DEC

2016

NYE Dames
December 31, 2016
(technically January 2017)

There’s no one I’d rather ring in the new year with than my sister. (I would have loved to dance through midnight with both sisters but I’ll take what I can get). I drove out to Long Island to accompany my sister for a dinner theater performance, fearful I would be sucked into being a part of it and wound up having way more fun than expected. Luckily as her news anchor sidekick, no grim reaper or police costume for me. Little did I know it was a 1920s themed party and what fun it was to see a crowd of people in sequins and snazzy suits. As we waited for guests to cast their ballots of “who done it?”—being the cool party goers that we are—my sister and I dorkishly doodled each other. I share this doodle entry with my sister who inspired me to draw back in the day so that I could have an excuse to play with her during her made up drawing games.

As I look back on 2016, it was a bad year for celebrities to say the least. I spent the year trying to adjust my life schedule to a new job and am still adjusting. I’m hopeful that 2017 will provide more of a work/life balance but I suppose that is on me to make it so. I am staying out of online politics, as that seems to have infiltrated everyone’s reflection of 2016 and rants of what is to come. What I can say is I hope during 2017, the goodness in humanity prevails, there is far less loss, and we can put our governmental concerns aside long enough to doodle with our siblings to remember … it’s going to be ok.

Te & Kaffi
December 10, 2016

What an adventure! A greatly needed perfect balance of excitement, joy and relaxation. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel to Iceland for a destination wedding. Having never traveled myself before and having a worse directional sense than a doorknob, I was very hesitant to go but felt there was no better opportunity to get over my travel anxiety than a trip to Iceland to be involved in a friend’s life altering blissful event. Lucky for me, the bride and groom and her lovely family were coincidentally on the same flight so I no longer needed to fear the airport navigation. When I arrived early in the morning at my hotel with over 6 hours to kill before my room would be ready, some nerves kicked in. I swallowed my fear and decided to go explore despite the darkness outside. Apparently this time of year, there are only about 4 hours of light each day compared to the full daylight summer hours. Upon talking to a very friendly hotel concierge, I proudly found my way to a nearby bank on foot to exchange currency—perhaps my most adulting moment in life. All confident that I achieved this task, I kept exploring and accidentally walked into a travel agency thinking “Guide to Iceland” was a tourist info center rather than an office building that I rudely interrupted but the employees there, as I discovered everywhere in Iceland, were amaaaazingly friendly and helpful with directions and advice.

While walking, I stumbled across a “Te & Kaffi” shop. Having never heard or spoken Icelandic, even I could figure out Tea and Coffee. To escape from the chilly rain, I stepped inside. I ordered a very overpriced rocky road lookin what I thought was hot chocolate with marshmallows and goodness. I can’t remember the last time, if ever, I was awake in the morning just because and sat down to a leisurely breakfast/warm beverage. My mornings consist of sleeping through my alarm, waking up cursing, rushing out of my apt to sit in traffic and eventually getting to work. On weekends … there are no mornings. As I sat there sipping my rocky road and glancing at the Icelandic newspaper in front of me, I thought, is this how normal people spend mornings? How delightful yet odd. I became restless and decided it was a perfect opportunity to doodle. I flipped through the newspaper out of curiosity and doodled an image of glacier hikers on my napkin. Little did I know that the following day I would be holding a pick axe and climbing a glacier myself!

As I left the café, the sun had started to rise and through the misty gray light, I realized I was standing next to a large body of water with glaciers in the distance and a breathtaking view. What I thought was hot chocolate must have been a mix of chocolate and coffee. Not being a coffee drinker, the jolt of caffeine lead me on a looong hike along the water to an outdoor sculpture garden and serene cliff. I even found my way back to the hotel and ventured by shuttle into the heart of Rekjavik that evening. It was an empowering first day.

The remainder of the trip was filled with waterfalls, a black sands beach, glaciers, geysirs, museums and hot tubs not to mention an overwhelmingly beautiful wedding ceremony and reception. I am ever so grateful to have had this opportunity and wish those adventurous newlyweds a lifetime of happiness together.

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NOV

2016

Twiddle
November 27, 2016

Twi • dle: verb. To twist, move, or fiddle with (something), typically in a purposeless or nervous way.

Well it took over a year but I FINALLY got around to unpacking my box of desk supplies from my previous job. While going through a bunch of papers, I found a notepad and was amused by my “notes.” Unpack old things—check. Pack things for something very new—in progress. Iceland bound in a few days!!!

Snapsterpiece
November 19, 2016

It’s ridiculous, a waste of time, kind of dumb and sooo entertaining. My latest guilty pleasure is messing around with snapchat filters. It sure knows cute. I thought perhaps I should peel myself away from my phone addiction and draw instead.

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OCT

2016

Oblivion
October 31, 2016

I always love Halloween. There’s something so silly and exciting being amongst groups of people all dressed up or down. Creativity flaunted through the streets on a mission of candy! I especially love getting to spend the holiday with my costumed family. Happy birthday to my dad! Lately I’ve been really enamored with hand-drawn type so decided to dabble in that for this Halloween doodle.

Recharging
October 15, 2016

Ah yes, weekend hibernation. Two days is never enough. As I drifted into my weekend coma with images of computer screens and iphones scrolling and flickering past my mind I laughed eerily imagining that I am but another low batteried device desperately needing my pillow to make it through next week or even the next few hours.

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SEP

2016

Lost
September 10, 2016

It sucks when bad things happen to good people. Stunned from the events this week and need some time to regroup and evaluate current situations.

Dragon Tat
September 1, 2016

For work recently, I was asked to create a dragon tattoo. Well gee … if I must. So fun hehe. My favorite projects begin with a doodle in my notebook that I can turn into vector art.

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AUG

2016

Forwards
August 9, 2016

It has been an emotional yet exciting week being part of a friend’s wedding celebration and hitting a milestone of a birthday. (Congrats by the way to an incredible yin-yang of a couple and by that I mean you balance each other amazingly and seem to create harmony when together.) This was not the restful week I had hoped it would be but it has been a whirlwind of fun and reflection. I’m so lucky to have amazing parents who go out of their way time and time again to make special occasions extra special. ♥ I love you both (sisters too) and thank all of you and supportive friends for a memorable birthday!

While both very happy occasions, (although I’m not thrilled about getting older, it is way better than the alternative and I guess we can only hope that we continue to get older) it is kind of astounding how such joyous things can be a reminder of sadness remembering all of the people you wish were still a part of your life to share such happiness with. Whether grandparents or friends, being in a crowd for celebrations ironically creates a sensation of loss. I’m beginning to lose hope that the things that I thought could be healed or that were never broken can’t and are. I have to accept that this is not necessarily bad, just different. The people I have loved and lost will always be present in some capacity and the best I can do is know that, accept that and try my best to move forwards.

Hostility
August 7, 2016

I don’t really have anything else to say tonight.

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JUL

2016

Arctic Wedding
July 8, 2016

Congrats to a friend from middle school on her engagement to what seems like an awesome guy. I’m flattered you trusted me to create an illustrated invitation. Between being rescued by a lifeguard with you as my witness and now figuring out how to get Iceland, may the adventures with you always continue!

Badger BBQ
July 1, 2016

I’m too tired to create an outside of work doodle for this entry but had a blast getting to put together this lil “don’t give a sh*t” honey badger for some staff swag bbq kits. Thanks to everyone who helped make this crazy but fun order happen! I hope they were a hit!

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JUN

2016

Acoustic Paint
June 25, 2016

I don’t generally love or even like the bar scene but couldn’t resist the appeal of live music and painting all in the same place. It was really refreshing to be surrounded by lots of creative, talented people who stay awake at night! Some of whom I have already known and some I have just met. Thanks for getting me out tonight. It was a pleasure listening to all you singer/songwriter/guitar/bass players while getting to doodle and paint along.

Dragon Fever
June 24, 2016

I guess I’ve got dragons and unicorns imprinted on my brain from work which resulted in this whimsical little lady.

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APR

2016

Professor Seuss
April 26, 2016

Not to brag, but my job is cool. I was asked if I could help put together a small Dr. Seuss inspired poetry book for teacher appreciation week. Um … yes please! I appreciate teachers as it is but giving me work like this only heightens that appreciation! Having taught myself I have experienced what a completely consuming, patience-pressure filled job it is. Knowing you are responsible as a teacher/mentor/friend/confidant/disciplinarian/educator and more that will leave life long memories of either motivation or disgust amongst your students, you can only hope to be an inspiring teacher remembered in an endearing light.

MAR

2016

Spring Forward
March 30, 2016

There’s nothing like walking passed your fridge and seeing a “Happy Autumn” message from last year to remind you how very behind in life you are. Baby steps to catch up and perhaps standing around doodling isn’t the most productive use of my time but so be it. One thing updated.

Urbanization
March 29, 2016

Oh yes! A night off! Alllll to myself. For the first time in a long time, I am home in my apartment with no dire work that needs finishing and I am still conscious … barely. I forced myself to stay awake to enjoy a few work free moments. While I had hoped to be productive, I was unable to focus on life’s boring tasks like credit card updates and clearing emails. For my own piece of mind I felt it more important to draw something … anything. In my sleepy haze, my mind flickered with snippets of imagery absorbed from the day or maybe the last several months. I started with a small city skyline (which I have been fortunate to view at sunrise and sunset through my commutes). NYC, Harlem in particular, still feels like its own entity to me, distant from everything I am used to so I guess my city began to float. I didn’t know what to expect but kept drawing. It needed a figure, emerging from and becoming part of this new land. Not that I work with binary code, but it felt necessary to add after all the digital screens I have been encountering. Add some additional artsy architecture (not that I’ve been to the Guggenheim lately but thanks Frank Lloyd Wright for the inspiration) wind, subway maps, a shark fin and touching Easter lily and voilaa, tonight’s doodle.

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FEB

2016

KittyKu
February 26, 2016

Soooooo happy to have my valentine with me for an extended visit :-D

Smiles from ear to ear
when your paw holds my hand and
your purrs touch my cheek.