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!

Your Old Things Remind You....

Was drawing last night.  My sketchbook is my visual diary.  Thanks, sketchbook, for being there for me!