A Load Of Considerations

Hello again. As we're heading into the middle of the year, this I feel will be worth sharing since earlier this year.

So earlier, I took up a challenge to create a 3-dimensional object using paper and/or even cardboard through the SECAN arts hub. And this has been an intriguing part to open up another medium of art and even more avenues.

And with the 2 years since I've taken up art again, my momentum has steadily been growing with the total of 5 art exhibitions participated and counting, having my Instagram account to showcase my artistic talents and considering how Australia isn't that cultural, it has helped me build up my purpose in life among other things.

But still, not everything is straight forward. Although I'll continue with my art, hurdles and barriers can get in my way such as employment, building up a bigger social life and perhaps, some indication of potential home ownership. And to make things hard, not knowing where to go is the problem and at some point, I need to have directions.

For sure, I'll be continuing on with my art. Although it wouldn't be as such a viable career, it'll be a good way to be part of the community. Following the ceratopian head sculptures, I've learnt first-hand the whole process of design developments using cardboard boxes to cut up pieces and making sure they fit and then create templates to trace on cardboard sheets to be cut and assembled. When assembled, this could open up an opportunity to sell batches.

It's a good move that I became a SECAN member since last year because not only other members can exhibit their art, they can even sell them. And considering how hard art is to sell, only a small handful get sold in each exhibition but there's also their own gift shop. There is something fascinating that could potentially help since this month's meeting.

With the budgeting discussed in the meeting, SECAN's finances are over their budget and therefore, they have extra money but how can they spend that amount? At least 2 of the SECAN members suggested they should have a coffee van to attract more visitors and even an ice cream van for summers. The idea of a coffee van came up with one is running full swing in Akoonah Park attracting visitors including those who enjoy some jogging and walking their dogs.

Earlier, I have my batch of posters I've left in the gift shop.

With those, I'm also looking at an avenue of offloading my other artworks and that's when SECAN comes in handy. Even when I want to start my own exhibition, any artworks I can sell will be added with the asking price when the new catalogues get published for every exhibition opened. There are times I need to get rid of certain things including some of my art in order maintain space. I was hesitant until more people became fascinated with my art and some keen to buy one of them. And here's the link to the previous post about selling the posters if you're wanting to find out.

Time To Sell Posters

Going forward, I've been thinking beyond my current art portfolio I'm currently working on. Earlier as I've started doing a series of paintings 2 years ago, I have decided to go ahead to work my way up to have my own grand art exhibition with 18 in total. There's another post which I'll provide about this.

My Art Exhibition Prospect

I'm still going ahead with my portfolio but like other things, they've been on hold. However,

I've bought myself this little canvas board since last year but hadn't decided on what to do until eventually, I've made the decision to do my own Fatman Scoop tribute painting following his death. This was a good opportunity to brush up my oil painting skills again despite oil paints taking a long time to dry.

Next matter will be employment. I've been a Repco employee for 4 years but I have also worked at other jobs earlier. Although I've been a worthy employee, my job hadn't been too smooth sailing within the company. When stores don't make enough profits, they had to reduce staffing, me included and then I had hard times having to work twice a week and even though I've done some Uber Eats delivery driving, it wasn't without issues. 

What hadn't helped last year was the high interest rates which unfortunately affected everyone. People having to live in sharehouses as they can't afford to live on their own. Groceries expensive and so fourth and no matter how hard I tried, even with a few job interviews, I couldn't go further so that's why I had to move back to my parents. I was only back to sort myself out.

Of the months I've been at my parents' house, I've been able to sort myself out although at times, hard. As I was gravely concerned with minimal hours I was rostered on to the point I might give up along with my new life, a saving grace came up when the Pakenham Repco store called me in March asking me to fill in, I've been fortunate to say yes. And it's been a great lift for myself.

The biggest trouble currently with my job is only to recede new stock items exclusively at the Doveton store but when I've been filling in at the Pakenham store, I've done more duties and although a big process of re-learning gave me a decent confidence boost to tackle other jobs elsewhere. And perhaps, attempt to open up more choices and industries. This I feel is a tool for growth which unfortunately don't greatly experience working at Repco but then, it's a retail company being a more casual oriented workforce. I've been willing to open up to more industries.

There are other jobs I can be suited for hopeful growth and better togetherness. I have a long load of automotive work experience but other skills I've accumulated can lead me to other jobs such as some IT work, even some delivery driving but it can get overwhelming and again, I'll need directions.

I've been making good use of skills and jobs centres even when I can no longer or not wanting to go back to employment agencies no matter how much I've tried.

Some other considerations including being favourable to the idea of a circular economy keeping our commodities in our country and saving us from further global economic uncertainties. And I know too well how hard it was to find work.

And finally if I am to continue on with my art, I'm willing to open up to a 4 day a week job and/or a work-from-home job. Will I need to upskill? I don't entirely know. One thing for certain is if I can obtain any kind of guidance, I'll go somewhere.

Another matter to move to will be social opportunities.

Aside from SECAN along with a few artists, some work colleagues past and present, I've been continuing with meetings through the Aspergers Victoria adults and young adults groups. To make matters a little more difficult, being far away at the moment from those people is harder but I've been able to establish relationships before I first moved into Pakenham to start my new life.

I'm also a member of the Unique Rides car group as I've been keen to start my new hobby working on cars which I have done. As much as I've been building up my social confidence and admiring the fantastic cars they own, I've been in a road block as I've been living in a sharehouse then back to my parents.

But I haven't forgotten my intention to work on cars again. It's just more a right opportunity to do so. My ideal place will be to have a house with a 2 car garage - one for my Ford Puma and another for a cheap car to fix up and sell. And build up from there.

Other than that, the Unique Rides car group provides 5 chats in the Messenger app - the first 3 are the general, buy, swap and sell and the events, meets and cruises chats. The recent 2 added include give and get support and mental health and motivation chats which is handy to keep in touch with other members.

But what about an exotic car?

This might be strange showing this Toyota Crown Athlete but there's an Australian built car that could potentially lurk these kinds of those luxury sporty sedans from Japan and Germany.

This is a Ford Falcon. The BA series in the time when Australian built cars including Commodores were becoming more world class cars.

We shall not overlook its Barra engine lifting it's game from the other big sixes like the Holden Commodores, Mitsubishi Magnas and 380s and the V6 Toyota Camrys and Aurions. Ford even introduced turbo Barra engines to give cars with V8 engines their run for their money.

I do like the idea of upcycling cars to be more sporty or exotic or whatever even when I came up with the idea of upcycling an AU Falcon to be part of the pack.

The whole concept takes in money but at the same time allows me to accumulate experience and confidence. Those potentially help me be part of the car culture.

And with any car I can do up, I can hopefully attend the likes of these meets and cruises. It'll be a great opportunity to prove my worth especially how hard it can be to put myself out there. Another consideration is to maybe get into the fitness side of things.

There has always been an obsession with sports and fitness here in Australia. Unfortunately throughout my life, all this has never been my thing. But eventually, there are times I'll need to take fitness more seriously.

Earlier, I've been skinny and not as much a physically strong person. But then, I've had a series of bowel operations including an ileostomy plus a series of reversal surgeries. That has compromised my core strength. And then, doing physical work can become troublesome and my back hadn't been liking it.

However, I've been initiating will power to regain strength by doing stretches and exercises including planks and push ups to build up the desired strength of my back and arms.

It's possible to go to gyms but there are times I can feel insecure about myself especially with other people but another way is do the exercises myself.

There's an avenue to exercise and meet other people and I've discovered after a tip off from a person I know. And they are walking groups. I find that long walks are adequate enough and I even heard of a mention of young ladies participating.

But with many things, there are on hiatus until I'll be able to move out again. And gratefully, I will be doing so.

The months living with my parents have allowed me to sort myself out and I've done so. And once I'll move out again into the south east of Melbourne, I shall continue on and then, other considerations shall prevail. Will I be able to buy a house? Will I date someone and/or even start a family?

There are some unknowns but my best bets are time and potential opportunities.

See you next time!