After about 45 weeks of almost flawless fitment, my Invisalign trays started to get out of whack at the end of last month, specifically the top sets. Usually they go in with a nice satisfying click as they fit around the little nubs glued to your teeth (the trays need something to grab onto), but mine weren’t clicking. The tray was hanging down more and more to the point where I couldn’t wear them during the day because they gave me a horrible slobbering lisp. I checked in with the orthodontist, they rescanned my upper and lower palate, and I picked up two new boxes of trays the other day. When I put the top set in I got the click and they fit perfectly. I put the newest set in Tuesday night and I can tell they’re now working on moving my premolars outward to continue making room for the front teeth—which are almost straight—because the premolars are sore as shit. I’ve got about 30 weeks left in the series, which will put me somewhere around the end of the year for a straighter smile.
The last three weeks, among other things, I’ve been working on new illustrations, to develop a portfolio in time for spring. I’ve finished my seventh piece this evening, and I’m really getting excited.
Getting momentum going is difficult. I had plans to choose certain editorial articles and stretch my brain muscles to develop ideas, but after several starts and stops, I put that on hold. Instead, I decided the best thing to do was to get my skills sharpened again and focus on the art first, and re-learn my own visual language. I think it’s the best thing I could have done, because I’m not using the ideas as a roadblock—I have a theme, and the material is plentiful. There’s a certain rhythm to working steadily and a love for the physical act of making art that I’ve been missing for a long time.
I’m going to do about three more pieces, and then weigh out how to display the portfolio online. I’m leaning towards another, separate portfolio site with a highly modified install of Movable Type and an illustration-related weblog. I’m also finally going to buy a black and white copier—the tool I’ve needed for years—so that I don’t have to make nightly Kinko’s runs anymore.
It’s a start. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Well I hope to hell this plan of yours incorporates posting house pics more frequently. I was just bitching to Jen that I miss seeing them!