drawing

Solo Father and Son

Hello World!  I've got a late update for the portrait of Han Solo and a slightly late update on the portrait of Kylo Ren.

Han Solo, once a general of the resistance and then a legend of  smuggler.  But he's most memorable for being the pilot of the Millennium Falcon.  Space gunslinger.  

Although, for me, I watched him as Indiana Jones before I even learned that he was also Han Solo.  I really love the dynamic between Han Solo, Leia Organa nd Luke Skywalker.  

Emo Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren, a new character in the continuation of the legendary series that is Star Wars, was very intimidating when he first came on screen.  How can you not be amazed and at the same time terrified of someone who can stop a laser blast in mid-air?  I loved having gone into the movie guessing who Kylo Ren may be.  After learning that he was related and part of the Skywalker and Solo legacies, I thought he became even more interesting.  

Star Wars month is almost over with just one portrait left!  I'm pretty sure that you guys would have a good guess who is next.  Also, Han Solo marks my 20th portrait and his son, Ben breaks that 20 and is the 21st portrait.  

Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Leia Organa, Leading the Resistance

Leia Organa is one of the most iconic heroines.  I grew up recognizing her hair style, but after more recently getting into the Star Wars series, I learned how much of a bad-ass she is.  She is definitely not your typical princess.  And another reason I regret not having grown up experiencing Star Wars.  I think she would have fit right in with the rest of my role models growing up. 

I enjoyed working on this portrait and it is so far the longest I have done (since starting pastel portraits for uploads).  I enjoyed seeing where the portrait was going.  I honestly did not have any ideas on how the final portrait was going to end up.  I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did in making it.

Fire in her eyes.

I'm really enjoying this Star Wars theme of portraits.  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Luke Skywalker, from Farmboy to Legend

May the force be with you on this May the 4th.

Luke Skywalker must be one of the most influential characters to have been projected on the silver screen.  From a farmboy to a legend, his character has changed through the span of 4 episodes.  

Believe it or not, I haven’t had the privilege to enjoy the original episodes of the Star Wars series until January of this year.  *queue some gasps*  But when I finally sat down and A New Hope started playing, I was immediately captivated and blown away.  I couldn’t help but feel that I had missed out on so much by not having experienced the original episodes of Star Wars earlier in my life.  I was so taken, I actually ended up getting a Luke Skywalker figure from Bandai.  I was very happy to have watched Mark Hamill being Luke Skywalker and knowing that I grew up listening to him as the Joker. 

Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Poe Dameron, Dashing Pilot of the Resistance

Poe Dameron is that cool looking pilot that shows us how scary Kylo Ren is in the Episode VII of Star Wars.  I was sad when I thought he had died at the start of the movie after the TIE Fighter that he and Finn were in crashed in Jakku.  But then I got excited again when he flew in at the right time at Maz Kanata's Castle and when he and Finn got re-united.  

Poe Dameron, pilot of the resistance.

Poe Dameron, pilot of the resistance.

More Star Wars to come especially with May the 4th coming up!  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Rey, from scavenger to force-sensitive supergirl

Rey, finally!  I love watching her in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.  She definitely has a lot of great skills in the movie.  I think she was awesome and super expressive.  I started watching the original Star Wars movies just so that I was ready to jump into the newest Star Wars movie.  I really enjoyed watching her and thought she was an interesting re-introduction to the Star Wars universe.

Scavenger to force-sensitive supergirl!

Scavenger to force-sensitive supergirl!

This is just the second of my Star Wars celebration.   Watch out for the next ones.  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Queen Amidala, my introduction to Star Wars

When I was about 12 years old, I saw Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  This was my introduction to the Star Wars series.  At the time, I had only known that Star Wars was about Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa.  But I didn't watch any of the movies until I watched Episode I.  It may have been so long ago, but the biggest thing that stayed in my memory was Queen Amidala and how she looked.  My mom even got me a Queen Amidala doll that switches faces so that she has her painted look and her bare-faced look. 

And a significant amount of years later, I finally got introduced to the original Star Wars Trilogy and began stringing together all of the episodes of the series.  I was instantly captivated by A New Hope.  And was even more excited when Episode VII came out.

So to celebrate such an awesome, inspiring, captivating series, I wanted to start off with a portrait of Queen Padme' Amidala.  

QueenAmidala

So, look forward to more Star Wars characters coming out in pastel.  Until next time!  Keep busy staying dizzy!

Kina Grannis, melting my heart

Kina Grannis is an artist that I've listened to for years and when I listen to her, my heart always swells and just fills me with overwhelming feelings sometimes happy, sad or both.  Her music always makes me happy and I sing along with her songs to help me get through times when I'm down or lonely and also when I'm happy.  In fact, I was singing her "Message from your heart" song yesterday while riding home alone on my motorcycle. 

Kina Grannis, melting my heart

If you still don't know who she is, or if you want to get your heart melted, you can watch her for yourself on her youtube ->  https://www.youtube.com/user/kinagrannis

Also, with the new month of April, I'm oping to get some new things to share with you guys including, but not limited to a "WIP" day and some motorcycle rides (as I'm definitely planning to have more of those with the sun now showing up more often).  Until the next post, keep busy staying dizzy!

 

 

 

Lindsey Stirling in Pastel

Lindsey Stirling is an amazing musician and performer.  I don't think you need me to tell you that because you should probably just go and watch her for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/user/lindseystomp

The first time that I watched her, I was so amazed and inspired.  I thought there could not be anyone like her who can play the violin and dance at the same time.  She definitely has her own style.  I learned about her when my friend showed me her cover (with Pentatonix) for the song Radioactive.

She continues to amaze and inspire me.  

I'm going to keep making portraits of people that make me happy and inspired. :) Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Rihanna in Pastel

I've been on a Rihanna binge lately, where when I need to get busy I start singing "Work".  I think I took much more time putting Rihanna together than I have with the other portraits, and I enjoyed it.

Rihanna lookin at ya!

Rihanna lookin at ya!

Awesome lady to celebrate for the Women's month of March. 

Hope you guys have been enjoying so far, Rihanna's is the 10th portrait that I've done so far.   Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Furiosa in Pastel?!

How can I not do Furiosa when celebrating awesome women in this month of March.  She is one of the strong female characters that I am so enamored with.  I enjoy watching Mad Max Fury Road just to see Furiosa.

I may have posted up this blog entry almost a week later than I uploaded the video.  But I'll try to post up the next videos at a closer to regular schedule.

Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

 

 

Lady Gaga, always amazing

Lady Gaga is always so amazing and inspiring.  When I watched her sing the anthem for the Super Bowl, I cried because I felt so moved.

While I was going through art school, she was my pick me up especially when I was trying to get through my final thesis.  And after I was granted my degree, the first song I played was her song "Applause".  

Anyway, I don't think that I need to tell you how awesome she is.  

Until the next time!  Keep busy staying dizzy!

Brandon Boyd in Pastel

To celebrate and pay tribute to one of my favorite musical and visual artists, I tried making a portrait in soft pastel of Brandon Boyd.  I enjoy seeing his art work and listening to his music.  I still remember when I got to watch him perform at the Fillmore as part of Sons of the Sea on his birthday.  It was electrifying.

But I don't need to tell you guys how awesome he is.  You should check him out for yourselves!  

Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

 

 

Alicia Keys in pastel

Alicia Keys was one of my favorite artists growing up.  I always enjoyed her piano playing combined with her soulful singing.  I drew her years ago in charcoal when I was much younger.  So, it was exciting for me to go back to doing a portrait of her in Soft Pastel, a medium that I never expected myself to enjoy using so much.  

I hope you guys enjoy!

Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!