Photo Friday: Happiness is...

Happiness is....

As Fabiana's family gathered in Belize for her 87th Birthday, a look of happiness was on her face and radiated from her whole persona the entire weekend.

Why Reinvent the Wheel?

I grew up listening to the wise and funny adages of the women in my family and people in my community. I'm a firm believer that lessons can be learned from the "elders" of the community. In the past year, I have lined myself up with very wonderful people within the art community. Any chance I get, I pick their brain. Joining the Graphic Artists Guild, Society of Illustrators Los Angeles, and becoming a charter member of a student chapter of the Society of Illustrators Los Angeles at CSU, Northridge; I have gotten valuable information about the Illustration field, won a great digital camera, met art directors, went to ICON 4, been a featured artist for the Graphic Artists Guild, and did I mentioned I learned a lot! All of this happened in my final year as a college student. Now that I am done with school and graduation is behind me it's time to take all that advice and connections and put it in action.

One of the most commonly asked question I receive now is, So what are you going to do now? Good question, simple answer. Do art! When I say that I get an array of responses like, "Oh so your going to be a starving artist", "Let me know when you get a real job", or my favorite "It's amazing you are doing something you are passionate about." At the moment I'm doing pretty well doing art and making a decent living out of it. I have a full time web design job and plenty of freelance web design and illustration projects keeping me busy. This is great right now but my ultimate goal is to be a full time freelance Illustrator.

Before picking up the Artists & Graphic Designers Market 2006, I thought I was on a 3-5 year path to that goal. But I read a very interesting and insightful journal by Holli Conger on her path to becoming an Illustrator within 1 year! I'm going to take a lot of her advice along with the knowledge I've learned from my network and my good friends that are marketing geniuses and make my dream happen.

This Road to Artdom just got a little bit more fun and exciting for me. Check back later this week to read my action plan to see where my journey will lead me.

Illustration Friday: Dance

This is a mixed media piece I call Steps. The background and dance steps are from a book that was about 100 years old. I imported the paper and hand drawing of the shapely woman to Photoshop. I separated the dance steps, colorized them, copied, and enlarge them until I got the desired look in the background.

Flowers Feed the Soul

If a man finds himself with bread in both hands, he should exchange one loaf for some flowers of narcissus, because the loaf feeds the body, but the flowers feed the soul.

--Muhammad

Yesterday I was blessed with chance to watch my floral designs change peoples mood. Often times when I work on flowers, I don't get to view the smiles or feel the warmth they bring to peoples demeanor. I couldn't help but have a smile on my face as I prepped and sculpted with the flowers. I had a smile ear to ear as I stared at the flowers on my desk. Amazing what beauty lies in nature.

My Art at Hangar 1018

Join me on Friday, June 16th at Hangar 1018 to view my artwork and enjoy art and music. The event is not 21 and over like the flyer says, the event is all ages.

If you come to the show, be sure to say hello.

Photo Friday: Poverty

Photo Friday: Poverty

Humble Beginnings

Though I have never lived in a place like this, this is the home of my family in Belmopan, Belize. I was raised to remember where I came from and hold true to my roots.

I Love Podcasts!

I feel like I have been sleeping under a rock. Recently I have discovered the wonders of podcasts.

My friend and former client Costa's World, an Urban talk radio show runs a podcast. It's an extremely hilarious and insightful. If you haven't heard it yet, please do. I thought all podcasts were basically digital radio shows, similar to the FM and AM radio shows. Boy was I wrong!

When I picked up the UK magazine Practical Web Design, there was an advertisement for their podcast. Searching for the podcast, I stumbled on great art, design, and business shows and videos.

While I am working I listen and watch a couple of podcasts. I have learned valuable lessons from being a successful artist to amazing Photoshop tips and keeping up with the times in Web Design. Here is the line up I subscribe to:

2 Minute Photoshop Tricks

• The podcast with quick, useful Photoshop tips and tricks for the beginner and advanced digital photographer alike.

Creative Cow

• The CreativeCOW.net Podcast is targeted at media professionals in the fields of audio, video, film, design, imaging and related fields. The show is hosted by Franklin McMahon, who is joined each week by guests in the industry who look at issues, tips, techniques and news of interest to media professionals. More signal, less noise™.

ICONIC, the Illustration Podcast

• ICONIC is a podcast solely devoted to the wonderful imaginative world of Illustration. THE ICONIC PODCAST is an collaborative and informative resource among illustrators sharing Illustration news such as art shows, interviews, and topics that affect our industry.
• I met Erik at ICON 4.
  

Photoshop TV

• Get the latest insider Adobe® Photoshop® and digital photography news from the “Photoshop Guys” themselves; Scott Kelby, Dave Cross, and Matt Kloskowski of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP).

  Each week on Monday, youÂ’ll get a quick look at whatÂ’s new, plus interviews with leading players in the Photoshop industry and real-world Photoshop tips and shortcuts you can use today. And heyÂ… you never know when youÂ’ll have the chance to win a free prize such as a book, dvd, or maybe even a free iPod. If youÂ’re as passionate about Photoshop as we are, then tune in each week to Photoshop TV.

Media Artists Secrets

• Media Artist Secrets is dedicated to helping you dramatically advance your creative career - Welcome to The Business of Being Creative

The Russell Brown Show

• This is your one-stop shopping location for the latest in hot new tips from the one, and only, Dr. Brown.
• Another ICON 4 attendee and presenter.
  

Practical Web Design Magazine

• Practical Web Design is the UKÂ’s best magazine for web building tutorials and advice (covering the likes of HTML, CSS, PHP, MySQL, Dreamweaver, Flash, fireworks, an Photoshop).

I Finally did it....

I have officially joined the esteemed College Graduate ranks. The ceremony was very beautiful and humbling. It was great having friends and family there to support me and sit with me awaiting our diplomas.