Our Beautiful Life Project

 WELCOME TO THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE PROJECT!

Many people have asked me about how to start an autobio comic. Other than just doing it, I didn't really know what to say. It can be a pretty daunting thing to do.

BUT THEN

I was inspired by this sketchbook called MY BEAUTIFUL LIFE - MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN DRAWINGS published by Chronicle Books. It gives you a topic on a each page to draw as a reflection of what your life is today. This inspired me to see what other people choose to depict from topics like the ones in the book from anyone any age, from anywhere in the world. Imagine if the topic is shoes...what would that post be like from someone in their 40's? In their 20's? From a 13yr old? From someone living in China or Norway??

This project is for anyone. Doesn't matter how old you are, where you live, what your skill level is. It's a great way to start an autobiography for artists. You can make it in comic form, choose to draw one image...do whatever you want! I plan on drawing an image and then writing about it.

You could get the book if you want to but I will post a topic on twitter (@emibot) at NOON PST on Monday and Thursdays. Perhaps have your drawing posted before the next topic? This is for myself and also for people who would rather have a schedule. But by all means, you don't have to follow it! If you have the book, draw and post when you like! I want this to be carefree and fun and easy. I don't want anyone to stress about how good anything looks. Just do it! I will plan on having my pages ready for when I announce the topic and post it to the group page.

The group page is on FLICKR here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/beautifullifeproject/
This is where participators will share their drawings! Lets support and inspire each other! I will be moderating the site to keep it clean. Be sure in the title of your post you put in the topic for that page!

Seeing how this goes, I might start a TUMBLR to highlight pages once a week! 

I sorta just threw this together so there might be some kinks. Let me know of any issues. I know this could crash and burn and have no one participating but to me, the point is I tried! You never know what could happen if you don't put yourself out there and try, amirite? Let's see where this experiment will go! If it doesn't go anywhere then it doesn't but, oh, if it does...how awesome would that be?

Hope to see you there!

- Emi

2011 Recap

2011 was a very hard year in the Lenox household. HOWEVER, luckily a lot of it did not have to do with my career so I can't complain about that.

The first EmiTown book did better in sales than I could have ever imagined it would. EmiTown for the most part was well praised which is a huge relief! It has taught me a lot about the industry and even is making me think about what to do next. I want to continue EmiTown but I want to experiment and try something different and I've already been making notes to do so. SO EXCITED.

My guest pages for Madman and Sweet Tooth were also released earlier this year and as far as I know, it was received okay. Not that that really matters, I'm just happy to have had the opportunity to work with the Allreds and Jeff Lemire.

The conventions were awesome. This was my first year having an actual book to sell at my table and I met some pretty awesome people as well.

EmiTown 2 was completed at the end of December and will be released in early 2012. I think that is pretty good accomplishment for 2011. That's about 400 pages of art right there. *pats back*

Had my first art show at a nearby coffeeshop and sold 4 pieces!

Successfully participated in 24hr Comics Day.

I also got a job as a server at a bar. I need to make some papers!

I finally lost my last baby tooth. Yes. It's true.

Despite all the ups and downs we all face in life, I'm still pretty proud and feeling good about where I am today. I learned a lot from the pitfalls and feel I may have leveled up several times in 2011! That's awesome.

So 2012.

- I made it into the Monsters & Dames book for ECCC '12!
- EmiTown 2 should be released early in the year
- I will be starting on a project with novelist Pamela Ribon for Oni Press
- Will be on a Graphic Novel Panel for the Graphics Artist Guild in Seattle January 28.
- Speaking to high school kids about a career in comics in Jan. too!
- ECCC, Stumptown, maybe TCAF, maybe SDCC.

GOALS:

- Maintain my wonderful friendships
- Start a new personal comic project
- Market the shit out of EmiTown 2
- Level up at least 3 times this year
- Be the best Emi I can be
- Become financially stable
- Level up in artistic skill
- Maybe another art show? (of watercolor illustrations)


Alright, Emi. JUMP TO IT. 2012 is gonna be aces. I just know it.

CLEAR EYES, FULL HEARTS, CAN'T LOSE.