Wishcandy

Fight Back!

2012-03-03T20:01:00.000-05:00

A shot of her in progress

"Fight back", watercolor and graphite. 5x7 inches, 2012.

Usually I don't talk directly about what each piece of art is about. I much prefer to leave it up to the imagination of you guys. I have my intentions, but it's really fun to hear people relate to my work in their own way.

I felt a strong pull to create this yesterday. It's my reaction to everyone who tries to control others, overpower them, and take advantage. For the people who try to squash other people's dreams and belittle them.

Please go after your dreams and be yourself no matter what. There will always be someone judging you no matter what you do. But you can enjoy your life and try not let that get to you! ♡

Sometimes it's necessary to acknowledge being passive, take action, and fight back!

The last stand

2012-02-22T01:40:00.000-05:00

If you follow me on tumblr, you may already know that i'm definitely considering taking off on a long (and perhaps permanent) trip! While i'm away I probably won't be offering prints.

So if you've been eyeing up some of my wares for your walls, better snag them now!

Pre-order starts now and ends on the 26th! There will be freebies!

Stickers will be included with all orders, until supplies run out. But!

These babies will be included with all orders over $20! This is the only way to get them. For the very few people that already have them, let me know and I'll have an alternative!

I've also put up a few recent originals in the shop.

Thanks in advance for all the love, support, promotion, and orders!

xx

Pizza Whipped

2012-02-20T16:28:00.000-05:00

"Pizza Whipped", watercolor and graphite. 8x10 inches, 2012.

I'm super pleased with my pizza girl. She almost makes up for my huge art block last week!

She was created for Pony Club Gallery's, "Pizza Show" on March 6th! I'm extremely thankful to be invited to such a rad show. Definitely not one to miss if you live near Portland.

She'll be included during my print pre-orders this week, so keep an eye out or snag the original during the show!

xoxo

Chocolate, our everlasting love

2012-02-16T23:23:00.000-05:00

Today I went browsing through Target's candy aisles, expecting massive sales of what was leftover of Valentine's day goodies. Surprisingly enough there was less than a dozen pieces of chocolate left.

I managed to spot this striped package peeking out behind a bag of gummy candies.

I scanned the barcode to figure out the price, and at 99 cents it was hard to beat. It came up as Man Chocolate which made me giggle. And c'mon: Milk Chocolate & Cake batter?! Had to try it.

Conclusion: this is absolutely amazing and I wish there was a second bar. I was hoping to score one for the lovely Ms. Elizabeth Goodspeed!

Which also reminded me... I'd love to handle the branding and illustration of a candy company. How amazing would that be? If i didn't just start making chocolates myself. I think I'll do that, if even just to send to my fellow chocolate loving friends.

I love quirky chocolate flavors that go beyond adding just nuts.

If you're near a Target, go see if they have any of these bars left!

She won't follow you

2012-02-13T16:45:00.000-05:00

"She won't follow you", watercolor and graphite. 8x10 inches, 2012.

She was created for Vessel Collective's Say Anything [Interview + Illustration] Project Exhibition. Inspired by Say Anything's song "She won't follow you"

I was very excited and honored to be contacted by Gina Moccio for this project, since it's right up my alley. Thank you!

If you live in Florida, check out the opening! It's on March 12th, and you can get details on how to get an invite here. There will be food and drinks!

Copper, my good friend

2012-02-11T12:49:00.000-05:00

"Copper, my good friend" watercolor and graphite. 5x7 inches, 2012.

Couldn't help but think of Blood Milk the whole time I was painting her.

Everything will be alright

2012-02-08T16:11:00.000-05:00

"Everything will be alright," watercolor and graphite. 8x10 inches, 2012.

Clearly I have a stripe addiction, but i'm not alone in this.

Dessert Queen

2012-02-01T00:21:00.000-05:00

Dessert Queen, watercolor and graphite. 8x10 inches, 2012.

Was having a bit of naughty fun, missing making foodie art ladies! Fingers are crossed that it gets into where it was submitted!

Looking forward to creating more sweet babes. Keep your eye out!

Miss Fortune - the full reveal

2012-01-28T12:37:00.000-05:00

Miss Fortune, watercolor and graphite. 12x16 inches, 2012.

This is my piece of Giant Robot's Year of the Dragon show. I'm sure the show will be spectacular, so if you're near LA please go see it! Lots of talented artists are a part of it.

It opens tonight!

Giant Robot - the Year of the Dragon

2012-01-27T02:54:00.000-05:00

I'm excited every time i get into a show, but I truly get shocked every time I see the flyers for two reasons. 1. Hey look, there's my name! 2. Look who I get to show with!

My dragon girl is the largest watercolor i've ever made! Go to the show and check it out if you're near LA! There will be plenty of amazing art. Wish I could be there!

If you go, take pictures and share them with me. ;)

One day i'll be everywhere

2012-01-26T19:37:00.000-05:00

This past week my art has been featured four times!

1. "Prankster" made the front page of Hi-Fructose's website! Extremely flattered & grateful to have been the face of Giant Robot's Printed Matter show. Especially being on the same place as my heroes. Psst, I have a Hi-Fructose addiction!

2. "Sugar Haze" made it's way over to the other side of the globe on CURVY's round up about Eye Candy!

3. Kaylah from the Dainty Squid included "Is it really love in her eyes?" on her Friday Favorites! Her blog is so adorable: her quirky outfits, mushroom hunting, and vintage finds. I read it quite regularly.

4. Last but definitely not least, "Young Eyes" was featured by JL Schnabel on Blood Milk. She regularly posts art mysterious, macabre, muted, and monochromatic. So flattering that'd she'd post something so colorful. (I've kind of been silently haunting her blog for a long time!)

Her surreal jewelry is incredible! Took my breath away when I first saw it. Definitely worth your time to look.

Thank you! xx

Hunger

2012-01-26T18:35:00.000-05:00

Hunger, watercolor and graphite. 3.5x5 inches, 2012.

Feeling giddier than a school girl and smiling wider than a Chesire cat! Gladly fit in this tiny drawing measuring at 3.5x5 inches between my other projects. I've got work lined up for a while, and gears turning in my brain thinking about future projects.

The pre-order went pretty well! So thank you to everyone for the support! You can still place an order, i'll get as many prints created as I can. They should be in my hands in about a week!

Looking forward to the future: creating, blogging, traveling!

Is there something more you'd like to see here on this blog? More Booksmeller Sunday posts (book & smell reviews), art history round-ups, artist features, recipes? Speak up!

xoxo

wishcandy pre-order extravaganza!

2012-01-22T06:44:00.001-05:00

I'm having a pre-order sale from January 22nd (today!) to the 25th, ending at 11:59 pm EST.

Remember seeing a fabulous drawing you wanted? Wished there was a print you could get your hands on? What did you say? Your favorite print sold out? Well, here you go!

Sold out prints are being reprinted. New prints are also here to brighten your day!

You don't want to miss out on getting a brand new sticker! I've printed some new ones, along with some old favorites. They'll be included with pre-orders until supplies run out.

So what are you waiting for? Go snag your favorite print! ♡

I appreciate everyone's support: spreading the word and supporting me through my shop. This pre-order will help me buy the prints and allow me to keep drawing. Funds go to art supplies & rent.

xoxo,
wishcandy

Miss Fortune

2012-01-20T01:35:00.000-05:00

I was completely over the moon when i received an invitation from Giant Robot to participate in their "Year of the Dragon" show late this month! I feel very close to this theme because i'm of partial Chinese heritage!

Here's a sneak peek, just for you!

I'm extremely pleased with the results. It's my largest watercolor to date! It's a whopping 12x16 inches. Usually when working on larger pieces, I oil paint. More experimentation needs to happen!

"Miss Fortune" is an homage to Chinese tradition as well as current asian street fashion. All of this is injected with the charm and personality of the dragon. Passionate & daring! It also happens to be my Chinese zodiac sign!

More details on her later, after the show opening later this month! Also if you haven't been to Giant Robot to see the current show, Printed Matter, go check it out! (Or at least snag one of my prints online, hint, hint!)

Betty Graves

2012-01-13T18:04:00.000-05:00

Betty Graves, watercolor and graphite. 5x7 inches. 2012.

Experimenting and exploring. Drawing 1930s style eyebrows is really painful, because i like thick eyebrows.

Started expanding my oldies lately. Listening to Cole Porter and Little Richard. Feels a tad funny considering my parents don't even listen to them. I can't help loving the ridiculous passionate nature of them. Somehow more romantic.

Have any favorite "oldies"? Anything up to the 1970s is accepted.

Is it really love in her eyes?

2012-01-12T15:01:00.000-05:00

Is it really love in her eyes? Watercolor and graphite, 5x7 inches. 2012.

This is what happens when I start listening to Elvis and falling down a rockabilly hole. We'll see how ridiculous it gets from here.

Excited for the future.

Giant Robot - Printed Matter

2012-01-11T18:25:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys if you're near LA you'd better be at this show!

I've got three prints being sold at Giant Robot's show: Printed Matter. It's super exciting because it's my first show with them and this show is to kick off their new space. They expanded the gallery area! Which means more shows, more art!

There's a lot of cool artists in this show (that I get to show alongside of!) Some cool peeps being: APAK, Ines Estrada, Michael Hsiung, David Choe, and Deth P. Sun!

So go and be amazed! Let your eyeballs be full of sparkles and rainbows.

Did I mention i've got THREE NEW PRINTS premiering there? It's cash and carry, so you can have it as soon as you pay. Super affordable on my end too!

The show ends on Jan 25th, but i bet all the prints disappear pretty quickly. If there are any left, i think they'll be putting a few online.

Blinded by Stars

2012-01-06T05:21:00.000-05:00

Blinded by stars, watercolor and graphite. 5x7 inches. 2012

Pastel colors, shoegaze, and John Hughes films. Nothing better than that.

Been kinda busy around here; everything is picking up pace. Not that I mind! I'm really excited! I'll have official posts and more news later.

For now I should mention I was having a sale. It was originally for tumblr, however I forgot to cancel out the coupon code. I'm canceling it when i wake up this afternoon, in about 6 or 7 hours. (It's past 5 am here! EST). So if there's something you've been meaning to grab from my shop, everything is 20% off! Enter "TUMBLRLOVE11" during checkout for the discount!

I've got a few new prints up in there! So take a gander.

xoxo,
wishcandy

On being "dreamy"

2011-12-31T17:36:00.000-05:00

I'm an adult and I still draw. Often enough i get called dreamy, unrealistic, and naive. If being strong willed enough to pursue my dreams and write my own story is all those things, i'll take it.

Most of us draw and paint when we're kids. We're told we can be anything we want to. But as we get older we're told to be realistic and aim for something stable. I still believe I can be whatever I want, i believe you can too!

I'd rather live a wild rollercoaster of a life than to wake up when i'm 30 or 40 and wonder what I did with my life/ youth. Wonder if working for a stable paycheck was worth selling my life for. Ditch the mid life crisis and fight for the life i crave.

I won't lie. 2011 was probably the toughest year of my life. But I regret nothing. Sometimes not knowing how I would eat or pay bills. But in the end I pushed my limits and things are looking up. I have faith that i'll be able to support myself fully from my art at sometime next year.

I'd like to thank all my friends, fans, fellow artists (who i love more than you know), and anyone else i'm forgetting that most likely helped me in some way. I'm going to spend this last day drawing and being in the company of good people. Hope you have a good new year.

Work hard, believe in yourself, and stay humble.

xoxo,
wishcandy

Oh, babe!

2011-12-28T21:08:00.000-05:00

Oh, babe! watercolor and graphite, 5x7 inches. 2011.

I've been more motivated than ever this past month, and I hope the work ethic train just keeps getting better! I've been concentrating on art mostly and see big things happening in a not so distant future!

If you didn't already know, these recent drawings are now in my shop. I'll be updating my shop more regularly, so check it often. Never know what might pop up. If you're looking for something in particular, just shoot me a message on etsy or an e-mail ---> wishcandyyy {at} gmail dot com.

Ever imagine what you'd look like as one of my drawings? There are portraits available too. <3

Thanks for reading my blog you guys!

xoxo,
wishcandy

Prankster and the prints

2011-12-23T01:23:00.000-05:00

There seems to be an echo around the internet lately. Are people disappearing as the holidays are approaching?

I'm online just as often, and drawing even more!

Prankster, watercolor and graphite. 8x10 inches. 2011

(The third drawing for Giant Robot's Printed matter show next month!)

I promise this won't be the last drawing of 2011. I'm going to keep cranking these out. The best gifts anyone could give me is their attention, support, kind words, showing their friends, and/or ordering a portrait. I do those you know.

Lastly, i'm running low on prints. So please snap them up so I can print some new ones for you guys!

Bitchin' Bird

2011-12-22T03:53:00.000-05:00

The future is looking pretty damn exciting! Uncertain, but full of potential! We write our own stories.

Making art super often has had a huge uplift in my general mood. So has the upswing in traffic. It's influenced me to keep up this pace!

Which strangely led me into meeting some pretty awesome artists (and other people). Resulting in some good news: I'll be participating in Printed Matter next month at Giant Robot (in motherfuckin' LA!)

Here's one of the images i'm sending off to be printed:

Bitchin' Bird, watercolor and graphite. 8x10 inches. 2011.

I'll be most likely sending multiples of three different prints, which you'll be able to snag in person. It's a cash and carry show, so once you pay you can take it! They might also have some available online.

So excited! I've also been considering putting up some of my newer originals up for sale next month. For those of you who have been asking.

Letting go

2011-12-18T12:27:00.000-05:00

Letting go, watercolor and graphite. 5x7 inches. 2011.

I don't usually post on Sundays, but there is going to be a lot more art posted often. Breaking my own rules and making exceptions. I'm just getting warmed up!

I've been contemplating ordering some new prints. Have any favorites you want?

Finger food

2011-12-14T22:54:00.000-05:00

Finger food, watercolor and graphite. 8.5x11 inches, 2011.

An illustration for the upcoming issue for Domestic Etch Magazine! The editor, Miss Elizabeth Goodspeed, was nice enough to allow me to post this early.

So go check out the magazine if you haven't yet!

This was so much fun and a big challenge compared to what i've been making lately. I've got a lot planned for the next couple weeks. I'll be participating in Giant Robot's show: Printed Matter.

Which means, there will be some new art and new prints for you to grab next month! It's a cash and carry show (some prints will be reserved for online).

Awwwkward

2011-12-07T12:53:00.003-05:00

Awwwkward, watercolor and graphite. 5x7 inches. 2011.

I swear I woke up early-ish today just to scan this. Post it. Then eat a slice of banana cake for breakfast (which i baked at like 1 am).

I've been making more art, but this is an adjustment period. Need more. Quicker. Flex those damn art muscles! Focus!

Young Eyes

2011-12-05T22:35:00.003-05:00

young eyes (fuck), watercolor & graphite. 5x7 inches. 2011.

Today has been much better. Rolling like a rebel, already starting my next drawing. My goal is to fill up a wall in my room.

Expect more art, more often.

Flooding from the inside

2011-12-02T14:43:00.003-05:00

Welling up, watercolor and graphite on paper. 5x7 inches. 2011.

This drawing says more than I ever could. This isn't going to turn into a whining blog. I promise. Which brings me to this question: What has been inspiring you lately?

It could be music, art, books, a river you took a walk by.

Also: Prints are now in stock in my art shop! There are a few left after the pre-orders shipped, so snap them up! Every print sold means I'll be able to make more prints, and keep making art.

There are also a couple new 5x7 prints i told nobody about. So go get em'!

I appreciate you all!

It's hip to be free

2011-11-22T20:45:00.002-05:00

A whole new slew of prints are now in stock! Every order will come with freebies while supplies last!

Circular stickers to slap em' where you want them! It's up to you where they go, your notebook, a lamp post whatever. Currently only available with a print or original art purchase. Given at random.

Wishcandy bookmarks because reading is sexy. Limited and random.

Venus prints will be in stock mid next week, as well as a couple new prints. <3

Crashing down in a sugar haze

2011-11-16T16:36:00.003-05:00

It's been intense for the past few weeks. Decided to wrap up some loose ends before I take on any new projects.

Sugar haze, watercolor and graphite on paper. 5x7 inches. 2011.

Sputnik sweetheart, watercolor and graphite on paper. 5x7 inches. 2011.

Feeling like I'm still at the beginning of my food project. I have so much to say and it'll take at least another year or two if work even harder.

Also a big hello to the new followers! How are you? Feel free to introduce yourselves. <3

It's really only the beginning

2011-11-13T19:29:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! Tonight the pre-order ends! I’ve made some secret freebies for orders. The more people order the more free swag i can include!

The more pre-orders for art prints I receive, the more freebies I’ll be including in your order! It also helps me continue to make art to share with you. (Ex: paying for supplies, food, rent!)

If I get at least 8 more orders, i’ll do a print giveaway. If i get 18 more orders, i’ll giveaway an original painting!

Every order is much appreciated!

Love,

Wishcandy

Fall print pre-orders!

2011-11-05T19:18:00.002-04:00

A new affordable line of wishcandy prints has blown your way! Starting today through November 12th, i'll be taking pre-orders.

Taking pre-orders will help me determine the amount of prints i'll need to order (to gauge interest). It'll also help fund the printing.

So if there are any images you're interested, besides the ones below, let me know! There will be two ways to pre-order:

1. Purchase your print(s) through my Etsy shop now. Everything is ready there. If it's sold out, be patient and i'll add another pre-order listing to the store!

2. Send the payment straight to my paypal for your order (don't forget to include shipping). Take the prices from my etsy! You'll also have to include a note saying what you're ordering exactly.

My paypal address is: wishcandy_oxo@yahoo.com

Here are the prints!

There are two sets including all four of these watercolor paintings, called the Monsterbation print set. One set is has four 4x5 inch mini glossy prints. The second set is all four full sized 8x10 prints at discounted price.

All other individual 8x10 inch prints are $15 each. Thanks!

No worries, no text will come on the prints. And yes, the cake girl got rotated just for the sake of fitting in the picture! She'll be right side up in your order. ;)

Any questions?

Nothing worth celebrating

2011-10-31T12:11:00.003-04:00

Nothing worth celebrating. 5x7 inches. Watercolor and graphite on paper. 2011.

I watched Pulp fiction twice within the past week. Each time I watch it I pick up something different. This was inspired by the colors in the diner scene with Uma Thurman and John Travolta. Red walls and a neon ice cream sign. I believe it said EAT.

Yum!

Also: I want to serve you guys better! I've been thinking of introducing a new lower priced print line. It'd be done on glossy stock paper.

Would you be interesting in purchasing these? Are there any images you're dying to buy as a print? I'd love to make some new ones! (Especially Burger Love, Sweet Tooth, and maybe Countess de Breakfast.)

Howl to the moon

2011-10-26T19:52:00.004-04:00

Howl to the moon, hope it won't howl back. 9x9 inches, Ink on paper. 2011

I've been contemplating taking a small break from blogging. I've been going through some issues lately and feel the need to withdraw from the online world a bit.

That might just translate into more images and less talking. We'll see.

The Undiscovered First

2011-10-22T13:39:00.006-04:00

Feist's new album Metals dropped pretty recently. When I got it, i dug it. But then this video came out, and now i'm head over heels. Seriously swooning.

Feist from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

I simply adore these Black Cab Sessions. They sound better than the original. I was honestly more pumped for Death Cab for Cutie's No Sunlight with the cab session. Very disappointed to hear the album version.

What have you been listening to lately? If you're on Last.fm, add me! I love to see what people are into.

Booksmeller Sunday, Kafka on the Shore

2011-10-16T07:49:00.003-04:00

I'm a tremendous fan of Haruki Murakami, although I didn't start out that way. The first book I read of his was a collection of short stories Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. Most of those stories were pretty mundane to the point I started feeling drowsy while reading them.

There were a few amazing weird stories in there with surreal elements. So I decided to read a few more of his novels to get a better idea about his work. I do not regret my decision at all.

Kafka on the Shore is one of two of my favorite books by Murakami (even if i've only read 6 of his books, shhh). The best thing about his work is his ability to create a world so ordinary and believable that when cats start talking it seems credible. The surreal elements feel like they're no big deal and that is no small accomplishment as a writer.

This book is about a young lad named Kafka Tamura who decides to runaway from home. He finds himself spending time at famous library in a faraway town, eventually working there. He meets a few interesting characters while pondering the nature of his existence and who he wants to be.

Another story line happens to be about Nakata, a guy who is able to talk to cats. They have fully fledged conversations and at first I thought the guy was batshit crazy. But oh! Wait until you read what really happens. His talent lies in talking to and finding cats. Somehow Nakata's story intersects with Kafka's and it all makes sense. The collision of their stories is a delicious explosion in the mind.

I shouldn't fail to mention there is a bit of romancing in the book. Seems as though the novel would be incomplete without an offbeat female character. It really wouldn't be a book without Miss Saeki.

Psst, there's also a scene where fish start raining from the sky. Intrigued? Go read this book! Seriously!

Edit: I kinda failed to smell this particular book before I returned it to the library! I smelled it, but never wrote an apt description of it, for this i'm sorry.

Blind to the road ahead

2011-10-13T19:31:00.002-04:00

With art, progress isn't linear. You could be on the rise, then fall into a vat of quicksand. It feels like being pushed into an ocean where you can't see the bottom. You can try and tread water or exert all your energy just hoping you're going in the direction of some land mass.

I'm very pleased that Burger Love has been well received, and floating around online.

It's been hectic around here getting things ready for the change i'm about to create. Making a big wave in my life. Which is both exciting and scary.

This blog will be going through some changes before the year is over. More paintings and drawings of mine as well as others! Hopefully more posts per week and more community involvement.

I'd like to involve you more. And do what I can to help you.

A feast for the eyes

2011-10-07T19:19:00.003-04:00

Monsterbation 2 opened up last night! So here are the goods.

Burger Love, 8x10 inches. 2011.

Sweet Tooth, 8x10 inches. 2011.

I'm incredibly satisfied with these. I aimed to keep the spirit of last year's pieces.

They're inspired by food, appetite, and 60s cartoons.

Edit: They're now on sale in the Pony Club gallery's etsy shop! Go see the show in person. There is a lot of talent on those walls! Wet your whistles.

Also, does anyone know any good galleries that would be a good fit with my work? Looking to do more shows! Group or solo.

Domestic Etch Magazine

2011-10-03T21:08:00.005-04:00

Genuine talent bursts from the seams of Domestic Etch Magazine. A publication run by the humorous Elizabeth Goodspeed.

Issue 4 showcases artists, illustrators, and comic makers! Some you might have heard of and some you haven't. Every page is a good one, inspiring, and well selected.

The theme for this issue is summer. So prepare for images of lazy days in the grass a la Lilly Piri and Mel Stringer. Visions of the sea, swim suits, roadtrips, homages to celebration and relaxation.

Other artists include: Devon Smith, Benjamin Constantine, and Stacey Rozich (who I interviewed in this issue!)

Pssst! I did the cover art. Makes me wish fall wasn't coming so I could laze on a beach and eat popsicles while chilling with seagulls.

Snag a copy yourself! It's available in a digital format too.

Freedom Studio Sale - ending soon!

2011-09-28T18:00:00.001-04:00

The studio sale is coming to a close on September 30th 11:59 PM (EST).

If you're lucky i'll be out parading about on the beach this weekend, and i'll forget to de-activate the sale until Sunday. Shhh.

Thank you to those who have been incredibly supportive so far. The buyers, the retweeters, and rebloggers. The kind comments being left behind. It helps me keep going.

And in the end, the sale of art helps me continue creating another day. It all adds up, it helps!

So the sale is not over yet. If there is a piece you've been eyeing, snag it! There will be a lot of shop changes this fall, and your favorite work of art just might not be there later.

Support an artist, give your living/ working space some personality! Inspire yourself.

What I ate

2011-09-28T04:01:00.002-04:00

This blog is bursting with food. We love it, we hate it. In the end everyone has to eat.

I have a fascination with other people's eating habits. So I decided to document my own, over the course of a week i took off from the internet.

I didn't really realize my habits until it was visually spread in front of me. I honestly don't feel guilty about it, but am striving to be increasingly healthy over time.

If you like food illustration, I'd highly recommend Dawn Tan. Her love of food and creating related illustrations is prolific. She's a true inspiration!

Monsterbation Two!

2011-09-21T22:06:00.002-04:00

I'm super pumped for Monsterbation 2! It's a erotic art show of monstrous proportions. I was fortunate enough to be invited back this year.

Here's a sneak peek of the pieces I submitted, for you lovely people. And if you're curious, the pieces i made last year are here and here.

The show hangs from October 6th to 30th at the Pony Club Gallery in Portland, OR. If you like sexy fun things, I highly recommend the show. There isn't anything else as genius!

Let the games begin!

2011-09-13T20:22:00.003-04:00

The studio sale begins today, and ends on September 30th. (Or on October 1st, as i'm getting home late in the morning, shhh!)

You can enter the code for 25% off during checkout: FREE25

everything is finally up in the store! check out all that art, tell your friends. support artists! <3 thank you!

Freedom Studio Sale

2011-09-11T22:08:00.004-04:00

A gentle but cold breeze blows through my hair. Rain tapping at my windshield. Little reminders of autumn's slow arrival. Also a giant red flag.

I had one intention in 2011. To find a way out of my current living situation. I made the decision to leave home this autumn. So I'm having a studio sale to help fund the move. Also to replace my laptop, which I clumsily spilled water on.

I'll probably buy a one way plane ticket and pack some clothes and art supplies.

Which means I can't take all this art with me. I'd love to send it away to lovely homes, rather than leaving it here unappreciated.

The sale will start on September 13th (EST) and end on the 30th. I'll be posting a coupon code of at least 20% off on the 13th. The code will be up on this blog, my tumblr, twitter, and most likely flickr.

I'll have the shop sectioned off with prints and originals. I have a treasure trove of art never available before! Some of my current prints will be discontinued, so take advantage now!

If you can't afford to buy anything, you can still support me by spreading the word! Tell your friends, your followers, etc. I appreciate your love, help, and attention. <3

Sweets for the rebellion

2011-09-07T03:44:00.000-04:00

I was shaking from a sugar induced coma brought on after baking some homemade oreos. It doesn't take a whole lot of sugar to get me hyper, given the right circumstances.

This image is inspired by those cookies, dubbing them Rebel Girl cookies.

Sweets for the rebellion, 5x7 inches. Mixed media on paper.

What's been inspiring you lately?

Lake - Within/ Without

2011-09-07T01:44:00.002-04:00

I just saw this amazingly awkward music video from Lake.

Every shot in the video feels really well designed, from the composition down to the color schemes. Retro, yet modern.

The music is very lovely. It's sparse, yet pop-induced. It feels light and happy, yet the lyrics have more serious themes. My favorite kind of song.

I've listened to it at least 5 times. Shhh.

Le premier de sketches

2011-09-02T18:02:00.002-04:00

I always promise that i'll post sketches. With my new sketchbook, i'm more than happy to work in it. Happy to share some of my experiments!

I'm just getting warmed up. There will be more food and more girls. I'll also be looking to share some process sketches leading up to finished paintings!

Countess de Breakfast

2011-08-29T18:06:00.003-04:00

Countess de Breakfast, 8x10 inches. Oil & graphite on wood.

I'm super happy to be back to painting! It took a break from the internet to re-align my priorities. Though looking back, it's hit me hard that I started this painting way back in December. Crazy!

Never give up. Finish what you start. If you don't fight for your dreams nobody else will.

If you have any questions about this painting, or the direction of my work feel free to ask!

Revived from a digital coma

2011-08-23T16:01:00.003-04:00

It's been two weeks since I've been actively online. I took a week off the internet, and upon returning, I knocked a glass of water into my laptop. That put a damper on things, for sure!

After disassembling my laptop with help (thank you!), it's now dry & functioning!

While I was out, I honestly read and took the time to think more than creating. It was a nice mental break, but I did come out of it with some sketches (and some better life direction).

The latest couple of pages in my sketchbook. A result of aesthetic experiments, fun with hand drawn typography, and the need to calm the fuck down.

I'll have more pages scanned later tonight, and some finished pieces for you next week. If i get this current painting finished in 48 hours, i'm making vanilla froyo and these delicious cookies. And of course sending some to the lovely Elizabeth Goodspeed from Domestic Etch.

Cheers! Smoothies for all!

2011-08-08T22:01:00.002-04:00

I absolutely love recipes that are simple, quick, and extremely delicious.

I've been a smoothie convert for about a year now. Every morning starts with one, leaving me energized and feeling light. Prepared for the battle of the day as I smile, slurping my smoothie in a jar through a straw.

So here are some smoothie recipes for everyone. Make some this week! I'll bet it's a lot better than your bowl of cereal, bagel, or whatever you're eating in the A.M.

So what do you think of having illustrated food posts instead? Is the text hard to read? Let me know, and I'll gladly type them up instead!

Lastly, I'll be taking about a week off of the internet. It's distracting and I need to be mega-productive right now. There's lots I need to accomplish before the end of the month, and the date is looming already.

So if you absolutely need me, drop me a line in my e-mail. I'll eventually see it and respond back.

Fresh pages, hip hip hooray!

2011-08-03T21:54:00.002-04:00

Super excited to get to work in this baby! Fresh pages, personally designed by me. Oh, it was quite a battle deciding exactly how I wanted it. But totally worth it.

Oh! Also, good news (or bad, up to you)! There will be a lot more food up in this cyberspace. Prepare to be hungry, inspired, and perhaps mad at me. Or even wanting to be my new best friend (i'm a good cook!)

This is all preparation for something larger. Only one of you out there knows. ;)

On a roll, mysterious waves

2011-07-26T19:45:00.003-04:00

I've got so much creative energy inside me right now! I won't blabber on too much today.

I started cutting paper to create a sketchbook on Saturday or Sunday. I haven't been sketching much this past year. Why? The only empty sketchbook I had, after finishing my last hand-crafted one, was a gift from a friend. He brought it back from Iraq (hi! if you're reading) and thought it was awfully sweet of him. I thought I had to put it to good use.

It's handmade out of leather and cream paper (favorite color paper). Looks like it came straight out of Hogwarts or a treasure chest. But it isn't me at all. I'll find a use for it, but after taking a book arts class I need to make my own.

Sketchbooks are such a personal thing. Having one exactly way you want it helps you bond with it, and you have no excuse not to use it. You'd carry it everywhere.

Anyways, after I cut all that paper I realized my bone folder wasn't with my wax and thread. Or with my x-acto knife. It was packed up with my old book arts projects. To pass time, i cut up some of the leftover paper margins to draw on.

Better to stay productive while high on energy. Here's a sneak of some girls to come. More sweetness!

I'm working on more than one at a time. I've got two drawings going, and a painting. I'll make another post when there's more progress!

Kickin' it old school, part 3

2011-07-19T19:19:00.003-04:00

Rococo art is one of my favorite eras in art. I've referred back to it again and again over the years.

There's something magical in it. It was a time of leisure, flamboyance, indulgences, pleasure, and super delicious color palettes. You heard me. Super delicious color palettes!

Everything looks so soft and light, like whipped cream. And easter eggs! Lots of texture and pastels juxtapozed against neutrals. Lastly, don't forget some of the dramatic composition and incredible detail!

Marie Antoinette, Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun.

Marriage (part of a series), William Hogarth.

Cephale et Procris, Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

The Swing, Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

Miss Graham, Thomas Gainsborough.

Diana and Endymion, Jean-Honoré Fragonard.

Some of my favorite creatives have been inspired and made tribute to Rococo: Mark Ryden, Ray Caesar, and Sofia Coppola (see Marie Antoinette).

This style wasn't only found in paintings, the ridiculousness carried into architecture, interior design, and household goods as well!

Pre-selection

2011-07-09T21:06:00.002-04:00

There are a lot of things I could say, but i'll stay quiet about the matter.

Pre-selection, 12x16 inches. Oil and graphite on wood. 2011.

I will say some of my work is semi-autobiographical. But don't assume every piece is.

I'm very proud of this piece, and it being the first completed oil painting of the year. Look forward to more, about to open the flood gates. I'll have another painting for you next week!

Strangely Domestic

2011-07-05T20:12:00.001-04:00

Anyone who knows me knows i'm a bit of a tomboy. I'm rough around the edges, but with a small feminine streak. In fact a friend came over yesterday and teased be about my wardrobe. You can see my wardrobe is 80% black just by glancing in my closet. I had a good laugh about it.

People just getting to know me are usually a bit taken aback by my art. It's intensely colorful, which doesn't match my appearance.

Anyways, back to the subject at hand. The only thing domestic about me is my love of cooking and baking. (Cleaning, having children, and taking care of some dude? You can shove it!)

Onto the food!

Two of my favorite things i've cooked this past month are this Banana cake w/ chocolate glaze & my adaptation of Nigella Lawson's Slut spaghetti.

The cake was for a last minute 4th of July gathering. It was pretty simple to make, and it tastes so rich without being heavy at all. Despite it's appearance. ;)

It was gone instantly.

This pasta is also light and amazingly good. Easy and quick foods are my favorite, since my schedule can get kind of hectic. Slut spaghetti tastes even better the next day!

My life has been a bit food centric as of late, tying in with my art. And bettering my relationship with it to get more healthy.

I'll be sharing more recipes again, including these, later!

(Also: You should check out this comic called Sauceome! Its about a girl's food diary, recipes, and coping with body/image issues. Very lovely and sympathetic. Plus food illustrations are fun to see!)

Have any favorite recipes lately? What have you been cooking?

And if you don't cook, why not?

Silence of the lambs

2011-07-01T18:38:00.002-04:00

This week has been both busy and calm. Different days with extreme juxtaposition.

Good news is i'll have some work to show you soon. Likely story. Truly though, I have one painting about 80% done and a second one 30% done. I've also been scripting (trying to recall details from a memory) for an auto-biographical comic.

Everything else is behind the scenes and not fit for eyes or ears until much later. It feels as though much of work has been like this lately, so i'll be stepping up my blogging game starting next week.

I'll be going back to two posts a week! So more of my art, other great artist's work, and good fun!

What has everyone else been working on?

Ink it up!

2011-06-23T16:12:00.002-04:00

I love doing an ink painting in between oil paintings and/ or graphite & watercolor work. Working with ink and brush is a lot looser for me. And a lot more carefree.

My brother's birthday is coming up this weekend, so I figured I'd surprise him with this. He loves these type pieces the best.

"Heaven & Hell," ink and watercolor on paper. 9x12 inches. 2011.

He also okay-ed my request to release this as prints. I got too giddy about this metal head to not offer him up to the rest of the world. So i'm glad my brother wasn't bothered by it.

So, i'll be putting some prints up in the shop next week. I put up my two ice cream girls (Grasshopper and Blue Moon) in my Etsy shop already!

The summer of sweets

2011-06-17T21:58:00.002-04:00

All these sweet drawings started in my last semester of university. At first it took form in my interest in candy and Rococo paintings. Marie Antoinette, etc.

Then in my last assignment for book arts class, i had to heavily alter a book and re-purpose it. I found a book by Wilton on cake decorating. The photography was brightly colored and saccharine. And the professor said what I was thinking, it looked suggestive. Which was like a giant green light to me, go go go. Make something honest, fun, and kitsch!

So in the fall when I was brainstorming ideas for the Pony Club gallery's Monsterbation exhibit, i had an excuse to run with it. Just go crazy. And so these three pieces resulted. (NSFW).

Since then, i've been wanting to go back to working with food. And I did. Because why the hell not?

Grasshopper, 5x7 inches. 2011.

Inspired by Grasshoppers (my version):

One part Creme de Menthe +
One part Vanilla Ice Cream

(Place in blender and give it a whir, serve, and enjoy!)

Only the first in a scrumptious batch of ice cream girls.

Blue Moon, 5x7 inches. 2011.

Inspired by Blue Moon ice cream,
a flavor belonging to the midwest.

Apparently it tastes like fruity pebbles, fruit loops, and marshmallows. I haven't had any, so i'll be on the hunt for some!

This summer is gonna be sweet.

I'll be releasing a print set of the two ice cream girls on Monday, June 20th (EST).

dag nabbit!

2011-06-15T21:12:00.002-04:00

In the past few days there has been heavy construction in the early morning (through the afternoon). So I've been waking up early, and with massive headaches.

I drew two versions, one calm, and one how it really felt.

I'll be doing more simplified drawing and experimenting. I'm definitely having more fun with these.

I have an auto-bio comic in mind that will be a few pages long. I'm pumped! What are you excited about these days?

A little version of me

2011-06-09T22:28:00.002-04:00

It's an interesting thing to translate myself into paper. Something more simplistic, and can be drawn repeatedly.

I drew a few versions of myself until i became satisfied with the one on the left, shown here:

I'm contemplating either making some illustrated diary pages and/ or drawing some autobiographical comics.

I have some silly tales to tell. And those are the best kind.

Fading

2011-06-09T00:08:00.001-04:00

I know I've been fading in and out. But it won't last forever.

I guarantee it.

Atlas zine

2011-06-01T17:15:00.004-04:00

It's arrived! I knew it was coming late in May, but when I checked my mailbox the other day I forgot. Squeeing and jumping up and down in excitement ensued.

My drawing devotion has been included in Atlas 2, a great publication run by Isaac Bidwell.

Here are some shots of the zine:

My drawing, on the right!

Jason Levesque, aka Stuntkid

Charmaine Olivia

It also came with these two cute Litho prints.

The cover of Atlas 2 is printed through Lithography with a nice heavyweight black paper. You can find more information here, and buy it here.

There is a lot of great talent within these pages, and i'm very flattered to have been asked to participate.

Go get yours now!

Thoughts from the kitchen

2011-05-28T00:51:00.002-04:00

I'll admit I'm a bit stuck. I've been slowly working on a single illustration all week. I've been riddled with anxiety and thinking about the complexities of life. I haven't gone out much.

I've been rocking out to the Cool Kids a lot. A girl is allowed to get down in the kitchen while being introspective and existential.

It's all about balance, you know?

I've been pondering about how overwhelming and underwhelming life can be. All the roads that I could take, and what I really want.

The only overlap is creating art.

Long story short? I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me. Whether the art flow is slow or quick, i'm gonna keep going.

What I need is focus. Clearing the excess from my space will help me get there. So i'm going to have a massive sale of my art (on eBay) and some of my things.

Stay tuned.

Also, would anyone be interested if i made some tote bags? (Of course you would!)

Sneak Peek

2011-05-24T19:00:00.003-04:00

A sneak peek of a work in progress. You won't be seeing the finished product until this summer. I'm quite excited how this illustration is coming along. Also happy that i'll see my work in the real world!

Most of my work this week is behind the scenes, but I hope to have my latest personal painting complete this weekend.

I have a lot ideas, now I just need to keep working away at them.

Slow progress is still progress

2011-05-18T20:39:00.003-04:00

Feels good to be working in oil again. However, i've had a small bump in the road. My painting medium got thick and goopy from not being used in 6 months. And none of the stores near here carry it.

So i'll be taking a painting break until my new supplies arrive.

I'm about a quarter way done, and excited. I'll have to make due and work on some illustrations and drawings for the rest of the week. No complaints here.

Adventures in bread baking

2011-05-12T15:52:00.001-04:00

I've always wanted to learn how to bake my bread. When I spied this little beauty, I just knew the time to learn was now.

I immediately made a list of ingredients i'd need (as well as a bread pan) and set off to the store. I floated from aisle to aisle with a grin on my face, imagining the fresh baked bread in the oven. And on my plate.

All the steps were followed and the bread was in the oven. Almost an hour later the time went off. This is what my very first loaf looked like.

Feeling a bit like a failure, I stubbornly ate a few slices covered in apple butter. It tasted delicious, but I couldn't figure out what went wrong.

I was so excited with baking, that i hastily read the recipe and threw together the ingredients. I made two mistakes: i used baking powder instead of baking soda. And i didn't level off my yogurt (wasn't enough liquid).

So i fixed the two mistakes and tried again the following day!

I took it out the oven, let it cool for a bit and cut a couple slices. I had forgotten to test the bread with a toothpick, so when I sliced it i found it was still wet inside.

This time i had added too much liquid, so it had to be baked much longer than needed. Which resulted in a cake like consistency. But oh man it is delicious!

I have no regrets. I'll be buying more molasses and buttermilk and trying again soon.

Have a great weekend everyone!

(you should try this recipe!)

Just keep going

2011-05-06T19:57:00.002-04:00

Finally getting back to painting after a 6 month hiatus. Feels good, familiar, and strange all at once.

Preparing the line work to be painted over. Gotta clean them up, then paint.

Less words, more work. Nap, then paint. Sounds like a good deal to me. I know it'll be a late night.

Back in action

2011-05-04T16:59:00.003-04:00

Things are looking up. I made this silly little girl just for fun. The first painting and first color piece of the year!

Painting on paper with gouache was an experiment. Not what I'm used to, but I'll be doing it again tonight.

She's currently available in my shop!

Preparation for what's to come

2011-05-02T14:50:00.002-04:00

I spent a little time in the wee hours making a treasury this morning. It pretty much sums up the things I've been thinking about. I'm gonna push my art in this direction.

I hit an art block, but i can feel myself climbing out of it now.

My print, Vision, got placed in a treasury a couple days ago. And as a result it made it to the front page of Etsy! Super happy about that!

The imperfection of unplugging

2011-04-25T18:39:00.002-04:00

I've wanted to go a whole day unplugged for a while. But somehow I wind up drawn back to this computer. I'm extremely grateful to get away from my desk today though.

I went out hiking with a friend to go enjoy some sun, some breeze, and a trek across a bouncy suspension bridge.

We wound up taking a walk to next to the river where it was cool. Placed our feet in the cold river and watched the minnow swimming. It was pretty empty, just a few people fishing and swimming. But it is a week day.

Then I had the most glorious vanilla soft serve ice cream dipped in chocolate. It looked so perfect. But i ate most of it before it occurred to me to take a photo. Ah well. Back off the computer i go!

Perhaps i'll completely unplug tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Kindling the flame, audio style!

2011-04-20T18:01:00.002-04:00

For the past few weeks my mind has been elsewhere. I've been slowly transporting myself into another world full of music from the 40s through the 60s.

I've also been reading a lot of food blogs and interior design blogs. In preparation for what's to come next. Specifically what? I don't know. But you'll see.

A little bit of 60s downtempo jazz/ "beach party" music has been sneaking in.

I'll be taking a bit of a break from blogging. Maybe you noticed I haven't been posting consistently lately.

I'm also planning to close down my etsy shop for a undetermined period of time. I'm going to discontinue at least 50% of the prints, and take down some of the originals.

It's time to revamp and get my train running full speed ahead again, which means taking time away from the public.

Make me feel like a woman

2011-04-17T22:25:00.002-04:00

Make me feel like a woman, 8x10 inches. Graphite on paper.

Making a lot of basic pencil drawings has been a good learning experience for me. I had intended on making more pieces with just graphite, but i'm ready to move on. And take a break.

So this'll be the last of these you see for a while.

Clarity from the mountaintop

2011-04-11T16:33:00.004-04:00

Sometimes you just need to get away. I made a vow to this mountain in West Virginia last year that I would come back. To conquer it!

It being spring, and mostly cool outside, it seemed like the perfect day to hike and climb (yesterday). So we set forth on an adventure.

After my friend and I descended back down the mountain, we took a stroll in historic Harper's Ferry. Thankfully the sun came out to warm us up. It was cold up on the cliffside!

Saw a lot of wildlife about town: ducks, geese, cranes, and turtles. Amanda had to enlighten me that ducks are apparently necrophiliacs. While it was funny, I'm still grossed out. Little bird rapists. (don't know if it's true, didn't want to look it up.)

We found a small animal skull on our way back to town. It still had the spinal cord attached, and i think the brain was still in there.

Super glad we took the trip. I needed to clear my head and get out of my room!

Booksmeller Sunday, Invisible Monsters

2011-04-10T01:25:00.003-04:00

Invisible Monsters caught me off guard, like any good novel does. It seeps into your pores and taints your thoughts. It stays with you forever.

Palahniuk's plots are strange and twisted, but I don't keep reading because they're "weird" or "gimmicky". The protagonists are usually really compelling. You don't understand why they are the way they are until the end of the novel. So I hop along for the ride to see more.

Invisible Monsters is my favorite so far, even only having read four of his novels. It's more or less about a model whose face gets blown off with a shotgun. There's a lot more fun in her life post-shotgun trauma. Her poor career ruined. But the adventure is just beginning. In the hospital she meets an in-transition transgender named Brandy Alexander, and this is where the fun happens.

Saying i'm a bit of a book nerd would be a bit of an understatement. I took a book arts class to learn how to construct a book, and also how to take advantage of it's format to produce content. When I pick up a book, I don't just take note of the cover design and illustration. (Although these colors are so peachy keen, pop, and monochromatic). I also look at the weight of the paper, the smell, the font chosen, the formatting and pacing of chapters, the size of the book, etc. Above all, I get super happy when I get a hardcover book, rip off that dust jacket, and see that there is a well thought out design there.

Books don't need dust covers, they need fancy designs on the hardcover cloth itself. And perhaps more illustration, like in the Victorian era.

Don't let me forget the whole purpose of these posts, besides to nerd out about the novels themselves. This borrowed novel smells sweet like powdered sugar, but at the same time it's sour like lemons or pickles. On second smelling, there is almost a hint of bacon. Which makes me giggle if i think about the content.

I say you go pick up this novel and read it! And smell it! It's highly entertaining. It amuses me how much people either love his work or hate it. I'm afraid to read his most current works, I hear they aren't as great as his older ones. We'll see...

So anyone else smelling books lately? Have a favorite book in your collection to smell? Do you walk into libraries and used book stores swooning to the smell of old books?

I do.

Featured in Culture?

2011-03-31T21:51:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago a got a pleasant surprise in my inbox... a request for an interview! I believe that's a first, so hip hip hooray! I'm on my way.

There are a few pieces of recent work, as well as a kitschy favorite of mine. Be sure to check out the blog, there are some awesome featured artists on there! Including one of my recent favorite photographers, Laura Makabresku.

Thanks Maicen.

Also, my 20% off sale is still going on (code: move20) until April 7th. I just added more original art to the shop, and will be adding more later tonight or tomorrow afternoon!

Move sale!

2011-03-29T23:39:00.005-04:00

I'm more serious than ever about moving. So I'm sifting through my belongings with a fiery passion. I want to clear out as much of my art as I can. So I'll be listing more and more original art this week 2-3 pieces at a time in my Etsy shop.

In order to celebrate I took down some prices of the originals, and I'm giving a coupon to my twitter, tumblr, and blog followers!

code: move20
3/28 to 4/7

I may push the sale back longer, and leave the shop open. But that means i wouldn't ship your orders until i come back. I'm taking a sabbatical to go check out a location. So for now, I'm deciding to close up my shop on April 7th.

International mouth party

2011-03-25T20:18:00.002-04:00

I'm not sure which way you'll take that. There isn't any wrong answer; it sounded funny in my head.

I haven't posted food in a while, so I thought I'd take a moment to share this scrumptious paella with you.

Recipe from Ellie Krieger's "So Easy."

Chicken and Sausage Paella

Ingredients:
1 T plus 2 tsp olive oil
3 oz chorizo sausage with casing removed, sliced into 1/4" rounds
1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1" pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 10 oz package frozen peas
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 large ripe tomato, chopped
1/4 cup sliced green Spanish pimento-stuffed olives
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp ground turmeric
small pinch of saffron threads

I used a packet of Sazon (spanish seasoning) instead of Saffron, because that's what i had on hand. And it was yummy!

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat 1 T of oil in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat (use a skillet that has a lid to cover)

2. Add the chorizo and cook, stir occasionally until browned, about 3 minutes. Then add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned about 5 minutes.

3. Transfer the chicken and chorizo to a plate.

4. Heat the remaining 2 tsp of oil in the skillet. Next add the onion, and cook stirring until softened about 3-5 minutes. And add the garlic and continue to cook for a minute more.

5. Return the chicken and chorizo to the skillet. Then add the chicken broth, peas, rice, tomato, olives, salt, pepper, turmeric, and saffron.

6. Bring to a boil, cover, and transfer to the over. Cook until the rice appears to be tender and the liquid is absorbed about 30 minutes.

I cooked this last week, and the leftovers were incredibly delicious. Writing this post up is making me want to make another batch.

Let me know if you try this recipe out!

Misguided

2011-03-22T16:37:00.002-04:00

Misguided, 5x7 inches. Graphite on paper. 2011.

I really wanted to be able to make a series. I generally don't ever make one distinct series in terms of content. However my work is usually tied together by whatever colors or media I've been inspired to work with. So I'm trying a different way of working. A bit more conscious thought.

Domestic Etch

2011-03-17T22:37:00.005-04:00

To this day it feels very surreal to see my work featured somewhere. I remember just a year ago when i'd look at magazines, websites, and blogs and marvel at others art. And now my name and work is being carried in the winds of the internet like spores, ready to plant flowers (or cutely macabre fungi).

Last week Domestic Etch featured some of my art. The magazine and blog is ran by the hilarious Elizabeth Goodspeed, who I met on twitter. (We have very *special* conversations, haha). Go check out my feature here, and the rest of her blog. There are a lot of talented artists shown, even Goodspeed herself paints!

I have so much to say, and so much to tell you! Lots of good news, but I have to keep my mouth shut for now.

Take your best shot

2011-03-17T00:50:00.002-04:00

Take your best shot, 5x7 inches. Graphite on paper. 2011.

Been feeling a lot like my old self, full of moxie. I made some delectable seafood stew over some couscous. And while I made that I was making a banana cake (in the oven). It was all done at the same time, which is awesome! More about the food later.

I've been contemplating this art series too much, so I'm just gonna roll with my subconscious and let it all flow free. Looking forward to the next few pieces! Time to get back to art, I may be up a while. It's almost 1 am, but I'm too motivated to sleep.

Climb Inside, (the final chapter)

2011-03-16T00:51:00.002-04:00

My original plan had been to work on my art career throughout the fall and to get a part-time job if things didn’t work out.

As I might have mentioned before, my parents divorced, which meant that the house I grew up in would be sold (and the profits divided). After graduation my family had to move out (my dad had moved out a while ago) and we found a brand new townhouse to live.

I felt guilty since it was the first time my mom would be on her own after being married over twenty years. So I decided to stay home for a year, to save up some cash post-grad and help out with some family bills. And because I would mostly be home painting, I agreed to let my brother use my car to get work so he could save up for a car of his own.

To keep this story short (and to not reveal too much) I’ll just say he did get a car of his own. I had a bit of freedom and a feeling of light-heartedness for three weeks until his car engine completely died. His choice of car was irresponsible, but I was happy as long as it was running. So once again I allowed him to use my car until his could be fixed.

For one reason or another, the first three months he had my car, then an additional six months (still going on). I am without transportation. I would just take my car away from him if it wouldn’t keep the mortgage from being paid. I really want my car back, and to be able to continue eating/paying rent, and to be able to move out before it gets cold again. (Living here drives me nuts!)

I never thought it would be easy, but I had no idea my personal/ family life would become this hard, making my mood sour and thus my life more difficult. The good thing is I haven’t given up. This wasn’t written as a sob story, or as a sympathy post. Just insight and honesty. Or maybe a mix of things I can’t quite say. As I bite my lower lip, my heart begins to beat faster, and I’ve begun to sweat a little bit.

I have to be even more honest. I need help.

Actions speak louder than words. I’m trying to keep my sanity and crawl out of the hole I’ve fallen in. I don’t have transportation to get a “real” job and I live about 15-20 miles from the closest bus stop. This isn’t really an area where you can survive without a car. My only hope is to make money through the internet.

So in the next coming weeks I’ll be swallowing a bit of pride and promoting my work more. I’ll be making more drawings, paintings, and definitely more prints. I’ve got some t-shirt ideas written and sketched down (ready to be fined tuned for Threadless). And I’ll be knocking on some gallery doors to land more shows (not literally).

So I guess what I need from you is continued support, whether it’s written in comments, e-mail, spreading the word about my art (with credit of course) or through patronage of my art (originals, prints, t-shirts, portraits, or other commissions).

I’m very thankful for everyone that has been helpful thus far, and for everyone in the future. I hope I never have to stop pouring my heart out in the form of images (and words).

Thank you for sticking around and taking the time to read. I have some fun things in store for the next few weeks. And I'll be working harder, so you'll be seeing more art here.

Warmth on a cold night

2011-03-11T02:40:00.002-05:00

I can't stop listening to Agnes Obel. I put off getting her album, but it turns out it's exactly what I needed to be inspired again.

Dreaming of secrets, rituals, witches, symbols, foliage, water, rebirth, lies, truths, and darkness.

Climb Inside, (Part 2)

2011-03-10T15:50:00.005-05:00

Right before I graduated, the world seemed to be full of vast opportunity. The only thing in my way was graduating. So far I’d created an album cover and a t-shirt, a decent start to building a resume. I’d also been in a fair amount of student shows. A long-term illustration project and a job was offered to me. My plan was to follow through, and work on my paintings on the side until I landed a show.

Then I graduated.

After I graduated it felt like the whole world dimmed. I left the bright bubble that was surrounding school and the painting department. The real world felt unreal. I stayed in bed most of my waking hours barely lifting a finger. I didn’t want to get up. I couldn’t get up. It felt like a billion pound cat lady was sitting on top of me (no offense cat fans).

I couldn’t put my finger on why I was feeling this way. Graduation is all I looked forward to, why was I so damned depressed? I wouldn’t even leave the house to hang out with my friends. And I looked like the walking dead.

I got the news that the band I had worked for was going on a tour down the east coast and through the south. The invitation was open for me to join them as a roadie, and as it turns out an on the road sign maker. I began to look forward to that. Of course it was nothing like I imagined it to be, despite making some fun memories.

After tour, things managed to get worse. Sunshine and the open road was a temporary fix and fuel for delusion. When I returned my job offer fell through and the person who had offered the long-term illustration project went missing in action. My family, who I lived with, was going through drastic changes. Lots of drama, uproar, and uprooting was happening (as a recent family of divorce).

All my plans post-graduation shattered and became suddenly clear why my mood was so bleak. While in school I envisioned doing a cross-country road trip with friends (they all backed out). Then I’d obviously re-locate and start my new life.

But my employment opportunities vanished, so moving was out of the question. My family needed my car, and for me to financially help out. So moving was a no go. But then I found minimalism and Everett Bogue.

Minimalism wasn’t what I had previously imagined. It wasn’t snobbish guys searching for zen interior decoration with nothing to their name. Or mysterious income sources. I found that minimalists are passionate people who had a disdain for mindless consumerism. A dislike of corporate culture, and pre-programmed debt with a list of status symbols we're told we should have. I had always been frugal and careful with my money so I could focus on art. It was a new place to fit in.

I had become super motivated. The sky brightened and my post-graduation depression seemed silly and like a whole different lifetime. As the fall approached I got more moxie. Not being taught how to land shows or how to get illustration jobs, I was a little lost. But I wanted to paint more than anything, so I went for it.

Even though I had been rejected plenty of times in school, I began adapting the attitude, “What do I have to lose?” I e-mailed up a couple galleries and they e-mailed back with positive responses. Within two weeks I went from no shows to two group shows. I stayed up all night sketching, doing research, drawing, and painting. How could this be any better?

I saw a bunch of my favorite artists, illustrators, and comics people joining together to do a show. An erotic art show. My favorite subject. I was excited at what the results would be and I was a bit anxious. I bit the bullet and asked if I could join in. Before I knew it I got another yes! If this kept on happening everything would be fine.

As time went on I kept at it, and landed a fourth show. But what goes up must come down. At the end of December there was a mix-up and disagreement with one of the galleries. By Christmas, one of my pieces had sold so there was a bit of hope. But everything else was being shipped back to me. There were no shows or alternate opportunities on the horizon, and I knew my tiny savings were drying up.

It was time to man up or give up.

Be sure to return for the final installment of Climb Inside, on Tuesday (March 15th)!

Climb Inside, (Part 1)

2011-03-08T22:45:00.004-05:00

I introduced myself about 3 months ago when I started this blog. I feel as if we’re to go on this journey together, I should re-introduce myself. The truth behind the screen. Let’s get personal.

We’re told not to mix business with pleasure. But this is more than business, it’s art. I’m raw and moody. And babe, I’m only human. Take it or leave it.

When I was a wee lass all I did was draw and paint. Or watch awesome 80s & 90s cartoons. I’d draw all over my mom’s bills and she’d get angry.

I’d be the quiet girl in grade school who earned good grades and gained curious eyes (and friends) through making art. I didn’t do it for the friends, just for pure pleasure. I originally thought I’d be a doctor. Then I decided to be a ballerina, a pastry chef, a bassist, a model, and eventually a fashion designer. But I never stopped drawing.

While pouring most into my hours into studying for school, and absorbing fashion through runway shows on tv, I would draw anime styled girls on the side. I was secretly scribbling and sketching pages with intentions of making a manga. It wasn’t until my junior year at school I realized people did art for a living. Or that I could even go to school for it.

Growing up I was sold the image of the starving artist. Van Gogh never sold a painting in his life. If you met me in highschool I would have been sure 100% all artists were like that. I didn’t want to live in a box, even if it’d be pretty. So I applied to art school junior year (which was my third and graduating year) and I was declined admission. I was heartbroken, but determined even more.

So I went to community college and learned about illustration. The first year was filled with nothing but art. Oil painting became my new best friend. Although my art was stiff, and I was censoring my own work, there was a balance of peace and frustration. I was convinced that illustration was my calling and everything would be great.

After some practical classes under my belt in second year, I transferred to a university. There I met an array of amazing professors on the fine arts side of art. The illustration classes were always full (and even though it was my major) I filled half my schedule with fine arts classics: drawing, painting, anatomy, sculpture, ceramics, etc.

Through painting class my mind was blown away. My second painting class (ever) was taught by a grad student. I was nervous about taking the class. I worried about trying to fit in with the fine art painting kids. I tried painting extremely painterly, flailed, and struggled. I was comforted and taught to embrace my technical skill in drawing. So I switched to using graphite and oil paint on wood.

I also got introduced to the world of low-brow and pop surrealism as a whole. I knew a few of the artists, but knew nothing about art scenes and modern art movements. I relaxed and stopped censoring the subject of my art.

I started drawing nude ladies after a 4 year hiatus (after my parents spotting my hidden pin-up drawings and lecturing me about it I was afraid to show what I really felt.) I stopped being rated PG. My art became honest, erotic, and colorful yet dark. I was going through a renaissance.

The next year I finally got to take illustration courses. I hated them but was convincing myself that once I got to upper level courses I’d have more freedom and they’d get better. Illustration would be wonderful. I couldn’t bare to break and shake the wonderful world I had imagined around illustration.

I began taking digital art/design courses, traditional illustration classes, and fine art courses simultaneously. One of these areas would surely appeal to me. In my last year it finally sank in. I was tired of the strict, boring, stiff illustration program I was in. It was taught by one professor only. (Hi professor if you’re reading this, you seem like a lovely person, but I hated your program!)

I dropped everything but painting. I found a little world I was happy in the painting department. I kept illustration as my major but bent some rules and found myself painting full-time. I was able to make really personal work there. Some illustrative type work, more clean, fashion driven, more graphic in execution. The others were oil painted, more erotic, dream-like, and more personal. I’ve always been split in two worlds, interested and torn with contrast and juxtaposition.

All I wanted to do was paint and get into some shows leading up to and after graduation. I still want to paint and get into shows. But I feel less like illustration is stiff and evil. It’s all about the clients and projects you take on. But painting and shows are still #1 in my book. Even if it’s riskier.

I’m now less afraid to show family and strangers the weird images that I hold dear to my heart. I care a lot less if people think I’m odd or perverted. I’m alive and a sexual being, even despite not making time or importance for romance. But that’s another story. Maybe another time.

Stay tuned for some more truths on March 10th (Thursday). Find out what happened after graduation in Climb Inside, (Part Two).

Under the Influence

2011-03-03T05:34:00.003-05:00

Working in color again has been strange. It was refreshing. I used a limited palette and felt focused. However, I did take my time completing this drawing. Well worth it i'd say and I hope my client will see it this way.

I took a couple work in progress shots when it was almost complete, so you could see.

Might I also say, I adore having a blog. I've been blogging on different platforms since I was very young, but so far blogger is best!

So back to personal work I go, working towards getting some new shows! Fingers crossed. Cross your fingers for me too. (Thanks in advance.)

Discomfort

2011-03-01T20:51:00.002-05:00

This weekend I decided to step out of my comfort zone and accept a commission to draw a dragon. It's definitely challenging so far.

I wanted to make a dragon inspired by traditional Chinese and Japanese paintings, but put my own spin on it. Also, it's been a while since I used ink. Fun and challenging it is to try and control a brush just enough to get a good line.

I'm excited (and kinda nervous) to complete it. Finishing him will mean I can go back to personal work and shake my portfolio upside down. The plan is to revamp my portfolio and look for a gallery that will be happy to give me a solo show.

There is a lot of imagery and untapped potential in me. Time to work even harder!

Middle Man

2011-02-28T21:52:00.005-05:00

A short story I wrote, being posted here as promised.

Middle Man
by Sashiko Yuen

He swiftly walked toward us, breathing deeply, prepared. His eyes smiled with some small secret.

He welcomed us with one hand reaching out, ready to lull us into trust and comfort. A handshake was exchanged between the both of us. Firm, but not too firm. His hands were slightly rough, but not too rough.

His arm raised and pointed in the direction of the long hallway, suggesting we proceed. He led us to a small room barely containing a large wood table with a dark warm tone. It was surrounded by bland black leather office chairs and framed prints of impressionist paintings. One seat at the table was surrounded by painfully organized piles of papers. His seat.

He took his seat and my mother sat adjacent to this man. I took a seat beside her.

He removed a small navy blue folder from beneath his arm, placed it on the table, and unleashed another stack of papers upon the table. He arranged them neatly, with neon colored tabs indicating the areas where mother was meant to look and sign.

He began to introduce mother to the forms and reassure her it would be a smooth and simple process. He repeated her name in every sentence, as if he had been her friend for years. He said her name in each sentence to gain her trust and keep her attention. His words were fast and spewed from his mouth like a dam blocked up for centuries and finally finding release. He was very clear on the meaning of each document, and the smallest mistake made him apologetic and self deprecating.

As mom took a few moments to skim the text on the paper, the man’s eyes would flee to the outdoor scene visible through large wall-sized windows encasing three sides of the room. The water in the river slowly strolled down in a tranquil rhythm, accompanied by the sorrowful swaying trees. The view was something from a cheesy motivational poster, just waiting for a hawk to descend from the sky.

His eyes were kind and twinkling with an air of melancholy. His hands appeared soft and his skin close to the color of porcelain. He wore a plain white collared shirt, with plain white buttons and dark grey slacks. He had a gold watch on his left wrist which crushed the dark brown hairs on his arm. The effect his dark brown hair had on his appearance was dramatic, especially with his sage green eyes. However, had there been any other employee in the room, I wouldn’t have noticed him.

An hour later, the papers still weren’t finished being reviewed, signed, and stamped. Our appointment was running into his next appointment, which he repeatedly said wasn’t a problem. He repeatedly flicked his wrist to repeatedly check the time, contradicting his own words. I could repeatedly feel him flinching at each minute passing and overlapping over his next appointment.

Fifteen minutes later, everything was complete. His movements were swift. He put all the papers in order, making sure everything was in order. He aggressively stacked the papers, tucked them under his arm, and left the room to make copies. There was an ounce of remorse in each purposeful step, as he left out of the room and walked down the hall.

Upon his return, he handed over the documents, shook our hands, and exchanged generic pleasantries. He wished us well, bid adieu, as if we would see him again soon. But we never would.

As we left the room a small indistinguishable family passed by us into the hall, walking towards the man’s room ready to be greeted.

(This is one of my least eventful stories, honestly. But that is kind of the point of the story. I'm aiming to post the story i'm working on by the end of the month, so stay tuned!)

Speak up

2011-02-24T00:19:00.003-05:00

Speak up, 5x7 inches. Graphite on paper.

We control our own destiny. Action or your lack thereof controls your future. Think about it. If you don't like where you are, work towards fixing it.

I'm gonna be working on some larger drawings and also returning to painting next week. I feel I've accomplished what I wanted by returning to a small scale and to b&w.

Although I'm gonna have to completely re-do my website to reflect my new work. They'll be separated by the colorful and my more mute work. I'm happy with this new direction.

I've also put up some prints of my newer drawings up in the shop. I'll be adding some originals at reasonable prices up in the shop later this week.

Unfortunate circumstances have hit, and could use the help. I'll post about that later.

Without "sin"

2011-02-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

After reading Filth I really started craving junk food. And booze.

It felt like a bad idea to go out and eat piles of burgers, fries, and the like after spending months without consuming fast food and sauce covered restaurant food. So I opted to go the guilt-free route.

Adapted from Eating Well.

I took Eating Well's recipe and adapted it for my own. It wasn't very specific on what to do. And it didn't have any seasoning. Blasphemy!

Sin-less salted potato wedges

Ingredients:
2 medium sized russet potatoes
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt (preferably sea salt!)
1 teaspoon dried thyme (or rosemary or italian seasoning)
1 teaspoon cumin
and a sprinkle of black pepper over the lot

I like to cook with what I have on hand. It's cheaper. But with recipes it's easy to substitute. You could try using peanut oil, might be delicious!

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Scrub the potatoes clean. Cut off a little of both ends of the potato, leaving a flat surface. Cut the potato so you have two cylindrical shapes. And then cut that lengthwise down the middle.
3. Cut the remaining shapes into wedges, leaving potato skins on the edge (or cut them off in the beginning if you like).
4. Put the olive oil in a large bowl, then the wedges. Use your hands to toss and coat the potatoes in the olive oil. Then transfer to a baking sheet.
5. Season and salt up those lovely potatoes! Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes, or until they're golden on the edges.

Optional dip:
3 tbsp golden mustard
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp teriyaki sauce

OR

2 tbsp golden mustard
1 tbsp honey

(put the ingredients in a bowl and mix. i just use a chopstick.)

Fries make 4 servings, and the dip is 1-2 servings (depending on how much you use)

Enjoy!

Booksmeller Sunday, Filth

2011-02-20T00:00:00.004-05:00

Dirty, despicable, diabolical, disgusting and disgraceful. I absolutely loved it. I believe I mentioned a few posts back that I wasn't at all interested in reading it when someone suggested I read it.

The first time I picked up the novel, I barely made it through the first chapter. My friend kept pestering me and playfully teasing me about the fact I've had the book in my hands for like 4 months. I really didn't want to read it.

Last weekend I jumped in bed under my cozy warm covers on the chilliest day in winter, and cracked this book back open! I started from the beginning and the first couple chapters didn't pull me in. I just wanted to plow through it. But somewhere within the first 100 pages I got pulled in.

The lead character is a misogynistic pig (the cover is very fitting). He's also racist, cynical, and simply degrading. Yet I somehow began to bond with the character and feel bad for him. He's so horrible and just doesn't quite get why his life has gone to complete shit. I've never read anything as gritty before, despite reading a few Chuck Palahniuk novels.

I doubt you'll regret it if you read it.

The book smells smokey, like a bunch of cigarette ashes. There's also a gently hint of salty and sweet, like maple syrup covered sausages. Mmmm

I wonder how much a book's content can leak and manifest on the smell of the pages. Perhaps it's psychological. But I swear that's exactly what it smells like. Very fitting as the main character, Bruce Robertson eats a lot of fried and fatty foods despite his somewhat fit figure. Read it and you'll see why he's slim.

Filth is the perfect title for this concoction.

Cross

2011-02-19T01:27:00.006-05:00

Cross, graphite on paper. 5x8 inches. 2011.

I've been thinking a lot about disaster and financial crisis. Also about artists and the constant struggle to support themselves. How lots of artists appear to be doing great online, with lots of fans. But they usually hold at least a part-time side job to pay the bills.

It makes me wonder how a person can go from barely making it, to 100% self-sufficient professional artist. I'm knowledgeable about some aspects of what it takes to be professional, but there are still miles ahead. I hope one day I'll be able to help other artists reach their dream.

I want to inspire others and give them hope.

Ch-ch-changes

2011-02-15T23:55:00.002-05:00

Vision, 3.5x5 inches. Graphite on paper.

I've been a bad girl. I dove into reading Filth the past few days. It's a book about a misogynist pig of a cop. A friend let me borrow the book a while back, and I kept putting off reading it. I didn't even put it on my reading list. I read the first chapter when I got the book. It didn't intrigue me.

Many months later, I've entered a sort of "blue period" in my work. I've been more interested in what's dark. I've been researching the twenties and prohibition.

And now I've been diving back into writing. I made a promise over on twitter that I'd post a story up here next week. I want to post the story I'm working on now. It's my best yet. But no matter what, a story will be posted, whether this is complete or not.

The Future is Clear

2011-02-11T00:27:00.003-05:00

I really love to blog on the fly. I only post when I have something to say. I want passion to radiate out of each and every word (and everything I do).

I read that blogging on a schedule is best, something about Search Engine Optimization. But I don't really want a computer to dictate what I'm doing. So here I am blogging off schedule, past midnight on a Friday morning.

I finished my latest drawing on Wednesday night. I keep making black and white drawings, making excuses that it'll be my last. I'm just practicing shading and style i'd say. While it's true, I had to admit it's fun making art with nothing but a pencil and paper.

It takes me back to when I first got serious about art. The basics were taught in monochrome, no color to distract you from learning fundamentals: form, depth, composition, light, contrast, etc. For the last few years I became obsessed with color, always evolving how I used it.

Creating art became too much. Painting overwhelmed me. Drawing is basic. Black & white is classic. So it was only natural I turned to the beginning. I thought I'd just return to full color and leave this stage behind. Yet I'm seeing there is more to be explored. There is something mysterious and beautiful about it, like a black & white film.

However, while I'm not leaving it behind, I'm almost ready to start working with color again. I'm also craving paint. And larger, more detailed, more absurd, and more ambitious pieces.

So please join me on this journey, and take a seat. My career is just beginning and I have a lot more stories inside to tell.

Here is an image for your trouble, for those who made it this far.

xoxo,
Sashiko

Watching books

2011-02-08T19:00:00.003-05:00

The past two years I had been completely enamored with Netflix. I gave up mindlessly watching television years ago. I loved that I could sit in front of the computer with the intentions of drawing or painting while watching a movie. But honestly, it was just a giant distraction.

It did help inspire me, but I began to produce less work. So in 2011, my "year of action." I decided to suspend my account to focus on my work. It's been an adjustment. Netflix time has been replaced by dawdling on the internet and cooking from scratch.

So now I'm working on super focusing at one task at a time. No multi-tasking. Unless it involves music in the background. Which means I'm being a lot more inspired by books. I used to make excuses that i didn't have time to read. But once you re-align your priorities, you have time for anything.

Reading a book and being inspired is a lot different than watching a film, or losing yourself in inspiration blogs or Tumblr. The author weaves a words into a world for you. It's up to you to bring these fragments to life with your mind. It's magical.

I made the plan to read 36 books this year. It may not sound like a lot, but for the past few years I haven't read more than 10 books a year (not counting graphic novels).

I really want to read Haruki Murakami's book "what i talk about when i talk about running" next, especially after reading Stella Im Hultberg's post about it. But first I have to read the pile of books I have from the library.

I've got a bunch of art/ business books out: Craft inc, Creative inc, The Martha Rule, and My So Called Freelance life. In fiction I've got: The River King, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, From the Dust Returned, and the Complete Poetry and Works of Keats.

So, what books are you currently reading? What books are on your to-read list?

And for the artists, musicians, film-makers, and designers: Which medium do you find the most inspiration in? And how do you find focus in today's world distraction?

Life like a silent film

2011-02-03T18:42:00.004-05:00

I haven't been sharing everything i've been working on. I have a lot of projects in mind for 2011, and had been working on them a little at a time. Last week I had decided to only post one big post each week here. But I missed you guys already.

So here are some images that i've had floating on my desktop for inspiration. They're all taken from tumblr at some point, so I don't know the sources. I'd be glad to post credit if you know who they're from.

Clara Bow, from Wings.

Image of Creepy Chan.

Sexy Brat Soup

2011-02-03T18:07:00.002-05:00

Okay, it was either that or title it Sausage Soup, which triggers the 12 year old in me. I swear I was in stitches last night thinking about it. *ahem* Pardon me, I mean soup is a very serious affair. La cuisine! Haha, just kidding.

So, Sexy Brat Soup... I've been freezing lately and got back on a soup kick. I went out shopping all excited yesterday and made the soup early this evening. It's so delicious! I had to share with you.

I promise this won't turn into a giant food blog. I just so happened to ban myself from eating out and am trying to cook everyday. It's in preparation for a special project. You'll see much later.

Back to the soup!

I changed up the soup a little bit from the original, adding my own kick!

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman's Bratwurst and Potato Soup.

Sexy Brat Soup

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, shredded
2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
12 oz cooked bratwurst, sliced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
1. Melt the butter in the pot, and add in the shredded carrots and chopped onions. Saute until tender.
2. Add the broth, potatoes, and sausage. Sprinkle in the herbs, garlic, salt and pepper.
3. Cover the pot with a lid, and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes (until the potatoes are very soft).
4. Remove the sausage from the pot. Puree about half of the potatoes (leaving some of the potatoes unblended). Mix and then add the sausage back to the pot. The broth should be thickened by the blended potatoes.
5. Enjoy. ;)

A sweet and sour life

2011-01-29T00:02:00.005-05:00

Life is pretty sweet and sour. We live for the sweet, and trudge through the sour.

I've had some pretty treasurable moments this past week or so. You don't have to have a lot of cash to have fun. I spent time with a close friend during a snow storm shelling peanuts. Let me just say, there were a lot of nut jokes, and we were all in stitches! (So she could make a test batch of peanut butter cups. She's opening a confection business! Woo!) I danced in my kitchen while making multicolored pancakes. And I spent time finding images I love, and pondering why. The latter involved me making a tumblr.

But i've been having trouble creating. Here is what I did manage to draw without crumbling it up.

I hope this weekend will be more productive art-wise. I have a painting about halfway finished, so we'll see how that goes.

However, i do have pancake recipes for you.

These are my Banana Walnut Pancakes, they're deliciously pink! I'll provide my basic recipe, and then some mix-in options.

Wishcandy's Basic Pancake Recipe:

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons sugar
1 1/4 cups milk (i use vanilla soy milk!)
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

(if i have whole wheat flour on hand, i'll make it 3/4 cups whole wheat and 3/4 cups all purpose)

Directions
1. Grab a large bowl and pour in the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients, and pour in the milk, oil, vanilla extract, and egg.
2. Mix until all ingredients are blended. There will be some lumps. If you over mix it, your pancakes will be dense!
3. Put a pan or griddle on medium heat, and lightly oil it (preferably with more extra virgin olive oil). Use a (small) ladle to pour the batter in the pan.

Tips: Once a few bubbles form on the top of the pancake, flip it. Then let it cook for almost a minute on the other side. Always test the first pancake, and adjust to your liking. Also if the heat is too high, you'll burn your pancake (and it won't give the middle of the pancake the chance to cook!) And why use olive oil? It will leave you feeling fuller for longer!

Use the basic pancake recipe and add in the following (after the wet ingredients) for fancy pancakes!

These are my White Chocolate, Raspberry, and Raisin pancakes. Yum!

Banana Walnut Pancakes:

1-2 bananas (slice them into 1/2 inch slices and then mash them in a small bowl with a fork)
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped

White Chocolate, Raspberry, and Raisin pancakes:

1/4 cup raisins
1/4 craisins
1/4 cup golden raisins (optional)
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup raspberries

Want fun colored pancakes? Add a few drops of food dye!

Lastly, some news. I want to bring more quality posts to this blog. So instead of posting 2-3 days a week, i'll be posting once a week. This means better posts, less guilt, and perhaps some fun bonus posts on weekends.

Time to focus on art! See you soon.

Eleanor, my skull lass (part 2)

2011-01-25T18:44:00.002-05:00

My dearest Eleanor, a sweet shy girl who watches the moon.

Eleanor and Devoted are now available as prints in the shop. More lovelies later this week! ♥

Folk Life

2011-01-25T14:36:00.002-05:00

I'm slowly surrounded by folk life. It gently sings to me in the waking hour. It fills my heart with promises of rustic cabins and a warm spot by the fire. My eyes fill with light as the sun sets and a lantern guides me through the dew covered forest.

A huge part of this inspiration is this cabin fever I've been suffering from. However the load is made a lot lighter by Grimm's Fairytales, handsome folk musicians, and the work of Becca Stadtlander.

Becca Stadtlander is an amazing artist. She recently graduated art school for illustration. She weaves a magical scene reminiscent of Folk art and Japanese prints. Her work holds a spot in my heart.

She marries colors both dark and vibrant, creating iconic imagery. Her portfolio is absolutely stunning, i dare you to go look.

Her prints are also amazingly affordable.

Eleanor, my skull lass

2011-01-20T23:59:00.001-05:00

I started working on a new drawing this morning. Her name is Eleanor. She's been living in my different sketchbooks for ages. Just now brought out of the pages.

She should be done tomorrow, as she's tiny. Decided on trying a 3.5x5 inch drawing. Something refreshing about working on something tiny. It's done and over somewhat quickly. Small art is intimate, you have to get close to see the details. And the standard sizes i work in are 5x7 or 8x10 inches. If i'm feeling like a champ, i'll do 16x20 or 18x24 inches.

So deviating those sizes has been great. Good to get back to b&w to work on my skills. Great to experiment.

I've been allowing myself to draw whatever I want. I really do want to start a series. I'm having a hard time committing to one. My old classmates and professors said i don't really need a series. My art is consistent in "style."

Sometimes I get so jealous seeing how people can stick to once subject and medium for so long. My work is muted or monochromatic one moment and pretty damn colorful in the next moment. My tastes reflect that same sensibility. I love the cute, color-crazed, glittery, and romantic. I equally adore creepy, morbid, dark, offbeat, and the surreal.

All the artsy folk out there, how do you do it? Do you do series? Do you stick to one medium? Does your work look visually unified?

Falling into place

2011-01-18T23:59:00.001-05:00

I'm definitely grateful something clicked in my mind. Things had to get worse to get better. After painful contemplation built up these past few months, I had a breakthrough. It made me feel clear. I can see the big picture and nothing else matters.

I whipped these little guys out like nobody's business. Didn't struggle, didn't take forever, I felt happy to create these. I was eager to finish, and eager to wake up to make more.

Adoration, graphite on paper. 2.5x3.5 inches. 2011.

Consumed, graphite on paper. 2.5x3.5 inches. 2011.

Snuffles, graphite on paper. 2.5x3.5 inches. 2011.

Lomance, graphite on paper. 2.5x3.5 inches. 2011.

I struggled with the fact that I've been creating black & white drawings, when in the past I was all about color. And I wanted to want to paint so much. But this break is very welcome, and I've learned quite a bit. I'll find my way back to color and painting, but I'm in no rush.

Lastly, I posted a few original drawings in my Etsy shop last week. I also introduced my new print, Nomad. I want to introduce a lot more prints this year. I didn't really make prints last year, and I miss sending my art into the world. It's very gratifying.

So, if I place some images up here, would you vote which ones you'd like as prints? I have a lot of images to go through.