[ − と + ] : Rachel Fujii's illustration blog

Adele

2012-02-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

Adele had an amazing 2011 with her album 21. Not only is she a lovely singer, she seems like she has a good attitude in general as well as evidenced by this interview.

The choice of yellow chrysanthemums is because they symbolize jilted love. Yellow flowers don't seem to have good meanings attached to them do they...?

9 x 12" watercolor paper.

Acrylic + graphite.

An Adele print is available here.

Shop updated.

2012-02-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

New prints available here.

Francoise Hardy

2012-01-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-15T13:38:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-26T12:24:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-18T17:00:00.000-08:00

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

Boy

2011-12-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

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

2011-12-09T23:31:00.000-08:00

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!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone's having a great Thanksgiving!

I've been kind of restless lately, hopping from project to project.

Since Black Friday is, well, tomorrow, I'm going to say... I have a weakness for accessories – rings, earrings, necklaces, and so on. It's terrible, and of course I magically find things I like at inopportune times. Here are some recent acquisitions:

Is anyone going to attempt to shop tomorrow? I'm amazed people were camping out at the beginning of this week to get deals...

Persephone

2011-10-28T05:33:00.001-07:00

8 x 10" Arches paper.

Graphite + acrylic.

Persephone became Queen of the Underworld when Hades, god of the Underworld, kidnapped her. He burst out of the Underworld on a chariot, grabbing her while she was picking Narcissus flowers. Persephone's mother Demeter, goddess of harvest, was distraught and searched everywhere for her daughter. She refused to allow anything to grow on the earth until Zeus stopped avoiding her questions and helped her.

Zeus, not wanting everything to be destroyed, demanded that Hades return Persephone. As she was leaving, Hades offered her a pomegranate, which she ate the seeds of before returning to the surface. Whether or not she was tricked depends on what translation you read, but since she ate food from the Underworld, she would have to return to the Underworld three months out of the year. This, according the the mythology, is what causes the changes in seasons.

This is a pretty basic summary. You can read a more thorough version of the story here.

The pomegranate itself has polarizing meanings across cultures, from the fruit of the dead to symbolizing good health and fertility.

I also drew from this video, which I advise you not to watch if you're sensitive to potentially disturbing imagery of a gory, violent, sexual kind. Or if you're not into music erring on the 'loud' side (sorry, I'm not so good at the genre thing).

Er... well I guess the preview shot on this video kind of says it all.

Happy Halloween everyone ;]

Little Portrait III

2011-10-22T23:47:00.000-07:00

4 x 5" Stonehenge paper.

Graphite + acrylic.

Chasing Shadows

2011-10-15T21:27:00.000-07:00

3.5 x 5" Stonehenge.

Graphite + acrylic.

I've been liking how the cuts, materials, and silhouettes of clothing are playing with what's hidden, what's visible, and what's suggested.

WeLoveFine! T-shirt

2011-10-06T00:29:00.000-07:00

Remember those little hint pictures? They were for WeLoveFine!'s steampunk T-shirt design competition. Here is my submission:

Admittedly I'm not an expert on the steampunk style, but I did some research and I grew up on Hayao Miyazaki's films – I would watch My Neighbor Totoro repeatedly when I was little. I always think of his beautiful flying scenes (hence the Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Howl's Moving Castle images) and the thoughtful design of all the machinery. I read in an interview he tends to include at least one scene of flying because it's a form of liberation, and I'm inclined to agree :]

You can vote and see more of the awesome designs here.

Quick little portrait II

2011-09-27T01:34:00.000-07:00

Here is yet another little portrait I did. I made myself use only colors I typically wouldn't think of using for skin tone, and I think it turned out well :]

3.5 x 5" Stonehenge paper.

Graphite, acrylic, digital.

And here is a sneak peek of references for an upcoming idea. What could all of these things mean? Hmm...

source

via tumblr

P.S. I just noticed that I typo'd the last portrait post. I know how to spell... yes...

Alaska

2011-09-04T22:39:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from my visit to Alaska.

Watched salmon trying to swim upstream

Some didn't make it, though.

Mendenhall Glacier

Hubbard Glacier

Saw some brown bears at Fortress of the Bear

Saw many beautiful birds at the Raptor Center

This little owl was so cute; it would peek one eye open at me, then go back to sleeping.

There are so so many more, but I think I've spammed enough. Everywhere you went, there was amazing scenery to photograph and clear air to breathe.

Absent

2011-08-26T02:51:00.000-07:00

I won't have access to a computer next week, so no post.

Here's some very quick sketches I did for Flamingo Magazine: link

Take care of yourselves, everyone :]

Quick little portrait

2011-08-19T21:41:00.000-07:00

3 x 5" Stonehenge paper.

Graphite + acrylic.

Editorial: The Online Looking Glass

2011-08-08T21:50:00.001-07:00

Jeez, I honestly thought I'd been keeping up with my one update a week on this blog... but then looked at the date and realized I messed up.

I hope a sexy lady will make up for it...?

Based on the Op-Ed article "The Online Looking Glass" by Ross Douthat.

You can read the article here.

8 x 10" Bristol paper.

Graphite + digital.

Some things.

2011-07-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday was the opening of Tran Nguyen's "The Synapse Between Here and There" + David Bray's "Return of Bad Wisdom" at Thinkspace Gallery as well as Andrew Hem's "Cold Water" at LeBasse Projects. My camera can't really do the pieces justice, so if it's at all possible, go to the galleries and take a look in-person.

So here's some pictures of livestock they had nearby. I'm still not totally sure what it was about, but there was a lot of interesting organic products available.

In other news, I did a little piece for Amelia's Magazine's article about the upcoming Tasseomancy album release. I recommend going and checking out their music, it's very soothing and haunting.

You can read the article here.

Here's another in-progress shot of the larger piece I'm working on. I still haven't abandoned it...!

Portrait :: 京 + WIP

2011-07-12T20:30:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on another piece, but I did a small painting with the leftover colors on my palette. I had to replace the paper and since the colors floating around weren't going to be used on the painting in progress, why waste it?

... Which turned into a portrait of Kyo with the look from 'The Final.'

京

3.69 x 4.4" Stonehenge paper.

Graphite + acrylic.

And here's a little WIP shot ::

What Comes Out

2011-07-07T21:21:00.000-07:00

I've had some metallic copper paint lying around, so I made this quick little painting to test it out.

The paint's rather nice, although since it has glittery particles in it the particles settle into the water bucket and the brush. So use a separate brush + bucket unless you don't mind all the other colors and stuff being sparkly ★

I'm glad my scanner was able to pick up the metallic paint

Shiny ☆

The invert looks nice too :]

What Comes Out

4.4 x 5.5" Stonehenge.

Red Col-Erase + acrylic.

Illustration Friday 「Midsummer Night」+ 「Remedy」

2011-07-01T03:26:00.000-07:00

I haven't done these in a while... :]

Midsummer night is when people picked the calendula because they believed they had healing properties.

6 x 9" Stonehenge.

Graphite + acrylic.

What I Wore Today

2011-06-24T14:28:00.000-07:00

No actually I lied. I'm in my pajamas. :I

The outfit is not uncommon for me, however. If anyone was ever curious how I dress, this is pretty much how. haha.

I kept saying I wanted to do these What I Wore Today illustrations, and finally did one. Maybe there will be more in the future? Then I can be more aware of the fact I basically wear the same five things 35097834289398734258793 times.

This is for Gemma Correll's upcoming book chronicling her "What I Wore Today" series, which is adorable. She has kindly included possible space for other people to have their illustrated outfits published, so here is my little entry :]

Please see all the awesome contributions to the What I Wore Today (drawings only) Flickr group and hopefully submit some of your own!

I like how mine is pretty much the darkest one on the page of lovely submissions.

6 x 9" Stonehenge paper.

Graphite + digital.

Prints are now available~

2011-06-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

Prints of each panel from the 'Bind' triptych are now available on my Etsy store in different sizes :]

Bind

2011-05-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Balance

16 x 20" panel.

Acrylic + graphite.

Bind

18 x 24" panel.

Acrylic + graphite.

Coil

16 x 20" panel.

Acrylic + graphite.

I think this may be the very first series that I've made... As what I think is another first, here are the sketches for these:

Yet another first ( this is the last one for this post, I promise ), I will be making prints :] I will make a post in the future, or please keep an eye on my Etsy shop.

Saved the explanation behind this for last:

This triptych is based on the idea of human empathy. Your actions have a ripple effect on everyone in the community around you, so it would be best to consider more than what is simply convenient for you in the moment. I feel that in order to better understand others, it is best to understand both the 'good' and 'bad' aspects of yourself and in turn recognize everyone has these same feelings.

The sources I referenced were a mix of news, psychological articles, and Japanese mythology.

On the off-chance you want to read them...

The 'Contagion' of Social Networks

The Benefits of Blowing Your Top

Breaking the Cycle of Violence

A Model Demon and The Sparrow's Gifts. Sorry my Google-fu is terrible, and I can't find the Japanese stories online.

Endings/Beginnings

2011-05-25T00:21:00.000-07:00

Well, that concludes my years at school.

I am so incredibly grateful to my professors, friends, family, and classmates ♡ Everyone pushed, inspired, and made me an overall better person than before :] I wouldn't have made it this far without you guys.

You can see a slightly more thorough documentation of the show here on Facebook.

Easter nap time

2011-04-24T21:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter, everyone~ Thought I'd post this today, since it has rabbits on it... yeah.

It's been kind of crazy lately, but I'm excited to see it all come together :]

The first thing I've ever screenprinted were these little pillows. I was excited to finally learn the screenprinting process ♫

Luna

10 x 10"

Technical pen + digital.

I printed on both white and tan fabric. The tan actually worked out better, which was the opposite of what I was expecting...

One may find a home in my car ~~so I can take naps~~ so my car has a little decoration.

Little(r) tags for the little pillows ::

Presents! sort of

2011-03-05T16:43:00.000-08:00

I ~~begged~~ I mean, got some lovely gifts from friends through a trade of my accordian book .

It was another Christmas :]

Submerge

2011-03-05T15:50:00.001-08:00

I made an accordian book recently. I've wanted to for a long time, so I finally took the opportunity to make one :]

The original image :

Original size was 5 x 22" on stonehenge.

Graphite.

Finished :

Submerge.

2.5 x 11" print.

Graphite and digital.

Everything But the Kitschen Sync XIV group show

2011-03-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the opening of La Luz de Jesus' 14th annual Everything but the Kitschen Sync group show. I was kindly included in the lineup again with my piece It Will Be Winter Forev er along with my friends Sunny Gu and Caroline Lee :]

Photo taken by Sunny. I realized I forgot to take a photo of my own piece. Derp.

The show will continue until March 27, so I hope you'll take a look at all of the amazing pieces!

La Luz de Jesus Gallery

4633 Hollywood Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90027

Or you can see all of the pieces here at the La Luz de Jesus website.

Valentine's Day

2011-02-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

Love it, hate it, ambivalent about it... I wish you a Happy Valentine's Day anyway ♡

9 x 10" Bristol paper.

Acrylic + graphite.

CD cover : Hageshisa to, Kono Mune no Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu no Yami

2011-01-23T20:23:00.000-08:00

CD cover I designed last semester for Dir en grey's ( then ) most recent album, 激しさと、この胸の中で絡み付いた灼熱の闇 Hageshisa to, Kono Mune no Naka de Karamitsuita Shakunetsu no Yami.

Try saying that five times fast, hah.

version A

version B

back

4.75 x 5" print.

Technical pen, graphite, digital.

CD cover : Gekisei

2011-01-23T20:15:00.000-08:00

CD cover I did last semester for Merry ( メリー )'s album 激声 Gekisei.

back

4.75 x 5" print.

India ink, technical pen, digital.

SILA's 49th Annual Illustration West

2011-01-09T22:34:00.000-08:00

Happy 2011 everyone!

I realized I continued my tradition of forgetting the year number has changed (pretty sure I signed something 1/9/10 just a few hours ago). It's only been a little over a week into the new year... I need a couple months to figure it out.

...

Anyway, I am happy to announce that I am included in Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles' 49th annual Illustration West Competition along with my friend Sunny Gu!

Keep an eye on SILA's website for the complete list.

There will also be an exhibition at Gallery Nucleus Jan. 21 - Jan. 31

Information here.

Gallery Nucleus

210 East Main St.

Alhambra, CA 91801

Congratulations to everyone! :]

It Will Be Winter Forever

2011-01-02T19:31:00.000-08:00

It Will Be Winter Forever

9x12" Rives BFK.

Acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, India ink.

The Man in the Black Suit

2010-12-24T21:25:00.001-08:00

Illustration for Stephen King's short story "The Man in the Black Suit."

8 x 10" illustraton board.

India ink, graphite, technical pen, acrylic.

The Moth Diaries redo

2010-12-24T20:53:00.000-08:00

Redone cover version of Rachel Klein's book The Moth Diaries. I took out the hand-done type, and I think it looks better!

Editorial: Of Two Minds About Books

2010-10-27T08:26:00.001-07:00

Mock illustration for the article Of Two Minds About Books by Matt Richtel and Clair Cain Miller.

You can read it here.

8 x 11" Bristol paper.

India ink, technical pen, watercolor, acrylic.

The Moth Diaries

2010-10-10T16:07:00.000-07:00

Mock cover for the book The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein.

Original drawing

Actually on the book

Editorial: Is This America?

2010-10-10T15:23:00.000-07:00

Mock illustration for the Op-Ed article Is This America? by Nicholas D. Kristoff.

Read it here

Warming

2010-09-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Warming.

5 x 7" wood panel.

Acrylic, watercolor, colored ink, Prismacolor.

Regret

2010-08-12T13:36:00.000-07:00

Finally scanned!

Regret
11" x 14" Rives BFK.
Graphite, watercolor, acrylic, and India ink.

Crazy 4 Cult 4: The Case of the Redundant Number

2010-07-10T22:50:00.000-07:00

Here is my contribution to Crazy 4 Cult inspired by the cult movie Donnie Darko::

Additional photos::

The Tangent Universe

9 x 12" cradled wood panel.

Watercolor, Prismacolor, India ink, and graphite.

I thought of the idea that Donnie Darko, functioning as the Living Receiver, had for a brief time "destiny" in his hands. The bunny, Frank, was his guide through this alternate universe dropping hints and clues to him; whispering in his ear, so to speak.

The opening line was pretty crazy (no pun intended, hurhur)::

And inside...

There is someone friendly in this photo. Do you see them?

Thank you to everyone, and the show is awesome! You can see the rest of the amazing art here online, or at the gallery space::

Gallery 1988

7020 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90038

Enchanté

2010-06-22T17:19:00.000-07:00

At the opening for Enchanté, a group show of French artists at the Gallery Nucleus.

I thought it was interesting they had the title and name on the frame~

Detail shot of the ants on the collar o Ao

Yoskay Yamamoto :: 'Familiar Strangers'

2010-06-15T21:12:00.000-07:00

I went to Yoskay Yamamoto's show Familiar Strangers at LeBasse Projects today::

アトム!

Wall!

Gahurk.

Each of the sculptures are approximately the size of your hand (I didn't want to put my hand RIGHT NEXT TO them though, because I would probably trip, hit one, and smash it.)

Can you tell I was crazy about this wall? haha...

Mapping

2010-06-07T21:10:00.001-07:00

The journey from consciousness to unconsciousness ::

Sleep

8 x 13" Rives BFK.

Cyanotype, Prismacolor, Watercolor, Acrylic.

"UNCOMFORTABLE": The Otis Professionals Painting show opening

2010-05-24T01:51:00.001-07:00

I wasn't a very good picture-taker that day...

Caroline with her paintings::

Some person with a lollipop::

Sunny with her painting::

And we added onto the paper with some doodles::

Additional pictures here (photographs by Amy Shimoshige)

"UNCOMFORTABLE": The Otis Professionals Painting show

2010-05-18T23:51:00.000-07:00

Painting by JT Steiny

Hope to see you there!

Music

2010-05-18T23:41:00.000-07:00

Based on the song 'Jukebox Junkie.' ♫

Music

11 x 14" Rives BFK paper.

Linoleum block print.

Tramontana

2010-05-18T23:33:00.000-07:00

Based on the short story Tramontana about an ancient, cursed wind that drives people insane to the point of suicide in the town of Cadaques. The wind is described "as if it were a hateful woman, but one without whom his life would lose its meaning" (136).

Marquez, Gabriel Garcia. "Tramontana." Strange Pilgrims. 1992.

Tramontana

9 x 12" cradled wood panel.

Prismacolor, Watercolor, India ink.

Fortune cookie

2010-05-18T23:29:00.000-07:00

"Flattery will go far tonight."

The black widow spun her web of deceit, trapping an unsuspecting victim...

Flattery

18 x 24" wood panel.

Prismacolor, Watercolor, India ink.

Senior Show 2010 + WWA Gallery

2010-05-08T01:15:00.000-07:00

I went to the Senior Show (technically) yesterday!

It says, "The truth behind the birds and the bees: If the bee stings you, it will leave a nasty bump and leave."

haha, I know the feeling Mr. Penguin...

Congratulations seniors~

We also went to the WWA Gallery to see Julian Callos' opening in the Project Room::

Illustration Friday 「Linked」

2010-04-16T21:41:00.001-07:00

There is an Asian myth about the "red thread" that connects people who are soulmates. I guess it originates from China, but it has since spread to Japan...?

Linked

5.5 x 9" Bristol paper.

Prismacolor.

Illustration Friday 「Dip」

2010-04-12T04:05:00.000-07:00

The witch dipped the apple into the poison...

Dip
5 x 7" Bristol paper.
Watercolor, Technical pen, Prismacolor.

Illustration Friday 「Rescue」

2010-04-01T21:38:00.000-07:00

Rapunzel needs to be rescued from the tower by her prince.

Rescue

4 x 12" Bristol paper.

Technical pen + Prismacolor.

Illustration Friday 「Expired」

2010-03-28T23:45:00.001-07:00

You pour yourself a glass of milk, but then after looking at the expiration date... PFFF.

Expired

6x6" Bristol paper. Prismacolor, technical pen, glue (for the milk).

Illustration Friday 「Subterranean」

2010-03-28T23:36:00.001-07:00

Hell is (supposedly) pretty deep in the earth...

Maybe I watched my brother play the Dante's Inferno video game too long :p

Subterranean

6.75x9" Bristol paper. Pen and graphite.

Illustration Friday 「Brave」

2010-03-28T23:28:00.000-07:00

An Indian brave, and simultaneously the idea of to be brave is to "have a spine" or needing to "grow a spine" if you want courage~

Brave

8.25x9.5" Bristol paper.

Graphite.

☆ Hi-Fructose 5th Anniversary show ☆

2010-03-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

I went to the Hi-Fructose show currently at the Copro Nason Gallery :]

These weren't part of the show, but I had to take photos of them ♫

There was also a room filled with Michael Page's pieces::

The Wall~ ☆

2010-02-27T04:05:00.000-08:00

These are all of the pieces we made for the upcoming group show "Everything But the Kitsch 'N Sync." It was really amazing seeing everyone's work together on the wall ♥

buehehehe~ ☼

:'D

The artist didn't want to take a picture with her painting... ; A;

★ Bonus ★

Here is a wildly unflattering picture they took of my dumb face when we were at the gallery... I don't know why I make such stupid faces when cameras are around... D;

Illustration Friday 「Propagate」

2010-02-27T03:57:00.000-08:00

I drew someone (something?) asexually reproducing, kind of like a cell splitting :D

Propagate

7x10" Bristol paper.

Color pencil, sepia pen+ink, ink+brush

Everything But the Kitsch 'N Sync group show

2010-02-27T03:50:00.000-08:00

Here is my submission for the upcoming show at the La Luz de Jesus ⎝( > w < )⎠

「Corvus」

12x16" panel. Watercolor, acrylic, India ink.

The opening reception is Friday, March 5th from 8 – 11pm. Hope to see you there~ ☀

And then on Sunday...

2010-02-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

On Sunday I was in downtown LA, specifically in J-Town, so I went wandering after years of not visiting~

And I found this!

Actually, three of his books were available, but I bought only one~

The saleslady was hesitant to open the shrink-wrapped books for me because it clearly indicated 18+ to look at it in-store – the reason being very obvious, with his subject matter XD So she was studying my ID real hard. And then eventually she was like, "Ah, daijobu" and opened them.

A Couple Shows I Went To...

2010-02-15T18:47:00.001-08:00

So, I went to a couple of shows on Friday...

♕ Andrew Hem's 'One Leads to Another' with Rebecca Artemisa Urias in the Project Room

Kind of looks like someone I know...? hehe.

♕ 'The Devil Made Me Do It' group show (opening)::

Illustration Friday 「Focused」

2010-02-04T07:33:00.001-08:00

I remember one of my friends was so busy checking out a guy that had walked by, she ran into something in front of her.

So, of course I laughed at her~ ♪

Focused

5x7" Bristol paper.

Technical pen, India ink+brush, Prismacolor.

Illustration Friday 「Clumsy」

2010-01-31T20:23:00.000-08:00

Tripping over yourself and grabbing onto whatever you can... but then you end up taking it with you.

Clumsy

8x9" Xerox paper+construction paper.

Ballpoint pen, graphite, and India ink.

Illustration Friday 「Wilderness」

2010-01-22T20:00:00.000-08:00

Her hair's pretty wild~?

Wilderness

8x10" Bristol paper.

Graphite.

Death Portrait

2010-01-22T19:57:00.000-08:00

This is the death portrait illustration I did based on a recently deceased person who was a complete stranger to me.

8x10" Bristol paper.

Technical pen, watercolor, digital.

Christmas present :D

2009-12-30T00:06:00.000-08:00

Made for a friend whose favorite colors are blue, purple, and green~

6.5 x 13.7" illustration board.

Pencil, watercolor, Prismacolor, acrylic.

Multi-plane Group Show

2009-12-17T18:43:00.001-08:00

I went to the Multi Plane Group Show at the Corey Helford Gallery:

This had nothing to do with the show. I just thought it was cute. >_>;

It was really amazing to see all of the work... I've got to work hard~

Social Issue

2009-12-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

The final version! \\(=' v '=)//

... I like the babies.

♥

Care
9x11" Illustration board.

Technical pen, Prismacolor, Copic, Watercolor.

Illustration Friday 「Crunch(y)」

2009-12-08T23:37:00.001-08:00

Whoops, I thought the word was "crunch..." Anyway~ it's a time crunch.

Crunch

6x6" Bristol paper.

Technical pen + India ink&brush.

Illustration Friday 「Unbalanced」

2009-12-08T09:03:00.001-08:00

Those "chibi/SD/Super Deformed" characters can't possibly stay balanced in reality... I mean, the little figurines always topple over as soon as you let them go :/

And the turtle can relate to the fact that once they're on their back, it's almost impossible to get back up... bummer.

Unbalanced
7x7" Bristol paper.

Technical pen.

Correspondence project~

2009-12-08T08:55:00.000-08:00

Long time no update~

We had to make an illustration based off of a personal note given to us.

My letter

My illustration

Growing Up
11x17" illustration board/print-out.

Sepia colored ink, pencil, watercolor, digital painting.

Illustration Friday 「Blur」

2009-12-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

Without your glasses, your vision is blurry.

Blur

7x10" Bristol paper.

Technical pen + ink and brush.

Illustration Friday 「Skinny」

2009-11-06T02:31:00.000-08:00

Too skinny.

Skinny

9x12" Bristol paper original... my printer decided to make it 8x13.5".

Technical pen + digitally colored.

Illustration Friday 「Fast」

2009-10-31T03:37:00.001-07:00

Time goes by so fast, and kids grow up so fast (uh, whichever works for you best).

Fast

9x12" Bristol paper.

Prismacolor pencil + watercolor.

Editorial

2009-10-23T21:37:00.001-07:00

"Editorial" assignment where we chose an article to illustrate and design. I chose "The Holy Grail of the Unconsciousness," an article about Carl Jung's recently-ish released Red Book.

Article layout

Image

The Holy Grail of the Unconsciousness

7x10" Bristol paper.

Technical pen, Prismacolor pencil, watercolor.

Illustration Friday 「Frozen」

2009-10-23T02:49:00.001-07:00

The frog is frozen in fear when it's caught by the snake.

Frozen
8x10" Bristol paper.

Pen, Prismacolor pencil, India ink.

Illustration Friday 「Flying」

2009-10-16T05:56:00.001-07:00

When pigs fly... with the help of meat hooks.

Flying
7x7" watercolor paper.

Watercolor+Prismacolor pencils.

Illustration Friday 「Germs」

2009-10-08T15:04:00.000-07:00

I thought of cooties, so I made it a mermaid who wants nothing to do with the sailor that has human cooties :'D

Germs
9x12" Bristol paper.

Technical pen, Prismacolor color pencil, watercolor.

Illustration Friday 「Infinite」

2009-09-24T17:17:00.001-07:00

Death is infinite.

Initial sketch

Planning shadows and lighting

Final~

Infinite
6 x 15" illustration board.

Ink and brush.

I wanted to have the feeling of the ukiyo-e paintings. As for the subject matter... I was thinking about the Final Fantasy characters, Piers Anthony's On a Pale Horse (Incarnation of Immortality series), and unfortunately the film I saw in class, The Devil Came on Horseback. As well as the Noh mask depiction of demons. Again.

Illustration Friday 「Welcome」

2009-09-20T01:38:00.001-07:00

Alice in Wonderland this time~

Cover
There is charcoal smudged on the cover as well, but my scanner must have automatically 'cleaned' it.

Inside

Welcome

5 2/3 x 7 2/3" Watercolor paper.

Watercolor, technical pen, Prismacolor colored pencils, charcoal, and tempera paint [for the 'mirror' on the cover].

Acrylic #2

2009-09-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

This is my second acrylic painting - we were supposed to do portraits, so I picked Kyo from Dir en grey. I know this is totally shocking. I did this from an actual picture, so it's not like, "Wow, I have incredible portrait skills!"

Here is the photograph I used as reference.

I wanted it to be fairly monochromatic, all purple with kind of a pastel-y background... because come on, it's Kyo. Nice, pastel-y purple is not the first color I associate with him.
I almost made this acrylic of Miyavi, but like I said, I thought it would be more amusing for me if it was a painting of Kyo instead. So there you have it. Maybe next time, ne?

Finished~

Oh yes, and if anyone is curious about this guy...
'Conceived Sorrow' + [unplugged version]
'Lie Buried with a Vengeance' [this may be offensive to someone... I find the end part to be very amusing.]
PV for 'Ain't Afraid to Die'
PV for 'OBSCURE' [it might also be disturbing or offensive so um... I warned you?]
These are all Youtube videos, so yes... hopefully they all work, this computer has no audio.

After I finished the painting, I scraped sandpaper down it in some places to give it a different texture.

Acrylic~

2009-09-13T22:33:00.000-07:00

You know, I think this is the first acrylic I've ever done... haha.

It's basically a painting of the Japanese Noh masks, specifically the oni -demon- ones. I also had the image of the cover art for Dir en grey's VULGAR album (I still love the song 'OBSCURE') in mind... I don't know why, but I've become kind of obsessed with Dir en grey music again. >>;

Illustration Friday 「Strong」

2009-09-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

Er... oops, I deleted the entry. D:

Strong
9x12" Bristol paper.

Technical pen+ink.