Last night, I sketched portraits at the M5V Realty: Streetcar Lofts party. It was an event to promote the swanky loft condos in Toronto’s trendy Queen Street West area. I kicked it up a notch and brought *drum roll* new colours to the mix! Oh yes, it was a blast adding pink, blue, yellow and red to the portraits.
The event itself was fabulous with endless waves of delicious hors d’oeuvres, open bar and funky music thanks to the DJ. Here are highlights from the night:
Yesterday, I visited my high school Don Mills Collegiate Institute in Toronto to give a talk on my artwork and life as a freelance illustrator. Back in the day, I was enrolled in CyberArts, a special computer / arts program at the school so it was refreshing to talk with current grade 9 and 12 students! The computer lab in the photos above was the very room where I learned Adobe programs all those years ago (except on old-school popsicle-inspired iMac G3 computers with the very round mouse). Ah the memories…
Aside from showing my portfolio, talking about my work history and college years, a good part of the talk focused on how to establish a freelance career. I shed light on self-promotion, time management, networking, and the importance of business knowledge. Great questions were raised especially the grade 12 students as they’ll be gearing up for college soon. Here’s a summary of the main points:
Be nice and gracious to everyone. Someone will always know someone you know, and you never know who might be able to help you one day and vice versa. Good karma goes a long way.
Do what you love. Always create work that reflect what you love whether it’s graphic design, illustration, architecture, film, etc. If you do this then the right clients will find you. It also keeps you motivated, happy, fulfilled and free from burn-out.
Establish an online presence. Portfolio websites are the norm and most jobs won’t consider you without one. Social media is also an excellent way to reach out so take advantage of blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Behance, and other creative community websites. But of course, keep it professional (save the awesomeness of your cat for a personal blog).
Avoid doing work for free or cheap. Student or not, you possess a talented skill which you worked hard to hone and refine so compensation (cash or cheque is standard) is only fair. Illustrator / Designer Jessica Hische has an excellent info-graphic on this topic. However, there are times when it’s ok to trade in your time. As my Sheridan College business professor Kathryn Adams so eloquently said: “Does the project fulfill at least two of the three F’s – Fame, Fortune and Fun? It’s rare to have all three but if you have two then it’s worth considering.” Also, beware of crowd-sourcing contests asking for submissions with only the POSSIBILITY of winning. Most of the time, this is a ploy for the client to get lots of free work to pick from.
Price your work by its intended usage. Another stellar post about this topic from Jessica Hische. The Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) handbook is also an official and reliable reference.
You can say no. If the job is undeserving of your talents even after reading the fine print in the contract and negotiating with the client, you can politely decline. There is always something better. If more people turned down bad jobs, the integrity of the creative field will be held at a high level.
I was invited by a volunteer I met at Boobyball (which I sketched at last month) to sketch portraits at her baby shower today! It took place at the Richmond Hill Country Club (just north of Toronto) and was a lovely afternoon with joyous relatives and friends of the mom-to-be. Here are photos from the event:
I was invited to sketch portraits at Toronto author Maya Chendke’s launch party for her new book Awake But Dreaming last night. The event took place at the downtown Toronto swanky Shangri-La presentation centre. It was a joyful night with lots of guests, desserts, and a live pianist! Here are some highlights:
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My original outfit: I always thought army green and pale pink made a cute couple and that’s what this outfit is based on. I’m decked out in a cropped army green jacket, mint tank top, pale pink ruffle skirt, magenta tights layered with large black fishnets, and green letter-camouflage pattern sneakers. I accessorized with a scarf, pink fingerless glove, Headmistress headband and brooch.
Reinterpretation: This look was created with my boyfriend Jack Shepherd in mind! I worked the jacket into a men’s version, the skirt into rolled up jeans, the tank top into a henley, and the scarf pattern into a cardigan. Green loafers and a brown woven belt add the finishing touches. This was my way to add some pink to his wardrobe! Details:
We could be one of those matchy-matchy couples who go jogging together.
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My original outfit: I’m channeling my wild side in a faux fur hat with ears (another treasure from Toronto’s Kensington Market), black and grey tiger stripes shirt with shoulder cut-outs, black pearls, bubble skirt, stockings, bracelet with golden studs and oxford shoes in ochre.
Reinterpretation: I created a swimsuit from the black and grey tones with ochre embellishments layered with an asymmetrical sheer lounge dress in the tiger print. A chunky black necklace, ochre bracelet, heels and turban completes the outfit. This look will surely add some animalistic grrr to the beach side! Details:
It’s always fun to bring out one’s inner animal, especially if it has a gypsy / 70′s feel to it!
A look at the swimsuit without the lounge dress.
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My original outfit: Since I’m not a huge fan of wearing scarves around my neck, I’m wearing this bright floral one as a headband. I’m also sporting a loose white shirt, black skinny jeans and brown boots. The look is accessorized with a another headband worn around the neck, a horse chain necklace and a woven bracelet.
Reinterpretation: The model muse here is the young Kate Moss in her 90′s glory. (Fun fact: Kate and I are the same height at 5’7!) The shirt is slashed and braided into a more chic version with an extra piece worn at the ankle. The floral pattern of the scarf is now a faded print for the denim shorts, the black of the jeans is a single stripe in the shorts, and the original accessories are recycled into new bracelets. Details:
I gave her dewy pink eye shadow, lips and a brow ring for a girly yet grungy look. Note the original horse necklace is now part of the earrings!
This shirt has a grungy D.I.Y. look that turns eclectic when paired with the accessories.
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My original outfit: Oh yes, I sported the China doll / Louise Brooks haircut back in the day! And I quite like it worn with my black Peter Pan collar shirt with white stripes, green mini-skirt with white stripes (actually a child’s x-large skirt scoured from a vintage shop in Toronto’s Kensington Market), sheer black polka dot stockings, and red waist belt and flats.
Reinterpretation: I did a vintage look inspired by the 50′s with a modern edge. The skirt is turned into a cardigan with green and white chevron stripes, the shirt is now a black full skirt with white stripes graduating in thickness, sheer stockings are now gloves, while red heels and a flower brooch complete the look. The strawberry blonde bob adds the final touch! Details:
I miss my old haircut, think I’ll bring it back again one of these days.
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My original outfit: I’m wearing a purple headband with white polka dots, teal sports jacket, purple shorts, gold leggings, grey socks with white frills, and mint sneakers. I wore this to play tennis (poorly) once although the gold leggings weren’t part of the original getup.
Reinterpretation: Due to the garish colour palette, this was the perfect chance to make an avant garde look inspired by Grace Jones and the great 80′s. The sports jacket and gold leggings fuse together to create a body suit, arm warmer, head piece and anklet, and the shorts transform into knee pads. The mint hue of the sneakers is now the shade of the nail colour. Details:
Gotta love her era-defining angular haircut.
Not to mention her gazelle-like stature, she’s truly a beaut!
Adobe Photoshop
Topshop Sketches
Above: This cut-out polka dot dress is perfect for a soiree. And check out that metal heel boot!
The first and only time I’ve been to Topshop was in New York two years ago and it was love at first sight. I’ve since longed for a day when I can visit one Toronto, my home city. Such a dream became reality this past weekend as I finally visited the new Topshop / Topman at Yorkdale Mall! Even the in-store music was taken right from my playlist – back to back Friendly Fires, Strokes and Lykke Li? I’m in heaven.
Needless to say, I fell in love with too many things to name but played it safe (this time) and only got a pair of double seamed stockings and a lilac lipstick named “On the Town“. The visit also inspired me to create sketches of some of my favourite things. Think I’ll be back soon for some holiday shopping!
Boyfriend tried on button-down shirts in plaid and chambray, corduroy pants and woolly cardigans. I for one dig the cardigan layered on shirt look.
Teal’s the deal. Love this dress, these shoes, and this clutch.
Can’t go wrong with a bodycon zippered dress, funky sunglasses, rocking necklace and leopard heels.
The next day, I had a fashion shoot / video interview with Toronto blogger Marcus Kan. He told me to dress and accessorize it up so I went with a Material Girl asymmetrical jersey dress with mesh cutouts, Forever 21 vest, layered Topshop and Jacob stockings, and Aldo shoes. Accessories include a Fashion Whore necklace and Tarina Tarantino ring. Last but not least: behold my new haircut!