Education vs. Job

So, I had some interesting things come up this week.

Not sure if I mentioned it (I probably did, but I'm a bit under-rested right now so a little brain dead), but I currently work part-time at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. Obviously I would prefer a "real" job, but JoAnns has always made me happy. They hired me right after I graduated from high school and I worked there for a year before attending DigiPen. So when I was desperately in need of money this summer, I happened to stop by a JoAnns that needed someone pronto to help stock in the early mornings. I was a prime candidate because I had prior experience, so it was almost an immediate hire. Honestly... I got lucky.

Anyway, I received some unexpected news yesterday. I was in the stock room, minding my own business (aka wrestling with the boxes and the very small space we have to work with), and my main manager comes back and explains to me how, if our store surpasses a certain amount of revenue this year, they have the option of hiring an RTL - "Receiving Team Leader". I didn't realize that the manager I work with to unload the shipments every Monday morning is actually filling two positions since a former employee left. So anyway, she asked me if I'd be interested in filling that position starting in the Spring-- which is more or less what I do now, just with full-time hours and more paper work.

Honestly, I didn't expect it. I feel like I fumble and fall over myself at work on a regular basis, but I guess I must be doing a decent job in reality. I told her I was interested in the position. I mean, increased pay AND full-time hours? It probably means benefits, too. I don't even know what those taste like!

The longer I've let it sink in the more I've started to feel apprehensive. I really should focus on my portfolio so I can get a job that pays much better, is what I want to do, won't sap my life energy and won't require me to be bad-mouthed by rude customers. (It's probably just the holidays, but work hasn't been nearly as fun lately.)

On that note, I had a one-on-one consultation at the Gnomon School today to discuss my options if wanted to take some courses. I cannot describe how relieved I am at the councelor's response to my artwork. I think his wording was more or less, "You're pretty good!" He basically let me know that my art foundation is really strong -- I just need a little more 3D knowledge to "fill the gaps". He recommended a few courses which, unfortunately, will be too much for me to pay for out of pocket alone.

As unappealing as taking out more loans is... I really feel it's the quickest way to guarantee my success. Gnomon has a lot of close industry connections, so not only would I get a priceless education and access to professional assistance, but I'd also hear about any positions available at nearby companies. I think that's worth going a little more into debt -- just a bit. I'd rather work really hard for one year and spend a little more money than flounder and struggle with my motivation for the next five years. I have a life to live!

Anyway, it's probably about time to start packing and head to bed. Right after work tomorrow Tom, his sister, and I are driving up to Oregon for Thanksgiving. It'll be a great vacation -- I've really been craving seeing some snow! L.A. is beautiful, but it doesn't have everything.

Happy Thanksgiving!

WIP Crab - Texture Pass

Been fixing up this model like I mentioned in the last post. Here's some progress I made yesterday -- I have the self-illumination turned (meaning light won't affect the surface) all the way up right now so I can paint in shadows.



He's actually too green right now -- in the original concept I realize he's bluer. I'll fix be sure to fix that!

Update on life...

A.K.A. "Where did Lynda go?"

Well, within the last several months, not too much has changed -- at least in terms of career. I did have two interviews -- one at Treyarch in Los Angeles for an internship (which fell through), and one at Junction Point Studios (Disney Interactive) in Texas (which I didn't get). I have learned a lot merely from those experiences so at least that's worth something...

Otherwise, I've been really trying to stay on top of my motivation. Before I moved back to Los Angeles during the summertime I took an ArenaNet-run ZBrush class. This was all I needed! I never learned this adequate piece of software which is SUICIDE in this industry. I can't believe I tried to get by without it! I merely need to expand my portfolio work using that. Also, next week I have an appointment set up with the Gnomon School to see what would work best for me... I feel like there are some theories and art concepts I'm missing that I need to continue learning, so hopefully come January I'll be enrolled in some individual classes there. I'm thinking of taking some digital painting and more ZBrush classes.

Non-career-wise, I've sort of realized that only people I know and family really read this blog, so... I've decided to expand it and include updates on my actual life -- you know, those things that happen around you while you're fretting about art and employment. Yup.

So, for now, I'm working a part-time job at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts to pay my bills, and to not feel completely useless! It helps -- though it usually leaves me extremely tired as I have to wake up on a regular basis anywhere from 3-4 AM. Augh!

So, you want proof I'm still doing some art? Fine, I'll give you proof!


Luckily, playing D&D is actually good for me -- it makes me want to draw! This is my character Kel'landra, a Rogue/Wizard multiclass, soon to be taking the prestige class Arcane Trickster. The cat familiar is named Caran'dae, and I made him an Abyssianian because they are the most charming cats in the world.


Here's some low-poly 3D assets I made for Exato Game Studios while I was there for their game "Progenitor". Wondering when it will be released? So am I. Guess we'll have to wait and see!


Tom Murray (for people not in the know, my boyfriend/college classmate) and I got a job to make a presentation video for the next volume of "Writers of the Future" earlier this year, and I modeled and animated a Sci-Fi worthy book based on Tom's concept. It's not the best piece of work I have ever done in my life, but it's really my first experience doing hard-surface modeling, and it was a lot of fun! I may include a bit of the animation in my next demo reel.


I actually created this for a shot at an Arena Net internship (which I didn't get... darn) but I'm actually touching it up because I think I can do better. The main reason I'm posting it in this incarnation is because this is my first actually SUCCESSFUL sculpting and baking experience to date. FuturePoly was truly a life-saver!

I think that's a pretty good sum-up of the last several months of my life. If anything else happens I'll let you know!