Francoise Hardy

Portrait of Francoise Hardy with a lily, the flower of France. Teeechnically the lily is the symbol of the now defunct French monarchy, but the flower is still strongly associated with the country.

6 x 9" watercolor paper.

Acrylic + graphite.

Bleeders album cover

As I was aimlessly wandering about looking for new music, I came across a song titled 'Bleeders' by The Trouble With Templeton. I was curious, gave it a listen, and found it inspiring.

The Trouble With Templeton is the moniker of Thomas Calder, who is the singer/songwriter behind the music and it turns out that 'Bleeders' is the title song of his first full album.

With text:

original: 9.5 x 9.5" watercolor paper.

Graphite, acrylic, and digital.

All of Bleeders is being streamed on his website, so give it a listen here.

There is also an official music video for the song:

I've also got some projects that have yet to be scanned. Hopefully I'll be able to share them with you soon :]

Crime and Punishment

Happy 2012! It is now Year of the Dragon.

I've been trying to keep myself busy and make this year an even better one than last year. My website went on a diet and now I think it looks sleeker and more streamlined than before! Take a look for yourself :] www.rachelfujii.com

While I was sorting through my work, I realized I never posted about this book cover I made a while ago.

I never had to read Crime and Punishment while I was in school, so I picked it up

out of curiosity and read it myself. The story is essentially about a man who murders two people with an axe, then begins a descent into madness. I thought the story picked up around the middle and I had a hard time putting it down after that until the very end.

Crime and Punishment.

8 x 12"

Graphite + digital.

Also, here is a photo of the first completed piece of the new year:

Your Heart is as Black as Night

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas!

I was contacted by fellow illustrator Philippe Debongnie to collaborate with his blog Jazz and Draw. It was an honor to be contacted by him, and I'm grateful for the opportunity! It was a wonderful present to see my contribution posted recently.

I can't remember anymore how I stumbled across Melody Gardot's music due to my incredible memory, but I'm glad I did because I love her deep, husky voice. Not only that, her story is amazing - music has literally saved her life. You can read about it here.

Your Heart is as Black as Night.

7.25 x 10" watercolor paper.

Graphite + acrylic.

I may not be able to post until next year, so if not I wish you all a safe, happy new year! See you in 2012~

And while we're at it

I made a gif showing the process of my previous painting, 'You're In Love Again.' First gif I ever made!

Boy

I did an accompanying piece to the 'Girl' portrait I did earlier.

Boy.

4 x 5" Stonehenge paper.

Graphite + acrylic.

I think they make a rather cute little pair :]

You're In Love Again

I've been working on this on and off for quite a while, letting it sit around my workspace in various stages of completion.

This piece was inspired by Jacob Borshard's song 'You're In Love Again.' It's a bittersweet song about being on the unfortunate end (angle?) of a love triangle featuring a ukelele! Nice to hear the instrument being used in a different style than Hawaiian music, like I'm used to.

In Victorian times, the yellow rose symbolized jealousy, but now it can also be interpreted as a sign of friendship or sympathy. Ivy is associated with fidelity, friendship, affection, survival, and determination.

You're In Love Again.

10 x 14" watercolor paper.

Graphite + acrylic.

I also entered it as a CD mock-up for Laminate's Most Wanted 2 inspired by James Jean and Lori Earley. Please take a look at the amazing entries (including one by my friend Sunny Gu) and vote here!