Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Inspiration of the Day // Catherine Chi



Via *1200 Posters, Catherine Chi

Feature Illustrator // Eimi



"Japanese artist Eimi illustrates cute girls who are always bright and happy. Eimi’s art evokes lovely emotion with a glaring pop style that she calls “pink science”. Each piece is a unique combination of mixed media- mainly acrylics, watercolors, and paper collage in an instantly recognizable monochromatic palette." ~Sweet Streets

Bright, Feminine, Sexy, and totally Kawaii!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Inspiring // The International Sweethearts Of Rhythm





Inspired by my previous post, Of Another Fashion, and this weekend's Atlanta Jazz Festival, I wanted to share this rare video featuring the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. They were America's first integrated, all-female band and real trail blazers. Even with the all the risk involved, they kept on touring showcasing their talents and strengths. They are truly inspiring. For more check out the article on NPR.

Image via *NPR

Blog Love // Of Another Fashion



Being multiracial and a fashion lover, I particularly love Of Another Fashion! Of Another Fashion is "an alternative archive of the not-quite-hidden but too often ignored fashion histories of U.S. women of color." I really enjoy not only the fashion but getting to learn about certain parts of history in a new light. For example the Japanese internment camps.

Simply Amazing // Un Tour De Manege

UN TOUR DE MANEGE from alexis liddell on Vimeo.

Inspiration Board #1 // Ballons



Sources* Oh, Joy!, We Heart It, FFFFound!, Stanley Chow, & Lim Heng Swee

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Pikaland // 100 things to draw



Amy over at Pikaland made this great list of 100 things to draw! I have been wanting to get into the habit of drawing at least on a weekly basis. This has been a goal of mine since 9th grade...I was 14 then and now I am 26 so do the math :P I have taken art classes since I can remember and even gotten a B.F.A in graphic design, but I never was able to form this habit. I know if I did, I would be a way better illustrator. Going to start the list tonight and post each one that I do. After these I think I will make my own 100 list :)

Click here to download your own pdf copy. And check out Pikaland, one of my favorite illustration blogs, for great inspirations!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Disney Princesses Sins // Chris Hill



I was not necessarily a "Disney Princess" kind of girl but I did love all the movies as a kid. So I was thrilled when I came upon the artist Chris Hill. He has created art nouveau inspired portraits of Disney Princesses being a bit naughty. Each of the princesses depicts a sin in which they "embody" from sloth to envy, vanity to lust. I love the illustrations and the concept! Some are a bit outstretched, but I can see how he came to match a princess to a particular sin. You can read more about his match making decision on his site. Besides that you must check out his site for even more inspiring illustrations!

via* Flavorwire

*BTW had to add in this piece, Beautiful, Dirty Fish...a huge fan of Ariel and plus she looks a bit like Lady Gaga! Especially the facial expression ^^

If dogs were fonts // LOL



via *Creative Greed

Thursday, May 12, 2011

I ♥ the 90s // Clarissa Explains it All





Starting a new series for this blog titled, I ♥ the 90s. Why? Cause I love it and plus I have been a feeling a bit nostalgic for my youth (no I am not super old, I am still in my 20's!) My first post is on my ultimate fashion/creative idol of my youth, Clarissa Darling from Clarissa Explains It All. Besides my mother (who was a totally bad ass in her youth!), she has to be one of the most stylish person I knew as a kid. The show has inspired me even till today. If you look at some of my outfits from middle school and high school you can totally see her influence. Being a kid with very little income, it taught me to shop at goodwill, to experiment with fashion, and not to care what others thought or said.

Plus the show was just so awesome, smart, and visually appealing especially her room! She was a total teenage Feminist! To celebrate...I made a collage of Clarissa Explains It All Essentials. And be sure to check out Nickelodeon this fall for the return broadcasting of Clarissa Explains It All. Can not wait!

*SideNote ~Most of the stuff shown in the collage are super expensive...I picked those items as visual guides.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Too Cute // Boo



I have to admit Boo is a bit cuter than my dog, Jenny...just a bit. Chronicle Books is releasing Boo's book, Boo: The life of the world's cutest dog. The title totally fits especially since he got over a million friends on facebook! I am a sucker for all things cute...

Style Envy // Emma Watson



She is just too cute especially after she got the pixie cut! Her style to me screams CONTRAST! She mixes soft with edge and feminine with masculine effortlessly.

SideNote *The typeface for the opening spread is AMAZING!

You are Awesome // Ely Kim



BOOMBOX from Ely Kim on Vimeo.


I just love this guy! He has great moves and music taste ♥ He inspires me to let loose and let my freak flag fly.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Excited // Sailor Moon



Looking foward to the new editions of Sailor Moon Mangas and Codename: Sailor V...both have been pre-order on Amazon ♥

Music // Florence + the Machine





One of my favorite albums and songs. I can listen to it a hundred times and still enjoy it just the same.

Currently Reading // #1 My Gothic Teenage Heart



These are currently a few of the books I am reading. Looking at these selections I felt it was appropriate to name these series of books, "My Gothic Teenage Heart''...sounds a bit like an emo song from high school.

Books:
A Dirty Job ~Christopher Moore
Jane Eyre ~Charlotte Bronte
Boys over Flowers (entire series vol. 1-36 +bonus) ~Yoko Kamio
Abandon ~Meg Cabot

Become Someone Else // Love



Love this campaign by Love (BTW, wish I had that name)! Such a clever idea and so well executed. It is one of those projects, I wished I had thought of to do or at least have been a part of. Each of the pieces are so well thought out to the book in which it is representing. There is such a great attention to details. In particular the way the nail polish colors complements the covers. Another great detail are the accessories within the series especially the woman with the head wrap reading the Invisible Man (I think it is...). Simply Genius ♥

"When one reads books, he/she starts living it and identifies (or not) with main hero. These print ads for the Mint Vinetu bookstore, which sells lots of classics, focuses on the idea of becoming someone else. And provokes people to try on different personas." ~Love Agency

via Black *Eiffel

Feature Illustrator // Caitlin Shearer



My first feature illustrator is the Australian based Caitlin Shearer. Love everything about her pieces especially her subject matters...witches, mermaids, chic 40's & 50's inspired women, Art deco inspired interiors, fashion etc...She has such a great range of pieces. From romance with a touch of sorrow to a woman going to a beach on a sunny day. I appreciate the range of emotions she depicts in her pieces. I am particular attracted to the ones with a feeling of yearning and lost. Plus there are such a great amount of little details scattered throughout the illustrations. It takes several looks before you can catch them all.

I have to admit, I just made my first print purchase on Etsy for her piece, Sea Witch (bottom right)! It had everything I love...an ocean scene, a sea witch, and a dark feminine edge. Also the way she did the cigarette smoke was one of the final hooks for me.

For more check out her blog, Art by Caitlin Shearer and her Etsy store.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Listening to // Audio Books #1-3



About to finish listening to Christopher Moore's Vampire Trilogy. Love the series in both forms! His books always makes me laugh :) And Abby Normal has to be one of his funniest character...she "rocks my stripey socks".

Flying used to be fun //



Flying used to be fun until I started doing it for a living //
Kiki's Delivery Service


In search of some new stimulating, creative outlets...

It's a Technicolor World... // Fumio Watanabe












And I live in it // So breathing taking // Even more amazing that it is all hand painted...Fumio Watanabe you are awesome!

via // design work life

Lady Gaga // JUDAS



Love this song and video // On heavy rotation on my ipod...