more copic markers more goodies

My friend Charlene VIllena, a talented artist whom I've befriended via Instagram AND collaborated with, recently donated her copic markers to me! I am so excited to have more to build onto the new collection my boyfriend's mother gave me not too long ago... it's made me so happy! Just so you know, this is my first time ever using copic markers only because I'm very aware of its ridiculous cost. It would've done damage to my wallet. I'm just beyond grateful that these people were so very generous about giving their markers to me and supporting me in what I love to do. It meant a lot. <3

Char also wrote me a very thoughtful and sweet letter that me and my boyfriend love!

xx ss

cancun

Just came back from my best friend's beautiful wedding in Cancun, Mexico! And I am happy to be home because it's time to decompress.

Being a short trip { 3 nights, 4 days } it felt like a week. I really maximized my time in Mexico as much as I could. As soon as I arrived at the Azul Fives resort in Cancun, I was greeted with a glass of white sparkling white wine. And that was the start of my adventure. An abundance of food and drinks - all inclusive! Being by myself without my boyfriend at the wedding was somewhat a challenge to my emotions. But we've been FaceTiming each other everyday and it has seriously helped me. :) { He's the best. } 

I wish I took more pictures but it's hard to when you're just in the moment enjoying the company of friends and loved ones. Plus, I didn't want to risk losing my phone every time I pulled it out.

This was probably the most beautiful wedding I've been to. I came home with a number of bug bites, a large bruise on my knee, a burned back, bloody ankles, and a smile on my face. There was lots of laughter, tears, a little drama here and there { yikes! }, but most of all, love for the newlyweds.

xx ss

marie antoinette and mermaids

During the last Mercury Retrograde {May 19 - June 11} I was in a creative block yet again. It was the longest delay I've been through so far this year. I needed a subject to feed off of. If you've been following me on my Instagram, you probably noticed what they were..

marie antoinette.jpg

Marie Antoinette's and mermaids! I'm suddenly inspired to experiment with color. And I thought Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette was a perfect subject to practice with.  

...Then the mermaids. My boyfriend suggested I sketch a mermaid one day which was the perfect exercise to get my brain rolling and fetching ideas. It was tough because mermaids are way more different than the fashion muses and dancers I'm used to sketching. Mermaids are so much more sensual, revealing, and colorful. After I started on my first sketch I quickly became addicted and then drew all this...

So I think I got it all out of my system..! I've learned to be a little more brave with color. Now that Paris Fashion Week is happening I've been applying these new color techniques to my fashion illustrations :) I'm pretty content with the results!

xx ss

enigma of being awake

A must see... be sure to donate what you can for this movie to come to life! This was written and directed by my friend Emmeline Kim. She is insanely talented and has so much fire and creativity in her blood. I'm so grateful to have played a part as the artist in this short clip. 

Clickity click to see more about it!

 

xx ss

collaborations make me hungry

Last week a whole case of Health-ade kombucha bottles was delivered to my door. I was a pretty excited girl. I'm currently collaborating with this brand - which, let me say, I LOVE! It's pretty amazing. After a good hike I usually stop by Whole Foods just to grab some of this bubbly and I instantly feel rejuvenated and accomplished. Now having a whole week's worth of it is just insane! And guess what? I'll be receiving another case of these next week! :D

Follow their IG to see the work I'll be doing for them!

I'm also working on another collaboration and it's with the artist, Charlene Villena. She's got amazing talent and her style stands out from the rest. I'm excited and can't wait to share what we have planned! I've been pretty swamped trying to work on two of these collaborations at once while spending a lot of time with family at the hospital. I've had very little sleep and my mind has been cluttered which has given me a pretty big appetite...

So there's a sale this month at Marie Callender's.. just sayin. This is my all time favorite pie from that place. This is the Chocolate Satin Pie. That is all. 

Perfect way to end the week. Vegan organic wine and food at The Springs for lunch in downtown LA with my girl Jasmine. Also, I'm glad Mercury Retrograde is officially ending this week. There definitely has been a shift in the energy around people and places and I've just been super sensitive during this crazy time! But I will say, last week I was able to get inspired better than I could the week before. I was tired and hungry, but inspiration was for sure downloading into my brain. Stay tuned for the revelation of my collaborations! 

xx ss

arts district junkies

Week 2 of Mercury Retrograde, and lots of ups and downs. Whether it's real or not, something odd is up in the air and it's been throwing everyone off! Anyway, we got one more week til it ends! Besides the downside of my week, I've still managed to find some fun discovering places and spaces in the Arts District  with none other than my girl Jasmine! That area is just full of inspiration.  

A beautiful journal I found at Poketo. I didn't buy it because it was a journal that would be more useful for someone who goes to yoga classes. Now if it was a sketchbook, I definitely would've purchased it.

Spotted this wall while Jasmine was driving and took a quick snap.

More adventures comin your way! And yay, my birthday is coming up!

xx ss

derby worthy hats print

So I just got sick yesterday and even went home early from work hoping to recover overnight but didn't. I feel worse today lol. But I was excited to complete my list of things to do today. I prepared and mailed out a print order and worked on a new print that I just added to my shop! I did this illustration during Fashion Month last year where I worked diligently every day illustrating a series of trends I spotted on the runway. I'm slowly adding more as I'm trying to pick out my followers top favorites. I'm always open to suggestions! After all I wouldn't have opened up a shop if it was never requested by you guys! So ask away~! 

Thank you all always for your love &amp; support..&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thank you all always for your love & support..  

xx ss

presently...

The past is gone, the future is not yet here. All you have is the present, this very moment. 

{ Three years ago, drawing hands used to be my worst nightmare. Now I love it. } 

Happy New Years everyone! I'm pretty excited to begin fresh new work to share with you and to continue trend researching. With that, I hope you're enjoying my new website layout as much as I am...! I've also started to add new { and old } prints to sell in my shop!

Reflecting...

I've seriously improved in my illustrating over the last three years since I began this blog.. So much that I never use a pencil anymore or do base sketches with one. Not to mention I don't erase any of my work either! That's how my intuitive illustrating was born.. It's like I learned how to do a handstand without a wall { which is actually still a work in progress for me! }. But anyway, I've come so far working day by day trying to reach my fullest potential. And I finally feel even more confident in my work today that it no longer feels like I'm struggling with any particular area. I'm just free flowing with it now.. I'm really grateful for the abundance of support that I get. And I'm really happy that my work is appreciated by people around the world that come across it on my Instagram. So thank you all...

I'm not quite sure what I'll do next, but nowadays when inspiration hits me over the head, I get a major download of it and act on it instantly. I'm going to continue illustrating fashion trends all throughout the year in the most creative way I can. Pretttty excited to see how that goes! I really don't have any goals for this new year, but just to make authentic choices and do what makes me happy. I want to keep surprising myself and others with my work. Oh- and I need to finish every sketchbook I have before buying a new one. I'm seriously wasting money every time. Happy New Year!

 

xx ss