Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
SCBWI
I finally joined "The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators". After hearing soooo many references about it, I figured that it would be a helpful step. I was pleased to learn that, even though the monthly "regional" meeting is somewhat far away, there are many "critique" groups around the metroplex which seem just perfect for me.
The past few months have been a bit busy. I got a position as an Adjunct Developmental Writing Professor at a community college near me. It has really been a new experience, but I feel that I have had great success with my students over the last couple of semesters. I have been looking at graduate schools but nothing seems to fit right for what I desire. I am quite happy in the developmental department, and I like my supervisors a lot. I am still actively drawing though I did take an etsy break as my stuff is more fine art and conceptual than crafty.
Mostly I guess I will just visit the critique groups and prepare some packets for some magazines and publishing houses and/or agents.
I enjoyed my gallery involvement with The Fort Worth Community Art Center, and I will probably do the "9x12" show again next year. "Mail Me Art" is publishing a book and I will be in it (Yeah!) This will be very cool for me - I wish that the "Sketchbook Project" would do the same thing! All in all, I think I did ok. From now on I think I will only do small group shows where the content and quality of the work is somewhat like my own.... ;)
The past few months have been a bit busy. I got a position as an Adjunct Developmental Writing Professor at a community college near me. It has really been a new experience, but I feel that I have had great success with my students over the last couple of semesters. I have been looking at graduate schools but nothing seems to fit right for what I desire. I am quite happy in the developmental department, and I like my supervisors a lot. I am still actively drawing though I did take an etsy break as my stuff is more fine art and conceptual than crafty.
Mostly I guess I will just visit the critique groups and prepare some packets for some magazines and publishing houses and/or agents.
I enjoyed my gallery involvement with The Fort Worth Community Art Center, and I will probably do the "9x12" show again next year. "Mail Me Art" is publishing a book and I will be in it (Yeah!) This will be very cool for me - I wish that the "Sketchbook Project" would do the same thing! All in all, I think I did ok. From now on I think I will only do small group shows where the content and quality of the work is somewhat like my own.... ;)
Monday, May 17, 2010
Summer in Texas
So my first semester teaching went well and I know that I have been neglecting my blog... Therefore, I thought it would be a nice thing to talk about Summer in Texas. Because, boy is it hot here! TX has like 5 months of summer and I am not a hot weather person.
Here is the advice I have for surviving summer in Texas.
1. Air conditioning- soooo important, have it in your house and in your car. This is the most important thing you can have down here. Many people die each year of heat stroke because they didn't take this advice. Air conditioning makes it livable down here period.
2. Ok so you have somewhere to escape the heat, What else can you do? Second on my list is POCICLES- yes anytype of frozen desert, snack or beverage, ice cream, fruit pop, sherbert, whatever. I survive this season by stocking up on fruit juice popcicles- I like popsicles because they help you cool your body down and they add a bit of joy to life. They are also easier to just grab and go plus, it is easier to monitor how many you eat per day and, if you choose a company that makes them with natural ingredients and fruit juice- it is healthy too- heck, you can even buy reusable plastic molds and make your own all summer long :)
3. Clothing needs to be paid attention too as well. For guys- just make sure you choose fabrics that breath, shorts are ok too and flip flops can be your best friend- My boyfriend in highschool wore flip flops in the winter as well come to think of it..... haha
Now for girls !
This is where I can really give some advice, in addition to all the strappy sandal styles-girls have a bit more in the way of choices than boys do but in Texas you will probably end up preferring the shorter things and dresses. I like asian fashion, so I like short shorts which can look nice under an appropriate long top. However, it works best if your frame is "long and lanky" which can be the case even if you are short. If your legs are not long and lanky this approach can make you look top-heavy. I myself prefer a more balanced look by wearing skirts and dresses. I have a modest collection of summer dresses and flowy skirts. The skirts are good to put under ones shirts and blouses and the dresses are good for low maintenance effortless outfitting. Also a maxi dress is always a must have if you feel uncomfortable showing your legs off as many people do. Maxi dresses look good on every body type, and they are more sophisticated and mature looking. You may have to look around to find one but Ross always has a few and the internet abounds if you know your size :)
All of this translates into keeping cooler in your clothes...
5. WATER ....Drink water and keep hydrated- I have to put this in even though I feel it's a no-brainer. Also if you do spend any time outside let it be in the pools or the sprinklers. Kids especially love this and a bathing suit is a must for the season.....
6. Sun-Glasses- you would need these down here, sometimes it is so bright that I can hardly see and I'm squinting the whole day- no good.
7. I will tack on sun- screen too because they say you should always have some. Now, in Texas you will probably NOT want to bask in the sun. You can choose makeup that has spf in it, though I think you may want to wear lighter makeup in this season...... Try for a light non-gressy sunscreen and I do believe that several makeup companies make good ones.
8. Reading- if you have more free time than usual during the summer you may feel bored but there are indoor things you can do! You can watch movies, or surf the web but you don't want to do that all day everyday all summer long!!! I recommend reading as a laid back way to relax on a hot day. Finding a good book or series of books can translate into hours of time lost in another world in a way movies just cant.
9. When it is hot - what to do with your HAIR? Some of you may have long hair and may always like to wear it down however, in hot areas like Texas in the summer- this is not best. Nothing makes you hotter than having hair on your neck and it only takes about 10 minutes before I end up putting even the cutest hairdo UP. I would say that having a collection of hair ties, hairbands and hair clips will do the trick ... cute updos abound and the current flower clip trend looks even cuter in the summer.
On a side note- one should also invest in a body spray on some light fruity or citrus-y or clean fragrance a body spray is a good way to cool off-stay away from musky and warm scents as it often makes one feel a tad warmer..... however this may be a personal preference.
10. Well, what else?
Here is the advice I have for surviving summer in Texas.
1. Air conditioning- soooo important, have it in your house and in your car. This is the most important thing you can have down here. Many people die each year of heat stroke because they didn't take this advice. Air conditioning makes it livable down here period.
2. Ok so you have somewhere to escape the heat, What else can you do? Second on my list is POCICLES- yes anytype of frozen desert, snack or beverage, ice cream, fruit pop, sherbert, whatever. I survive this season by stocking up on fruit juice popcicles- I like popsicles because they help you cool your body down and they add a bit of joy to life. They are also easier to just grab and go plus, it is easier to monitor how many you eat per day and, if you choose a company that makes them with natural ingredients and fruit juice- it is healthy too- heck, you can even buy reusable plastic molds and make your own all summer long :)
3. Clothing needs to be paid attention too as well. For guys- just make sure you choose fabrics that breath, shorts are ok too and flip flops can be your best friend- My boyfriend in highschool wore flip flops in the winter as well come to think of it..... haha
Now for girls !
This is where I can really give some advice, in addition to all the strappy sandal styles-girls have a bit more in the way of choices than boys do but in Texas you will probably end up preferring the shorter things and dresses. I like asian fashion, so I like short shorts which can look nice under an appropriate long top. However, it works best if your frame is "long and lanky" which can be the case even if you are short. If your legs are not long and lanky this approach can make you look top-heavy. I myself prefer a more balanced look by wearing skirts and dresses. I have a modest collection of summer dresses and flowy skirts. The skirts are good to put under ones shirts and blouses and the dresses are good for low maintenance effortless outfitting. Also a maxi dress is always a must have if you feel uncomfortable showing your legs off as many people do. Maxi dresses look good on every body type, and they are more sophisticated and mature looking. You may have to look around to find one but Ross always has a few and the internet abounds if you know your size :)
All of this translates into keeping cooler in your clothes...
5. WATER ....Drink water and keep hydrated- I have to put this in even though I feel it's a no-brainer. Also if you do spend any time outside let it be in the pools or the sprinklers. Kids especially love this and a bathing suit is a must for the season.....
6. Sun-Glasses- you would need these down here, sometimes it is so bright that I can hardly see and I'm squinting the whole day- no good.
7. I will tack on sun- screen too because they say you should always have some. Now, in Texas you will probably NOT want to bask in the sun. You can choose makeup that has spf in it, though I think you may want to wear lighter makeup in this season...... Try for a light non-gressy sunscreen and I do believe that several makeup companies make good ones.
8. Reading- if you have more free time than usual during the summer you may feel bored but there are indoor things you can do! You can watch movies, or surf the web but you don't want to do that all day everyday all summer long!!! I recommend reading as a laid back way to relax on a hot day. Finding a good book or series of books can translate into hours of time lost in another world in a way movies just cant.
9. When it is hot - what to do with your HAIR? Some of you may have long hair and may always like to wear it down however, in hot areas like Texas in the summer- this is not best. Nothing makes you hotter than having hair on your neck and it only takes about 10 minutes before I end up putting even the cutest hairdo UP. I would say that having a collection of hair ties, hairbands and hair clips will do the trick ... cute updos abound and the current flower clip trend looks even cuter in the summer.
On a side note- one should also invest in a body spray on some light fruity or citrus-y or clean fragrance a body spray is a good way to cool off-stay away from musky and warm scents as it often makes one feel a tad warmer..... however this may be a personal preference.
10. Well, what else?
Friday, March 5, 2010
Some thoughts
I have been making some adjustments... As you can see I took down my etsy and zazzle badges. I still have a profile on each site but Etsy will now be for custom requests only, Zazzle will be accessed by a link on my website. I want to focus more on making art and keeping the value of my work unique. I don't want to mass produce it, or get into advertising it....... I just want to draw and blog..... I want to take part in specialized events and meet people who like my art, I want to take part in solo and group shows rather than open calls for art...because I have seen that open shows lack the quality and "theme" that I would like........ I got a player from a show I was in and on the flyer was a drawing that looked like a character from beevus and buthead and I said to myself... "Ok this is not what I am wanting...this is just participation for participation sake..... no value, no filtering, no expectations.... No more.." More group shows are curated, so I need to look at artists like me-where do they exhibit? -Then I need to send THOSE galleries my postcard mailers and emails. Then they will know who I am..... In the mean time, I have to go and draw more and post more.....
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Its been a while, and that is because I have been doing a lot of work for my job. Its nice but not a lot of time for art..... I have to get motivated again though :) Honestly, I am not sure what I want to do with my arteork, or how I want to share it :( I am lowbrow in one sense but NOT in the domintant lowbrow trend of "slightly disturbing". I am naive art but I have an art degree.... I am neo anime/manga/otaku art and yet my style is VERY different at the same time......
I was think of sending resumes to art agents or something...... Then I could have a variety of projects.....
I don't know if etsy is for me...I think people who sell on there have offline following and anyways the ones who do good are the suppliers and jewelry makers.
It would be nice to be a part of a group art show... or do an interview with a magazine BUT the most important thing is to draw and keep drawing and making pretty new designs and then to put them here and on art sharing sites and just enjoy art....
I was think of sending resumes to art agents or something...... Then I could have a variety of projects.....
I don't know if etsy is for me...I think people who sell on there have offline following and anyways the ones who do good are the suppliers and jewelry makers.
It would be nice to be a part of a group art show... or do an interview with a magazine BUT the most important thing is to draw and keep drawing and making pretty new designs and then to put them here and on art sharing sites and just enjoy art....
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Today, because I feel like it
"Pride can stand a thousand trials
The strong will never fall
But watching stars without you my soul cried
Heaving heart is full of pain
Oh, oh, the aching
Cause, I'm kissing you oh
I'm kissing you oh
Touch me deep, pure and true gift to me forever
Cause, I'm kissing you
Oh, I'm kissing you, oh
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Cause, I'm kissing you
I'm kissing you, oh "
~Des'ree Kissing You
The strong will never fall
But watching stars without you my soul cried
Heaving heart is full of pain
Oh, oh, the aching
Cause, I'm kissing you oh
I'm kissing you oh
Touch me deep, pure and true gift to me forever
Cause, I'm kissing you
Oh, I'm kissing you, oh
Where are you now?
Where are you now?
Cause, I'm kissing you
I'm kissing you, oh "
~Des'ree Kissing You
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Anyhow
plush like
Plushyou! blog has all kinds of interesting articles.
Dog is by Lemmikkiapina
I want to get some magazines now.....
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Classes and such
So I am all signed up for this semester's classes. I graduated school a few years ago after double majoring in English AND Studio Art......Yet I have taken a class here and there ever since. Lets see...I've taken Storyboarding, Intro to Computer Graphics, Maya Modeling & Rendereing I, Basic Animation -Flash, and History of Animation/Tradition Animation, ..................all to add to what I already learned in my traditional Studio Art Classes. Now, this semester, I will take Digital Art I and Illustration Techniques I.......I'm not sure what new things I will learn in the Illustration class since, technically, I already DO Illustration, but I am excited to maybe experiment a bit and hopefully meet some new people with similar interests!
Something else I also want to do is to start sending my portfolio to Publishing Houses and Illustration Agencies......
I also want to do some more gallery shows, and I want to participate in very unique ones, a strict theme, or a curated group show, preferably next to artists along the same style/type/subject matter as myself.....
Something else I also want to do is to start sending my portfolio to Publishing Houses and Illustration Agencies......
I also want to do some more gallery shows, and I want to participate in very unique ones, a strict theme, or a curated group show, preferably next to artists along the same style/type/subject matter as myself.....
Saturday, January 2, 2010
last sketchbook and thoughts of today
Well my last sketchbook was done and sent off a few days ago now. It was with the theme " And Suddenly..." As I had little time I went ahead and did the last half of the book in colage form. with much use of glue and scissors :)
As for my thoughts. "One should not have to try to hard to chase after one's friends, true friends meet you and interact, you are not ignored by them or tolerated by them but enjoyed. One must abide by this and without looking back."
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