Turbulence contained.

Vintage Smells

There's a little farm down the street from the house where I grew up.  I went there today and finally, for the first time, sat and sketched.  They have a collection of vintage tractor, a collection of curly-haired cows, and the kind of farm smell that's good for the soul.  It was the first time all week I was able to shut my brain off and just sit.  This is why I love drawing so much- it gives me quiet in my world where, lately, it's been so loud.

Zeee Cupcake of Printed Glory.

I love print making.  I soooo do.  Never took a class- it's a dying art unfortunately- only because of the useful but static computer.  You can do so much with the adobe products but... can they do this, folks?  No!  Lush, hand drawn carved little beauties always get the best of me.  And I did all of this when I was supposed to be working on freelance.  Dear me, I'm hopeless....

You are still you, always.

I've been moving. It's been hard and my heart is fighting it. But I have to remember I am not defined by where I live, what I wear, the technology I own, not even the art I make. I am still me even if I leave it all behind. 

Art as gifts

I do love painting for friends for Christmas. It can be overwhelming because there is a lot already going on in December- but this is what I managed to do. I hope you all had a great Christmas. I've fallen in love with some new artist's work and I have loads of creative energy right now. Take advantage while it's there , right?  With that said, no time to loose!

Waiting

Hmmmmmm. When you wait.... Don't forget to wait the way you want to. Be YOU. Get it? Ok... 

Tearz for Buckley

I did this piece for a friend's album cover.  Oh gosh, it's like nothing I've ever done before but I had so much fun drawing it.  There's a part of me that wishes I pursued animation.  It has a whole different attitude to it.

So I looked at my friends, looked at the King of the Hill Characters and mixed the two.  Mission complete!

I'm Baaaack!!

My old blog!  MY old blog!!!  I left this lovely place to use my wordpress website but I think it's time to come back.  It's like the hero's journey- and now I'm back, folks.

This is what I've been working on lately- some illustrations for a poetry book written by a dear friend of mine.  It's been one of the best learning experiences I've had yet.  The illustration above has been painted in watercolor.  This was a digital comp in order to work out colors and gesture.

You know- life is funny.  School never ends.  Pay attention as much as possible- there are lessons everywhere.

I am MOVING- moving my blog that is.  It's now on my website with my portfolio and contact information, all laid out nicely.  Please visit!! http://www.annieruygt.com.  Thanks to all who come here--- I'll see you at the website!

The Voice Actor

My friend the voice actor has asked me to do a little business card character for her.  I was drawing all these singing mouths with a lot of teeth and tongues.  Then I decided my friend with her awesome silliness should wear a TV.  It's weird enough.  

I ordered a SPECIAL sketch book today.  I can't wait to get it in the mail.  I love new sketchbooks- they're like a new chapter.  Fresh, full of goodies soon to be revealed, and always something I look forward to.

Love to everyone!  Make art.

Interview

Hullo friends!  I did an interview recently with a college student over at Orange Coast College.  She posted it up on the school's blog: http://occprofstudies4artists.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/andrea-ruygt/

I had a nice time figuring out where I am right now in my art AND my life.  Enjoy!

"Sacred"

An awesome book has come out- "Sacred". The author, Elana K Arnold had the great idea of having some illustrators do some artwork based on scenes from the book.  There's so many great illustrations that were created- make sure you check out the book and her blog for all the tasty reviews, images, and news about her release party.

reviews and links to buy: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13533688-sacred

Elana's website:  http://elanakarnold.com/about.html

For Tonja

A friend of mine's mother has been diagnosed with 6 months to live.  We held a car wash and raised some money for her- I wanted to contribute and made a painting for the cause.  I sold it to a lovely friend at Java Joe's and the money is on it's way to her and her family to enjoy the last months, to relieve some medical bills, whatever is needed.  I hope everyone can appreciate what and who they have.  Love your family, friends, and even those people you pass by on the street.  Nothing is more eternal, more important and changing than love.

--Annie

Design Inspiration

Sometimes the best places to find inspiration are on days off, walking around with a confidant, and enjoying the scenery.  I loved this chalkboard wall and metal artworks.  

 These colors and retro/modern prints are perfect elements to create that sunny but quiet feeling in a bedroom or living room.  I've gone with a lot of neutrals so far, but maybe I'll add some blues and corals here and there.

We Were Merely Freshmen

These are pages from a short little graphic novel experiment I did my first year of college.  I thought it would be fun to put it up since it's never seen the light of day.  I can't remember the story I had behind it, except the old woman has some sort of Mary Poppins thing going on.  I think I'll have a little "play" time and re-do this comic to see how I would approach it today.  More on that soon, but until then: enjoy some of my very early work!

The Life and Times...

Well, my Christmas card with the crooked tree crooked cat, and crooked furniture was chosen to be a design offered at www.Psprint.com.  I'll be uploading it sometime in the next couple days and you can order it to send out to all your quirky friends. :)

Here's some things I've been working on.

I put together wedding paper decorations such as table lists, name cards, banners, invitations, etc, for my best friend who got married at the beginning of this month.  You can see more photos at http://caitlinoreillyphotography.com/morgan-freddy

More on the way.  Been working on my largest painting ever!

You Ain't Seen Me....

Believe it or not, I have been productive- even if my blog doesn't show it.  I have a new love from something graphic, the largest canvas I've every worked on in progress, and a newly rearranged room.

Cool!

I'll share a couple ditties I've done recently with my new favorite technique- linocuts and print making!!  Below are two things: a business card for a friend who makes jewelry (www.etsy.com/shop/NeyDelaCruz), and a Christmas Card for a little contest I endered.

I just love the idea of linocuts and the way they always turn out.  I'm a sucker for the handmade, old world feel.

The painting I'm working on it a secret because.... it's all about secrets.  I'll share it with you when it's further along but I have to say, it feel GOOD to work BIG!

Happy Dreaming!  Later Gators.

Website website website!!!  Arrrrg.  Months, well, weeks, of frustration, and headaches to present you something rather simple, not resembling any of my time and efforts.  Looked like someone computer illiterate could have put it together but... hey.  I have a strange love for grooming myself and branding my media, but I also hate sitting in front of a screen alll day.

If I signed up for a dating website, I would include that I get cabin fever and act like a 6 year old, banging and whining on the floor.  "I want to go outside!"

But look- here it is, a website for all and especially for me.

You know why I finally put up my website?  To direct all the calls I was getting and emails, asking to look at my beautiful work.

Right.

Actually.... it was to try and get a graphic design job for month while I was desperate, and now it's become quite a nice portfolio website.  Please enjoy and happy art making!

www.annieruygt.com  

Trees, all around.

Here's an illustration for a short story I did with my friend, Brent.  Check out what we do together at www.brentandannie.com, a nice little blog that will encourage both of us to work off each other and stay current with children's lit and illustration.  I really love how this piece turned out, and can't wait to do more.  I'm going to LA SCBWI convention this summer and want to build up a strong portfolio.  Here's to working hard...AND overtime!!

The Blue House

The Blue House.

     I was walking on a path lined with wildflowers and brush in San Diego one day, I started to force myself to tell a story- just to see what came out- to see if my brain could let out a little color. It's good exercise you know- walking for one, and storytelling.  It works the bod AND the brain.  No matter how silly or under developed the story might feel, it is always good practice.  I thought of something far from forgettable in my opinion, because it caused a whole spur of plots and was worthy of an illustration.  

     It's nothing more than a blue house in the middle of a valley, surrounded by skinny trees and silent hills.  It appears to those who need to understand something about each other.  It happens to be there when two children meet for the first time, when they fall in love, when they fight, when they get lost, when they can't find their way home.  

The Blue house is where all those things happen that change you.  

Where you feel like life is happening and nothing can stop it.

Find your blue house and visit it often.  Or, let it find you.

Although I will always post here, I have started a blog with my dear friend Brent.  It's a blog that will allow for portfolio practice, story and idea development, and building a following.   Please take a look inside!  www.brentandannie.com.

Happy dreaming!