Illustration Friday - Glamour-color

As promised - all done!

(click on image for closer look)

Illustration Friday - Glamour

(in black and white)

Sometimes glamour is not what it appears to be.

I am still working on the color version of this image but, I thought I would post the black and white for the moment. I have been very focused and keeping myself busy. I am all done with my promo card and I would love to hear your feedback- I could use the constructive criticism. Also, if anyone has any idea of good printing options; I'd love to hear any suggestions. I have Vista prints and Rocket postcards currently in mind. If there are any others out there please let me know; or if you have had any good or bad experiences with either one of the above- I'm all ears. Stay tune for Glamour- in color. Thanks Guys!

Eva Longoria's - Desperate Housewives goes Elementary.

Illustration Friday-Cats

My intentions this week was to tell you guys a little story about my hubby and the ferocious beast. A year ago, I got a call from my husband at work, "They came and got him". You see for some reason, we got a visit from an extra friendly cat lingering around the house. The cat would walk right up to us when we parked the car in the drive way. He would even wait in anticipation at our front door on the step. I had no clue where this cat came from or why he was so friendly. I even heard my neighbors grand daughter start screaming one day cause the cat was following her around so much that it scared the poor thing. I mean our back yard is always visited by lingering cats but, this one was just very, very, very friendly. I would shoo kittly and that cat looked at me like I was having a spasm attack. We didnt want to get to close to the cat with our allergies.

So let's get back to the call. "Guess what I called the animal control guys to come and pick up the cat." So I asked, "What did you tell them." He says, "I told them there was this ferocious beast salavating at the door and chasing my one year old into the house while he played outside. Please send someone quick! I think it might have rabies" Well when animal control got there the poor cat walked right up to him and greeted him like he was his best friend. He probably thought - 'Finally, someone to play with me!' Animal Control knocks on the door and my hubby answers. "Sir, is this the ferocious animal you reported as chasing your son!" " Yes, Sir! That's him!" I laughed so hard to think of the expression that man gave my husband. I told my hubby " What if that were Jesus Christ reincarnated!"

So when I worked on this illustration I thought of that poor friendly kitty and prayed he got a good home.

Illustration Friday - E is for

Late night entertainer Conan O'Brien challenges Disney's Bear in the Big Blue house to a dance competition.

Who will win? Who will you vote for?

I was approached to do an illustration for the conan obrien vs. bear site and thought I would finish it up for this weeks post. Originally, I had sketched out another celebrity caricature for the theme. I think I will work on that and post it up a little later. But, until then enjoy and let me know who your vote is for!

The Year 2006

Okay, I guess since I have been so busy these past few weeks; I still have not accepted that it's a new year. I'm seeing lists of goals for this year by fellow Illustration Friday bloggers and I'm realizing that I too have a list that I need to pursue. I spent the last couple of days just cleaning out trash. The kids old toys, the refrigerator full of left overs, my art bin, my purse or that big old sack I carry, and even the front closet got a good cleaning. I'm ready for change this year. 2005 was a misery. I can honestly say the best thing that came out of 2005 was that my second son was born and I learned the true meaning of family and who would always be there for me. I am honored for that. Oh yeah! How could I forget. Illustration Friday was another great thing that happen this year!

If I didn't find Illustration Friday I wouldnt have picked up my pencil this year! I wouldn't have met the very talented artists that I did. And I would not have kept pushing to keep creating.

I spent this past year going through lots of struggles and so I pray that 2006 gives me light. Like some of you, I need to hold myself accountable for some things. First, I need to realize that I am the only individual holding myself back. I can't wonder how the next person gets to the top if I am daydreaming about the top. I need to put words into action.

1- In 2006 I will start marketing my talents more . This year I will have some work publish.

2- In order to get publish, I need to work on some promo concepts. I have been sitting on four different promosheet ideas and nothing. Enough is enough, I will have to complete one and start sending them out.

3- I need to move out of this house!!!!! We need more space and I need to have a niche that I can designate as mine! I have to have some studio space if I will be creating more.

4-I will pursue some part time work designing outside of the home. Dont get me wrong, I love the idea of working at home part time. But, if I am going to be happy I need to work in my field again.

5-Start taking care of me. If I'm down it's not fair to my boys! They feel and see all. I need to do the little things if it means that I am going to be happy.

6- Spend more time with my kids. I need to enjoy what time I do have with them because tomorrow is never guaranteed.

7- Work on my marriage! Yup, I've been married for seven years and I've known my hubby for about twelve years in total. Things have been very hard; especially this past year. But, I feel that we have some couples who take there vows too lightly. I thought when I was 23 that marriage was just the next step in life. I never sat down to think that we are two lives that are going to share one life. I dont have to give myself up and neither does he. But, I do owe the history of good laughs, good cries, and great hugs a chance. It's a scary thing. You are vulnerable and sometime when you've been hurt so many times it's easy to say enough is enough. But, if there is foundation than you can build on something. So honey, yeah more date nights sound good.

8-Last, but not least, Be happy more!!! I need to take it easy more and appreciate the little things. I have to take what I have and smell the roses every chance I get.

Alright, I know that you didnt need to hear or read all that. But, this is my sanctuary and I need to release myself. After all, this is where I am going to heal by using my art and writing to grow to make a better me.

Illustration Friday - Sea

Remember the movie "Mermaid" starring Tom Hanks ... I loved that movie. "Eek Eek EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK" Anyone who knows me, knows that I love aquariums. There is something about the sea that I love. I love the smell and the sounds of the ocean. The only thing is, I haven't gone scuba diving. I need to muster up the courage for that. But, until then I'll keep a real nice fish tank and admire the sea in that.

Illustration Friday - Flavor

My mother always has a way of making you forget the world with the savory taste of her good cooking. My dad could make you envision you were living in Haiti all your life. Since both Mom and Dad were born and raised in Haiti, we were fortunate to have an advantage as children. We were rich with the flavor of another culture. Flavor is about the smell of mom's cooking and dad playing some calypso in the background. Sundays were always the best since that was a feast day for us; rice and peas, grio, maybe some plaintains, fried dumpling... hmmm mmm... My mouth just waters thinking about it.

It brings me to the day I got married. My mother's greatest gift to me that day was laboring over the stove for days to create a wonderful display of Haitian cooking. I see the table now like it was yesterday. I can smell the house and the flavor of all that food. I hear the the Haitian music playing and the laughter of family. I see the colors and the art of Haiti. Flavor will always be about the richness of life that my parents had growing up and we being able to get just a taste of the beauty of Haiti. Thank God for Mom and Dad!