The X vs. The XX - XXX (mashupper: Hawkins)

I’m bringing tangiblecard-sending back.
YEAH!

Similar pose as the drawing from the post “Write Now!”
It was too good to let go.

New Year? Mine ends in April.

From my first white hair to my last client,
2011 was a surprising one.


bolon, an Ecuadorian staple

A window in my schedule afforded me the
opportunity to go to Ecuador early in the year.



With one of my clients in Playas, Ecuador. Business meets vacation

When I returned—even while I was there!—
my own frothy mixture of networking and hustling
led to some rewarding clients.
Odd for a year of financial downturns across the board.

(Speaking of which, look out for the progress of my next commission!)

Given the hyper-awareness we have acquired
due to these shifting economic times,
the groundwork has been laid for
the independent artist to thrive.


even babies with three hands are getting in on the action

There is so much mistrust these days, not to mention instability—
there’s no job security in the big guns anymore.


(…the entertainment industry nonwithstanding. I reunited with my Cali friend,
who informed me that video editing jobs are pretty steady there)


For those who began their businesses with fits and starts,
I salute you; keep the momentum going.


That includes YOU, Ruth! Good seeing you again by the way!



For those on the brink of starting but are hesitant for whatever reason, let me assure you: NOW is the best time to create independently and make money off your creations. If it’s fear that holds you back, kick that fear in the ass, light a fire up your own ass (I mean it in the most encouraging way!) and do it. I’ll start you on the right path: If you no longer wish to constantly divulge your SS# on every timesheet/invoice, and not have that dreaded audit looming in the unforeseeable future, go here and apply for an EIN.

You’re welcome.


my light a fire drawing

Here’s to what will be….Here’s to ‘12!

A baby retrospective.

I’ve been a lot thinking about
cover letters lately. About
honesty and how much,
if any, should go in one.

The following is from a cover letter
to a book-publishing company
I drafted years ago:

Though I was formally trained in graphic design alongside fine arts, my experience began as a three-year-old, illustrating my own stories and binding my own books. Whether the subject matter was rhinoceros families eating cheeseless pizzas or dishwashing competitions, expressing on paper whatever my imagination dictated was priority number one.

Endearing? or off-putting?
And that’s presuming that I’m being honest.
Well, let’s just see.










Spanish yeah! TRANSLATION: The Damned Clown.
I have my cousin to thank for this fantastical idea.


Wow. I can actually crop these and use them
as reference for color schemes and mood boards. Again, fantastical.


And as a special treat, since Christmas is coming:




And no girlhood would be complete without


NOTE: I did Little Mermaid II first. :P

Tim O’Brien

I was super fortunate to have had
Tim O’Brien for a professor.
Today is his birthday,
and what better way to honor it
than to honor his work?

Mr. McFeety (alternate title: HIRE THIS MAN!)

To 2D and 3D animation employers:
Consider this a public endorsement /
reference for Jared Johnson, AKA McFeet.
This goes with my whole premise of
art inspiration, relations, and creations.
I don’t fawn easily. It takes a lot to impress me.
It’s merely an added bonus (coincidence, really)
that I know him. Incidentally, he’s a good guy.

NOTE: His videos have no music so I took the liberty of adding a song.
To hear the music with his stuff, click on the vid directly below.



Jared Johnson Animation Reel


And the world needs artists who can do Spongebob justice.




This is an example of what not to do.

Oh, and on the subject of delicious finds
that make your life better,
If you need text filler and
Lorem Ipsum no longer takes your fancy.
SAMUEL L. IPSUM YEAHHHHHHH!
Jared would approve.

Subway Series, Part 1

Inspired by James Jean’s sketches,
I began my first cohesive series:
the New York City subway.
Other sketches in similar format followed
(see the post Countdown with Keith Olbermann?).
Here is a first taste of the series,
which I’ll be posting in installments.
Keep an eye out for them!

Rise-in-the-Fall Playlist

Yes Logo No? Three in a Row!

I had another post planned. Next time then.
After a long drought (odd spelling that word out),
the logo muscle is flexing overtime this September!

The client heads her own social media agency.
Fashion-forward and classy. That I can do [too! haha].

Out of many different treatments,
three similar ones made it through the gauntlet.





She’s full of fun, brand-building musings.
Twitter her out here.

No Logo Yes

Too soon for another logo?
Whatever comes my way, I post.
My uncle in Ecuador flaunted
his company logo/signature.


?!?!

His “friend” designed it for him.
First and only instinct: Re-do it, stat.
Pro-bono if need be. But STAT.



Yes.
I cannot associate our name with badly ripped-off work,
albeit brought home by an unaffiliated third party.

He wanted to keep the color scheme overall blue. Fine.
He also adored the original concept of the arrows, and didn’t think
I could put a different spin on it (bad pun not intended, sorry).
Poor, ignorant man. Said lovingly, of course.



Lo quiero mucho tio, ¡suerte!

Old Type Sketches

I am proud to say that I’ve recently
changed my position regarding C.