These are throw backs of pre-art school work. When I graduated highschool I did my basic core classes at the local community college for about 2 1/2 hrs. Then transferred to art school, the Academy of Art University online at the middle of sophomore year. These pieces were done my freshman year of college 2009-2010 when I was 18 years old.

The other week I was looking for something in my external hardrive. I have 2 of them. The first one I have my sister gave me for my 18th birthday. There are years worth of stuff so I dug into some of the first files on the device. It was shocking what I found.







I was thinking man girl! You need art school in your life! You aren't as good as your ego is telling you. You pretty much suck. One conversation I had with a fellow artist recently at the drawing group is the better your understanding as an artist and the art improves the more and more humbler and a tad bit insecure you get about your work. When you first start out it's like you bursting from the brim with confidence that you are the greatest artist that has walked this earth. And can't help but show off your paintings.

It's either you learn this humble approach practice or not. The best way is a healthy dose and balance of both being humble and self confident. When you are one of those conceited artists you'll find you won't have any artist friends...unless they are the same way. Kudos to people like that who band together.




When I saw this stuff especially the early figure drawings I laughed so hard. I was supposedly the best artist in my class. It seems like now I put more attention to the background! The subject matter in this case the figure does not pop out more than the background. Anyways when I saw these tears streamed out of my eyes. It was a silent laughter because I didn't want to disturb my neighbors and have them think oddly of me. Wtf is she doing by herself laughing not being on the phone or having the tv on like in the middle of the night.

To add more comedy in my life. It was the one day I didn't have on my usual waterproof eyeliner makeup on. When I went to go take my contacts out for the day I saw it in the bathroom mirror. Eyeliner was smudged around my eyes in a somewhat tear streaked fashion. Did not help that I rubbed my eyes at some point to try to wipe the tears but made the makeup smudging worse!

Over-dramatization examples above

 of the events that happened. 

It's like when one takes a step back a lot of improvement had been made. Art School really did push me to become a better artist. AAU is one of the toughest art schools in the US.  At times the growth would hurt and be a bit painful but the drive, enthusiasm and willingness to improve helped me grow as an artist and a person. If I gave up then or became complacent I would've still sucked. At times I still suck but not as much. And then the people who believed in me! Like wow. Thank you y'all are amazingly awesome~

Bone drawing from my Drawing 1 Class. Worst class I ever took
The negative energy in that class was strong! Another story for another time

I took a perspective class in the summer semester. Was still 17 when I started college. 

A couple of my characters named after colors.

Chaud Noir or Warm Black on the left 

and Mirage Grey to the right. Both villains in the 

Color based characters I've made. 

The moment you realize something is a mere coincidence but it doesn't seem like it. Sometimes one gets in the same wavelength as certain people and it turns out you do similar things and post them without realizing.
It was funny today one of my good friends I don't see her often but anytime I think about texting or calling her and don't do it; she either pops up to visit me or texts me first. Strange coincidences when you get on the wavelength with certain people.

               ~



Sheeseh it's been awhile.
The smell of second wind.
80% Espresso 20% milk. Cappuccino
Topped with homegrown
Chocolate Mint plant leaves.
Yum.
Mint is my favorite flavor.

 I've been playing too much RPG like Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.
Plugged in about 31 hours into the game in an almost 3 week span. Excellent game. :) Nowhere near finished.

But yet I have been up to a lot and yet I barely write or take photos about my adventures.
Balancing work and life and been out and about and home at the same time.








It has helped to recharge the creative batteries.
This was not what I had originally planned to write but those topics will be released at some point.















Friends and acquaintances are surprised I like plants. When some go over to my house, I have been pushed into having botanical garden tours. Whoo! tour at my apartment. Yes I practically have plants in almost every room. And have been dubbed a crazy plant lady. Can't really have dogs or pets. Really want a dog but can't at this moment. Its conflicting I go back and forth but yet I do not want to pay to replace the carpet when I move. (There is a few big stories about that issue. In the past my folks had to.) I have already accepted not getting part of my deposit back with all the holes I poked and punched into the wall with all my decorative pictures.

The work of an electric screwdriver. 

With plants I don't get in too deep engrossing conversations about them. I pretty much just like house plants.

Simply just place them where they like and give them water and watch them grow.

Natural air purifiers. Balances all the nasty stuff I work with.
I'll get into detail what I have when I do a studio tour of my place sometime whenever.
Randomness and  to name a few I have 8 orchid plants.

At times when I want to yap, or get stuck or have difficulties or need advice, one of my good friends is a professional florist. :>

The last few weeks the poor thing was leaning
on this extra mop I have.

Back in the middle of April I was in Santa Fe and I bought this tiny tomato plant. It was 3-5 inches tall. I don't remember but it was pretty small and I thought it was going to yield cherry tomatoes or something. Dead wrong. Now it is a towering 5ft plant growing close to 6ft. I am only 5' 2 and its been taller than me for quite some time. Honestly if I knew it was going to be that big I don't think I would of bought it. Too late to go back now.

The amazing thing is that it grew to be that big in it's original container. Today I transplanted it into another pot so it could have more room. I'm anxious to see how much more it'll grow. Up to the ceiling? I feel like jack and the beanstalk. One little bean thingy turned ginormous. How far will it go? Will there be an end? When will I get tomatoes? I've had several buds blossom.

The first few weeks I wasn't paying attention how quickly it was growing. I didn't notice. Put it in a sunny place and next thing I knew it was 18 inches. A foot and a half. So I got a stake for it, a curtain rung or something. Throughout the months I would show my florist friend the tomato plant and she would give me her thoughts like that is cool and such and that I really am a horticulturist and doing a lot despite not really being knowledgeable. Finally one of these times she said after it got to be bigger than my yard stick she was impressed it grew indoors because she explained they are outdoor plants and love to be outside. She didn't think it was possible to grow it indoors! And didn't want to let me down so she didn't say anything for a long time.

Yay! It is done. Almost complete. I'm not good with building stuff 

so the grate will be built another day.