New Illustration: Eye Flowers

"Eye Flowers." 2013.
Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 5 x 7"

I'm still working on the last major illustration, "Frisco," and the last I've updated on this blog.  The inking is almost finished, though I've been taking my sweet time to add color to it.  As silly as it may sound, sometimes it's intimidating to add color to a piece, at least for me.  Most of the time if you start adding a specific color to an area of the piece - you're stuck with it.  There are exceptions where I can add a darker color over a lighter one changing the feel of an illustration.  I was able to do that with "La Petite Gateau," between the original to the completed, layering deco blue over the original mint/tea green in the background. 

I drew and colored the piece above, "Eye Flowers," as an attempt to create a quick piece with the same passion and detail as a larger illustration.  This postcard sized illustration is a trial to see how I like creating smaller works.  My goal is create more spontaneous works like this that don't take days to complete (I am a slow, detailed orientated artist when it comes to inking/coloring).  

Like a good amount of my work, this was spontaneous and fanciful! 
 

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Someday in the future I will have prints to sell of my work (my goal is by the end of 2013).  I really, really want to sell my prints online (when I have prints made).  More importantly, I want to share my work with friends and those around me who support and motivate my work.  

I've started to look around locally for pricing, and most important test samples of my work printed.  I know it's going to be harder than I realize to find the perfect print + paper that best mimics the colors and mediums I use. 

Homestyle cooking: Broccoli and feta pasta salad with olives

Summer is the time for salads!  I feel as though I could live on just soup, sandwiches (including paninis), and salads (including various pasta/vegetable/greens) and be content.  Light, fresh, and creatively using vegetables....love all around.

I made this dish Saturday evening to share during a quaint summer get-together with a former co-worker friend and her husband.  It paired nicely with our grilled turkey burgers topped with cheese, fresh tomato, and fresh avocado.  This salad was also mighty delicious the morning after when the oils have soaked in a little more as well.  What can I say, I love leftovers the next day.

Cooking has so much creative freedom and exploration to it, that I love.  Plus, I find it rewarding to eat what you've worked for in the kitchen.  This broccoli and feta pasta salad recipe is slightly adapted from one of my favorite food sites, thekitchn.com and can be specifically located here.  

Broccoli and Feta Pasta Salad

(slightly adapted from thekitchn.com)

1 lb. tri-color pasta

1 medium head of broccoli (broken up into small-medium florets)

1 cup pitted kalamata olives (sliced relatively thin)

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

5-6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

8 oz. crumbled feta cheese

1/4 teaspoon dill

salt + pepper to taste 

Slice and rinse fresh broccoli.  Heat a large pot of water to boiling.  Cook pasta according to directions on pasta box. Drain and return to large bowl and toss with olive oil until coated.  If you have a pot for steaming broccoli, fill medium pot covering the bottom with 1-2 inches of water.  Place broccoli in top steaming pot over the boiling water and cover.  Check the broccoli periodically with a fork every 2-3 minutes for doneness.  When the fork pierces the broccoli easily, but not mushy, drain broccoli and mix with pasta.  

If you don't have a steamer, simply sautee the broccoli in a little olive oil in a pan on low-medium until done.  Slice up kalamata olives and mix with broccoli salad mixture.  Add the rest of ingredients and mix.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Let it sit in refrigerator for an hour or two to cool or overnight.  Last, but not least taste your summer creation and relax!  

[Still] In Progress: Illustration (Frisco)

"Frisco" (still in progress). Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper. 
11 x 14"

Another in-progress shot of the illustration I've been working on most recently.  I've been adding a little more work here and there and then leaving it to rest for a day or two.  Weird cycle, I know, but we're all a little odd here.  I was actually quite antsy to start coloring it and have just begin adding layers of markers to blend her skin tone.  

I thoroughly enjoy experimenting with layering various colors of the Prismacolor markers as well as creating small color samples to see what colors I wish to use and mix.  Markers aren't just for children in my mind and I have no qualm that they've become my favorite medium.  I'm not quite sure what I'll do for the background just yet.  For some reason, I keep thinking of putting strawberries; like a wallpaper.  Maybe I just have berry picking on the brain.   

Old art found

Untitled (long hair). 2011. 4 x 6"

Yesterday, I went through a wooden crate of filled with sketchbooks dating between 2006-2012 for some inspiration and insight.  I was shocked to find so many old drawings and finished illustrations still attached to the original sketchbook they were created in.  I recognized most and have them scanned and saved on my computer, but had forgotten where I had physically left them last.  Then, there were some I had honestly forgotten I had drawn or half-started.  All in all, it was an uplifting experience to be inspired by one's own past work and become reacquainted with it again. 

These newly discovered drawings (some half-finished) have since been scanned and added to my website.  Above is a peek of what has been newly added to Driptique.  

Check out the latest additions!

In Progress: Illustration (Frisco)

"Frisco" (in progress). Pencil and pigment liner on paper at the moment. 
11 x 14"

The photo above is an in-progress snippet of the latest illustration that I've been working on.  I wasn't sure how I felt at first, and felt she was a little dull in content; i.e. not having drips, fruit, or confectionery delights on her head.  However, this afternoon's progress held my interest, and reaffirmed my faith in the direction of the piece, when I started inking her locks of hair and adding detail.  

I've set the illustration on the coffee table, in the living room I share with Greg, to look at the progress thus far and let it settle.  I couldn't help but think of the song "San Fransisco" by Scott McKenzie while looking it over. "...For those who come to San Fransisco/

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..."  I do enjoy the flowers, though they were sort of a last ditch effort to put "something in her hair" once I started inking the strands.  It still has a long way to go and holds much room for potential.  
Keep you posted!

Sketchbook look: Girl with black earring

Untitled (girl with black earring). 2013.
Pigment liner on paper. 6 x 8"

 This is a scanned doodle from my 6 x 8" sketchbook that I finished a little bit ago.  No real direction, but I did try and style the eyes a little differently.  Maybe a bit more realistic (as far as illustration goes...)?  It's the first of July and the first of a new month.  Cheers to a month commencing with new found motivation, new goals, and a more creativity!