I always mean to check in on the old blog more than I do. I get caught up in day-to-day activities. 

Lately I am amused by the tenacity of a pair of American robins that decided to build their nest in my carport. There are plenty of nooks and crannies for nest-building in there, but this couple decided to build their nest on a narrow ledge that I was sure could not hold a nest for a bird that size. And yet. Nature, uh, finds a way.

I have such a backlog of things I should be posting, but I was thinking I haven’t really talked about what’s going on with me, career-wise, and work is such a big part of my life that I figured I should talk about it.

I’m working on books, of course. Graphic novels, mainly. Creaky Acres is out in the world now and having a great season (buy at your favorite local indie bookstore or on bookshop.org!). 

But I also have a day job. For two years I’ve been a storyboard revisionist on Disney Junior’s Ariel, but my time on the show is coming to an end. Starting in July, I’ll be a free agent. 

I’ve been anticipating this moment for a few years. When I left Los Angeles in 2020, I knew I was severing my connection to animation. I moved to LA in 2011 to dedicate all my efforts into working in an animation studio. I consider myself very lucky that physical distance was not a hindrance to Wild Canary. They embraced me as a remote worker, and I was able to be a part of the Ariel crew from 2700 miles away.

The animation industry is in a tricky spot these days, though. Many people are out of work. Studios are not greenlighting new productions. 

And so, I’ve been thinking about my next moves. I am trying to discover the post-Los Angeles me.

For now, I’d still like a day job while I work on books in my spare time, and that means a career switch. I’ve been thinking about the skills I have and which industries and roles where they would be best applied.

My mother, in her practical wisdom, encouraged me to figure out a “Plan B” before I fully commit myself to the life of a working artist, so I first got a degree in communications and worked for a while as a journalist, then a marketing writer. I also have years of experience in creative software suites. 

I’ve landed on storyboarding, copywriting, and graphic design as my principle skills, which I can use to transition into marketing, creative direction, or user experience (UX). 

Funny story, though: all these things require portfolios.

So, my next course of action is to build a body of work. I’ve started with some graphic design exercises, like the logo concepts above. I’ll probably spend the rest of the year working on portfolios and a website to house them. I’m applying to jobs in the meantime because I will need some sort of income, but I know developing a new body of work will take some time.

It feels strange, building new portfolios. It has been a long, long time since I’ve been in the headspace of being an entry-level candidate. For years I’ve been laser-focused on becoming a storyboard artist for animation. Now it’s time to laser focus on something else.

At the same time, I don’t want to cut myself off from animation completely. I’m still open to drawing and writing in that space, though I do think I need to find a new balance so that potential animation work doesn’t compete with my books. I’ve been feeling pretty burnt out for a long time. I’m always doing so much. In this next phase, I want to scale back. Fewer tasks that get more time and focus, and time to rest, as well.

I’ll be honest, life didn’t turn out quite like I expected. There have been a lot of twists and turns, but I think the uncertainty has also made me nimble. When I can’t be confident in stability, I’m confident in my ability to adapt. 

Well, the rest of the summer is going to be really busy! I will try to post a garden update soon(ish). In the meantime, be good.