Archive for 2009

fireplace shelf

I have been thinking about an inexpensive way to spruce up my fireplace, since it was pretty plain and boring. I always liked the recessed boxes above the fireplace especially after I painted them white with light gray sides, but the fireplace itself has always been lacking something. Instead of a mantle, since our fireplace is off the ground, we got a chunky floating shelf that I wanted to put above the fireplace to see if it would bring extra interest to the area. We like it! Here are a few “before” photos of the fireplace too, enjoy!

In the listing photo, the previous owner had hidden the fireplace completely behind a large TV, not sure why you would want to do that.

Uncovered.

While we were painting.

While we were decorating and finishing up.

cat litter archaeologist

I always wanted to be an archaeologist, and it’s easy to have adventures everyday, when pretending!

expressions study

The last few months have been so busy that I haven’t been blogging as much as I would like, I miss it! I have still made time to draw and paint, though. I’ve been doing little self portrait expression studies, to get more consistent looking and expressive characters for my “Adventures of Tina and Mr. Bee” series. I’ll post more as I finish them.

Zoo and another birthday

This blog’s birthday was actually yesterday, two years and one day old today! I’ve been really busy and so my posts have been less frequent, I also needed a little break from blogging. But that doesn’t mean that I’m stopping any time soon, I have a ton of post ideas lined up and new artwork to show you. The two sketches are from the San Antonio Zoo a couple weeks ago. I love the zoo, I could go there every week and never get tired of it.

Persian new year illustrations

Another Persian new year is near! The beginning of spring, new adventures, and warm weather. Mr. Bee and I love this time of year! The Persian Cultural Society of San Antonio, Texas contacted me recently to create a Persian new year illustration to be placed on t-shirts and promotional material. If you are in San Antonio and celebrate Nowruz, I highly suggestion buying a t-shirt at one of the many parties and events, proceeds go into strengthening the central Texas Persian community with events and gatherings.

carnage

March 25, 2009 we were hit by a terrible hail storm in North West Austin. It seems like my neighborhood was the hardest hit, the storm didn’t last very long at all but left behind a giant mess of damaged cars and houses. I took tons of photos during and after, for insurance purposes, and for my own (future) amusement. Thankfully David, Mojito, and I were safe and no one was hurt.

You can view a lot more of my photos of the hail storm on my facebook profile.

Leonard Cohen at the Long Center

Last night, David and I went to the Long Center, to watch Leonard Cohen kick off his U.S. tour in Austin on April 1st (no joke). His voice was, of course, incredible, and his energy at 75 years old, inspiring. His musicians and backup singers were also more than perfect. I’m so glad we got to see him last night, all I can say is “Hallelujah”.

garden funeral

My little garden is coming along slowly but surely. I never imagined I would crave digging in the dirt, touching new leaves, and getting so excited about new growth. It has become an incredibly rewarding hobby. But a garden also contains full cycles of life and death. A dying plant, a bird skull, and today, a little dead snake. I’m not sure how he died, I found him in an unused drip tray that had a little rainwater in it. I hope I am providing a safe environment for the rest of his family and all of his other animal friends.

new portrait rosie

I’ve been drowning in work this year, and I’m sorry that my blog has been suffering as a result of this. I’ve been so busy that I kept putting off posting about this new portrait painting I’ve been working on whenever I have some free time, which is never. My friend Rosie came to visit me from San Francisco early this year and wanted me (and Red Tie Studios!) to paint a portrait of her. I got to draw her while she sat for me, and took some great photos for reference as well.

I’m having really bad drawing withdrawals recently! I need to make it happen.

gardening and new windows

I’m so glad that all of the hail damage has finally been repaired on my house, we now have a new roof, new skylight, all new windows, new french door, and hardiplank siding, it looks great! I’m also finally making progress on cleaning up my garden after the construction workers made a big mess.

See more photos here.

Adrien Brody in The Darjeeling Limited

I spend a couple of hours on this hot sleepy Sunday painting a portrait of Adrien Brody from The Darjeeling Limited. (more…)

nightmares

Nightmares haunt me often during the night, and unfortunately I remember all of my dreams.

five years together

Happy anniversary, David Poe!

New illustration, portrait of Rosie

Finished a new illustration tonight, I kept this one a bit more loose and simple than the last few illustrations I’ve posted to my illustration portfolio. (more…)

quicky Mojito portrait

Sometimes the simplest things make me the happiest, like this 30 second portrait of my baby, Moj.

new illustration, mirror mirror

David and I are working on another illustration together. This one is a little darker in theme with inspirations from Lovecraft, Lumley, and our love for Egyptian lore. (more…)

Mr. Bee doesn’t like the cold

We don’t get much cold weather here in Austin, TX, and yet Mr. Bee and I always dread the freezing temperatures.

fast thinker

soul mate

I have been on exciting adventures recently. On November 12, 2009 I married my soul mate, David Poe. (more…)

bowling ball garden bees

This week, I took a break from drawing and painting and started crafting. I never thought I would enjoy crafting, which used to be a word that I would crinkle my nose at, but it’s been very fulfilling (or I’m just getting older). (more…)

bowling ball garden bees painting

After the bowling balls were primed and dry, I started painting them yellow. (more…)

hatching little nightmare

Here is a quick and colorful sketch of an unexpected little hatchling because I’ve been in a H. P. Lovecraft monster mood recently. (more…)

bowling ball garden bees wings

Creating the wings for the bowling ball bees was the hardest part of the project, but they looked wonderful in the end. (more…)

Pet portrait by Red Tie Studios

David and I finished a new portrait for Red Tie Studios and it is our first official pet portrait! (more…)