IN DIRE NEED

OF A NEW PORTFOLIO. Believe me, I'm on it. I have two good pieces. I could use some inspiration, if anybody has any suggestions. My boyfriend, Collin Daniel, and I are registering as an LLC in January. We'll be silk-screening second-hand clothing from our own designs [he's a bad ass photographer. taught him Illustrator and 'Shop. he's on it. like a boss]. Look forward to updates on that. Look forward to an updated website. Look forward to a lot. I do.

In the meantime, checkout our blog of awesome.
Happy Holidays ya'll.

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DIRECTION IN LIFE, I HAS IT

After hearing entrepreneur and tee shirt genius, John "Johnny Cupcakes" Earl speak at his lecture last Thursday in Trustees Theater, I finally have some idea of what I want to do after graduation [I graduate in March, at the end of winter quarter, but won't walk until May; I plan to stay here until then.]: I am starting my own studio. I hope to produce pillows and apparel, such as tees, buttons, and hoodies. I'll soon be getting a screen printing kit; I'm rather excited. I've come up with a brand and logo, but till I have a website running for it, this is top secret. I'm also happy that Collin has said he definitely wants in on this. It will be interesting, to say the least. As far as a freelance career in illustration, I'm looking for some editorial work and maybe a children's book here or there. I know I'll have to get some rinky-dink job to help support myself while I get this operation off the ground.

EPIPHANY

Today/tonight/technically-last-night I realized that I have been dependent on misery to fuel the artistic fire under my ass and now that I am happy I have had artist's block for 3 months. Realizing this is the first step toward being a happy artist. Otherwise, this has been, and assuredly will be the best quarter, hell, the best YEAR of my life. I am LOVING Working Class Studio. Business class was a smart choice... Tomorrow I'm buying business socks so I can be dressed for the occasion. I'm doing yoga and jogging, although I did skip out on book binding club. Also, it was recently my birthday... Best weekend ever... Included a sexy party, girls-night-out, a fancy date with my awesome boyfriend of six months (Collin), and an amazing post-jog breakfast, courtesy of one of my best friends (Martin). I've thouroughly enjoyed reading my good friend Lauren's blog (
), who is currently in France; she's a hoot 'n' a half! Also, I must mention that my awesome boyfriend (Collin) and his awesome new roommate (Jynx ♀) made me super chocolate Adventure Time cupcakes (FTW!!!1!) for my costume birthday party... My costume: Betty Boop. Collin's costume: David Koresh. Jynx's costume: belly dancer. BEST.BIRTHDAY.EVER.

It BEGINS

I'm on the greyhound headed to SCAD.
This year, my last year, will be the best!
I can't wait!

Button making!

Click it

NEW DESIGN

checkitoutnow!
Also, I have a TWITTER, and you should all be following that.

THANK YOU BETTY BOOP!

For the past week or so I have artist's block to the max, but yesterday, inspiration struck like lightening and now I'm working on character designs for a comic! I'm so pumped!

Threadless Design

Check it out now!

fail for the win

I submitted my first design for critque on Threadless~however I submitted under the wrong name, so instead of a link, I am posting an image.

Lemme know what you think~!

HUZZAH!

I got the internship with Working Class Studio! I'm so psyched! I'll learn screen printing and work on a team of designers to create works in the field of licensing illustration, which is right up my ally!
Also, round two for the Abilene Art Walk is happening this Thursday, fingers crossed.
Looking forward to swing dance afterwards.
I been having fun at home here in Texas with friends and family,
but I'm just about ready to get back to SCAD.

LOOKING FORWARD

I have secured a second interview from Working Class Studio, which I am greatly looking forward to. I hope I get the internship, but even if I don't I have it figured out so that I will be able to learn printmaking and take the new humerous illustration class either way! I'm taking a pattern design class and a business class. I'm really excited: I'm on my last lap, and it feels great. I can't wait to get out there and give it a go.

a dash of disappointment and a dob of hope

Well the art walk was rained out, but of course a rain check in Abilene, TX is no joke. When it rains, ain't nobody goin' nowhere. There's always next month. I plan to make some plushies by then, too, for the first time in a long while. I wish I had brought that giraffe I made... oh well.
I also want to give it a go or two or three trying to submit something to threadless. Fingers crossed!

Got the Interview

Well, after what seemed like forever, I have finally heard from the people at Working Class Studio, and they want to do an interview! It'll have to be over the phone seeing as how I'm not in Savannah for the summer. I'm pretty psyched about it; getting ready for the art walk on Thursday [that is if it don't rain]. Hope I sell some work!

jogging and blogging

I'm psyched that I've made some actual effort to meet my goals of blogging and jogging this summer. I printed some [too many] business cards for the upcoming art walk. I'll be selling blank cards there with my designs on the outside, printed at home on neon cardstock. I hope I can also sell some of the original paintings from some of the work I have done over the years at SCAD.

VA VA VOOM

Abilene Public Library held a book sale [books being taken out of circulation] this weekend, and I made out like a bandit. I got a huge book full of Norman Rockwell's work for my Granddad. I got a tiny book full of works by Waterhouse. I got a book on early medieval motif and one on ancient Mexican ie Aztec motif. I got Drawing for Illustration by Lynton Lamb, several astronomy books for my aunt and boyfriend, a shark book, an illustrated encyclopedia of animals, a big book full of the works of Albrecht Dürer's work, some art history books, a funny book about shell motif, a tiny buddha book for my friend, and much much more! I only spent 26$.
I need to get back to the drawing board. Haven't done much since the book sale cause I just about ripped my arms off carrying all those books. My intuos4 tablet [medium sized] finally got here, so now I can do [picture me standing on top of a mountain for this-->] WHATEVER I WANT!

I ♥ CHAI TEA

These are some shoes I designed on ZAZZLE.

OMG stumbleupon is the best thing since Al Gore invented the internet. I found countless sites with interesting random information and games and opportunities to draw in interesting ways. Create your own snoflake here and watch it dance. or Make your own Jackson Pollock painting here! or Swap sketches here!
This cyber puppy does tricks! Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffallo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

I want to get a pair of my shoes before I go back to SCAD. I wish I could get them in time for art walk.
I'm getting txt msging for the first time starting July 11th. I'm super psyched about it, too. It's just so arcaine to not be texting. Counting down starting now!

PROGRESS

THAT'S RIGHT, I SAID IT. I've been making progress. I did a lot of cleaning today and tomorrow I'll get to the recycling. At least it's organized for now. I also got an etsy that ya'll should see. I had delicious steak for dinner with edamame and chai tea.
Sorry to say I likely won't make it to my friend's shindig,
but I'm looking forward to the art walk.

ADVENTURE

Check out my new card design! I'll be selling copies of this design [in five bright colors, with colored envelopes] at the Abilene Art Walk on the second Thursday of next month.
I want to come up with a few more designs before the art walk.
I'm also selling some original artwork I've done over the years while at SCAD.
I woke up at 3am today with a spider on my face: not awesome.
I'm trying to find some way to get to San Antonio this Friday.
A friend of a friend is going to be introducing me as an artst, and it would be nice to be there.

a butterfly landed on me today!

Getting closer to having something to show for myself in regards to my comic; still working on motivating the storyboarder for our animation. Getting some birthday cards going, sending a green one with monkies on it for my boyfriend ^.^ not sure how much to charge for them. I'm printing them at home.
I'm so happy to be home in Texas. I missed the starry night skies, the wild flowers, and the humidity free air.
I had me some deer meat, too!

LOBSTER KISSES

LOBSTER WEDDINGS AND THEM CROOKED VULTURES

Two things ya'll should check out: the lobster art of Ken Hendrickson and music by Them Crooked Vultures.

I was looking for pictures of lobsters as reference and found Hendrickson's work. It made my day.

Abilene, TX has an Art Walk every second Thursday of the month, so by this time next month, I hope to have a few dozen greeting cards [that I will print at home on colored card stock] and maybe some buttons. If you know a cheap way to get buttons made, let me know!

Getting the ball rolling, Indian Jones style

Since this is my first blog [well not really, I was once a horrible html gobbling addict for all things blog, but that was long ago], I suppose I should introduce myself a bit. Call me EMMALEEDIRE. I'm an illustrator on the rise. I'm currently a SCAD student [I graduate this March]. I am a native Texan. I like to draw sharks in dresses and octopi in spurs. I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil, and I can't picture my life without art.
I have so many people who have helped me get to where I am. My maternal grandparents and guardians, Nana and Granddad, have helped me every step of the way. Granddad has put all of his energy into getting me through school and funding my efforts to be a grown-up. A close friend, Virginia Bethke, has been a long-time proponant for my career and is one of the most supportive people I know. A new face, illustrator Violet Lemay has come into play in my life during my years here at SCAD. She is extremely knowledgeable about the industry of illustration [don't believe me? check out her blog and see her site] and has been a great mentor and friend since I met her.
I am very excited to be blogging again, so expect a daily update. I will try my best not to be obnoxious. That is what Twitter is for [speaking of, you can follow me on Twitter or Facebook].
Remember to check out my website!