The Life Pursuit: San Smith

Kiki's Delivery Service doodles

Ahhh, as usual there is never enough time in the week. Where did this week zip by? I still have so many drawings I want to share but they aren't quite ready... I thought I'd at least share some of my Kiki sketches though! I'm working on doing a full illustration of Kiki flying through the sky (see below sketch) and the rest of the stuff is just doodles that happened while working. If you haven't seen Kiki's Delivery Service, I totally recommend it - especially if you are a fan of Totoro or other Miyazaki films. The story is about a young girl going to live in a town by herself for a year to establish herself as a witch, and while doing so she learns the important lesson of believing in herself and following her heart. Love love love this movie...

One of my favorite parts is the opening scene where she is flying on her broom and listening to 50's sounding Japanese music. (The song is "Rouge no Dengon" by Arai Yumi for the curious!) It makes me want to go grab a battery powered radio and listen to fun oldies while riding my bicycle... I found a clip of it on youtube, check it out:

Comic suggestions and Scott Pilgrim poster!

Holy crap! The official Scott Pilgrim vs. the World movie poster is out!! (Source: slashfilm.com and the movie site!) And it is too cute - I'm so excited for this movie... Check it out!

I haven't been this excited about a comic movie in a long time. I heard the end is a little different from the series, but to be honest I'm kinda ok with that. It will be like two Scott Pilgrim tales in one since we are getting the final book later this year as well! I really hope that something fun goes on related to all this while I'm at San Diego Comic Con this year :D

A little comic book recommendation...

I finished the graphic novel, "Good as Lily" the other day - its written by Derek Kirk Kim (whom I adore) and illustrated by Jesse Hamm. I had never seen Jesse's art before - I actually purchased this thinking Derek had both written and illustrated it, so I was a little surprised when I started reading... However - Jesse's art works great with Derek's storytelling! It is a little more fantasy based than the last graphic novel I read by Derek - but I enjoyed it none the less. I don't want to spoil the story by trying to describe it - so if you want to know more there is a brief description here...  I highly recommend "Good as Lily". Its a quick read, but it left me smiling and feeling pretty warm n' fuzzy for a bit. ;) If you can get your hands on it, you should also read "Same Differences and Other Stories" - which is written AND illustrated by Derek Kirk Kim - I really love this graphic novel. Unfortunately it seems to be out of print - but if you ever see a copy - buy it! You will not be disappointed, he is a great story teller.

I'm reading a couple of other graphic novels at the moment - and as I go through them if I think any are worth reading I'll let you know! I think it would be fun to have some recommended reading in here every now and again.

I should have some art to share later today or tomorrow - I'm working on some random girl drawings as usual, a logo design, character sketches, and a few fan arty things - Um Jammer Lammy, Kiki (from Kiki's delivery service) to name a few... I can't wait to share some of it!

Totoro cookies and origami cranes

Last week I was having some issues with eye strain and was not able to work a whole lot at the computer, so I ended up doing crafty things instead... such as making Totoro cookies and hanging origami cranes! The Totoro cookies were pretty tasty - I made them out of peanut butter cookie dough. Yum yum yum.

Aren't the cranes so cute? They are super tiny and occasionally spin. I was trying to make a tutorial video on how to string the origami cranes for you guys, but I keep having issues with imovie! So I decided I'll just draw the instructions instead - I should have that for you guys in a few days :D Would anyone want a little demonstration on how to make Totoro cookies too?

Random Friday post

Ohmigosh where did the week go?! I apologize for lack of updates - the week truly has zipped by me. I don't have a lot to share, spent most of the week doing businessy things and putting stuff on ebay. Blargh! So very little time for drawing... However I did doodle this quickly yesterday:

Its "iamamiwhoami", from the ongoing wacky music video viral marketing campaign. I'm really interested in it right now - but I have to admit the videos creep me out a bit. I think its the distorted eyes and bright white teeth... I actually screamed at the end of the last one - hahah! I'm such a wimp. If you haven't seen them, check them out here. The videos go in order so be sure to start from the beginning! And I don't recommend watching them late at night alone if you are a coward like me ;)

Anyhow - about the ebay stuff, here is a preview

I am trying to clean out stuff I've had in storage, and unfortunately a lot of my Harley Quinn collection is part of that. I'm keeping a lot of stuff still, but above is what I weeded out to put on Ebay. I'm also selling shoes, collectibles and other little things, so go look. I'm looking forward to getting all these packaging boxes out of my house next week! hehe... soo:

Here is a link to my Ebay auctions!
Tell a friend - they are very cheap and end in 3 days! :)

Well thats about it. While taking photos for ebay and doing business research and meetings, I escaped briefly to hula hoop outside on Sunday, started listening to some Eisley (looove Brightly Wound and Golly Sandra), wearing flowers in my hair made by my friend Sarina, daydreaming of Totoro tattoos and started playing Um Jammer Lammy again (It's really hard! But I'm also bad at video games). Here is to hoping next week I'll have more time for drawing!

Things I love Thursday!

Here is a quick little list of things I'm loving right now...!

Spotting lolcats graffiti by our house

This drawing my friend Krysti did of me as a "Sanpire" :B

Won Fu! I picked up an issue of Giant Robot the other day and they had an article on this Taiwanese band, Won Fu, and their first US tour. It was a really cute article - and I have to admit I was pulled in by the lead singer Mami's dark purple hair (although I cant find any pictures online - I wonder if it was a printing error? ha! here are some cute pics I did find though). Check out this video by them, it even shows part of their stay in San Francisco at the very end:

Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo HD Remix! I found a demo of it to download on our PlayStation and I'm so excited! I used to love that game a lot when I had it on my gameboy and ollld playstation.

Getting excited about trips: It looks like I'm going to San Francisco in April and San Deigo Comic Con in July! I'm trying to figure out a budget for other trips, I hope it works out. I miss traveling!

Listening to old 90s girl bands! specifically The Sundays (love: here's where the story ends) and Veruca Salt (love: Seether, Shutterbug)

Getting my “Oh No, A Meteor” Minicomic in the mail from Nedroid.com (with Bartholomew drawn inside!!)

Last but not least, I just found out about the cartoon "Adventure Time with Finn and Jake", and I really like what I saw! I don't know a whole lot about it still, but I wanted to share the first clip I watched. If I find out more, I'll share it later :) Here you go:

  Hope you guys are having an awesome Thursday!
Anything you are loving right now?