And I’m finally back.  I hope many of you who haven’t given up on our comic strip updates will head over to Coming Distractions for a chuckle (if you haven’t already).  Those things are supposed to be done once a week, but I’ve been shirking that responsibility lately.  Why would I do such a thing?

Well, the reason is purely selfish.  Back in September, I discovered a book called The Artist’s and Graphic Designer’s Market (also a website here).  This 576-page tome is the single greatest resource I have found for fledgling freelancers frolicking in fabulous fanfare.  Sorry, got carried away with the alliteration.  A series of articles practically gives a step-by-step guide for approaching potential clients, and a list of magazines, galleries, and book publishers provides all the information to help you decide who to approach.

So I’ve spent the last month creating new artworks, polishing my portfolio, and making promotional materials to send out to publishers.  It’ll be a freelance launch of sorts.  Most of the new stuff I’ve made has been Christmas-themed since that’s the next major holiday that magazines are working on now.  Yes, I know Thanksgiving is yet to come, but most publishers work a month ahead of things.  To complete these new art pieces, I have fully-immersed myself in the Christmas season for inspiration.  That meant music, movies, peppermint candy, and peppermint mochas when I could afford them.  Becky’s starting to get angry with me for idly humming “Jingle Bells.”

Some of you might think I’ll be burned out and unable to enjoy myself by the time Christmas actually arrives.  I tell you now that is not possible.  Christmas and I are like peanut butter and chocolate, chips and chili, Spielberg and Williams; we will never tire of each other.  Steve Martin once said that if he were in charge, December would just be a 31-day-long orgasm.  I couldn’t agree more.  It almost is with the rampant consumerism nowadays, but that’s not what I’m talking about.  Seeing Christmas decorations of sale two weeks before Halloween doesn’t even scuff my holiday spirit.  It just makes me loathe commercialism.

No, when the Christmas season is truly upon us, I will be as jubilant as ever, chugging eggnog, gobbling down fudge, and preaching the good word of a pure and light-hearted holiday to the disillusioned masses.   This is because  I have discovered in my increasing age that I am an eternal child at heart, and am incapable of giving up on my favorite season.  In fact, I’m working on a way to scientifically prove the existence of Santa Claus.

Until that time, you can find me in a home festively decorated in autumn colors, prepping for glorious Thanksgiving revelry.  Each holiday deserves its due afterall.

Oh, and new art can be found on my portfolio page here, for those who are curious.