Friday, March 7, 2014

March 7 2014

As my friend from Firefly Evenings helped me to realize, I think I'm going through a metamorphosis. The past three months have been a difficult time in my life, but I am transforming and becoming a better person because of it.

Art therapy is something I want to experience more of. I'm making a chip board book. Each page will say something that has meaning to me. I hope by sharing the pages I will inspire or help someone else.

I also want to paint and make a comic about a robot girl... sometimes I wish I was a robot so that I could force myself to follow through with my ideas!

Monday, January 20, 2014

January 20 2014

I'm going to turn this blog into my main online presence.

I have to stop editing my previous posts though! Oops!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

January 8 2014

I asked an old friend to send me a drawing I did for him- a samurai with angel wings (his idea.) He said it was on his desk, which makes me happy.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

January 4, 2014

I'm starting to realize just how unique and amazing other people are. Everyone is a miracle.

Friday, December 27, 2013

December 27 2013

It seems my favorite person in the world has decided the world has more to offer him than I do.

How do I compete with the world?

I have strong anxiety. It's built up over the years, and I often let my mind wander into scary thoughts, like how many more people in this world are more talented than me, prettier than me, cooler, younger, or more interesting than me.
I just got back from a trip to a large city. There were so many cars on the road, so many different people in the mall. Who am I to think I have anything the world and its people don't already have? How do I compete with it? How do I find a calmness in its maze of thorny branches?

I am comforted by this verse:

John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

If God has overcome the world, why should I have to?

He made me an individual with a specific, original mind and appearance. He chose me to create. That should be enough to value myself and my ideas.

I think that's also a reason I love space and NASA. It must be a bit relaxing and empowering to be able to look down and see the world, far away from all its troubles

Drinking less Coke would help my anxiety too. Haaaa

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Tiny Isometric Playground

Here is a piece I did for a contest (Lilla Rogers Global Talent Search.) 1500 entries, and so many of them gorgeous!

My color palette was inspired by Einar Nerman, a Swedish artist born in 1888. I wanted the colors to attract children as well as adults, so I used limited colors that still cover a good amount of the spectrum.

Maybe it's the gamer in me, but I love isometric perspective. It creates a dollhouse effect where many elements can be seen at an equal scale.

I wanted to have many objects to look at, but also keep the style minimalist so that the viewer can tell what's going on even in a thumbnail version. The character designs are definitely Japanese-inspired to an extent. I'm a sucker for cuteness!

Here are some process shots: Originally it had a daring salmon-pink background;


Final Version:


I ended up with a more natural green background (favorite color!)

Now I see a few mistakes, but that's what happens when you work til the last minute. I think I needed to be more consistent with the playground equipment width. The focus is definitely on the children, who are more organically shaped than everything else. The trees were the most difficult object to depict with this style.

If I were to do it again, I might omit some objects and the trees, and only have five children around the center, though this one does give the illusion of a continuing pattern. The trees help to shape the composition, being so dark.

 If I don't win, I am contemplating selling the children as clip art. That sounds kind of bad in writing... -_-v I am kind of attached to them so we'll see!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Digital Collage Rabbit Ballerina and her Kitty Friend

I ran into really cool photo on Flickr of a showgirl in a bunny costume from the 50's. Bunny ears are super popular right now. If I took a guess, Fionna and Cake from Adventure Time probably helped the trend. I think they're adorable!

The photo mentioned inspired me to draw some bunny girl ballerinas. I used markers, colored pencils, and Photoshop. This style is bright and cheerful, but not overly so due to the somber expressions. Next time I'd like to incorporate more found paper elements and textures.


Thanks for reading!