Floating weightless..........

I'm sitting here tonight, my first night alone in the new place, having a few drinks. I'm listening to music and building inspiration. A lot has happened since my last post. I had a great comic show this year, did another FCBD at happy Harbor, I got a new job at an old place of work, and I moved in with Leeann. I lost my Grandma, gained a step son. I started a new pursuit in the form of Reflexology, and I'm working with my friend Steve on a new comic book. And I'm getting into better shape, both mentally and physically.

Tonight is a nice release for me. I've been very busy lately and have needed this. I miss Leeann tonight but i know she's having a good time in Red Deer. And I'm connecting with myself and my life again. My mind is flooded with images, sensations, emotions. I'll feed on these tomorrow as creative empowerment when Steve and I have our first meeting to discuss the new book. What he's come up with so far is good. Really good. I'm going to draw the living hell out of it and love every minute doing so.

I'm also incredibly stoked to be going to finally see Alexisonfire in August as part of the Van's Warp Tour. I bought tickets yesterday and can't wait!! I'm listening to their new single as I type this and it's sick. Go out and find "Young Cardinals" if you haven't heard it yet, it's well worth it.

I'm going to float away now, mission accomplished for the time being. Take care all............

A new year, a new (out) look......

Welcome to the still being improved blog of Richard V. Barkman!! As it's now 2009 and it's been far too long since I've posted on here (again), I figured a change in the scenery would be good! So what have I been up to you ask? Well, not what most people who know me would expect. I haven't really done much drawing lately, as my focus for it just hasn't been there. Instead I've been traveling a bit, going to the Dominican Republic just before Christmas for a nice all inclusive vacation. It was beautiful there, and the down time was definitely needed.




While I was down there, I took a lot of time to evaluate my life and come up with a focus for the next few years. I'm tired of being in the rut I'm in, as it's stifled my creativity in a huge way. I'm not overly happy with my day job (I work in the decal industry doing everything from bus wraps to window displays) as it has no future unfortunately. So I have decided to do something to give myself a future. This fall, I am looking into going back to school. My pursuit? I want to be an Acupuncturist! Now why such a change or a departure from the norm you may ask? Well, a few years ago I injured my shoulder really bad (doing decals) and was on the brink of needing surgery. Instead, I got to rehab my shoulder, and part of that rehab was the use of Acupuncture. And it worked amazingly!! I've seen the results first hand, and have been intrigued about it ever since.

I also believe that "alternative medicine", as Acupuncture seems to be labeled as here, has a huge future. And I want to be a part of it! I want a job I'm happy with, one that gets me excited to get out of bed everyday and go to work. And I want to learn as much as possible right now! So I'm looking forward to pursuing this further. And as soon as I have everything sorted out, I'll post it here!!

Now, as for my artwork and my pursuit of greatness in the field of comics, I'm still plugging away at it. But not like I have been in the past. Comics are a passion of mine, but I really can't see myself turning them into a career. I enjoy drawing as a hobby, but have found over the past few years that whenever that hobby becomes a job that I don't enjoy it like I should. So I will continue to draw and create when the time allows it, and when I get things drawn that I'm stoked about I will also post those here! So welcome to 2009 everyone, and for myself, I'm looking forward to a fresh start for my new future!!

Take care all.