For those who don't know, I have a graphic design website which I have dubbed 21 Ruby Lane (to view 21RL V1.0 go here). My friend Valerie, is my partner on that project (and quite a few other projects really) and we recently launched 21RL V2.0! Lol, it's kinda funny to say that. Anyway, she's real good about submitting to CSS and galleries and such, and we were featured on quite a few. Luc of Spicy Web Designers approached us about doing an interview and we were ecstatic, to say the least. So be sure to check out my interview and vote! Luc's got a great site, so definitely take the time to peruse his collection of many other designers' websites and interviews.

Whew, been workin' on my taxes, it's always a little bit tough because 1099s come when they come so I usually wait till I get them all in - THEN I can start doing my taxes. I actually don't mind calculating my taxes, it gives my brain something a bit "different" to do, considering I am usually drawing for most of my time. Of course, I DO have an accountant to help me out, not that I don't trust my work, but I think he keeps me more "organized." Asides from taxes, I was perusing the local Border's bookstore today and picked up the new copy of Girl's Life magazine, and so I think I can go ahead and post my new illo for this month's "Guys" section!

It was a pretty cute assignment, the illo is basically depicting this girl who is totally annnnoyed at this boy that is paying way too much attention to her! Lol~ I looove these assignments - they're always so much fun!

I'm excited to get more illos done, I've got some for Bop I should upload at some point, they always have really fun assignments tooo! ^_^ Cheers!

Alright, I've been a bit lazy and scatterbrained lately. I've mostly been concentrating on some ideas about how to stay afloat, though I'm not going to go in depth on that just yet. But luckily I have also been doing a lot of illustration work. I had some new pieces that I did for Bop and I also did a new book cover for Scholastic's How I Survived Middle School series, and a cute little birthday illustration for Maru and Friends. I'm really appreciative for all the good relationships I've formed in the past year or so; it's given me great opportunity to expand my portfolio as well as feel really positive about my work.

Here's the birthday illustration I did for Maru and Friends. I love the work I do with this company, I just think they have a really great idea and product with the beautiful dolls and storybook; and I can't wait to start the next book!

I've got some other new illos I'd love to upload, but I'll do that a little later and in a separate post! Cheers for now!!!

Strangely, I never jumped on the Etsy bandwagon, though I did make an attempt by listing some Scotty V stuff on there . Even in just the general shopping sense, I don't ever think to just peruse Etsy for the everyday necessities, or even just some basic "wants." Though lately I've been going on there to checkout the jewelry that's listed. I really enjoy handcrafted jewelry, and found that I can find a variety of unique pieces on Etsy, rather than scouring the web; which is the great thing about a community, like this.

Now often you'll find a lot of similar jewelry pieces using the same technique or "charms," such as that whole "two swallows on your neck" deal or the ever popular "nest" necklace with beads for eggs. Which, I do like them! But soooo many to choose from, they all begin to look alike, and I would just assume, "Hey, I'm just gonna make my own then, since everyone else is doing it." But, haha, I don't the time - I have so many hobbies as it is, I would feel lucky if I got the chance to take up jewelry making. After thoroughly rummaging through many of the similar jewelry offerings, I did come across one artisan I really liked, whose pieces where consistent and had a subtle style that was uniquely "her."

She goes by lizix26 on Etsy, and I just love how delicate and sweet her pieces look. They have a quality about them, and where others look "tried," "rushed," and "overlabored," hers look effortless. And though I imagine it is not "easy" to do, her pieces seem to look as if the design, the technique and process come naturally.

This is probably one of my favorites of hers:

Though I think all her designs are quite lovely! And she's got great prices, we all need a helping-hand in this economy! So go on, help yourselves to something sweet that fits your budget and support a small business! Check it out here

I'd say that when I was younger and I had specifically decided that, should I actually grow up to be an artist, I wasn't to be a painter or a sculptor, an animator, designer - I had specifically wanted to be an illustrator. And I didn't know what medium I would work in - I knew I didn't feel comfortable in the traditional mediums, but I hadn't know at that time what it would be. Maybe I'd grow into pen and ink, or acrylics ... But I found it eventually - the computer. And I remember first realizing that I wanted to illustrate when flipping through art books of the works of Michael Whelan and Frank Frazetta. It wasn't that they were awesome painters, it was that they were awesome visual storytellers. I wanted to tell stories too ...

When I was in my teens and I'd flip through girly magazines, my attention always gravitated to the illustrations. And definitely I had hoped that one day I could draw for the magazines too. I found the illustrations inspiring, they made the articles come to life for me. Even though it had always been my goal, first in the back of my mind - growing steadily bigger till it was just something I had to make happen - I am still amazed that I am DOING it. I AM an illustrator, a visual storyteller, and - lol - I get to draw fashionista teens in "embarassing moments," crushing on cute boys, hanging out with friends, shopping, etc. etc. etc.!

One of my favorite mags to work on is Girl's Life. I do the Guys section. Pretty much ever article has to do with a guy oriented diemma. I LOVE it! Lol! It's just always so cute and funny. Light-hearted.

I thought I'd upload my most recent piece for them, which is out now in their February/March issue.

It's all about being bummed out about you and your crush breaking up, but then he wants to get back together and you have to decide whether it's worth it or not - taking into consideration allll those bad habits he has!

So a while back I was asked to do some sketch and color studies for a flash game. I think a few illustrators were doing some tests. Nothing came of it unfortunately .. the flash game was going to be centered around fashion and had to do with Nickelodeon's show True Jackson. Among my sketches and studies, I was also asked to do a study of the character True Jackson, in the my style. I really liked the way it came out; especially considering I felt under the gun to deliver. Hopefully it's okay I post this ... I don't see why not ..... :shifty eyes:

I am really enjoying a lot of the projects I've been working on lately. And hopefully I get to post some more of the projects I've been working on. Probably a bit in the future once a few of these things have launched and I can properly give credit!