SassyIndy Designs

Inspiration Monday:

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0000

True love does exist, I know it does because I'm privileged to have grown up watching one. Sadly, not my parents marriage, which ended up in divorce but my uncle and aunt with whom we practically grew up with. Do you hear me sigh? Here is a beautiful love captured by Storycorps.

Inspiration Monday:

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 23:00:00 +0000

The Pen Story.

I found this on the Olympus Pen Story's You Tube channel, it was done in stop motion. They shot 60,000 pictures, developed 9,600 prints and shot over 1,800 pictures again. No post production! Enjoy it, I did :-)

Inspiration Monday:

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 23:19:00 +0000

A glimpse into the near future? I really love it. Can you imagine how much it would cost to have your home set up like that? Imagine us sharing our art and attending interactive e-classes this way with people from all over the world?

Patterned Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 04:17:00 +0000

Last weekend I printed my doodled patterns onto thick F4 sized presentation paper.

Wouldn't they make cute gift wrappers too?

Oh, someone wanted to buy my "Silya" pattern as fabric at Spoonflower! Except, I can't sell until I order a swatch to check if I need to adjust some things in my design :(

Faith Will See You Through

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 23:13:00 +0000

More acrylic painting....I really love working with my hands and paints and inks.

Entitled "Faith Will See You Through".....even during the darkest of days, when you feel like just giving up and saying "I quit", remember to dig under the layers of self-doubt, dig deeper, where your glorious colours are waiting to burst out and dazzle the world, dig deeper, where seeds of hope have been planted and know in your heart blessings are on their way.

"Faith Will See You Through"

24" x 24" Acrylic and Ink on Canvas

Pattern Designs

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:29:00 +0000

I finally figured out how to create a repeat pattern out of my illustrations, yeah, you might think me dumb for just figuring this out now but it was a real "aha" moment for me, thanks to the very, very clear tutorial I found over at one of my favorite blogs Design Sponge by illustrator/pattern designer Julia Rothman. Here's a link to the tutorial if you'd like to learn how to do it too: How to make a repeat pattern.

So, the tutorial showed Julia actually showing us how to do it on paper. From there, I figured out how to do it in photoshop using my hand drawn illustrations which I had previously scanned for a project I recently concluded.

Here are some of my experiments, you can find them in Spoonflower, a site that allows you to upload patterns you create and order them as actual fabric!

Doodley Doo in Blue

Doodley Doo in White

Silya

Grow Where You're Planted

Hello Octo Joe!

Go ahead, have fun and try creating one yourself!

Backtrack

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:06:00 +0000

Backtracking to show you some commissioned work, these were all done last December but I hadn't had the time to upload.

Sign Up for My Monthly Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 01:22:00 +0000

My first email newsletter will come out in March!! I recently had the chance to study how to use Mail Chimp! I've been meaning to do it for some time but just thinking about having to study something new again overwhelmed me and I kept putting it off. Really, adding to my ever growing list of things that had to be done is not such a great idea…but it is something I read works wonders if you want to market yourself, and I really do need that, how else will I get my work out there (that is, of course my goal for 2011). So, what's a day lost trying to figure things out..I can shuffle my schedule around and lose a days sleep (ha!) and try to be more organized with list upon list to cross off.

So I finally got my Mail Chimp account, using the free service of course, it took me one day to figure things out (it was actually very user friendly) and several more days to tweak the email campaign and then wait another week to get email confirmation if I could use comments some people had made about my work. I finally mailed my campaign out to about 700+ emails I was just sitting on (these were emails from people who signed up to receive updates and news from several Wedding Fairs/Expos I had attended in Manila as an exhibitor.

What I love about Mail Chimp is that I could monitor how many people actually opened the email campaign I sent, how many clicked, which areas were clicked, how many subscribed and how many unsubscribed. It was really amazing. From constantly monitoring the stats on your campaign materials, you will get a feel of what works for you and what doesn't. Of course, you also have to constantly check, so if that isn't your cup of tea, well then coming out with a newsletter is probably not for you.

As for me, it's something I've committed to do. And a way for me to connect with my readers, clients, target market. I know not everyone has the time to read my blog, or everything I post about. I subscribe to blogs that interest me, but I don't read each and every post - especially when I'm busy with other things. I subscribe to their newsletters so that even if I don't always read their blogs I get their monthly newsletters and still get to follow that certain artist, blogger, site and get in on certain promos or deals they're running. I'm hoping that will work for me too. :)

Click Here to see my mail campaign:

I hope you'll take the time to subscribe to my newsletter, I'm doing a raffle and giving away a custom art print to two lucky subscribers and announcing it in my upcoming March newsletter! It's not too late to sign up to be entered into the draw :)

You can click on the sign-up for my newsletter link on my sidebar.

Emerge

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:13:00 +0000

"Emerge"

12' x 16" Acrylic on Canvas

I've got 2011 in mind

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:23:00 +0000

I don't know what it is about the number eleven but I have quite an affinity for that number...maybe that is why I feel that 2011 will be a banner year for me and for The Indy Playground :)

I've been experimenting and here is something I have been working on...it's four panels and supposed to read 2011 when put together.

See my work in progress:

I've added more details to it since the photos were taken but will post again when they're finished.

See you soon! Gotta check on my sugar cookies. The smell is calling to me. Yum! Yum!

On Trying to be Myself

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 04:30:00 +0000

I was supposed to post this the day I left for my climb last January 14 but was unable to because my internet connection was really acting up. It is now nine days post-climb and a whole chasm has opened up and closed, wrong has been set to right and so I was wondering if I should even post this. But since this is about being myself I thought I'd like to remember this day and how it felt....

Here is what I wrote:

I opened my email today and was instantly struck by the title of Chris Guillebeau's (of The Art of Non-Conformity) blog post title "How to be Yourself". I'm subscribed to receive his blog posts but don't get to read them all the time due to so many other things I need to do, so I leave it in my inbox to back track when I have time. Today, the title jumped out at me and the article struck a chord because I had just had some words with my partner about my trip this weekend to climb Mt. Pulag (2nd Highest Mountain peak in the Philippines). He is pretty miffed (and that's a kinder word) by my decision to go on that climb, which has been planned out almost a year in advance (I missed last year's reunion climb due to a running injury). He says I'm no spring chicken anymore (again, those are kinder words) and I must be crazy to go up on this climb - it's not like before that I could go hike/climb wherever I pleased. He worries about my ankle (which I broke about 7 years ago and which flared up last year when I started running), given, yes I appreciate the concern.

But I really don't like being told I cannot do anything in such a way that makes be feel like an imbecile. If I believed everyone that told me I could not do it then I'd probably be so full of regret and never live my life the way I want to. Here's the thing, he likes to run, eat, drink and watch TV. I never complain. I like to do my art/craft, do outdoor stuff, read (I can live without a TV but not without books and my computer :) So my point is, what I like to do is equated to what he likes to do - I leave him be to do the stuff he likes (which is every week) and when I want to do something I like, uhm, climbing a mountain once a year, I expect full support, KWIM? And he asks me, what do I get from going on that climb? What do I get???? Uhm, how about I'm just finally being myself. That is who I am. That is the kind of girl I am. I love the outdoors, I love adventure, I'm kinda weird, and yes quirky, and I finally want to live a life where I can have the best of both worlds...be me and yet still love someone who is totally not me. Is that too bad to ask for?

Chris says "Since trying to be anyone other than yourself is usually ineffective, why not begin by deciding to do only what is true to your own inner compass? If you did it for just one day, what would that day look like?"

This is what one of those days would look like... Indy the outdoorsy person is back, at least for the next 3 days before I wear my other hats again of mom, artist, entrepreneur, bookworm..

And Chris again goes on to say "Being yourself is risky. Something could go wrong, and then whose fault would it be? (This is another reason why it can be easier to let other people make your decisions—then you can blame them when it doesn’t work out.)

But in the long-run, you know you’re capable of being a good self. You know you’re capable of taking the risk. Even if some people don’t understand, you can find a way to pursue the life and work you’ve always wanted."

Life is short. Seize the day!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 12:23:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone!!! May all your dreams come true this year!

2011 comes to me with so much hope for the future. I am excited...no ecstatic, to start the new year with all my goals mapped out and to watch them come to fruition. 2011 is my year!! I lay claim to it.

2010 ushered in the birth of my creative business. It was a time I said, yes, I am ready to make this my life, I am ready to take that leap, I am ready to fly! The latter part of 2010 was really busy and I am thankful for all the blessings that came my way and continue to come my way as I greet the new year.

I'd like to honor 2010 with a photo collage of the year that was in Indy art :)

I have learned so much the past year as I explored, experimented and dove into actually doing a life long dream of painting onto canvas. I learned not to be afraid of handling water color, drawing faces...of actually drawing again! I learned to stop comparing my work to that of others. I learned not to be afraid of making mistakes. I know my art is still evolving and I still have to learn how to do other things, use other materials, learn techniques....

All in God's good time.

I want to thank especially the people who were instrumental in my phenomenal growth as an artist...

My family and loved ones, you were my backbone - your incessant belief in me and unending support has enabled me to sprout my wings - you all know how much I love you.

My beloved friends, old and new - your constant encouragement, sound advice and help have helped push me from just wishing I could do this to really doing it - thank you, you are God-sent.

My online friends, soul sistahs, buddies, co-flying artists, followers, readers - you are all sources of endless, endless inspiration to me. I would not have the courage to be here without you. Thank you for being there, leaving comments, telling your stories, sharing your art, sharing your heart.

My most valued clients - thank you for believing in my art, loving what I do, trusting that you will love what I create and continuously coming back for more. Thank you for keeping my dream a reality. I truly am blessed.

Endless Possibility

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 01:43:00 +0000

This has been in my art journal for sometime...she is completely hand drawn using my pigma micron pens on an old journal layered with pages from an old book, some watercolor and gesso. Scanned her and added the background flowers and word art in digitally.

Bloom

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:19:00 +0000

Fun, playful, bright! Commissioned work for Ellen to Pinky ;) I just love those girls, they're just so much fun to be with! Dear Pinky, can't wait for you to come back and "Bloom where you're planted" :)

12" x 24" Mixed Media, Gallery Wrapped Canvas

"Bloom"

Believe in Your Dreams...

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 11:00:00 +0000

and work for it! Be very, very prepared to work for it. I truly believe its about "putting it out there" and "BELIEVING" - having that Faith that you will truly get there....and then TAKING the steps to move towards that direction.

And yes, now I GET IT. All this positivity movement...daily affirmation, visioning... You may have a dream, you may have a vision, you may tell yourself every single day that you will have and be this and that...but its all moot if you don't take that one step to get you going in that direction. Its all moot if you are kept back by FEAR. Its all moot if you do not truly believe in yourself enough to get there.

I have always been a keen believer in the power of thought and the power of the spoken word. I don't know if its my innate positive outlook in life but I find that when life does deal you with lemons, you have to learn to make the lemonade..and you better make that lemonade really well :)

And though I may not be the most outwardly religious person, I believe in the power of prayer. Our dreams are God's dreams for us. He has supplied us with the raw materials to make those dreams come to life. He has surrounded us with the people to look up to for inspiration. How easy to miss all these when we are distracted and looking elsewhere - at the quick, at the easy.

What are your dreams? What is keeping you from taking that first step? In my previous post I asked, "What would it take to believe in yourself?"

In my case, what kept me from taking the first step was fear, uncertainty, not wanting to be labeled ridiculous or mediocre. It was always one reason or another to keep me from doing what was inherently in me.

What did it take to believe in myself? Finding my art and having family and friends who believed in me, encouraged me, loved me enough to keep me going. Seeking like-minded people who knew you because they had gone through what you had gone through too, they felt what you felt, took the same first tentative steps, experienced the joy and euphoria of your first creation, knew your satisfaction and happiness when others feel inspired by what you have created, understood the feverish high to keep creating and the crashing low of losing your muse (or mojo). They understood when you couldn't move because you felt too exhausted to think or do anything. These are the women who cared for their households, children and still had to work at their craft, market themselves, blog, maintain websites, tweet and connect to the wonderful community of artists all around the world.

I took that step. No one said it was an easy road...but I believe.

What would it take to believe in yourself?

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 09:02:00 +0000

....have you ever thought about it?

"What Would It Take To Believe In Yourself?"

18" x 12" Mixed Media on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Hip Hip Hooray for Studio Doodelle

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:54:00 +0000

I've just gotta say that I'm so proud of my dear friend Rachelle of Designs by Doodelle. This news has been sitting with us for some time but we could not let out even a hint until November 1st. She is one of the guest designers this November at Scrapbookgraphics! I'm just positively happy and giddy with her :) I've always hankered to be a Studio Girl but never really pursued designing kits - although I totally love drawing/doodling, I'd love though to collaborate with Rach one day (you hear that Rach? LOL!)

I'd like to introduce:

Doesn't that sound so grand? I'm swooning for you Rach!!!

To mark this event, she's holding a five-day sale of 20% off from November 1 to 5 on her three brand new, exclusive products currently at the shop right now.

PLUS: All those who buy from Studio Doodelle for the entire month of November will get a chance to get the next exclusive release for free! Rachelle will randomly pick a customer throughout this month and RAK her (or him) with a free copy of whatever kit or pack will be next be released at her studio.

I'm so lucky to be able to play with her kits!

Abundant Grace (S4H/S4O)

My layout, I just loved doing this!

What a Birthday (S4H/S4O)

Silver Charms (S4H/S4O)

Haven't had the chance to play with these yet but I already have something in mind :) You can drop by Doodelle's blog or head on over to Scrapbookgraphics to purchase these!

Mixed Media Piece

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 13:50:00 +0000

I just want to share this mixed media piece that I was commissioned to do, it was gifted to my cousin by her husband for their 1st year wedding anniversary :) I wish I were that loved! Hehe...

The piece is created on 24" x 36" (2 x 3 feet) gallery wrapped archival canvas.

Some close-up shots:

Work-in-Progress

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 18:13:00 +0000

Here is a piece I've been working on...I still haven't quite decided how I want to do her face and the design of the dress and so it remains unfinished. I was reminded of this piece today while talking to my co-supplier and her sister who are new clients and hopefully, new friends :) at the Wedding Connections store.

This piece is being done with vibrant colors, in the Mexican folk-art style. And lots of flower doodles.

Can you guess who she is?

Kissing Birds QP Freebie

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:18:00 +0000

Hi, I know, I know....the file just uploaded to 4shared (I really need to rethink my internet connection...it's driving me nuts!). But without further ado, I'd like to introduce this wonderful kit called: "Kissing Birds" by Designs by Doodelle.

Available at Mscraps

Check out the layout by Pom (our resident GSO creative soul-sistah, ehem soulmate! hihihi! :) Yeah Pom!!! You really rock! We're so proud of you.

She's got a lovely QP for you on her blog.

Don't forget your manners and thank her ;)

You may want to head on over to Doodelle's blog to check on the other fab layouts by the Mscraps CT and the layout by another creative soul sister Tammy!

Here is my layout, loved the photo of my cousin David and his wife Anna during a recent trip of theirs to the Grand Canyon. I think the kit is just perfect!

And here is my QP freebie for you.

You may download here: SassyIndy Kissing Birds Freebie

Have a great day! Hugs all around!

Long Day

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:03:00 +0000

Hi! This one will be real quick, its been a long day and an even longer night (slept at 4:30 A.M., only to wake at 5:30 to get the kids up and headed out the door for school by 6:00 AM...then back to sleep for another hour and a half before I needed to get up again to prepare to leave to attend to my space at the Wedding Connections booth inside "Kasalan 2010, Ikalimang Yugto" at SM Megamall. Hailing a cab was crazy (an hour wait), then traffic was even crazier (3-day sale at SM Megamall equates to total madness!!) Would you believe there was a long line snaking out by the side of the Forever 21 store, complete with bouncers and that yellow tape they use to cordon off the scene of a crime. Crazy, I tell you. Even crazier were the people lining up to get in, prices must have been dropped so low.

The good though was that, I bumped into a high school classmate while searching for something to eat for lunch and ended having coffee with her. Lots of fun eating "merienda" buffet for lunch at 3PM, thanks Pam! And despite the low turn out of event goers this day (I guess they'd rather shop the sales downstairs), I got 2 soon-to-be weds very, very, very interested and excited over my album art (Yay for 2011!)

Anyway, I'm so sorry this post is up late, if you came over awhile ago from Rachelle's (Designs by Doodelle) or Pom's blog hoping to find the link to the Kissing Birds QP freebie, I'd like to let you know it will soon be up by tomorrow. I tried to upload it to my sharing site awhile ago but the internet is not cooperating again :(

I'd best get some sleep first and continue everything I need to do tomorrow.

Hugs to you all!

More Doodles

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 04:15:00 +0000

Just some stuff I'm working on...all works in progress...

Penciled drawing... isn't she beautiful? I love her eyes. Sometimes, I'm afraid to ink in my penciled work because I think I'll ruin it. Do you sometimes feel that way?

Here she is partially inked in....I still haven't touched the face..quite unsure of how to go about rendering the rest, I'll just play along and let it be a surprise :)

Here's the story behind this. One day, I was on my way out to deliver a book to a client. I had a cab called and while waiting for the cab to arrive just sat on my couch and started doing blind contour drawings of anything I could set my eyes on in the room. Little Miss Potts was the first (she is actually a jug of sorts, but she does sort of look like Mrs Potts in Beauty & the Beast, unintentional of course). The Worried TV was next, hehe.. my cab arrived. I wanted to continue drawing in the cab and so I pulled an image out of my mind (maybe the cab driver looked liked that? I dunno?), but little hairy creature was born. Ok, like 5 minutes of drawing or doing anything in a moving vehicle is all I could handle (I get dizzy). I continue the drawing when I get home, the bird is a small figurine I have, the lamp is on my desk and I've got this little blue housing for a hanging lamp sitting on my floor at the moment. Just adding, and adding...I love pennants and so drew some. My son was reading beside me and so I decided to sketch him in too. And yeah, I really wanted a margarita that night but didn't have one (LOL!). I plan to add some color to this, what do you think?

You Are Enough

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 13:20:00 +0000

Some serious doodling here, and enjoyed every minute of it. Just the break I needed to fulfill my thirst for some "me-time" doodling which I have not done for what seems like ages. Being that most of the stuff I do is work/client related - it's just not the same.

Inspired by Tracy Clark's "I Am Enough", a self-kindness collaborative. I started this a month ago, just painting the bird and the words, "You are Enough" and finally finishing it the other day on some much needed self-imposed "me-time".

Drawn on 9" x 11" Acid Free Canson Watercolor pad using watercolors, pigma micron pens, color markers and color pencils.

YES, YOU are Enough.

This is the scanned copy, wouldn't it

look lovely on your wall?

Camp Giggle

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 06:03:00 +0000

I love camping! Yes I do. It's no wonder that I eventually ended up joining outdoor clubs and mountaineering activities a long time ago (before my children were born). And I still love it....the call of the wild still sings a song in my heart (hmm....that's a journal page waiting to be written and drawn!) But again, camping is another activity I wish I could have time for. What is it with my struggle with time?

I always have fun images when I think of camp, going off on adventures, exploring (real or imagined places). I think that's what Rachelle (Designs by Doodelle) had in mind while creating her latest kit, CAMP GIGGLE. Such a wonderful complement to our adventure, travel and yes, camp photos.

Camp Giggle - Available at Mscraps at 20% off

Here is my layout, it's my nephew camping out in his stuffed toy storage tub, surrounded by all his animal friends - both real and stuffed :)

And a little freebie for you!

Download: Camp Giggle Freebie QP by SassyIndy

Don't forget to keep checking in and drop by Rachelle's blog and Pom's blog for some wonderful give-aways.

Whirlwind of a Week

noreply@blogger.com (Indy) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 09:30:00 +0000

It was a whirlwind of a week last week...deadlines and an event over the weekend = No sleep, incommunicado, fatigue and crying spells (yes, I cry when I am so tired I want to rest but cannot, wouldn't you?). It's far from over mind you, this week is just as filled although not as frantic. I like to think it is well worth it and my efforts at planting the seeds will bear fruit down the road (and it better be soon, haha).

All this work, but where is the money?? It seems like I am constantly and endlessly being chased by bills to pay, unending home expenses, confronted by new things to invest into marketing and improving my work. "I will get over that bump soon!" I like to tell myself. And I believe it. It is why I cannot stop and constantly push myself to work, work and get things crossed off that long list. And I know that long list will get even longer the more people I connect with, it's a good problem I'd like to have. That's my goal, isn't it? Now if only the day could last like 48 hours instead of 24 and I did not have to be plagued by insistent upper back and neck aches.

The highlight of the week was a wedding fair I had the chance to be part of through partnership with Thunderbird Resorts for their booth at the Themes and Motifs Wedding Expo at SMX in Mall of Asia. I was tasked to create a piece of artwork that would be sent to a silkscreener and that would be used as a backdrop for the booths of their two resorts (Binangonan, Rizal & Poro Point, La Union).

Too bad though, the silkscreen makers here in the Philippines kinda "suck" at silk screening (or maybe there is a good one but we haven't found them yet, suggestions anyone?) and they could not accommodate the large scale design (to cover the back wall). So my artwork was not used as backdrop, but it wasn't put to waste though because I had used it to create the table place cards, menu, table seat numbers and label cards.

These are the mood boards I put together (just click to enlarge):

The artwork was all hand-drawn, imported into Illustrator and then colored digitally in Photoshop.

And here are the wonderful photos from the actual event itself (photo credits: Jocelyn Alberto-Henares)

This is the set-up for the Poro Point booth:

Beautiful, elegant set-up by Royal Flower Shoppe

Of course, here are the menu, place cards, table

cards I designed. Love seeing them in print!

Cake design by Cake Concepts

That's an actual soon-to-be wed talking to

me about my album artwork, so exciting!

Here is the set up for the Rizal booth:

Menu card, place cards and table cards designed by me :)

Gorgeous flowers by the Royal Flower Shoppe

Cake provided by Cake Concepts, see how they adapted my doodles

and used it all around the cake, I was pleasantly surprised!

Sample cakes from Cake Concepts, I just love the

flour-less chocolate cake!!! Super yummy!

All-in-all, it was a good event for me, no on-the-spot bookings but definitely a lot of interest generated + quite a good number of we will definitely get in touch with you to do our wedding album because we love your work! Yay! Of course, these are for weddings happening next year or the year after. It's a good start for 2011 and 2012, definitely something to look forward to.

How was your week?