Hmm Could This Be My Last Post On Blogger?

Hello Everyone!

First of all, thank you all SO much for the positive feedback on my first Youtube video! I was so happy to read that it inspired people and that they loved watching it. I even got a comment from someone who has trouble concentrating that she was fascinated and had to keep on watching! Yesterday I recorded a few more videos, so hopefully the footage turned out okay and you'll can watch more videos. Cupcakes are involved...

That said...I got some announcements!

I think this is one of my last post here. Yes. In a few weeks time, I'll be having my own official website. Normal blog posting, WIP posts, rambling observations and all that will resume on there. The site will have a wordpress blog, so no more blogger. As much as I love it and appreciate what it brought on my path, I feel it's too restricting for me now. It is time for a big step forward and a nice new site is in order (finally!).

BUT! I'm not vanishing into thin air though. You can read me on Expats Post. I got a few columns scheduled. The latest is up now..."Stop Being A Control Freak" - Yes. I can be one...

And as always...for your daily (well almost) doodle fix and occasional rambles, follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

As much as I want to do it all, I have to focus on a few things. These are: finishing all commissions I got left for this year and will add lots of goodies in my Etsy shop. If you read my column, you'll know why I haven't been consistent in updating my Etsy store.

I'll will update here when lots of goodies are in my store AND when the final blog move will be made. So I'll keep reminding you to change (and reminding myself hehe) to a new site! If you want to follow my adventures that is haha.

Ciao for now!

Party Time!! *throws confetti and glitter*

Yoohoooo!! *waves* Are you wearing your party hats and outfits? If not, no fear, you can find a bunch of outfits and hats on the table on your right. It's okay, you may browse around and pick whatever you like. Why you wonder? It is my....BIRTHDAY! We have to party and dance and for this you gotta look festive ^_^

Every year I wonder how it's possible for the time to pass by so quickly again and I think I mention this in each celebration post as well. Seriously though...how?!

Okay, that aside, for the first time in my blogging career...I don't have a Birthday Giveaway on my actual birthday. I will have one later, but it sucks as to me it's like a little celebration with all you guys as well! But, last week I got plagued by head-cold and I've been sneezing me brains out of me head (and yes, I meant to say "me head" and not "my head"). No fun! However, I can't force things (I will ramble about this soon) and I'm not completely better. I've only worked on commissions and put my own little projects aside. So in a couple of weeks I'll have the giveaway which I'll combine with the Holidays, so stay tuned for that please.

But as many of you already know, I could not have gotten this far without the help of everyone who supported me and my art throughout this year (and the years before). Really, such a huge thank you goes out to all of you for following me on my magical & creative journey. Here is to the third year and you can grab whatever piece you want from the cake below...

*raises many glasses in the air, throws confetti and cupcakes*

Gotta say that I've been feeling like it's my birthday for a few days already; got lovely goodies from across the world! How lucky am I?!

Oh! I also took this day as the starting point to start posting on Expats Post again. I've been quiet enough now. So if you like to read a more "serious" ramble, please click The Magic Carpet.

Lastly, you can tell me what you picked from the outfits & hats table...only if you want of course. Hehe.

Have a lovely Sunday & Till next time everyone!

Tales From an Illustrator: Expats Post

Hello Hello Everyone!

It's update time! Well part of it haha. Okay, most of you know about my column on the site Expats Post right? I shall tell a bit more about it.

Expats Post, is an online newspaper brought to life to provide the World with quality articles about lots of topics. It's a place where most of my favorite writers publish their articles. Plus, I'll publish my own column there as well. Do have a look and read please, because they are all fabulous. Yes, Fabulous. Okay, I must stop imagining them in fancy outfits...

Also, if you love to write and looking for a place to publish your work, have a look on there and sign up. It's that simple. However lovely people, this is not all. There is a site specifically for Poetry and...Art. Ah so excited here!

You know what I also did? I drew the logo for the site! Together with the feedback from the group...it turned out really cool (if I do say so myself ^_^) and I have it on a shirt as well!! I totally feel like a superhero when I wear it (not kidding here). It is a very different style for me and got a some digital lessons from the Wizard MZ (thank you for patiently answering my questions, MZ!).

Expats Art, is brought to life to showcase and promote artists of all kinds. It's all about giving visitors peeks at hidden gems in the world and making sure artists get more visitors to their own official sites. You can read more here in a post I wrote: Hello World. Slowly artists are being added while the site is being changed and altered here and there. It's going to be a big creative community!

If you're an illustrator, photographer, artist or know someone who would be interested in joining Expats Art, do let me know. The site is invite-only for now, so do contact me at tjlubrano@gmail.com please.

For staying up to date through social media, you can find us on Facebook: Expats Art on Facebook and Twitter, @ExpatsPost. Make sure you have something nice to read with your morning/afternoon/evening coffee and a wander around the sites and discover cool Writing and Art. You won't be disappointed.

Oh! You can see more of my own Portfolio on there by clicking here: The Magic Cupcake.

Write You Later.

Ciao!

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!

Sifting Through Thoughts and Papers pt. 1

(peeks from behind piles of paper)

Oh my goodness! I reached 400 readers :D So happy here! Thank you so much lovely people! You know, I wonder if I ever get out of this cleaning mode, but okay, I have a few small updates for you.

Canceled 2nd blog.
I chatted to a few friends and after some thinking I decided to cancel my 2nd blog and post my columns solemnly on Expats Post (more on this soon). I divide you guys a bit all over the place now and to be honest keeping track of all I do is a tad much at times. So my column will be published there and every now and then I shall post a reminder here. Of course everyone who has me on Facebook or Twitter will see the tweets and status updates twirling by.

To everyone who followed me there and not here, please keep an eye on it and switch to this one if you want to stay up to date ^_^.

New commission/shop policies
I re-wrote my commission and shop policies. The last one was focused on the mugs I created, but now I changed directions, so needed to change my policies. I highly advice you read them as I (hopefully) provide you with enough information on how I work, price calculation so you can decide whether you want to hire me or not. Prices are quite difficult to point out as I used to end up doing more work then planned and as much as I love creating, I have to be sensible and realistic with my time and pricing.

Do NOT be afraid to e-mail once you've read it all and still have questions though. I don't bite...hehe.

Shopping!
Don't forget that you can get my stuff at two places now: Etsy & Zazzle. I have a permanent tab and a widget in the sidebar for them. Zazzle is really for those who just want to order stuff without the hassle of contacting me. All products listed on Etsy have gone through my hands. I signed it, added extra details, wrap it up for you and fly to the post office. Also, original pieces will be listed on Etsy alone as well. Remember, I'll work with small stocks, so if prints/cards are gone, they are gone unless you guys keep asking for moooorrrreee! hehe.

NOTE: I've FINALLY ordered new prints of sketches and new art. These will arrive next week and will be added in my Etsy shop and I'll be doing a giveaway when I reach 300 likes on Facebook!!! Stay tuned for an update.

Random Rant: I dislike doing VAT and tax thingiessssss, but I have tooooooooo (head desk)

Column Post: My latest column is about Mirrors. Do have a peek if you're intrigued :D

Ciao Everyone!

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!