Blogger Who

Who's got two thumbs and is presumably the WORST blogger on the internets? THIS girl. Alright, I know, every recent post I have on here says something to the effect of 'yeah, I'm back on the wagon. I promise I'll update every day, blah, blah, blah."
Well, THIS time, I kinda mean it. Believe it or not loyal readers (or poor saps who have had the misfortune to stumble upon this wretched blog,) I HAVE been drawing nearly every day.

Enough of my lame excuses(lies).

If you are not familiar with the man pictured above, shame. Well, actually, not shame, because that could be my own fault for drawing him poorly. But for the sake of my argument, let's pretend for a minute that I can draw super well. This is David Tennant. He is the Doctor. As in from Doctor Who. I love him. He has crazy eyes, yells a lot, and when deep in thought while solving a mystery, wears incredibly adorable glasses. I chose this doodle for today for a very special reason.
A.) I am mildly pleased with the expressions in this sketch.
B.) Much like the Doctor, I will be traveling back in time, but without the aid of a Tardis. By that I mean, I will be adding sketches to this blog retroactively. So check 'em.

On Mustachios and Matured Men

You may not know this about me, but I have this strange love for old men. I love to draw them. A LOT. Also, I really enjoy mustaches, and replacing people's mouths with them.

This is a lil old man, who has appeared in my sketchbooks over the years. Those who have seen my sketchbooks from days gone by, may recognize him, but he's evolved a lot since his first incarnations.

At some point in the near future (i.e. when I get all my animation software up and running on my new laptop) I want to do some character animation tests with him. Because mustaches are SO FUN to animate.

Expressing Myself

I am a gal of many faces. Well, not really, I've only just the one. But I like to draw it in a variety of positions.
My new go to sketch is no longer a squid. It's now generally a face, usually mine, making weird expressions. More often than not, really awkward ones.

Cap'n Amurica

I went into the theater expecting this movie to suck major American balls. However, I was incredibly surprised by how fantastically entertaining it was! First of all, the costuming was spot on. The plot was what I was expecting of a superhero movie, as well as the fighting. My favorite part of this movie however, was the fact that there was a Stark in there, Tony Stark's grandfather I believe. Nearly every scene he was in had me cracking up/ squeeing like a sad fan girl.
Anyway, I wanted to doodle Captain America, because, well, that is what I do.

Rainbows & Sunshine

Long ago, roughly a year ago I think, I posted about unicorns and narwals, and how they are clearly ancient enemies, locked in battle. Well, I wanted to draw a picture of them all living in harmony. Also flying pigs.

Odds n' Ends

Mostly Odd(s)

These are some heating pad designs that I did, that just didn't quite make the cut.

Freudian Flies

Sometimes I draw bugs. It's rare, but it happens. Usually they turn out to be dragon flies, because they are the coolest of the bugs! I mean, LOOK at how cool these things are!

Anyway, while a good friend of mine was perusing my wares in my sketchbook. He paused at this page and was silent for a moment, then proceeded to comment, "Wow, I don't think you could make such a cute bug look ANYMORE phallic". I'm paraphrasing, but that's the gist. This was followed by reminiscing about his roommate's awesome habit of drawing cartoon peens, ala Superbad. But he did it WAAAY before the movie came out.

X-Men, Kindergarten Class

I saw X-men First Class forever ago, like when it actually came out. My mind was blown. Well, not blown, but thoroughly entertained. The guy who plays Magneto, Michael Fassbender(?). Badass. I recommend the movie. It's a fun summer flick, lots of big flashy fights, punches in the teeth, and sweet X powers. Also Mutants.
Anyway, I was wondering what it'd be like to have an X Baby.

Let the Sun Shine

It has been a sunny summer. And by that I mean, a very freaking sweaty one. Some days, when I would be walking home from work, well beyond the point of 'glistening', because girls obviously don't sweat, I felt like the sun was just hovering behind me, being a jackass and making these lame ass faces at me. I am clearly a fall and winter girl.

Howdy

Having been raised in the country, and around horses, I have a strong appreciation for cowboys, and western things in general. I'm talking mostly the equestrian aspect, barrel racing, horse shows, fancy hats, silver buckle, horses, etc. The idea of cowboys is so badass though, roughing it while you're herding cattle, endless hours trail riding through picturesque landscapes, eating loads of beans... I mostly just enjoy drawing silly cowboys and horses making funny faces. Well, really anything making funny faces, but horses especially.

Blame it on my childhood which consisted of mucking out stalls, grooming horses, trail riding, barrel racing and trail class. If memory serves, I could ride a horse before I could ride a bike. I was better at horseback riding anyway. Horses never ran into trees, and into ditches. Now that I have become a city slicker, the only thing I ride is the subway and the occasional bus. But I still look back on my cow girl days fondly.

Weird Science

It's funny how science has kind of pushed itself into my life, particularly engineering. After college, I did freelance work for an after school engineering program, and worked with some brilliant and creative kids and adults who I think will someday change the world in a profound way. Then, unexpectedly, I got a job at a university's college of engineering. Again, I work with some brilliant people and am always fascinated by what is going on in terms of the research that is happening around me. I may not understand everything there is to know about BME, ECE or mechanical engineering, but I can appreciate the design, creativity and problem solving aspects that go along with this territory. And then of course when people start talking robots, I get super excited. And then the cherry on top of this deliciously engineered cake, is a group of friends who are mostly engineers as well, that I love very much. I've come to accept, that I am surrounded by science and engineering as much I as am by art and design, and in so many ways, the two mix brilliantly together.

Anyway, after over hearing some grad students talking about their research experiences one day, I couldn't help but think of a mad scientist, with goggles that are just one or two sizes too small. Here's what I gots.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Some things you may or may not know about me.

1.) I grew up with mostly boys, and because of that, I am far from the delicate flower that is my namesake.
2.) I've got a pretty strong nerd streak, that always seems to resurface at the most inopportune moment. Example, at a staff lunch meeting, a staff member was discussing how much they walk during a leisurely stroll (upwards of 5 miles in one direction). In response, not considering the fact that I was among administrative professionals, I said, "That's not so much a "leisurely stroll" as it is a journey of "Lord of the Rings" proportion." I was met by blank stares, and then later, the stifled giggles of one informed office mate.
3.) I'm very bad at blogging every day.
4.) Despite #3, I enjoy it, usually.
5.) Humor is incredibly important to me, whether it's a great or lame, you've got it, flaunt it, someone is bound to laugh. Hopefully

Set Phasers to "Nerdy"

I am a shame to most of my nerd friends. At this point it's kind of a running joke that I have essentially not seen All the Things.
Well, I stepped up to the plate, and have embarked on a journey, to go boldly where no man has gone before. That's right, I've started watching Star Trek. I enjoy a good space adventure as much as the next girl, but what I really appreciate about the series so far, are the special effects. One of the aliens, is essentially a dog with some cardboard fins taped to it! I LOVE it. Also, I am always thoroughly entertained by Captain Kirk and the crew aboard the Enterprise.

Anyway, this is Kirk, he's a wicked horndog. There is also a splash of Spock too. He does not approve, as he finds Kirk's behavior highly illogical.

Bang Bang!

Western folks are fun to draw. If I were to do an animation that revolved around a Western town, these are probably what some of the inhabitants would look like. Note mustaches and fancy hats.

Craft-tastic

As you may recall, I make heating pads, in super cute shapes, that make you want to cuddle them.
It has been a surprisingly successful undertaking, unfortunately though, I don't always have loads of time to commit to making these things. What is especially trying for me though, is making the SAME. GODDAMN. DESIGNS. In massive quantities. I'll usually try and bang out about 10 of these things at a time, until my fingers bleed and I realize that I've run out of thread halfway through a complicated stitch job (it's happened).
This is a visual of how I feel and probably look after one of these crafting benders.

Character Dump

I am a character designer through and through. I have an idea for an animation brewing in my skull, and the character is slowly starting to form. These are some process doodles for one of the characters.
I've noticed that my style has kind of changed. I hesitate to use the term 'evolved' because that would imply that it has improved in some sense, but regardless, it has changed since my Senior year Degree Project, and I'm totally cool with it.

Heating Pad Patterns

As many of you know, I like to draw silly monsters. These are more ideas for potential heating pads. I enjoy most of these designs, but find myself questioning whether other people would like them, and wonder how quickly they would sell. Does this mean I'm a sell out for caring about what other people think about my art and how accessible the design is to the general public? Maybe? Followed by the question, do I care? No, girls gotta eat.

The Picker

Today's doodle is inspired from a real life event that I was unfortunate enough to bear witness to.

A gym is a sweaty, smelly place. However, there is such a thing as an all lady gym, which is still sweaty, slightly less smelly, and incredibly clean. The ladies that work out there do not mess around, and are way focused. However, there are some who think that that degree of focus that each individual has on themselves and their workout, renders one near invisible and free to do any number of socially awkward things.

So, I was minding my own business and running one day, as I used to do for fun, before I realized that running like a hamster on a moving track was not actually fun, when I noticed a lady doing something most un-lady like. That doesn't really mean much coming from a tom boy like me, but I digress.
This woman was running at full tilt, and leans way back, and picks a wedgie that must have lodged itself in the seventh circle of her hindquarter hell, as she was probably elbow deep in her own gym shorts. I nearly tripped for one of many reasons. Mostly, I was shocked at the intensity of the wedgie excavation. Secondly, I was slightly impressed that although this woman was running at least 6.5-7 mph and leaning at like a 45 degree angle backwards, she did not trip, or even slow down. Lastly, I was laughing like an idiot, because I am a 12 year old child trapped in a not-12-year-old body.

Anyway, this is a quick character doodle for this situation, does not actually reflect the offender in question. I'm excited to actually animate her running, I picture a rolling gait and lots of side to side action.