Anyhow- I have spent the last few days helping my two oldest sons pack for camp this week, work on the mountain range of dirty laundry that has piled up and also work on stuff for my upcoming trip to Austin.
Tomorrow, I am leaving for Austin to attend the 2009 HOW Design Conference! I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to attend this year. There are so many who aren't able to go this year due to economic issues, mostly, and so I am feeling very lucky to be able to go this year! I worked on a project several months ago with a friend that I met at the HOW Design Conference last year. She had a great idea and asked me to do illustrations for her on the project. And it is because of that project that I was able to fund this trip. Well, 3/4 of it, anyhow! There is a Designer's Market Place this year, which allows designers such as myself, to set up a booth and sell our goods. I didn't get done as much as I had hoped, but I am planning on taking greeting cards and calling cards, at least. Hopefully they'll get some buzz and I'll be able to make so extra fun spending cash while I am there! And it will give me the experience to know what to expect for next time I decide to set up a booth anywhere. I can be better prepared...I hope! I was also asked this year to be a reviewer at the portfolio review at the conference. This is a huge honor and I am so glad that I get to be a part of it and see some amazing work that I know is out there! And it's a great time to network, as well! You just never know where a connection might lead you....could land you an illustration job to pay for the next year's HOW conference!
Oh and of course the crazy fun that goes with it all....Smitcat will not disappoint and has plans for some awesome pubcrawls starting tomorrow night! Granted, I'll be getting in rather late to Austin, but perhaps I'll be up to having some crazy fun once I get to the hotel. Who knows! I am planning on going and getting a henna tattoo while I am there. A designer friend of mine gave me a referral to a henna artist and so that is what I am planning on doing after the Designer's Market Place and right before heading off to Lanai Lounge for Smitcat's Thursday night pubcrawl. I am really excited about this- the gal is so nice and I am thinking that she's probably the kind of gal that I could spend hours upon hours talking to like long-lost friends. And she makes and sells hoolas and so I am actually considering buying one to bring home. Could be interesting! Friday night is the closing party at the conference. The theme of the party is "Keep Austin Weird", which oddly enough IS Austin's slogan, it seems. So I am thinking that hitting up funky vintage shops on SoCo on Wednesday will help me decide on costume ideas. I think it will be a lot of fun! There are like three other things that I really want to do while in Austin: Barton Springs, Alamo Drafthouse and also watch the bats! Gotta see the bats, right?!
So anyhow...I hope to be inspired and come back revived and pumped, ready to go! I am in such big need for a creative retreat! I can't wait!
