Sneak peek...

I guess this is my first time to work on my dark creepy pieces for the upcoming group show at Gallery1988 Los Angeles. I'll post my finished pieces in May 2010. It's so fun that i tried to mix my old realism style + illustration style. I really enjoy doing my new challenge about the dark theme, which means, it's good to keep improving my skills. Here are my few pics, so eerie...

Also, I'll post my new commissioned piece for Anne in April.

I see you, Cheshire prints

I got several emails from people about making prints for my sold Alice piece "I see you, Cheshire". Now don't worry, Gallery Nucleus officially releases my edition prints! Click to buy here!

USD $30

13" x 16.75"

Watercolor Paper (paper type)

Mall's 2nd art videos: SKETCHING

I must admit that my digicam made me feel uncomfortable when I was working on my acrylic painting, I don't know the reason. But funnily, I felt very comfortable to make my sketch while videotaping. I got two videos. Let me explain how and where I got influences / inspirations before sketching:

- Paprika and Nausicaa girl characters from Japanese animated films

- Looks of Natalie Portman and Marilyn Monroe

- Joao Ruas and Audrey Kawasaki

- Cathy Johnson's pencil strokes. I learned from her art book about pencil shades / tones / strokes when I was a high school girl.

- drawing speed / face drawing. I learned from my art professors Darnay Demetillo, Robert Acosta & Nolet Soliven in UP Fine Arts College Baguio in 1998-2000 year.

- "Bushes" & "The Way You Dream" by 1 Giant Leap. Long songs make me concentrated to sketch it directly. Their songs make me feel something intensed, dreamy & passionate when I draw and paint. I'm a huge fan of 1 Giant Leap since 2002.

I observed them. Then I started sketching a girl character what I imagined from those references. Here you guys, enjoy viewing.

PART ONE. Rough Sketch.

PART TWO. Add Tones.

Details.

UPDATE: Thank you so much, I'm so surprised that my blog on Statcounter has more hits by people! And also my sketching piece got 1,+++ favorites on my deviantART account! Thank you so much for supporting my art & enjoying my videos! Much appreciated! I love you all!

My First Work-Progress Video

I just tried to test videotaping it when I was working on my commissioned acrylic + colored pencil piece for Anne, hehe. But it was so short because I was too shy. I rarely do my art videos.

My Alice pieces

Last year, I saw that Gallery Nucleus announced the upcoming show "Curiouser and Curiouser: Inspired by Alice in Wonderland". It made me wanted to join but I didn't get invited by them. I must admit that I never draw any girl characters like Alice, Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc. During my childhood years, I always drew Betty & Veronica from Archie comics, Garfield, Mickey Mouse, Ranma 1/2, Dragonballz, Felix the Cat and mostly cartoon characters.

In the beginning of January 2010, I was super stressed in preparing & making artworks for Whispers show and Outerspace Gallery show, I got unexpectedly invited by Lin from Gallery Nucleus for the Alice theme show. I didn't confirm because I was so busy in doing other art projects... but I thought of myself, "Aww come on, Mall! Go for it! Just do one piece!" So I said to Lin, "Ok, I'm in!"

In the end week of January, I have finished all pieces for the shows... I was so worried and stressed about the Alice show deadline, framing progress and of course, FedEx shipping progress. I decided to create 3 graphite pieces and one colored one (all paperworks). Paperworks are easier for me than wood boards so I could draw / paint it fast. I wish I could color them but I couldn't, it was too late for me. Whew, Gallery Nucleus received my package before the near deadline so they brought my pieces to the framing shop, my worried heart went calm down. Okay, it's time to enjoy my Alice inspired pieces.

Pool of Tears

5" x 7"

Framing size: 9" x 11"

Graphite on Paper

Inspired by Hayao Miyazaki + Edward Gorey

SOLD

Young Queen of Hearts

5" x 7"

Framing size: 9" x 11"

Graphite on Paper

Inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's character Princess Kushana + Audrey Hepburn's looks

SOLD

I see you, Cheshire

11" x 14"

Framing size: 18.5" x 21"

Acrylic + Colored Pencil on Paper

Inspired by Hayao Miyazaki + Winsor McCay + Mary Blair + Paprika / Tekkon Kinkreet movies and my favorite fruit: watermelon

SOLD

The Hole in Alice's World

20" x 24"

Framing size: 26" x 30"

Graphite on Paper

Inspired by Hayao Miyazaki + Winsor McCay + Edward Corey + Paprika movie & M.C. Escher

SOLD

"The Hole in Alice's World" is my fave one, it was a little bit difficult for me because I was so confused to imagine objects before I drew. When my sister Erica saw me drawing big graphite piece, she said to me "Hmmm, it looks like... a movie poster of Hayao Miyazaki. Take pic and try to photoshop it, just for fun and testing, Big sis Mally." I was trying to do it on Photoshop.... HAHAHAHAHAHA! *Bloggers see silly weird Mall laughing and doing...*

Ahh... hehehe, don't get serious, just for fun. no rumors, ok? Honestly, I seriously wish Hayao Miyazaki could make a new animated movie! *Mall daydreams* I also can't wait to watch Tim Burton's upcoming movie, yey! Anyway, I really hope you guys like my Alice pieces. If you're interested in buying my pieces, please visit my Nucleus shop. I greatly thank to Lin & Gallery Nucleus staff for the wonderful invitation and support. Check high-profile artists' amazing Alice pieces out! And my last webcam pic of stressed me and my graphite piece.

See more more more curious great pictures of Curiouser & Curiouser:

Gallery Nucleus photos

DailyDujour photos

Pop Owl photos

My Birthday Giveaway + UPDATED (winners)

Hello hello guys! How are you doing all? Hooray, my birthday (Feb 24) is near! Sorry guys, I didn't have time to make my 2nd personal comic this year, just like the last time I did my old piece. But let's see, maybe I'll make my full colored McCay-style comic when I'll be 30 years old in 2011. *Mall smiles widely*

Argh, I felt bad today. Timon from deviantART told me that an art ripper stole a few of my recent Whispers pieces. Then he removed my name "Mall" and claimed his name on works. Ugh. I asked the deviantART admin to remove his works... He hides the angry comments of mine and my friends on his site. Now he hasn't said sorry to me yet. Oh well, shame on him. His site is http://majid-sz.deviantart.com/. Grrrr, I need to calm down... *Mall massages her migraine*

Today, this is my first birthday giveaway! Past few weeks ago, I was thinking about my plans for my upcoming birthday... My mama asked me "Why don't you give someone your goodies for your birthday? So your fans will be blessed and lucky to have Mall stuff." She's right and sweet. Are you all ready? here you go guys!

FIRST PRIZE

"Youka"

Original Graphite on Paper, 5" x 5" inches

This tribute is for Stella Im Hultberg, Yoko Tanji & "Ghost in the Shell" movie whom I feel inspired by.

SECOND PRIZE

"The Notorious Ornated Horned Frog"

8.5" x 11" PRINT, signed

(This is the last print. My 25 limited prints are out of stock in Gallery Nucleus.)

THIRD PRIZE

Pocket Mirror (just choose one what you like)

Here are my contest rules:

- Just leave your comment with your email address and/or link on this blog entry. ONLY ONE ENTRY. NO ANONYMOUS. AND NO ART RIPPERS... *Mall sharpens her crow bar*

- Tell me why you love Mall's art (eeeee, I really love to hear from you all so my birthday heart would be gigglingly happier).

I will close the comments on Feb 23. I'll use Random.org for picking up the three winners. The winners will be announced on my birthday (Feb 24). Good luck guys! See you guys! hugs hugs hugs!

UPDATED: I CLOSE THE COMMENTS TODAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PARTICIPATING! SEE YOU ON MY NEXT BLOG ENTRY TOMORROW! You guys make me big smile! :)

UPDATED, Feb.24: Thank you very much for greeting me on my birthday! I read all comments, seriously I cried. :) I felt like, I was reading the novel book about me and my art, haha! I want to thank you all for participating and commenting, much appreciated! Thank you so much for making me big smile and happy! My heart still purrs happily! meeeoowww... Gosh I can't believe that I'm now 29 years old. Time goes fast. Tomorrow, we will celebrate my dad's birthday too, hee hee!

Okay, I'm announcing the winners after picking up the numbers from Random.org *DRUMROLLS*

THIRD PRIZE: #3 ANEESAH!

SECOND PRIZE: #69 MARN!

FIRST PRIZE: #26 BLANCA!

Congratulations winners! Next time, I'll create my future 2nd giveaway again. Anyway, I'll post my 4 Alice pieces this Saturday or Sunday, yey! I wish I could have a magic door so I'd love to attend the Alice exhibit show and meet great artists / friends there, hu hu!

Once again, I thank you all for everything! Much much love to all of you! :)