Art is life . . .

Personal Piece #20

2012-02-21T21:49:00.000-08:00

Whoa dere! We've hit twenty, ladies and gentlemen! :D

Pierre Gringoire! How I love you. This is one my polished character designs for Bruno Pelletier's interpretation of Pierre for the movie that WILL come into existence if I ever work for Disney: The Hunchback of Notre Dame 1 1/2, which will include Pierre and incorporate him into the original Disney masterpiece's plot. :D

11:11! Make a wish!

2012-02-21T21:46:00.000-08:00

Hellooooo night owl blog followers!

Before I saw anything else, a very Happy Mardi Gras to all! Last chance to live it up, people! Let's use it to its fullest! Had my official last soda before Lent. I was giving it up anyway, but I was giving myself a weekly treat, like on Friday night, to congratulate myself and not quite cold turkey. But now, I'm cracking down! It is going to be good for my health and waistline! :D

So . . . art work? *strokes chin* Perhaps, perhaps. I can't believe Midterm is quickly approaching! :/ Usually, that's a good thing, filling me with delight, setting me on the edge of my seat waiting for it to arrive. Not the case this time. SO much work to dooooooo. I mean, this semester has been my best yet in college. I genuinely love my classes, professors, etc. I even enjoy the homework, to be perfectly honest. But lately, and I blame early spring fever for this, I'm slowly realizing so much work is sneaking up on me. Break arriving means deadlines. Lots of them. But hey, I can handle this. I've handled disasters and catastrophes before and they have worked out. Always. :)

SO, art! Yes, that is where I was beginning. Not much that I can really blog right now. Lots of work IN the works, but not really done/fixed. But I have some Smoky posters. Take the most beloved, effective slogan ever and make it your own. Ha. Ha. Ha. So much work to be done on this. I love it, if I could just make it work! I didn't realize we could do our own slogan in addition to Smoky's, so you know, ignore the blatant lack of concept. This shall be rightened. XD

I have some finished Intaglio prints to show you too, but photos of them are not available, seeing as they are in the print lab (turned in) and I cannot take photos of them yet. They should be loaded here in a day or two, though. I love Intaglio. I just wish I was better at printmaking. I can render the image, I can prepare the block/plate, but I just can't print worth a damn. You would think running a piece of paper and an inked block/plate through a press would be no big deal, but despite my best efforts, I make a mess. Nothing is pristine and perfect because it is somehow out of my control, which is annoying because I LIKE things to be within my control. I'm A.R. like that, I suppose. lol But yes, to come, originals and alterations of Scipio, the Thief Lord, Intaglio print. :) Stayed tuned!

Now, I feel I should add other things to this blog apart from school work. It only seems right to blog something personal about myself. That personal something used to be drawing, but not so much now, seeing as I do it quite a bit in my assignments. Now, it's knitting. That is my personal creative out lit. It feels amazing wearing what you create! To know that you can make better scarfs and hats than the ones you see at the store! It's just incredible, an enormous high! I recently ordered a deluxe set of circular knitting needles (which should take care of my current knitting needs for life) but I'm having a tiff with the mail right now. I want them so badly . . . I must go to the post office and righten this horrible wrong. ;)

On that tangent, I have some images of my mother's scarf she asked me to make and the project I have in store, thanks to my beloved Kat (and Emma, my other favorite Black Sheep). Not that I'll really have time to work on it, but just knowing that without the needles, I *can't* is just maddening.

Also, Pinterest is awesome. I don't advocate giving in to peer pressure, but it is the coolest thing. :D

Goodnight, all! Sweet dreams be yours, dear, if dreams there be! <3

Cheers!

Smoky Poster 1/3. Do you love my Star Trek flame? XD

Smoky Poster 2/3. Gotta find a way to better incorporate those animals with the flame.

Smoky Poster 3/3. Need more logos and a concept catch phrase. Yeeeah!

My mother's scarf I promised her long ago that is finished at long last! The button is hard to see; it glinted in the camera flash. It's actually a cluster of faux diamonds in a flower-esque arrangement. Elegant . . . :D

Me, modeling the scarf. Taking a picture, lookin' in the mirror.

OH! Forgot to mention this! LOOK! It's my jazz poster! Legitimately, yo! EEE!

The Turn-A-Square pattern Kat suggested for me from ravelry! Can't wait! Also, Emma made me that knitting pattern folder for Christmas! I carry it everywhere with my yarn.

The yarn that will be said hat. Kat helped me align the rainbow yarn that I bought in downtown St. Charles at Knit and Caboodle so that I can knit two identical strands into the brim of that hat. She is my official pattern alternator person. XD Also, that sexy skein is a gift from Emma, the remains of her first cardigan! It is gorgeous, and the two yarns really compliment each other, better in person than on the photograph.

Personal Piece #19

2012-02-12T22:03:00.000-08:00

And tonight, we haaaaaave:

FRANCESCO! Ahem, everyone, this is the incredible tenor Francesco Verrechia. Pavarotti and Bocelli are put to shame by this gentleman. Go fan him on Facebook. Do it. Do it NOOOOW. :D

Good evening . . . or in parts of the world, Good morning!

2012-02-12T22:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody!

For those of you who are my avid readers, you may have noticed that I have not blogged for quite awhile. Kudos to you, shame on me. But there has been quite a lot of work going on here, just not on the Internet for all to see yet. Let me see what we have here . . .

A few more projects for Vis Com II: a promotional poster for the Red Barn Art festival, promotional posters for Native American Heritage Month (which, you may recall, is a repeat even from Illustration last semester *grumble*), an article about stress as the new success for Time magazine, and a vet brochure for MU. In addition, I am reloading the Jazz Combo series poster because, ladies and gentlemen, thanks to my outstanding sources, you will be seeing this bad boy (or gal) up and around campus billboards in the next week or so! My first gig, everyone! Not at ALL excited, nooooo . . . :D

Furthermore, I have included pictures from printmaking. Compy is my first two color woodcut. He didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I really have issues with inking and consistency. BUT, hey, the visual pun has been brought to life! By the way, the pun itself is the dinosaur is a Compsognathus, aka Compy, and he is serving as a jazz piano accompanist, aka Compy. Hahahahahahahaha . . . no? Okay. XD The other print is my first Intaglio, which reminds me vividly of illustration on young adult fantasy novels. I decided to engrave the Thief Lord, Scipio, in his beloved Venice. I love Cornelia Funke, and her books, so I almost wanted to illustrate for her using this print.

Lastly, we have some personal fun. I knitted my first hat within these last few weeks! Could not be more delighted! Also, my girls and I cooked supper tonight. I was in charge of making dessert. In honor of Valentine's Day coming up, I made chocolate covered strawberries in white and semi-dark, drizzled. T'was yummy. Not eating again for quite some time . . . or until I'm hungry from breakfast tomorrow at least. XD

Goodnight all! Peace, love, and fill in the blank with what makes you happy. :D

Cheers!

Red Barn Art Festival Poster

Native American Heritage Posters

Stress Magazine article for Time

MU Vet brochure

Soon to be printed Jazz Combo Poster

Compy!

Yummy chocolate strawberries

Intaglio, engraved with soft ground

Intaglio, pencil drawing

Back of my hat

Me IN my hat XD

Intaglio, shined and ready for printing

Personal Piece #18

2012-01-24T22:12:00.000-08:00

Emilie-Claire Barlow! My favorite modern jazz singer ever! She does her own arrangements of the American songbook and she has a voice that is the perfect combination of adorable and sultry sexy! :D If you type her name into Google images, this piece actually comes up! No joke! See for yourself:

It's late . . . perfect for a blog entry

2012-01-24T22:08:00.000-08:00

Good evening all!

You know that fatigue you get from a busy, but enjoyable day? Yeah. Totally there now. But I have a few more projects to add to our favorite blog. :)

Newspaper articles are a b*tch. XD There is certainly a challenge in organizing a specific amount of content on quite a bit of allotted space. This one needs some revising, but when I learned that certain bodies of text could be separated into sidebars and other columns, it instantly made my life easier! Revisions on the way, soon I hope!

Next piece is a HES promotion for a 5-week trip to Yellowstone. The design came instantly. Concept, not so much. It's difficult to find that perfect harmony, especially for a subject matter I can barely relate to. But I'm relatively pleased with the end result.

One last thing! I have some fun stuff to add just because I can! I have my first two woodcut prints from Printmaking I and some hand-knit hand warmers I made for Ashlee and myself. I'm proud with my productivity lately, to say the least! lol

Sorry to keep the verbosity to a minimum by friends, but I really need sleep. :3

Cheers!

Happiness Newspaper article

Happiness Newspaper article revised

Yellowstone poster

iPad versions

"Huck on the Farm"

"Huck on the Farm" --revisited XD

Ashlee's hand warmers

My hand warmers

Personal Piece #17

2012-01-19T19:50:00.000-08:00

First of the new year! Yaaaay!

Miguel and Tulio! This was, I believe my very first drawing using Prismacolors! I love this movie so! :3

Catching Up

2012-01-19T19:44:00.000-08:00

Hello my avid readers whom I have not seen since before Christmas break! It feels great to see you again! Perhaps (or perhaps not) you are asking yourselves why did I not correspond over the holidays. The truth is, I was well and done with school as soon as my last final exam ended on Friday, December 16th. I wanted nothing to do with the previous semester or anything that would remind me of said semester. This, of course, involved blogging. This is a terrible inconvenience because I love blogging and shouldn't shun it simply because I had a stressful semester. But here I am, once again . . . I feel that that is a song . . . and I couldn't be happier. Last semester was trying, yes, but this semester, so far has been so much more enjoyable and doable! I mean, with a schedule like this, what is not to love? Honestly?

Vis Com II--So much easier than Illustration . . . so far. In fact, I'm sure Illustration gave me the stamina to take Vis Com II on with full force. And dude . . . we have a budget each project and have to keep track of our time/work. How spiffy is that! :D

Survey II (Art History)--Subject is getting much more exciting. Love the class! It's also incredibly short! I mean, what's an hour compared to so many studio courses?

Perspectives in Jazz--I'm learning musical theory and the history of American music. Simply put, I'm having a blast! It's also a shorter class and it's nice to have just a lecture course that relates to nothing in my major, with a subject matter I love. I also want to steal and snuggle my professor. XD

Printmaking--Outlet for stress! Ahhhhhh, it feels so good to carve and do manuel printing labor when you're feeling down! Also goes by quickly because I'm constantly busy. Hard on the back, though. I must remember that I have a stool. XD

Public Speaking--Love the people, professor seems compassionate . . . not so keen on the online work and the actual speeches. But hey, tis unavoidable. :)

Plus work at the office. And a fervor for knitting that has been rekindled. I know how to make handwarmers, ladies and gentlemen! Knit, purl, knit, purl . . .

So, I'm not nearly as stressed as I once was, I am loving school like I did when I was in junior high, and I actually have material to show on this blog! Life is GOOD!

I should probably get to the descriptions of said pieces, but before I do . . . any last thoughts?

-This Christmas was the best of my life so far
-Saawariya, Kama Sutra, The Adventures of TinTin, Burlesque, Freedom Writers, Winnie the Pooh, and Mr. Holland's Opus are the best movies ever. :)
-I finally understand the pain of The Corrs' Heaven Knows and Jason Mraz's I Won't Give Up gives me the will and hope. That is all. :3

Now, enough of my personal life. On to the art!

Soooooooo, I got's a wacom tablet for Christmas! . . . I KNOW, RIGHT?! :D I am far too excited to express myself properly. SO, the vast majority of the artwork I did over the break was playing and figuring out how to use said tablet. I took an old pencil drawing of Dr. Facilier I drew last year and incorporated it into Photoshop. I wasn't going to show this until it was finished, but I'm getting antsy. I'm proud! Please don't judge. Tis but a WIP.

Now, we have work form Vis Com II to add to the Illustration artwork here on ye old blog (which underwent a bit of a makeover, don't cha know?). One of these days, I WILL have Freshman year art work and Vis Com I work on her too, but that will take a bit of time . . . that I'll have to find, somehow. But yes. Vis Com II:

First assignment was a poster/web banner project. Redesigning an MAE recruiting poster. Two photos to use, not such fun type. I know a good designer needs to invest in more than what interests them but can we say mundane? Not to offend anyone, but I was shocked to see that everyone's (mine included) kinda . . . well, sucked. But on the next assignment, everyone rocked! :D It was interesting . . . almost like no one COULD design a good MAE poster. It was damned to bad design for life. LOL

But as I said, the next poster was fun and really good for everyone! Advertising a favorite typeface. Typography poster. Now, I'm not that great with typography, but I certainly appreciate it and all who do it well. I chose Didot . . . I don't know, I just really have a warm attraction to that font. And Just My Type didn't scathe Didot, so I figured, why not?

Now, the grand finale (you ready for this?) is my favorite! A Jazz Combo series poster! AHHHHHH! :D And I'm in Jazz Apprish! Talk about inspiration! First thing, dove straight to Google Images for design ideas. If I had a dollar for every black silhouette, trumpet, sax, piano, microphone, and Ella Fitzgerald-look-alike singer that appeared, I'd be rich. I wanted to be true to the theme, but come up with something a bit more obscure and original, ya know? So, thanks to my Jazz class, I looked up famous quotes by Duke Ellington. I fell for this one:

"By and large, jazz has always been like the man you wouldn't want your daughter to associate with."

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a concept! Oh SNAP. The image of vintage flapper came to my head instantly at those words. It was perfect! Listen to jazz, and soon you'll be drinking illegal booze and acting like a floozie just like all the other flappers! It was elegant, it was sexy, it was jazz! I am so delighted by the end result!

Aaaaaaaaaand . . . that's it so far. LOL Wow. I already wrote a novella. Good thing. So, without further ado, I will present the art! Thank you so much for baring with me, all, and suffering through this gigantic monster of a blog post! You'll be seeing me for regularly very soon!

Cheers! <3

WIP of Photoshop/wacom tablet Dr. Facilier!

My first handwarmers! Kat made me the pattern, and I altered it accordingly to my other Kat's hands. :D

MAE web banner

MAE poster #2

MAE poster #1

Draft two of homage to Didot

Draft one of homage to Didot

Version one of Jazz Combo series poster

Version two of Jazz combo series poster

Final Exam

2011-12-11T23:48:00.000-08:00

It all comes down to this. An entire semester of Illustration, here in an instant and gone in a flash. So much work has been produced over the course of the semester, some much better than others. But this is the final examination: a time to celebrate the closing of a class by featuring only the best, and if not, the good.

Out of the eight assignments the second half of the semester produced, it all narrows down to four. Four pieces will decide my fate. My grade is resting solely in my own hands. And do you know? I'm feeling sure of my choices. The grade itself, one will only know with time, but the pieces . . . I've gone over them again and again, selecting the four I find to be most worthy.

I want to begin with good ole Honest iPod Abe. He was my second major gouache piece, and arguably one of the biggest paintings in my pile of work. He is one of the most beloved among my friends and family members and the same could be said for me as well. Abe, I love you, despite the fact that you literally murdered my tube of purple gouache, and came uncomfortably close to killing my white. You sit through the monotony of D.C. tourism with a content smirk on your stone face, listening to Southern rock. You are Final Exam Piece #1. Congratulations.

Secondly, I chose my Life and Death illustrations. Why, one might ask. The truth is, I am rather satisfied with how they turned out. But the thorough truth of the matter is, this was the piece I conceived and thought about the most this semester. This piece went through three evolutions: The Elegance of the Hedgehog plot, the life and death of hats, and the death and life of allegory. I referenced and revisited literature I have loved for years, works that inspired me deeply. In the end, it was the hats that reigned victorious due to their less obscure content. Thank you Life and Death. You are Final Exam Piece #2.

Next, I wanted to include my Native American Heritage poster. It looks simple enough. The typography still might not be the most groundbreaking. But again, I feel accomplished with this piece. I feel the illustration is done well, from the original sharpie coloration to the digital touch-ups. This subject was also near to my heart. Memories of Mr. Malia and Crow Canyon filled my mind as I worked on this piece. I wanted to make something that would honor him, that educational voyage. I researched Pueblo pottery just to stay true to my experience. I did not grumble when others did. I wanted to do this piece and I regret nothing. Take your place with pride, Final Exam Piece #3.

And now, finally and fourthly, we have something new. Something no one has seen before. Book cover, this is your moment. Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird has yet another cover to add to the myriad it already possesses. A story so profound deserves to be honored, and I did not want to disappoint. I am satisfied with my result. Despite all the action, beauty, and suspense of the story, I was lucky enough to show something much smaller, but no less significant. Atticus and Scout, embraced together; the daughter listening to her father's watch, knowing he is near. This is my last gouache piece for the semester, as well as the last in general. Book cover, love, you are the last and Final Exam Piece #4.

There we have it. The final portfolio. So much has happened in this seemingly lengthy or short period of time. I've been introduced to new mediums, new challenges. I've bought more foam core than I would like to admit, with the intention of never stopping. I have laughed and I have cried. I have worked and I have been a lazy bum. I have woken up at six every other week morning, done all I can, and now, it is coming to a close. One more thank you must be said.

Thank you Rusty, for being there to guide, scold, and critique. Thank you Illustration class, for broadening my horizons, challenging me, and pushing as far as I could go until something tragic or beautiful happened to me and my life.

#1 iAbe

#2 Life

#2 Death

#3 Native American Heritage poster

#4 To Kill A Mockingbird book cover

Personal Piece #16

2011-12-11T17:09:00.000-08:00

Okay, y'all. Ya know the drill! :D

Aww, illustration for Ashlee's Dracula novel. <3

A little catching up to do

2011-12-11T17:07:00.000-08:00

Right then! Hello friends!

Someone naughty has not been keeping up on their blogging very well. Not that she does not want to share, or wants nothing to do with her adoring audience (giggle) but she had been so involved in life at the moment that she . . . this is solid honesty, here, not procrastination . . . forgot about blogging. I know, I know. How could she? The selfish wretch!

Well, never fear. She's back! Yay or nay, whichever you would like to proclaim and sing. :)

Quite a bit has happened in my Internet absence. I have several pieces to add. I am running out of time, after all. The final is tomorrow, and all my previous work, if not selected for said final, must still be displayed here for all who wish to see. So . . . let's get down to business, shall we?

The first thing I'd like to add is my final version of my Native American Heritage Month poster. I realized that I never added the finished product, so I am going to do so now, at this glorious opportunity. I fixed a few things here and there . . . damn you, typography. :)

The next piece is the classical album cover for The Magic Flute of Papageno an Papagena. This did not turn out as I had anticipated. Time ran out, and is continuing to do so, so this piece is not up to my expectations. I mean, it's cute. I don't hate it or anything. But I felt I could have done so much more had the circumstances worked out better. College is draining me slowly. Cue Ludo song "Love Me Dead." SO my life right now. But yes, the two lovebirds have finally been completed. Maybe altered to something more if I ever receive the chance.

Next piece is interesting . . . to say the least. Illustration of a magazine world record. The nerd in me wanted to do largest collection of Pokémon merchandise. I really want to learn to digital paint. This obviously isn't supposed to look ground-breaking. Pokémon pretty much look like this, in terms of color and line art. It looks elementary, and well, it is . . . with reason, as I say. The hand posed as an issue. I tried to draw it in the same style multiple times. Good grief. Looked AWEFUL. I would like to spend time with Photoshop and a tablet and just practice for hours on end. My border collie at the beginning of the semester shows that I CAN paint digitally. I just need time and practice to be good at it, and I really do believe I COULD be good at it! It's fun! And "easy" and "quick." I didn't want to use it for a finished piece just because I know I don't have the hang of it yet, but I selected it because once again, that's how Pokémon are drawn, for the most part. I wanted to stay true. There must be a better way to blend and illustrate skin. That is what gave me grief with the hand. It just looked . . . bad. The photo was a cheat, yes, but I was desperate. I know I can do better work that this also. These last few pieces do little to represent my work as an artist. I know that. But I am trying. More than anything, that is what I want everyone to know. It might not seem like it, but this semester has been the most taxing time of my life thus far. That I can say without exaggeration. I don't wish to use this blog to complain or praise my own life, but my own life does affect my work. I just want you all to know that this is what I want, and I do want to do my best. This last little leg of the semester is just a bump in the road in a long journey forward.

Wow. Okay, um, that got depressing and profound really quickly. :) Let's snap out of that sadness, shall we, and focus on a new one. I have to turn my tablet back in tomorrow! Whaaaaah! I'm really gonna miss it. It makes cutting things out in Photoshop SO much easier! lol I even made a cover for my homework folder in religion (extra credit) just by going nuts in Photoshop. Heheh, I should post that too, just for the fun of it! Nothing outstanding, I assure you, but I had a blast!

Oh, also, I have a sneak peek of the next project, the book cover Illustration! To Kill A Mockingbird, to be precise! I love the fact that Rusty chose this idea. I really wasn't expecting it, and was delightfully surprised. This is my favorite scene in the whole book, and probably one of the most insignificant. But it is also one of the most beautiful. Scout hugs her father, Atticus, and simply listens to the soft ticking of his watch in his vest. The painting on this was not cooperating earlier, but dang it, I am enjoying this piece's concept, and it shall not ruin me! I shall persevere!

Finals, and then Christmas break. A weekend with my best friends, a concert I enjoyed, relaxation for just a little while before the last week of the semester. Yeah. I'd say I'm doing well. Happy, well, everything, everyone!

Cheers!

Final Native American Heritage Month Poster. Oh yeah!

Les CD covers, in record, CD, and iTunes formats and sizes

Comp for Pokémon record

THE Pokémon record :D

Sneak preview of Scout and Atticus

Religion folder cover! Can anyone name every religion? You get brownie points if you can!

Personal Piece #15

2011-11-09T22:42:00.000-08:00

Ahh, it is late, but I cannot finish blogging without adding a personal piece . . .

Another Dracula! No, I wasn't on drugs when I colored this. The stage lighting of Dracula: Entre l'amour et la mort really does look that trippy. XD

Long time, no blog

2011-11-09T22:39:00.000-08:00

Well, it is twelve minutes after midnight, and here I sit, typing away at my Mac with fervor by the light of my desk lamp, listening to the gentle breathing of my sleeping roommates. It's peaceful tonight. Just the clack of my fingers against keys . . .

A few updates for you. I have the original Native American Heritage poster comp mounted, just because I feel guilty for not remembering to do so the first time. One would think that I would not forget these things by now. Then, may I present the finished illustration of the Pueblo pot that simply needs a burnt sienna spot color and a poster design to accompany it. Lastly, I have my comp for the next assignment, the Classical album cover.

Sorry Rusty, but I love operas. Especially if they are composed by a certain Wolfgang Amadeus. Favorites among? Magic Flute, hands down, followed closely by Don Giovanni. Have I actually seen these pieces? The sad truth of the matter is no, but watching Amadeus alone has instilled in me a longing to do so. But I do love the music, which is why I had to pursue one of Mozart's works for this project. I decided on Flute primarily in the comps, simply because it is more whimsical and resembles something I would have drawn in my youth. Of course, I had to center on Papageno. I mean, he's a lovesick bird who finds his sweetheart through music. What is not to love?

My original sketch was going to feature just Papageno dancing and ringing tiny bells, as he does in the Amadeus film. But the more I played with that idea, the worse it became . . . Then I did some song searching on YouTube and realized that most album covers that feature Papageno do not feature him with his soulmate, Papagena. So I decided to change my concept up drastically. The pose was vaguely inspired by the film cover of the French classic Cyrano de Bergerac and the costumes for the lovebirds was based on this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87UE2GC5db0

Ironically, the play is sung in its original German, but I was able to translate by reading the French subtitles. :) I've yet to receive proper approval, but I really hope this can make it to gouache or watercolor!

Tonight has indeed been a good evening. Sleep well, one and all.

Cheers!

Mounted comp--Native American Heritage Month

Finished illustration for said Heritage Month

Sketches, The Magic Flute

Sketches continued: Approved Papageno

Papageno and Papagena! <3

Personal Piece #14

2011-11-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

One more for tonight, I promise! And it is . . .

Ah haaaa! Dracula, the King of Vampires. Lord of Darkness and Night . . . and sexiness. XD This is actually Bruno Pelletier in the role of said vampire. Oh, and that odd splash of red on his belly is lighting from my reference, in case you were wondering. :3

Whoa! Totally forgot!

2011-11-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the spam, but I forgot to post the painted, finished version of the life and death of hats! And just to celebrate such forgetfulness, I am going to show you the original photo, no doctoring in Photoshop or anything. Just the paper, my carpet, and my feet holding it down so it won't wrinkle. LOL

Cheers!

A little catching up and a lot to cover

2011-11-01T21:28:00.000-07:00

Good evening, all!

Much has happened since our last online rendez-vous. Societies of Illustrators and Native American heritage, yo. Um, let me explain . . .

We need to create an illustration worthy of the mailing brochures of the Society of Illustrators. The more creative, the better. No pressure whatsoever. :) Let me just say, fail on my part. I mean, I like this piece and how it is coming along, but is it Society material? Not even close. I don't see how it could be. But my mind went flat out dead on this one. Creativity went *fizzle, phlatz* Nothing. But I did take the illustration aspect to heart. I don't know how many times I'll be drawing in public, like at a favorite cafe, and I'll glance up to see people watching me. A look of panic flashes in their eyes. They know they should respect me and not look at my progress. It makes me giggle. It's sweet of them, but they still can't help themselves. I know some people really don't like being watched when they draw, and I respect that, but I am not one of them. Go ahead! Look! If I didn't want you to see, I prolly wouldn't be drawing it in a public place. lol

Hence, this illustration. Like I said, meh, but for just an illustration, I'm liking it. The process for this one was intense. I guess I can't measure and scale. XD Rusty has tolerated my inability to do this, but I think I'm getting a teensy bit better. I've collected the whole start to finish with this piece, save for the finished painted one, but that will follow shortly. It's not ready yet. *shoos you away*

Now, this next project is my favorite thus far. I know, right? Everyone else has been grumbling about how much they hate it. But not me. No. I love this project! We have to design a dual color illustration and poster for Native American (not North American XD) Heritage Month. The trouble? Staying away from cliches, or in some cases, political correctness. But those issues didn't even cross my mind. I've always been fascinated with all aspects of Native American culture. My family contains large amounts of Fox Indian, and I took an expedition to Crow Canyon Colorado with my LEAP class my eighth grade year. I studied Pueblo art and culture extensively there, and it has stuck with me ever since.

That was where the Pueblo pot design came from. And it was the one Rusty liked best. The others came from fond memories. The flute player is actually David Nighteagle, whom I saw perform live in Colorado (and I stupidly didn't bring money for a CD). The Indian maiden and wolves have been around even longer. I used to draw them together when I was a little girl. Constantly. I would sketch them in pencil and then make their eyes emerald green. Two dramatic colors, just like this project. Needless to say, they reappeared in my thumb sketches. I seriously can't wait to finish this one! I care about it so much . . . how can it not end well? Well, apart from stuff like printing issues. XD

Ohh, thank you for listening to me ramble, peeps! Enjoy the art and good night! <3

Cheers!

Personal Piece #13

2011-10-22T13:14:00.000-07:00

Uh oh! Unlucky piece #13! Halloween IS coming up . . .

Hahahaha! And this is so NOT Halloween. This is an old painting I did in my sophomore year of high school, I think. XD We had to make a collage and then paint it. Despite the inaccuracies, I am sort of fond of this one, simply because it took longer than you would think, and it has all the Disney gals I like best. Good luck finding Captain Amelia on any Princess collage anywhere else! :D

Comps, comps, comps

2011-10-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

Howdy all!

I haven't much to say today other than DO YOUR COMPS THE WAY YOU WANT THEM EXACTLY. LOL Sorry for the explosion of capital letters there, but seriously, learn the lesson. Be a better person than I am. Rusty is a kindhearted soul who took pity on me Friday (a day on which end of week fatigue left me worthless mentally and emotionally XD). He approved what I came up with, despite the inaccuracy in size. Thank you, Rusty! I owe you my heart, soul, and spleen . . . and pretty much everything else I have. XD

SO. Re-comped "Death of a Hat" which could possibly be interpreted as death of valor, chivalry, culture, gentlemanliness. Whatever you would like to interpret it as, really. Another thank you shout out to Jude Law for serving as my reference model, playing Dr. Watson. :D

Life: Gentlemen wore hats . . .

Death: The elegance of such a culture is no more. We go about bareheaded. Hats no longer signify our status, our social grace. Tragic, in a way . . .

Personal Piece #12

2011-10-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

Phew! After the stress of the midterm portfolio, what do we have for the night's fun piece?

Ahhh, M. Cyrano de Bergerac! Whoever said this man's nose is grotesque, they need to rethink a few things. A master of poetry and love, he is by far, the ideal man. I am looking for my own Cyrano, where ever he may be. Perhaps he speaks French . . . after all, Cyrano does. :3 <3

Midterm Portfolio

2011-10-18T22:29:00.000-07:00

It has finally arrived. Midterm. It doesn't even seem possible. So much work has been produced, but now comes the time to narrow it down to what one hopes is a cut above the rest. This is the time to reveal just what has been learned and put into practice. I can only hope that I've made the right decisions.

There was so much line art to sift through that I battled internally with myself for quite some time. Many were strong in some aspects of the piece, but not all. The two watercolors, one would think, would be the two large scale landscapes that we were instructed to do, but I was not satisfied with either of those pieces. I was actually partial to the earlier works, like the small scale landscapes and architecture. The product illustration was a given for me too, although I feel that I could have added another dimension to the piece . . . though I was terrified of ruining what I fundamentally laid down. With watercolor, I was quick to learn that a little can go a rather long way.

The next three watercolors with line art were based on personal favorites, I must confess. I know that is probably not the best way to go about choosing pieces for a portfolio, but these three have been near to my heart since they were released from my brushes and pen. Ironically, they are all portraits . . . come to think of it, it isn't ironic at all. This was my favorite subject to render before I took any formal art classes. They are very much me. My intention has been to branch out, away from my comfort zone, but as I told my professors during Proficiency, I am slow to adapt. That is, I embrace new concepts and ideas. I am eager to learn new things. However, I can't master new things right away. It takes me longer to adjust and grow comfortable with new ideas, medium, you name it. Add several at once, and you have chaos. But I do try! I enjoy it so very much! But I require a little more practice and time than others, I suppose. But such evolution had certainly occurred within this class.

For the gouache, I chose iAbe. Though his background is still not 100% to my liking, I, in general, like him. He makes me smile. He is also my first real evidence of tackling the medium and knowing how to make it do as I desire. This would represent the grasping of a concept, or the success after spending time adjusting, as I just mentioned. My personal favorites to learn and work on were the digital illustrations, though. Not gonna lie. I will be broken hearted when I must give the tablet back at the end of the semester. Just knowing that something can be rendered by hand, but be directly on a computer screen just blows my mind. It's exactly like learning how to fluidly type on a keyboard so you don't have to write all your documents by hand and transfer them onto the computer later. It's brilliance. It is beautiful. Quasimodo, although he is copyright of Disney and not my own original work, was the best of the first line art illustrations on the tablet. The boarder collie was actually enough to make the virtual refrigerator. Nothing could have made me happier than seeing that on the blog! I felt worthy of something inexplicable from that moment on. "I can DO this!" I thought to myself. Hence, it was only fitting to place it here, in the midterm portfolio.

The final piece was up to me, so I went purely off of what speaks to me. It may not have been the best montage out of the class, but I have grown so very fond of this. It has so many beautiful memories attached. I worked on this the night I cut and mounted my poster for Vis Com I. I had no gouache yet because my mother was bringing it to me after her trip to St. Louis. Kat and I painted all evening, laughing, talking, listening to Ludo and Panic! At the Disco. It was my first time figuring out gouache, and although it nearly resulted in tears of frustration at the time, it was such a beautiful moment of discovery and possibility. I laugh when I think of Rusty's candid suggestion to draw Bela Lugosi, Kat's observation that a cupcake was the farthest thing from Dracula, and Tim's insightful hint that an animal, especially a koi fish, would tie everything randomly together. That, my dear children, is why this is my final piece within this portfolio.

Thank you so very much. I hope you will observe and enjoy.

Cheers!

Personal Piece #11

2011-10-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Personal art time! *closes eyes and reaches into the files*

Ah HA! My collage to see if I could fill an entire surface with doodleage. I love this piece. If you can name every reference in here, you are seriously amazing! :D

So much done, so much more to show and tell!

2011-10-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

Howdy all!

Well, a few days of rest and relaxation for midterm has come to a close and that, of course, means back to work! I've been getting slack in my blogging, but luckily, I have plenty to share! Let us first begin with what became of Mr. Lincoln's illustration shall we?

I was happy with how the gouache rendering of Abe himself turned out. The tremendous size of this illustration literally killed my white and purple tubes of paint. For inexplicable reasons, the color was altered on the actual printed version, and this troubles me. I fixed the color in Photoshop accordingly, and it looked fine on the computer screen . . . and I ended up with varying shades of blue instead of purple. Humph, I say. Oh, and just to clarify (coughRustycough) good ole Honest Abe is listening to Southern rock. Let the funnies commence!

Now, the next project we have here is the "Five" project. That's the only rule, that. Five, demonstrated in some illustrated way. My original intention was to still use the Little Prince theme, but I was going to show the lessons the Prince takes from each planet he visits. Unfortunately, there were six planets and strange grandes personnes, and I couldn't really combine any of them. So, I decided to metaphorically represent the success to a fulfilled life using the Little Prince and his closest encounters. The five most important representations are 1. The individual itself (the Prince leaving his home planet), 2. The challenges one faces in life (the baobab trees consuming the second planet), 3. The parent (the pilot), 4. The best friend (the fox), and 5. The lover (the rose). It's rather abstract, but that book touches me so much that the idea just stuck and wouldn't leave my head. Fortunately for me, this illustration only had to be 13 X19, so that meant less painting, but a lot more problem solving when it came to scaling my drawing size down. Drawing II conditioned me to not be small and intricate with my drawings. I now find it difficult to draw tiny pieces.

Next, we have the color comps for the following project, life and death. Once again, I think I am letting my imagination run a little too far from the literal. I had three ideas that were inspired by my favorite poet and author. The first was taken from the Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. Life is depicted as Paloma, an extremely insightful and intelligent little girl who has figured all of life out and realized that is all a sick hoax, really. She plans to kill herself on her 13th birthday, just because she sees no point in living what she understands as pointless in the end. However, she meets the mysterious concierge Renee, who seems to be a dumpy, dull-witted worker by day, when secretly, she is a brilliant woman and a lover of film, art, literature, and culture. Just as Renee is revealing her true self for the first time, no longer acting like the little hedgehog she is, she meets an untimely death, and inspired by her, Paloma decides to live in her honor . . . and decides there is more to life than she had figured out. Life was drawn here as Paloma, and the little hedgehog was supposed to represent death.

The next ideas were inspired by Billy Collin's poems, The Death of a Hat and The Death of Allegory. Throughout history, gentlemen have worn hats. They told everything about a man, from his status to his personal spirit. But such traditions are long gone. For the most part, if men do not go bare-headed, they wear ball caps . . . good and well, but not nearly as passionate and beautiful. The next was much harder to explain in a drawing. The first piece is supposed to be a medieval drop cap of say, Chastity, represented in something grander than itself. The other is simply a razor in an ashtray (Collin's own example) of an ordinary object symbolistic of nothing more than itself. Life and death . . . life and death.

My plan is to rework the hat comp over for Wednesday, just cuz it's my favorite, other than Hedgehog. That one, I'm afraid, is just too dependent on context. No one would get it if they have not read the book. But the suits me just fine. I'm enjoying these projects! Stay tuned for more, if you so feel inclined! Haha!

Cheers! Love to all, and goodnight!

iAbe

Le Petit Prince's Guide to Life (Five Project)

Life and Death: Paloma and the hedgehog

Life and death: hats

Life and death: Allegory
Chaucer: "Right, well, it was allegorical."
Roland: "Well, we won't hold that against you. That's for every man for himself to decide." --A Knight's Tale

Personal Piece #10

2011-10-03T16:17:00.000-07:00

Dun, didda dun didda dun dun dun dun duuuuuun. Diddley bup diddley bup diddley dub dee dee duh dee daaaaaahhhhh! *gasp, pant* Dee dup dee dup dee dupadee DAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

Awwww, it's Clopin and his wife, Rebecca, created by my dear roommate and best buddy, Ashlee Estep. :D

Montage of Epic Randomness

2011-10-03T16:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, maybe that title is giving the piece too much credit. lol

May I begin by saying gouache is . . . interesting. Likes: texture and manipulation is similar to watercolor, pigment is very vibrant. Dislikes: rub over it a few strokes too many and you have a white surface. I mean, for effects, the add water disappearing act is fantastic. For editing purposes, not so much. Messing around with the painting should not be done lightly. What is my overall feeling regarding gouache? Eh, it's alright. I like it enough. I just need more experience with it. I personally think this was kind of a big undertaking for a first project using gouache after little practice. I need to make time to practice on my own. Oh well, Honest Abe will be practice enough. *nod nod*

So, about this piece . . . I have no idea. XD When asking for random subject matter suggestions, Rusty brilliantly suggested Bela Lugosi. My first thought, "*GASP* Yeeeeeeeeeeessssssss!" Had to be done. :) Then, asking my fellow art buddies what would have nothing to do with classic Count Dracula, they suggested the farthest thing: a cupcake. It made me smile. Then the other random thing became a koi fish. Just for giggles. By the way, if you ever do a Google image search for "koi fish" there is about one good, actual photo. The rest are tattoo designs. So, these three items morphed together to become the randomness that IS my interpretation of the three piece montage.

I did some tweaking of details and I think they have immensely improved the piece. I'm sure there is much more to do, but I've come to the point where I feel I will really mess this lil bugger up if I do much else. I know "I like it" isn't valid under any circumstance, but hey, I like it. :D

Thanks all! Cheers and have a good week!

Three piece montage, baby. Dracula, cupcakes, and koi. It doesn't get much better than this. XD

Abe! We have to present and get color comps approved of an Abe Lincoln illustration for a local contest assignment. I imagine Abe gets a lil bored sitting in D.C. day in and out. So . . . give him an iPod. Rusty says he's listening to rock.
Hahahaha . . . :D P.S. Color on background will NOT look like that. Much smoother transition.

Feast your eyes, my dear children. THIS is Rusty Nelson verification and approval. :D

Personal Piece #9

2011-09-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

My mother told me to pick the very best one and you . . . are . . . it!

Clopin! Oh my gosh, long time no see! My first cartoon love, after Miguel from The Road to El Dorado. This was just a recreation of a movie screen cap that I never finished. I think the whole point was to practice some architecture. heheheh, love how that worked. :D

I's needs to blog!

2011-09-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Well, hello there all! Long time no see! Methinks we have some catching up to do!

Just to get it out of my system, I PASSED PROFICIENCY LAST NIGHT! YAAAY! *ahem* Terribly sorry you had to see that. I shall attempt to reign in my enthusiasm. But yes, passed with surprising, delightful results and I may now continue my studies as an art major without fear. I did it. I am proud. I am happy. :3

Seriously, having that suspense forever gone has given me this newfound energy and spunk. I feel like nothing can stop me today! I am pumped, I am excited, I am awake, I have a loooong to-do list and I be scratching things off already, despite two hours of work at the office (that has been the extent of my morning). I feel good . . .

So, in order to celebrate, I shall now do what I should have done a few days ago. :D New illustration art.

First up is the product illustration. I chose coffee. Does this really surprise you? I love it so, and miss Starbucks desperately. But I shall manage. Despite working diligently on this piece, I was slightly disappointed. I mean, others have been so kick ass . . . I think it's not too bad in terms of realism, but it could have a whole other dimension that I just wasn't sure how to include. Over all, "Meh," with a positive, upward inflection.

The second piece is a landscape that I foolishly forgot to print out. I'm not sure if it will do me any good, but I'm printing and mounting it tonight, along with my CML poster for Vis Com I. Hopefully, Rusty will be sympathetic. Will ya, Rusty? *bats eyelashes* lol Even if not, I'll still have a pretty printed, mounted piece of an African landscape, complete with elephants. I'm rather partial to my lil fat zebra. I find him lovable. P.S. Large scale watercolor stinks. Just saying. I mean, this one was slightly easier due to previous experience, but yish . . . That's a lot of pigment and brushstrokes.

P.S.S. The cashier window in MC has odd hours. But I got my print receipt details taken care of, so it's all good.

Cheers!

Yuuuuuuum . . .

Crikey! We're on safari, mates! Why am I Australian in Africa? XD

Personal Piece #8

2011-09-24T21:30:00.000-07:00

Let us see what we have for the next personal piece *reaches into hat and fishes around with eyes closed*.

Ohhh, this is the sketch from my first lithograph print that I did in high school. It's Charles Aznavour, the first French musician I ever fell in love with. The actual print was never as sleek as the original sketch.

I officially LOVE tablets!

2011-09-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

I am giddy like a little school girl right now! I feel like running up to my friends and family squealing, "Lookie, lookie! Look what I just did!" XD I have successfully figured out how to add color to my line art illustrations in Photoshop on the tablet, and these are what I ended up with! I mean, I know there are others who can do SO much better, but for a first try, I am super proud of myself! :D Promise, this pride will not last. lol Just wait for future projects--I'm sure they will not illicit such a jubilant response. But for now . . .!

I think I might have finally found a niche in Illustration. I mean, I've adapted to everything new with the most ease I can muster, but this tablet work is so enjoyable, even though I have a way to go. But I'm excited about going the distance with this medium. It's so fun! I really want a tablet now . . . but there is no way with the expense right now. Hahaha! Oh, well. Gotta have a goal to shoot for!

Tablet animals! My digital toucan, guinea pig, fish, Border Collie, and French bulldog. The Border Collie is probably my favorite. He turned out most "realistic" out of all the them. Frenchie is the next favorite. :)

Personal Piece #7

2011-09-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

Time to dip into the "Art Collection" folder for another piece. Who will we have this evening?

Ahhhhhh! My autographed drawing that my dearest friend, Ashlee Estep, was kind enough to get for me when she went to Quebec for a Bruno Pelletier concert in 2009. Ignoring the obvious disproportions, this piece is so close to my heart. <3

I'm on time!

2011-09-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

I love getting homework done early, leaving the rest of the night to study for a midterm tomorrow after French practice! I have my two assignments ready for class and to celebrate, they are going on the blog early! Huzzah! Let's see what we have . . .

I swear, I am narcissistic in this class. First my ten variations of myself for the line art people assignment, and now five more pictures of me based on my Facebook profile pictures? What's next? Honestly, that is more of me than I'm sure most people would like to see. XD I don't mind how these turned out . . . now that watercolor is vaguely getting less intimidating, each piece is coming more easily. It's like an old friend who constantly gives you grief and tells vulgar jokes, but you just can't help but love them, you've spent so much time together, rather than a terrifying stranger lurking in the dark corner of a deserted alleyway waiting for the ideal moment to leap out and ruin your life. . . . I'm a writer in addition to an artist. Can you tell? :D

The next series of drawings will get me sued if I clarify that the characters are property of Disney and were not drawn for any sort of profit. XD Cartoons are about the only thing I can handle on the wacom tablets at this time. SO. Hunchback of Notre Dame has five main characters . . . I need to draw five line art drawings on the tablets . . . WELL, all be dog gone! Coincidence? I think not!

I apologize . . . I am in a good mood tonight!

Anyway, enough rambling on my part. You came here to see art! I will not disappoint!

Night all! Cheers!

Look, it's me! In a myriad of ways . . . at least, that's what I tried to do. A little of real me, serious me, goofy me. It's all here.

Tablet work! WOO! Here we have Photoshop brushed Quasimodo, Phoebus, Esmeralda, Clopin, and Frollo.

Personal Piece #6

2011-09-21T09:06:00.000-07:00

I need some cheering up today. Let's see what we have in the trusty, ole files!

Josh Groban! Perfect! I did this piece last year over Christmas break in an attempt to apply what I learned in Drawing I to my own personal work. This was obviously a practice in composition. I had a spare cut matte left over from Design I, so I just trimmed the piece down to fit and hopefully look good in the process. I used this image for the Christmas cards I sent out to my family. :) The image of Josh was copied from his latest album, Illuminations.

Size DOES matter . . .

2011-09-21T08:57:00.000-07:00

Oh dear . . . why must my watercolors turn against me on a grander size scale? I know it doesn't look like it, but I actually worked long and hard on this piece. Too bad it doesn't show. The paint kept lifting off with each stroke . . . ahhh, it was awful! But for a first 20x30 piece, I guess I can't complain too much. I am sort of relieved that we have the chance to do another piece of this size--now that I know what I'm doing, maybe I can prevent another train wreck. The mountains and water are a serene shade of blue, at least. It's calming, which I'll need in the next few days. Honestly, blogging helps me to keep from going crazy. :)

Cheers for now, everyone! I'll be back soon with more!

Personal piece #5

2011-09-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

Looking into the files yet again . . . Our lucky winner today is:

HAHAHAHA! Beetlejuice! Talk about a blast from the past with everyone's favorite Ghost with the Most. I adore this movie and old cartoon series so. <3

Well, hello there!

2011-09-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I am sorry, friends. I am rather behind in terms of keeping up with the blogging. Pardon my French, but the end of last week was hell and my body is doing nothing to help. I be trying to come down with something. I hope it's just allergies, but I'm not sure. I won't bore you or gross you out with details, but coughing and a sore throat are never fun. But I'm trekking through. I shall persevere! :D

Anyway, let's get down to the real business of this blog, shall we? Art! Monday's assignment was an assignment from memory. Well . . . Rusty didn't really specify what kind of memory. XD I had a recent drawing still in my mind and I, well, sort of kinda used said memory for a reference. It's not cheating! I didn't use a literal reference or photo. lol! Just . . . the mental, muscle memory of a previous piece of work. I was pleased with the result. The colors were happy and vibrant and the splatter with a wet paintbrush in the corner was way too much fun! More fun that it probably should have been. :)

By the way, the young man featured in this piece is Michaël Grégoire, an aspiring, and might I say extremely talented Quebecois singer/musician. I believe that art advocacy should be permitted on my blog, so if you are interested in French music and fantastic artists, give a listen here . . .

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michaël-Grégoire/155993597755325
and here! :D
http://www.youtube.com/user/micgregoire

Also, last class, Rusty totally let us play with the new wacom tablets due to a technological error with the DVD player. Oh. My. GOSH. Where have these amazing instruments been all my life!? They are so freakin' cool!! I was having WAY too much fun learning how to use mine. My good friend was laughing the entire time, abandoning her own drawings temporarily to watch and get a kick out of me. I'm sure I was entertaining. XD My shock and amazement at the mere hovering over the tablet with the pen to make it move about the screen was beyond giggle-worthy. Obviously, this was my first time using a tablet. The fact that I can draw directly onto the computer screen with it in my own style fills me with joy and fuzzies. I mean, granted, it's gonna take some getting used to, but I think I'll be fine. And if not, I'll be having fun!

Cheers all, and thanks for listening!

Michaël Grégoire, original pencil sketch and finished watercolor. Seriously, go discover. He is amazing. :D

Wacom Disney doodles! Copyright OF Disney, of course. Save for Pierre. His cartoon design is mine, based off of Bruno Pelletier's interpretation of Hugo's beloved character. Have I mentioned I LOVE that tablet? XD

Personal Piece #4

2011-09-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

And the next piece we draw from the files is . . . .?! *drum roll*

Hahahaha! Audrey II from the beloved, macabre, corny musical Little Shop of Horrors. My ongoing dream is to one day be featured in this production! This piece was drawn promptly after a viewing of said production my sophomore year of high school, I believe. Whoa, older piece-action goin' on here. But I still adore the colors! :D

Work, work, work

2011-09-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

I should be doing other homework right now. But I'm not. XD I have had a very productive day: class, matte cutting, you name it! And what better way to celebrate than taking a few relaxing minutes to blog? My day seems to be made up of lights and darks. Lots of homework, but got all day to work on it tomorrow. Vis Com project almost due, but it's going faster now that I actually know what I'm doing with the mesh tool. Missed Art of Living Club tonight, but have all my pieces picked out and almost all my mattes cut for Proficiency. Gotta love that tug and pull of opposite forces!

In this next series of pieces, we have absolute chaos, color, and a strained attempt to be loose. Did it work? I'll let all of you decide . . . ;)

Long night ahead. Peace, love, and Pumpkin Delights. <3

Cheers!

So, here we have my rainbow assortment of friends and young adults. These didn't take very much time a piece. First combination of ink and watercolor, the ink providing structure. Some I am very proud of, simply for capturing my subject. If nothing else, the colors make me smile. :)

Today's class work. This was supposed to also combine watercolor and ink, but I used very little of the latter. I did not want to use the reference I printed off, so I grabbed the worksheet I made myself for Religion class and drew the Hindu god, Vishnu. I took my time on him and created one piece I was truly proud of, as opposed to three not so hot ones. The second piece is a kind of joke. The swipes of color were the practice strokes I used to test the colors for Vishnu, and it was mentioned that the colors were parrot-esque. I tried to draw a Macaw over the colors and it turned into a bald eagle. Good at birds, I am not. XD

Next "When I Receive the Chance" piece . . . lol

2011-09-12T09:42:00.000-07:00

I am doing these personal drawings in alphabetical order, according to the file names in my computer. XD Let's see what is in store for us today . . .!

Awww, it's my old puppy, Angus. He was the most beautiful brindle French bulldog! Done with black Prisma color pencil.

Good morning, everyone!

2011-09-12T09:38:00.000-07:00

Ohhh, thank you Exploring Religions class for blessing me with an hour of meditation this morning! I feel so content, calm, and rested. Perfect for some peaceful blogging time. I have my latest pieces for illustration on hand, 10 architecture watercolor pieces. Okay, nine to be precise. I didn't realize we could use other photo references and I was out of ideas. *shrug* Next assignment, no problem reaching the goal--we can choose the subject matter? Hello, colorful portraits! :D

Anyway, Rusty gave me an interesting hint in the use of watercolor this morning: be intentionally random. I do believe that is that most oxi-moronic thing anyone has ever said to me. XD I mean, yes, I know this free medium is liberating, and not paying attention to detail is key, but even when I try NOT to be tight, I end up doing it anyway. It must just be plugged into my internal wiring, I suppose. No matter how I try to shake it, it keeps resurfacing. I'll get it. One of these days . . .

I's excited to include ink into these next watercolor pieces! That will make things much more doable, I think. The neat freak in me is pleased, even though I am trying to beat her over the head with tubes of washable paint at the moment. It's an adventure, for certain. Only time will tell.

Cheers all! Have a good day!

My watercolor buildings! Some turned out quite well (for me) while others are still lacking. I do feel more comfortable, like I am improving to a certain extent.

Exercise in class this morning. Flowers. Pretty. I enjoy the first and third (the purple monochromatic) but not too crazy about the second, The red was meant to accentuate the piece . . . I think it failed. XD Practice, practice, practice.

Art unrelated to school for blogging sake

2011-09-11T19:22:00.000-07:00

I know I said I was going to try to blog a piece of my own personal art a day to keep me in the habit of blogging. Buuuuut this daily ritual didn't exactly work out. SO I am officially changing the project to "Personal Art Blogged Whenever I Receive the Chance." :D Enjoy all! Thanks so much!

Cheers!

My incomplete portrait of Annie Lennox, which turned out to be a favorite despite the fact that it never did get finished. Prisma color pencils.

Oh la la! I have some catching up to do!

2011-09-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

*Sigh* I fail at life. Okay, not really. In fact, I feel like for the first time this semester, everything has finally fallen into place. I've been up to my ears in assignments and work, and I've finally decided that I can't take on everything at once. I've set my priorities in order, dropped a course to lighten my load, and I'm back, baby!

When I say I fail at life, that is, I did not get my first 10 watercolor landscapes completed. I feel like a bum. I'd be fired in real life. :) But as I've said, I have my head back in the game and no amount of exhaustion or lack of sleep is ever gonna bring me down. *sings like Elphaba from Wicked* Ahem, I apologize. I just got done seeing an amazing slam poetry performance, and I am wired! :D But I will stop boring you with the mundane details of my life and present some much needed blogging material for class.

I have a very unique relationship with watercolor. I love the freedom of the medium, which forces me to not be so uptight with my work, but in the same token, they don't do exactly what I tell them, and that makes the inner uptight artist in me frustrated. Still, it gave me an excuse to go to the new art store downtown and spend far too much on new art supplies. It filled me with joy, and caused my wallet to weep. XD

I also apologize for the quality of this work. Rusty told us to avoid train-wrecks by this time, but that is not going to happen. At least not now. lol These are past assignments, and after I finish a few other assignments, the latest 10 architecture watercolors will be posted too.

Cheers everyone, and have a good night! :D

First day of playing with my new watercolors. Ironic how Terry Madden had more influence on me than I thought. :D Also, a color wheel to help us keep track of the color spectrum. T'was fun!

What I was able to do of the first assignment. Sad, I know. My plan is to finish the assignment, if only for practice's sake.

First in-class assignment. Image traced with Lucy, and painted from a black and white reference.

Three posts in one day . . .dang, girl!

2011-09-06T16:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, enough of homework! lol I need to post a few things on this blog that are unrelated to school for just a little while. Plus, I need just a little time to breathe between pressing assignments. So, if you would be willing, I'd like to propose the drawing of the day. My goal is to post a drawing at some point during every day from my artistic-related past for display as an aside from school and a chance to express myself here and there. These pieces will range from recent to a couple years old--all my favorites--drawn from my files and documents pretty much at random. Some will be finished, others yet to be completed.

I hope you'll look forward to this as much as I will. Hooray for personal projects!

Cheers! --L

Ahhh, here we have Daniel Boucher, one of my favorite Quebecois singers. Done with Prismacolor pencils, color scheme based off of original reference.

People . . . or, Person

2011-09-06T16:08:00.000-07:00

Well, this may be the most narcissistic thing I have ever done. Ten drawings of myself, in varying ink styles. My goal was originally to draw all my dearest family and friends, which I will do one day, but this particular assignment had a deadline that had to be met. Hence, I pulled out the ole light board, which, to my great disappointment and heartbreak, had a burnt out bulb. Luckily, it still served as a loyal drawing table as I traced the dark ink outline of my original reference. I'll have to get the poor thing changed out so that it might be my trusty tracing sidekick yet again.

Cheers and enjoy!

P.S. It is really difficult coming up with ten distinct ink drawing styles. After 50 drawings, you'd think I'd have this system figured out! XD

8.5x11.5 in. ink drawings, various styles, illustrated self-portrait

Labor Day homework . . . as promised!

2011-09-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

Ten nature drawings blogged by Wednesday FOR Monday, which of course is Labor Day. Sound hectic? Psh, no problem . . .er, much of one, anyway! I have discovered that capturing nature is a bit difficult, for me personally, though it came easily enough. I also learned that if you are an art major taking photos of references in case you can't work from pure observation, people give you funny looks. "Why is she taking random pictures of the buildings?" "What's so fascinating that needs documenting?" "Is that girl talking to a squirrel?" XD These are only what I imagine from the faces I receive, of course. They may not think I'm nearly as odd as I think. I need a shirt that has the words "Art Major" plastered across the back. Then maybe that would explain a few things. :D

So, without further ado, ten observational ink drawings from nature:

8.5x11.5 in. ink drawings, various styles, nature

Assignment #3

2011-09-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

Hello all!

Here I am, once again with the next 10 drawing assignment for Illustration, Art 219. The subject? You guessed it: architecture. Straight lines are the bane of everyone's existence, I believe. But somehow, despite its detail and complexity, I enjoyed rendering the Kirk Memorial Building. I think my need for artistic control suites the specifications of architecture. In this case, so long as accuracy is maintained, a.r. artistic technique is appropriate.

I am so sorry for not elaborating in my written description of the piece, but I was up until 3:30 last night working on homework (this series of drawings included) and words are simply not coming to my foggy, sleepy mind. Not to mention waking up in the nick of time to get to class prevented me from eating breakfast . . . So if I fall asleep on your shoulder, or my stomach starts rumbling, my sincerest apologies. XD

Cheers! I'll be back soon, with more to come!

Architecture series of 10, 5.8x8.5 in. white paper. Kirk Memorial Building, various ink drawing styles

Assignment #2

2011-08-31T16:58:00.000-07:00

Good evening, everyone! I have returned with yet another file of assigned artwork for Illustration. At 10 drawings every other day for goodness knows how long, if my skills do not improve at some point, I am officially at a loss. :) The practice is wonderful for me. I barely drew at all this summer (shame on me!) and getting back in the habit with a vengeance is empowering, inspiring, and exhausting. I want my work to be quality work, but in the midst of many other assignments, I wish I could do better. That is no excuse or complaint by any means . . . I just wish I could magically pause time whenever I felt like it for as long as I needed to. *sigh* It's a dream I'm sure we've all shared at at least some point.

This next series of ten was a focus in recreating the same observation in various forms of drawing with ink. This one was a bit of a cram, I must confess. I'm not proud of the fact, but it was pretty much unavoidable. However, I am not immensely dissatisfied. I'm actually amazed with my production. XD Ever since JBA animation class, speedy but accurate drawing has been the aim. Only practice will get me there.

I chose my framed photograph of Bruno Pelletier (my favorite French Canadian singer) for this constant subject matter. All I can say is, thank you tracing! You saved my sanity (well, what was left, anyway). At this time, I would also like to personally thank my step-father for making me my light board, and he and my mother for providing me with my first ever Mac and Creative Suite software! Also, thanks to my dad and step-mom and entire family for your moral support! I can only hope I'm not going to be a mediocre designer with all the fun toys to succeed. Confidence is key. I have some, but I'm gonna need a lot more in this field! Bring it on!

Various ink styles, same subject. 5.5x8.5 in white paper. Estimated time, a few hours, at least. :)

We're getting started!

2011-08-31T15:48:00.001-07:00

I have a blog. This is definitely a new experience for me. Not to say I'm not one for documentation, but I've never done anything like this before. However, I have been wanting to create a profile for my artwork for quite some time. Thank you Illustration/Art 219 for giving me the chance to take action!

Speaking of such, the content of this blog will be primarily an online showcase for my class work here at Truman State University. However, in my spare time (hahahahahaha! . . . *ahem* sorry), I hope to intermittently insert other various pieces of artwork that I have done previously. These may be from past college art classes, but I also hope to have a few personal favorites of mine--drawings and projects that were only wistful fancies before the dream of becoming an art major was attainable. :)

So, without further ado, I will commence! This first series of drawings is the first homework assignment for Illustration. Ten observational drawings, all focusing on the use of line using ink. I will be the first to admit that I am a control freak. I am SO uptight about perfection, despite the fact that I know it is unattainable. For this reason, ink and I have never been on amicable terms. I like control, darn it! But from a series of doodles in the margins of notes and homework assignments throughout the years (don't tell my professors XD), I have come to adore the messiness and permanence of ink. Though I am still tight as can be with my artistic style in my strive for realism, I am trying to embrace other styles, work quickly as well as accurately, meet deadlines, and be efficient without losing the personal spirit of my work. It is going to be a long road ahead, but I'm ready. At least, I very much hope so. ;)

Art 219, hw #1 various observational drawings done on 5.5x8.5 in. white paper. Pentel R.S.V.P. pen.
Each took about 30--45 minutes a piece or less.