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| pastel chalk pencils |
0 Comments on Sweet Square #22 as of 9/28/2012 5:18:00 PM
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Playing with cool colors...
Oh my gosh, I was laid low by a horrible chest cold this past week. Thank you guys for checking in and keeping up with the squares! 
I am suffering from a nasty case of seasonal allergies: swollen throat, lethargy, the works. I'm miserable and all I want to do is sleep. So, to make up for yesterday, I've banged out a couple of squares today. I wish this misery would ease, but I know there's not a lot I can do except pray for rain. I hope you are having a happier Sunday than I!
This is what my son and I did most of the morning:
It was a historic moment, watching Endeavor land at Ellington Field for the last time. I am so happy my son was able to see it. But yes, as a Houstonian, it was a bittersweet day indeed.
Farewell, Endeavor. I hope you enjoy your retirement out in California, as so many seem to do. ;)
I picked up my pencil for some real sketching today, and decided to play with an idea that was suggested to me this weekend. If this little bunny (I'm calling her Sophie) looks familiar to you, it's probably because she made her first appearance on The Sketchables. I am trying to get back to posting regularly there. My goal is before the month is up-gulp!
A quick sketch this morning. Unfortunately, paperwork (bleah!) calls. Have a productive day, everyone.
When I was working on the square, a memory of having a solo in third grade flashed in my brain. "The Yellow Rose of Texas"is the song I was supposed to sing-in front of an entire cafeteria of people! Yeah, despite my lung capacity, I was not ready to be a performer. I messed up the lyrics over and over until the music teacher put me back in the chorus. What a relief!
A little watercolor sketching today! I did the salt trick again, and it worked much better this time around. ;)
From now on, the link share button will be open until the end of the month. If you fall behind, you can now go back to older posts and share your links.
I took a British Romantic Poets class in college and loved it. I fell pretty hard for William Wordsworth. Every once in a while, fragments of his poems will come to me. Like this morning. Our skies are changing. Clouds are becoming wispy, the sun is lower in the sky. There's more grays than cerulean. Fall is coming, and right behind that, winter. I love this time of year. I don't know if it's because of my love for school, or if it's because it's such a relief after our Texas summers. There is always a soul-deep sigh once the season starts turning. My whole body relaxes, and everything feels right.
Link away!
Played with a little bit of collage today. I definitely want to see what else I can do with it.
Played around with wet on wet to study how the colors bled. I also played with salt on the paint when it was wet. (Remember doing that?) I got some interesting starburst effects, but not clear enough. I think I waited too long to salt. Ah, well. 
I saved mine 'for web' and set it at a width of 200px. If you have a blog hosted by blogger, simply go to your Layout section, Add A Gadget, choose Picture, then use this link: (http://diandramae.blogspot.com/p/what-is-sweet-square-sweet-square-is.html) to redirect. I've got a list of participants on the right side of my blog. Feel free to do the same. 
This is my favorite square so far! I admit, I've been kind of cheating with the squares. Some days I can't help but plan what I do. Kind of going against the whole "process not product" goal. Self-sabotage anyone? Ugh!
So today I came to the studio to create one thing, and midway through letting the watercolor bleed I said, "Well, let's see where this leads. You can always do the other idea if it doesn't work out." I think it worked out!
I like this contrast of the soft, imperfect background and the more defined details of the fish and coral. Something to play with in the future?
Keeping it simple this morning. A little wet-on-wet technique. Watching the colors bleed together was mesmerizing. I need to keep that lightness in mind should I attempt this with an illustration. I tend to freak out a little when things don't go as planned when adding color-ha!
And if you're looking for some inspiration this morning, this is one of my favorite people to follow on Pinterest. This is a great collection of studios.
Whoever's playing along on a Saturday, link away!
The irony of this statement-ugh! I started working on this square this morning, but then as I was laying out the letters, bigger BETTER ideas started coming to me. This simple square became complicated very quickly! Thankfully I pulled the reins back, scribbled the new ideas down for later, and got back to it.
I am loving everyone's squares! I'll try to swing by the blogs this weekend and post some comments, but I am so impressed by how y'all have embraced this exercise. Yay, illustrators! :D
As always, links below, please.
I kept it loose and quick today. I have to admit, if there's some kind of story to tell, I have a much easier time creating something. I laughed at the "live with gusto" attitude of this quote, and as I was scribbling it in, that greedy rat appeared out of nowhere. Love art surprises like that!
Enter your link for today's square below!
Slightly blurry scan, but that's appropriate. I started off doing a lyric from a love song, but a conversation from last night about grief and loss made its way through the quiet of my studio and through my brush. It threw me off, if you couldn't tell by the word placement. :PHow are you doing on Day Two? Enter your link below! 
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/28/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/28/2012
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| pastel chalk pencil |
0 Comments on Sweet Squares #21 as of 9/28/2012 5:18:00 PM
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/23/2012
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| tissue paper, mod podge, pastel pencil |
Here's my favorite little elephant with a little friend.
(The fact that my scanner is giving me blurry images is driving me nuts!)
0 Comments on Sweet Square #20 as of 1/1/1900
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/23/2012
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| pastels, marker, ink, colored pencil |
0 Comments on Sweet Square #19 as of 1/1/1900
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/21/2012
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(What is a Sweet Square?)
"Some days, you're just going to have crooked lines." Quote by my five year old and inspiration for today's square.
Cheated a bit today. It's not really experimenting since I'm familiar with digital, but I'm cutting myself some slack. September is almost over and I have loved doing these little experiments. I'll be continuing them through October, but will not be doing daily blog posts. I have definitely found some new techniques I intend to investigate further and many new elements I intend to continue to play with. I hope everyone else has also experienced their share of happy realizations.
"Some days, you're just going to have crooked lines." Quote by my five year old and inspiration for today's square.
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| 4B pencil, digital color |
7 Comments on Sweet Square #18/I-Fri: Crooked, last added: 9/24/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/20/2012
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| pencil on paper |
Took it easy today with a tiny character study!
I hope everyone is able to make time for their squares.
I hope everyone is able to make time for their squares.
0 Comments on Sweet Square #17 as of 9/20/2012 10:26:00 PM
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/19/2012
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| Quote: Arthur C. Clarke. Materials: watercolor, salt, digital lettering |
It was a historic moment, watching Endeavor land at Ellington Field for the last time. I am so happy my son was able to see it. But yes, as a Houstonian, it was a bittersweet day indeed.
Farewell, Endeavor. I hope you enjoy your retirement out in California, as so many seem to do. ;)
1 Comments on Sweet Square #16, last added: 9/20/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/18/2012
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| pencil and digital color |
2 Comments on Sweet Square #15, last added: 9/19/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/17/2012
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| watercolor |
2 Comments on Sweet Square #14, last added: 9/19/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/16/2012
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| watercolor, pastel pencil, and ink |
0 Comments on Sweet Square #13 as of 9/16/2012 9:56:00 PM
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/15/2012
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I'm out of town, but will post my square when I get back. Feel free to link up and show off your Saturday square! ;)
0 Comments on Sweet Square #12 as of 9/15/2012 11:56:00 AM
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/14/2012
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| watercolor, wet on wet |
This says it all, don't you think!
0 Comments on Sweet Squares #11 as of 9/14/2012 12:20:00 PM
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/13/2012
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| Watercolor, salt, ink |
From now on, the link share button will be open until the end of the month. If you fall behind, you can now go back to older posts and share your links.
2 Comments on Sweet Square #10, last added: 9/13/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/12/2012
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| marker and white acrylic paint |
"I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay: 10
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed--and gazed--but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood, 20
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils."
Link away!
1 Comments on Sweet Squares #9, last added: 9/13/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/11/2012
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| tissue paper, watercolor, pencil, marker |
3 Comments on Sweet Square #8, last added: 9/12/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/10/2012
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| watercolor, salt, white acrylic |
0 Comments on Sweet Square #7 as of 9/10/2012 5:30:00 PM
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/10/2012
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I decided it would be nice if I were to make something for everyone game enough to participate in the Sweet Squares Challenge. Here's a square for you!
2 Comments on A Square For You, last added: 9/10/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/9/2012
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| Watercolor, pastel pencil, ink |
So today I came to the studio to create one thing, and midway through letting the watercolor bleed I said, "Well, let's see where this leads. You can always do the other idea if it doesn't work out." I think it worked out!
I like this contrast of the soft, imperfect background and the more defined details of the fish and coral. Something to play with in the future?
2 Comments on #Sweet Squares 6, last added: 9/10/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/8/2012
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And if you're looking for some inspiration this morning, this is one of my favorite people to follow on Pinterest. This is a great collection of studios.
Whoever's playing along on a Saturday, link away!
3 Comments on Sweet Square #5, last added: 9/8/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/7/2012
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| Pen and Marker |
The irony of this statement-ugh! I started working on this square this morning, but then as I was laying out the letters, bigger BETTER ideas started coming to me. This simple square became complicated very quickly! Thankfully I pulled the reins back, scribbled the new ideas down for later, and got back to it.
I am loving everyone's squares! I'll try to swing by the blogs this weekend and post some comments, but I am so impressed by how y'all have embraced this exercise. Yay, illustrators! :D
As always, links below, please.
1 Comments on Sweet Squares #4, last added: 9/8/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/6/2012
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| Pen, Marker, Pastel Pencil |
Enter your link for today's square below!
0 Comments on Sweet Squares #3 as of 9/6/2012 4:01:00 PM
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/5/2012
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| Watercolor, ink, acrylic |
1 Comments on Sweet Squares #2, last added: 9/5/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/4/2012
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Sweet Square FAQ
First square done! I know they will not all be this involved, but I was feeling motivated this morning. I started easy, sticking with tools and media I'm familiar with. I don't know how much I'll do with colored pencils though, as they don't scan very well. Hm.
There is something about seeing letters done by hand that I find very satisfying. I'd like to explore hand-lettering, so I think I may have quite a few wordy squares. How did your Sweet Squares turn out? If you'd like to share, don't forget to enter the static link to your first square below.
If the quote is familiar to you, it's probably because you've seen Neil Gaiman's fantastic commencement speech at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He speaks to the heart of every artist. You can find it here.
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| Pen & ink, colored pencil, marker. Quote-Neil Gaiman |
There is something about seeing letters done by hand that I find very satisfying. I'd like to explore hand-lettering, so I think I may have quite a few wordy squares. How did your Sweet Squares turn out? If you'd like to share, don't forget to enter the static link to your first square below.
If the quote is familiar to you, it's probably because you've seen Neil Gaiman's fantastic commencement speech at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. He speaks to the heart of every artist. You can find it here.
3 Comments on Sweet Squares- #1, last added: 9/5/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 9/3/2012
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In my last post I mentioned how inspired I was by Melissa Sweet during SCBWI's summer conference. I felt like it was an artistic awakening of sorts and I'm eager to put into practice what I learned.
The first point Melissa stressed was working everyday. She said it gave you "a larger vocabulary, more facility with materials, and it allows for possibility." She also mentioned working with a medium we've been dying to try. Allowing for possibility and experimentation is something I certainly need to make room for. Because of time constraints in the past, I've always felt like I had to be productive when I sat at my drafting table. I put my head down and plowed through my process, eyes on the finish line. There was no space for those wonderful surprises that the muse likes to throw out there sometimes.
Well, no more! Play is going to be taken more seriously (ha) around here. Every morning, I will sit at my work table without expectation. Whatever happens inside the little 3 x 3 squares happens and I'll be happy regardless. I'm going to remember how much I enjoy the process of creating and forget about the end product for a bit.
To help with accountability, I'll be posting my little experiments here on the blog for thirty days. If I'm successful, then I'll push for another thirty, and so on. My hope is that they become a well-ingrained habit.
In honor of the artist who inspired me, I'm calling my experiments: Sweet Squares. I invite you to join me in a month-long expedition of experimentation without expectation. I know I'm not the only one who was inspired in LA, or who would like a goal to stretch themselves artistically. If you think you have the gumption to play along for the next thirty days, feel free to enter a static link to the post of the daily art you've created in the form below. It will be nice to see how others are approaching the stretching of their art muscles!
The first point Melissa stressed was working everyday. She said it gave you "a larger vocabulary, more facility with materials, and it allows for possibility." She also mentioned working with a medium we've been dying to try. Allowing for possibility and experimentation is something I certainly need to make room for. Because of time constraints in the past, I've always felt like I had to be productive when I sat at my drafting table. I put my head down and plowed through my process, eyes on the finish line. There was no space for those wonderful surprises that the muse likes to throw out there sometimes.
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| Like this scribble. Made this during a meeting. There was mention of cake. Mmm...CAKE. |
Well, no more! Play is going to be taken more seriously (ha) around here. Every morning, I will sit at my work table without expectation. Whatever happens inside the little 3 x 3 squares happens and I'll be happy regardless. I'm going to remember how much I enjoy the process of creating and forget about the end product for a bit.
 |
| My drafting table with a bunch of new toys spread out. |
In honor of the artist who inspired me, I'm calling my experiments: Sweet Squares. I invite you to join me in a month-long expedition of experimentation without expectation. I know I'm not the only one who was inspired in LA, or who would like a goal to stretch themselves artistically. If you think you have the gumption to play along for the next thirty days, feel free to enter a static link to the post of the daily art you've created in the form below. It will be nice to see how others are approaching the stretching of their art muscles!
12 Comments on A Month of Experimentation, last added: 9/26/2012
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By: Diandra Mae,
on 8/31/2012
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This year was my third year attending SBWI's Summer Conference in LA. The more of these conferences I go to, the more comfortable I get with myself and where I am in my career path. This year when I made the decision to go to LA, I made it much easier on myself by forgetting about "getting discovered."I'm in a huge creative flux right now. There are all kinds of ideas and techniques I want to try and putting my work out there when there could be a shake-up down the road didn't seem right.
I decided I was going to focus on the lessons of the speakers, interacting with fellow creatives and making connections. I didn't even show my portfolio in the Showcase this year. (I know, several people were all, "Are you CRAZY?!") It was the best decision I've made in a long time. Preparing for the conference was so easy-and relaxing! (Next year could be a very different story, however-ha!)
A few takeaways from keynotes & break-out sessions:
1. Editor Arthur Levine. “When a story is able to catch a moment of emotion between reader and story, it's timeless.” and “Great writers use anticipation more often than surprise. Anticipation expands the viewer’s understanding of the wider world and what is happening.” (I have to say Arthur also spoke at the Illustrator's Intensive on Monday, and he had (hands down) one of the best presentations of the day including a quote by author-illustrator Uri Shulevitz: "What you say is of primary importance, not how you say it.")
2. Illustrator-Author Tony DiTerlizzi. “Imagination is my mission.” Tony spoke about what pleased him as a child and how that influenced what he does now. He always keeps that kid in mind when creating.
4. Illustrator-Author Jon Klassen: "Storytelling is teaching." and "Some stories don't exist outside of how they are told."
5. Illustrator-Author Melissa Sweet: "I have been afraid to try something new because of the weight of making a marketable book. Now, I can hardly wait to make a mistake." "Write your heart out." (Not surprising, considering how much I adore her work, I found Melissa to be especially inspiring. And what a great instructor. Wow!)6. Illustrator-Author Antoinette Portis: "Let the pictures do their thing." (Antoinette was another speaker that had light-bulbs going off.)
What I took away from the conference is this: I need to keep in touch with my inner child. I need to talk to her and find out what she loves and why she loves it so. Then I need to figure out how to connect that with what I am trying to do now. Find out what it is I want to say, why I feel the need to say it, and why it is important to me. I have a lot of thinking to do!
And remember: "Everything is sweetened by risk." Alexander Smith (quote courtesy of Melissa Sweet)
I decided I was going to focus on the lessons of the speakers, interacting with fellow creatives and making connections. I didn't even show my portfolio in the Showcase this year. (I know, several people were all, "Are you CRAZY?!") It was the best decision I've made in a long time. Preparing for the conference was so easy-and relaxing! (Next year could be a very different story, however-ha!)
A few takeaways from keynotes & break-out sessions:
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| Arthur Levine speaks to illustrators |
2. Illustrator-Author Tony DiTerlizzi. “Imagination is my mission.” Tony spoke about what pleased him as a child and how that influenced what he does now. He always keeps that kid in mind when creating.
 |
| Tony DiTerlizzi & Maurice Sendak |
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| Bryan Collier tells his story |
3. Illustrator-Author Bryan Collier: “They didn’t know what they did when Harold hung the moon.” I felt like many illustrators connected with Bryan and his amazing journey during that talk: “The dream is so big, it’s frightening. The world conspires against it.”
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| Bryan Collier's amazing collage work |
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| Melissa Sweet shares her process |
5. Illustrator-Author Melissa Sweet: "I have been afraid to try something new because of the weight of making a marketable book. Now, I can hardly wait to make a mistake." "Write your heart out." (Not surprising, considering how much I adore her work, I found Melissa to be especially inspiring. And what a great instructor. Wow!)
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| My picture book haul. I owned three already, but now they're signed! |
What I took away from the conference is this: I need to keep in touch with my inner child. I need to talk to her and find out what she loves and why she loves it so. Then I need to figure out how to connect that with what I am trying to do now. Find out what it is I want to say, why I feel the need to say it, and why it is important to me. I have a lot of thinking to do!
And remember: "Everything is sweetened by risk." Alexander Smith (quote courtesy of Melissa Sweet)
And now, for some pictures with friends!
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| Pucker up, baby! |
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| Three of the five of the Polka Dottie Posse! |
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| Hippie Hop in full swing |
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| Two of the grooviest chicks out there, maaaaan. (Melinda and Leeza) |
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| Three of the Sketchables! Priscilla, Kelly and me. And look, we're in black and white, just like our art! |
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| Melinda and I on the bus to the faculty dinner |
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| Four awesome Illustrator Coordinators |
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| Three ICs: Melinda, me and Bonnie |
1 Comments on #LA12SCBWI, last added: 9/19/2012
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So cute, Diandra! I love the expression - I think that's what I look like when I'm really concentrating on drawing!
This is so cute, and thanks for inspiring me to try some different techniques. It's definitely good to get out of my groove once in awhile.
Thanks for starting this experimental challenge, it has been a lot of fun and has actually helped me find a couple of new mediums that I like. Have a wonderful weekend!
Very cute! The crooked lines are more fun :)
The subtle flaws & imperfections (crooked lines) are what make each artist's work unique to them. I've coming to love and admire them, in my own work and the work of others. :) Great piece, Diandra … now I have to backtrack and find out what these "Sweet Squares" are all about!
very cute
Very sweet :)