Tales from an Illustrator: The Indie Chicks

Hi Everyone!

I've been having some troubles with my laptop getting overheated lately, so not doing as much as I want as I don't want to force it to work. But this aside! I got some fun news to share with you!! I got featured on a very cool site, named The Indie Chicks. *dances*

You know, every now and then I get an e-mail from someone with a request. I don't respond to all, because sometimes you know from the start that it is spam, but there are a few e-mails that are set up in a way that makes you think "Hmm...is it legit??".

So when I got the lovely note from Chiara, one of the founders of the site, I went like "Oh my goodness, how fun!". I didn't want to get tooooo excited, just in case I would be disappointed again. However, after browsing through the site and reading it here and there, I was even more excited. The Indie Chicks is an online magazine for the bad ass independent women. Now how cool does that sound?! Haha. It is founded by two lovely ladies going by the name Chiara Mazzucco and Renee Claybion. You can read more about their mission by clicking this "an Indie mission"

Maybe you're wondering what made me decide to reply back to Chiara? I mean next to the spam thing,  there are many sites scattered around the web where you can display your art. It's easy to get lost or to forget about where you registered on in the first  place. The first thing that I noticed on their website was the following:

"Our Indie Chick has a go-getter, do it yourself, hunger for life. She's strong, confident, and charmingly ambitious. Whether she's an indie artist, a celebrity stylist, or a small business owner, she's making her dreams come true. So what makes an Indie Chick? 

If you're here, reading.. you're probably it." - The Indie Chicks

 

I like to think I'm this indeed haha. Seriously though, and for some this is known, but for the new readers: I embarked on a creative adventure. An adventure where I decided to follow my dreams. Dreams that may seem unrealistic for some, especially since I have no degree in Art. But hey, things are only unrealistic if you think they are. You're never done learning and you have got to work hard in order to make them come true. It can be daunting at times so connecting with like-minded people who are also chasing and capturing what they really want in life, makes it a bit easier. You're definitely not alone.

All those elements like being a go-getter, do it yourself, making your dreams come true...this fitted me as a person and as an artist and that's why I decided to give a "yes" to the super kind Chiara. Maybe some people think "Oh I just want to sign up everywhere and that's that"...this is not really for me. With a lot of sites you do get "forgotten" if you don't stay up to date with it. I do like to be connected to sites that appeal to me and fit me and my own message. You really should just browse their site for yourself. They are just starting out, but are already featuring lovely creatives and displaying a bunch of nice, interesting and fun articles to read. Articles aiming towards DIY, beauty, fashion, Tips & Tricks, advice, you name it and they got it and if they don't have a particular subject yet and you think you can provide them with something, just contact them. They are growing by the day an definitely worth to check out. I'm honored to be a part of it.

If you like what you see and want to stay up to date via other social media you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter as well.

As for my own little update...there are a few originals added and I re-listed a few cards/prints in my Etsy store! Do browse around and use the coupon MAGICCUPCAKE as it will give you a 15% discount on your order. Remember once a original is gone, it is gone ^_^. There will be more originals and prints soon.

Enjoy Your Week.

Ciao!

TJ's WIP: Floating Cupcakes.

Hello Hello!

Here's a little WIP for you again ^_^. Ms. Doodologist correctly pointed out "Rapunzel of the Cupcakes"...something like that hehe. Either way, I found a cool concept sketch of Rapunzel on the internet and used this as a reference for the character and voila...floating cupcakes were born. I already showed a little peek a while back, but I did snap more pics while I was working on this one as I showed peeks on my fanpage, so I figured to placed them all together and create a little post for you guys! Hope you like it and have fun staring!!

 

 

 

You know, with this little painting it really was all about subtle details. After the two bigger washes of color, I just added colors here and there, to bring out certain characters. I think if I added too much watercolor layers, the painting would lose it's "floaty-ness"...I have no other word to describe it, sooo I hope you get what I'm trying to say haha. I also didn't re-line every thing with black either. The final picture has been edited a bit in Photoshop, just to make sure the colors are brought back to life again. Can't have dull pictures, now can we?!

Hope you liked this little WIP!!

TJ's Shop: New goodies all around!

Hey Everyone!

It is...ETSY time ^_^  If you want to do a dramatic drop to the floor, because you think you missed your chance to tell me how you eat your cupcake...do not fear. You can still tell me how you eat your cupcake...

I have finally started to add new items to my shop and there will be more new items, TJ originals, soon. I'd really love to see them in a new home as they only collect dust in my folder. Here's a peek at some prints...

All prints are ready to be framed and signed by me and because I truly want to make an effort with my Etsy shop this time...I'll start it off with a fancy coupon: 15% off your order if you enter MAGICCUPCAKE upon check out. I gotta stay in the cupcake theme you know...

I haven't uploaded the originals yet as I had to wait for my fixative to arrive. They will be in my shop in the upcoming days. Here's a peek at them. Please excuse the crappy camera picture.

Please keep in mind that everything is limited (especially the originals hehe) and I only have 5 or less per item. So don't wait too long and get what you want now for presents, Mothers day, just because gifts, for yourself and so on. I really want all my prints and originals gone, so I can stock up on new things. However, if I get lots of messages about a particular print, I may stock up again.

Don't hesitate if you have questions about originals and prints okay? Also, if you know someone who would like this, feel free to pass it along.

That is it! You may start browsing now and I'll shall continue creating new work ^_^. A lot of the doodles you see on my Facebook page are for my portfolio and practicing new techniques. It's a lot of fun to see how you all respond to them and just want to say BIG THANK YOU for the support I get every single day!

Here's a peek at a new painting that I was working on. It's finished now.

Enjoy your day and till next time!!

*waves, waves*

Cupcake Randomness or not so Random?

Well Hello Everyone!

It has been a bit quiet here. I was planning to post something last week, but I got sick and well this put a halt to everything. I'm slowly getting back, but will take it easy for just a couple more days.

My mind took a trip on its own (well, many trips, but these are stories for another time) and started wondering something. How do you eat your cupcake? Yes. Cupcakes are involved again. Why do I want to know this? No real reason here. I'm just dragging you into my randomness (I'm doing a TOP SECRET Master Research on Cupcakes...*adjust glasses*). If you are completely confused by this question, let me help you out by giving you a few options…

1. Twist the bottom and place on the frosting for a sandwich cupcake. (side note: I read this method on the internet a few days back, apparently one gets a good frosting/cake ratio by doing this.)

2. Use a fork. 

3. Fork? Goodness no. I have a delicate procedure for this. First I bow, then I unwrap the cake, take tiny bites while both pinkies are stretched, search for crumbs and then fold the wrapping before I place it in the bin.

4. Stuff my face. Duh.

5. I...can not tell you.

Of course you can add your own option. You want to know what I do? Obviously stuffing my face when I’m outside and using a fork when I’m at home....

....maybe not hehe ^_^. As you can see...I got plenty of time to think while I was sick hehe.

With this uber important question I shall leave you to enjoy your Friday & weekend or you can stare blankly at a wall while you analyze the way you eat a cupcake OR come up with a interesting new way to eat a cupcake. Now that should be interesting to read haha.

Ciao Ciao!

An Etsy Shopping Update!

Ciao Ciao!

Finally an Etsy update for you guys! My shop is up and running! For now I added a few prints and greeting cards in it, but it's a start right?! They make lovely gifts for e.g. birthdays or...for yourself. Plus, the cards can be easily framed as well. So far most people don't want to part with their print haha.

I will slowly add more products like original art, buttons and magnets to it. I will tweet about this and mention it on my Facebook fanpage. I will mention it on my blog every now and then as well, but if you really want to stay up to date, make sure you'll "stalk" me on there as well hehe. Of course if you are an Etsy person, you can add me in your circle.

All prints are on high quality matte photo-paper, glued on heavy card stock and comes with an envelope. They are also all signed and shipped in a sturdy envelope.They come unframed as this reduces shipping costs and you can frame them however you like.

Have a browse around, if you know people who would be interested, pretty please refer them to my shop. Ooooh and one request, I'd love looooove it if you would pin it onto Pinterest if you like the illustration and you collect illustration images. I am kinda addicted to that site (maybe I should leave the 'kinda' out of my sentence...) and to see my images float around there would be so cool. Next to that, it's such an easy way to collect and share inspiration.

Like I said, there will be more things available, like prints of a special illustration that I did for my latest column. If you haven't seen it yet...please click on this 'Magic Word' and share it with others please. People shouldn't stop dreaming ^_^.

I added a permanent tab for my Etsy shop above. If you click it you'll be magically transported to it!

Now...I shall watch a movie! Enough laptop for today! Till next ramble everyone!

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!

It's That Time of the Year Again!

It is party time! Yes. My birthday has arrived again. Can you guys believe that another year has passed again! Goodness. I know I can't. I will reflect back on last year in another post. Hopefully it will be interesting for you to read and see how things went in my first year as illustrator.

Of course I can't let this birthday pass without a little celebration! Yes, my friends, there will be a...

Doodle Giveaway! (closed)

This time I'll be giving away a few prints. The ones you see on the picture are examples and you can either frame it or send it as a card.

And yes, this means that there will be more winners! Three to be exact and each winner can choose one print. The options will be given when I contact the winners! So if you want to join, the rules are as follow:

1. Comment on this post and have a cupcake...okay. the cupcake is optional haha.

2. Be a follower of this blog, my Facebook page or both. I will check this as these giveaways are also little thank yous for supporting me on this adventure I'm on!

3. For additional entries, you can share my blog and/or Facebook page with everyone you know. The more people that are a part of my little world the better as it means I can make more people happy with my art :D. Just let me know where you shared it and how many times, so I can keep track of how many times I have to add your name to the Magic Hat.

4. Just for fun...as who/what will you dress up if you are celebrating Halloween? Even if you don't have a party to go to, but you would dress up what costume would you wear? I am...curious haha.

I will announce the winners on Halloween, October 31st at 8pm my time.

Last, but not least...a big Happy Birthday to my lovely friend, Kim from Soggydog Studios! So lovely that we share this lovely day together.

This is it for now! Have a great day everyone and till next post.

Ciao Xoxo

Storytelling Time: Theft in the Cake shop.

Heey everyone!!

Okay, first of all you can still join the Giveaway and in order to do so please click this Magical Button and comment on the that post. If you comment here, you won't be added in the giveaway. The winner shall be announced on June 21th, 2011!

Next! I proudly announce that I'm an official columnist for the site Broowaha! Edit: I have my own column now, which you can find here, TJ on Illustrations. I will post something regarding the illustration business every Friday, starting next week. I will post some of the articles here as well as you need an account to leave comments there. So for the ones who only read my blog, this is the place to be. For the ones who are interesting in writing and connecting with other writers, do check out Broowaha. It's such a fun & friendly community. You won't be disappointed.

So now it's time for the flash story! A while ago, I was participating in another writers community and before it vanished into thin air ( I have nothing to do with it...) I spent a few fun weeks with other writers. Every week there were 5 prompts to choose from and you got critique and feedback on it. This story won :D. So exciting!

Theft in the Cake shop

As soon as Tess opened the door, Sandy burst in.
“Oh my god! Tess!”
“What? What is it?
“Oh my god! Really, you never gonna believe what happened”
“What! What has happened” Tess had all sorts of drama visualized in her head as they walked to the kitchen.
“Really I was shocked…”
“Come on! Just tell me!”
“There was a theft in the CupCakery Bakery!”
“There was a theft in CupCakery Bakery…oohkay this is shocking because…”
“He only stole the tops!”
“The tops? What tops?”
“The tops of the cupcakes!”
“Really? Only that?”
“Yeah! Apparently he said, ‘why steal it all, if you only like the tops’, marvelously said I think”
“Dude’s got a point there. Want to have some tea?”
Sandy just kept nodding with a big smile.
“But how did he do this? How was he able to only steal the tops?”
“Well, he had a special spatula and with one swift movement…” Sandy made a demonstration, “…he could place it under the frosting and scoop it right up. Oh yeah! The other end of the spatula made it possible to slice of muffin tops. He liked those too. They are crunchy.”
Tess tried not to laugh, this was the strangest story she ever heard. “Okay the muffin tops I can understand, but why the frosting?”
“He liked the swirly patterns.”
“I see. Well I guess that makes sense.”
“I guess that makes sense indeed too.”

So. Who wants a cupcake now :D?

Hope you liked it as well & Till next time everyone.

Ciao! *waves*

A Trip Through CupCake Land

A sweet trip
Through the sky
Hanging on some balloons and
Looking out on the most
Colorful goodies you can find
You’ll fly

Some frosting here, some sprinkles there
It’s for all of us to share
And it looks soo yummy
It’s almost not fair

Swirly Clouds surrounds you.
But Ms. Cup Cake, don't be shy and
Take this flight through the sky

To find out the baker
Behind these sugary goodies,
Is one you may never get
All in all, it's a trip you will never forget

*silence*

Yeah okay, I tried to rhyme here...it didn't quite work out. I made this up on the spot whaha.

aah noo! I forgot my candy rolls!!

But what do you think? What you see here is a 'Thank you' card. This card is for a sweet Italian Lady in the States. I bought some pretty bracelets from her and we kept in contact even after the sell. We found out that we have a lot in common! She is such a sweet lady!

Well the bracelts are just simple with two charms. But each bracelet is in a specific theme. I have the baker, artist and writer theme. As you can guess...these are my main hobbies and the quality and details of the charms are really high. I'm so happy with them! For my sister, I got a bracelet with a Music theme. You can find more information on her website and her bracelets on Ebay, if you have the time just have look! She can also customize the bracelets. She did this for me with the writer theme.

Wanna see the bracelets?

1. Cooking theme. 2. Writers theme. 3. Artist theme.

Yes, you like it or you don't. I like it ^_^! Have to say in real life it's much nicer. The picture doesn't do it justice...not at all!

I usually just wear earrings and bracelets. I have lots of different earrings. And I don't buy the first one I see, it has to be kind of unique. Sometimes when I'm in the mood I wear a necklace or even a ring. I don't wear a lot of jewelry and I don't follow the trends that closely. I don't even know if there were any trends...*thinks* oh wait! Not to long ago it was quite the trend to wear big necklaces, with lots of beads. But...I can't recall other trends. Do you guys know? What do you wear as jewelry?

Till next time!!