This is a weird time for me. I've spent the last 14 months working on a project with a some interesting fellows who contracted me to do art for them. The money was never the issue, but it was nice having a little extra scratch from time to time. But again, this was never why I signed on.

When I was approached about doing this project (Which is covered by an NDA so I am unable to share details), it was something right up my alley. The kind of thing I'd probably be doing even if it wasn't a "job". But what I was really hoping for is experience. And to have done a big project and seen it through to the end. It feels good to have the project finished. It feels good that the people who brought me in were so enthusiastic about the work I did for them. It just feels good period.

But then, there is the other side of the coin. Being on project for 14 months, I've become accustomed to having specific things I needed to do. And all the art time my old achey hands were capable of was reserved for doing this work for these people. A few exceptions along the way happened, but for the most part everything I've done for over a year was planned out. This leaves me in a weird place now that it's done. Open and free but directionless and finding it difficult to get motivated to do things I'd previously thought about making.

It's exhillarating but scary. I've been keeping a small list of project ideas that I'd come up with along the way. Things I couldn't afford to sink time into because of the project, but that I might want to do once it was over. The range on this list is quite broad. From a couple of comic strip ideas I had to a graphic novel I've been pondering making for a few years (but likely never will). Then there's the part of me that thinks maybe I should start taking comissions to keep some extra money coming in.

I know there are some people who'd like me to go back to making Halo stuff, and I've actually started a new Master Chief drawing with the H4 armor which has been kinda fun. But I don't feel like my heart is pulling me in that direction right now. Once Halo 4 is a more solid entity that may change of course. But I don't think revisiting AHCS is something I'll be doing anytime soon. Sorry to those who were hoping for that. Also please don't misunderstand. I'll always be a huge Halo fan no matter what. I'm just not sure if that's the proper avenue for my creative endeavors anymore. As much as I enjoy it, none of it will ever be mine in any way. Even if I made the best Halo art ever and BS Angle posts it on the front page of Waypoint, it's still just fanart of a character I admire but have no agency over. In other words I'm more interested in driving the car right now instead of going along for the ride.

I've started reading comics again which is always inspiring to me. I love the stuff that's going on in Amazing Spiderman right now. The "Ends of the Earth" arc is pretty good. I've also taken up a couple of Batman books as well, though I've yet to have any of them gel with me. I enjoy them and the art is inspiring and fantastic, but regarding the story I feel like I'm on the outside looking the wrong way. What the hell is a "Court of Owls" anyway? (And no, I don't really need you to answer that, but you get my meaning).

Not sure why I wanted to share all this. I highly doubt anyone cares, but I guess that's just the kind of place I'm in right now. I guess we all deserve a little shameless self-indulgence from time to time... right? Right???