Illustration & Design

On February 2nd, Artist & Community Organizer, Janique Crenshaw, led The Arts Center 2nd Saturday Collaborative Mural project celebrating Black History Month. The mural was inspired by the Kwanzaa principles of Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility) and Umoja (Unity). All ages and abilities were welcome to participate in this collaborative mural celebrating African American figures whose contributions shaped history.  Co-hosted by the Linn-Benton NAACP.

Took a break to improve my drawing. Now, I’m back!

Another Draw This In Your Style Challenge…

Original work by: @phlomux​ ~insta  /  @phlomux​ ~tumblr

Fan Art February continues with Draw This In Your Style Challenges…

Original work by: @annamarineart

Baddies are the best! 

Hisoka from Hunter X Hunter for Fan Art February.

In the Name of Justice, Love and Beauty...have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Black Excellence is Crissle West. If you haven’t heard The Read podcast, it’s a gem: 2 anti-social, nerdy Black queer icons!

One of the projects I’m currently working on is a collection of Art Nouveau style portraits of influencers I follow. Crissle is one half of The Read, a podcast that talks about reality tv drama and real life drama in a way that’s relatable. I absolutely love her and have learned so much on how to better myself through hearing her struggles. 

I continued with the current coloring process I have now, but struggled with incorporating more art nouveau elements. I originally drew this image by hand and had several elements that contained smaller images of the things Crissle likes or is known for. I may still end up painting that originally drawing traditionally, but digitally, I took it out because I couldn’t for the life of me make them work.

While it’s clear and minimalist, I feel something more is missing, but I don’t know what. Anything I tried to add to the digital image ultimately made it too busy and detracted from the main focal point, Crissle. 

Carats, Where you at?? Went to see Seventeen in concert and THEY ARE PERFORMERS! I’ve seen them before, but right after debut when they were still rookie babies. But OMG, I have a newfound appreciation for Seventeen. And although Woozi is my number 1, Mingyu has def become my number 2 bias.

Ok, with the kpop gushing out the way, this is a sketch I did just for fun. Used a reference photo and completely drew this in Photoshop. I just wanted to try my hand at a more painterly style. I think it’s much better than how “Fjord” came out before, but I still have lots of practice and experimentation to do with digital painting.

But let me know what you think...and who’s your fave Seventeen member?

Critical Role X Dream Daddy Fanart: Dream Dad Caduceus

Just a sketch I did because I was had the idea and couldn’t not do it.

Earth Elemental

// DISCLAIMER: I STARTED A YOUTUBE! You can check out everything I mention below in the speed paint video I did for “Earth Elemental” AND watch my digital art process >> HERE << // 

I honestly have conflicted feelings with Earth Elemental. As any artist can, I can see all my “opportunities for improvement.” I chose to go outside of my comfort zone by experimenting with the lineart colors, which I was proud of, but here are some things I learned:

- I learned from Earth Elemental to focus on my values so the resulting image has more contrast and therefore will be more visually enticing.

- I learned that using a reference only works when you USE THE REFERENCE (and don’t stray too much since you’re still learning to draw anatomy).

-I learned to really think about the picture as a whole (background/foreground and detail elements).

Air Elemental

“The element of Air gives us room to breathe, widens our lungs, and with them, opens our Soul to personal freedom.”

Someone Is Manifesting You (2020)