Aaaaahhhh, sweet spare time.

I just wrapped up a bunch of pieces for my friends over in the UK. This coming week will come with its own struggles, but for now I am left to re-charge the batteries. A long walk maybe? Hit the gym? Sketch for my next round of assignments?

I am at work on my first cartoon-styled commission which I am very excited about. This one is for "Jim Baen's Universe", a monthly e-zine produced by the well-respected publisher.

Can't share details, but it is a dark and satirical piece that I will have to execute with care as it has a rather sensitive subject at its core.

Nothing quite like walking that fine edge between good taste and visual impact.



I am also at work on a book cover for my friends over at Hinterwelt Publishing.  Sci-fi adventure! Gotta love it.  Pair that with some book interiors for Dark Skull Studios and it is going to be  busy over the next couple of weeks!



I am saving up some money from my commissions for a new computer. The new 24 inch Imac is at the top of my list at the moment. A beautiful machine from what I've experienced. I've worked on PC's for years, but most of my digital  art and design training took place on a Mac. It will feel like going home for me. 

The PC I'm currently running is operating with Windows 2000 Pro. I bought it around the time that Windows XP was hitting shelves and giving new users numeorus headaches.

I can't see "upgrading" to the latest Windows Vista after seeing that it too is painful to new users.

Nope, I like pain-free computing and the new Mac Operating System

 ( Leopard) seems like the ticket to an easy ride. The 24 inch screen would give me plenty of desktop real estate on which to sprawl.

I will also upgrade to Corel Painter X which looks like a terrific piece of software. I've been using Version 6 for ages now. Old habits being the last to die, I suppose.

The next detail will be to move my work space to the back porch me-thinks. The basement space in which I currently work is making me look and feel like a cave fish. I swear you can see my hear beating in my chest. Time for some sun on my cheeks. *gollum*



I've been day-dreaming of what my ideal studio space would look like.

I'm thinking of renovating the old garage and turning the back half of it into a big ol' workshop. The rear wall would be mostly glass looking out on a garden and small patio area. Plenty of additional windows will keep the place bright and cheery. A kitchenette, sink, and  a water closet. A good-sized work table and desk for my digital workstation and an area rigged up for painting and drawing. Plenty of wall space to hang art and prints upon. A sound system in the ceiling and a small TV entertainment area would be great. Sort of an Artist/Man lair.

Tis the stuff of dreams, of course, but dreams are gloriously free for the having. ;)



Off to continue my reverie.



Thanks for reading.

---Jeremy