new blog

Ok. So I decided that I needed another blog, just for my writing, photography, and random web links. I come across lots of articles and artists that I like to follow, and crafts that are interesting. Usually I post them in my facebook, but that has to annoy people because then their feed is full of my links even if they aren't interested in them.

Creating another blog also allows me to be able to see what I've found inspiring, and should curb the amount of time I spend posting links randomly. Basically, I needed a place to store things I come across, things I want to write about, a personal news blog that is filled with things that I find interesting. I figure maybe others might also find them interesting but even if not, whatever! I've got to write more and keep track of my interests, goals, and the journey I'm on.

So if you are interested in seeing what I've found during the day or week, and hear how the day's going - well you can visit my writing blog. I will continue to post pictures here, on a more consistent basis. Oh and I drew a digital picture just for the first entry. The blog is called "writingslink"

http://writingslink.blogspot.com/

dark winter

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Originally uploaded by bluelily17

cleaned my desk and this is the first thing I drew. Not loving it, but wanted to sit down and draw on paper.

madge cat

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Originally uploaded by bluelily17

she sometimes perks up and does cute things. Like hiding in paper shopping bags.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Reed Re-design

Just trying to make the design better. Here's what I started with:

I sketched out some ideas on a post-it note, that I don't have copies of. But I wanted the logo to tell more about the company, and also match their current website colors. I first tried to see what it would look like if I just changed the words, only to get a starting point for ideas.

There's too many colors, gradients, and that bar at the bottom just doesn't work, the name is hard to read in the center, and the book cuts it up funny. It feels imbalanced.

So I streamlined it, cut out the gradients, added a simple gavel to infer the law connection, and punched up the size of the font, added slant for "movement".

Since not everything falls under the multistate, then I made one that just focuses on the whole topic in general. It kinda reminds me of the USPS logo, also something to do with government.

feeling sick

caught a cold. This is a drawing of how I've been feeling....

Logo creation

In the new year I hope to establish myself as a freelance artist. I'm implementing my business plan, and laying out goals for the new year. I created a basic logo for my online persona. I think its cartoony enough to represent me, yet elegant. I also attempted to make the whole shape in the form of a "B."

Merry Christmas!

I made some cards this year, only sending paper cards to people who asked me to send them a

card. I think they were fun to make, I went with a simple holiday ornament theme. I was happy with them and I hope the recipients enjoy them. They can easily be cut out to hang on the tree every year.

My pallet is looking very artsy. I always like it when they start looking very used.

Now that all the gifts are packed, cards sent, books read, knitting done, I started to doodle for fun. I bought some white ink and a white gel pen the other day so i decided to test it out. This sketch is of my current facebook profile picture. I used pencil and inks on craft paper.

Photo Choosen

One of my photos was choosen to be included in a digital map by Schmap, to Chicago! Here's the link, mine is the photo of the red dinosaur statue:

Flash training complete!

New cartoon illustration

I did this for a friend of a friend who teaches fitness based pole dancing. She's got a pack of kids and is in great shape. I had a lot of fun doing this illustration.

Skinny

Haven't done one in a while for Illustration Friday. Thought I may take a crack at it.

Gallery Show Entries

three photos I transfered onto gessoed canvas, and then silver leafed and coated with a wash and a clear coat. Its not the same gel medium I used before, and I found it a bit tough to work with, but i'm definitely playing with this technique.

New Twitter background!

I don't know how long I'll keep this one up there, but it works for now. I just wanted to see what uploading a personal background on twitter would look like. I'm not too happy with the hair, but I can keep messing with it, right? ;) see it in person on my twitter page, LINK

vector illustration

workin' on getting the shadows and lines right on a portrait...getting there. Slowly. Gotta get em' looking right!

Sketching, leafing, and practicing

I'm trying something different. I'm practicing using indesign to create a vignette into my day, kinda like an album page with a bit of description. The advantage is that I get practice, and I can put in all sorts of images and text to create something I have more control over in the end.

I'm very excited because I got my sketchbook for the sketchbook project yesterday. I drew in it today, but since it's not quite finished I've not uploaded it yet. I only have a short month and a half before i must send it back, but that's plenty of time! My topic is also quite fun, it allows for creative interpretation and freedom. I was a bit worried before I got the book that I might get a bad topic, but this one turns out perfect for me. Here's the link to my sketchbook's page link

Indesign Certificate of Completion!

falling in

Fall's started, I've gotten some new art projects started, books ordered, and gallery show competitions I'm going for. Also doing some training courtesy of the recruiter I'm with, hoping to find a job soon. But in the meantime, I'm doing art. I came across this magazine, which has one of my favorite current artists in it, and the layout is fantastic. Check out Uppercase magazine's October issue, they've got a free digital you can flip through.

and a fit of boredom

One of my friends posted a picture from my birthday party that made me laugh. So I made a poster.

Power Yoga Project

I have a friend who does lots of fitness stuff. I asked her if I could help her out with some fliers because I needed practice using InDesign. So I started out with a photo and added to it.
Then I created some fliers. These are my favorite two.