# WINS
I finally got to go visit the watershed where I scattered DWs ashes. I had been going every year, but the last two years the smoke and nearby fires prevented me from going before it got too cold. There were perfect fall colors, crisp sunny weather that made for good conditions to push it. I have fast-packed this route before, done a long day hike, and done partial routes. The route is very technical with a lot of climbing. I was exhausted after. Mentally, physically, emotionally. All the feels.
We hosted our first nature journal club. Spent time outside on a Saturday morning forgoing a long run. I need to figure out a different time. Also, harsh midday sun is hard to paint in.
Visited some family and got to hang out with my niece.
My partner and I started doing "Relationship Broccoli". A dedicated time scheduled in advance to discuss different relationship topics in detail.
# IMPROVEMENTS
Set relationship broccoli schedules for the next 6 months.
Finished filling the woodshed. We are ready for winter!
We started our backyard plan by digging out an area for outdoor seating and hanging out. We will eventually fill this with local gravel. We are mixing in the dirt/sod with compost and leaves into our layer cake garden mounds.
# NEW DIRECTIONS
All of my creative interests are converging under a broad umbrella of "science communication". What are the potential skills/interest overlaps that could make a "unique take" on content?
Illustrators - no hard science and/or statistics background, back-country experience, fitness, storytelling, data etc.
Comics- no hard science and/or statistics background, back-country experience, fitness,
Data Visualization - no sequential storytelling or illustration background, potentially no hard science background
Communications (general) - potentially no hard science background, illustration skills, fitness, back-country experience,
Adventurers - potentially no hard science and/or statistics background, no illustration skills, no sequential art skills.
# DRAWING
We did Inktober as a drawing group. Daily prompts that you complete in ink. While it was really fun, I think everyone is burned out doing other people's prompts. We have a new member!
I submitted a proposal for a science/data/illustration anthology that was accepted. I have until Dec 1 to complete it.
I focused on gauche (opaque water color) for a week (yearly goal). I also learned a new sketching technique that was used by the old masters for oil paintings. It works just as well for watercolors. The process gradually builds up ink washes to define the drawing/painting in values only. Then you overlay light watercolor washes on top. The values carry the drawing and make it look 3D while color adds the final visual punch. I have been playing with a made up technique, but was doing the diluted ink washes later in the illustration instead of earlier. The tweeks make the new sketches look even better.
# OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
See stats.
We completed the Cactus to Cloud hike/run in Southern California. A humid 85F at 3 am start at the desert base (146m, 480 ft) up to the top (3291m, 10800ft). It was raining, hailing and windy at the top (~45F). We did not go back down to the desert start because it was 110F. We descended down to the town of Idyllwild on the other side of the divide. I think that we went through 6 different ecosystem types going up and over. It was hard and fun.
Ran along the lake for some sunrise runs. The leaves were popping warm colors. Beautiful!
# WORK
Went to Chicago for a few days for a conference. (did not have time to reach out to the Chicago ERE contingent... next time!). We wrote a draft of a book over 2 days! I was in a 4 person group and we wrote a draft, received feedback, and edited a chapter. During down time I completed a sketchnote of the conference and shared it with everyone with great feedback and criticism. This is what I want to be spending my work time doing...
Speaking of which...I am finishing up the negotiations and paperwork, but the plan is transition into a 0.5 time science communications role for an organization after my current contract is up. I negotiated a raise on my current 0.5 salary and the position will include full benefits. The contract will go until July 2024. The other half of my salary (if I want to do other projects), will be filled with part-time research and/or consulting contracts. The main creative content will be a monthly email newsletter, managing the website content, and posting smaller updates on social media. The best part is that I negotiated to have illustrations, explainer comics, sketchnotes, and data visualizations as part of my "monthly communications" output put into the contract. I can learn how to use all these marketing staples of running an art business with an organization behind it as a backstop while also continuing to build a portfolio. All of my "hobbies" that include illustration, sketchnotes (similar to these monthly updates), blogging and data visualizations combined with my technical expertise are now getting me this new gig.
I submitted the NatGeo Grant. If I got this it would be 0.15 of my work time. I will reapply if I do not get it this round. Hopefully they will provide feedback. Now to focus on the manuscript as my position winds down. Finished the first round of edits.
# SOCIAL
Three of our Wednesday hill climb friends headed to Nepal so we wished them good luck with a final peak run, sunset viewing, and backpack cocktails.
We had folks over for pumpkin carving, veggie chilli, and trick-or-treating.
Date night with my partner for some subalpine star photography (newmoon cycle). She is getting really good.
Edits: Typos