OK, so I've quit my worthless bartending job and since summer's gone, I'm having trouble finding a new employer. Somebody up in the money world is still winding up the whole "crisis" humbug and companies don't want to hire anyone, unless they work for free. And surprisingly, I'm being sexually discriminated by the people I turn to for employment. "Sorry, we don't hire men. Women only." Jesus, I thought we were living in the 21 century, that nowadays skills are valued more than appearances! Yeah, right.

So, my future is now up to you. Yes, you. I'm opening up for commissions. First come, first served. And believe me, I have the time on my hands to work on whatever project comes to your head, as long as I get paid.

What's the offer, you say? OK, let's get professional.

I do:
portraits - both real people and fictional characters
illustrations and cover art
designs - posters, CD covers, promotional art
comics and graphic novels (pencils, digital inking)
and a lot more. Say what you want, I'll say if I can provide.

I use:
pencils, watercolors, acrylics; not afraid to mix with other media
Photoshop, CorelDRAW; also willing to experiment

I charge:
Pencil drawings - starting at 10$ (A4 format, full body or waist-up, fully shaded, no solid background)
Digitally colorized pencils - starting at 15$ (as above)
Watercolor/acrylic paintings - starting at 20$ (simple landscape or portrait)
other projects are priced individually
Above prices do not include shipping.

So, I'm waiting. A great many thanks to those who decide to help me out.

We've had a fire at the pub a few nights ago. It's closed now for repairs, but should hopefully reopen in two weeks... Until then, I'll be supervising the repair crew and probably give concerts on weekends.

Not that my second concert was any good. Playing unplugged open-air concerts just doesn't work. If only I had some equipment...

Other than that, I spent some time with acrylics today; the result will be in my gallery shortly. Somehow, I just can't bring myself to use solid colors - instead I water down the acrylics and use them like regular watercolors. Just another barrier in my head I will just have to overcome...

It's quite common that inspiration hits me when I'm not able to do anything with it - be it behind the wheel, in the shower or at work. Well, today I had the first type of situation. I was returning home after driving ~kerozyna to work, and I suddenly heard music in my head, along with some words I could barely make out. Normally, such things go away before I reach home and manage to put them down on paper - and I get very disappointed about it. But today, I just started humming the tune and putting the words together, and it worked. It must've looked weird from the outside, since I kept singing the song all the way from the car and up the stairs to the sixth floor

But I've written it all down, even played a rough draft of it... and I'm pleased. I have a lot of lyrics laying around, but this is the first time that I have gotten this far. If only I had more days like today...

But no, tomorrow I have to rush to work again :/ If I'm lucky, I just may have one day off sometime next week...

Ouch. I've just returned home after putting my fingers through a rather painful experience. The musician who was supposed to perform today received a better offer at another bar, so the manager asked me if I could give a performance of my own. I wasn't really prepared, but I agreed.

I can't say it was a huge success, but the manager said she would like me to play again soon. I got paid better today - much more than I'd earn had I stayed behind the bar - and generally I'm satisfied, despite some problems with a few drunk customers :/

Still, I wish I could find a band to sing with; my vocal is infinitely better than whatever guitar skills people think I have.

...is still out of my reach. I'm so tired that I spend most of my free days either sleeping, or brainlessly tapping on the keyboard. Anything to distance myself from reality. I wish I could take a week off and go on a vacation... Instead I'm stuck here trying to make enough money for our daily needs.

At least the other bartender is gone, and his pregnant girlfriend (also working part-time at the same bar) will probably leave soon as well. That will leave me as the only bartender and perhaps I will be able to make some more significant changes. For now, I've managed to set a new menu for the drinks and cocktails, and I'm still fighting over an espresso machine.



Aside from that, I've finally managed to draw a few pictures - expect some uploads in the nearest future. My head is full of ideas and I should be able to put at least some of them down on paper. That is, unless real life interferes again...