the liz o show

Whew! Here at Boppity Bear, as you can see, we take on a lot of different projects. That's kind of our "thing." But when you are working a day job and trying to also be an artist/rock star/stand up comedian/enterepreneur/graphic designer, the list goes on.... well, you have a hard time with follow through. So that is something I am determined to get better at in the months to come. FOCUSING on the task directly ahead. And so the other day, instead of giving in to writing down the streams of stand up comedy sketches and ideas I had rampaging through my brain, I made myself work instead on the graphics for Golden Gate 8, the debut album from The Liz O Show. Which is going to be done before you know it! The light at the end of the tunnel is in sight : ) And hopefully something that will provide a little financial fuel to the completion of the album is the completion of this project, a commissioned map of San Francisco for the Adelaide Hostel!

The two projects have run parallel for me, even though one (the album) has been going on about a half a year longer. Both are large scale undertakings and require a whole lot more dedication and stamina than I'm used to. Both, when complete, will be viewed and judged and critiqued by a lot of people. Which scares the you know what out of me. It's really, really different to be doing something with that fear in mind than when you are dabbling around on your own, happy as a clam with assorted art materials or the guitar. I know that I am a good artist and that the things I create are valid and vibrant. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gotten this far. But I also know that this project took me way too long and doesn't, somehow, reach my potential. But that's ok! I'm going to congratulate myself for doing it anyway. I'm going to try not to listen, in my head, to all the responses people might have to it... my feared responses are ones along the lines of "It took all that time to do THAT?" or "Jesus, I could have done that better," or "Gosh, how much money did she get paid to do that?" or "It looks like a five year old's take on San Francisco." Haha. I know that it's really not THAT bad.... but it's also not what I hoped for and envisioned when I started out on the project. I thought I was capable of more. And these may well be the same feelings I come up against when processing the completion of the album.

But neither one is done yet! I still have more I can put into each one. Final reserves of energy. Which is a kind of energy I'm not used to... I'm definitely used to the initial fiery inspiration; manic, impatient outbursts which either create something AWESOME at first swipe, or, if they don't, the energy turns to my other favorite kind: fiery destruction. I obviously can't do that with either the album or the painting. Which is why it has been so weird and challenging, and ultimately, an amazing growing experience. I told everyone in my Kickstarter fundraising video that I wanted to be a dependable, consistent source of creativity. And it's been a rocky ride since then but I think, I know, the bumps and challenges mean that I am growing into that role.

Anyway, if you ended up here, reading this, thank you for taking the time to explore these thoughts and ventures, and I wish you all the best on your own creative journey!

And please comment if you feel so inspired! What are your own biggest challenges at this point in your art or life?