Discoveries

I've made a discovery about myself- I can cook. I've learned how to make a meal from scratch and not given myself food poisoning yet (touch wood)!
I've also discovered that I need to up my game with my artwork more than I thought and introduce myself to all of these new and confusing ways of thinking. I have so much to learn and so little time but I'm learning fast!
So, I travelled a lot this week although to places I've already been before; places I've missed very much. Even the air is cleaner in these places! I went to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal where I met tens upon tens of publishers, artists, writers and retailers. Seeing so many people making careers or seconds jobs out of doing when they and I love was completely inspiring and motivating. My boyfriend and I (also co-creator and writer of our new comic) brought our sample prints of '3 Parts Mad' and introduced them to the creative industry.
After the first day attending Scott McClouds talk on the magic of comics we returned early on the second day to meet him and talk to the creative minds in the Clocktower.

Flying South for the winter

 Exactly 17 days ago today I left home to move to the plentiful city of Preston where I will be studying Illustration for the next 3 years. So far it's been an exciting adventure. To think that 17 days ago, almost everyone I'm surrounded by now was a stranger seems surreal!
In the first week of living independently I managed to fall down some stairs after being covered in foam (my bruise has only just disappeared), set foil on fire in the microwave and burn clingfilm in an attempt to cook some vegetables- also in the microwave. But I've also learned how to cook a filling meal from a mix of ingredients, budget, save money, make friends and organise myself, from cleaning the bathroom to getting up in the morning. I didn't realise how many little things I took for granted at home; the washing up being done by 'magic' if I left it on the side and just having my little puppy companion around.
After a visit from my best friend and a couple of days I got over my homesickness and my course began. After earning my diploma last year I felt like I knew all of the art and design that I needed to know and was ready to specialise, but after just two lectures I've learned so many new things.