I have to say that when I freak myself out, I need Jamey to help ground me.  After graduation, and the art position I had applied for with Reel fx was dropped from this round of the RFXU semester, I started to feel as if there was no direction for me.  A goal to try to shoot for.  Sure, I have Cauldron Bubbles to focus on, however I had hoped that something would come along.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy working as a visual merchandiser at IKEA.  However, I had always had dreams that I would get to make a career out of something I enjoy and have always loved- drawing.

During my winter break, Jamey took me and our teenage non-related son Sean to Disney World.  I always love going.  I find so much inspiration in not only the park, but watching the people who also come.  I really kicked myself for not buying a mini sketch pad during those times when we waited in line or sat down for snacks or meals.  I could of come back with some awesome character sketches.  But I did come back with this fresh inspiration, along with a head cold.  Before we left for this trip, Jamey told me that I needed to let go of all those worries I had and try to have fun.  I did.

When we got back, I was asked to be an Assistant Professor at UTD.  Since I taught classes as a TA, I figured that it wouldn’t really be any different.  So having this will help me financially.  Now as this year starts, I promised myself a few things.  One, that I will try to take better care of myself and start working out again.  I have put on a few pounds this year.  Also, to take time with my drawing and art.  I still have the Spellbook that I wanted to have published, so this is another outlet to keep me busy.  The last one was to try to spend more time with Jamey, Sean, and hopefully my family more.

For those who are following me through this journey, thank you.

UTD, this has been a wonderful adventure. . . Granted, it feels like its just begun.  I remembered walking into Chip’s office four years ago wanting to start ATEC as an undergrad.  He convinced me that I needed to be there as a grad student since I already had two degrees.  But the one thing that he said that I will openly admit that he was right about was when he told me that through my studies, I will find more beyond video games.  I had originally planned on just studying game design, but fell in love equally to 3D Animation and Concept Development.  3D allowed me an avenue for artistic expression never imagined.  Concept Development reminded me of how much I missed making art.  Still, I believe this would only make me a stronger artist even if I pursued games or animation.

When I had graduated from UNT with my undergraduate degrees, I lost who I was as an artist.  My purpose was unclear.  Why would I continue making art if I had no purpose.  Yet I found it at ATEC.  Who would of imagined four years later I would discover this whole exciting world waiting for me.  Not only am I illustrating my very first book with my partner of 12 years, but also I’ll have a completed animated short which I developed on my own and had a team of great people involved to help it become reality.

So for those of my friends that are graduating with me today from ATEC, I wish you all the best of luck.  Some of you I will still continue to see and work with through the completion of “Cauldron Bubbles”.  I hope to someday get to work with these talented people in the future.  Who knows when our paths may cross again.

With this new year approaching, I’m looking forward to further development, discoveries, and accomplishments.  Here’s to a productive and wondrous 2011, and welcome the new excitement of 2012.

As many of you know, especially my family and friends that I hardly see anymore, that I’m in the middle of my Graduate Final Project.  I’m going to be updating my progress on my 3D Animation blog.

Last semester and the Summer session was spent on getting models completed, texturing, and getting shots ready for animation for the Fall.  As part of my project, I meet with Dr. Linehan the Chairman of the Arts and Technology Program at the University of Texas at Dallas.  With these meetings we discuss progress for not only myself, but also the members of my team.  This will prove to be a huge project, and I’m thankful for my team members, because without them and their unique talents they bring, I would not be where I am today.

Now back to work!