon:

RAWRRRR!!!! :)

Good night folks, Happy 4th of July!!!

So much time so little to do. Strike that, reverse it!

This week's theme is "If you build it they will come." I have spent hours sitting here at the computer filling out profiles, about me's, product descriptions, shop policies... I feel so narcissistic. But on the upside, some serious web presence progress is being made and the etsy shop I've been dreaming about running for the past year should be open for business soon. I'm tired of being on the computer so much and itching to creating more merch for the shop. But I figure there is no sense in opening up a shop and having the items sit in a dead shop with no promotion. So here's the fruits of my labor so far:


A new (simple) website to house my portfolio: www.designingdevin.com
 My first tweets: www.twitter.com/designingdevin


Also, I've recently been reading a few fantastically helpful books on craft business and freelancing that I wanted to share with you. Both are great resources when your trying to break into the business of being you! The authors and contributors in these books have braved this road before you so it's especially encouraging and helpful to hear tales of those who have "made it." The Handmade Marketplace is pretty specific to conquering the craft market while My So-Called Freelance Life is more general and could apply to different types of creative freelancers.

 






The Handmade Marketplace by Kari Chapin          My So-Called Freelance Life by Michelle Goodman


Alright now, back to setting up shop on Etsy and rediscovering why I love the music of Guster