Ringing in the New Year

It's that time of year, with resolutions and reflections galore. 2017 was quite a doozy all around, as we're all too well aware. While I could go on about how happy I am it's over, it is always fun to look back at the positives. 

I do have to say it was quite the year of firsts: I ran my first 5K, took my first solo road trip across state lines, and went on my first ever Spring Break trip -- to Puerto Vallarta, no less! I also started working out regularly for the first time since high school. I can promise you I never thought I'd be someone who willingly stepped into a weight room, but that changed this year. 

Work life had its ups and downs but I started the year with a promotion to senior artist, a humbling promotion indeed given the talent I work amongst! I spent the better part of the year working on a Lord of the Rings game, having creative control over three different features. While I was never a huge fan of the series, working with iconic characters such as Gollum and Shelob was super fun and rewarding. 

In terms of art, 2017 was the year I did more personal art than I can ever recall. This is thanks in part to the wonderfully talented Joe Feliciano, who hosts weekly watercolor jams at work. He also is a huge proponent of sketchbooks, and inspired me to keep mine in tow at all times. This helped me get in a healthier mindset of making art for myself, rather than appealing to the world at large. 

2017 was the first year I completed #Inktober -- helped along with the ever inspiring theme of Britney  Spears -- and finished up my second complete go at #MerMay. I had pieces published in a friend's collaborative childhood art book, took a local screen printing class, and already have more learning experiences and zine pieces lined up for this year.

While I don't have resolutions per say, I look forward to what 2018 holds!

Bill

I love Bill, and will be super sad to see her go if this indeed the end.

While several previous companions only stayed for a season, I really would have loved to see Bill's character grow further, be it with Capaldi or the next in Doc in line. Once upon a time I recall Amy having a lot of terrible things thrown at her -- never ever ever will I be over that pregnancy plot line, uhg -- but man. Bill truly had a rough go. So many episodes and time spent alone and terrified, and while yes that's the norm in a sci-fi horror show I just wanted more Doctor/companion campy filler episodes of happiness and fluff. That's not asking a lot, right?

Overall I was super bummed with the finale, despite some interesting concepts and heartfelt moments here and there. Though really, loose ends and an intriguing premise with half baked resolutions are Moff's forte, so I shouldn't be surprised.

Okay, okay let's be real: that two parter needed 500% more Simm!Master.

Juggie

A friend and I recently started watching Riverdale out of boredom, and goodness we are hooked.

I read the books as a kid, though admittedly don't remember much. Mostly I remember chilling with tacos and blankets in a friend's treehouse as we sat reading for hours on end.

At some point I really want to take a crack at all the characters, as they're so fun and iconic. So to start off: Jughead!

Summertime Painting

We haven't done a Drink + Draw event in several months, and with the weather finally having some consistency decided to fix that. It's always a blast to chill outside and draw, let alone with some swell, talented folks.

I've been playing with watercolors more and more the past few weeks, mostly thanks to Joe hosting weekly lunch painting sessions. It's been an uphill battle getting the hang of the medium, but I've slowly come to embarrass the happy accidents that arise. Plus, I've fallen completely in love with these water container brushes which really lend themselves to painting mobility.

(For curious minds, this is the set that I've been using which comes with said brush, and would highly recommend it: Kuretake 14 cake set.)

Then & Now

Upwards of two years ago, I was approached to contribute to a book idea that a friend was getting off the ground. The premise? Dig up some childhood artwork and revisit it present day. 

Luckily I had a plethora of awkward childhood gems on hand to reference, and was utterly giddy to be a small part of this book. Over 30 artists re-iminaged pieces from their youth, and it's just as awesome and embarrassing as it sounds. 

Adam and Bob recently launched the Kickstarter for Then and Now, and with just over two weeks to go we've already reached our goal and are looking forward to adding some new fun tiers. Be sure to hop over and check it out! 

Yes, Capes!

Saw Wonder Woman again tonight with the fam, and man oh man girl can wear a cape! Also, I loved this movie even more this go round, flaws and all. 💛

Groot's Got The Moves

Some days are better than others, and some days you're commissioned to draw dancing Baby Groot! 

He'll ultimately be done traditionally, but I wanted to start getting the hang of drawing this little dude. I'm super excited to tackle this commission, because while I went into GotG Vol 2 wanting to dislike Baby Groot -- admit it, pop culture took him and ran with it so hard, you couldn't enter any store without seeing a toy of him -- I was already in love by the time that opening sequence had begun. Too cute! 

I also haven't done a WIP gif in a while, so let's do this:

Hero of Love

Goodness, did this film deliver! It was as close to perfect as any movie with impossible expectations has any right to be. Sure I have qualms, but I'm just so darn happy it exists.

What I would give to have had this movie to cherish as a 7 or 8 year old. I'm so incredibly happy girls (and boys) today have this film to love and watch again and again. The gold standard for super heroines when I was growing up was Batgirl -- and Poison Ivy, if you want to grow this small circle to include the few villainess in existence as well -- in Batman and Robin. And we all know how great of a movie that was.

Anywho. Back to Wonder Woman, because seriously: that No Man's Land scene...!! I've not stopped thinking about it since I left that theater. I'm totally not above admitting the waterworks were legit that entire sequence.

Almost Time: C2E2 2017

It's that time of year again: I'll be tabling at C2E2 with the talented and amazing Joe Feliciano!

We will be in Artist Alley, table R7 all set up with prints, books, patches, magnets, the works.

Super stoked to see everyone next week, come on over and say hey!

Work!

Still riding this high... I know it's cliche at this point but I couldn't help but draw these awesome ladies. Also managed to snag a pic of the super preliminary sketches, because this is a rare instance where I started on ye ol' pencil and paper:

I will have this as a print coming up next month for C2E2. Details to follow!