Christmas Decor 2013

Christmas Decor 2013

This holiday has always been a special time for our household, especially for my niece Jocelyn growing up.

Time began to slow down a little bit, a couple of days before Christmas. This was the time to reflect the reason for the season and counting our blessings. 

It was an additional blessing to have time off for the Christmas break. A chance to refuel.

The smell of my mom's wonderful cooking filled in the air. The holiday decorations, including lights, filled up the walls of our home. 

Sometimes, I think it was more for my father, "GrandPuba", than anyone else. He would always use Jocelyn as an excuse and say, "WE NEED MORE, WE NEED MORE DECORATIONS!"....LOL

Pen and Ink 5"x5"

Study of Lyle Lovett

A country singer-songwriter with the face that's naturally animated, big curly hair, and a wide smile. He captured the heart of Julia Roberts many years ago.

Lyle Lovett, I thought it will be interesting subject to sketch from. I just went for it, I quickly sketched out his features of his face to my sketch pad. I noticed that I exaggerated one side of his face more than the other. If the truth were to be told, peoples faces are not hundred percent symmetrical.

It is fun for me to sketch quickly and not be concerned with glamorizing the subject or smooth out the imperfections. Imperfections are more beautiful and interesting to me.

The Wilderness

Mixed medium 5"x5"

The Wilderness

The study of Kurt  Cobain

Subject: Musician who formed the Seattle based group Nirvana during the “grunge” era in the 90’s.

Medium: Pen and ink, assorted pictures of the woods.

Concept: To make a portrait of a talented musician who struggled with many demons, including depression, and drug abuse.  I enjoy all kinds of music including alternative rock and grunge. Label it if you want, but music is music. Talent is talent, no matter what. And it is especially sad when a talent so young is gone. He was lost in the wilderness.

Kishla & Pete Together in Happiness

Photo collage 8"x10"

Kishla & Pete Together in Happiness

The beautiful bride, my sister, asked me to produce an invitation that represented elegance and bling. She loves the stylist, David Tutera and enjoyed his reality show. I am a fan of his as well. He is also my inspiration. I knew she wanted things to sparkle on a budget.

The Invitations were a series of ideas in layers. Various software programs were used to achieve the elegant look.  Metallic finished paper was used to finish the look.

I came up with the idea “Together in Happiness” for two causes, one was a celebration of the love of this wonderful couple and love ones gathering in this to witness this holy matrimony.

And trust me, it was true that everyone was together and happiness  on that special day, August 3, 2013.

The party favors with something fun that my sister thought of. She desired to give the guest Hershey kisses, that's her way of saying thank you. So I decided to invest in soft metallic sheen finished gift boxes with shimmering metallic lavender tulle ribbon with silver tabs that reads thank you for them. 

Since we were on a budget, instead of purchasing a ring pillow, I prepared one from scratch for the ring boy to carry. Kishla was very happy with the outcomes. My fashion design degree finally paid off…. LOL.

I want the to give a shout out to the photographer of the loving couple, please check out this talented person’s website at www.jwallacedesigns.com

Study Of Chris Rock

Mixed Medium 5"x5"

Study of Chris Rock

Subject: Chris Rock, comedian, Actor, Writer, Producer, director and host of the 77th Academy Awards

Medium: Pen and Ink, photo of animal print.

Concept: I was drawn to the turtle neck and the leather jacket outfit of Chris. I thought it would be interesting to draw a mock cityscape in the background and add the animal print. The print extended to the foreground as the actor holds it like a stage curtain. “The world is his stage” was the first thing that came to my mind. 

Kishla's Bridal Shower 2013

Photo Collage 8"x6"

Kishla's Bridal Shower

Kish is my sister, She is younger than me. I was the big sister who made sure that she didn't roll off the bed when she was a baby. As a toddler, she would try to walk before balance. I, the big sister, trying to catch her before she fell. I was always looking out for her.

Then decades later, she ask for my help, as a Maid of Honor at her wedding.

Oh no! I thought, I hope not to let her down. I don't anything about weddings (Dare I say, not a fan of them. Yes I said it!) 

So sent me to jail.....

I prefer quick court house, and a nice small gathering later in a house.

Oh no, not my little sis, she wanted all the whistle and bells.

Well, I tried my best. I always look out for her, so gave her what she wanted, sparkle, glitter, and glam.

Thank goodness my imagination can spread beyond painting on canvas. 

It was an Amethyst Gem themed shower. The Invitations was computer generated in layers. The table settings idea racked my brain. It took ideas into one. Especially the gem "look" inside the glass. That was with the help of acrylic ice. Also topped off balloon within  ballon. It shocked me. But I pulled it off.

You can use different elements to create clear glass look. Some people use colored candies. Water beads, great look for fresh flower inserts flowers, etc. 

If I can do it anyone can............tried it yourself!

Serene

5"x5" Mixed Medium

Serene

Study of a model

Subject: female

Medium: Pen and Ink, picture collage.

Concept: To illustrate the beautiful coily hair texture of the female looking out in the distance in peace and serenity. I love to study hair of all textures, especially coily, kinky hair, which has constantly been under represented.

The Study of Dylan McDermott

5"x5" Mixed Medium

Study of Dylan McDermott

Subject:  Actor Dylan McDermott. This handsome actor is best known for the television show, The Practice, and movies Steel Magnolias, Olympus Has Fallen (by one of my favorite directors, Antoine Fuqua!)

Medium: Pen and Ink, color pencil, pictures of sparkling bubbles

Concept: To create an unique background for the portrait of the actor. Also a bonus, play around with his eye color.

Movement

5"x5" Mixed Medium

Movement

The study of Fatima 

Subject: choreographer Fatima Robinson (one of my favorites!)

Medium: Pen and ink, assorted pictures of water.

Concept: To create movement through sketch and photo of water.

The famous choreographer, Fatima, was captured in mid motion in one of her signature moves. This dancer moves are like water.

Ms. Robinson's work range from Michael Jackson’s music video, “ Remember the time”, Aaliyah’ s “More Than a Woman” and “Rock the boat”, Backstreet Boys “ Everybody”.

The Wave

5" x 5"  Mixed Medium

The Wave

Study of a model

Subject: Male

Medium: Pen and Ink, assorted picture collage.

Concept: created the landscape as the background while the male model in the foreground, not bearing the care in the world owned and not aware of the natural disaster that's right behind him.

 A tsunami in the middle of the field?

What were the odds of that? What are the odds of such an outcome? It’s my world in my imagination, so who cares. The question is, will he survive?

Study of Jody Watley

Mixed medium 5"x 5"

Study of Jody Watley

What is interesting about the study, is that it is part scratch art and part collage. I ran through a series of accidents during the scratch art. Then I resolved it by the use of photo collage of flowers. I wanted to express the organic flow of Jody by surrounding her with nature.

And then in a sense, this was the last of my scratch art experimentation and the beginning of using collages with my sketches  in the next couple of studies.

I Guess there's no such thing as mistakes, only discoveries!

Jody Watley is a class act! A good singer with an incredible voice. Miss Watley was a former soul train dancer and one third member of the original music group Shalimar.

Jody Watley was stylish, a chic trendsetter. Her fashion was ahead of the time. Her songs were energetic, even the slow jams. Her dance moves were like poetry. She made it OK to get up and dance just because it felt good. Why I loved about her music videos, especially the video, "Real Love" she used her clothing as part of the dance routine. When I mean by that is that she worked those clothes. Miss Watley didn't play around. Every dance move was intentional. In a way, her clothes were the back up dancers.

What I enjoyed most about the study was the rendering of her tousled hair and the sharp detail of her hoop earrings which have always been her trademark.

Jody Watley is a true performer who could truly sing and dance!

Study of Missy Elliot

 I continue to scratch art technique with this sketch. I randomly placed colored washes underneath before scratching out the surface. I was trying to create a graphic and dramatic background. The lines diagonally to her side didn't quite come along as expected. It's OK, just a practice. I wanted to capture the essence of the recording artist, Missy Elliot, bold and dynamic! 

Missy Elliott is an innovative rapper. Along with the brilliant producer, Timberland, has created a unique sound with infectious beats. When I first saw her music video, the hairs stood on the back of my neck.

Bold music video concepts.

Missy Elliot is one of the few rappers that can make me get up and dance, but  also make me sit down take notice of her unconventional music videos.