Sunday, January 11, 2009

The story of shitshark:


I made this sketch of the shitshark awhile ago and have taken my sweet time to get around to printing and putting it up for sale in my shop and I wanted to share a little anecdote about the origins of this print because I finally am comfortable enough with the situation to make something of it.

Last month, I lost my retail job at a baby goods store. I was actually fired. I've never been fired before. Admittedly, It was not a good fit for me and I was happy to go, but, the experience stings nonetheless. So, I walked home and when the panicky feeling of an uncertain financial future began sinking in, I set out to make a list. The list was going to include all the places I could look for a job, ways to cut down on spending and just a big brainstorm of solutions to help me feel like I was going to be ok.

I started at the top of the page where I usually put my list title and I wrote (in my finest script):
"shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!"
Followed by:
"I don't know what to do."

I stared at this page for a moment feeling lost before noticing that the cursive i's looked like waves. Then I drew a shark jumping out of the i-waves at a startled seagull. The sketch amused me and summed up how I was feeling at the moment. I never got around to making the rest of the list. I spent the day drawing and realized that this job loss was an opportunity to try to make Argyle Whale my career.

I wish I had the chance to prepare for the transition and save up a bit more money but as scary as the endeavor is, things are going well. I feel very optimistic about 2009!

9 comments:

Liz Smith said...

I think you will be a huge success :) I also started my business full time after being fired, what a gift! Though we live paycheck to paycheck on basically one income, money worries are less intense now that I feel so content. You'll put all your energy toward Argyle Whale and you'll make it work!

Anonymous said...

yay, elise! I pretty much know exactly all of those emotions, and I'm so proud of you for embracing this opportunity! yay creative entrepreneurs! best wishes, ladykins!

Anonymous said...

aw, what a great story! the print is awesome too.

SUSAN MURPHY said...

That is hilarious, I absolutely love that drawing! Best of luck with your future, if you're able to turn that word into an amazing print I've no worries about you turning your situation into something great too :)

Shona~ LALA dex press said...

And from shit, good things will grow

idyll hands said...

This store make this print even better. On my short drive to work each morning, I think about things like "how could my sweet boy and I live on one income" "what could I cut back on" "why does my car sound like that, I can't buy a new car right now" "sigh, it's Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday... any day other than Friday at 5PM". Sometimes blessings come well disguised. Until my time comes I'll keep driving to work wondering what it would take to just take the plunge and do it myself.

Anonymous said...

WOW! Good for you for taking the bull by the horns and making something from this. Manure is used all the time to help things grow, right???

And Congrats — I landed here because your guinea pigs are super cute on the etsy fp, and your gocco print shop rocks. Keep at it :)

Kitty Vane said...

Yay for you! You really did make lemonade from the lemons you were given, and I'm very impressed by your courage to take the leap.

I also love the drawing, I'm sure we all have times like that -I know I certainly do! :D

Laura said...

Hello! Stumbled upon your blog via flickr and I just love the anecdote behind your shitshark. Please keep up the beautiful work and good luck with Argyle Whale (: