Unfortunately, it's taking longer than expected for me to build a new mailbox for #TakeASketchLeaveASketch, but, it is an ongoing, interactive piece, so I decided to keep it going until a new mailbox is built. For those who inquire, I've been mailing a sketch along with blank pieces of paper. After recipients take my sketch, they can leave a sketch for me by sending or tweeting their images back to me. I already had success with one friend who lives in Nebraska. Her whole family (except the youngest baby) actually drew sketches for me. Awesome!

For more details and to view the whole #TakeASketchLeaveASketch project, click here.

I wasn't sure who would be next to take interest in the project, but interestingly, I talked to a nice professional, Rachel, over the phone recently, and she said she had seen my website and wondered what #TakeASketchLeaveASketch was. I told her I'd be happy to send her a sketch as long as she sends one back.

Last night I sketched this gem and enclosed it with 4 blank papers so she can others can send their sketches back to me. We'll see if it works!

From what I'm seeing nowadays, few people make art, and even fewer people make art full-time. There are many people, however, who are unemployed out there today, whether they're an artist or not. All things considered, I feel extremely fortunate that I have figured out how to earn income at a job I care about, serve on a Board I care about, and continue making and exhibiting art.

I've been reading a few articles about artists and their day jobs. Though I believe it is every artist's dream to be a full-time artist, I agree with some views out there that having a job and getting involved in other activities should not always be seen as necessary evils or mere distractions, but as opportunities to grow and have a stable enough life that you can still make art.

While taking a day job may seem like just a survival strategy at first, finding a job you enjoy and doing your best at it can generate many positive results for you as an artist and as a person. Even though you may believe you already know how to think creatively, a day job can teach you new ways of thinking that can help you as an artist, especially when you're young and just starting out. Here is a list of the top 5 lessons I've taken from my day job that have benefited me as an artist:

1. It's easy to be a well-known artist if you're a well-known person. One thing that was not stressed enough throughout my art education was how to build and benefit from relationships. Thank goodness I have learned how to network at my current job. Whether you're meeting artists or non-artists, socializing and networking will no doubt help you as a person be known around the community. Let enough people know what you do, stay in touch, and eventually you will be known not only for the work you do at your job, but also as a creative individual. Revealing to an acquaintance that you are an artist is usually received as a fun, memorable fact, but don't underestimate how special that makes you. Believe it or not, most people don't know too many artists and want to hear more about your art. Share it and embrace it. Before you know it, you will have some new fans, and maybe some interested buyers!

2. Storytelling is important. Ever since I started working at Maryland New Directions, all the nonprofit workshops I went to stressed the importance of storytelling. Stories are memorable. Stories are humanizing. Stories set you apart. After realizing how much impact stories had at my organization, it became clear that I needed to tell my own story more. This Friday I will be sharing about my career journey at the Connections Friday event at my organization. Normally I don't like to talk about myself and do not seek the spotlight in front of a group, but I have figured out that telling your story really does help you, no matter what profession you're in or how shy you normally are. Artists, it is especially important for you to be able to talk about yourself and your work, so don't forget this! Practice this everyday, if not face-to-face with others, then at least on blogs or social media. The way you present yourself is the way people see you, so work on it!

3. Have a web-presence. I hope this goes without saying, but as an artist, you need to show people your work. Most artists would stop at making a website, but, as I've learned from doing marketing for organizations, it is wise and rewarding to get on social media. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest can be particularly beneficial for artists. Blogging can also help you create your own brand and get more hits to your website. It's not rocket science: the more you market, the more attention and opportunities you get!

4. Participate in the community. Thanks to my accomplishments at my day job, I was invited to join the Board of the Baltimore Chapter of the American Marketing Association. It was difficult for me to accept this position, because I knew I would have less time for art and with my husband. But, as I mentioned earlier, it is important both to be well-known and to market yourself, so how could I say no? Artists, consider volunteering at any level in your community to help you learn new things, network and stand out as a multi-talented individual. But, make sure you think it through--do not over-extend yourself and make sure you put forth your best effort.

5. Tell people you're an artist. Now that you have a job, are meeting people, and getting involved with the community, it may be easy to forget you're an artist. Don't. The only way to be an artist is to continue making art and continue telling people you're an artist! Be open about it. If you have a job interview, let the interviewer know you make art and have shows. They shouldn't feel threatened as long as you convey that you really do want the job and that your art won't impact your work schedule. Sometimes employers will wonder how you can be passionate about the job if you are already so passionate about art, especially if the job is not in the arts field. For me, I have lots of passions and interests, so I genuinely do care about the work I'm doing in human services. Also, having a job at an arts organization could make you ineligible for competitions or exhibitions there, so that's another reason to explore jobs in other fields.

To sum up, being an artist is not easy. There may be times when you feel you like you're doing too much (you probably are, but, like I said, it's not easy)! For now, though, especially if you are good at managing your time and have a lot of energy, there's nothing wrong with working hard and building your credibility. That doesn't mean you should stop evaluating and prioritizing about what's important to you, however. You should constantly think about how the decisions you're making are helping you meet your goals. Over time you will acquire a lot of useful knowledge and contacts from your day job while proving to yourself how committed you are to being an artist. Who knows--maybe you will be a full-time artist one day, but you won't unless you're learning from everything you do and setting yourself up for success.

It's Father's Day, and that naturally gets me thinking about my family. My parents and grandparents still live in my hometown of Colorado Springs, so I unfortunately can't be with them today. It's been a a while since I visited, so I've been missing them and Colorado quite strongly these days.

Colorado has been on my mind for other reasons as well. Unfortunately the extreme dry weather has been relentless over the past couple years there, and areas familiar to me have been effected in devastating ways. The Royal Gorge, which I visited as a child, suffered much wildfire damage last week. Areas around the bridge burned steadily, leaving parts of the bridge singed. The fire is being contained at this point, but it hurts to think of such a beautiful and rugged place being so vulnerable.

The Black Forest Fire, which is still currently blazing and is now the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history, hits close to home as well. I used to visit that area with my grandfather who built a few houses there. Almost 500 homes have burned down in since the fire got started. Hard to imagine.

I am thankful that Colorado Springs has been relatively safe so far this summer, though last summer it was hit hard by a horrendous fire that I only saw pictures of. It sounds cliche to say that disasters make you appreciate your beloved people and places more, but it's true.

Through all this, I have noticed art and design certainly can play a role in helping people cope, show support, and reach out during disasters. I have noticed many new graphics pop up across social media to bring attention to the situation in Colorado. While many of them made me smile and feel a sense of solidarity, others made me cringe a little bit. I'll share a some with you:

So there you have it. A little personal reflection on a place I love, along with some artist reflection about graphic design, its use in social media, and how it can be used and interpreted during times of disaster. Thank you to all the firefighters and first responders in Colorado, and stay strong Coloradoans! I love you.

As you probably know by now, my outdoor mailbox for #TakeASketchLeaveASketch has been forcefully converted into a birdhouse (by a bird, of course). But, that doesn't mean the sketching is on hold.

My old high school friend, Bethany, who I've kept in touch with but haven't seen in years, lives far away so has not been able to visit my art in person. After seeing my updates on #TakeASketchLeaveASketch, however, she let me know that she wanted to get in on the action. #TakeASketchLeaveASketch is back on!

I sketched the above image for Bethany this evening and will be mailing it to her tomorrow. It makes me happy that my project has taken this turn. I am also enclosing some extra paper for Bethany so she and her family can sketch something to share with me. I hope they do!

Just so everyone knows, I do plan on rebuilding a more bird-proof mailbox for the Nature Art in the Park exhibition, but until then, there's nothing wrong with letting #TakeASketchLeaveASketch take some natural twists and turns.