The Dungeons

This is what I'm thinking every time I go down into the dungeons. . . I mean subways.

Preparing Positive Promotionals Plan (Post-Packing)

Well, I am back into the swing of things with the move. Have been since July 15th I'd say. It's been slow goings getting back into the groove with drawing. But this August I hope to be hitting the ground running! Some new and redone artwork since I came back.

Moving and Pink Elephants

In less than two weeks, I shall be moving 5 blocks to a new apartment. As much as I'm looking forward to the new place, I will be glad when it is all over. My art operation is shut down for the next two weeks as I pack up my art supplies and focus on everything else going into boxes. Which is sad. I can't remember the last time that I've taken a break THIS long away from my drawing desk. If the moving doesn't drive me bonkers, the lack of creative time will. Maybe I will write a lot more.

So anyways, without further ado, a ephelant (ie. ephelants and woozles) that I made for the previous NJSCBWI conference. See ya in July!

Grayscale (No Stonepeople here)

In preparation for the NJSCBWI conference, I'm working on updating my portfolio as well as getting pieces ready for an illustration workshop. Here are a couple illustrations from the Nanny Piggins book series. These are specifically from the first of the series. It was originally illustrated by the Caldecott winner Dan Santat.

In some ways, grayscale images are great since I don't have to focus on colors matching. Only value. Value though can be tricky and it's very easy to end up with a gray blob of a piece. It was still much fun though and I hope at some point in the future, I can do more of these MG illustrations!

Year in Review so Far

"When it rains, it pours."

This saying has been on my mind most of this year. Even though we're only a third of the way through 2015, so many changes and good things are happening already. I'm not saying that change isn't always happening, and maybe I'm only scrutinizing the past few months since I'll be hitting a landmark birthday this November. But it's worth to look into.

So what happened these past few months? As I've mentioned, I've begun a new partnership with Rodeen Literary, which was great news all by itself! My picture books are out there in the ether being considered as of this moment. The other big news that I received the past month is that I got a new job! For those that didn't know, I've been working at the same global coffee shop these past six years (not mentioning any names here). What started out as a temporary job right after school turned into my day job for a long time. It was a mixed bag of good and bad.

I won't bore anyone with details, but my tenure forced me to confront many hardships and frustrations. I felt that I was finally starting a new life that I should have started when I left school.

However, upon reflection (even in the last 1-2 years), I've realized that maybe I was here for a reason. Who knows what would've happened to my freelance career or to me as a person had I not had my first job? From my previous employment, I probably learned a lot more that I care to admit. I didn't just learn how to sling coffee. I probably learned more about my myself than any other point in my life. These past six years have molded will be my experience of my 20's, but they will shape me in the years to come.

As I begin my new job and search for a new apartment (another big change!), I continue turning a new page in what is proving to be a year full of personal change.

Lastly, a comic page from my work-in-progress graphic novel, Artie and Merlo!

New Sketches

New sketches on Ben and Leon. I really like the textures added to the shrubbery in the Leon sketch, but I feel that the other background shrubbery is too much. Some editing is required. Good things are always happening!

Now Represented by Paul Rodeen!!!

I've been wanting to share for quite some time the exciting news online. Last month, I had the chance to meet Paul Rodeen of Rodeen Literary at the New York SCBWI winter conference.

Long story short, he likes my work! I was stunned! I was elated! He wants to represent my work!

The events leading up to our meeting seems by chance too. Three weeks before the conference, I sent him a couple picture book dummies for consideration. Then at the conference, I noticed that he was there as well! Things snowballed from that moment.

You can't even plan these things sometimes, but my dad has a saying for these moments that occur. Luck is when hard work meets opportunity.

Wolfie the Bunny

I have been looking forward to seeing friend Ame Dyckman's new picture book for quite some time, Wolfie the Bunny! I have yet to get a copy, but the story follows a bunny family that receives a new addition to the family. The daughter, Dot, is the only one who sees what evil lurks behind having a wolf for a brother.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast was able to get a sneak peek at all the artwork including dummies, sketches, and final spreads. I included only a couple final spreads beneath. The particular things that sing out to me with OHora's work is his balance of shapes and black line. I love how he does buildings. I love the design choices in the bed scene. Who knows what our shadows do when we're not looking?

Cowboy

Playing with texture.

Super Bowl Fun Time

My thoughts about liquid masking fluid for watercolor. It can save a lot of headache getting the background right. Rather than painting around foreground objects, you can just do a simple wash. BOOM. Done.

Oh yes, there are side effects. The texture of the paper gets messed up, the actual ink drawing gets lifted and if you miss an area, then you'll have random splotches. Then it messes up your brushes. Oy. Lots of things can go wrong, but that is what practice is for. 

Also, watching the Super Bowl, and this was the highlight of the game.