EXPERIMENTATION

First of all, I hope all of you are okay in the Northeast! It's stressful just to watch the news about Sandy, and I'm thinking about you. We mostly worry about tornadoes in central Texas rather than hurricanes since we obviously lack in the water department.

On a much lighter note, you all know that it's not my usual way to put color in my fashion illustrations...but, I figure experimentation is good! After watching this jaw-dropping video about fashion illustrating by Yelen Aye, I definitely want to practice as much as possible.

Anything you've been experimenting with lately?

ALMOST FINISHED

I worked on this illustration (originally shot by Hilda Randulv) so quickly at first, and then I slowed down. That usually happens with a lot of my work, and it seems to me that the start and the finish (especially the finish) are the hardest obstacles to overcome when working on any type of project. Does it happen to you that way also? Anyway, this is the point where I left off. Remember how it was in the beginning?

It's about time to finish her up, I'd say! Hope you all are enjoying your Monday...and for those of you near the storms, I hope you're safe and sound! We're thinking about you down here in Texas.

SHE IS

I fidgeted in the small black chair with x-legs, trying to figure out what to do with my hands. I can't believe I'm about to see her... I thought.

One hour prior to the event, I had gawked at the outdoor display of Garance, beautiful and striking in its simplicity. Dallas's skies threatened to thunder and storm, and after grabbing the camera from the car, looking both ways across the road, and running up toward Neiman Marcus in my black heels, I tripped on the uneven asphalt. @#$^!! Am I really going to fall all over the place before I even get inside? Now cautiously walking in order to avoid unwanted falls, I snapped a few photos of the display, jogged back to the car, and tossed the camera back into the trunk.

Huddling myself against the wind, I made my way to the glass entryway and pulled the heavy door open. Neiman Marcus was filled with designer fashion...things I loved to look around at, but caused me to wince in pain with after checking price tags. I wonder if this coat...$1,795. Nope, never mind. I'll just have to wander around until the event starts and refuse the lure of the clothes.

After hovering around all three levels of the store, every so often trying on baggy cashmere sweaters, checking tall floor-lenth mirrors to make sure my black pants were lint free, and cursing the barely visible stain on my denim shirt that I most likely acquired during the fast food stop, I check my watch and realized that I needed to get up to the third level to claim a seat.

I skipped to the escalators, hanging onto the black plastic rails. Gingerly stepping from the escalator step onto the glassy surface of the tiled floors, I noticed that the rolled out carpet leading to the stage labeled with Garance's name was flanked with servers dressed in black, holding white champaign and wine. Gripping my sketchbook and purse close to my body, I politely refused the drinks, and made my way toward the seating arrangement.

Now here I was, back in my seat. I checked the chairs around me, filled with fashionable women. Some were sitting in groups, others alone, like myself. I was, in fact, waiting for my friend I had known from college to show up. Annnytime now. There were interesting people all around me: a woman in a khaki trench coat who was in marketing, another who was filling in for her fashionista daughter, who was unable to attend, and two friends; one with perfect eyebrows wearing her Versace blouse while occasionally sipping champaign from the slender glass, the other in a stunning black dress, fire engine red lipstick with a tint of orange, and a black ponytail. We all talked about Garance, our jobs, and our interests. I felt a small tap on my should, and was elated at the arrival of my friend.

"Sooo good to see you!!" Anna said, embracing me. We glanced around the room, trying to look for open spots in order to sit together. After finding open seats, I waved at the women around me, we quickly exchanged business cards, and Anna and I ducked into our new seats.

Just a few seconds later, following the stylish interviewer sporting black-rimmed glass, red lips, and a high bun, Garance appeared, wearing her designer navy blazer, short flowy skirt, and pointed heels. Contrary to her usual signature bun, her hair was let down in dark, shiny curls pushed behind her ears.

Yes, she was everything and more I had thought she was. Beautiful and humorous in person, she was also humble and entirely relatable, telling the story of when she received her first pair of Converse shoes as a teenager. "I'm so cool, I'm SO COOL!" she recalled, referring to her former 15-year-old thoughts, noting that her small town in Corsica where she grew up was void of any type of fashion, and that her friend's mother had brought the Converse shoes back from a trip to Paris.

I excitedly sat in my chair, ever so often snapping photos with my phone, recording short videos, and restraining the urge to grab Anna's arm out of eagerness. Before I knew it, Garance had answered all the questions asked by the interviewer, described her fashion approach displayed on the models on the carpeted catwalk, and it was suddenly time to jump in line to speak to Garance face to face. Anna and I caught up as much as we could about her life in Dallas, my life in San Antonio, and what we would say to Garance when our turn came up. "My legs are shaking," I whimpered to Anna. "Is it dorky that I made an illustration of her to sign?"

"Nooo!" Ahh. She always made me feel better, just as she had when we used to share all-nighters in the studios, editing floor plans and perspectives for our interior design finals.

Before I knew it, we had met with Garance, who was warm and supportive. There are so many positive ways to describe her, but just to keep it short, I'll just say that she is absolutely amazing.

Was the five-hour drive worth the meeting? Yes, a thousand times over.

GRINDAD

This past Sunday, we gathered under protected shade of the tree planted by my mother-in-law’s family generations ago in the tiny Texas town called Knox City.

The wind was blowing constantly. With its unison of the sound of a car or semi-truck passing by every so often, I could barely hear Bill’s stories about Grindad, who passed last week. Bill, Grindad’s brother, had a slew of stories to tell. The time Grindad went hunting, and everyone thought he was lost when they were boys. “I’m not lost—the dogs are!” Grindad had said, upon being found by the others. Those years Grindad cared for Bozo, the ferocious dog, controllable and compatible only with Grindad.

Despite his driven and stubborn nature, we all knew Grindad was a kind and loving man. As my heels dug into the dry dirt and crunchy grass, and the wind once again masked Bill’s story-telling, I thought of the last time I saw Grindad in the nursing home a few weeks earlier. I had followed my mother-in-law and husband through the straight, carpeted corridors toward Grindad’s room located on the left wall directly after we had made a right turn in the corridor. “Knock, knock!” my mother-in-law said, in a hushed voice. We entered the room, and Grindad greeted us while we hugged him and stood near the bed. I bent down to hug him, and he took my hand and brought it up to his lips for a small kiss.

He reminds me of my grandfather on my dad’s side, who would always say, “Look at you…you’re just beautiful!”

Bill’s voice drifted back. “…And here’s the pocket watch he found while he was in the war in Germany. I’ll pass it around so you all can see.”

Bill said a few more words, and we applauded him for sharing the memories. My uncle-in-law, Tommy, got up to say a few last words about his dad after thanking Bill for the stories. Tommy explained that Grindad used to wear suspenders every day to work, despite the fact that his pants were already held up by a supportive belt. “I think we should pay tribute to Dad and take a few pictures with suspenders,” Tommy said, swallowing the emotion in his voice.

It’s funny how members of the family turn out dramatically different, yet still somewhat similar. My mother-in-law, who is more tuned with nice suits and ties, had given in to her younger brother’s idea the night before. As all the boys fumbled with the suspenders and helped each other fasten the bouncy elastic to their belt-lines, I helicoptered around them, simultaneously snapping photos for fear of losing the memory.

I’m sure Grindad must have been all grins seeing his boys (his brother, son, sons-in-law, and grandsons) wearing those suspenders just like he had years ago.

We all did what he would have wanted; we met and caught up with family under the tree, said our goodbyes to those staying in the town, and then went back home to spend the rest of the night together as a family.

The next morning, I went with my mother-in-law to pick up the Mexican food we would bring back home for lunch before my husband and I had to go back to San Antonio. As my mother-in-law talked to me from the black leather driver’s seat of her silver Jetta, every so often sipping her Diet Coke wrapped in a napkin and placing it back in the cup holder, I stared out at the expansive, misty sky through the rain-speckled windshield. It was beautiful…just like a sign that Grindad was doing just fine.

ANNA

Happy Friday!! Sooo, I finally have a new illustration and short story for you on this beautiful day! The drawing is based on the gorgeous and sweet Anna, who you might already recognize from In Honor of Design. Thanks for giving me the okay to illustrate you, Anna! And for the rest of you, I hope you have an amazing weekend. :)

From the clear view in the kitchen, her parents looked at their daughter, in a poised stance among the bustling group of sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins, with her son plastered on to her stylish jeans. As she leaned down and pushed the dark hair out of her son's eyes lined with long lashes, her mother remembered how she used to do the same thing to her daughter more than two decades ago.

Without removing her glance from the living room, her mother lightly squeezed the hand of her father. They continued to look at their surroundings, taking it all in, lest they forget this moment.

Neither parent had to say a word. What a triumph their life and marriage had been. They had such a large family filled with loving children, with Anna being the catapult of personality and generosity.

Following their lingering for a few more moments, her mother and father turned toward the freshly-painted white cabinets to reach for the white plates speckled with blue porcelain flecks. They readied the table as the rest of the family flocked to the airy kitchen, and the sounds of laughter, clinking glass and silverware, and the rustle of napkin arranging filled the room.

In their wiser age, Anna’s parents beamed with happiness. This is what their purpose had been; not to be wildly rich, as they had once been convinced, but to be surrounded with their loving family. No amount of money could buy this type of joy. 

JUST POPPING IN TO SAY...

...and to give you an update on a little painting I'm on working on at the moment. Recognize her? ;) Next time you see her, she'll have a bit of pen and colored acrylic in addition to the watercolor!

Oh, and I'm totally listening to this song right now. Go listen to it!

Okay, byyyeee!

I'M BAAACK!

Hi, guys! SO, how have you all been up to?? I know for a fact that I’ve missed so much going on in my blog world, and it feels amazing to be back on track. Thank you all so much for your encouragement, as always!!

While I was away, I pondered what I should do to take my blog and art in the right direction, and I think I was able to penetrate the surface of my worries and insecurities somewhat. Of course, it’s hard to feel perfect about everything, but that’s the point of learning and growing, isn’t it? Most importantly, I learned that I shouldn’t be so timid to keep experimenting with my method of doing things. That’s the best way to learn…trial and error, don’t you think?

Thank you all so much for staying with me through the break and from the moment I started my blog. Honestly, I was astounded when I hit the number of 15 followers in the beginning. That should be a lesson in and of itself! You just have to keep scratching the surface of what you only fathom could be possible and keep learning and working persistently along the way.

In honor of unwinding a bit, I think it’s time to let you guys know a bit more about me. Some sweet blog friends of mine nominated me for the Liebster Award quite a while ago, and I’ve been meaning to answer their questions. So thank you, Cathy of Cathy Trails, Camille at Wildflower Diaries, and Ines at SimplyClassyMe!

Before I start, I’d like to share a few things about these beautiful people:

Cathy: I have to say I love your outlook of life entirely! You are effervescent, full of happiness and positive potential, and you bring that to everyone you come in contact with. Just by reading your posts, my mood is instantly lifted, and I want to better myself and keep going when I see people like you.

Camille: You have a heart filled to the brim with love and kindness, and I look up to you for your missionary work and encouragement to those who need your help and care. It’s definitely not often to hear about people who dream of being a youth worker in Kenya, and it takes a strong will and heart to take such a genuine and giving path in life. Your bubbly personality never stops to make me smile, and your call in life warms my heart. One more thing…I LOVE the way you take your photos. That’s one thing that I hope to master!

Ines: Oh, my dear! You were one of the first supporters of my work, and I look up to you for more reasons than I can count on my fingers. You are a strong and loving wife, mother, and daughter, and I love the way you reference your family with immense love. Your sense of fashion is timeless and won’t dare to grow old, and I admire you for becoming an architect—a career you always wanted ever since you were a child. Your pull of inspiration is phenomenal, and I would die to see your architectural work as well. What an encouragement you are to me. I hope to be the mother, wife, and passionate worker that you are! Abrazos y besos (hugs and kisses)!!

Now then…here are my answers to questions asked by Cathy, Camille, and Ines:

Cathy asked:

1. Would you rather have super strength or super intelligence? Super intelligence! Physical strength can pretty much wither over time (as does beauty), and I think a sharp mind is a major component of the building blocks that propel the world forward.

2. What is one possession you cannot live without? Does my dog count? I love to talk to people…and since I work from home during the days, she’s the only one I can bounce ideas of off (even though she isn’t that keen on my thoughts unless it involved a green bouncy ball). I do love to chat with my other design-oriented friends on the phone if I run into problems, but then we end up getting distracted from work.

3. What is the most touching movie you have ever seen? I get emotional all the time, which makes me question why I don’t carry tissues with me at all times. The most recent movie that made me wipe the back of my hands across my face and nose was The Descendants.

4. Are you an old soul or a new soul?  Ha! I don’t quite understand what the means. I must be out of the times! I just looked up what other people thought it meant…as an old soul referring to a person that’s comfortable in their own skin and wise beyond their years versus a new soul, meaning a person who generally fits to conformity and has big goals and dreams in their future. That being said, I must be a new soul. I’m still trying to discover myself, and I can’t stop thinking about the future. There is so much to accomplish! Know what I mean?

5. What is your biggest accomplishment? Well. Speaking of accomplishments! I could say a lot of things that are shallow, meaningless, or braggy, but I have to say marrying my husband is my biggest and life-altering accomplishment. Much of the time, he’s a dreamer while I’m a realist…he was one of the main reasons I chose to pursue art.

6. Why did you start blogging? See number five in addition to the fact that I wanted to spread the audience base of my art and share ideas with other creative people around the world. You guys are such an amazing encouragement and driving force behind what I do on a day-to-day basis!

7. Who do you think is the sexiest female or male celebrity alive? I must be a bit lame, but I don’t really care for celebrities. Uh, can I say my husband? You know, since he’s my rockstar, ha.

8. Do you believe true love can last forever? Yes, I do. I only think it can work by overcoming hardships and communicating and loving one another unconditionally, though. A strong relationship takes a strong will and genuine care.

9. What's a quote that you live by everyday? "Work with passion. Indeed, become a passionista, wherever you find yourself right now." -Mark Cohen
Got that one from a small book I was flipping through for my very last paper in grad school. That phrase can be applied to all aspects of life, don’t you think?

10. If you could give a person only one piece of advice, what would it be?  See number 8.

11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?  Oh man, I used to always say near a beach, but now I’m not sure. I think instead of basing my dream city on appearances, I would most love to be in a place surrounded by family and friends.

12. What is your favorite meal? A Filipino meal that my mom is insanely good at making called sinagong. It has ribs and all types of veggies mixed in with a mouthwatering soup. Throw it all on a bed of rice in a bowl, and I’m so happy.

Camille asked:

1. Do you have a nickname? I used to only allow friends that had known me forever and very well to call me Danie (short for Danielle), but I’ve changed my selective ways. I love being called Danie by everyone now. My husband calls me Panda sometimes, and we really have no idea how that started…

2. What camera do you use [and what's your favorite lens]? Nikon D60. I don’t have a favorite lens yet…there’s still so much to learn!

3. Are you in to all things organic? I love to try and be healthy, but I’m usually the person that grabs fruit and vegetables that aren’t organic because they’re more readily available and cheaper. Oops!

4. Is denim on denim for reals a thing now? I would’ve said no this time last year, but I sort of love it now…as long as it’s different shades! You won’t see me wandering around in light on light or dark on dark.

5. Are elephants just like the best things ever or what? They’re pretty great. Did you know they cry out of happiness when they reunite with one another after years of separation? Incredible, huh?

6. Are you wearing astronaut pants? [because your donk is outta this world] Okay. What now?

7. What's your favorite blog post that you've done so far? Hhhm, I can’t say I have an absolute favorite! I really love my Art + Short Story posts whenever I’m able to get around to making them on Fridays.

8. Hey, how you doin? Hey, awesome! How YOU doin'?

9. If you were trapped in a room with a spider and nothing else, what would you do? Don’t ask me that. Act like a girl, of course.

10. What is something that made you happy today?  Well, since I typed this up last night, I'll say sitting in bed after work with my guy and the dog while we watched a couple of shows together. He got to pick one show and I chose the other. That's fair!

And last but certainly not least, Ines asked:

1. Why do you blog? See my answer to Cathy’s question #8.

2. What’s your favorite way to spend a Saturday? Waking up after 8 AM, making a big breakfast with my husband, and going to coffee shops to work on art and catch up on reading. If I’m not feeling too lazy, I love to spend the night with friends while we make dinner together and watch movies.

3. Are you a night owl or an early bird? I definitely used to be a night owl, but that’s changed. I wouldn’t say I like to get up at 5 AM either, though. I do want to train myself to learn to want to be an early riser.

4. What is on your bedside table? My sketchbook, an issue of Entrepreneur magazine, Falling Up by Shel Silverstein, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and The Success Principles by Jack Canfield, a small white canvas lamp with a silver base, and a triangular white porcelain bowl that holds a pretty little rock from the beach in San Francisco, a few hair ties, and bobby pins.

5. Have you ever travelled to a foreign country? Fortunately, yes.

6. If yes, where? The Philippines when I was 2, Mexico in my teens, and all over the US growing up. I know the US technically doesn’t count, but it differs so much from state to state that I thought I might as well add it. We’re in the middle of planning a trip to Europe this coming July, and I’m beyond excited! 

7. Sea or mountains. Sea

8. Favorite chore. Vacuuming. You can dance and sing while pushing it all over the place, AND it's overwhelmingly satisfying to see dust getting sucked into oblivion.

9. Least favorite chore. Putting up clothes. I don’t really mind the washing and drying, but our closets always look somewhat disheveled. I feel like I'm always trying to re-fix everything in the closets.

10. What's your favorite place in the world? Our home.

11. If you could change something about you or your life, what would it be? You know, as much as I want to gain recognition and praise, I don’t think I would change anything. I’m blessed with everything I have and to have experienced so much in life. Guess you just have to keep moving forward to get to your goals!

Thank you girls again for the nomination! I feel so loved.

Whew, it’s good to be back! I’ve missed you all!