Suppleness of Color and Accessories.

I'm so happy the semester is nearly over. I didn't do as many fashion illustrations as I had expected, but at least I somewhat still have my touch. 

Recently I decided to start pursuing my interest in Dolly Kei fashion which I've been a fan of for some time... but it adds to my FRUMPY-ness. Unless I do it right. As one of my fashionable acquaintances (ikillbarbies) said... "you all ready sorta dress like that- you just need more stuff for your stuff!" I think she's right- I just need more stuff for my stuff.

And by stuff for my stuff, that means more necklaces, hats and hair pieces, printed unique tights and leggings, and miscellaneous pieces like brooches, wallets, purses, etc. I all ready dress in the color scheme most of the time... this isn't a stretch. But I agree, more stuff for my stuff. 

Under the Weather and Comforts

• Being back at school has actually been a great thing. I've missed the structure, missed having things to do that aren't necessarily related to my day-to-day tasks. I know a lot of people don't miss going to college classes, but sometimes they can be a salvation. Having a book to read, an essay to write, or being forced to think outside of the box-- it is helping me a lot right now, especially since this past month has been the most stressful of my entire life. Ergonomics class is actually really challenging...
• My iPad is great! It's lovely having something to be able to help me with my school work. I've uploaded my textbooks onto it so I can read while on public transport-- though I'm sure it makes me look like a crazy woman whenever the muni doors open- looking around all crazy. I will take only minor, acceptable risks, but I don't want to be mugged. Regardless, I bought a 5$, cheapie stylus to start playing with drawing apps... only to lose it the following day. Remind me to only use cheap styluses instead of investing in a nice Wacom one. I'm surprised my handwriting with the tip of my finger isn't completely illegible. 
• I haven't sewn in a long time-- it's actually really depressing. The last thing I made was my iPad case... and that was just because I needed to be able to take it around with me the day I bought it. BUT, I was able to use a BEAUTIFUL Liberty of London fabric: Spring 2012 Picardie, designed by Phil Kim-- and based on the inspiration of A Clockwork Orange. My first time working with Liberty-- and it was amazing. I was able to score a fat quarter amount from Etsy and it was a dream to work with... I can't wait to incorporate more of this iconic fabric into my life! But besides all that, I'm actually in dire straights: I need new clothes but haven't been sewing a damn thing. I'm hoping to start changing that next week. 

Journey to the center of my insanity. LOL.

While working on homework, I realized that I could post something I was working on here just for the onlookers. With my handidandy scanner that I probably don't use enough, I went ahead and just scanned my progress so everyone can stop saying "omg that looks great!"-- because it's just a meticulous, step by step process. Easy. I promise! (haha!)

First things first, draw the image you're turning into a croquis. In this case, I'm working on trying to render plaid fabric so I used a Vivienne Westwood jacket for my reference piece. When everything looks situated, I tend to draw the flesh tone and hair before I get too far ahead. I figure it starts to give the drawing some personality. As for the hair, I could use marker but I just like colored pencil because it makes the strands separate nicely. The flesh tone is kind of difficult because you really just have to do it with some conviction and confidence! I know it looks strange at this point, but hang in there with me!

After throwing in some water color into the hair, I went into working on the trousers. This was tricky because I really wanted to show how the shape turns without it looking flat with the crease in the middle. I went in and painted the left side of each leg first with a couple layers of watercolor before even touching the right sides of the legs. While that was drying, I started working on the plaid  which let me tell you, so tricky! If you look closely on the croquis on the right, you can see where I got lost in the design. I think next time I work on plaid I'm going to use marker... Regardless, I start also throwing in some defining lines around the figure in general along with a few highlights in the hair.

Then bam! It's done! In all honesty, it's really in the details as my teacher keeps stressing. The white lines in the jacket were painted with gauche as well as the buttons. I wish I would have spent more time on the necklace but by the time I was doing that, I was all ready 2.5 hours in and was over it. Easy process, just time consuming for sure!

For materials, I used Bristol Vellum, watercolors, Prismacolor markers and colored pencils, as well as white gauche.

Swigglies and Wigglies and All Sorts of Circles.

I had a moment of clarity yesterday that I really need to get on working on my personal collections + portfolio, like... ASAP. Between school things picking up and work taking a crazy turn for me, I just feel like I need to get on it and start producing things at home. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

My goal right now for my portfolio is to create a Spring/Summer 2012 textile collection, due by May 1 (holding myself accountable!) My inspiration is a mixture of Polish pottery as well as Pysany eggs.

I love how bright and geometric everything is! I think they're all very charming and I can't wait to explore these designs and their history!

I've all ready started practicing some of the motifs and drawing some designs.

I probably don't have to watermark... but I figure that maybe I should start getting into the habit. Don't know. Maybe!

My plan of attack is as follows: 

• Look at more pots and more eggs. Haha- yes.
• Draw some more thumbnails
• Finalize said thumbnails
• Make 10x10in paintings of each pattern (watercolor, gauche, marker? Hmph...)
• Get my printing on 

I think I just need to approach this a little more professionally than I have been lately, but I'm confident I can get it together. For a spring/summer collection I'll be looking into linen and light polyesters and ahhhh- I can't wait to get started! Considering how I'm practicing croquis drawings right now, I might be able to do some rendering for how I would like each print used-- and who knows, maybe I can do something with the prints? Don't know. We'll see. 

When it comes down to it, I'm just happy to get started. 

Not making crap excuses (image dump).

I decided to scan some random things I've worked on in the last couple months... I really need to get myself a more portable drawing book so I can do more! And pens. Fountain pens, specifically. Love them!

You know that you missed me.

One month later, the school semester is over and I'm home free....! Here are some images from one of my final projects for Knitwear which I've been meaning to post. Yes, I was inspired by food and I don't mind it one bit!

Knitwear was decent except for the time factor (never enough, not enough workshops, unclear guidelines...) and I absolutely loved History of Fashion. Looking forward to my classes in the fall!  

In that positive vein, I do feel better about where I am and what's going on in my world right now. I feel great about myself and some of the opportunities that are presenting themselves. With that said, it's officially summer time and I'm surprisingly excited about it... except the weather being shitty up here in The City. Who'd have known I'd have ever missed So-Cal's normal 70*? My legs do, anyway, and I'm very intent to make sure they don't look sickly and pale if I can avoid it! A cute pedicure and some new sandals have helped. Also, summer colors like the new nail polishes I've been interested in have kept things fun, in their own small ways.

OPI- Mermaid's Tears and Essie- Braziliant

To shake up my routine, I'm taking a tip from @NormalOriginal and have started to use the Pomodoro Technique to try and be more productive towards my daily goals. I'm so excited about it! So far it has only been implemented on domestic tasks (cleaning my room, doing the laundry, etc.); I'm looking forward to putting it to use with my hobbies and artistic aspirations. The technique outline says specifically not to use it for that... but I'm a Virgo who craves structure and actually LOVE how its set up so I don't mind one bit. Dedicated blocks of time to get things done? Makes my inner workaholic jump in excitement!

But all in all, this summer is starting to come together very nicely. The most exciting piece of good news is being hired by Apple and starting soon! Miserable days at my current job are nearly done-- I'm sticking it out until the end of the summer. A Vegas trip (hopefully!) on my 25th birthday is holding me there; I need a fun birthday to keep the positive vibes going.


Also, a dedicated blogging schedule will also help me rock the shit out of these next few months. Can't wait!

You say 'SALE!' I say, 'I'm a broke bitch.'

Its extremely easy to be bowled over by responsibilities brought on by the world and by all the people you know in your life. I personally have learned that no matter how hard I try and keep my head above water during those times, it's just difficult when it gets to the nitty gritty. In an attempt to stay on top of things, planners are bought, new notebooks, folders, pretty sparkly pens are brandished and you just hope for the best.

For me right now, after all the goal making and big talking, I'm glad to be making steps towards progress.

Renewed school focus

Besides the hefty price of each course (2,200 p/class!! yikes!), being back in the classroom is amazing... so much to the point where it makes me wonder if I really love being the perpetual student. I think the fact that I see no end in sight to my education has become somewhat overwhelming in the same way I described above. But in an attempt to root for myself: Just do it. Thanks, Nike, for the slogan.


Renewed determination to gain tarot clients

The overwhelming aspect of this is the general "meh" and shitty apathy that people like to tend to throw at me whenever I talk about my aspirations in this area. I'm doing my best to stay on top of my responsibilities to gain Prospects-- a word I don't often use to describe clients. I like Prospects more. Learned it in a business book I browsed a few days ago that's supposed to encourage me to be more persuasive when it comes to my endeavors. At least I learned something from it-- it did its job. 



Actually wanting to see my family

Laughable, I'm sure, but after 6 months of not really having interacted with my family face to face... I figure its about time. Making it happen. Yes.


Ah, I've missed randomly pieced together posts. Hooray for blogging. Here's a comic I follow that makes me laugh all the time.

  Totally recommend it.

Cubism dream. No, not really. But it's art.

School starts in a couple weeks and while going through my camera, I realized I didn't upload some of the Fashion Illustration pictures I took on the final day of class.

 

The above images are from fellow students and I was soooo impressed by what was turned in by everyone. Comparing it from the beginning of the semester until the end, the pieces were all amazing and so much skill was shown!

The below images are mine.

Looking forward to my next semester! Knitwear Design and Construction as well as History of Fashion. Good times.