Sigo sin ver nieve

And well, here I am posting. I forgot that, since the wonderful Jez Tuya has already received it, there's really no problem for me to post the piece I made for him, since he was my draw for the VMAT - Very Merry Art Trade in Twitter. This caffeine fairy flew all the way to New Zealand to watch over his all-nighters n.n

It was rough to say good bye to her - these days I just seem to say good bye to everything. I also said good bye to a dear person just yesterday, and it haunts me to the point of posting this here for the first time... but the good news is that usually, letting go allows newer, sometimes better things to come along. So let's wait for the snow.

Sleigh Ride

I've never known if this is possible or not. Hell, I've never even seen snow. But it is still a beautiful fantasy to draw.

I trust you shall all have wonderful holidays, and a very merry and productive 2013!!! Dunno if I'll post anything else these days - I certainly will continue to work - but if I don't... see you next year n.n

Rusalka

So, I finished my piece for the Twitter Xmas exchange. I absolutely love it. Don't worry, it's not this one. No, this is a Rusalka.

I found this text somewhere a long time ago. I don't remember where - sorry - but I copied it and pasted into a notepad file so I could remember to do this one day:

"Rusalka, Slavic
A rusalka is a female ghost, water nymph, succubus or mermaid-like demon that dwells in a lake. The ghostly version is the soul of a young woman who had died in or near a lake (many of these rusalki had been murdered by lovers) and came to haunt that lake. This undead rusalka is not invariably malevolent, and will be allowed to die in peace if her death is avenged.

Rusalki can also come from unbaptized children, often those who were born out of wedlock and drowned by their mothers for that reason. Baby rusalki supposedly wander the forest begging to be baptized so that they can have peace.

While her primary dwelling place was the body of water in which she died, the rusalka can come out of the water at night, climb a tree, and sit there singing songs, sit on a dock and comb her hair, or join other rusalki in circle dances in the field."

Hauntingly beautiful, huh? And in fact, the opera itself (Dvorak) is a sort of Rusalka/Little Mermaid tale... don't give me that look. You've heard it n.n

Cuentos para Monstruos

Well, today I start not one, but two children's books. The first one will make use of all my jazzistic - is that even a word? - influences I've got going lately. The second will be a beautiful story my brother created once. Overall, I'm quite happy with what I need to do - but this is one of those times when you wish the world wasn't ending next friday, because you really got too much to do.

Also, since today is the 12/12/12, I expect LOADS of people posting stuff complaining about the people posting stuff on the social networks. So I may take the whole day off n.n

Now, please enjoy this little monster reading stories to an over-sized kitty :D I really loved what acrylic ink allowed me to do on this piece - it's the subtle details that count for me, since it's what I used to pay attention to as a little girl when I'd view this kind of things on a book... :)

Take the A Train

I've been in a horribly intense jazzy mood these days. From Nina Simone to Django Reindhart and Cristina Créme, it's been playing non-stop on my iTunes. So I have to gradually take it out of my system - so let's start with the amazing energy that Nikki Yanofsky projects, shall we?

(Oh, and in case you're curious about Cristina Créme... local talents from my beloved Mexico. Hers is a very different, experimental kind of jazz n.n)

Bliss

This, right here, is my happy place. It's where I escape to when I'm starting to stress out. Even if I can't physically do it, just closing my eyes and imagining myself underwater helps. I love it.

And it's funny that while I was painting I found this. Could perfectly well be the soundtrack for this piece! :D

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Continuing with what's not strictly a Christmas song, but it's definitely for the snowy season and one of my favorites. (BTW, today it snowed in Versailles and I hate myself so much for missing that. I've never played in snow before!! D:) So we can say there's a soundtrack for this piece. I'm gonna choose Norah Jones version. Because there's piano in it. n.n

Don't forget to send me a mail or leave a comment if you feel like surprising someone with one of those for the holidays. Commissions are open! :D

Universo líquido

I really don't know where this piece came from. I simply saw it, and has to paint it. It's super tiny, so I'm really proud of the tiny details it has. And I would definitely love to wear something like that...

And it's got an owner already. It has been claimed - so I'm afraid I can't let you have this one for the holidays. But you can leave me a comment or send me an e-mail, and I can take your commission for your gifts this year!

Anne y tarjetas

Anne Boleyn. Queen of Perseverance, I'd say, considering how high she rose - never mind how hard she fell. Right now, she's like my patron goddess - although I'm not really trying to take over an entire kingdom, mind you... Just a city n.n

On that note, last week we had the Salon du Livre et de la Presse Jeunesse at Montreuil. Went along, and took some business cards with me - only my business cards have all my mexican non-existent-anymore phone on them and I refuse to scratch that and write by hand my new number, but I don't really know where to (or can *ahem*) print new ones. SO, made ones :D

It was a nice set of four. I think the first one is my favorite, but, funnily enough, they all are a tad self-describing. Love it.
Now I'll get back to work :)

Resurrección decembrina

Boy, it's been a while since I posted. I'm terribly sorry about that - moving to a different continent can sometimes cause that, you know...

However, this doesn't mean I've stopped painting. Quite the opposite. It means you shall have a BUNCH of updates coming over... But because I'm already in Christmas mood, I think we can open up with this one. :)

BY THE WAY - this Holiday Season, why not help someone in need?? I'll be opening up comission slots and taking comissions - for now, only watercolor - wouldn't you love to give your loved one a personalized illustration? So much better than a random sweater, don't you think??

Not to mention that they'd be getting them with a beautiful french stamp on the mail :D

I'll be working in 90 lb, 7.5x10'' watercolor paper. Obviously, the watercolors I'll be posting in these days are also for sale, if you feel you'd rather have something you've already fallen in love with (from this post on!). Payments would be handled via paypal, 25 Euros (or it's equivalent in dollars) per piece. Sorry for charging in euros, but my rent is paid that way!!

So what do you say? Would you feed an artist this holiday season?? Leave me a comment or send me a mail! (And on that note, Vive la Vie Boheme!! :D)

Ya tenía rato sin postear!!! Esto de mudarse así puede provocar quedarse sin escáner - lo siento!! Sin embargo, he seguido pintando - cañón - así que podemos esperar una serie de actualizaciones de gran volúmen. Por lo pronto, abro con esta para inaugurar mis ánimos decembrinos.

Lo cual me recuerda. Voy a estar tomando comisiones para esta temporada navideña - ilustraciones en papel acuarela, de 90 libras, 7.5 x 10 pulgadas - ¿a poco no es un regalo más especial y original que un sueter para alguien que realmente quieran?? ¡Podemos hacer lo que ustedes me digan que haga! 

Los pagos se manejarían vía PayPal, 25 Euros por cada comisión - o su equivalente. Me temo que en este momento, mis gastos son en Euros - y la verdad, estarían consiguiendo un regalo genial, apoyando al arte,  y a la vez haciendo su buena acción navideña. ¿Por qué no alimentar un artista? Mándenme un mail, dejen un mensaje - Santa Claus se los tomará en cuenta, lo juro :) 

*Edit: Post 100!!!! Whuuuut???

Macarrones

I've been here for a couple of weeks now, and I've had beautiful, BEAUTIFUL rainy days - even with sun and rainbows. And plenty of mint tea, which I adore. But no macaroons. I want my macaroons!!

Muecas, caras y gestos

You know, it's so easy to be depressed about things you really can't change. It's super easy to go ahead and hide in that dark place where everything's bad and sucks. Or, you know. It's also easy to get out of it. :)

Sobreviviendo

A friend of mine told me a long time ago that it was funny how I never drew myself, but she could see me in every piece I made. It's subconscious, I guess, and I had never thought about it until then. So for me to pop out this watercolor in my current living conditions sum up more than what I could tell you in words: it's been quite a ride so far, full of emotions, joy and disappointments. But I know what I have to do. I must make those wings.

Greetings, everybody, from Paris :)

Una amiga me dijo un día que aunque a diferencia de otros ilustradores, yo nunca hacía autorretratos (salvo, claro, por el que está en mi header de mi blog), ella podía verme en cada una de mis obras, en las expresiones de los personajes. Supongo que es algo enteramente inconsciente, salvo que ahora ya puedo verlo gracias a ese comentario. Así que creo que esta imagen engloba perfectamente lo que ha pasado y cómo me siento desde que llegué a la Ciudad de la Luz: ha habido muchísimas emociones diversas, felicidad y decepciones. Pero hay que hacer esas alas, con lo que sea que encuentre a la mano. Ya estoy aquí - toca sobrevivir. 

Viajando

It's funny how stars align. I'm in the middle of a complete change of residency, from one continent to another. And this year's subject for Ilustracional, from Picnic magazine, is "Travelers": "Viajeros".

I can't stress enough how much traveling on my own has helped me find myself. Hence, I decided to tackle the subject with the hardest travel of all: the one within, to find out who you are, and allow you to really fly.

Creo que este es el trabajo más significativo que he hecho en este par de meses. No es coincidencia que mientras estoy en medio de un total cambio de residencia - uno más! - el tema para el Ilustracional 2012 de la revista Picnic sea "Viajeros".

No puedo enfatizar lo suficiente cuánto me ha ayudado viajar sola para encontrarme a mí misma. Por tanto, el tema de mi ilustración es ese viaje particularmente difícil: el interno, donde uno se busca para saber quién eres, qué quieres, y cómo puedes realmente volar.

Working Class Hero

Ok, it'll be no surprise for anyone following my blog for a bit that I just adore the Beatles. I was a hippie child: my dad would play The Doors when it was my bedtime, and tell me stories of the Yellow Submarine and the Fool on the Hill. I always thought they were as magical as fairy tales.

Hence, I think it's appropriate that I pay an homage to the man who, in my opinion, is one of the greatest poets of the 20th century. Also, I've found I love a lot of people born in October :D

Don't forget, you can still get this print in 9x12'' for just $10 dlls, shipping included. Of course, if you want it in hoodies or tote bags - not to brag, but I WANT ONE D: - you can go to my Society 6 store. Or... you know. You can always order both ;D

Para los que ya llevan tiempo conociéndome - o siguiendo mi blog - sabrán que adoro los Beatles a morir. Lo que muchos no saben es que es porque yo fuí literalmente un flower child desde niña: mi papá me ponía a los Doors para arrullarme, yo sabía quién era Jim Morrison y que Inagada Da Vida era laaaaaarga, y me contaban historias del Submarino Amarillo y el Tonto en la Colina. Y me encantaban: para mí, están tan llenos de magia como los cuentos de hada.

Por tanto, rindo tributo al que en mi opinión es uno de los más grandes poetas del siglo 20. Sin mencionar que ahorita estoy fascinada con cuánta gente quiero que ha nacido en Octubre. Raya en la obsesión... me preocupo!

No se olviden que pueden ordenar esta obra en impresión de 9x12'', por sólo 10 dlls con envío incluído! Ahora que si quieren una chamarra o una bolsa, pueden irse a Society 6... o ordenar ambas :D Ustedes eligen n.n

Catrina y Señor Zorro

October's my favorite month. I love everything about it  - the fall, the weather, the leaves changing and falling and being able to jump on them and crush them, the abundance of candy and chocolate, the sugar high afterwards, Halloween and costumes and everything! But before I start with my ode to Halloween, I thought I'd revisit OUR tradition. Día de Muertos.

Expect some other posts about this, but in the meantime, need I remind you that I'm selling prints?? Well, this one's included!! :D Send me an e-mail, leave me a message... let me know! C: 10 dlls, printed in 9x12'', shipping included. Who cuts you a better deal? ;D

Octubre es mi mes favorito. ¡Me encanta!! Los dules, los chocolates, las hojas secas, los chocolates, los disfraces, las fiestas, los chocolates, el clima, los chocolates... n.n pero antes de empezar a celebrar a lo alto y ancho, pensé en visitar nuestro Día de los Muertos. De todos modos pienso hacer más piezas de esto - pero realmente quería postearla de una vez.

Y pueden comprarla como print, al igual que todo lo demás en mi galería... sólo diciendo... n.n 10 dlls más shipping - déjame un mensaje o mándame un correo y hablamos detalles! Todas las imágenes en mi galería - aquí o en Facebook - entran!! :)

Odile

There'll be a local presentation of Swan Lake. I went to ask how much the tickets were, and for fifteen minutes I stood there listening to one person after the other asking "How much are the tickets for Black Swan?"

It was hilarious n.n

Anyway - TIME FOR PRINT SALE!! I may receive the opportunity to have a residency at 59Rivoli, so I'm raising funds. Hence, right now ANY artwork posted in my Facebook page will be sold for just 10 dlls (shipping included), and will be printed in Opaline paper in a 9x12'' format. Browse around, send me an e-mail, leave a comment, let me know!! :D

Aquí en San Luis Potosí habrá una presentación local de el Lago de los Cisnes. Fuí a preguntar cuánto costaba cada boleto, y todas las gentes enfrente de mí preguntaron "¿A cómo los boletos de Black Swan?" ¡Divertidísimo! XD

En fin - puede - PUEDE - que me den una residencia en 59Rivoli. Por tanto, estoy vendiendo prints!!! Cada una cuesta 10 dólares, con el envío incluído - y será impresa en papel opalina de 9x12 pulgadas con 1'' de margen para enmarcar. Mándenme un correo, déjen un comentario, y hablamos!! Todas las obras en mi página de Facebook entran!! :D

Equinoccio

Right now, no matter where you are in the world it's official: it is now the season for change. Let's welcome Autumn!!! Let's hope it brings favorable winds of change! Happy Autumn!! :D

I shall now start planning (officially) my costume for Halloween n.n

Ahora sí: el equinoccio de otoño es oficial, sin importar dónde demonios estemos en el mundo. Es el tiempo de cambio - confiemos en que sea favorable!! Feliz Otoño!!! :D 

Paquidermos Alebrijes

I've got a creative crush with alebrijes, as can be further proved by my current Twitter user pic. And well, I've been drawing elephants ever since I can remember for gifts - I think this is the first time I took them and made them my own :D

Tengo rato encantada con los alebrijes - me chiflan!! Los adoro - y parecían el modo perfecto para darle alas a estos elefantitos. Creo que mi imagen de Twitter prueba mi obsesión creativa actual... 

*EDIT: I think it's worth it to add some details :D

Brave bears

A little 'Brave' inspired piece I was asked to make. Incidentally, it's still on cinemas around here - I may finally convince my mom to go see it. :D

Also, you know this resonates with me wanting to someday hug a bear :D

Una pieza que me pidieron que hiciera de 'Brave', que confiemos en que me sirva para convencer a mi madre que - ¡finalmente! - me acompañe a verla otra vez. Ella no la ha visto, y ¡hay que aprovechar que todavía está en cines por aquí!!

Sandunga

Today, we celebrate our Mexican Independence Day. Despite the political mood we're experiencing (of which I shall only say I sincerely hope this election gets clarified), I'm really, really proud of our culture, our history, our arts, colors and music - so my way of celebrating is with this Sandunga dancer. The Sandunga (or Zandunga) is a dance from Oaxaca, and I first found it through the Tres Caballeros - although now I'm quite in love with Lila Down's version. ¡Viva México! :D

Hoy, como bien saben, celebramos nuestra Independencia. Me abstendré de comentarios políticos: lo que sí es que hoy es el día para recordar lo orgullosos que debemos estar de nuestra cultura, nuestros colores, historia, arte y música - y que debemos defenderlos. Celebremos, pues, con esta bailarina de Sandunga - o Zandunga - netamente Oaxaqueña; y que ¡Viva México!!!

Xocolatl

Continuing with a rather mexican vein, HAPPY INTERNATIONAL CHOCOLATE DAY! Chocolate, in case you don't know it, comes from Mesoamerica - from the Mayan and Aztec cultures. The goddess depicted here, Xochiquetzalli, was the goddess of fertility and the one who the aztecs related to chocolate. She's the goddess of fertility, pleasure, human desire and excess. Fitting, huh?? :D

Ya que esta semana es la semana de fiestas patrias, continuemos con el orgullo patrio. Aprovechando que hoy es el Día Internacional del  Chocolate, celebremos con la diosa  Xochiquetzalli , quien estaba relacionada con el chocolate de acuerdo a los aztecas (bebidas de chocolate se tomaban en sus festividades). Esta diosa es la patrona de la fertilidad, el deseo y el placer - detalles para nada asociados con el chocolate... si. Seguro los aztecas estaban mal. (ajá...)

Coffee Festival

I'd really love it if Starbucks would sponsor this little coffee paintings. Yes, watercolor's used too, but I'd be totally happy to oblige and contribute n.n

¡Realmente me encantaría que Starbucks patrocinara estas pintaditas de café! Aún cuando agrego acuarelas, no veo problema para arreglarlo si gustan... :D

Hapunda en laca

So, a couple of weeks ago I was über-concentrated working on this: my very own first children's book. And, from the enjoyment I got out of it, I'm guessing it won't be the last.

This one was about a mexican legend concerning Hapunda, a purépecha princess that lived on Yunuen, an island in Patzcuaro, and who was in love with the Lake of Patzcuaro. In my adaptation, I simply stated that she was in love with her people and her home - it may be a bit odd to explain to really small children.

Anyway, she's quite beautiful and loved by everyone, and this king from a neighboring town decides he wants her as his wife. She's desolated for they're trying to defend her and her people are less powerful than the enemies (love problem with the lake solved); so she asks the lake for advice, and he tells her to get into the water. He'll keep her with him. So she get's transformed into a crane.

 This is a legend I've known since I was little, and I would always stare at the cranes when we'd drive by the lake to try and see if anyone looked a bit human. I enjoyed this immensely - and now, thanks to a spontaneous trip I had to take, already have an idea for another one... but this one should be a graphic novel or something in order to be explored fully.

These aren't all of the pages from the book, but they're all created and designed to echo local artisan's work - local artisans from where this legend comes from work in laca, and it's such an exquisite work... and so tough to echo! It comes from prehispanic times, and it's only done in Michoacan, Mexico, on wood and with golden edges.

Hace unas cuantas semanas estuve en friega trabajando en lo que sería mi primer libro de cuentos para niños, basado en la historia de Hapunda: esa leyenda purépecha que todos conocemos desde niños gracias a los libros de la SEP, pues la mencionan en "Soy Purépecha". Desde niña me ha encantado, y tener la oportunidad de ilustrarla fue una auténtica delicia.

 Para los que no la conocen, Hapunda es una princesa que vivía en la Isla de Yunuén, en el lago de Pátzcuaro. Originalmente ella estaba enamorada del lago, por lo que cuando el rey de un pueblo vecino viene a tratar de llevársela como su esposa, ella se deprime por completo - en mi versión, al ir dirigida a niños pequeños, ella sencillamente adora su pueblo y cuando el rey viene por ella, su gente, inferior en número y en habilidades marciales, busca defenderla aunque signifique su ruina. 

Tristísima, Hapunda pide consejo al lago quien le dice que reme hasta el centro y se arroje al agua. Todo el mundo la da por ahogada, pero en realidad ella se transforma en garza y se queda por siempre con el lago.

Para terminar de cerrar el círculo, todo el diseño del libro fue inspirado en el trabajo de los artesanos michoacanos expertos en la laca, ese arte exquisito sobre madera lleno de detalles y trabajo floral (hiper femeninos y estilizados) que se hace en la región de Pátzcuaro desde tiempos prehispánicos. Encaja a la perfección  - fue soberanamente complicado y trabajoso imitarlo, pero estoy muy, muy contenta con el resultado final :)

Paquidermos en el circo

I anticipate a couple of sleepless nights: I'm in the last phase of the children's book... In the meantime, a bit of procrastination put to good use: Since I'm inking it all, I thought of inking something for just the fun of it.

Incidentally, I've always loved circuses. When I was little it was the most magical thing I could go to. Ask my mom: she got tired of going every weekend. Growing up, though, I realized how wrong for animals they are, but there's also quite touching about the way humans and wild animals can seem to coexist in harmony... should inspire us all to do the same in real life.

¡Casi termino mi libro! Para eso, ya veo venir hoy y mañana sin dormir - mis pobres neuronas van a sufrirla, pero todo sea por la fecha límite. Mientras, para no dejar este pequeño blog abandonado, algo de mis distracciones de una manera más útil: tintas nostálgicas para el circo.

De niña, siempre quise trabajar en el circo (entre muchas otras cosas XD). Era lo más mágico que podía llegar a la ciudad: pregúntenle a mi mamá, me llevaba cada fin de semana n.n Ahora que soy grande (entre comillas), me doy cuenta de la horrible existencia que lleva un animal en un circo, y lo crueles que pueden ser - pero sigue manteniéndose esa magia sobre la aparente coexistencia en armonía que puede haber entre un animal salvaje y su entrenador o cuidador... debería ser algo que nos inspire a todos a tratar de ponerlo en práctica en la realidad.

Todavía sans garzas

Here's a small taste of what I've been working on these past few days. This is my first children's book  - it shall be a short one, but a very detailed one, as you can see... This is why I haven't posted stuff as usual! Stay tuned :D
Helo aquí: un pequeño desliz de lo que he estado haciendo en estos últimos días. Es mi primer libro para niños, y lo estoy haciendo lo más detallado posible. Con suerte, hoy termino de entintar... Manténganse al tanto :D

Trajinera con Axolotl

It's funny: for this piece, I could visualize the flower and the lamp. Then, I decided to crew it with a little axolotl - cause I insist, I adore those little critters. And then... who should be passenger??? That was a HUGE dilemma for the entire time - they weren't even on the sketch. Then - screw it: little people. Medieval people. Done!

I think it's one of those times when the setting, the lightning, the locals are perfect, except the loud tourists on the picture.

Debo confesar que en esta pieza en particular, podía visualizar la flor, la iluminación, el lugar, los colores. Después, decidí que quien comandaba la nave debía ser un ajolote - ¿por qué no? Pero los pasajeros - esos fueron un auténtico dolor de cabeza. Creo que es una de esas fotografías turísticas donde todo es perfecto, menos los turistas en sí...

Vulpes vulpes

I think we would all enjoy having such a playmate to finish and snuggle tired after a wonderful day...

¿Quién no quiere tener un compañero de juegos como éste, para después de un largo día acurrucarse en una colina?

Casa Embrujada

Walking around with my brother, starting to get used to the city, we came across this. I'm pretty sure it's haunted - if it's not, then why on earth did I feel so so compelled to go back and draw it, and then again when my time wasn't enough?? Specially after looking at it for the time it took me to do this - I'm absolutely convinced that there's something really special going on in there...

...Maybe it's a ghost club house or something.

Caminando por San Luis Potosí, turisteando y tratando de ubicarnos, mi hermano y yo encontramos esta casa. Yo juro que hay algo ahí adentro - aparte de la viejita que vive ahí - porque, ¿de qué otra manera explicar la necesidad implacable que me dió por dibujar de cabo a rabo esta casa? ¿Gente muerta? ¿Fantasmas amigables? ¿Señoras del porfiriato - cortesanas del porfiriato??