Michelle Lana Illustration Blog

Getting Ready for Sketchbook!

2010-08-22T10:51:00.001-07:00

I finally received my sketchbook from the good folks at The Sketchbook Project. The theme I chose is: "A Day in the Life Of..."
It's going to be a great project and I will start drawing right away. Anyone - from anywhere in the world - can be a part of the project. Check it out »

Personal Project: A Baby Sprinkle

2010-03-28T05:40:00.000-07:00

I recently did a shower invite for my friend - I had no idea A Sprinkle Celebration is a little different than a traditional baby shower celebration. But, nonetheless, I was honored once again to provide a cute little invite for her 2nd baby. Here's a snippet of the card for her Sprinkle Celebration!

What Inspired Me Today?

2010-01-21T18:39:00.000-08:00

My good friend and colleague, Cynthia Sheppard, (her artwork above) inspired me to experiment on my drawing techniques and to dabble in a variety of drawing styles and subjects for good practice. Cynthia is a remarkable Fantasy Illustrator and am a big fan of her work. We briefly talked about art and drawing today at work and from that brief moment I learned that I should not limit myself to only one style or subject and I should probably use a combination of different techniques, focus on a different subject matter, and basically just try something new and out of the ordinary. This is probably a great idea to loosen up those drawing muscles a bit, right?

As an artist, you've always got to keep your artwork as fresh as the day it was created. Here are some examples of the things I've done to keep myself motivated:

1. Finding Inspiration - exposing yourself to many different drawing styles or taking art classes or even just walking outside and looking at nature.

2. Setting Your Own Goals - set yourself up with a personal project and a designated due date and recreate something that you see everyday. Maybe it's redesigning an existing children's book cover, your favorite magazine, or even your favorite commercial product to get those ideas rolling...

3. Learn Different Things - try using a different medium for a change, try drawing a different subject matter and get out of that comfort zone. If you're the one who loves to draw cute and fuzzy characters, maybe try drawing something gorey and scary for a change!

4. Work Those Drawing Muscles - very important! Practice, practice, and practice... Draw something at least once a day even if it's just a rough sketch on a piece of napkin.

So, what do you guys do for motivation and how do you keep your artwork fresh? Would love to hear your thoughts!

IF: Pioneer - Benjamin Franklin

2009-12-30T17:05:00.001-08:00

Benjamin Franklin was a pioneer in the study of electricity and renowned for his many contributions throughout history. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. Benjamin Franklin is truly one of America's most influential Founding Fathers.

Sir Isaac Newton: Gravity

2009-12-30T12:21:00.000-08:00

I've noticed a lot of people have been contacting me about this illustration I did a while back on Sir Isaac Newton. I think a couple of students who contacted me needed it for a school project and/or a presentation. I am truly grateful that this cartoon turned out to be pretty useful and just because of this I have decided to do a series of illustrations depicting influential individuals of all time. With that being said, I am going to start with Benjamin Franklin, a pioneer in the study of electricity.

Stay tuned...

Featured on Illustration Island

2009-12-30T11:57:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Thomas James from Illustration Island for featuring my site on his blog - "The 8th Element of an Effective Portfolio Website." Illustration Island also featured the 7 Elements of an Effective Porfolio Website and has mentioned lots of great tips on how to present your work and how to achieve an awesome portfolio site.

Thank you to Thomas James for his creative input!
Click here to read about the post »

IF-CRUNCHY Breakfast

2009-12-06T16:53:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays

2009-12-05T05:24:00.000-08:00

I'm saying this a little early, but Happy Holidays everyone! May you have a safe and prosperous New Year!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

Here's an oldie but goodie drawing I did back in 2006. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

IF-Unbalanced: Humpty Dumpty

2009-11-15T06:51:00.001-08:00

IF: BLURred Vision

2009-11-08T16:35:00.001-08:00

"Honey, can you pass the salt, please?"

Michelle Back in the Day!

2009-11-06T04:54:00.000-08:00

I have been drawing ever since I was small, but I think it all came together during my Sophomore Year in High School when I joined Mr. Burns' Journalism Class and became the first cartoonist in Thomas Edsion High School to grace its newspapers with monthly comic strips. I wanted to compile a couple of old sketches that I have done from the very beginning and see how my characters evolved throughout the years. It hasn't changed much, really, but I think I have made some improvements along the way. I hope you like them!

Click here to view »

New Site Launch!

2009-11-02T06:39:00.000-08:00

Hello guys! I have finally completed my website re-design and right on my target date of Nov. 1, 2009. Thank you to all who helped me out during the creative process. I couldn't have done it without you. Hope you guys like it. Enjoy.
Visit Michelle's New Site Here!

Happy Birthday, Big Brother!

2009-10-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

Today is my brother's birthday. Happy Birthday, Kuya Chuck.
I miss you. Rest in Peace.
Oct 23, 1968 to Sept 15, 2006

Character 2: Sesame Street (Personal Work)

2009-09-06T06:58:00.001-07:00

A good friend of mine asked me to draw some Sesame Street ® characters for her son's 2nd birthday. I was more than grateful to help out. I used to watch Sesame Street ® back in Manila everyday after school. Those were good ol' times.

Sesame Street ® characters copyright Sesame Street.
This artwork was created for personal use only.

Character 1: A Tribute to Sweeney Todd

2009-08-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

You guys know I am ALL INTO anything cute and chubby - which is pretty apparent in my cartoons/illustrations. But, on the other hand, I am also a big fan of anything gory. I know I do not show it as much in my work, but I love a little bit of horror and goo from time to time. So, with that being said, I will post my first art challenge and showcase "Sweeney Todd." I loved the movie and hope you guys like my little rendition! (of course, I still have to keep the cuteness in there somewhere) :) Enjoy.

Stay tuned for next week's character...

A Challenge: 1 Character a Week for 1 Year

2009-08-09T06:47:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I have decided to do a small challenge for myself. Since I haven't been participating on IF or Monday Artday and all the cool drawing blogs, I really have to push myself to practice drawing again. So, with that being said, I will challenge myself to draw 1 character a week for 1 year. It will be sort of like drawing on a Munny® - I"ll keep the same shape and just draw different characters for 1 year. I think this will be a good practice for me and get my pencils sharpened again. So, I really don't know what i'm getting myself into, but here we go....let's do this!

Start project: August 24, 2009
End project: August 24, 2010
Characters: 52

Stay tuned...

The Art of Cynthia Sheppard

2009-06-11T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, please check out the cool and awesome works of my good friend and colleague, Cynthia Sheppard. She is an awesome Fantasy Illustrator and a great designer! Check out her work here: Visit Cynthia's Site Here!

~ Cheers!

IF - CRACKED

2009-05-24T08:55:00.001-07:00

IF: Heirarchy - The Bat Team

2009-05-06T19:40:00.000-07:00

I guess Bat Girl calls the shots after all...

New Web Project: Mind Blowin Xperience DJ Services

2009-05-05T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!
A good friend of mine wanted to redesign his site so I was honored to help and give his site some cosmetic updates. I previously did his first site long ago when there were "tables" :) So, I obviously needed to upgrade him to CSS and just created a simple and cleaner site. (which reminds me, I will need to upgrade my own site very soon too!)

My good friend, Carlin Hertz, is a DJ here in the DC Metro Area. If you guys need any DJ services, Carlin is the perfect guy for you! He is truly awesome. I still need to fix the contact form at the bottom and do some minor tweaks, but other than that, http://www.djnferno.com is LIVE and ready to roll!
Pls visit his site and take a look around! If you have a special event coming up and need any DJ Services, Carlin Hertz is the one to call!

Cheers!

IF - Theater/Theatre: Hamlet by William Shakespeare

2009-04-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

HI guys. I couldn't help but draw Hamlet for this week's IF. Hope you like it! Cheers.

I Heart Dirty Code

2009-04-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

I can totally understand the frustration with website designs concerning CSS layouts and browser compatibility issues. It is a lot to learn and I am sure everyone has gone through a lot of trials, lots of testing, and basically just making everything work. I recently got scolded by a programmer because I used a z-index and absolute positioning in one of my sites. I did not think there was anything wrong with it, but he mentioned it was a "dirty code" and not to use it ever again! So, ok. I got it. No more using z-index. I felt like a kid wearing a dunce cap :) But, oh well, I got a nice t-shirt graphic out of it at least....

IF - Impossibility

2009-04-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

"It's just not going to work out..."

Can't wait for Halloween!

2008-10-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

Baby Shower Poster

2008-09-07T08:21:00.001-07:00

And here is the coordinating poster to go with the baby shower card....

Baby Shower Card

2008-09-07T08:06:00.001-07:00

Hi guys! Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Will promise to do more posts soon! Here's a baby shower invite I made for one of my friends - she had a Star Wars theme and I had a lot of fun doing this one. Hope you guys like it.

Shorts

2008-06-02T18:36:00.001-07:00

Back in Manila, when I was about 13 years old, I used to have a crush on my mom's boss' son. He was about 17 years old and was soooo cute. His name was Marsh. I used to die just looking at him, especially during that time when the long board shorts (with large flower prints) were the coolest thing :) He was just so refreshing to look at :)

ThunderCats Series: Cheetara

2008-04-05T13:46:00.001-07:00

Hey there ATC folks! Here's Cheetara... Hope you like it.

IF: HOMAGE to all your favorite 80's cartoons

2008-04-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I was really an avid fan of all the 80's cartoons. I was about 9 or 10 and you know... growing up with 2 older brothers, I always ended up watching Transformers or Super Friends :)

But of course, I also enjoyed watching Care Bears and Smurfs and I also LOVED ThunderCats! Do you guys still remember? I loved Lion-O and Cheetara the best! :) And I thought Lion-O was so cute :) Here's a tribute to good ol' Lion-O! Cheers!

-More ThunderCats series to come....

IF - GARDEN of Eden :)

2008-03-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

Hi guys! It's great to be back! Hope everyone's doing ok. I've missed you guys :)

ATC Posts! Japanese Theme

2008-03-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

Monday Artday ATC trade!

2008-02-16T07:26:00.000-08:00

HI guys! Hop on over to Mike R. Baker's group theme ATC and start trading. ATC theme is Japanese. See you all there!
-Michelle

Monday Artday!

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-26T10:41:00.000-08:00

IF - Superstitious Rituals

2007-11-19T10:32:00.000-08:00

IF - The Cat in the HAT by Dr. Seuss

2007-11-02T15:50:00.000-07:00

Here's a tribute to Dr. Seuss...

All Souls Day - To my brother and grandma

2007-11-01T10:04:00.000-07:00

Today is All-Souls Day. We usually celebrate this day to remember our departed loved ones by paying a visit to the cemeteries, to light candles and place flowers on their graves. Since I am not able to visit my grandma in the Philippines and also my brother, Chuck, in Canada — I wanted to dedicate this post to them. To my grandma, Lucia and to my big brother, Chuck, I miss you and I love you always.
Rest in Peace.

- Mitchie

Hansel and Gretel

2007-10-30T15:51:00.001-07:00

Children's Book Spread Project for Illustrator Group Soup

I won at Monday Artday :)

2007-10-29T07:10:00.001-07:00

I won at MondayArtday! I won the contest for re-creating Monday Artday's logo in your "own" style. This challenge was a lot of fun, thanks Bearuh! You guys should come visit Monday Artday, it's super great and everyone is just awesome. Cool activities and themes every week! Visit Monday Artday hosted by Bearuh

Check out my winning piece!

Halloween Safety: for the trick or treater's...

2007-10-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

Before biting into that yummy milk chocolate, please don't forget to check and examine all of your candies! Make sure to eat only those treats in original, unopened packages. Have a safe and happy halloween!

IF: GROWing Zombies Drink Goop

2007-10-22T10:58:00.000-07:00

IF - Club Ghoul Grand OPENing!

2007-10-09T14:39:00.000-07:00

In Memory of Carlos "Chuck" Lana

2007-09-14T11:15:00.001-07:00

Today is my big brother's one year anniversary - I just wanted to dedicate this entry to him. I miss you Kuya Chuck and I love you always. October 23, 1968 to September 15, 2006.

If - Momentum

2007-09-12T14:35:00.001-07:00

IF - Alphabet: A is for Amy who fell down the stairs by Edward Gorey

2007-09-05T09:07:00.000-07:00

Hi guys...sorry been missing in action. It's been quite hectic at the homefront lately. I've missed you guys :) I am a huge fan of Edward Gorey and so this is a little rendition of Edward Gorey's famous Alphabet Book: The Gashlycrumb Tinies. Cheers!

PeppaFam Series: Chico Cherry

2007-08-09T09:43:00.001-07:00

This mild to medium heat Cherry Pepper is small, round, and bright red in color. Its shape resembles a cherry (hence the name...) and is considered extremely good in processing and pickling. Cherry Peppers, like Chico, are perfect for the home garden, but you will usually see them in the commercially canned pickled state sold at your local farm markets and grocery stores.

PeppaFam Series: Chi-Chi Cayenne

2007-08-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Grown mainly in Asia and India, these long, slender, and smoky Cayenne Peppers are a good source of instant heat. Cayenne Peppers, like Chi-Chi, are most often used in Cajun cooking and appears, in whole, in asian dishes. Seeds and veins are often removed in cooking because of its heat. Cayenne Peppers are thin-fleshed, acidic, and mainly used in powdered form (simply called Red Peppers).

PeppaFam Series: Pepe Poblano

2007-07-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

Originated from Mexico near the city of Pueblo, these mild, heart-shaped chiles is just one of those peppers with huge interiors perfect for stuffing delicious fillings (also known as picadillos). Some are filled with black beans, fresh steamed white corn kernels, cheese, garlic, onions, and many more...The poblano holds up well under grilling which enhances its velvety rich taste. Young poblanos such as Pepe, have dark green skin and mature to red or brown. Dried Poblanos are called Mulatos or Anchos and they are awesome ingredients for soup or sauces.

PeppaFam Series: Jay-Jay Jalapeno

2007-07-30T08:24:00.000-07:00

A little burst of spiciness, dark smooth skin, and a joy to taste is what makes this cute little green pepper among the top favorites. Jay-Jay Jalapeno usually hangs out at the soup/salad bars, potato chip/nacho aisles, local sandwich and sub places, movie theaters, and more...It's pretty obvious why he's the most popular pepper among many cooks, chefs, and consumers all around the world.

PeppaFam Series: Mr. Habanero

2007-07-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

A native of the Amazon basin, Mr. Habanero is one of the most intense and super-spicy chili peppers in the world. He enjoys being in a hot climate, but too much sun can be damaging to his skin. The Habanero's heat, its fruity, citrus-like flavor and floral aroma have made it a popular ingredient in hot sauces and spicy foods. Mr. Habanero also enjoys a cool glass of water from time to time.

Thinking Blogger Award

2007-07-12T10:28:00.001-07:00

HI everyone. Sorry for the late post on this but I wanted to thank my good friend, Emila Yusof, for giving me this Thinking Blogger Award and I am truly honored by this, Emila! Emila is super-talented and you can check out her work here and more details on this award: www.emilayusof.com

Here are the rules to participate in this award-giving ceremony: If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to 5 blogs that make you think. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme. Optional: Proudly display the ‘Thinking Blogger Award’ with a link to the post that you wrote. So, now, in honor of the Thinking Blogger Award, I will choose 5 more people to give this award to and showcase their cool blogs. Here goes:

1. Anette Heiberg
Anette Heiberg's illos are sooooooooo adorable and there are so many fun, colorful, sweet, and GREAT ILLOS in her website to see! Please check it out and you'll know what i'm talking about :)
Check out Wynlen's Site

2. Patricia Montero
Pati and Godo are such good friends of mine and I am delighted to give this award to them. Check out Pati's work guys...Lots of cool stuff in her portfolio and Godo is such a charmer - you'll see...
Check out Cabana Digital's Blog!

3. Elmyra Duff
I just can't get enough of Elmyra's characters. Her characters are just so intriguing — it will really pull you in...
You guys should go check out her work. Truly fab!!!!
Check out Elmyra Duff's Site

4. MrsB
I'm just lovin' the unique, fun, and whimsy style of Andi Butler (mrsb)! MrsB has tons of beautiful work loaded with delicious colors in her blog gallery. Don't forget to check out her blog.
Check out MrsB's Blog

5. Coloribus
You guys cannot miss Coloribus' work - they are all breathtaking and magical. Her pieces are so full of life, inspiring, and enchanting. Check out Coloribus' Blog!

Illustrator Group Soup

2007-07-07T03:58:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce a new illustrator group website —
www.illustratorgroupsoup.com
I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful and talented group and would like to thank the Group Soup Gang for all their hardwork in putting the site together. Illustrator Group Soup features eight illustrators: Astrid, Courtney, Diandra, Johanna, Leeza, Rebecca, Tricia and Me! Come and take a look at our blog, helpful links, and super cool artworks! Enjoy!

IF - Mr. Augustus Geeky

2007-07-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

HI guys! I'm back (for a little bit) - Today is actually my 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY here in IF and also my 100th POST! So amazing how time flies...Thank you to IF and to all the wonderful friends I made this year. You are all an inspiration to me... Cheers!

IF - SUITor

2007-06-08T21:34:00.002-07:00

Hey guys! I'm supposed to be on a blog break this June — But, I just couldn't help myself and had to draw this week's topic. Hope you guys like it! Seriously now, last drawing for the month. See you guys in July!

Blog Break!

2007-06-04T13:11:00.000-07:00

HI guys! I'm going to be missing out on some IF Illo's this June - I'm just getting ready to move to a new home and it's going to be a little hectic this month. I'll probably post some drawings and visit blogs from time to time, but will not be able to draw for IF for a while. So, til then — have a great summer and see you guys in July!

IF - Cars

2007-05-27T06:49:00.002-07:00

Blog Spotlight: Mike R Baker

2007-05-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

I am just so lucky to meet and bump into Mike R Baker through Illustration Friday. A super-talented and wonderful artist who's work showcases a lot of pizazzaz! You guys have got to check out his work – it is truly fabulous! Mike's style is fantastic and his technique – MAGNIFIQUE! And, gosh, his characters are ADORABLE! Please take a lookie everyone... Mike R Baker's Site

IF - Super Sour CITRUS Smoothie

2007-05-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

IF - Your friendly NEIGHBORhood Spiderman!

2007-05-05T19:21:00.000-07:00

IF - I still REMEMBER...

2007-05-02T21:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the late post, guys! I hope you like this one - I wanted to share with you some fine memories of my brothers and I when we were younger...

IF - POLARoid Shots

2007-04-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

Blog Spotlight: Katie McDee

2007-04-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

I stumbled upon Katie McDee's artwork on Illustration Friday not too long ago and I am so happy I did! Her work showcases TONS of fun characters with lots of charming details and her style is absolutely adorable. Check out her work guys! Katie McDee's Site!

Prayers for VA TECH

2007-04-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

IF - FORTUNE Teller

2007-04-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Blog Spotlight: Angela Matteson

2007-04-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

You guys have to check out Angela Matteson's illustrations! They're a delicious mix of traditional and bright digital work that is fun and endearing, charming and sweet. Her illustrations are truly amazing! You can see more of Angela's work in her blog! Visit Angela's Blog Here!

Blog Spotlight: Ginger Nielson

2007-04-06T11:35:00.000-07:00

Children's Book illustrator, Ginger Nielson, offers a mixture of traditional and digital media in her wonderful portfolio. Hop on over to her web site or blog site and discover amazing characters and atmospheres — powerful and enchanting images that just oozes with magic!!! Check out her work guys! Ginger's Site

IF - GREEN Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

2007-04-06T08:15:00.000-07:00

Blog Spotlight: Courtney Pippin-Mathur

2007-03-30T17:01:00.000-07:00

You guys want to see something spectacular? Courtney Pippin-Mathur has some SUPERB watercolor works and amazing illustrations in her portfolio. I just can't get enough of her work and I love her character style as well! Visit Courtney's Site guys and you'll see what i'm talking about. Courtney's Site

My Birthday Wish

2007-03-23T12:27:00.000-07:00

My birthday wish is to be one of the contestants on the Food Network Channel and compete in the Sugar/Cake Pastry contests and carry your cake across the table after you finish it :)

Well, I am officially 30 today. You know, I stopped drawing for a very long time and just did not have the passion and motivation for it anymore. But, when my brother, Chuck, died in September, my life suddenly turned upside down and everything around me seemed so hopeless. I felt so lost when he died but then the only thing that made me feel better was drawing. So, I did. I started to draw again and kept on drawing like there's no tomorrow. Illustration Friday came exactly at the right time for me and became my motivation to create, experiment, and de-stress and i'm just so happy for all the wonderful friends i've made as well. This year, I promised myself to work even harder, to forget about the bad times, to embrace the good times, and to keep praying. Life is still a little rough until now, but, I learned that I need to survive it and to survive it gracefully. My wonderful cousin once told me, "Sometimes it's so tiring to hope against what seems hopeless, but, that is what faith is — To continue believing even when the sun isn't shining."

So, here's to my 30th birthday! Lots of donuts and cakes and maybe even a glass of Pinot Noir! Thank you for all the wonderful messages guys! You all have been such an inspiration to me and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
- Cheers!

Blog Spotlight: Sherry Rogers Illustrations

2007-03-23T07:50:00.000-07:00

Sherry Rogers is a wonderful and talented illustrator for the Children's Market. She has illustrated three children's books and is currently working on her fourth. Sherry's delightful, informative, and vibrant illustrations will surely put a smile to all of the kids and adults as well! You can check out her books: If You Were a Parrot, Burro's Tortillas, and Counting Little Geckos. We cannot wait for your 4th book, Sherry! Your work is truly awesome. Check Out Sherry's Site

IF - TOTAL Carbs

2007-03-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ok - I don't know if you guys are going to believe me, but I CAN EAT 9 donuts (Krispy Kreme Original Glazed), 1 bowl of cereal (Cinnamon Oatmeal), 3 Filipino Sweet Rice Cakes, and a glass of Milk – all in one sitting. I am 5ft 1" tall and weigh 101 lbs and I did this because my brother double-dared me and said I was a teenie sissy girl.....Yup, after that he stopped calling me a sissy. :)

Blog Spotlight: Lil' Kim

2007-03-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

An eye-popping palette of bright colors, I just can't get enough of Lil' Kim's work! Lil' Kim has tons of wonderful watercolor creations and her collections delights me to no end! I especially love the one showed here! You can check out her site: Lil' Kim's Site
and also her blog: Lil' Kim's Blog

IF: A Wired Vampire

2007-03-09T18:18:00.000-08:00

"Honey, have you been biting people at the coffee shop again?"

Blog Spotlight: Pickledog by David Sones

2007-03-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

Eye-poppin' colors, fun and entertaining characters, and overall SUPERB illos — You guys have got to see Pickledog's (David Sones) work! I especially love the great textures in all of David's illustrations and the characters are truly amazing! Check out his work guys! Pickledog's Site

Mr. Taho

2007-03-05T14:46:00.000-08:00

In the Philippines, we say "ta-ho", referring to a sweet snack made with bean curd, caramelized sugar, and tapioca balls. It is a very popular street food and vendors were a common sight even on city streets. Carrying two aluminum containers suspended on a wooden rod, having taho for an afternoon snack was something my brothers, cousins and I often enjoyed.

IF - Hiding from Santa

2007-03-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

Blog Spotlight: Elmyra Duff

2007-03-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

I have yet another great artist worth checking out....Elmyra Duff. I can't get enough of Elmyra's characters. This piece I posted here is my favorite! Go check out her blog guys! Super great stuff!
Elmyra Duff's Site

IF - Communication Part2: Ouija Board

2007-02-25T08:38:00.000-08:00

Okay, serioulsy, I only tried the Oiuja Board one time when I was 13 years old. I think my friends and I freaked out and never did it again. I think we were trying to talk to James Dean :)

IF - Communication

2007-02-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

I miss those days when my cousins and I used to write to eachother (VIA AIR MAIL) - There's just nothing quite like the good ol' letters you know?

Blog Spotlight: Alina Chau

2007-02-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

Oh my....Now, what can I say about Alina Chau? All I know is that her work is FABULOUS!!! Totally awesome and superb!!! Alina Chau's work is always MAGNIFICENT! We love your work, Alina! Thank you for inspiring us!!! Alina's got tons and tons of work in her blog > check it out now! Pull up a chair, relax and enjoy Alina's wonderful creations.
Alina Chau's Site

Happy Year of the Pig!!!

2007-02-19T11:04:00.000-08:00

My friends and I always celebrate Chinese New Year in Atlantic City, New Jersey. So, we went yesterday to celebrate the New Year. We LOVE playing roulette and the adrenalin rush when you hit your favorite number is quite an experience you will never, ever forget. My friends say that the Year of the Pig is the luckiest - I hope that this year brings prosperity, good health, and lots of good luck to everyone! Happy New Year!

IF - Law of Gravity: Sir Isaac Newton

2007-02-16T12:15:00.000-08:00

Sir Isaac Newton and the apple tree :)

Blog Spotlight: Blanca (Cosas Minimas)

2007-02-16T08:14:00.000-08:00

I just love Blanca's work and style. Simple lines and delicate pieces - her characters really caught my attention. This piece I posted was the one that caught my eye :) Isn't it the cutest thing you've ever seen? I just love it. Don't forget to check out Blanca's (Cosas Minimas) blog this weekend!
Blanca's Blog Site

IF - The Pre-Historic "CRASH"

2007-02-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Blog Spotlight: Claudine Hellmuth

2007-02-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

Are you guys ready to be inspired?
Mixed media collage artist and author, Claudine Hellmuth will surely touch everyone's heart with her unique, fun, and inspiring collage artworks. Claudine creates each amazing & beautiful piece from a photo of your favorite friend, pet, or family member and then she weaves it into a very personal custom collage artwork which she calls Poppet®. I am a big fan of Claudine's work and would love to take one of her workshops one day :) Claudine has also been featured on HGTV's "I Want That", DIY Network Craft Lab and also on many well known magazines. Truly love your work, Claudine! You inspire us all! You can also check out Claudine's work here: Claudine's Blog Site Claudine's Main Site Don't forget to check out her work guys! It's really amazing!

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet Marsh

2007-02-07T12:11:00.000-08:00

Meet Marsh.
Quiet, mysterious, and debonaire. Marsh knows exactly what he wants in life and for his future. His greatest dream is to marry and propose to Smalls - but, he knows he's got a lot of things to work on since his allowance only covers his daily school lunch :) Even with his timid demeanor, Marsh exudes strength and confidence. Kids in the playground know well not to mess with him, especially Gagu. Smalls pretends she does not like Marsh, but everyone knows she blushes whenever he's around.

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet Prof. Amp

2007-02-07T09:00:00.000-08:00

Meet Professor Amp.
When it comes to science, Professor Amp is a genius. His great inventions and teachings inspire all his students to do well in school. Smalls is professor Amp's no. 1 student and good friend. Professor Amp used to be the head of Cherry St., but Principal Pervy's evil ways led him to dominate the whole school. Professor Amp has vowed to create a super-duper plan to regain control over Principal Pervy's destructive tyranny.

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet Woojin

2007-02-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

Meet Woojin.
A very good friend of Smalls, Woojin's mastery of Tai Chi complements his slow and steady style. Simple, but not simplistic, Woojin possesses great wisdom and strives to bring a healthy balance in life. Woojin is also computer-savvy and carries his laptop wherever he goes...

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet the Twins

2007-02-07T08:57:00.000-08:00

Meet the Twins.
Jet and Jack are twin brothers and baseball fanatics. Impish pranksters and always fun to be around, their playful attitude sometimes gets them into trouble. The twins are also Smalls' very good friends. The twins also love to play tricks on the Oilies just for kicks!

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet the Principals

2007-02-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

Meet the Principals.
Principal Pervy and Vice Principal Ms. Harriet are the school's authoritative principals at Cherry St. Elementary.
They often um, stay late after school hours :)

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet the Oilies

2007-02-07T05:24:00.000-08:00

Meet the Oilies.
Also known as the haughty group of Cherry St. Elementary, Rolf, Tammy, and Ed always get good grades in school. They are the principal's loyal assistants and school snitchers. Smalls can tolerate them sometimes, but not all the time.

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet Gagu

2007-02-07T05:22:00.000-08:00

Meet Gagu.
Also known as the Cherry St. school bully with a stocky body and a little brain. There's nothing Gagu likes more than tormenting Smalls and her friends and all the girls in school. He is the oldest one in the 5th grade because he failed 4 times. When he's bored, he hangs out with the Oilies.

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet Smalls

2007-02-07T05:20:00.000-08:00

Meet Smalls.
Smalls, also originally from Hawaii, is the leader of the pack. She's strong and determined, but methodical. Her best friend, Dee, and the rest of the Cherry St. gang are always prepared to protect their friends from the school bully, Gagu. Smalls sometimes takes unnecessary risks in order to prove herself.

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet Dee

2007-02-07T05:18:00.000-08:00

Meet Dee.
Orignially from Honolulu, Hawaii. Dee likes to go snorkeling and diving for pearls in the beautiful island of Oahu. She is Smalls' best friend.

Cherry St. Elementary Series: Meet the Gang!

2007-02-06T12:56:00.000-08:00

Meet the Cherry St. Elementary Gang!
It's always been my dream to create fun and witty cartoon characters for everyone to enjoy. Now, I think i'm going to pursue it with a little help from some people I know — The Cherry St. characters are based on real people, a handful of them are very dear to me and some are um well - (a little too graphic and vulgar for me to say here) but I just had to include them in my cast :) My big wish is to create comic strips one day and bring these memorable characters to life! I still need a lot of practice, but I am enjoying every single minute of it. :)

IF - Alfalfa "Sprouts"

2007-02-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

Alfalfa eating an Alfalfa Sprouts Sandwich?

Blog Spotlight: Adrian Ropp

2007-02-01T11:04:00.000-08:00

Eversince I was a little girl, I have always been so intrigued and amazed with animators and their style of drawing. The first time I saw Adrian's work, I felt like I was that same little girl again. Animation director and screenwriter, Adrian Ropp has some delightful and charming cartoon characters on his blog. Adrian's work is so awesome it always makes me feel like it was pulled directly from an animated feature. I'm such a big fan of Adrian Ropp! And guys...don't forget to check out his blog this weekend! Lots of cool stuff.
Adrian Ropp's Blog

I've been TAGGED!

2007-01-31T09:10:00.001-08:00

I'VE BEEN TAGGED by Natalí Sejuro and I have to write 6 weird things about myself: Here we go...
1. Whenever I buy toys for my nephew, I always get the toy box all the way behind the shelf. I get so picky about having the perfect box with no dents and marks. But then again, my nephew will just rip it apart anyway right?

2. I have to eat RICE everyday - morning, noon, and night.

3. I am a SALTaholic. I put salt on all of my fruits and vegetables.

4. I love buying CUTESY things like Hello Kitty Stationary or any cute stuff/trinkets like pens, pencils, note pads, etc. but I never want to use any of them. I feel bad using them and making them dirty, most especially the erasers with Sanrio characters on it. I still have unused Hello Kitty erasers from the first grade :)

5. I am so obsessed with my MAC and I hate it when people touch the monitor and leave oily finger tip marks on it. I go *BONKERS* whenever that happens!

6. and finally....(don't get mad at me guys) I think i'm the only person who does not like pizza. Yes, there, I said it. I hate pizza.

IF - RED Wine

2007-01-27T13:18:00.000-08:00

"What?!? You mean the house RED is Merlot?"

Blog Spotlight: Majeak Ann

2007-01-25T20:13:00.000-08:00

It's really amazing to see the wonderful watercolour works of Majeak Ann. Her sweet paintings are just so precious, soft, and delicate in nature. I am such a big fan of Marjorie Ann (Majeak Ann) and I totally love her charming style & also LOVE all of her incredible illustrations. Stop by and visit her blog > Majeak Ann's Blog