but really...

Greetings Allies,

it occurred to me yesterday, after a completely unexpected event (getting fired from my waitressing job at an all organic all vegan restaurant, which i loved) that something in my life needed to change. after i got off the phone with my manager, who said they were letting me go because, "my heart wasn't in it," i was in total shock. how could they FIRE me? and for THAT particular reason???? i was stoked to be there. i was making good cash flow and my work supported a business that was ecologically mindful. i thought it was exactly what i needed to fulfill my financial obligations while continuing my education as an artist. yes, i've been taking community college art classes here in mendocino to learn new techniques and maintain my focus, and it's been fantastic. i'm with the ocean and the redwoods, and i'm in love. and then, BAM! i get fIREd. job goes poof. my financial reality has done a 180, and i'm broke after i pay rent and bills in less than a week.

so, what the hell is the universe trying to tell me with this? i kept asking over and over all of yesterday.

mama has her ways. she's tricky sometimes.

after much consideration, i think i figured it out. i didn't fit this establishment's mold for an employee. all but one person there actually enjoyed their job (or at least, never expressed their dissatisfaction with it). a lot of "social" time in the kitchen was spent complaining about customers and/or the work we had to do. i guess i forgot that so many people work a job they dislike, and actually find satisfaction in talking about how awful it is, even though in reality (or at least in mine), the job is actually ok. i LIKE serving people. i like doing my job well, and putting smiles on people's faces when they get their meal, sprinkled with love, from my hands. somehow, that made me a suspicious character...

so anyways, i'm out looking for another job. it's still really rainy here, and most places aren't hiring cuz it's not time yet. there is a chocolate haus here who needs someone to work weekends, and i'm hoping they'll hire me. they've been making their own treats here for as long as i can remember, and i think it'd be fun to serve dessert all day. :)

meanwhile, i've been thinking of more ways to create more financial prosperity, and that's where YOU come in. i've got lots of ideas, and i'm casting the lines to see who bites.

if you've made it this far in the post, here's where the real JUICY part begins:

JUICY PART #1 >> a call for sponsorship. yes. if anyone here has the resources, or knows of anyone who has the resources to sponsor me. i've considered many different options here, and i am open to suggestions. one idea is that i work out a contract with any and all sponsors who donate ($25, $50, $100....whatever the amount, really) MONTHLY to my budding career as an aspiring, FULL-TIME,
visionary artist (and weekend chocolatier). depending on amount allocated, i can send donors signed prints of work completed every month, with option of a signed original at end of term (6 months to 1 year). other arrangements could be negotiated, and it really depends on what feels like a healthy exchange.

JUICY PART #2 >> would anyone like to commission me to do a project? this realm is wide with opportunity. i can design the tattoo that you or someone you know has always wanted, perhaps. or, maybe you have a drum head that you'd like me to draw a henna design onto. need cd cover art for your next music project? i can also braid in extensions for any of the ladies (or guys) who are searching for a new look. i'm also extremely gifted at drawing portraits (if you inquire about portraits, i can send you jpegs of previous work). i can also paint a mural in your home (on doors, walls, cabinets, tables...the possibilities abound). do you or anyone you know have a book that you need an illustrator for? get in touch with me.

JUICY PART #3 >> and, of course, there is always the option of purchasing a print of any of the works i have completed, most of which are displayed on my tribe page. i've got a range of sizes available, and they can be mailed anywhere with shipping fees added to print cost.

so there's the juice. freshly squeezed.

on a personal note, i'm most interested in finding sponsorship at this time. this is the first time i am actively seeking this out, and i would like to see what transpires as a result of this listing. i've been sponsored once before, based on the agreement that all funds went directly
to art production, and it's worked out nicely so far. if you know, as you are reading this, that this is not a way that you can personally contribute, but you have links to people/organizations who might, i'd love to hear about it!

that's all i've got for now. any other suggestions/offerings would be greatly appreciated.

~*~
ishka LA
~*~