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!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

Photo by Rick Stevens/SMH

Well, I haven't posted in ages but that isn't because I didn't have anything to say. Justin went away on a trip and our computer decided that it couldn't live without him so I was left stranded, husband-less and internet-less until he came home. It was pretty lonely!

I have a handful of updates to catch up on before I can get back on track.

First, and most dramatic, is my decision to leave the Cinema Cafe project that I've been working on for months. It's pretty devastating to leave a job that I've put such a tremendous amount of energy into but I had to leave as an act of self preservation. I found out where the end of my rope was and how long I could go on being optimistic about a grand opening. I'm tying up loose ends this week and training their new manager but after that I'm washing my hands of the place. I learned a whole lot and I'm glad I did it (I think).

Then, I slinked back to my trusty old bakery job and I was given some work. It is so nice to be back at the bakery especially since it's apple tart season!

I also expect I'll be having a new job at a downtown natural baby goods store. I will be working on their displays and such so that will be fun. Babies are a bit out of my comfort zone but I know I'll adapt.

I hope that this job shift will leave me more time to focus on Argyle Whale. The Cafe was sucking so much of my time and creativity up that I barely had any left for the shop. My feelings are bittersweet but I'm optimistic that my creative pursuits will benefit from losing the cafe.