cozyquail.

sketchbook-look. [6]

currently listening to: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour Safety Dance                     (I can't wait to see these guys in Albany this October!!)

 

I wanted to share my latest drawings and spontaneous doodles; not all on formal paper.  I'm pretty sure I drew this after work at the kitchen table either this past Thursday or Friday.  I was going for a "mime-ish" stylized look with the black coloring on the girl's face (representing black face paint) when I started out.  Then I just keep on drawing and watch how the drawing transforms. 

Since I took the leap of drawing & doodling freehand with ink (either Bic pens, Sharpie markers, gel ink pens, or Staedler pigment liners) I have better learned to work around mistakes that occurs while drawing.  If I happen to make a line that I really didn't intend to make (and it's ink...) I either have to use the line and allow my drawing to develop as the lines progress on the paper or start over fresh. 

Though I don't always keep on drawing if I bump into a pen resting on the paper or if something of that nature occur, I do try and work with I have, to see if the drawing manifests into a concept I didn't think of prior.  This direction tends to be a bit more exciting in the end. The face painted look was not intentional *at the start of this drawing) but I liked where it's headed when I stopped.  The drawing ended up having a bit of an interesting dark-misplaced-fantasy feel to it (and it is still in-progress)!

 

 

And this little number underneath (finished) was drawn on a regular kitchen napkin last night, also at the comforts of the kitchen table.  I started to illustrate a still-life of a Marlboro lights cigarette box and kind of went from there.  I was attempting a Japanese-style inspired evil cigarette box spirit from some unforseen place.  He has a large drippy tongue, an eye-mask, and can fly around on wispy flames!  I just really enjoy personifying inanimate objects. :)

 

This drawing is inspired by another illustration I drew in a Design I class in 2006, while I was a freshman at Cazenovia College.  The drawing was a similar evil-looking paper shopping bag created with India ink.  Unfortunately I do not have a digital scan of the other little evil one, but I will try and document (or scan) him next given opportunity!

 

A [delight]ful cocktail: strawberry basil margarita

currently listening to:  Garbage Cherry Lips                                              (one of my favorite songs & bands!)

I'm always on the lookout for new food recipes & drink recipes that are both delicious, nutricious, and within a budget I can afford.  I really enjoy finding innovative recipes, trying them out, then testing the finished product!  When it comes to cocktails I prefer simple tasty recipes that require ingredients that I either already have, or that I can easily use again for another cocktail or recipe.

I originally stumbled on this lovely little recipe on Miss Julie's blog, Julie Ann Art,and was hooked by the beautiful photograph!  The finished product looked really delicious and I was diggin' the shade of the drink most of all!  I just started reading a bit of her blog and I'll certinly be continuing to do so!

The link from her lovely little blog takes you to The Kitchn where both the recipe for this cocktail and more photographs of this very aesthetically-pleasing drink can be found!  If you scroll down to the end of the recipe shown on The Kitchn's website you will find a link to the source, Miss Nancy Mitchell's blog, The Backyard Bartender.  I have to say I'm really impressed with the creativity and innovation with some of these drink recipes she has on her blog-they're pretty neat!  I'm definitely keeping tabs on this blog for get-togethers with friends & other fun socials.  The recipes shown right before the strawberry basil margaritas are Harry Potter themed and look equally as interesting and delicious!!! 

I did absolutely love the pretty color the strawberries added when the drink sat for a bit and the combination of strawberries and basil were hands down perfect!!

source 

When creating this strawberry basil margarita dream I chose to cut the recipe in half, since I was the only one partaking in this delight (and because I only had about 1 1/3 cup silver Sauza tequila on hand.)  I used about 1/2 container of frozen limeade, 1/2 cup or so water, about 6 or so fresh strawberries cut in half, and about 4 or 5 fresh basil leaves.  I also chose to simply cover it with a small sheet of aluminum foil while it sat and did its thing in the refridgerator.  I was too impatient to wait until the next day, so I had a little the night I mixed everything together too...haha.  It was good freshly made, but even more delightful the next day after it sat cooling in the fridge overnight!

 I chose to drink this in a small dainty wine glass because of the color & fruit (and because I thought it would be fun!) 

It reminds me of carefree, sunny summer days...(that become fewer & farther between as I get older).

I definitely recommend this cocktail to any of my friends & family and I fully intend on making this sweet concoction again soon!  I can't wait to hear who else tries out this tasty little recipe. :)

Thanks to these awesome bloggers I have a new, tasty cocktail to share!

thank you!

sketchbook-look. [5]

currently listening to:  The Subways We Don't Need Money To Have A Good Time

 

I originally posted a scanned image of the illustration I had started on Wednesday, August 3rd.  I didn't pick it back up on last  night and finally reached completion this afternoon on Sunday, August 21st.  There's no rhyme or reason to why you choose to leave some work to rest for an undetermined time it's just kind of how I go about things. 

I felt ready to take this illustration further and felt the urge to come back to it yesterday after work.  When I was about 10+ minutes or so into inking more of the illustration I started to loosen my pen strokes and became more free with drawing the messy strands of hair (my favorite part).  It's beautiful moments like this one where I notice how much I am able to get into my work again, in that moment, concentrating only on the art I am creating.

 

untitled (currently)

CAL. 2011.

pigment liner on paper.

 

I like scanning at least 1 in-progress image of an illustration and then comparing how it grew and developed through time (which means I'm becoming better at making them into digital files for future use!)  It is pretty neat - especially when you come back to it in small installment over a period of time.

An afternoon adventure: Green Lakes State Park

currently listening to:  The Flaming Lips W.A.N.D.

 

Yesterday afternoon Gregory and I decided to take a drive to one of the many very picturesque State Parks that New York State has to offer.  I've grown up making multiple trips annually to numerous New York State Parks thanks to my family's cultivated love for camping, hiking, swimming, and just simply being in the outdoors-with an emphasis on visiting the Adirondack Park.

Green Lakes State Park is located just outside of Fayetteville, New York and about 10-15 minute worthwhile drive from Syracuse.  The park is composed of two very lovely, very deep glacial lakes that have nature paths surrounding both that are used often for both runners, walkers, and nature lovers alike.  The lakes are shallow for the first 1-5 feet around the perimeter than immediately drop off to extreme depths.  Absolutely no swimming is allowed (except in a shallow designated beach area located far from these extreme drops) because of the unknown depths and hidden caverns in the lake.

On our little trip, we were welcomed with a myriad of wildlife that is always welcomed in both of our lives!  The wildlife varied from a chipmunk or two, to a couple snakes (we also spotted a little baby snake), and a whole bunch of adorable frogs!  I could not resist snapping a photograph or two every time we stumbled on the woodland fauna!  Let's just say I rely a lot on the fantastic photographic abilites of Greg's iPhone while we are out on our adventures.

I was very thankful that yesterday (Wednesday) turned out to be a goregous day!  The sun was shining, the weather was practically perfect, and there was a delightfully cool, fresh breeze!  I really could not have asked for a better day to explore the outdoors with someone who love spending your time with.

The photographs below are courtesy of his iPhone, but I have to say, I think they turned out pretty swell considering I was taking photographs in the forrest with a camera in a mobie phone.

 

This was the first of the forrest fauna we spotted on our walk around the lakes.  Greg noticed him first on the trail just in time to catch himself from not stepping on this little fellow.  He was only about 3-4 inches in length and so adorable!  This was the first time I've ever seen a baby snake in the woods and wanted to catch a quick photograph before I scared the little guy too much.

The other adult snake we found on the other side of the lake.

The photographs of the aquamarine water is the actual color of the water in both of the two glacial lakes.  Everytime I walk around these lakes I am continually blown away by the alluring color!  The hue of these lakes also changes with the seasons as well!

I really love going to visit Green Lakes and seeing all that it has to offer in its natural splendor.

It always guarantees a good adventure.

I hope you also spent yesterday's gorgeous weather having a grand adventure of your own!

sketchbook-look. [4]

currently listening to:  Zach Hill The Sacto Smile

 

I have been less-than-artistic this week with my inconsistent work schedule/life until I started drawings at Gregory's desk for a good two straight hours last night while he caught up with an old friend from school.  I seem to thrive in situations like this one, because I allow myself to focus on my work (without being distracted by other people) while pushing myself to keep drawing or keep going because of the background chatter/music/ or energy.  This was a method that helped me complete  Static Attraction (found here), with gluing the thousands of sequins involved!

This was the creative result of drawing, listening to inspirational-yet not distracting background music [chosen by the inspirational creative I dwell with, Gregory], and NOT STOPPING!

I'm also experimenting with the file size of my original illustrations and other works and how they're presented on my blog.  My work often contains intricate detail that benefits from a large-scale as opposed to the presentation with a smaller file.  I'm just not sure it these files do look better larger like this, or a little bit smaller (...like a more medium-sized file).

untitled & still very much in-progress (right now).

Media:

pigment liner on paper (with some preliminary pencil work still evident).

I've always LOVED seeing illustrations and other fantastic sketchwork with the pencil work and line work still left present.  It leaves a messy, yet beautiful presentation (in my opinion).

In case you're questioning it, there is a sun with rays on the woman's face (meant to be painted on her face) in the illustration.

-    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -

This other detailed illustration was one I found a couple weeks ago amoungst college belongings while I was visiting my family back in Gloversville, New York.  I had originally drawn & colored it in 2010 while I was residing in the dormitories @ Cazenovia College.  I was surpised I had almost forgot about it completely until I unearthed it (amoung many other finished and unfinished drawings, sketches, & colored illustrations I created while I attended undergrad.  I tend to draw so much, and on anything that can be deemed draw-able that I forget or lose a lot of work....which I'll be getting better at!

This illustration certainly deserves to be documented and shown!

I'm also really quite proud of it.

Nymph.

Media:

Prismacolor marker and pigment liner on paper.

CAL. 2010.

 

I'm still working on the other illustrations I have posted prior to these two-though I do get very fickle with my work and will often drop a piece for unknown periods of time while I start a new one.

I have been dedicating some time to searching for businesses in the Syracuse and Albany, New York region that offer glycee printing services! 

I have also come to the conclusion that my life (at this point in time) is too inconsistent to blog every day. Though I absolutely love following & keeping up with those lovely bloggers and their inspirational daily blog posts...it just isn't me at the moment.  So, in theory it would be lovely if I consistenly drew & posted results each day.  In the meantime I intend to do the best I can with being consistent with my little artsy blog, for those who do keep up with it loyally (I really do appreciate all of you!) <3

 

Note: I decided for this post that I would test out a little taste of the Arial font, from the normal Georgia I have preferred. I'm still undecided on if it will be a permanent change.

All the credit for listening to Hella and Zach Hill (who is large part of Hella) completely goes to my boyfriend, Gregory, who introduced me to this inspirational experimental noise group from California. I LOVE their sound, LOVE this song & especially the video listed up top. Zach Hill is completely inspirational to listen to while making art.

[wood grain].

currently listening to:  sBACH track 7

 

observed still life.

kitchen table.

 

wood grain still.

CAL. 2011.

I also tried to free up my pen strokes in this drawing to loosen up the lines.

I tend to lean more towards monochromatic drawings because it's hard for me to resist adding a hefty amount of detail/linework into my illustrations.  Once I started creating a sample pallete above - I realized how much I missed adding color to inked drawings.

I'm keeping up with this drawing a day!  Whoohoo!

Even though I'm only a good handful of days into the month of August, I'm really happy with the results of pushing myself to draw in a daily routine again.

 

Note:  This ended up being on another piece of white paper used in a game of farkle prior.  My drawings usually surpass the paper I choose to draw them on at that moment in time. 

decoupage!

currently listening to: The Mamas and The Papas  "Straight Shooter"

 

I had an epiphany today-

concerning my ink illustrations on paper.

What to adhere them to for support

and then it hit me...

 The thought of decoupaging a new illustration on cut wood would be a different and exciting method of a final presentation for my work!

 

Note: I thought about drawing a little tree saying, "decoupage!" for the irony-then thought against it.  I do love trees and mean no disrespect!

sketchbook-look. [3]

 currently listening:  Cascada "Evacuate the Dance Floor"

 

My August seems to be heading off to a nice start seeing how I've been drawing each day of this new month.  The biggest factor in this situation is that I've really been enjoying what I've been producing, which isn't always guaranteed as an artist.

I'd like to see how far this takes me, or even better yet, if I can keep up this daily challenge all throughout the month of August. 

Usually the hardest factor in feeling inspired artistically depends on what else is going on in my life and work. 

Someday I'll just have my art bringing the income, for now I'm a working artist.

Until then I have one job to pay the bills, school loans, & art expenses while my second job, my art, pays for my future and my ambitious goals. 

.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .

I worked for a good while on this pen drawing yesterday while I was off from work.  I really like where it's heading.

I really, really enjoy the way it looks currently with an unfinished appearance.  It's hard to decide when a piece is finished or not when you come to a crossroads like this.  I suppose I'm just fond of the detailed line balance with negative space.

[still in-progress]

This is a new drawing I also started in my sketchbook yesterday as well.  I'm really trying to push the creative feeling this week while I'm home from work [just got lucky with scheduling].

[in-progress]

Inspired by lavish coiffures of the Victorian-era.

More updates to come!

 

[ stay tuned ] ! ! !

contemplate to finish

currently listening to:  Snoop Dogg ft. Nate Dogg   "Boss' Life"

[R.I.P Nate Dogg]

 

Remember the 2nd monochromatic drawing I posted yesterday?  Well, I finished it last night and wanted to post the updated version!

Here, once again, I've posted the unfinished, in-the midst of progress, but filled to the brim with potential pen drawing that started it all.  I had no intention the drawing would come this far.  I actually started this on the back of a 4-person farkle game last week.

Though I'm usually drawing on whatever comes my way, or is in front of me at the moment, it isn't always as professional looking in the end, as I would like.  At the same time, it is true to me, my lifestyle, and a key role in my artistic development-which should be left open.

To the complete, colored, and adhered to artagain paper [it's basically thicker black art paper].

"Contemplate"

CAL.  2011.

Pigment liner, prismacolor marker, and artagain paper. 

.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .

 

I'm really, really pleased with the outcome!

I've got to keep up with this creative energy & inspirational flow before it runs dry. 

I'll see where it takes me this time.

 

sketchbook-look. [2]

currently listening to: M.I.A. "Meds and Feds"   [one of my favoritttteeess!!]

 

A look into what I've been creating lately.

untitled...[yet].

Pen on paper.

CAL. 2011.

[in-progress]

I really enjoy, and am getting quite accompanied to, using the apple as a motif representing knowledge, or an epiphany of information.  Reiminscent slightly of, but not inspired by Magritte.

[in-progress]

Another strong femme warrior in the making. I plan on putting in quite a bit of detail in the feather coat she'll be wearing.

Also in-progress is a hand-written alphabet/font prototype I'm trying to [finally] finish up for a friend in graphic design.

On a un-related note, after this, I will TRY, TRY, TRY to ACTUALLY finish up various tattoo ideas/pieces for good friends that give me a lot patience and understanding.
I've been recently doodling on whatever piece of paper that is around at the moment. 

.    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .

On a related note, I really, really, really need to find a private business that can help me make some of my original drawings into sellable prints.

I'm going to try and see what I can research on the internet in the Albany region & also more in central New York.

  I'm praying I can create some refreshing work on these couple of days off I have ahead of me.  I'm very appreciative of them!