my thoughts & TED talk...The Power of Vulnerability.

I recently had a friend tag me in some college freshmen photos... if you ever wonder how much you have changed in a five years time, look back at photos. They speak volumes. I grew up not knowing who I was and did most of my growing in college. It shows. These pictures are not "embarrassing" per say in the way you would hide them from my parents, but it did show a side of me that I have been trying to forget. I wasn't very pretty, little to no confidence, I was awkward, geeky, insecure, shy... I could go on.

The reason why I bring this up is because I didn't "un-tag" myself... even though I want to, I can't pretend that wasn't who I was. I shouldn't be ashamed ( I am trying not to)... I can look in the mirror now and clearly see that I have changed; and for the better. I have confidence and have learned how to take care of myself. Those pictures show progress, SO MUCH progress. And a great reminder that I had/have some pretty great friends at my side.

What I am trying to say is, I am proud that I left the photos up there. I shouldn't be ashamed of who I was. Or who I am.

I listened to this TED talk the other day ... (by the way, did I tell you today was my last day of work? Whatever happens remember that I am making paper dolls. ) ANYWAY...I think this talk that I listened to made me brave(er).... Listen...I love it!

Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability

http://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability.html

Please leave a comment :) Have a wonderful day, as always.

Editorial Work....

I recently did some editorial illustration's for a magazine called Stowaway. The top is an article about different museums around the world (not really an original image). The bottom (which is more successful) was about how we can be lost in translation when associating with other cultures. It was fun as always. I love editorial work.

Have a wonderful day.

Merry Christmas Card....

Merry Christmas everyone, I have been meaning to put this up for a few weeks but my file was corrupted and (well you know life) but all is good now... This is my Christmas mailer. Also I put this into a contest and got runner up. So that is fun.

Finals are over, and this is the part of it that I hate. The waiting. Nothing is worse than it. It is the same feeling I get when I am all dressed up and ready to go for a date, but I was ready too early. So I have to wait...wait...wait. Oh well. This is why I am not thinking about it. Have a wonderful day.

Less Boring Blog...

Ok, less boring blog, and though I like it, perhaps it is a bit distracting?

Anyway, like promised I told you I would share more of my "real life" with people...
... I cut off 10" of my hair today. It now goes to my ears at longest and goes up in the back; and it is so cute. Really it is! There is something about cutting my hair that is satisfying- it is one of the few things in life that I can change that doesn't cause too much harm. Think about it. Don't like it wear a hat, change the color, cut off 10 inches! It grows back, it heals. I also tend to be very timid about life, so to say with confidence "cut it off" was satisfying.

Well, have a good night!

Boring blog...

I have a boring blog...it is ok, we can say it. The layout is boring, the little comments here and there are fine- but I can only speak for myself. Yep, the images are pretty but that is really about it. Part of it is I have a hard time making a blog my life, but if I don't start, it really isn't too interesting is it? People don't come to a boring blog... and those of you that do follow-bless your heart!

So how do I make it interesting?....hmmm?....

Here is a shot:

I am sending out mailers this week. No, really this is a big deal! I always chicken out of it, but I am really doing it! Just in time for Christmas. My goal is one mailer a month to various publishing co.'s; lets say 25 different pub. co.'s. Small, but I need to start somewhere. I don't have the crutch anymore of blaming school. Nope. Not any more; well in 4 days. (Please, I just need to pass so I can get on with my art life)...I will finally finish my BFA show. I have an idea and I am running with it- and not dropping it this time. I am going to work on my portfolio and make it better, more professional, more uniformed. By-golly, I am getting a haircut!
...no really I am, I am leaving for it right now :)

As always, have a happy day and may your life be full of whimsical moments.

So cute... :)

First you start with a line...

First you start with a line...
Have you ever started an illustration, had to put it aside, and then came back to it a month later and wondered what you had been thinking? Well this was me yesterday, there are a few things I like, but I will be changing most of it.

For fun, I decided go through the step by step of a painting-lets see if it will turn out :)



I like the painting, but I will have to work on the type and placement still... Oh well, the end. At least for now. Have a happy day.

New Chapter...almost

I am done with all my classes in a week; a week! I am so ready to throw in the towel but I just need to go a little bit longer. Four months ago if you would have asked me I would have told you that I could have gone on forever- but I can say now (at least for now) I am done and ready to move on with my life.

As far as art goes, I have lots of ideas but never enough time. (As you may have noticed I fell a little behind on my blog.) All my energy is going into a class or my job. However I have been holding a lot of fabric between my fingers lately and making sketches for some more paper dolls. I got a hold of some vintage fabric and my mouth has been drooling. Oh what to make, oh what to make?!

I may not know where I am living in two weeks, or if I will be able to find a new job soon enough to pay my rent. But I will be sewing paper dolls!