2012 has been a bit of a crazy year for me so far. I had been looking forward to it for so long: it would be the year when I would finally sit down and draw my graphic novel, after literally years of preparation. Perhaps I idealised it too much, or perhaps I wasn't as prepared as I thought I was. Perhaps it was just circumstances beyond my control.
I have spent the majority of the year so far being unwell, which, although now getting better has been slowing me down since before Christmas. So I started the year behind with work, and it only got worse. The Green Bean was (and still is) running very late, and was in no way ready to start my 400+ page drawing task. Then, on January 12th my Grandad passed away, and everything ground to a halt.
My Grandad was an extraordinary fellow, and a brief mention here will do no justice to his 95 years. Instead, I will be dedicating a whole issue of the Green Bean (March-April 2012) to my memories of him, and have plans for him to star in my next graphic novel as well. For now, suffice it to say that I miss him, and adjusting to the loss has been quite hard.
But I'm writing this post because at last the dust is settling. I might have had grand ideas about how 2012 would be, but clearly circumstances and my body have had other plans, and being forced to stop completely, take stock and make some serious decisions seems not to have been a bad thing.
Next week, I will be leaving my part-time job.
That's right: for the rest of this year and well into the next, I will be a full-time graphic novelist. This is something of a surreal moment, because I always imagined my decision to become a full-time artist would happen in a blaze of glory and success, whereas in fact I feel like it's been half forced upon me by circumstance and ill health, and I'm actually quite sad about leaving my job.
Still, I know it is the right decision, and my work on Lighter Than My Shadow will be the better for it. Even since I made the difficult choice, I have felt better and more able to work. Finally, just a little later than I'd planned, I feel like I'm settling into my graphic novel writing routine rather nicely.
My day begins with a walk. It's just beginning to feel like spring here, and sunny mornings especially are filled with birds singing as I climb the hill where I can see the whole city.
When I return to my studio, I warm up my drawing hand with a few Green Bean pages before moving on to my graphic novel.
I'm hoping 2012 will be a bit of a smoother ride from here on in, and that the January-February Green Bean will be ready for my dear and patient readers very soon, and that it will be worth waiting for.
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6 comments:
Best of Luck Katie with your graphic novel - I'm sorry to hear that you've had a difficult time as of late, but I'm also glad that you're feeling better now. I am sorry for your loss, my boyfriend lost his dad in November, it's never an easy time. I look forward to the green bean continuing AND for you graphic novel :) I think it's going to be brilliant <3 x
I'm very sorry to hear of your Grandad's passing, Katie, and that you've had ill health. 2012 seems to be a very tough year so far for a lot of folks.
I'm really looking forward to seeing Lighter Than My Shadow completed though, and can't wait to hold a copy of it in my hands! I need to get me some Green Beans as well, I'll be sure to pop them on my grocery list once I get paid this month. ;P x
I'm glad to hear you are feeling better, Katie, you've had quite a time of it lately.
Take your time and don't rush things, just get into a groove and go with the flow, and if anything gets in the way of the flow, find a way around it! Bless you!
Sorry for you loss Katie, it must have been absolutely awful *hugs*
Sarah
sorry to hear you've been ill. i hope you feel better very soon! it sounds like it was the right choice for you to give up your part time job. also i'm sorry for your loss, it is always hard to lose anyone, no matter how old they are. sending lots of cyber well wishes your way!
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