The Score

Arts and Bows!

2012-01-10T23:22:00.000-08:00

Gah Talk about an extended holiday break. Continuing on with my arts and crafts kick during these past winter months, I was heavily inspired by this awesome hair bow DIY tutorial over at My Girl Thursday. And then I saw these Beautiful "statement" Bow over at the Red Velvet shop I decided to draw and make my own bows! Eeee.Why yes, I'm a big fan of head accoutrement

Elise of Red Velvet and A Beautiful Mess. She's freaking gorgeous.

Eventually, I'll probably have a bow in every size and color.

Random: I received this adorable Japanese pea pop puppy for Christmas from my beloved. I adore it.

So then I tried my hand at making my own version of the Red Velvet bow in a warmer, Christmas red and stiffer fabric. It turned out ehh, ok. Not sure when or where I'll be able to pull this off. And until I get a new camera, I had to compensate with my crappy HTC phone camera with filters to actually make me look *less* washed out. Sigh.

His name was Rocko

2011-12-07T23:28:00.001-08:00

I was on a roll with being better with more frequent updates but then you know, life happened. Also I really need to stop being lame and get a better camera and then not be lame about taking photos with the better camera. Maybe a New Years resolution? Anyway, one of the things that tied me up was this guy. A painting commission of a dearly beloved pet. I really hope I did him justice. I drawn tons of dogs an animals but haven't really painted them before. At least a finished one anyway. And that background.. yeah. Sigh. Not 100% thrilled but it needed to be done with in time for Christmas.

And here's the really rough initial sketch.

Coming up next time, a peak into my new crazy crafting life, and more sketches of pretty ladies. Or something Adventure Time related.

Internet Ladies I adore

2011-11-20T21:46:00.001-08:00

I decided I should keep my skills sharp by doing quick, rough practice portraits on some ladies I admire. I started off with the hilarious and talented Kate Beaton of "Hark A Vagrant" It's been a minute and I started off feeling a little rusty and I hope that if Kate ever saw it, she wouldn't mind how this turned out (I was working from a blurry youtube video :/) Anyway "Hark A Vagrant" is a fantastic, funny comic I highly recommend. Especially if you're a big history and literature nerd. And you'll learn a thing or two about Canada! (It's Neat!)

Ok the second lady I decided to draw was Katie of the blog "Skunkboy Creatures". She's also talented, crafty, quirky and adorable! I love her DIY and outfit posts. So if you're into girly crafty things, I also recommend her blog.

Los Meurtos and their Antiques

2011-11-07T22:14:00.000-08:00

Last week was Dia De Los Muertos. I did mine and the fellas face paint. Trying to get over feeling dumb for posting so many photos of myself for, you know, "the world" lately.Then we went to one of my favorite local antique stores (I love living within walking distance to several antique and consignment shops). I scored a super sweet paint by numbers piece, Mr. Man got a vintage Darth Vader and his TIE Fighter and then I decided to document some "artifacts" of hilariously awful Italian stereotypes. What the hell man..

A day late and a tunic short

2011-11-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

Hooray for Halloween! I simultaneously love an am annoyed with this holiday. I love dressing up and going out but I hate stressing out over my cobbled together costumes (not of the bagged variety) and what to do that weekend/day. I promise I'll get back to posting sketches and paintings soon now that things should be getting less hectic *fingers crossed*. My costume for this year was a Star Wars Imperial Officer. Not quit 501st quality (as I can't sew, and I would need to buy better boots, belt, etc) but I think it turned out well for Halloween. I was inspired by my friend Joanna and this post she linked to with details of construction: Naval Imperial Officer Costume

Also this weekend was the 2nd Annual Bad Dads Art Show (a tribute to the films of Wes Anderson). I missed last years and I really wanted to go. Also I found out that if you went in costume as a Wes Anderson character you would get a free mini print of the show poster. So of course I pulled out my costume from last year (Which really isn't that much different from how I dress normally, just with blonde hair and thicker eyeliner). Sadly I didn't get any photos while we were there (it was packed) but some people took photos of me so maybe they'll surface somewhere. The fellow and I bought two prints inspired by "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" . I wish I could be asked to be a part of fun shows like this. I really need to get off my ass and research shows that accept submissions, be more prolific, and somehow find the "right person to know". Ugh. I hate networking.

Ok that was fun here's a few more Halloweeny photos!

I never said this was going to be all cute and rainbows

2011-10-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

I saw Drive a while ago. It was entertaining and well lit and directed. I really applaud excellent lighting in movies, because I think it hard to do well and when its done well its beautiful. Ideally I would like to mimic well done lighting in more paintings but you know, time, energy, patience and all that. Anyhoo, I decided to draw this scene for whatever reason, and now i'm sharing it with "the world"

When I draw Ryan Gosling, I make sure to make him not cute.

Cute cuddly things.

2011-10-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

More photos from random bay area adventures. A couple staring one F13

I love him, but I'm not sure if I could handle a world with two of him *smiley face*

And check out my super sweet 1983 original burger king Return of the Jedi Ewok cup! I know you're jelly.

Baby ewoks in the hizouse.

Postcards!

2011-10-11T21:32:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago we happened to end up in a really great junk shop in Berkeley after hunting for antique finds. I cant remember the name of the shop now, but it was a tiny little place and they had boxes of fantastic old, mostly blank postcards. I decided to grab a bunch to send to friends and family since have still been unable to visit *grumble* but it works out fine since living here is kind of like being on really great stay-cation. Anyhoo, here are some scans of some of them, and some doodles I did on the back of them so this blog can still be about my art stuffs.

How cute is the girl on the trolly? And how about that pan am bag (mediocre network series non-withstanding)?

Fall! and Photos!

2011-10-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

Has it really been over a month since I last posted? Sadly yes. but I think to help improve post frequency I'm going to do a little experiment here and start posting some of my photos and random stuff that makes me smile. I'm still art-ing (and I've even picked up several new hobbies..) and I'll definitely be continuing to show that stuff here too but in the mean time..First I painted my nail all Kate Spade-y with a touch of Geninne's inspired art on my thumb

Then the other day I noticed this. You can tell its a girl car because of the eyelashes

And its fall in the bay area. You know what that means?! SPIDERS. EVERYWHERE.

That is over my front door frame. There are so many cobwebs that appear we dont really need to decorate for Halloween...

Things in my apartment that make me happy

2011-08-21T22:04:00.000-07:00

So what are some of the things I do when I'm not arting? I'm concocting crazy plans and ideas to improve the aesthetic value of the first real place I've lived in on my own. Slow to start (since I kind of had to figure out what kind of design style I had a taste for..) and then you know, taking breaks here and there. Mostly for my wallet but also for my (and not to mention my boyfriends) sanity.

Also, our place was kind of ehh.. so regretfully I didn't take many before or process shots as I wanted to get everything done and over with. I found a few before/process picks, and an old photo I took of myself in the bathroom last year (yeah yeah I know, it was for an art reference if it makes it any better)

Oh yeah, this was the original paint job we moved into. This wasn't done by us. I really wanted to punch whoever painted this place before us.

Before:

herp derp. At least you can kind of see the sad, awful color cream walls and the old shower curtain. It was a'ite.

Ok now for the glorious after! Peppered with things that make me smile!
After:

Oh yeah, that's a brand "new" fancy medicine cabinet that I found from local "industrial thrift store" (?) Urban Ore. If you live in the bay area, its definitely worth checking out. Especially if you're into remodeling your place on the cheap and diy. Be warned, its dusty and smells a bit of cat pee.

The end! Yay! In case you haven't figured it out by now I'm basically a large woman-child. I'm sure as I get older my place will become less whimsical and more classical but being a big kid is still fun.

And thus concludes the mini tour of my place, which I think will always be a work in progress, weather I stay here another year or move somewhere else. Hope you enjoyed!

I made a web banner

2011-08-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

For my cousin's fashion blog The Blonde Brunette I think they like and they'll probably add it soon along with an overall site design update. In the mean time the 3 of you can peep this.

Since it was for a fashion blog, the first inspirational illustrator that came to mind was Marguerite Sauvage. Shes amazing and I hope her and anyone else doesn't take offense to my little banner here.

Ron & Tammy. A love story.

2011-07-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

So my obsessive nerdiness has reached new heights and crossed genres. Here we have influences of 60's crime novels and style, the great Phil Noto, the amazing Robert McGuinness and well, my love for comedic television series'.

I think I'm done with P&R art for now anyway. May move on to The League or Trailer Park boys.

Still don't really have the hang of "painting" in PS but at least this is faster..?

More sketchy sketches

2011-07-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here's some things I did a while ago, before my lame foray into digital inking/coloring (Don't worry! More of that silly shit is coming soon!). Annnnyhoo hopefully the people that I depicted don't hate these (Or better yet well ever find out about them...) DRAWING IS FUN!

I noticed I like drawing glasses a lot. I'm not that good at it, but its a good challenge I suppose...

Aaaand my girl crush Zooey. Sorry I made your nose a little too big sweetheart!

Chicky-Chicky Nug-Nugz

2011-06-16T18:01:00.000-07:00

I like to draw things that amuse me.

This was suppose to just be practice for "painting" in photoshop and a lighting/color study on a face. I'm not 100% thrilled with it but maybe someone else out there will enjoy it. And if you think this is weird, talk to the person behind Dogs that look like Tom Haverford

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention on here. I finally updated my website and the design/layout for this here blog. So come check it out. Art and stuffs!

Sweating to the oldies?

2011-03-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

Meh so it's a little old. New to you right? I also found this last night after my post about only water coloring moms and small children. This was a gift for my mom a few years back.

Also, super difficult to scan in a water color painting and color correct it to not look like ass. Scanners don't really pick up lightly tinted paper all that well.

* also super quick shout out to my mom who is an amazing and wonderful human being and who did a pretty damn good job raising me. And who I miss very much. Its rough sometimes being an only child and living in a different state than my mom for several years now <3

Oldies but goodies?

2011-03-15T21:56:00.000-07:00

Gah. Right now I'm in the middle of trying to edit my work and myself while I try to redesign and rebuild my website. I found a bunch of old stuff and realize my style is all over the place. design and drawing/painting wise. Sigh. However as i was trudging through folder after folder I found the image of a quick little water color I did for one of my best friends mom a couple months back. Apparently I only do water colors of moms and little kids. Occasionally panda dogs.

Goony

2011-03-11T22:33:00.007-08:00

I decided that I still need regular practice drawing people and all that but I was growing tired of creepily going though my friends facebook photos trying to find a good image to draw from. So I decided to hit the SA forums and participate in the draw me draw you thread. These are the results of that assignment.

Color! Glorious technicolor!

2011-03-05T17:08:00.004-08:00

Ok not really. I actually inked and colored this in photoshop, then make a black and white version for quick and dirty xerox's. More DJs and and Bands should reach out to me....

Happy New Year

2011-01-07T20:41:00.002-08:00

To start off the new year, heres a newish sketch. Now I'm off to go to the pinball museum. Yaaay

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T18:54:00.004-08:00

Here's my final design for my companies holiday card. Also, you can go here and help chose a charity for my company to donate to Lithium Donates to Charities Yay for giving. And yay for Mr. Narwhal.

'allo there

2010-12-20T16:16:00.009-08:00

Woah has it really been 3 months since I last updated this? Sheesh. Time flies. So i've actually been up to a lot of things and started a couple of projects, paintings and what not in between work and embarking on various interior decorating projects for my apartment. Although in the mean time here are some sketches of stuff that I may but probably wont paint. That deer keeps *&^%ing with me..

And since its almost Christmas I decided to include the star wars snowflakes I made and the "holiday" card I made for work. Well this is just the sketch for it. The final is a bit different but I'll share that once we've sent them out. Thanks for stickin around this year for anyone thats still out there!

Sketch dump

2010-08-12T20:53:00.004-07:00

Here's a couple of older sketches, and a couple of newer ones. Yeah buddy.

update

2010-07-30T11:13:00.003-07:00

The Duo @ Mincing Mockingbird

Eek! Look at that! It made it! And with only a few scuffs and scratches! And it would appear that they love it! Yay! This was a lot of fun. Now I'm thinking about bugging my friends who also happen to be artists if they want to do a mail art exchange. Except I might need to buy a set of acrylics for that. Wasn't to stoked on having to wait and let the oil dry..

mince making?

2010-07-25T23:25:00.003-07:00

So a while ago I decided I would work on a piece to send in as mail art to one of my favorite artist The Mincing Meerkat. So here's my postcard painting of art genius's themselves, a not-quite frantic meerkat and not-quite mincing mockingbird. Ah well. I hope they like it, because I think it would be amazing if I got a reply from them! So here's the final piece and the sketches.

Birthday Presents and stuff I made

2010-07-12T22:43:00.005-07:00

Just sharing some pictures I took of my birthday goodies and the present I made for Felipe's birthday. I customized a munny to look like an old school Donkey Kong (sans quiff and tie) and some papercraft to go along with it. Yaay...

blah blah stuff

2010-07-07T13:06:00.003-07:00

I've been meaning to post more. But somehow it just escapes me..

anyhow heres a recent-ish sketch of an awesome mug shot i stumbled of a woman from late 60s Minneapolis. Its great.

And here's some more snippets from the old avatar project from last year. I was particularly fond of researching and getting a chance to draw am-i-nals.

I know, no actual art from me, but I found this fascinating.

2010-05-28T16:18:00.002-07:00

Soft and hard edges y'all. Its what the kids go crazy for!

"UBC researcher decodes Rembrandt’s “magic”

A University of British Columbia researcher has uncovered what makes Rembrandt’s masterful portraits so appealing.

In the study, published in the current issue of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s arts and sciences journal Leonardo, UBC researcher Steve DiPaola argues that Rembrandt may have pioneered a technique that guides the viewer’s gaze around a portrait, creating a special narrative and “calmer” viewing experience.

Renaissance artists used various techniques to engage viewers, many incorporating new scientific knowledge on lighting, spatial layout and perspectives. To isolate and pinpoint factors that contribute to the “magic” of Rembrandt’s portraits, DiPaola used computer-rendering programs to recreate four of the artist’s most famous portraits from photographs of himself and other models. Replicating Rembrandt’s techniques, he placed a sharper focus on specific areas of the model’s face, such as the eyes."

Read the rest of the article with more images here: "UBC researcher decodes Rembrandt’s “magic”

I like monsters, monsters are cool.

2010-05-26T12:24:00.003-07:00

Because i'm pretty sure these will never see the light of day, I'm just now finally getting around to posting them.

I dont really want to get into it, but I started making another avatar set, but then the project had to be dropped. Maybe someday ill color these? But probably not.

While my Guirtar gently weeps, is harder than it sounds on Rock Band.

2010-05-20T13:06:00.005-07:00

So I promised Elise I would update this more often. So here I am trying.

I was on a Beatles kick a while back and having an "artists block" decided I would sketch their likeness. Harder than I thought it would be. These aren't that great but meh, they were doodles between other things.

Also doodles of lazy Lima bean and some girl's photo I stumbled on the internet.

The internet is just cats

2010-04-14T22:43:00.001-07:00

And I for one salute our new overlords

Look! A painting I can share, for once.

2010-03-22T23:59:00.007-07:00

So this was a wedding present for my friend Elise which was like, 5 months late. But its the thought that counts right? I kinda happy with it. Hopefully the happy couple likes it too.

At least it didnt turn out like this. Can I get a high five guys? Guys...?

And sketches..

Heidie Ho!

2010-03-04T23:21:00.005-08:00

So I'll admit it, I've been kind of a turd when it comes to updating this thing with new art stuffs. To be fair, when life and work doesn't get in the way, half the stuff I draw are for my paintings, and I'm trying to stand firm against posting those until I have a show of my own. So for your viewing pleasure, here's so sketches I have absolutely no intention of painting in the near future!

A Strange Arrangement

2009-09-09T17:59:00.002-07:00

Dude, I'm so totally gonna see him perform next week, because I will be on best bunny behavior!

Mayer Hawthorne. Get into it.

Haay!

2009-09-03T20:48:00.002-07:00

Look its a scarrrrry painting. WooooOOOoooOoo.

And I'm drawn a blank

2009-09-03T12:58:00.003-07:00

Just something really quick. Until I get around to saving a web friendly version of my last painting. Then when I'm happy with finishing the new CD site, ill post a link to check it out in the context of a website background image.

Process!

2009-08-21T10:38:00.005-07:00

Decided to be a little different and share part of the process that went behind
creating a new painting/background image I'm doing for the new http://www.cinemadiabolica.com that will be finished hopefully this weekend? Anyhow, so I looked at a bunch of Giallo movie posters for inspiration, took a photo for reference, and sketched this out.

Then happy with this sketch for the most part, I decided to trace it and make a ghetto transfer of the sketch to apply to the wood panel I was going to paint on.

And thats it for now. Next update should include the painting and new background image for everyone's enjoyment.

skwak!

2009-08-19T12:49:00.005-07:00

Not enough updates I know. And these aren't really impressive or anything. They did put a smile on face though, and sometimes, isn't that enough?

Rowr

2009-07-27T13:31:00.003-07:00

I drew Capn Marvel based on Alex Ross's interpretation. Because he looks like a psycho and hottie at the same time.

check. check. "Hellooooo"

2009-07-11T14:04:00.004-07:00

Some more sketches. Not to happy with these. I feel like Ive been out of practice for too long. Ugh.

Deedle deedle dee

2009-05-27T23:43:00.002-07:00

Heres some portraits I did for practice not too long ago. I may make it a habit to rape the art opening pictures from the back of juxtapoze more often.

Me heart bigfoot

2009-05-22T12:34:00.002-07:00

This goes out to my buddy Grant. "Shop Guy Extraordinaire" and in memory of our arting group lovingly dubbed The Sasquatch Society.

ha-HA

2009-05-19T23:17:00.004-07:00

Hey look at that, five months has passed by already? Time flies when you're busy starting a new life, moving, adjusting, AND having fun. anyhoo I have been doing a lot of art, not as much as I would like/normally because of the whole uprooting and adjusting but I'm hanging on. Even new art stuff for work. Anyway I was keeping this a secret since I thought we would make posters soon, but it may not bee for a long time. I started to buy screen printing stuff so I may try to do a run of these someday? who knows. ANYWAY. Back to posting art. Hopefully more frequently.

And the line art I inked. For this I had to practice a bit since it had been YEARS since i've traditionally inked anything.

Whoo boy.

2008-12-22T00:08:00.002-08:00

Been a while huh? Life has been pretty damn busy if you hadn't guessed. Although I haven't updated here as often as I'd like, I have been busy painting and designing stuff. And look, heres a little watercolor image I made as a graphic for an upcoming site.

(Remember) Walking in the sand...

2008-10-16T13:23:00.003-07:00

Commission piece for a friend, "Cortez and Eddie on the beach" 48" x 32". I need more commission pieces people. I can't stress enough I will art for food. In the mean time I'm working on my slightly secret series of portraits so I can hopefully have a show in a couple of months and THEN get more commissions. Its hard whoring yourself.

Detail:

Hey-O!

2008-09-27T14:48:00.003-07:00

Wow look at me bein all pro-active here? So I did this poster... Its for the Arizona Underground Film Festival. It had a really quick turnaround time so The option of designing something really elaborate and painting it was out of the question. (as I love traditionally done movie posters). So I did a poster inspired by the flag for Arizona and the fact that most of the films in the fest are gonna be horror in nature. And I tried to stick with a screen printing aesthetic. Badda bing badda boom. And a quick sketch for my pal Nico who had to go a move! Lame! Actually no, I'm just jealous. Anyhoo I have to go to work now. Super lame.

Yub nub, eee chop yub nub

2008-09-24T20:59:00.002-07:00

Come on down!

2008-09-15T00:22:00.003-07:00

Da da da daaaa! Da da da daaaa! Da Da da daa daa da daa daa da daa da da da da da daaaaaa!

Watercolors!!!!

2008-09-14T23:40:00.002-07:00

Are fun. Or something. Hey lookit this!

Ba-derp

2008-09-05T12:04:00.006-07:00

Wow. It looks as if August was bleak. But I assure it wasn't. Actually been pretty busy with art, work and travel. So remember the little voodoo doll graphic I posted from the Cinema Diabolica site? Well I transformed a munny into the F13 Voodoo Doll. Go me!

More sketches, paintings, crap coming soon.

Put some pants and shoes on.

2008-07-31T10:27:00.002-07:00

A sketch of the painting I'm currently working on.

A really quick sketch of Jimmy from Quadrophenia. meh.

OH yeah

2008-07-12T17:04:00.006-07:00

Forgot that I never posted these. They;re not THAT old.

Sup Bitches?

2008-06-17T14:50:00.002-07:00

So this is gonna be a t-shirt. Awesome no? Go listen to awesome horror movie podcast Outside The Cinema

And then there was this

2008-06-12T10:40:00.002-07:00

Apparently, it's a hell'uva drug

2008-05-20T08:44:00.002-07:00

Gotta roll like Kata Mari

2008-05-10T10:12:00.004-07:00

"We're children! We're children!"

2008-05-03T13:18:00.002-07:00

Yeah Dave. Drawing is key Dave.

2008-04-12T18:34:00.003-07:00

I like music, yes I do.

2008-04-07T22:20:00.004-07:00

I like music, how 'bout you?

Funky but not fresh.

2008-04-05T11:14:00.005-07:00

cough

2008-03-10T23:31:00.002-07:00

Look I did stuff!

2008-03-04T12:46:00.003-08:00

2008-02-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

Here we go

2008-02-05T00:50:00.000-08:00

I've been reading fables way too much.

Lazy Sunday

2008-01-27T17:26:00.000-08:00

This ones for you!!

2008-01-24T21:22:00.000-08:00

More Random stuff. Colored with watercolors..

2008-01-23T22:23:00.000-08:00

Its been how long since I've updated? Geez. The holidays were super hectic and right now im in the process of redesigning my site AGAIN. But its gonna be better than ever. With focus shifting to the illustrations its become a lot more cohesive.

As far as the lack of pencil scratches, well Ive drawn a lot more than this its just finding the time to scan it all.

I dislike acrylics

2007-11-30T17:04:00.000-08:00

So I'm still posting older stuff that I originally meant to post but just never go around to it until now. That and I haven't had a chance to scan the newer stuff. Anyway for awhile I really was determined and gung ho about doing a paint sketch everyday in my sketch book. But then i remembered I really don't like acrylics, i need to get a better pallet case for those paints, and the damned paper got on wrinkled despite taking precautions. To hell with it for now.

David who?

2007-11-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

Yeah, so I have this thing about David Walliams... And most other male British comedians. I know I have a problem. Anyway, enjoy these sketches I did for an old painting I started but haven't finished yet. Sigh.

Shaking off the dust

2007-11-13T19:55:00.000-08:00

So yeah. talk about a hiatus. I swear I'm gonna breath life back into this beauty. And so it begins. Oldies but goodies?

I love mary

2007-05-21T21:20:00.000-07:00

So updates haven't been quite as plentiful as I've liked. I still need to buy a new scanner and now that I'm done with school, I've pretty much spent all my newly acquired free time catching up on all the movies and tv I missed the past year. Its been remarkable. But here, I did this, and I like her, so you should too.

My foot's asleep

2007-04-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

More doodled musings from yours truly. Newest to oldest.

Look! Stuffs!

2007-03-27T22:49:00.000-07:00

Um, here are some sketches. I'm so obviously influenced and addicted the movies its quite sad. and then theres the other amazing artists who's work see online in this case Joshua Petker and then I try to emulate that in order to figure out how and why what they do works. Does that make any sense? No ok well here are some drawings anyway.

Broadcasting is go

2007-02-21T20:27:00.000-08:00

eek. First post. Unfortunately sans art. This will be rectified shortly.

Love your humble host,
Monique