Thursday, August 27, 2009

Goodbye for now

Towards the end of 2008, I found myself in a "gap". I had just left my research position in Singapore and was waiting for my doctorate program to begin. Yet, I didn't have enough time to actually take on a full-time job.

Given that pursuing a PhD has often been likened to entering a convent (and inflicting head damage on yourself), I decided to take a former professor's advice and use my time to do something I've always wanted to do: be a freelance illustrator. As a kid, I've always loved to draw but never felt that I was good enough to make it a career. So, thanks to the internet, encouraging clients, a supportive family, and an extremely loving husband, I was able to draw, draw and draw. And yes, I loved it.

Of course, a number of well-meaning friends have told me to do more "useful" things but I have no regrets about how I spent the last few months of my life. Because as I look ahead at the next five years of academic research, I am glad that I took the time to focus on something other than my work.

Blank Slate, 2009
I can vouch for each one of these methods.
Working on the kitchen table can do wonders for your creativity (...and your waistline, unfortunately).


Unfortunately, as school officially begins, I have to take a break from blogging for a while. But do check back for news! I have a children's book in the works and a few other projects that will be ongoing till the end of the year. In the meantime, I thought that this cartoon for What's Up seemed like an appropriate way to say goodbye...for now :)

6 comments:

  1. hope you can still squeeze in drawing even during phd work!!
    good luck!!!

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  2. You were born to draw!
    Your stuff is so fabulous and you are so talented.
    I can't wait to see some of your other projects.
    Good luck with the phd.

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  3. Good luck with getting your PHD! And I've always loved your drawings - and at least your grammar is improving! (No more - are you seducting me?!)

    I'm glad you were able to do what you really love to do, even if for a while. Not a lot of people can say that :)

    -Ther

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  4. dont say goodbye show us the results, post the books. good luck.

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  5. Wow, I miss your drawin in SingTeach!!!!! Reading your blogs remind me of SingTeach in the old good time :) all the best in your PhD and don't forget to have fun as well :)

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  6. Love how you come up with all this! Great work. And you DON't seem like you yourself are in a situation like this often:)

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