Not The End of the World, but it still Sucks!

Hey Everyone!

Don't you just hate it when things just don't go as planned? Last week really wasn't a good week for me. Such an annoyance.

First I had to deal with a stupid virus on my laptop. I had a lovely schedule and WOOSH it went out of the window as the virus decided to take over. If you saw a pretty paper with a ribbon flying around...it was my schedule and to-do list.  Rude, I say! Luckily, I could do a final back-up of my files, before little bro completely reformatted everything again. So now...it's fixed and my laptop is all new again. It's funny, I really missed posting my daily updates on FB and I realized all over again how often I use my laptop and how much information I've stored on it. I still need to install a few things to do my work easier.  So that's why I haven't updated you all with new Etsy items or the FB Giveaway. Just keep an close eye on this blog or my FB Page as it will happen soon. People who are expecting an e-mail from me...stay tuned please!

Okay. Second thing that happened. I believe I mentioned a while ago that I applied for an Art Fund, well I got the news that I didn't get it and the only reason that I didn't get it is because I didn't study Art. Formality in a world where creativity plays the main role...it seems like such a contradiction. There was a chance that this would happen, but I really wished they would look at the other requirements, my motivation and my art, but well no. Like I said in my title, it is not the end of the world, but of course a part of me did hope for positive news as I put so much time and effort in my report and with the money I'd get, I could do some things a bit easier.

Ah well. I was really bummed for a day or so, because the waiting was nerve wrecking! Sheesh. Understatement of the year. However, it's their loss and it's a closed chapter now. So I'm just focusing on my other projects :D.

The illustrations in this post, the originals will be in my Etsy soon! Ah I love the pretty colors. Yes. I am a huge Color Nerd hehe.

Fancy another read by me? Then Get Ready To...Ramble!! This is my latest column ^_^

Ciao Ciao! Till next post!

First Ramble of 2012

Hey Everyone!

How’s the New Year going for you so far? This post is a bit of a ramble. When I was still studying I always dreaded the months after Christmas and New Years. Time always seemed to go soooo sloooooow, but now, I really had to take days off for the holidays and the new year started quite busy! I did (and I'm still doing) a lot of reflecting and organizing and it's funny (sort off)...I thought I got things pretty clear in my head regarding my blog, but I realized I wanted to switch things up again.

I mean I have two blogs now. This one and TJ on Illustrations. The people who follow me on Twitter and Facebook know I’ve been sharing my older columns on a new writer’s site called Expats Post. I’ll tell you more about this site another time! My second blog is like a diary where I let you all peek in my brain and give some insight in how I perceive and experience the Illustration World. It's really focused on the writing element, whereas this blog...this blog is a true arty ramble blog. I like to keep it that way.

I’ve been pondering what I want to do with my blog and how to keep it interesting for you and myself. Well, the cupcake tutorial and ‘appelflappen’ recipe got a lot of great feedback, so I will be adding more recipes and simple tutorials. Fun times! Next to that, I’m also discussing a side project with my sister. We've been planning to do something for quite some time now and we're finally setting things in motion. Fun times again, but more on this soon!

You know, ever since I have my fanpage, I started to draw even more. I've increased my drawing by adding a doodle or two each day on my fanpage. Usually sketch work, but it keeps me drawing every day, no matter how little the drawing is. I was thinking to upload it on my blog as well, but I don't want to be all spammy and otherwise I'll be spending my entire day uploading and promoting my posts! So every now and then I will add sketchwork here (like I did in this post), but do follow me on FB as well, if you want more frequent little bits of art by me ^_^

I'm working on a series of paintings that I can hopefully show you over the next couple of days as well. Plus! My Etsy will be up and running! I can't say 'again' as I never used my Etsy store, but this shall change soon.

See? The year started busy, busy! Is there something you'd like me to share my thoughts about? Questions you'd like to ask me? Just let me know below or in an e-mail.

End Ramble ^_^ 

Ciao!

It's That Time of the Year...Again!!

Hello Hello Everyone!

Thanks so much for the response on the cupcake tutorial (previous post)! I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of people that read and liked the post! I will have more cupcake tutorials soon and from this I shall expand to other tutorials *evil laugh*

You know, I think that this is the last post for 2011...I need to take a few days off and re-focus and prepare for the Holidays. It really feels like it has been only a week ago, that I wished you Happy Holidays in 2010! I think I also have my first new party header where my characters had skin tones. Goodness!

Happy Holidays 

and have an Awesome 2012!!

I know I probably already said 'Thank You' many, many times, but I shall do it again, because without your support and readership I wouldn’t be here! Really, a huge thank you for just following me on my journey. I hope it inspires you to just work hard & chase your own dreams. You can make a difference for yourself as nothing is impossible, you can make it impossible by thinking that it is!

                                                                

I’m really curious to what 2012 will bring! Commission requests are already coming in for 2012 and I have a feeling that I have to put a commission stop soon. You will be notified when I have to do this though, but if you don’t have a deadline and you don’t mind waiting a bit longer for your commission, then by all means, e-mail me if you have questions, want to know prices and so on (tjlubrano@gmail.com).

With this, I shall leave you! I’ll be checking in on my Fan page every now and then and post random doodles. I gotta keep on doodling!

Don't forget that I also have a column blog, I published my last column for this year there. It's called, Glancing Back. Plus, don't forget about the Migwi book project ^_^. In 2012, there will be more tidbits  of news about this little monkey too.

Whatever you do, have fun and be careful with fireworks!

See you all in 2012.

Ciao Ciao xoxo!

TJ's Projects: A Cupcake Tutorial

Hello helloo!!

Hmm that was said in a weird opera voice...in my head anyway.

So, no recipe this time, but a drawing tutorial! A while ago, I got asked by the lovely Marieke Bos, if I was interested in participating in a creative project. It's for the site Swap-bot and here lots of creatives swap handmade goodies with each other. The group Dutch Swappers magically transformed the month December in an online advent calendar and every day a creative swapper reveals his/her gift.

And yes, you guessed it right, today is my day and I decided to create a quick tutorial on how I draw my cupcakes ^_^. There are really just a few basic lines and by switching up the expression you can create a new little cupcake in a few seconds. This is the first time writing a step by step tutorial and I will record a short video how I draw and paint it soon. However, the quality isn't THAT great. I will re-upload it soon again. My laptop shut off while I was saving the tutorial, so I lost some of my editing. Not a big deal...until I noticed that the file had become corrupt. The horror. I had a deadline to upload it a bit after midnight on December 13th, therefore I couldn't re-create what I had, so this tutorial is a quick version.

If something doesn't make sense, do let me know. I can keep this in mind for when I create the right version of this tutorial. I have another way of drawing a cupcake and if you guys like this one, I'll show you the other one as well.

Oh! I do have a cupcake recipe for you guys soon...hehe. Until then, don't forget about the Limited Christmas Cards and my Zazzle shop.

Have fun trying it out and if you drew it and want to show it...let me know! If there are enough cupcake doodlers, I will create a folder on my Facebook page so people can post it there. I'd love to see it :D Feel free to experiment with the frosting shapes and faces. I'll show lots of cupcake examples soon!

Ciao ciao!

Christmas Shopping Time! pt. 2

Hey Everyone!

Here is the second update! As you know my Zazzle shop features a bunch of my designs that you can get as present. Quite a few people bought a TJ design and I couldn't be more pleased knowing that there are people over the world opening their present and seeing a TJ illustration! How cooooool is that!? Zazzle makes a lot easier, but an important element is lost and that is you aren't getting a typical TJ package ^_^.

Okay, come closer...this is an important post as you have to be quick with deciding or notifying people to get cards.

I added a bunch of designs in my album 'For sale - Cards and Prints' on Facebook and please read the added information so you know the amount I have of each card. The cards have a little extra like snow or a pretty dark red glitter detail that you won't get when you order from Zazzle. I have more designs waiting and I'll add these tomorrow.

So as the other designs aren't added yet, the information is for the Christmas cards only. Each Christmas card is EUR 4,-. Shipping costs for one card is included.  If you want more cards, EUR 2.50,- will be added to the total amount for worldwide shipping (the weight of the package knocks it in a different shipping category -_-). Sneak peek!!

If you want to get a Christmas card(s), this is what you must do:

1. Visit the album and decide what you want.
2. Email me at tjlubrano@gmail.com with the name of the design, amount of cards, your paypal address and your mail address. People from the Netherlands can pay me with their regular bank account as well.
3. I'll send you a Paypal invoice or my bank account information.
4. After payment, the cards will be shipped the next day or even the same day if you're lucky!

That's it! People living abroad do have to decide fairly quickly as it takes more or less a week for a package to arrive. So if you order the cards before Tuesday you're on the safe side and you can mail the cards to whoever you want. BUT! If you want to send a TJ card to someone and you're not sure if it would be on time, you can provide the message & address to me and I'll ship it directly to the person...just an extra service for you guys ^_^.

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Buying!

Christmas Shopping Time!

Ciao Everyone!!

Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving! Quick update here regarding my Zazzle shop: It has been refilled! Well, there are lots of other designs in it, but I updated it with a few new Christmassy designs that you can buy as cards and key chains. I will add more products to the shop in the next couple of days. I figured to just update now instead of waiting till all is in the shop...time keeps ticking away. Plus, Zazzle is such a pain in the butt to add products too, so breaks are needed and...if I'd wait any longer I'd fall in my old routine of waiting till I have loooots to show you!

So if you want to send out cards and get small stocking fillers, now is the time :D Just keep in mind to check back as I will add more products. Also, somewhere in the next couple of days, I will add a few card designs and original paintings in my Big Cartel/Etsy shop as well. I wanted to do this today, but something went wrong with my print order, so I haven't made the cards yet. These cards will have a special TJ touch, so they are slightly different than the ones in my Zazzle shop. More on this and prices later, otherwise too much information for you too handle hehe.

Don't worry! I will notify you when the originals and cards are up in my personal shop. But for now Zazzle awaits you! If you know people who would love to get something with the designs I have available now, do let them know as well please.

If you don't see an item with a specific design, just let me know and I'll create one. There will be another post soon regarding my personal shop, but for the new Zazzle products, I will add a note on Twitter & Facebook. If you want to stay in the loop, follow me there please!

And now you can stare a bit more...

AHOY!! TAKE ME TO ZAZZLE

Meeting the Doodologist and a Ramble

Hello Everyone!

So, it took some time to finally write a bit about my trip to the UK and meeting Claire, The Doodologist! I had a few things to take care off while I was fighting off a cold, unfortunately the cold got worse when I got caught in the rain last Sunday -_-'

One of the designs that was quite popular. It seems that there is a cupcake madness going on haha.

I had so much fun and the time flew by so quickly. It still feels pretty surreal that I’ve actually met a lady that I’ve known for two years now. And you know what...she isn't THAT crazy hehe :D (Sorry Claire, but you're not...). Meeting her was so much fun and it only made me realize even more how important it is to know someone who can relate with everything you’re doing and going through and who can gives advice and listens to the things you have to say. I will write more about this in a column soon!

Now on to the North West Vintage Fair! It was an interesting event. I didn’t expect people to buy something at all, but they did! I went into the fair with a blank mind and when the first people showed interest I was kinda shocked and didn’t know what to say! You know when you’re behind the computer, you can easily freak out when you get a cool email or when people show interest. You can take a bit of time to let it sink in and then you respond in a normal way. In real life you can’t really do this. I’m not a salesperson, but when you stand there you kind of need to ‘sell’ your work through words and by asking questions. It’s a new switch for me and definitely a learning point if I do another one in Holland! I am very glad to have done one with Claire though, made it less scary ^_^.

 

Look at our pretty table! Giant Crayons and Pencils courtesy of The Doodologist. 

The really need their own spotlight. Kids love them haha.

So sad when I had to leave again and you know I seriously needed a few days to switch back to Dutch. When people asked me a question, I replied in English *sigh* But Claire and I talked about a lot of fun things and lovely things for in the future. I foresee lots of fun things and in time you shall all know about it.

In 10 days, my first year anniversary as a full-time illustrator will arrive! Now I can never forget when I made the official switch as my birthday is attached to it. I cannot believe that a year already has passed. So much has happened and I am taking a bit of time to reflect on it and see what I need to change and what goals I will set for the second year. That’s why my posts are a bit scarce lately as I'm doing a whole lot in a short amount of time and even though I have the best intentions to do every thing I have on my huge to do list, in reality it doesn't work out all the time. So I need to stay realistic, but more on this in another post!

Gosh. Lots of rambling is ahead of you hehe.

Now everyone…please visit my friend Claire's site, blog or fanpage! Like it and/or spread the word. It’s her birthday today and I’m sure it will make her day if more people get to know about her work and alter ego...The Doodologist!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!!

Thanks so much for being the lovely & awesome friend that you are ^_^ 

*big hugs*

Till next post everyone!

Updates, updates, updates!

Hello hello!

How are you all doing? This time I have a few little updates for you guys and one big one! A few illustrations made their way to their new owner, so for the ones who aren't following me on Facebook, I shall add them here. If you are on Facebook and want to stay up to date a bit quicker, do become a fan of the little world I have over there!

Update 1: The Afro Rainbow Lady from last post has been sold and is now in the hands of a very proud owner! It always makes me super happy when I see how excited people get when they get their illustration(s). I just know that they arrived in the perfect new home. Prints of this Lady will be available soon.

Update 2: The last giveaway winner also received his package and to see what I created...just click on the picture and you will see more pictures! I've snapped a bunch of pictures before I wrapped it up. Hehe. The winner was mr. Garry, who is a wonderful writer. You can read some of his great articles on Expats Post or on his blog.

 The Land of the Lost Words

I think you can browse around the folder even if you don't have a Facebook account. If this is not the case, do let me know. The theme was inspired on writing and I added a bunch of anime influenced characters in it. The ones who know Studio Ghibli might recognize this.

Update 3: A bunch of colorful Parrots made their way safely to their new owner as well! And yes, they are an addition to the ones you see on my header. I am slowly expanding that colorful world. I wonder what else is hiding there!

Parrot Madness

Now my most exciting news! I will be heading to the UK for a week! I'll be visiting The Doodologist aka Claire Pitt. Regular readers know who she is as her name pops up every now and then. For the ones who don't know her, just click on the above link or if you want to read more ramblings by her please visit her blog.

We will be standing at the North West Vintage Fair that's being held on 24th & 25th September. It's my first fair, so I am a tad nervous, but very excited! We'll have some goodies for sale and will be chatting about our work. So if you're around, do pay us a visit. It would be so lovely to meet you!

Enjoy your Sunday and see you when I get back! Anyone who has questions about artwork/commissions, you can still email me at tjlubrano@live.com. I will get back to you after my trip.

Last but not least...do behave okay? I am watching you...hehe.

Ciao!