I believe everyone has a purpose in life. Mine, I feel as though, is to help others — bring awareness, share stories, bring happiness, show compassion, to love and be loved. I feel as though I’m falling short. If I could, I’d up and leave and travel across the entire world lending a hand/heart/ears to those who need it. But I have responsibilities here at home that prevents me from doing so. For awhile I was irritated, feeling as though I’m stuck. But I realized I don’t have to travel miles away to assist others — I can do so much just sitting at home. I’ve donated to organizations but I want do so much more. My dream is to join an organization or two that goes to countries in need of help — to feed, to build homes and schools, to teach, or just to make friends & share stories. THAT’S what I feel is my purpose in life and I can’t wait to be able to do so. In the meantime, I’ll find other ways to lend a hand in improving our world.

I’ve come across some really amazing websites (I’m adding them to my sidebar) and if you have any others, please share! The ways you can help are infinite. I was talking to Chris about sponsoring a child. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years and I’m looking forward to it! World Vision is a great organization I came across & for just $30/month you can help feed & care for a child. You even get their photo and ways to communicate. I’m ecstatic! I’m going to send them tons of photos & drawings. :)

I really want to do more. If you have any ideas, please let me know.

I haven’t been able to do much lately, especially anything art-wise. My sister developed a kidney infection a few nights ago and so I’ve been keeping my niece for the past three days. We had a blast but she tired my ass out. She’s 9mo now and is crawling everywhere which means I’m chasing her around everywhere. :P

I have been a little productive though. I bought 12 of the 15 canvas panels and am now putting frame hangers on the back. I love those things, makes everything so much easier. :D I apparently bought out all the canvases Walmart had and now have to wait to get the last three. I can probably start without them, I hope. I’m so anxious to finish it. In the meantime, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Chris now that he’s on summer vacation. :) We’re about to head out to Kohl’s and Target, my aunt is having a pool party next week and so we need to pick up a few things.

Ah, before I forget — I uploaded three sketches to my artfolio and have plans to add a few others here soon.

A major close-up of the painting I’m doing for my sister. We’re still discussing the looks & feel of it, but I think we got the idea of what she wants. It’s going to consist of 15 10inch canvas panels spaced about an inch apart. Three rows and five columns long. This will certainly be the biggest painting I’ve ever done and I can’t wait to get started. :)

And just for the record.. my new desk owns. It has really motivated me to do more artsy stuff. I’ve had the past two days off and I’ve been on a drawing & painting frenzy. I love it.

The past week has been so hectic. Chris and I spent a whole day going through the attic. We plan to have a yard sale one weekend and so now we have boxes of stuff in the garage waiting for a new owner. I also sold my old computer, desk, and printer for $300 — pretty cheap, but I sold it to my sister so I gave her a nice discount. 300 was plenty — It helped paid for my new desk, which I’m loving. It blows my old desk out of the water. I’m going to buy some desk organizers soon for all my art materials and whatnot. :)

I’ve also been working hard to get my artfolio up and after so many mess-ups and headaches, I think it’s finally done. I have 8 categories and over 15 different works. I have so much more to add but thats for another day.

I’m also thrilled to announce I’m launching my new design studio, May Studios. Back in 2004, I started selling layouts and I had a blast. I had so many clients & enjoyed working with so many cool people. So I decided to start it up again. I have mostly premades at the moment but I’m always willing to make customs. This should be fun.

At the moment, I’m so drained. I’ve been moving boxes, taking apart computers, and not to mention building my new desk. I’m looking forward to next week, Chris has a few days off. Yay! But tonight I’m just going to rest it up and spend the evening with my little niece.

New client, yay! I’m in the process of starting a painting for my sister. It will probably be 44in by 22in once it’s done. All I have now are ideas & I’ll upload sketches later on along with progress photos. I’m really excited and can’t wait to begin.

Chris and I just received our new laptop yesterday! It is so spiffy and blue. :D And it’s so much faster than our computers. I’m running three art programs, aim, and firefox with no lag at all. :D I’m still in the process of transferring files but once I’m done, I have plans to put up my artfolio.

I also uploaded numerous photos to my photo album. Most of which are of my niece. She’s pretty much the only thing I take photos of since I got my Nikon for my birthday. :P She loves it though.

I was out looking for art tables/workstations but they are so expensive. I think I’m going to get one from the thrift store and just sand and stain it. Will be another project but I can’t wait — I desperately need a better workspace.