my desktop

I took pics for a thread at Penciljack, so I thought I'd share.



Funny thing is, these pics are after I cleaned up a bit.

more: 001 . 003 . 004

"you're an allstar, get your game on"

I was just invited to join the ranks of Sketch Book Allstars. So, I must rep it here. I've been visiting the blog for a little while, and I'm really impressed with the quality of work from the artists that post there. I was really psyched to be invited to join them.

I went to visit with my friend Cici today at the Chinese food restaurant where she works. She was making Cheese Wonton, and it was cool to watch her as we talked. Well, I thought it was cool, she probably saw it as another tedious task. But she did it so artfully. . .

not exactly Southern, but I do say y'all

Your Linguistic Profile:

60% General American English

20% Dixie

15% Yankee

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

You are a Brainy Girl!

Whether you're an official student or a casual learner, you enjoy hitting the books. You know a little bit about everything, and you're always dying to know more. For a guy to win your heart, he's got to share some of your intellectual interests. An awesome book collection of his own doesn't hurt either!

What Kind of Girl Are You?

I need to sleep before this gets out of hand. . .

ethnic portrait series

I just found this sketch I did over a year ago. Over the past 2 years, approximately, I've been doing portraits of people of different ethnicities. The idea was to do the drawings in a relatively short period of time (15-20 minutes) in order to exercise my life drawing skills.

Josh, 23, Mexican-American


Sanaa, 21, Moroccan


Ariana, 15, Venezuelan-American


Jarad, 21, half Italian-American


Braxton, 20, African-American


All these drawings are pretty random and controlled by the people's willingness to sit still long enough for me to get a good likeness. Not everyone who wants their portrait drawn is a good model. However it has been good practice having to capture the likeness of a person even though they're not completely stationary. Josh, for example, would not sit still for more than a few seconds. I think he has undiagnosed ADD or something, seriously. It kinds of came out in his portrait, which is kind of cool, I think. Ariana, on the other hand, sat very still, so I was able to get a lot more fine detail in her features and hair line.

While in New York this past May, I did a portrait of my friend Vieneesa as a graduation gift, in the manner of the portrait of Sanaa (on gray paper), but I don't have a copy of it because I didn't have a scanner, and it was my last night in town. Some way I need to get a copy of it, because it turned out really well.

I have a candidate for my next portrait. I don't know when it'll get done, though. Stay tuned. :)

running: ellis, movie search, film drop-off

Today I went to work at Ellis Products again. I'm happy that Mr. Ellis was pleased enough (and continues to be) with my work that he's keeping me on as kind of their in-house Graphic Designer. Yay me. My next project is to design some display posters for an upcoming trade show.



After I left there, I went and dropped off a roll of b&w film at Calagaz Photo Supply. I also ordered a negative scan, and the total going to be around $16. Not cheap at all. I just checked out their web site, and with all the money that place is making . . .it's certainly not evident in the quality of their site design.



Then I went across town to Wal-Mart to get my roll of color film processed. I also ordered a picture CD with that. Before I went to Wal-Mart, I stopped at movie gallery in order to rent She's the Man, but they were all out. I went to another movie gallery a few miles down the road, and they were rented out as well. The reason I was eager to rent the movie was for the pure fact of a up-and-coming actor by the name of Channing Tatum. After a bit of deliberation, I settled on purchasing Something New.

Also, I've recommitted to trying to grow my hair long. So, I took a pic for documentation purposes.



No drawing today, but I want to try to take a picture of at least one thing everyday.

Swimming at Carondolet

Today I went swimming at my sister's apartment complex. I haven't been swimming in a very long time, so it was nice to get into the water. Plus, it's been 90+ degrees almost everyday for a while, so the weather was ideal for a mid-day dip.



I also brought along my 35mm SLR camera (Olympus OM-1), and took some shots with it. I'm trying to get more experience using color film. I bought a four-pack of Fuji 400 speed two days ago, and now I can't find it, which, figures, ya know. Hopefully, I left it in my sister's car, because I used up the my first roll at the pool. I actually figured out how to use the self-timer on my camera, so that's one good thing.

I'm really interested to get the film developed to see how I did with my color photography.

sexy female draw-off WIP

I decided to enter a draw-off at Penciljack. Artists are asked to draw their version of a sexy female. I was chatting with someone while drawing, and I scanned my progress in order to get critques. I'm pretty sure my idea of "sexy" is a lot different than the guys at PJ. As far as I know I'm the only female entering.



As you can see, I draw kind of backwards. I always start with the figure. Even when I intend do draw a back ground, I draw the figure first. However, in most cases, if you're placing a figure in an environment, it's best to draw the environment, and then place the figure in it, especially if said figure is interacting with the surrounding (i.e. sitting on a bed).

4x6

I forgot to mention that I applied and was accepted as a member of 4x6. It's a online community of photographers, and they submit work based on certain themes. My timing for applying was excellent, because right after I got in they stopped accepting new members indefinitely.

Anyway, check them out.



_the work I submitted with my application

recent work: 07.18.2006

I've been somewhat productive as of late. I'm still working on the commission for Arson. I've started a few sketches, and I'm about to enter my first draw-off at Penciljack. Drawing my interpretation of a sexy female should be easy, right?

Anyway, I thought I'd share what I've been doing, since I haven't posted in a while.

the inks on the "Gimmick" commission"


a graphic design. photo: me; model: kevin


sketch i did @ macaroni grill



preview of gift art for Frank

the Adventures of Devilman

Definitely one of the most entertaining journals I've read in a while.



Enjoy.

Jeb better watch his back

Tonight I accompanied my sister Crystal to this new restaurant called Cooper T's. I could go into a story about how the place has the workd corporate identity ever, but that's a story for another time. All I will say is that these guy's took the airport theme and ran with it, to unheard of extremes. Pictures can only do it justice, which I was remiss in taking.

Anyway, I was interested to go to see what this place was all about. My sister's coworker Nathan's band Vox Box, was playing there, and she was going to show her support. We make our way to the bar, all the way in the back of the place, and meet Nathan, who's taking a break from a set. After the introductions, Crystal and I take a seat at the bar, which is decorated to look like a runway.

Our, waiter/bartender name is Jacob. Crystal orders some white wine, and I settle for sweet tea, then ask for a menu, realizing I'm quite famished. After looking over the menu, and a few suggestions from Jacob, I order an Angus steak burger with a side of Grits with Cheedar (cheese grits, in Southern speak). I guess they had to make it sound like something high class for the out-of-towners.

Jacob comes back while I'm waiting for my meal, and he informs me that they're fresh out of grits. Out of grits. Ok, first of all, grits are like, a staple of the Southern diet. One does not "run out of" grits. They could have walked down the street to Walgreens and picked up a pack of grits and gotten me my Grits with Cheddar. Sigh. So, I order the black beans and rice to replace the grits. Fortunately, when I got my food, the burger tasted AMAZING, as well as the black beans and rice.

Crystal and I enjoy ourselves making jokes about her getting drunk, she only had 2 glasses of whine, and speculating about the sexuality of the guy hosting the show on the Fine Living channel. Nathan's ban plays a few covers, and they were actually pretty good. Crystal talked me into taking some pictures. I didn't want to, but she pulled the whole "you're the photography minor" card. So, I finally acquiesce, and proceed to exploit Nathan's vanity.

When Jacob goes to give my drink a refill, he comes back and tells me that they're out of iced tea, so he asked what else I'd like. I opt for a Sprite. When we get the check, Crystal's meal, consisting of one and a half glasses of white wine and a glass of water ($11), is more them my hamburger ($7.95 plus tax), with cheese (which costs extra $.99, and a side item (also extra), plus my iced tea, and replacement sprite. She was a bit pissed off by this. I just thought it was funny. She had been joking about how Jacob wanted to date me or whatever, with how much he was paying attention to me. I just thought he was working for his tip. But after getting the ticket, I'm not so sure.

All that education put to practical use

Had the urge to blog since I haven't done it in a while.

I've actually been legitimately busy lately. I got commissioned to desing some flyers for Ellis Products, a local company, with the potential of doing more work for them in the future. It's kind of cool being an "in-house graphic designer". The pay isn't bad either.


My wonderful work area.


Some of the flyers I made laid out on the counter.


I made the labels for these product samples.

I'm also have few commissions I need to know out. One I got before I went on my NY trip, and it's overdue for completion. I started over because I wasn't happy with the composition. But it's good because I'm finally getting to stretch some creative muscle.

I have a script to follow, but my patron was all like, "You don't have to follow the script exactly. Be creative. Do whatever yo think looks good. . ." Which proved to be more of a challenge than I though.

Here's the first draft I started:



The guy looked like he should. The woman is supposed to look like a bimbo. I thought she looked too sultry, and I didn't like the lack of chemistry between her and her costar. So I decided to redraw them.



The guy looked a little less sleazy, and the girl looks more like a peppy teenager, now. Hmm. . . don't know if I'm completely happy with her facial expression. But it fits what I imagined when I read the script. I wanted her to have a kind of blank look and plastered smile, so. . .yeah.

I had a lot of fun with the next panel, though. I'll update with a scan later today.

How soon we forget

I was on CNN.com, looking at pictures of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrian. I got really choked up reading the stories of death and survival, and the horrible things that so many people experienced. Seeing suffering on that grand a scale, that literally hit close to home isn't ever easy to stomach.

When I was in New York, describing to people where I lived, I'd usually end up mentioning that it was one of the place Katrina hit. Then they'd get this look of shock, followed closely by concern. Really, what my family and I experienced was nothing compared to a lot of other people. We were without power for a few days . . . a small inconvenience compared to being stranded on a rooftop surrounded by deadly floodwaters.

I started thinking of all of this because it's yet another hurrican season. Barely into it, there's already been a named storm, Alberto, with meteorologists expecting this year to be quite active like the previous 2, maybe moreso.

So, after 2 seasons of not evacuating*, we may just get a natural-disaster-induced road trip this year, after all.


*I do not in any way condone riding out a storm when a mandatory evacuation is issued. Hurricanes are a serious threat, not to be taken lightly.

back home

I got back from my trip yesterday afternoon. It was a really awesome experience. If I hadn't taken so many pictures I wouldn't be able to remember everything that happened. I meant to keep a journal from everyday, but I was so tired by the end of the day that I couldn't possibly right everything. We'd wake up early and be gone all day and then get back at night. Even then, I never got to sleep earlier than midnight. I was either editing the photos I took or chatting with my roommates.

Someone suggested I get a Flicker account to post my pictures, but I like the old fashioned way of making the page myself and creating thumbnails.

After being in the big city, it's surreal being back home. Things are so different here. I don't have a job to go back to, and I'm not in school for the summer, so it's like I'm in limbo til graduation. The trip depleted all my funds though, so I do need to find a source of income, preferrable art commissions. I have a few lined up now that I need to get crackin' on.

I met so many amazing people on this trip, I could make an entry about them alone. Next entry I'll start posting pictures from the trip, but I feel that I should leave some type of image here. While in NY, I stumbled upon the set of Spiderman 3, and took a few pictures as I was appproching it.

Chinatown

I was here yesterday. It was an awesome experience. There were lots of little shops. We went to this store called Pearl River, and I bought a purse shapped like a take-out box, but made out of brocade fabric. I saw one in Mobile, but wasn't able to get it then, and it's been over a year, and I finally found one in this store.

We ate dinner at a place called Buffe´Xpress. You could get five items for $4. I had some fried rice, green beans, sesame chicken, a pork meatball, and fried tofu (didn't like it). All the rest of the food was pretty good.

See more progress on: Chinatown

a night in ATL

Today my family drove up to Atlanta. For those of you that don't know, my younger sister Nicole and I are flying out to New York City for a week vacation. I've neve flown before, so I'm a bit apprehensive about that, but I'm confident It'll be fine.

We were going to stay with relatives we got to Atlanta, but we got a late start leaving, so we ended up driving around for an hour trying to find a hotel. At last, we found one that was near the airport and reasonably priced. I was on my laptop when we pulled up, and my computer detected their WiFi service. I tried to log on, but then found that the service was not free. So I'm here blogging from my dad's laptop.Yay.

The hostel at which we're staying in NY is supposed to have free WiFi. So. . . I may be able to upload pics of my exploits while in the city. That would be awesome.

Okgo inspires. . .

I just had to share this. Please watch it to the end. ^_^




Here's another one. A guy his brother, brother-in-law, and dad dance for his sister's wedding. I think it's awesome that the 50-year-old dad got in on it.

Touch

+ listening to: "Finally Woken" by Jem
+ watching: Girl With a Pearl Earring

I was at the gas station buying a drink for my sister to take to her on her at the Kingdom Hall, where she was having a lunch break. I'm about to get my change from the cashier, and suddenly, someone tickles both my sides from behind.

Shocked, I turn around quickly. As I'm turning, out of the corner of my eye, I see that it's not someone I know (it looks like an Asian guy), and fear and indignation wash over me.

As I complete my one-eighty, I confronted with a tall, dark young man, stubble covering his handsome face. Sohil.

Dude will never know how close he came to being decked.

Sohil has never touched me before. At all. I mean, we've had classes together over the years, and he's a photography student as well, so I've seen him a lot. We're cool, one could say. He's Indian (he moved to the U.S. when he was about 16), and he has very strong beliefs against the mistreatment of women in his culture, as he's expressed in at least photography projects. One being his Senior Thesis. He is also very sweet and playful.

However, Sohil and I aren't friends. More like associates by way of similar interests (graphic design and photography). Our acquaintance is purely incidental, and we've never had any in depth conversations, save for when I asked him about how long he'd been here, in America, which was when I found out about how old he was when he came over. So, for our first physical contact to be something as intimate as tickling.

It's weird, but now I realize why in some cultures, it's forbidden for men and women who aren't related to each other to touch. It definitely breaks a barrier, and opens the door for the relationship to go from formality to familiarity. Interesting, I thought, as I drove to to take Nicole her drink.

coming to you live from the student center

Yeah. I'm at the university right now, blogging from the Student Center. The PTB (powers that be) were gracious enough to leave the place open, offering free coffee to students until 2AM. I'm happy to be done with my finals, so I've just been surfing the net.

I'm actually here to keep my younger sis company while she studies for her exam in Financial Accounting II. (I just asked her what class it was, and she replied, "It's the hardest accounting class in the school.") She's seriously been stressing all this week that she's gonna fail the test, but now everything is falling into place, and she's more confident, which is great, because I was getting tired of her whining. ;).

There are quite a few Japanses students here.

I'm just really tired. I finally got some sleep yesterday, 12 hours actually. When I woke up my body ached, but my legs no longer hurt from all the standing I had been doing. It was replaced by a crook in my neck, however, from sleeping in a weird position. It's all good though.

I do actually have a point to this entry. My Senior Portfolio review went really well. I was so out of it from lack of sleep that it didn't really sink in until later. My instructors only had positive things about my work, with a few critiques on technical aspects of my work. My Senior Portfolio instuctor told me, and I quote, "You're a good designer, but you're a great illustrator." Can you say, "squeee"?. That's friggin' awesome. Especially since it was coming from a veteran designer/illustrator. So, I have something to be happy about. It's not that I didn't know that I was a decent artist before, but it feels good to have validation from someone with experience.

I'll try to get the work from my portfolio posted on my site finally. It's seriously lacking. I also have many pictures to post, but I'm tired right now.

::Sharon paused to take a few shots in the Student Center::

I'll try to have pics up in the next post.

::update::




Two views outside of the library.


Nicole works on a problem.


Motivation.


some japanese students


Laura sleeping.

finis.

. . . miles to go before I sleep.

I've had a total of three and a half hours of sleep from Sunday morning until now. I can feel that I'm not myself, and slightly bonkers. It's a very good thing that I don't have to drive much today. However, I just came from a trip to the photo lab to retrieve my purse and laptop that I accidently locked in side while making a trip to my car after finishing up there at 5 AM this morning.

After all that I'm still not done with my project. I have to cut my mattes, which isn't looking too promising, considering my deteriorating mental state. I'm surprised I've managed to type this much so far. But I have a tendency to ramble, hence the title of this blog.

Ok. I'm off to cry in a corner.