jumpsuit joy!

(Since this picture I got new sheets so no more Laura Ashely duvet cover and my bed is properly sheeted. :-) I've joined the rest of civilization and I don't know why I have this super mean face here but yeah....)

Here is my newest jumpsuit acquisition. I have to say jumpsuits are endlessly fascinating and covetable to me. I think they are going through a revival, somewhat of a renaissance, so I'm trying to collect them while I can. I mean I remember when I used to wish for jumpsuits but the only kinds that were available were by J.Lo or really heinous vintage ones that had dated fits. Scary! But 2008 has brought so much jumpsuit joy. This one is Betsey Johnson. You can get it here. Ahhh~~! :0)

pastel balloons and polka dots.

This morning I was so surprised when Yoko, who I thought was in Japan, appeared at my front door along with her boyfriend, Ryan, with what looked like a hundred balloons. Yoko is an amazing photographer(check out Homako on Flickr). I mean if you're the kind of person that shows up unannounced from Japan in a polka dot blouse with a hundred balloons, your photos have to be amazing.

illustration enlightenment.

(image: Yuko Shimizu)

I was reading Yuko Shimizu's FAQs on her website and I really recommend going through it if you are an illustrator. She is really honest and has great insight about illustration. Having recently quit a painting class it was really timely to read the following, "I tried to be a painter (I still paint quite OK), and soon realized I think in lines and flat colors, not in forms. I can draw lines and patterns forever and feel meditative. Painting frustrates me and I keep thinking of how many more hours I have to sit in front of an easel. It was just not for me". Not to say I'm not going to do anything I'm not good at but that not everything is for everyone and it's important to figure out what's right for you and to be confident about your choices.


Here's the full question and answer from which I took the quote:

Q. It feels like everyone is switching to computer. Should I ditch my paint brushes and be a digital illustrator?
A. Absolutely not! Don’t get caught up in the trend and what’s new. Be true to yourself and who you are as an artist. If you hate painting and love computer, welcome to the world of digital art. But if you love painting and traditional medium, why quit?

Legendary designer Paul Rand once said, “What’s new has nothing to do with what’s good. What is good is timeless”. If you are a good traditional artist and love it, there is no reason for you to switch to what you really don’t love.
Because you feel like it is old fashioned? You live in 21st century, reflect your time in your own way. Learn from people like Sam Weber, James Jean, Hellovon or James Blagden.
Because it takes too long? You need to get faster. Shawn Barber paints in oil and finish up a portrait in less than a day. Chris Buzelli knows every single trick to make his paintings dry fast from years of experience. Look at Tim O’Brien’s detailed realistic work, and see how many illustration he puts out a year.

I use what I use, because I cannot think of any other way. I tried to be a painter (I still paint quite OK), and soon realized I think in lines and flat colors, not in forms. I can draw lines and patterns forever and feel meditative. Painting frustrates me and I keep thinking of how many more hours I have to sit in front of an easel. It was just not for me.
People often think I have a comic influence and Japanese edge which are considered trendy. but I grew up in Japan and started drawing imitating comics I read . This is jut me being me. You cannot expect me to draw and paint like Americans, or anyone else.

Just need to stick to what you love. Trends just come and go. You don’t come and go. So, be you.

hyoni fan.

I loved Hyoni's September Teen Vogue spread(sorry, no pictures). An Asian model in a "normal" fashion spread!!!( and by normal I mean no Asian themes: past spreads featured a Chinese model at the Great Wall of China, two Asian models in buns with blunt bangs, etc) Anyways, SO REFRESHING!! As an articulate teen reader wrote in the Teen Vogue V-mail section, "My friends and I were also happy you didn't put her in her culture's traditional garb because dressing Asian models in non-ethnic clothing challenges stereotypes". Anyways, Hyoni's great for Teen Vogue with her sweet babyface but I wonder if she'll be able to do a Chanel Iman or Jordan Dunn-like turn and go more high fashion and also stay relevant even after her Model of the World reign is up. I'm curious to see.

productive mornings.

My new thing that I'm trying to make into a habit/policy in the mornings is to not go online until I've done my various reading. It's been a good thing because reading leads to other desk activities such as drawing. Whereas if I go straight to the computer, as was my habit, I end up checking emails, browsing blogs.....and feeling like I have no time to do anything else. Strangely, I have time for it all if I do the desk stuff first. It's a small revelation but you know, baby steps, baby steps.

*Angel chan, arigatou! ganbaru yo! even though I often feel like this @___@.

freak-out!

My little freak-out session below(I took it out) was very cathartic; I feel refocused. I hate quitting but I decided to quit my painting class and I feel very at peace about it. I mean I had all intentions to keep at it because it was good for me; I've already learned so much in the first few weeks...but it's a five hour class and the homework takes several hours out of my week as well. It was a painful surgery but I had to cut it out to make room for other things. I have a stoic side that just "endures" and tries to finish things even though it drains me but that tendency hurts me a lot. Realizing all this made the decision easier for me. It's little things like that which will help me prioritize and focus more energy on my main goal. Even slowing down on freelance; I mean not that's it's totally my choice but there are things that I can turn down without guilt and with purpose.

Key words for me: Prioritizing-And I can check if I'm really prioritizing something by seeing how much time I spend on it every week. So I may say something is important to me but if I don't spend any time on it than I won't see results. So right now I'm trying to prioritize. Do some spring cleaning. :-)

black boots!!!

(big:trying to be serious face and small: not so serious face)

I have been wanting high-heeled black boots for awhile. I was thinking and thinking about them and out of the blue I got an email from Danielle at Solestruck with an offer I could not refuse: free shoes. Wow, I wish things in my life always worked like this.

Anyways, I was initially a little scared of my boots when they arrived. I thought they looked too goth for some reason. I doubted my choice a little but I decided to give them a chance. I debuted them last night and was happy to realize they were exactly what I wanted and needed! My wardrobe feels updated and reset.

I ordered them a half size up so that I could put insoles in the front but even without insoles they're very comfy. (I wish I had these when I lived in Tokyo!!) Anyways, if any of you are looking for walk-in-able high-heeled black boots click: here.

obama!

I went to my friend Diane's fundraiser/party for Obama on Thursday night. This is what I wore. I'm really trying to be more creative with my clothes and to wear pieces that I've neglected for awhile in new ways. I've never worn this combination of clothes before and I think I like it. I tried to make it a bit silly with my hair. I'm feeling like I want a little silliness in my look, to be more specific controlled silliness. It's my new "thing".

leopard spots

I wore this to a friend's going away dinner last week. I'm making an effort to dress up more lately. Trying to get out of my leggings or "jeans I always" wear rut. Oh, and this is my new hair. I like that it's kind of goofy. It's loosely inspired by Claudia from the Babysitter's Club and Sohee from the Wondergirls. :-) And it's okay if you don't know either references. They're both cultural junk food.

the freelancer's life.

I'm behind on an article that I'm writing that was due today. AHHH!! And the past month I've been keeping my eyelids open with toothpicks every night working on a book project which is tough after a full day of menial labor(my day job). I also have to illustrate an album cover, design and illustrate business cards for a friend, work on paintings for a show in May and do my homework for a painting class I just started. And I joined a gym a month ago and have yet to go once.... Ahhh, so much to do so little time.... I need a vacation.....or this stripey dress with a bow might make me feel better....