Amina Harper Art

The Crown Chakra

2012-01-25T14:15:00.001-08:00

Found this drawing under a pile of stuff while cleaning house yesterday. It was still in it's sketch stage and in really good condition so I finished it with ink, water color and acrylic. It turned out really well.

The Facebook page and Twitter

2012-01-24T13:13:00.000-08:00

I have both a Facebook page and a Twitter for my artwork. For faster and more in depth updates you should check those out :)

The Cupcake King 2: The Pastry Wars

2012-01-20T10:11:00.001-08:00

When someone challenges your cupcake then you must go to WAR. The Cupcake Empire will go unchallenged. THIS. IS... CUPCAKE!!!

I took this with my iphone because the scanner needs fixing, hopefully this will not be a common occurrence.

UPDATE: The scanner works now, so here's a much better image.

Normally I don't get political, but...

2012-01-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

PIPA and SOPA are a huge problem for all of us. These acts are extremely broad and have the power to censor and shut down any website. So Please, take a little bit of time to sign one of the many petitions and contact your local representatives.

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

The Sketchbook Project

2012-01-10T15:58:00.001-08:00

Here is 1 of 3 pages I did for The Sketchbook Project 2012, and though I don't do a lot of sketching it was a lot of fun. The project sets sail in April and the sketchbook is under the Cult Sisters name so you can follow it as it travels around the country and to Canada.

I haven't been drawing a lot lately because I'm trying to come out with something new (I haven't drawn anything in about 2 weeks and my drawing hand is starting to itch).

Next month I'll be hanging my work at Sisters Sludge, which is a coffee shop in Minneapolis. If you want to check it out starting February 1st here's the address

4557 Bloomington Ave Minneapolis, MN 55407

HAPPY NEW YEAR, YA'LL!!!!

2012-01-01T13:24:00.000-08:00

This past year has been great, with it's ups and downs, making more art, meeting new people and having more shows. I'm gonna make sure that this year is even more successful and wonderful. Thanks to all of you who visit this site and support my work. I wouldn't still be doing this today without any of you and you make my life so special.

Thank you so much. Here's to another great year :)

Girl Stag is Finally Finished

2011-12-29T12:21:00.001-08:00

After weeks of posturing and procrastination, I've finally finished this piece just in time for the New Year. This means I only have 2 unfinished pieces left (which will NOT get done in time for the New Year).

Also, I have a small solo show in February that I'm preparing for; more info on that in January :)

Striped Backgrounds are FUN

2011-12-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Maybe next time I'll try polka dots.

An image of my piece in the City Page (sort of NSFW)

2011-12-17T18:57:00.000-08:00

HERE is an image of my piece in the Smitten Kitten show. I was to sick to attend the show and I really hope they have a closing party.

YAY!!! I Finally Found It.

2011-12-16T12:47:00.000-08:00

I'd been looking everywhere for this piece, and it wasn't until I completely gave up that I finally found it. And just in time for the holidays.

New show @ The Smitten Kitten

2011-12-07T13:38:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow night some of my artwork will be in another erotica show at The Smitten Kitten. I'm really excited cause I don't get the opportunity to do erotic art shows very often.

Future Presence 4 @ Future Presence Gallery

2011-11-28T11:28:00.000-08:00

I've got a group show coming up in December at Future Presence Gallery in town. So if you're in the Minneapolis area you should come by and check it out.

Price...less Show @ Hive Gallery

2011-11-26T23:38:00.001-08:00

Hello all, hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. I just sent a piece off to LA to be in the Price...less show at The Hive Gallery. If you're in the area you should check it out.

Sneak Peek of some new work

2011-11-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Here's some work in progress images of some new pieces I've been working on this week. There will probably be more to come later on.

*UPDATE*: The piece of the girl with the guitar met an unfortunate fate in a shredder because I didn't like it.

And 'yes' I did feel better after doing it.

More Arts Adventures

2011-11-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

My favorite things about being an artist are that I get to see the work that other artists make and occasionally stumble upon interesting things where I didn't expect to find them. I get to meet great new people and see things I may not get to see in any other profession; other times I'm simply out and about with friends or family and we run into something that we didn't expect.

The first 4 images of from the awesome Beauty School Dropout show that I attended last Saturday. The show was comprised of a lot of very good friends of mine, all of whom presented lovely and wonderful work. These four stood out to me because they are 3D and focus heavily on the upper torso of a woman (that's my not juvenile way of saying "boobs"). My favorite were the chairs which had signs requesting that one not touch them... I did anyway cause I'm juvenile.

The second set is from the Saint Paul Art Crawl in September (I think). I went with my friend Meghan and we sort of stumbled into this candy colored world of bright lights and childhood nostalgia. The experience was short, but made me very happy.

The final pics are not quite like the others. One is from the Mill City Museum when I suggested to my dad that we go in order to get him away from the house so my step mom could set up his surprise birthday party. It didn't work and he figured it out immediately, but what I didn't realize until after the freight elevator tour is that we were in a museum completely dedicated to food and the making of food (they have a table made to look like a giant stack of pancakes). There are plastic replicas of food all over the place and a huge kitchen area where bakers are making a variety of different baked goods all day. I will be returning to this place at some point to take more pictures, cause this was awesome. The other is from Macy's where I stumbled upon a Cupcake themed Christmas tree; it was like my Christmas wish come true... only the cupcakes weren't real.

The Donut Prince

2011-11-18T11:44:00.000-08:00

Remember the Cupcake King? Well, this one is also apart of the series; I'm planning to do a third one but I have no idea what type of treat I'll use for it (and I still have a lot on my plate right now).

This has been a very successful week of art making. I've finished this piece and have started 2 completely new pieces that will be fully inked by the weekend. But I've still got more to do.

Write up about the Gods and Monsters show

2011-11-17T15:06:00.000-08:00

It's very good and very flattering, you should give it a read HERE.

Also, I've been really busy lately trying to crank out new work. I've dedicated the rest of this month (with the exception of a few meetings and events) to making new work. So far it's going very well and I will post new work as it is completed.

Thanks for your support and patience :)

Just a Reminder

2011-11-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

Also, I have a Facebook Page for my artwork if you're interested in getting info that way :)

Whatever this is it costs $20.00

2011-11-04T15:36:00.000-07:00

Drag Bear + Random Dog = Whatever the fuck this is, and probably animal abuse.

Shows coming up at Altered Esthetics

2011-11-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

I have a piece in an art show at Altered Esthetics on the 3rd for their Food Fight show and some work in their Dia de los Muertos show tomorrow. I'm sorry it's such short notice but I've been getting busier and busier lately (which is surprising considering how winter is right around the corner).

The artwork on this postcard is gorgeous.

Work in Progress pt 2

2011-10-29T15:05:00.001-07:00

It's coming along quite nicely. Now it's inked and has a background.

Work in Progress

2011-10-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

This is a drawing I've wanted to make for a while now. It's currently in the inking stage.

Gods and Monsters III: The Resurection

2011-10-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

New art show coming up on October 30th for Halloween. The third Gods and Monsters show at Cult Status. I will be showing with 45+ artists.

METRO Magazine Interview

2011-10-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

I had a lot of fun doing this interview with METRO Magazine's Morgan Halaska. You should read it (I says stuff about Care Bear porn).

Here's the list, which also includes Cult Status Gallery... and river otters

Imagine a really twisted Care Bears episode in which Cheer Bear and Wish Bear drop acid and embark on a psycho-sexual vision quest through the Kingdom of Caring. That’s a pretty accurate analogy for Amina Harper’s illustrations, which blend hearts and rainbows with sinister imagery like handguns and blood splatter. Sounds shtick-y on paper, but the Minneapolis-based up-and-comer pulls it off, creating disturbing dreamscapes we can’t look away from.

-METRO Magazine

The Cupcake King.

2011-10-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

I don't know why, but I just wanted to draw a girl dressed like a guy... a guy that runs his own country... made of CUPCAKES.

The guy who runs a country made of donuts is coming soon.

Maybe he just got sick of granting wishes.

2011-09-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Honestly, if people kept asking me to make their dreams come true I'd probably react the same way.

This drawing makes me feel like I'm getting back to normal with my style and they way I enjoy doing things. I'm also starting to sell more work so I need to start making more to fill the gap. I've been trying to make this one for a while and it finally came out well.

Another Munny

2011-09-10T00:29:00.000-07:00

This one looks way better in real life than it does in pictures, and I must be getting better at this cause I didn't make nearly as many mistakes on this one and it took me a few hours less. I used Sculpey for the ears, antlers and tail (my first time working with it and I'm in love).

My first custom Munny SHOW

2011-09-09T13:09:00.000-07:00

So, remember that Munny I nearly died making? Well, I got it into a show at Tomodachi... somehow. I'm very honored and thankful that they want me to be apart of this, Tomodachi is an awesome store that I hope expands to many more areas in the Twin Cities.

My first custom Munny

2011-09-04T00:59:00.000-07:00

So, my friend Rudy gave me a Munny she had left over from
only God knows where and suggested I go all out in decorating it... that was like 9 months ago. I didn't do anything with it until I decided a few days ago that I was gonna finish it or die trying (which actually almost happened). So today (also known as yesterday), I went with my friend Meghan to buy antlers and shop at Micheal's. I bought everything there and worked on it all day, and night, and day again. I had no idea how much work goes into these things; I didn't even have it designed before I began constructing it. It was a lot of work I hadn't planned on doing, but I'll definitely be doing it again.

UPDATE: I just realized that this
Munny looks like Drag Bear... I'm going to bed

Art Adventures

2011-08-27T17:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, when I'm minding my own business I stumble upon something so wonderful that I desire to take it home with me (however, according to the state police I can't just pick up a large random object and drag it away, especially if it's at a department store, museum or in someones yard. It doesn't matter if I think it looks lonely). Fortunately, the only function on my cell phone that actually works is the camera, so while no one is looking I snap a quick photo and run as fast as I can before the proper authorities can take notice. Sometimes I go on these adventures with friends and family, because what's a random photo op without someone there to be embarrassed; regardless there is always someone around to think I'm losing my mind... and if there wasn't I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I'll probably post more random art adventure type images when they happen. Until then it's back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Group show @ Future Presence Gallery

2011-08-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

I'm going to have 3 pieces in a group show at Future Presence Gallery tomorrow at 5pm-Midnight.

Queen Bee. For Sale @ Hive Gallery

2011-08-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

Words cannot describe how fun it was to make this. So much fun indeed. She and Shogun Shuga are for sale at The Hive Gallery

What happens when you forget to finish a drawing for a year? (SOLD)

2011-08-22T11:37:00.000-07:00

You get rainbow cats and naughty language. This drawing is 6.5 x 8in as is it's counterpart. Part 2 tomorrow.

Still trying something new (Black & White pt 2)

2011-08-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Remember THIS

Well, I wanted to do more of them. Ink lines are a lot of fun to work with.

Life part 1 (NSFW)

2011-08-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

I had this up but then took it down cause of the genitalia. Then, I remembered that I draw stuff like this all the time...

Beerotica 4 @ The Hive Gallery

2011-07-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

Just shipped my work off to be in this show on August 6th in Los Angeles. If you're in the area check it out at The Hive Gallery.

13 VS. Summer Funk

2011-07-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

I'm in show tomorrow at Gallery 13 in Downtown Minneapolis. Check it out.

Wild 7 part 2

2011-07-11T15:27:00.001-07:00

I cut them in half so they could fit in the frame/scanner.

Tea Time

2011-06-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Not bad, considering I took this picture with my cell phone. Gotta work with what you have.

Wild 7

2011-06-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

Part one up now. Part two will come later... maybe.

Trying something new. (SOLD)

2011-05-29T12:54:00.000-07:00

Very few colors and only line with EXTREMELY meticulous detail. I'm going to run with this for a while.

Show @ Hive Gallery on June 4th

2011-05-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

I'll have a piece in a show titled Circus Circus at the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles. I just shipped it off this past Friday and as usual I'm worried about its safety on its trip. So send some good ju ju to my package and hope it gets to the Hive's walls in one piece.

Cult Sisters is GO!!!

2011-05-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

THIS article makes me seem like the John Waters of illustration. Finally someone get's it!

Cult Sisters opens tomorrow at Cult Status Gallery at 7:30pm.

I Almost Forgot...

2011-05-02T23:43:00.000-07:00

I promised to post this piece after the RetroStatic show, but I forgot. 6 months is a long time to memory lapse. (This piece is not for sell or in print as I don't currently have it. Sorry)

Cult Sister Show

2011-04-23T01:29:00.001-07:00

I'm going to be in another show at Cult Status titled Cult Sister 2 showcasing women artists. I will be showing my work along side 11 other very talented women; the show will run from May 14 to June 17. If you want more info you can check out the facebook event page HERE.

I'll be updating with more artwork after these shows, A LOT of things are coming my way and I'm super busy right now. YAY!!

Twin Cities Pride 2011

2011-04-11T14:58:00.000-07:00

I'm so psyched, I've just been selected to show in the Twin Cities Pride Art Exhibit for 2011 in the center of downtown Minneapolis. I was at Pride last year as an artist/vender and the year before that as a happy spectator. Pride is so wonderful and fun and I'm really honored to get the chance to show my artwork at such a joyous event. Thank you Twin Cities Pride.

Sorry I haven't been updating with any artwork lately, I've been working on something new for upcoming shows and my scanner is kind of on the fritz. But I'm getting it all sorted out.

NEWS: I'm gonna be in another show!

2011-04-01T22:35:00.000-07:00

Altered Esthetics is having it's 7 year anniversary show on April 29. I have two pieces up for auction and it makes for great exposure. If you want more info here's the Facebook event site HERE

The Cool Thing about Randomly Googling yourself

2011-03-26T23:17:00.000-07:00

You can find videos of your artwork at a gallery show you didn't even attend... HOLY CRAP!! Thank you Instinct Gallery.

Watch It (my piece is the fifth one)

Drag Bear

2011-02-10T11:43:00.001-08:00

It's drawings like this one that get me called a "whimsical deviant" by gallery owners... I consider it a compliment.

Jumping The Gun

2011-01-31T17:58:00.000-08:00

Definition: To begin something before preparations are complete.

Yea, I do that a lot. Maybe this will remind me to have more patience in the future.

Now, onto the next.

Wicked Lovers

2011-01-27T10:09:00.001-08:00

Ha! See, I do so post on my art blog. I'm not an irresponsible, lazy, art school flunky who never produces anything; honest I'm not.

Dirty Show 12

2011-01-25T16:46:00.000-08:00

I just sent 4 erotica pieces to Detroit for the Dirty Show 12. I've been extremely busy lately, but it's all been good. I'm still working on getting the etsy site up (it's taking longer than expected due to other obligations that take priority). But for now I'm really excited about this show. Let's hope my work gets to the show safely and makes it to the Dirty Shows walls undamaged.

Finally Self Portraits I'm Actually Proud of

2010-11-08T10:23:00.000-08:00

I know I said it was going to be a while before I post anything new (I always get in trouble with that), but this was a rather spur of the moment occurrence. I've stated before that since I applied to art school nearly 5 years ago that I hadn't done a self portrait of myself that I 1. was proud of and 2. wasn't doing for a class assignment ( you can see that topic HERE and HERE).

Gods and Monsters II and RetroStatic UPDATE

2010-10-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

Cult Status is having a Halloween show on the 30th and I will be showing 2 pieces in it. I'm also sending a piece to Iowa's Instinct Gallery for a show that will be on November 5th; more info on that later.

If you're in the area for these shows check them out.

UPDATE: I just sent my piece in to Instinct Gallery for their RetroStatic show. Let's hope it gets there safely and is received with warm and open arms. I'll post it here once the show had ended (it goes from Nov. 5th to Nov. 3oth).

Shogun Suga

2010-10-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

It looks good now, but the earlier version of it was ugg. She was wearing this bright orange kimono with navy blue leggings and these turquoise spectacles. Her hair was wrapped in these red ribbons and she had an huge diamond ring on her right hand.... Seriously, I'm ashamed!!

Bad Dog

2010-10-13T11:43:00.000-07:00

My dogs are afraid of feminine products... because chihuahua's are manly.

Daysa Collaboration

2010-10-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working with my friend Julian Hines of DAYSA SOUL on illustrating his book of poems called I Remember... Clearly. There is nothing more fulfilling than working with other talented artists to create something to share with the rest of the world, and these works of literature are breathtaking and beautiful and I am so honored that Julian thought of me for illustrations. I'm taking the process slowly because I want to give him my very very best and the images you see here are the books cover and the first drawing I did for the poem Measure of this Woman... but that's all you get. If you want to read and see more you're gonna have to by the book. Anyway, check out Julian's site DAYSA SOUL and see the true greatness this man shares with the world everyday; I'm so happy we're working together.

Graffiti Art (SOLD)

2010-09-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

This is the second of the fashion inspired illustrations. It was a lot of fun to draw and I'll probably be doing more in the future.

Eve (SOLD)

2010-09-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

This one took a while to finish because my ego insisted on a ridiculous amount of detail.

Fashion Illustration

2010-08-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

So, this just started out as me wanting to draw a girl with pink hair; it turned into this fashion design, advertising merchandise drawing that makes me want to pursue this type of illustration more.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry blah blah blah...

2010-08-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

I finished this about 2 days ago but didn't care much to post it until now. It's inspired by the Destiny's Child song of the same name; this drawing isn't sexy so much as it is silly, but it's an apple man with abs superimposed onto his core, so...

Artist CV

2010-08-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

Education

Pacific Northwest College of Art

(majoring in Illustration)

January 2007- January 2009

Exhibitions and Events

2009

Color Wheel Gallery Holiday Show on December 12, 2009

2010

“PEEP SHOW” at Cult Status Gallery on July 9, 2010

"Gay Pride Weekend" 2010 (with the TAWU group)

"Powderhorne Art Fair" 2010 (with the TAWU group)

“BIG BLAQ” on August 13, 2010 (through the TAWU group)

“BIG BLAQ” artist panel at Franklin Art Works (through the TAWU group)

"Gods and “Monsters 2” at Cult Status Gallery on October 30, 2010

“Retro Static” at Instinct Gallery in Des Moines, IA on November 5, 2010

2011

“Ruff Love” at Cult Status Gallery on February 4, 2011

“Dirty Show 12” in Detroit, MI February 11, 2011

“7” at Altered Esthetics on April 29, 2011

"Minneapolis Gay Pride Exhibition" on May 10, 2011

“Cult Sisters” at Cult Status Gallery on May 14, 2011

"Art Squared: SSCA Benefit Sale and Raffle" on May 23, 2011

“Circus, Circus” at The Hive Gallery in Los Angeles, CA on June 4, 2011

“Urban Masters” at The Hive Gallery in Los Angeles, CA on July 9, 2011

"Simply Jane & Alleyway Arts" auction on July 10, 2011

“13 VS. Summer Funk” at Gallery 13 on July 15, 2011

“Red Hot Art Festival” at Stevens Square Park (SSCA booth) on July 30^th-31^st 2011

“Beerotic 4” at The Hive Gallery in Los Angeles on August 6, 2011

“Future Presence 3” at The Future Presence Gallery on August 26^th-28^th 2011

“We LOVE Vinyl” at Tomodachi on September 17, 2011

“Gods and Monsters III: The Resurrection” at Cult Status Gallery on October 30, 2011

“Dia de los Muertos” show at Altered Esthetics on November 2, 2011

“Food Fight” at Altered Esthetics on November 3, 2011

“Tell Your Story” at the Aldrich Arts Collaborative on November 16, 2011

“Price…Less” at the Hive Gallery in Los Angeles on December 3, 2011

“Art Sex” at The Smitten Kitten on December 8, 2011 – January 5, 2012

“Future Presence 4” at Future Presence Gallery on December 15, 2011- January 24, 2012

Publications

Twin Cities METRO Magazine October 2011 issue

Piece from Big Blaq

2010-08-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is the final piece I submitted to be in the Big Blaq show as it is seen on the wall; I'm extremely happy with the final product. It was blown up from an 8 by 12 drawing out of my sketch book to a 36 by 48 poster. I got it blown up at a place called Sign Minds and they do fantastic sign work for a reasonable price (the poster was only 50 bucks). So if you are in the area and you need a sign or poster made check them out.

Shotgun Suga

2010-08-12T15:46:00.000-07:00

This one kind of happened by accident. I drew it a few months ago without ever intending to use it, and a few days ago I just decided to quickly add a few things without rhyme or reason; just add color and it's done.

BIG BLAQ show and Dreamland

2010-08-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

Phew, that was close; I thought the scanner was a lost cause, but like a lot of things in life sometimes you gotta go in through the back door cause the front door is jammed. Anyway, I have another show tomorrow called BIG BLAQ at Urbanocity in Saint Paul. Local B lack artists come together to exhibit work that is no smaller than 32x40 inches.

Kitsune

2010-07-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

I drew this because I've had an interesting fascination with the fox for a little while now. I started and then put it on hiatus to get ready for two upcoming shows (and then I started another drawing).

PEEP SHOW

2010-07-08T15:35:00.000-07:00

I will be showing 3 erotic pieces in a show called The Peep Show at the Cult Status Gallery (2913 Harriet Avenue S) This Friday at 8pm. I will be showing 3 of my erotic pieces and there will be free donuts!!!!

Gay Pride Festival was awsome

2010-06-27T15:38:00.000-07:00

Showing my work at the pride festival this weekend was lots of fun. I met plenty of interesting and nice people and I enjoyed myself despite the suffocating heat. Normally, I don't enjoy fairs and festivals where you have to buy booth space in order to show your work; it's a good way to make money (which I did), but it's exhausting. One thing about these fairs that is extremely important to understand for those selling artwork is that it helps you see and know your audience. Lots of different kinds of people go to festivals especially if they're free admission, and for the first time I got to meet people that like what I do and want to see more of it. So from this point on my summer is mostly going to consist of festivals and fairs; I joined an artist congregation called TAWU (The Artists Within Us) a few weeks ago and we will be spending the entire summer at as many of these fairs in Minneapolis as possible. Next is the Powderhorn Art Fair in the first weekend of August. It's all about exposure and having tons of people see what you're doing; they may not always buy something, but that's why business cards were invented.

I want to thank everyone who came out for pride and supported my work; it was really nice to meet all of you and learn more about the people that enjoy what I do. Hopefully I'll see you all at the upcoming summer events and I hope to have many more prints of other pieces by then. I hope you all had a wonderful pride :)

21st Birthday (SOLD)

2010-05-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

If you absolutely have the desire to get me a gift for my B-Day... Everything drawn in this picture will do quite nicely ;)

Santa Muerte

2010-05-01T11:44:00.000-07:00

I drew this for one reason only...

Because a female Grim Reaper is fucking awesome.

Happy Easter (SOLD)

2010-04-25T18:22:00.000-07:00

I think maybe I should've given her a tail but I didn't want it to seem like a reference to Playboy (Besides, I like Hustler better).

Cute Little Fuckers

2010-01-18T16:08:00.000-08:00

As those who have spoken to me in casual conversation can attest, I swear a lot. However, I clean it up considerably when I'm around children, at work and generally when I'm speaking to people that I'm not very well acquainted with.

Take With You Your Sweet Nostalgia (SOLD)

2010-01-01T13:17:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Let's hope that this one is even more productive and successful then the last.

Anubis: God of the Underworld

2009-12-23T12:32:00.000-08:00

It started by drawing my dog with a ball in his mouth... the rest just sort of happened.

Life Savings (SOLD)

2009-12-17T18:48:00.001-08:00

People call me cheap, but when you have nothing to spend common sense would tell you that refraining from making purchases is smart.

Lizzie Borden's Bakery

2009-12-12T03:03:00.000-08:00

Mostly, I just really wanted to draw a red velvet cake after I had the one my dad made for Thanksgiving (needless to say drawing the cake was the most fun). After that I kind of lost my enthusiasm.

Still in Wonderland

2009-12-11T12:27:00.001-08:00

Remember Always in Wonderland? Well, this is part two.

Merry Christmas... sort of

2009-12-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

This was going to be part of a series that combined Christmas imagery with my greatest fears in life. I'm not sure if I'm still going to do this, I've recently received a lot on my plate.

Cheshire Cat Prototype

2009-12-04T20:31:00.000-08:00

This is the very first image I've ever done of The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland for a class back at art school. He's my favorite character from that book and there is going to be a lot more of him around here because I'm so proud of the way he looks. My version of the Cheshire cat (and I'm not sure if I've said this before) is not bloated and creepy looking like the original illustrations and the Disney version. I wanted him to be sleek and even a bit handsome. This image was done in gouache which looks really nice and clean, but takes a lot of time so I don't use it often.

Holiday art sale at the color wheel... AND I'M IN IT!!!!!!

2009-11-29T12:38:00.000-08:00

This will be the first art show I will have ever exhibited my art in and I'm really excited. I'm selling prints at an affordable cost, you will see the likes of Why I Fell in Love, The Butter Thief, Alice in Wonderland, Salome and John The Baptist, Rapunzel, and The Green Fairy. The show's reception is on December 12th and 13th and runs through the 27th. I just got everything in so it's official, and it was really nice to see everything framed and professional looking.

Why I Fell In Love

2009-11-11T12:20:00.000-08:00

This lovely image was done for a project in painting class, though there's actually no paint in it. In the assignment the class was asked to choose images from magazines that we were attracted to and use those images to make a painting.

Gluttony

2009-10-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

I guess I was hungry that day...

The Green Fairy aka Your Heart Belongs to Me... and it's not FUCKING FAIR!!!!!

2009-10-15T15:40:00.000-07:00

I hardly ever draw alcohol (namely because I hardly ever drink alcohol). That's why I draw food... and boobs.

Forgotten Language

2009-10-06T12:49:00.000-07:00

These are old drawings I did while I was attending art college. It was an illustration for the Shel Silverstein poem Forgotten Language.
It was a two page spread with the full illustration on one page and the poem with a mini illustration on the bottom left hand corner on the other page.

I Choose Chocloate

2009-09-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

I'm the color of chocolate; I don't know about you, but that's just fine with me. :)

Rapunzel

2009-09-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

To spend all eternity straightening an enormous afro only to have some dude climb it. He better find himself an elevator.

Final Stage: A Place to Heal Shaded

2009-08-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

It took me a while to get this up. School has just started for me and I've been spending this whole week trying to get my schedule in order so it makes sense. The original concept for this piece was done about 3 years ago when I needed to heal the most. I never finished it and moved on forgetting all about it. Fast forward to 2 and a half years later in the winter of 2008 when I found it and decided to revamp it. Most of the image stayed the same but again I didn't finish it. Fast forward again to about 3 weeks ago when I found the first revamped unfinished piece and decided to attempt to finish it. It was then that it occurred to me that the picture needed more of an entire overhaul and to be updated. Since I have now been blessed enough to know what it feels like to finally heal I was finally about to take this piece to completion, and I think it's finally where it should be.

Stage 3: A Place to Heal in Color

2009-08-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

This is by far the most unattractive part of the process. It's streaky and blotchy and often frustrating to look at. Normally, I'm not at this stage very long because of these reason, but I take solace in the fact that by tomorrow it should be finished. It won't look anywhere near this when it's finished and most of these colors will be darker or lighter depending on the way I shade and light everything. The parts that have no color are either undecided or I didn't have the color in marker. I use Faber Castel and Tombow art markers because they blend well and absorb well into the paper. Everything will be less blotchy and streaky when I'm finished.

Stage 2: A Place to Heal Inked

2009-08-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

I'm probably the biggest fan of my inking style, and of great inked line in general. It really makes details pop. I used to ink with single, thin lines but it didn't look very good especially on bristol paper, but thicker line on cold pressed paper is much better because it absorbs ink well. The best thing about using those thicker lines is that it can cover and fix a lot of mistakes made in the inking and even in the coloring process. I used a colored ink pen for the flame and the bubbles because I want them to look less cartoonish when I add the color. Inking is a way of cleaning things up and making the vision in you mind and on the page more clear.

Stage 1: A Place to Heal in Pencil

2009-08-21T13:51:00.000-07:00

I should have done this a long time ago, but I think it's time for me to show my process. I think it would have been more effective if I decided to do this yesterday when this image was nothing but unrefined circles and squares, but I didn't think about it until just now. So, this is how it starts out for the most part, as you can see I'm a perfectionist and there's a good chance that this image will change throughout the rest o f the process. Since I'm still in the pencil stage I'll be lucky if I don't feel the need to make some changes.

Salome and the Head of John The Baptist

2009-08-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

I just let the idea fall to the wayside until Friday night when I figured it all out and made some note about what it would eventually be.

Always in Wonderland

2009-08-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

No matter where I go I always end up feeling out of my element and lots of strange, adventure scenario type things happen.

Heartbreak Cafe Menu

2009-08-04T17:21:00.000-07:00

I got kinda pissed off thinking about how if my heart was a person I would do awful things to it for getting me into all sorts of emotional trouble... then I got hungry.

The Real Spider Man (SOLD)

2009-07-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

I hate spiders... except this one cause he's hot and likes kittens. I could overlook multiple limbs and eyes for that.

The Cheshire Cat

2009-07-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Cheshire Cat is my favorite character in Alice in Wonderland, it comes from that part of me that wishes I could have a guide to help me through life's more perplexing occurrences... through riddles I can't figure out.

Butterfly Man Wildflower Woman

2009-07-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

Everyone really likes this one and I've been trying to figure out why I haven't been able to makes something like this again.

November (Voodoo Cutie)

2009-06-26T09:59:00.000-07:00

I should draw white hair and red accents more often.

September (The Company of Wolves)

2009-06-18T11:57:00.001-07:00

Little Red Ridding Hood is my favorite of all the fairy tales.

June (aka Mr. and Mrs. Cocoabutter)

2009-06-18T11:54:00.002-07:00

I don't know why he's squeezing peach juice into her hand. Sometimes that's how you know he loves you... with juices.

May (aka The Butter Theif)

2009-06-18T11:54:00.001-07:00

Even though it doesn't seem like it and even though it was not my intention there are apparent sexual connotations in this piece. Krishna is one of the coolest of all the gods and not just because he's blue or because I put butter on everything.

I'd marry him if he were real and didn't already have 1000 wives... and 1 husband.