Talonzi

I have moved back up to Northern California to work with giant gartersnakes! I swear to you they are birds... These first two weeks we have just been building snake traps. And apparently we will be making them until mid-April when we actually "deploy" them! It was fun at first, but now I'm going a bit mad. And dreaming of that first paycheck. It basically comes in a month after the start date so I'm kind of twiddling my thumbs and peeking at my bank account from behind my hand. But after this initial assault on the savings/credit card I should be able to save up again. Yay wildlife field!!!

I'm also spring cleaning the one million things I have accrued in my life. I say I won't buy more books but...there are so many good books out there.

Otherwise I continue to be slow to reply to messages I keep saying I'll get better at it, but then I don't! But rest assured I appreciate the comments and am interested in your lives!

It's only day 17 of the new year. I can still say happy new year. Time is an illusion anyway...

Anyhoot, finished up my condor internship a little over a month ago. I am currently hiding in my parent's house (they don't know I'm here). Ok, I'm kidding they definitely know I'm here. I am currently studying to take an exam so I can substitute teach! Do I really want to substitute teach? No, I'm afraid of kids. But the test is good for life and I figure it's a good thing to have. Besides I might actually enjoy it once I get over the "I don't know what I'm doing" hurdle. (Also I'd stick to 3rd graders and later grade art/science classes maybe?) I have previously taught but it was always for an hour at a time with any given group of kids. We'll see! I'm also applying to wildlife jobs but I am picky and they're picky and according to statistics that reduces the P(hiring).

Now ART This year I want to draw more ACEOs (2.5 in x 3.5 in art)! Mainly because I want to join an exchange group but my last application was rejected for quality. So I need more practice! This means...I am taking requests! So post your references and I'll see what catches my eye! I don't have to personally know you or anything, request away! My main media will be ink, colored pencil, and watercolor pencil so note which you are most interested in. The gradient of options:

I decided to write a journal!

Internship
I love condors and it is rewarding to push my body (5-12 compiled miles of mostly uphill hiking a week while carrying gear pack!). But I have realized that all-out wildlife management may not be for me. Maybe if I was more in charge of operations? I don't know. I'm probably just done with internships. I want to be up the ladder! Experiencing things you are curious about is good though. Now I know I don't want to work in environmental education (an internship I also liked but did not love) or general wildlife management. When I was at my more research-oriented job I thought it might not be for me. In retrospect, I got a lot more fulfillment from it! My main challenge is talking to park visitors. I love people and want to talk to them but, as soon as the interaction starts, my brain shuts down, my throat clenches, and my voice lowers! Aaaah! Fortunately, my supervisors have told me to report my social interaction attempts to them so they can make me more comfortable with it. Other internships have been like "fix this thing!" and then I kinda flounder on my own. At this point I want to hire a person to follow me around everywhere with the express purpose of training social interaction with me. "You made eye contact with that person, but didn't say hi! Do it again with this upcoming person but say hi this time!"

ART!
I'm actually coloring more things this year! But overall I have been struggling with arting. I've started getting overwhelmed by ideas rather than getting excited about drawing them...so I don't do it! It is perfectionism I tell you! Sometimes I question if I even like to art anymore. Which is actually ridiculous because I start feeling negatively when I don't art for a long period of time. Maybe I am just overwhelmed with life: figuring out where I'll be in 3 months and researching graduate schools. Maybe high school and college ruined my artistic drive and instinct. How did middle school me draw SO much!? Who knows! But I guess art has its ups and downs and eventually I will find a balance.

Birds
Remain great and I love them

I am now a 45 minute drive from the nearest town and surrounded by condors (not really). This will be good for me. I will learn to plan my meals for the week, prevent spending on things I don't really need, and be forced to have weekends devoted to me! (Previously I was working 5 days a week and volunteering on Saturdays)

Moved in this week and learning how things run around here. It is weird being an intern again.

Also I forgot my sketchbook at home.

A couple of friends are in need of money and have opened commissions! Allow me to show you their wares.


Ribbs is offering $15 sketch commissions (such as first thumbnail below) because the American economy is great! She has a very unique whimsical style that is supple enough to portray anything from badassery to tranquility. She draws a variety of creatures so there's a pretty good chance that she can draw yours!



Anne is offering $5 traditional sketch commissions in order to replace her tablet or have a substitute (if it can be fixed). She is not advertising on dA, but Click here for info on her Tumblr. Anne is awesome at canines, birds, mythical creatures, and people. You'll find sketch examples on her Tumblr, but here are a few dA samples of more complete works: