{ Karen Yasmeen Barton }

2011-10-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

I still haven't been drawing as much as I should. But here are some practice portraits I did. No references of course, which is why some of them looked skewed.

Remedy - IF

2011-07-08T00:57:00.000-07:00

Perhaps with a spoon full of sugar. . .

That Watercolor Moleskine

2011-07-06T18:41:00.000-07:00

I'm gonna admit right now that I haven't been feeling my best lately. In fact, I've been downright depressed. Not a new feeling, but a bit worse than usual. I seriously want to believe that things will turn around for the better soon, but I find myself feeling more and more skeptical that things are gonna change. I want to believe. I'm even going to church for goodness sake! But I just feel out of place when I'm there. Everything feels so plastic and superficial.

As most of you probably know, Borders bookstores had to declare bankrupcy. As a result all the local Borders closed several weeks ago.
I painted this watercolor in my notebook about a week before the Seattle Coffee in the Borders stopped serving their Javakula's, and everything in the store went on a clearance sale.
I was very sad to see this place go, since I have lots of fond memories of the place. Browsing the magazines, and finding new books to buy was one of my favorite past times.

I've since been visiting Barnes & Nobles, but it just isn't the same. I find their payed membership offensive. So I'm sticking to Amazon now for the actual shopping. And I've actually purchased more Kindle books than actual paperbacks. *sigh* Times sure have changed.

Sometimes I think I want to abandon all types of gadgets and electronics. I'd like to go live somewhere closer to nature, where I could do something simple and/or at least be away from all modernity.
Maybe run a cabin in the mountains. . . .
That's not a silly wish is it? I had a cousin who claimed he wanted to raise bunnies for a living. >_>

But one can't deny there are certain comforts to living in the city, which are pretty hard to give up. Especially a city like Los Angeles, which is so diverse you can find anything! I once brought some souvenirs for a friend, only to find the same trinkets being sold at Venice Beach.

And every day we have more and more new things coming in, and it's amazing and grand, and just a little overwhelming.

I'm not that old, but I was born and raised in this city. Seeing it change, all the new shopping centers, luxury condos and lofts, Public Schools and the gentrification that has and is happening in my surrounding neighborhoods, it's all kind of bittersweet.

I went up to the Griffith Observatory to observe the fireworks on this past 4th of July. The place had quite the crowd, most watching silently as different zip codes lit up in colored showers of light.

And I quietly marveled at this city.

Soaked - IF

2011-05-26T22:12:00.000-07:00

This Illustration Friday the theme was Soaked.

I think this picture had a bit of a mind of its own. It was one those pictures where I just let myself paint without really planning anything. I think I'm actually happy with it.

Warning - IF

2011-03-06T23:15:00.000-08:00

Kike was very proud of his new shoes.
Arthur just wished Kike would stop smiling so big and watch where he's going.

Gosh, it took a while to find the time and draw!
This was done last night, but I was pretty busy this Sunday so I didn't get a chance to scan it. And then I thought I'd a add some color. I played around a bit, but in the end I left it with minimal color and practically no clean up. I guess I just liked the messiness.

2011-03-04T23:50:00.000-08:00

done in iPad

Have you seen the new iPad? OK, ok! I know, who hasn't? right!

Can I just say WANT! WANT!

Why couldn't I wait patiently for the new one?!!!!

I just couldn't believe that it would arrive so soon. I keep arguing with myself on whether I should try and sell my iPad (which I've only had since December!)
and buy the new one, or just stick to this one until the 3rd generation comes along. In which case I definitely won't be able to sell it for the low price I could get now.
If I had gone with my impulse to sell just a day ago I could have gotten nearly one hundred dollars more on ebay instant sell. But since I waited. . . GRRR!

What to do. . . what to do? ? ? ?

gals

2011-03-04T23:36:00.000-08:00

trying stuff out.

The Sweater

2011-02-13T02:35:00.000-08:00

For Illustration Friday

heart me

2011-02-13T00:51:00.000-08:00

Color pencils drawing from my moleskine, with a little water mixed in.

Reverse

2011-02-11T00:27:00.000-08:00

Oh Hi! No you didn't wake me! I was totally dressed and ready. 0_o;

For those of us who have opened the door, or worse, left the house with some part of our outfit in reverse.

And for Illustration Friday.

landscape studies

2011-02-10T22:17:00.000-08:00

Acrylic study on watercolor Moleskine

Acrylic study on illustration board

These are based on photos from the internet, however I can't remember the website I got them from. I think it was called Terrasomething.

sorry.

Doodles

2011-02-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

Done in a fun app called ArtStudio

Lover

2011-01-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

Angel and Buffy!

Happy Holidays

2010-12-24T16:09:00.000-08:00

I hope all of you are having a great December. The holidays are great time to show how much you appreciate your friends and families. Although that is something we should do every day of the year. So I should really say is put some extra emphasis on that love and appreciation these days!

This is a difficult season for many of us. Painful things happen at all times of the years, but it always seems worse when it's around the holiday season.

the fact that the rest of the world seems to be on happy pills could be quite irritating.

I can't say what one could do to feel better, I'm still trying to figure it out. I suppose this is a good time to compartmentalize. Acknowledge your sorrow, take some time to wallow, and then try to focus on the good things in life.
Allow some joy into your heart! For happiness is fleeting. Hold on to all the good in life, and don't let the world tear you down.

Be safe my friends, you have my love.

*HUGS*

get it done

2010-12-11T00:41:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to get back into the whole drawing bit. I've mostly been doodling and playing with some traditional media. But I keep jumping around so all I have is a bunch of works in progress. I should be getting some finished soon though. Hopefully.

On another note, life still sucks, it's practically raining frogs. All the more reason to try and distract myself right? *sigh*

Time is fleeting

2010-10-20T22:55:00.000-07:00

On September 30^th a friend of mine passed away. I write these words so many days later and I still can’t believe it. I’m not someone who is particularly comfortable sharing personal life things on the Internet, or even to people I know. But on this occasion I feel that I must. I need to tell you that on September 30^th a wonderful woman left this world so abruptly that I still find myself looking for her.

I want to call her; I want to resume the conversation that I had to cut short that very same day because I was in a hurry to run an errand. I want to go back to that moment when she was still here, that moment that feels like just yesterday. Yet every day that passes it’s like I’m on a sailing ship, drifting farther and farther so that her face, her voice, become small and blurry, and I’m afraid that I’ll forget.

For over sixteen years I knew Connie. She was sweet, kind, friendly and very brave.

She went through so much fucked up shit that anyone would wonder how she could have kept such a positive outlook in life.

Unfortunately for me, I only got to become close friends with her this year.

We realized that we had so much to talk about. Or maybe she simply was just one of those awesome people who could keep a conversation invigorating no matter what the topic, maybe a bit of both.

As someone who frequently falls into deep funks of depression, Connie was such a great blessing to me. Her happiness was so contagious, and all the stupid stuff I tend to brood over was shoved aside. We talked, shopped, ate out, watched movies, etcetera, and etcetera. We had such a blast.

And then one day she said “Karen! I want to talk to you, I haven’t seen you in while.”

And I said “Yes, yes, but I’m late. Definitely though. I know we had plans to go shopping.” She said something like “Of course I’ll talk to you later. No hurry.”

About three hours later she was gone.

Of course that’s not word for word. In fact the more I try to remember what exactly we said to each other, the harder it is to remember. Except for the tone of voice.

And God THAT HURTS!

Each day which is not much different than a day from two months ago, makes it just more supremely difficult to believe that I’ll never see her again. That I won’t be able to have those inspiring conversations, or laugh at silly jokes, or quote Foreigner at each other. Because everything is just going on, the same as it ever did.

I’m scared. I can’t stop looking at people I love and feeling so frightened that I will never see them again. As if life is just some switch that could be turned off with a flick. No, life really is liked that.

This isn’t the first time I’ve lost someone. But this is the first time that the phrase “fragile existence” makes such terrible sense. I wish. . . I wish. . . but it doesn’t matter.

The fact is that my friend isn’t here anymore. And there is no place where I could walk, drive, or fly to find her. All I can do is remember.

Everything else must go on. So I’ll swallow that lump in my throat, I’ll keep my face clean, and I’ll try not to think of the finality of death.

Lastly, I’ll tell you to turn off your computer, turn around and go hug that person you love. Go see that friend you’ve been meaning to see. Call your family. And tell them you love them, or at least tell them how much they mean to you! Just don’t take them for granted.

Because you never know, you never fucking know.

S&N

2010-09-21T02:14:00.000-07:00

A little fan art. I'm not watching the series anymore but I still like the characters,

and will always be quite fond of them.

Sketchbook

2010-09-21T02:08:00.000-07:00

So I got a new watercolor sketchbook! And I'm having fun filling it up.

I'm also not always sticking to watercolors. . .

acrylics are quite fun.

Artificial

2010-08-04T01:08:00.000-07:00

Vamp

2010-07-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

This is basically based of off this Marvel Cover
Honestly I've only read a few pages from the comics. But I have read most of the Anita Blake books. They are a guilty pleasure which I'm embarrassed to admit.
I'm not a big fan, but I like them well enough that I was curious about the comic.
And after looking at it in the bookstore I was surprisingly disappointed.
Although the books are about a Vampire Hunter, and there is action and a bit of horror, a great chunk of it is just dialogue. There is so much talking, especially in the later books. And lots of inner thoughts and explanations. Which is understandable since the story takes place in a sort of Alternate Universe.
Unfortunately this does not translate well into comics. Or at least, the writers failed to adapt it correctly. Because the comic is actually boring.
Part of it is the writing, but another thing is the art. It just doesn't feel right for the story.
And so all of this so-so work put together makes for one crappy comic.
Maybe I'm guilty of liking the books a little more than I thought. Maybe I'm being way to critical of Marvel's work.
But I don't think so. I would turn that comic rack around, and wouldn't give that comic book a second glance, even (especially) if I didn't know of Anita Blake.

The picture - Jean Claude is suppose to be a very pretty man. Forgetting that it took me about four books down to finally get the martial artist out of my head, I tried to capture what my mind usually sees when I'm reading. It's kind of hard, and I'm still unsure of the jaw line (I lowered it but might raise it again cause now his face looks too soft). The shirt was a pain, and the chest I actually had a little reference but the lighting was all wrong and kept throwing me off. I soooooooo need to do some life-drawing sessions. Anyways even though I know it needs more work I didn't want to take more time than two sittings. So this is it.

I might do more characters someday. Why? because I love painting book characters. I Want to see more clearly what I see in my head. After all my mind can't wear glasses to sharpen those blurry pictures. And seeing them clearly is just oh so satisfying. The only thing that could make it better was if I could get paid for it.

Narlink

2010-07-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

I'm incredibly annoyed by this pic. I had some trouble figuring out the pose, so I ended up referencing from stock. And then the bg was pretty boring, so I kinda just erased.
And once again I failed to keep it cell shaded.

Worst of all I was doing this hoping to upload it to the Sketchoholic Hybrid Hero contest but the Upload button wasn't working. And them my networked crashed or something, because I couldn't load any internet pages.
(FU at&t!)

So it didn't go in.
But I'll post it here so it could at least get a little limelight.

oh and this is supposed to be a Naruto and Link(Zelda game) combo.

shore

2010-06-21T23:42:00.000-07:00

but it just kept getting darker and darker,
until the blue became black.
And then no one would walk by the seashore.

Slither

2010-05-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

can light slither?

Illustration Friday theme.

times and things

2010-05-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

Life is fast and moments are slow.

The last few weeks have been kinda weird and although lots of misadventures have occurred I think things might get better soon.

Saying that, I could sort of excuse myself for not putting my all when it comes to art.

I have some blank canvases that are waiting for me to tickle. And I'm really looking forward to that. For now I have mostly been doodling in Photoshop.

Most of it is incomplete stuff that wants to be a little more than what it started as. But there are a few doodles that I guess are ok to look at.

Before I add those though there is something I want to vent on.

Sometime ago I read in a forum that quite a few vampire movies were having their original DVD jackets redesigned to look similar to the (at the time) new Twilight movie. Which for some reason became a worldwide hit.

This angered some of us who are fans of such classics like Interview with the Vampire.

I saw at least a couple of DVD titles changed to fit the "Twilight look".
I don't remember which ones they were however so I can't link them but I'm sure if you look in Amazon.com you'd find some.

But thankfully IWTV remained untouched.

Until I saw this

These were at a Mexican bookstore I walked into a few days ago.
And as you can see they are the vampire chronicles by Anne Rice.
These are the translated spanish versions. From the collection they had I could say that the original Jackets were the same as the ones in English.
These new ones were made to look similar to the original Twilight covers.
Which is incredibly annoying because most of these are way superior in writing and to do this makes them look like a cheap imitation of Twilight.

This definitely made me feel incredibly disappointed in the publishers. I wonder what Anne Rice thinks about this, if she even knows about it, or if she even cares.

I get that many people liked Twilight, but just because it was incredibly popular it shouldn't mean that every vampire story out there should try and appear to be similar to Twilight. First of all the things that people liked about that particular story will most likely not appear in other Vampire fiction.
Twilight is a romance story whose supernatural bit only serves to distract from its very tenuous plot. Twilight is fun fluff. And that's it.

Most vampire fiction out there serves to contemplate themes like life, death, good & evil, God, and the question of what we would be like if we were free from the mortal coil. The vampire is a supernatural creature who has always appealed to the outsider in all of us.

Unfortunately the recent craze with Twilight has over saturated the market with vampire fiction and has made what was once a fascinating creature into a frivolous being.

Hopefully once the last movie is out the craze will die down.

*end rant*

On another note I'd like to share something cool I found, or rather I was linked too.

http://mrdoob.com/projects/harmony/#web

Harmony is a sketching script written by Mr.Doob and definitely worth checking out.

and a little preview of some work in progress which I hope to include on my next post.

see you soon!

faces

2010-05-07T04:46:00.000-07:00

trying something not so new but an itsy-bitsy different.

IF - Linked

2010-04-15T13:17:00.000-07:00

linked by silver cuffs. . .

ok I feel like I'm using a way too easy interpretation for this weeks Illustration Friday.
At least it's kinda pretty?

Oh dear Moly!

2010-04-13T20:56:00.000-07:00

Moleskine pages

ink pen

color pencils acrylics

ink color pencils oils

Rescue

2010-03-29T00:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you need someone to pull you out.

Grandma

2010-03-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

So I was trying to do a cartoony version of my grandma. Sort of inspired by 'UP'.
I'm not sure how successful I was because when my mother saw this she was horrified.
She actually asked me why I would do something like this. I don't get it. *sniff*

gull

2010-03-12T19:11:00.000-08:00

damn, it's been a while. I have no good excuse.
But here - have a bird.

Best Friends

2010-02-13T21:47:00.000-08:00

BFF Princess Jasmin and Rajah.
Now that is an awesome friendship don't you think?

I always wanted a tiger when I was a kid.

I LOVE RAJAH

I started this months ago when the whole Disney painted princess trend started. And then I kinda lost the file. (I misfiled it) I didn't really bother to look for it because I though it had a long way to go. Then today I found it and it turns out I only needed to paint the rock. So here it is.

Lines are by Disney from a coloring book page I found.

Colored in Photoshop on one layer.

February

2010-02-08T16:22:00.000-08:00

Ah, February. The month of Love and Friendship.
I love that there is a month dedicated to love. And I like to think that this includes all kinds of love. Not just couples, but friends and family also.
During the coming days before V-Day I like to play my collection of love songs. (always growing five percent every February)
And I let them inspire a picture.
I wish I could have done one every day, but frankly I just don't have the energy.
So here is what I do have so far. All sketchy like I like them.

While listening to Eres Para Mi by Julieta Venegas

While listening to Nour El Ain by Amr Diab

While listening to Wherever You Will Go
by The Calling.

Fly

2010-01-20T18:42:00.000-08:00

Just an idea that wouldn't go away.

It's probably been done already, and if it hasn't I hope someone will do it better.

Flying mice, how cute would that be!

Confined

2010-01-11T01:39:00.000-08:00

For this weeks Illustration Friday the topic was confined.

I think there is a lot of emotion in that word.

Renewal

2010-01-06T16:42:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help thinking of freshly washed sheets for this weeks Illustration Friday theme.

Goodbye Holidays, Hello New Year

2010-01-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

So these holidays I got to spend them with all my family. Usually some of us are working but that was not the case this time.
I got to prepare Christmas dinner, which came out pretty good If I do say so myself.
My wrists did get quite a bit of exercise with all the mixing I had to do. (Family loved the eggnog I made and asked for seconds. ouch!) An electric mixer might be added to my wishlist now.

I also made some Christmas cards which I send to people from close to really far!
These were all done with color pencils on vellum bristol.

It was definitely fun to get those pencils out. It had been quite a while since I'd played with them.

Let's see now, I've got a bunch of soft pastels and oil pastels I need to use up,

a bunch of old guache, watercolors, copic markers, 4 linolium blocks, and

three blank canvases.

2010

Gotta get to work!

bang

2009-12-17T23:24:00.000-08:00

Just some dumb poster I made months ago. the lighting is a mess I know. Vector work frustrates me, My hand gets all twitchy. I think it's the whole point and click part. Painting feels easier, maybe brushstrokes lead me into the lighting when I paint, but when I try cell shading it all has to make sense since the beginning. And that's never fun.

JS

2009-12-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

So I decided to give the Bobby Chiu's challenge to "draw a caricature of Jason Seiler" a go. http://www.jasonseilerillustration.blogspot.com/
It was my first time trying to do one, And it was actually fun. I got a bit distracted halfway during painting it, and then kept debating with myself about the darn nose, I mean, should it be really big? or really small? He's just so well proportioned!
I'm happy with it as a painting, but I don't think the features are exaggerated enough, and it doesn't really look enough like him. In my head I could imagine it much more silly, but I just couldn't get it down right. Ah well, at least I tried. I think it ok for a first try right?

Edit: Here is the WIP

City Boy

2009-11-24T13:17:00.000-08:00

"I asked Ethan to come camping with me. I thought he would be all for communing with nature and all that. He said No. Can you believe that? I mean I thought he'd be into that, he talks to plants for gods sake!"

"Ethan might be all zen and in touch with mother nature. But he has always been and always will be a city boy at heart."

"But, he talks to plants!"

"Yeah but they're potted plants."

_{Destry and Lev talking about Ethan.}
---------

Cue the Sigh. I've got quite a few of almost finished pictures that I want to show.
This is Ethan, a character from a little story I've been cooking up for a quite a while now.
It's all about guys who are a little more than what they seem. And I think I'm finally settling down on a name for the whole thing but I shan't say it yet. Right now I need to figure out what picture I want to finish next. *pulls out hair*

bunnyfly

2009-11-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

did I ever show you the bunny creature I doodled? Well here it is.

Mail

2009-11-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

You know what I miss? I miss mail. In a time when even phone calls (hello text messaging, hello twitter) are used less, mail has become like a forgotten practice.

Obviously it is more efficient to just email someone, you don't even have to buy a stamp!
Not even postcards or greeting cards are needed because you can just send an E-Card.
But but I miss it!
Aside from my Entertainment Weekly most of my mail consists of junk mail and bills. (and those are never fun)
Even though I hardly got to enjoy the use of the U.S. Postal Service when I was a kid, I still remember fondly the few times I got to send a letter.
For one thing I've always loved stationary. I actually Like to browse Staples. The stationary aisle was my favorite at Save-On (now CVS).
There is something about writing by hand, perhaps with a pretty fountain pen and parchment paper!
And then it's so exciting to actually receive an envelope from a friend. I think it's that same little thrill one gets when opening a Christmas gift. Not knowing what to expect and then the fact that you can actually keep that saved somewhere, an actual tangible memory. It doesn't even have to be a whole letter, even a postcard would be nice. Those are always fun too. I guess I just miss that human touch.
Don't you?

Tow

2009-11-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

It might happen!

grand

2009-10-16T20:51:00.003-07:00

I did this pic for my grandmother a few months ago. I used a couple of pictures of her from her youth as ref.

Unfortunately I still haven't mastered how to take pictures of reflective stuff. *more like doesn't take the time to set up a proper setting*

So sorry for the blurriness.

Here's an even worse picture with flash. At least it's sharp eh?
*shame*

acrylic on canvas.

more doodles

2009-10-15T02:51:00.000-07:00

James and Sirius? and of course Remus who never really made it in.
But anywho, I guess I just like drawing teen boys.

I'm not sure what I'm doing most of the time. Things just turn out this way. Which is really stupid because I shouldn't be wasting my time drawing pretty faces anymore.
I mean for a while I could only draw ugly faces, so I wanted to be able to draw more pretty characters. Well tada, I think I'm there. But now I really should be working on the rest of the anatomy. You've probably noticed a serious lack of legs on my work. That's because I can't do them! They always look wobbly.
It takes me forever to get someone on their feet. Which is honestly pretty embarrassing.

Obviously what I should do is go and study some anatomy books.
I've done it before I believe, but back then my eyes were very delusional and thought my drawings were good enough. I'm seriously a terribly slow learner. I've been drawing since I could hold a pencil. Which to me means I should be so much better by now.
And yet, I'm stuck at amateur level. Why? I ask myself.
Because once I get comfortable with something I sit at it for as long as I can.
And truly I am embarrassed to admit, but I'm just not pushing myself. I get hopeful and excited, and then halfway I run out of steam.
I let life push me down. And I wallow in my depression for months and only occasionally surface. and if I see a big boat floating by I quickly let myself sink back down.

I'm not sure why I'm writing all this here.

However, now that this month marks another year of my life, I hope that I could get passed this constant funk.

I don't know where my future is leading me, but I hope I could steer it somewhere good.

Whatever I end up doing in the long run, I know that I'll only be happy if I reach a certain level with my art. Even if I never get a chance to do it professionally, I just want to get it Right.

Someday.

Tall and Grumpy

2009-10-08T22:24:00.000-07:00

and once again, done during the Chiustream.

Terrible unfinished, I kept getting interrupted, but I think it's passable enough to post.

I considered working on it a bit more but I think it works well enough as a sketch. And there is SO MUCH more I want to do.

must get faster!

pattern IF

2009-09-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

eventually things must change.

I have no idea why it uploaded blue. It was suppose to be brown.

The Black River Crew

2009-09-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

painting challenge done for CHOW at conceptart.org

I'm so proud of it because it has an actual background. Yay!

It was really great practice. Even though there are still some anatomy issues with it.
But it's time to move on. I've got a whole bunch of challenges all over the place I want to get done. I'm feeling good though. Positive thinking!

drooling pig

2009-09-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

I draw the creepiest things for Bobby Chiu's Ustream challenges.

crazy cowboy

2009-09-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

Once again during Bobby Chiu's Ustream. The challenge was by artist Stephen Silver.
He's not as crazy as I wish. My creativity levels are low right now. Also, I was paying more attention to the actual Ustream than to the painting.
But excuses excuses right. . .

Furry Reptile

2009-09-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

Bobby Chiu challenge of a "Furry reptile" during Ustream.

I know I drew it, but it really creeps me out. . .

caveman warrior dude

2009-09-20T08:56:00.000-07:00

bobby chiu challenge.
caveman dude.

Evil Pikachu

2009-09-18T19:01:00.001-07:00

yeeaha ha

1hr challenge from Bobby Chiu Ustream.

totally could have done a more imaginative design, but I lost my visual along the way. *sigh*

Anyways, I'm not a Pokemon fan at all. (hated it when I was a teen because it took away the slot of other awesome shows like Batman of Silvester and Tweety mysteries.)

swamp thing

2009-09-15T22:50:00.000-07:00

Bobby Chiu said draw the swamp thing. So 30 min later here we are.
I don't have much experience drawing creatures, but I think it's time to try and explore a little.

Man with mask

2009-09-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

I totally have a thing for masks. I dream of going to Venice one day for one of their masquerades.
Anywho, I think this might be a villain creeping up on me. (wish I would have saved a WIP he looked meaner four saves ago.)
I'm definitely gonna try to draw this dude again.
I think I found a theme to pursue!

random sketches

2009-09-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

I don't care what some people say about instant coffee, I think Folgers is just as good for those on the run mornings.Also been thinking about work and well, the lack of it. Money wise, life is really sad right now. As for 401k I've never had it, but I know some people worry about it. I hope I die young, I don't want to worry about what I'm gonna do when I get old. It's so effing depressing.So lets see, what the hell do I wanna do with my life. Someone asked recently on their journal on what people wanted to do when they "grew up". I thought about it and the most honest answer I could give was "I want to win the lottery and go on a indefinite vacation."

Starbucks

2009-09-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

I am a coffee lover. I admit sometimes I'm a little too "needy" (for lack of a better word) of coffee. When I was a kid and even when I was a teen, I used to love the smell but hate the taste. Then I loved it as long as it had lots of sugar and milk. My mom would call it sugar with coffee the way I would drink it. Anyways, now days I prefer my coffee black with nothing but a chocolate chip cookie. Of course during these hot summer days (and the rest of the year too I suppose) I much prefer cold drinks, specifically the Frappuccino. And there is no better place that serves than Starbucks. I've ordered them in various places, The Coffee Bean, Seattles Coffee at Borders stores, that place where they sell sugar rolls at the mall. . . But they're always too sweet or too milky.
(Ms. Fields is pretty good though)
Well today I went to the Downtown library just to pass some time. I'm gonna confess that my sense of direction is really really bad. I'm terrible with street names so I usually rely on noticeable buildings, restaurants, or parks. I had a ride to the library so before going in I had seen a Starbucks, thing is, when I left the library I couldn't remember where I saw it! So I just walked towards the busiest looking locations. But aside from some very empty restaurants and bistros I couldn't find it. So I kept walking. Somehow, after circling a few buildings once and after passing the MOCA and the Disney Hall I finally saw the catholic church. I can't remember what it's called, but we all see it when we are on the freeway. So I walked towards it and found Temple. I was so relieved because I kind of know this street better since I frequently pass it. And I knew immediately where I could find a Starbucks. After walking a bit more I finally found myself at the Starbucks on Los Angeles and 1st Street. Finally a cool place to rest! I was sweltering in my black blouse. I practically yelled "Grande Mocha Frapp no whip, thankYou." I think I need to look up locations now for next time. I swear there should have been one closer to the library. Sometimes it amazes me how far I'll walk for a frappuccino.

Jesters

2009-08-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have a liking for Jesters. I find myself doodling them on napkins when I eat out.
I could totally get more creative with them though. These are just the first color sketches I've done. I'm definitely gonna do more. :D

sketch

2009-08-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

Time is passing as I'm waiting for inspiration. For now I'll just sketch random stuff.

IF: Wrapped

2009-08-16T21:05:00.000-07:00

A girl wrapped in some sort of foil paper.
I'm not sure where this idea came from. Probably some sort of Cleopatra inspired thing.
Although if that were it I should have used a carpet right?
meh.

coffee need

2009-08-15T11:54:00.001-07:00

Impatiance

2009-08-14T21:17:00.000-07:00

For Illustration Friday.
Sometimes I just can't wait for the cookies to bake and I end up picking at the cookie dough. It's just way too yummy!

sea man

2009-08-03T02:49:00.000-07:00

Once again I wanted to paint a sexy man. I still am not sure about painting wet skin though, I think I'm getting closer, I kinda got it in theory but I need to practice more.
Anyways, I want to do some sexy men that would look good for a romance book cover.
This one is pretty boring composition wise. but hey, it was good practice.

blue

2009-08-01T13:25:00.000-07:00

A couple of studies with gouache. I want to do a street scene eventually.

fish

2009-07-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

Practicing with some soft pastels. I need to find some tutorials on it because I'm finding it quite the difficult medium.

Welcome, register here.

2009-07-21T01:41:00.000-07:00

remember going to some special event. Perhaps some sort of convention, or nonprofit meeting. Some sort of open house for work or school etc. There usually is this table where you sign in. I don't know if it's just me, but I find that frequently the table is either abandoned, or the person attending it is looking bored, sleepy, indifferent, or annoyed. I totally get it. After a while people just get on your nerves. But I can't help finding it a bit amusing. Every time I'm early for such events and find a chipper attendant, I can't help but wonder when they're gonna crack.

Moleskine sketches

2009-07-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

I mean MOWELSKEEN sketches. Apparently I've been pronouncing it wrong. (and that might still be wrong)
so yeah, mostly random shit.

Lev

2009-07-14T16:10:00.000-07:00

He thinks he's so badass.

um

2009-07-12T23:25:00.000-07:00

moi?

Ethan

2009-07-12T20:57:00.001-07:00

Character from a story I could never seem to finish. He's part of Destry's and Corbin's universe. The cougar is Ethans familiar. I used ref for the animal from google.

Doodle Dump

2009-07-06T23:30:00.001-07:00

Here are some kind of old doodles of mine. Mostly done on different scraps of paper, I thought I'd post it here so I could freely dump all these lose pieces of paper.
I have so much crap I need to throw away! I can't help but feel guilty for all those doodled ideas that I've failed to complete. *sigh*
Abandon is my middle name.

remake

2009-06-26T19:42:00.000-07:00

Imaginism had a little competition where we were challenged to do a remake of one of their paintings. Here is mine which is based on this one http://imaginism.deviantart.com/art/Fairy-and-Owl-57944451.

I lost. so obviously I could have done better. Oh well.

My two favorite vamps

2009-06-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

Lestat de Lioncourt
Louis De Point du Lac

Hands UP!

2009-06-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

I keep wanting to do a painting with a soldier, but nothing serious comes to mind.

meme

2009-06-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

did this one a while ago. It was a fun way to practice cell-shading.

Outlaw

2009-06-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

story board - county fair tv spot.

2009-04-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

2009-04-03T11:58:00.000-07:00

my bf. :D

2009-03-11T17:57:00.000-07:00

fox

2009-03-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

2009-03-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

2009-03-11T17:53:00.000-07:00

1

2009-02-06T18:36:00.000-08:00

2009-02-01T00:04:00.000-08:00

2009-02-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

2009-01-12T22:53:00.000-08:00

caffeine

2008-11-16T21:36:00.000-08:00

Boogie

2008-11-05T13:27:00.001-08:00

grawr!

2008-11-04T11:46:00.000-08:00

vote

2008-11-04T11:45:00.000-08:00

Lady in Mask

2008-10-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

John

2008-10-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

from Hellblazer.

2008-10-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

doodles

2008-10-05T16:03:00.000-07:00

relax

2008-08-10T21:25:00.000-07:00

BW

2008-08-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

Monarch

2008-08-01T18:44:00.001-07:00

Eve's Sin

2008-08-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

Mermaid

2008-07-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

dudes

2008-07-02T01:08:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while, but I was tired and then busy, and then out of the country. Anyways I thought I'd do something just for fun. Well everything I do is mostly for fun, but this was a special treat for myself. heh heh.

sasusaku?

2008-04-27T00:07:00.000-07:00