Yellow Scarf Studios

New and Improved Demo Reel~!

2013-04-07T07:33:00.000-03:00

Back in the groove

2012-01-06T14:06:00.002-04:00

Just a quick update!

The holidays were great! They went by so fast, but they were wonderful.
Thank you so much to everyone who supported my card sales and a special thanks to anyone who has come to my blog! I appreciate it!

This dance is for you guys!

I am back in school with a rather handsome schedule this semester. With a little more spare time this semester, I'm hoping I will be able to update more often with some school work and personal artwork.

All the best in 2012 everyone! Let's make it great!

New Cards!

2011-11-26T16:59:00.003-04:00

With just a few days away from December I'm well into the Christmas Card sale circuit!

Today I wrapped up day 1 of a two day sale in my hometown of Antigonish.
Today was exciting for me because I introduced two new cards to the group this year.

Introducing a new Celtic knot design:

And a new Angel:

This year has been a lot of fun and its been so great to meet the many wonderful people who take the time to look at my cards and my portfolio.
It really makes my holiday season great! <3

Its that time of year again!

2011-11-07T23:50:00.007-04:00

Holy cow!

I can't believe it, but I'm just a few weeks away from my Christmas Card sales!

This year I will be selling in two locations!
One in Truro at the Truro Elementary school Craft Fair (Saturday Nov. 19th)
And The Glennhill Berry Farm Christmas craft sale in Antigonish (Saturday Nov. 26 and Sunday Nov 27th).

If you're in the area I'd love to see you- come drop by and say Hi!

In the weeks to come I will be posting some new Christmas card designs for this years' sales.
I have 4 designs I want to make!
This year I will also discontinue printing a few cards (see some examples below), once they're sold they will not be coming back! They'll be around as long as supplies last- once they're gone, they're gone!

This will be the last year for 3 Christmas card designs in my Cartoony Santa line.

My snowman line will also be discontinued after this year.

However all the other cards, including the popular Celtic Knot line, will make their return with some new additions!

Lastly, don't forget that I do custom Holiday card designs and other commissions!
I'll take any Holiday related commissions up until December 5th, so that they may be completed in time for Christmas! :)

Busy busy busy!

2011-10-18T00:31:00.002-03:00

Oh my goodness! I have been painfully negligent to my poor Yellow Scarf blog!

I have been very busy as I have returned to school as an IMOG (Interactive and Motion Graphic)'s student- where I am focusing on 3D.

I realize this is no excuse to not pop by once and a while. SO, I'm going to be much more diligent with my posting!

Even if I don't have anything new to show, I will still post... something!

In this case please enjoy the following (horrifying?) doodle I diddled up in class the other day...

...I promise I'll have better things to show in the future.
Honest!

Long time no Sock Drawer

2011-08-10T22:55:00.002-03:00

Wow, I just realized today since May 4th I have drawn ONE picture for myself.
Before then the last thing I worked on for me was the second comic for Sock Drawer.
I'll be done commissions soon and once I am done, I'm going to work on Sock Drawer!
Starting with a script... I always jump into a comic before I know how its going to end. NO MORE!

Printed T-shirt

2011-07-13T14:49:00.002-03:00

Recently a fitness studio that I design for (Go Girl Fitness Studio) had its Grand Opening.
I was asked to design a shirt that would be for sale.
Although the colours/design were tweaked a bit by the printers, I'm still so pleased with how it turned out.
This is my second shirt that has been printed- I love seeing my work printed <3

Oh and excuse the bad photo and wrinkled shirt- haha. I wore the shirt to a class at Go Girl.

Threadless Design

2011-07-05T20:20:00.004-03:00

Take two of my paintball wedding piece titled “Something Blue”.

I've posted this design on the popular T-shirt design Threadless.

Please take a few minutes to sign in/sign up for Threadless and score my shirt!
If it gets a good score (5 being the highest), it'll get printed~!
Please Score Here!

Something Blue

2011-06-24T21:46:00.002-03:00

I can see myself doing this... AFTER the wedding.

Toronto Commissions

2011-05-19T20:28:00.006-03:00

Portrait for Breagh

Elissa and Zach for Veroro

A fun sexy B movie poster inspired portrait for Megs

Jillian and myself on an adventure it Toronto!

Meaghan dressed as Street Fighter IV's Crimson Viper

Anne based on the video for Glosoli by Sigur Ros

Two commissions for Steph. First Steph in a Gotham/Batman inspired setting and the second features Steph with her sister and their kitty Caesar.

Chet, Laura and Josh as Ghosbusters!

Tara giving her sister bunny ears in a polaroid-inspired shot.

Portrait for Matt W with Coheed and Cambria elements

Opening Commissions!

2011-05-13T15:27:00.002-03:00

I think the poster says it all.

Oh! Prices can be negotiated.

...Apparently it doesn't say it all!

Work in Progress

2011-05-04T14:12:00.002-03:00

A lot of my attention lately has been going to my comic Sock Drawer.
You can see I have been much more attentive to my sock drawer blog here than I have been to my Yellow Scarf blog.

Besides working on my comic I have also taken time to do some personal artwork.

Here's a look at a work in progress.
I think I may to a series of tentacle jazz peeps. We'll see!

Sock Drawer

2011-04-16T17:09:00.002-03:00

I mentioned a few posts back that I am working on a comic by the name of "Sock Drawer".
I was hoping to get a blog up and going for it... and I have!
Its still under some construction, but it is up and running.
Please come check it out~!

http://sockdrawercomic.blogspot.com/

Go Girl

2011-04-04T16:03:00.007-03:00

Today was a good day!

I woke up at 6:10am for the first time since highschool and I walked half an hour to attend a yoga class... MY yoga class!

Thats right!
Not only can this girl draw* (*opinions may vary), she can teach YOGA** (**opinions may vary).

No but really this was quite the experience in stepping out of my comfort zone- something everyone should do on a regular basis.
I will be teaching a basic yoga class at 7:30am Monday-Friday and 5:00pm Tuesday and Wednesdays.
That's a lot of yoga and I couldn't be happier!

Not only have I managed to get a job as an instructor at this studio (named "Go Girl Fitness Studio") I also designed the logo and did a variety of other design work!

Take a looksie:

This super lassy is Go Girl, or "GG" as she has become known due to my typing laziness.
The client really liked my logo character "Little S" and wanted her own little super logo character with her hands on her hips- so GG was born!

Here is a crappy photo taken from my cell phone:

I honestly don't think there is a better feeling than seeing your artwork printed out-- and HUGE!
This sign is now hanging up above the studio- where I teach.

Hurrah~!

Eventful Events

2011-03-23T16:52:00.004-03:00

The last time I made a post it was about the upcoming PAX East!
Well, PAX East has come and gone and let me say, it was a great time all around!

In my last post I was hoping for a better day. A day when I got back into being even half of a hard-core gamer and felt that creative rush I used to after a good round of gaming.

To be honest, I haven't had time to game since I got back! I have been playing Pokemon Black a lot (Nintendo really out did themselves for Black and White), but that doesn't really count, does it? Even though my gaming isn't up to the level I would like it to be, I admit I did come back from PAX completely comic inspired!

I won't get into huge details about all the events I attended at PAX, but I can't make this blog update without talking about the "Penny Arcade Making a Strip" panel.
Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins of Penny Arcade fame are awesome. They are so funny and talented and MAN. Just awesome. For the Making a Strip panel they did a Q & A session while writing and illustrating a comic before a crowd of hundreds!
Just seeing how much love they were getting from everyone in the room and how so many of these people loved their comic I could feel the comic fire ignite in my belly (where all comic fires are located)!

So between working on projects for clients I have been birthing a comic series of my own! The series is titled "Sock Drawer" and I hope to give it its own blog/site very soon.

I have been really concerned about writing and displaying a comic as I have a deep anxiety of what people will think of me. I worry people's opinions of me will change based on my characters and story telling-- which is dumb. SUPER DUMB! I know its dumb. BUT logic doesn't necessarily make deep festering concerns any less present. So I'm going to suck it up and be an artist! You can't be an artist without rattling a few cages, so if anyone's cage is rattled by my work... HA! I'm sorry I didn't mean it! Or did I?? ...This not caring thing is going to take some work.

So yeah, have a look at my first comic and look forward to seeing more!

Yellow Scarf is going to PAX!

2011-02-22T13:42:00.005-04:00

Earlier this fall I was invited to join my boyfriend (Nick), his co-workers and our friends down on an adventure to Boston to attend PAX East 2011, which is now just weeks away (http://east.paxsite.com/).

Now if I said I was excited that would be an understatement!

PAX is the Penny Arcade Expo.
Essentially it's a large gaming (video games, table top, cards etc.) convention named after the popular Gaming-based webcomic "Penny Arcade" (http://www.penny-arcade.com/).
Not gonna lie, thats one of the reasons I am so excited! I read Penny Arcade all throughout high school. I've unfortunately lost touch with it since, but the upcoming Expo is reuniting my love~!

Going to PAX will be a sweet opportunity to reunite myself with my game-love, which has gone down since College. I never had the time to play games in college, so ever since then I've had a hard time sitting myself down for hours of achieving nothing except well... achievements (herp).

Recently, however, I remembered how creative and inspired I was back in highschool- back when I had the time to let myself relax, unwind and play games. I was full of creative juice, artsy-fartsy-ness and ambition to make my own impact on people, the way games impacted me. I very dearly want to get that feeling back. Especially now, I have a big project I'm really excited about and I don't want to lose that. So here's hoping getting back into gaming can help that... AND Nick can stop calling me a "casual gamer" (which is super not cool by the way! No matter how true it has become :P)!

So the countdown is on- I'm going to do my best to document everything that goes on at the Expo. I also plan to throw my business cards around like candycanes at the Santa Clause parade, hopefully without getting someone in the eye.

Countdown to PAX East- T-minus 16 days.

Yellow Scarf Valentine's Special!

2011-01-24T17:52:00.007-04:00

I am so very very excited!
I am going to be joining a Roller Derby team this Wednesday!

I just can't wait I think its going to be a blast, expensive- but a blast!
I need to pay almost $400 up front in fees and equipment.
SO!
Here is where the Yellow Scarf Special comes in!

Until February 13, I will be offering $15
illustrations! This will include any style and up to two characters.

I will also be offering up to 10 seconds of a cleaned up, personalized animation, for $60!
(Edit: Due to time restrictions I will only be taking on one or two animations, thank you!)

Perfect for your Valentine!
Or anti-Valentine! :D

Yellow Scarf has changed location!

2011-01-16T22:10:00.003-04:00

Well shucks, it's been a while since I posted anything, hasn't it? And I have no art to show this time.
Well, here I'll doodle up something quick!

There! Now this is officially not a pointless, artless update!

But I digress, the holiday season was a busy one for me, I barely had time for any art-ness.
Of course for the holidays I wouldn't have it any other way.

But now that we're into 2011 I thought a change of scenery would be a great way to refresh my artistic-ness.
So here I am in New Brunswick with my boyfriend Nick!

Now that I am finding myself settled I have been hopping back on projects I am working on for some clients. I am having a lot of fun on these projects which include letter heads, promotional packages and tattoo designs- woo!
Perhaps with the consent of the clients, upon completion of the projects, I can post some of my work!

On the personal-artwork side of things I am trying to get my butt back to school for some more animation!
I am aiming for the Sheridan College in Ontario, so look forward to seeing some of my portfolio work in the near future!

I am also interested, of course, on working on a comic. Since I over analyze EVERYTHING and I can never iron out a story I want to make as a comic, I have a new approach!
I figure, my life is interesting enough- why not make a comic diary?
That way everyone can enjoy it when I make an ass of myself! Hooray!!

Christmas Card Sneak Peaks

2010-11-24T12:58:00.006-04:00

Here's a little sneak peak at whats to be at the Christmas Card sale this weekend. :)
If you're interested in any of the cards and can't make it to the sale, drop me a line, shipping can be arranged!

Two cold, cuddling cardinals <3

A holiday twist on some traditional Celtic knots.

Another, cooler (tee hee), twist on traditional Celtic knots.

Three different cards from my Angel line.

Christmas Card Sale

2010-11-21T18:50:00.006-04:00

Yessir-ee-Bob!

My Christmas Cards are going on sale next weekend!
For locals who are interested the sale is at the Glenhill Berry Farm 2146 Lochaber.
The sale takes place from 10am-4pm on Saturday and 12pm-4pm on Sunday. Unfortunately due to prior commitments I am unable to be at the sale on Saturday, but my lovely mother will be manning the table for me! I'll be there on Sunday though, bright eyed and bushy tailed!

As mentioned before, once this sale is over I will be opening commissions for personalized Christmas cards for a special holiday price! So stay tuned to find out what the special price is or if you can't wait until after the sale contact via facebook or email: shannonlong88@hotmail.com :)

Christmas is a-comin'

2010-11-16T21:41:00.004-04:00

Its almost Christmas!
Holy poop!

Don't get caught without your Christmas Cards this year! I will be selling some Yellow Scarf Original cards at the Glen Hill Berry Farm Christmas Sale in Antigonish county very shortly!

Come on out and see all the different cards I have. Or contact me for information on how you can get your own personalized Christmas cards for a special price until December 15th!

Happy Halloween

2010-10-24T20:53:00.003-03:00

Happy Halloween, Everyone!

Don't drink and fly! :P

Suggestions?

2010-09-29T19:36:00.003-03:00

I recently had the opportunity to revisit card making!

This personalized card was commissioned by a friend as a gift for her boyfriend's birthday. Thanks for the business, buddy! <3

While working on this card it reminded me of my holiday cards I designed and illustrated last year. I then remembered I'd better get my butt in gear for this year's designs!

I have a few concepts in mind for designs already, but I feel compelled to ask; what do you guys like in a Christmas/Holiday/Winter Greeting card? What gives you the warm fuzzies and sweet memories when it comes to the Holiday Season? I want my cards this year to be really special <3

Also, if anyone wants any personalized greeting cards just drop me a line ;)

Support

2010-09-12T11:06:00.005-03:00

I recently was commissioned to do some artwork for a friend of mine.
She is a talented photographer who requested that I draw up an illustration of her for her website.

It is always such a nice warm feeling when you're able to help out a fellow person in the arts struggling with the start up of a new business or struggling with anything. I'm sure she felt the same way when she commissioned me.

I love the arts community <3 I may not be part of a big arts community yet, but I love the one I am apart of and all of the artists I have come into contact with. Everyone is so supportive and kind!

So to help support my photographer buddy, I encourage you to check out her lovely work at her website!
http://www.wix.com/laurafiander/photography

Sears National Kids Cancer Ride

2010-08-26T22:42:00.008-03:00

It has been a while since I posted anything- I've been so busy!!
I hope to update more often both artistically and blog-ally from now on.

But any whosit, cool news!
In a past blog ( http://yellowscarfstudios.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-05-17T14:58:00-03:00&max-results=7 as seen here) I had mentioned I designed a logo/character for an important cause. A former teacher of mine is biking across Canada (with many other athletes- although she's the only Nova Scotian- woo!) for the Sears National Kid's Cancer Ride. As mentioned, I had the honour to great a little logo for her jersey. I chose a cute cartoony Tiger as it is child friendly but also represents the strength one possesses to live with cancer.
Today for the first time I got to see how the jersey turned out and I received a jersey of my very own!

Have a look!!

The Front

Close Up

The Back

Close up of the upper back

Close up of the bottom, back pocket- with my signature :D

I feel so blessed for having had the chance to design this little fella. As if the national exposure to my little tiger wasn't enough, I also had the chance to donate my time and energy to cancer research. What an opportunity :) Thanks, Suzanne!

Webcomic!

2010-08-05T12:02:00.005-03:00

My Yellow Scarf Studios ad has graced the local newspapers. It was very exciting to see- and I have received a lot of positive feedback from it. I hope to have the ad back in the paper for next week's issue.

In other news, I have been trying to come up with a webcomic series that I could call my own.
I wanted it to be something that I can relate to, be passionate about and therefore never run out of material to write about.
Finally, it hit me the other night while I was in bed-- a webcomic about long distance relationships!
With my boyfriend off to work in another province this is certainly a topic I can relate to. So stay tuned for that! <3 I hope to have my first comic this weekend.

Here is a concept piece for the female character Nathalie Chu. Her male counterpart; Jacobs Collins is still a work in progress haha.

Ch-ch-changes

2010-07-23T21:51:00.006-03:00

No! Not for me, well, yes for me, but not Yellow Scarf Studios.

My boyfriend and Digital Animation companion Nick, has been offered a wonderful opportunity with an internship. Unfortunately he will be working in New Brunswick, therefore having to move to New Brunswick, for about a year.

My first thought was "what should I do? This opportunity is too good for Nick to pass up... so should I go with him?"

After a wrench was thrown into my wheel of life I had to stop and double think my plans. In the end I decided to stay on course, live in Antigonish and establish Yellow Scarf Studios into a success business.

It'll be tough, but duty calls... for the both of us. :)

Business Launch!

2010-07-20T18:33:00.007-03:00

Although very low key, as I had expected, my launch is going great!

I have run a few tests for my business cards (deciding that I will get them printed professionally) and I have also created an ad for Yellow Scarf Studios that (if all goes to plan) will be appearing in next week's local newspaper! Hoorah!

I feel very enthusiastic and confident in my ability to run my business at this time. I am very glad I gave myself the necessary time to prepare, but now I'm ready to get things started!

Bring it on world! :D

Approaching Launch!

2010-07-15T13:19:00.004-03:00

With my business launch growing nearer and nearer at its set date of July 20th, I felt I should get my new blog banner up and running~!

Here is what it is currently, it may undergo some more changes before the 20th, we'll see!

My next step toward my business launch is to create my business cards. I have a design all ready and I am very excited to get to work on them. I am torn however if I should get them done professionally (which will cost a lot) or if I should do them myself? I seem to have all the necessary items to get it done... I just need some coloured ink and make sure my printer is still up to snuff! I just hope they come out okay either way~!

However, I have been thinking, before I can get business cards all set up I will need a cell phone. I do have a land-line where I am currently residing (back at home with my mom) however this is only a temporary situation. I want my business cards to be relevant for a long time and if I put my home number down, only to move a few months later, then my business cards will be outdated!

I guess it is kind of weird that I, as a young woman, don't already have a cell phone. But I find them to be just an unnecessary expense! Oh well... as my mom always says "You gotta spend money to make money!"

Cell phone first. Then business cards!

July 20th, please come soon, but not too soon that I am unprepared!!

C'est la vie!

2010-07-10T21:15:00.004-03:00

So many choices in life. So many roads we can take!

We are really lucky to live in a time/country that allows us to have such decision making opportunities.

Sometimes it can be overwhelming... but its all just part of the adventure~!

Here's a little diddy inspired by "Le Petit Prince" which expresses this overwhelming feeling. However it also reminds us that we are not limited to one task (or dream); that we can have many goals and ambitions. Not just living on an asteroid and lighting laps or making maps of other worlds yet never exploring them!

If you haven't read Le Petit Prince go do it now~!

Facebook

2010-07-03T23:05:00.007-03:00

**Disclaimer: Facebook logo belongs to facebook!!**

After a day or two of putting it off Yellow Scarf Studios has made its debut on facebook! Woo!

I'm still working out the kinks of the facebook page, but so far so good. If anyone knows how I can improve my page layout or anything I would appreciate the advice/feedback!

Happy Canada Day

2010-07-01T18:01:00.001-03:00

Animation Project Update

2010-06-30T11:33:00.004-03:00

Dance, Hauptbahnhof, DANCE~!
http://shmarky.deviantart.com/art/Dance-Party-169508121

Seen above is a short dance loop animation I had been working on for a bit. I briefly blogged about it a week or so ago. It was a lot of fun and a nice break from the big animation project I am still working on with my brother and boyfriend.

The animated short I am working on is the very same one about Robots I had mentioned a little before the fishy dance. So, I thought it would be appropriate to update with some more pre-production artwork~! YAY!

Without disclosing too much info about our story, here are two, fairly rough, character turn arounds I drew of the two main characters in our tale. Just so the other members of the team can get a grasp on their designs (designed by yours truly):

Our Robot.

Our Boy.

Hopefully we can get the rest of our preproduction work done ASAP and start with the real fun stuff; ANIMATING~!

Facelift

2010-06-20T18:40:00.002-03:00

Giving the ol' blog a make-over, which is going very well thanks to the new templates available.

Soon I'll be making a new banner- still featuring Little S of course!

Speaking of Little S I have a little project underway where I will have my character Little S and this squishy little fellow doing a dance!

Allow me to introduce to you...Hauptbahnhof the Fish~!

LRC Logo

2010-06-06T22:03:00.007-03:00

In College the area where my program was taught(along with another program called IMOG (Interative Motions and Graphics)) is called the LRC. I still don't understand what LRC stands for but it was a small area and kept all the students very close. Everyone knew everyone's name- almost everyone there became friends, it was great.

So on Deviantart some graduates from the Digital Animation program had the great idea of uniting LRC graduates (and current students alike) by creating the LRC Society group. In this group we share artwork, network and just keep the friendships we made close.

A contest was held on this Deviantart group to come up with a logo to represent our LRC Society. Though there weren't many submissions I am still proud to say that my logo was the chosen one- a definite bonus for my portfolio/resume.

Animation Project

2010-06-01T14:34:00.005-03:00

A little while back my brother was telling me about a story he had in mind for his next animation project(view some of his work here http://www.youtube.com/user/AtomicBottle ). He only had the basic concept down at this point, but it was funny, I liked it.

The other day he asked if I would like to help with this project of his. Heck yes I wanted to help! It would be great for my portfolio and it would be something to do for fun. It was just icing on the cake when he said he wanted to have it done in time to submit it for a contest on Newgrounds- now I don't expect to win, but its definitely motivation to get our work done!

So for the last few days my brother, and a little group of us have been working on a script as well as concept art for the mini movie. Now, I won't go into detail about what the story is about, but it involves a robot! I have also been given permission from my brother to post some of the concept art we have down so far.

So here we have it... rough concept work for my next animation project.

Look forward to seeing more concepts and characters as we develop the story!

Resume

2010-05-30T12:10:00.004-03:00

While planning my Freelance Illustration, Animation and Design business I have been also plotting how to make a creative resume to really express myself!

I find its very hit or miss with a creative resume. I live in a small town where the creative industries tend to be hidden behind all of the stiff, white collar jobs; so most people seem to find a really creative resume "too much" or "not professional".

My current resume (shown below) was created for an assignment during my time at College. Although it has grown on me (and matches my blog oh-so-well) I feel I can do more than this! I would like to really express my creativity and some up with a really interest template- I'm thinking a horizontal resume.

Hopefully I can update my new and improved resume (complete with a personalized, creative touch and updated information) soon~!

S Illustrations Business Launch

2010-05-17T14:58:00.006-03:00

With graduation right around the corner, my trip to Europe behind me and my trip to New York in just a few days I have been a busy lady!

My freelance Illustration, Animation and Design business has temporarily been moved down my priority list for this month- but I had planned for that. During the month of June I will be preparing to graduate (June 14th) and I will also be setting up all the necessities for my business. I can't wait!My business will officially be launched this July~!

So stayed tuned for some more info on S Illustrations, but until then, see some photos from my trip!!

Venus de Milo

The Eiffel Tower

The volcano on Iceland. Yup. The one that canceled all those flights, including mine.

Demo Reel

2010-04-12T21:44:00.000-03:00

Demo Reel 2010 from Shannon Long on Vimeo.

Interview

2010-04-12T16:47:00.003-03:00

As mentioned in my last blog post my school year is coming to a close. With the end of the school year comes the ever stressful interviews; a time where you go one on one with you a panel of instructors.

Tomorrow is my interview and I have to present myself like I am actually applying for a job; dress well, have a business card available, present my demo reel and all the like.

I was supposed to have my demo reel burnt onto a DVD and put into a case, but due to short notice and lack of funds I am unable to do so. So I decided I will be putting my demo reel as well as other information on my blog so its interview ready!

Wish me luck!

March Break

2010-03-12T15:22:00.002-04:00

After some long hard weeks I am just minutes away from being on March break! I cannot wait!
I have a lot of school work to do, of course, but I still have some pretty exciting plans for the week long break.

To start the break off I will be going to visit my grandmother who I haven't seen since Christmas. I'm looking forward to some good old home cooking! As a student I don't get that very often as one could imagine, haha.

Once I return from my grandmother's and head home I will be spending my free time sleeping in, visiting old friends, getting some personal artwork done (for me and my portfolio) as well as working on my business plan!

I have a goal to finish my business plan by the end of the break so I have much to do.
I'm excited to have a business plan under my belt because I will feel much more organized about my business which I am still hoping to have up and running come the summer.

Annnnnnd my break has officially started!
Hooray!!

Money money money

2010-02-26T22:14:00.003-04:00

Oh my!

I recently had bad luck this week with my business establishment. I tried to purchase myself a domain name, only to find out the only name idea I really had already exists... and belongs to Hustler.

So, safe to say buying a domain name has been put on pause. However it seems as though it may have been a blessing in disguise!

In order to remain productive this week I began looking into different means of acquiring money in order to start up my business. I have come across many organizations that offer grant money for small business start up! I was so excited to read about this because (although beggars can't be choosers), I would prefer a grant over a loan, I have already acquired quite the student loan and the last thing I need is more debt!

So for the next little while I intend to focus much of my time and energy toward creating myself a business plan. A business plan is crucial for organizing myself as well as for showing potential grant-givers what I intend to accomplish! I hope to have this complete within a month, and certainly before I graduate as I wish to start my business up in the early summer.

If anybody can recommend any tips/tricks regarding business plans or organizations which support small businesses I would love to hear about it!

Two Studios?

2010-02-16T18:31:00.005-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about my business that I want to establish this summer.

My goals of being a freelance illustrator are always running through my mind!
I've been thinking especially about my art style and how/where it would fit in the industry.

I love to explore different art styles~! That's one of the best things about being in the arts- there are no boundaries!
Sooo, because of this I have many different styles I like to work with. Some more cutsie and others more mature.

With this in mind I am considering creating different studio names to represent my different styles. "Yellow Scarf Studios" would be for my more cutsie style because my logo character (named "Little S") always wears a Yellow Scarf~!

I have actually created different concepts for business cards featuring "Little S". I would like to have them looking like trading cards where Little S is wearing something different for each card BUT still wearing her trademark yellow scarf~!

Here are three different concepts.

Next step I want to create a website in addition to my blog. That way I can post my portfolio and divide it into my different Studio names-- once I decide upon a studio name/portfolio title or whatever for my more mature style~!

But this is only a thought so far...

We'll see what the future holds~!

Portfolio Boost~!

2010-02-04T12:20:00.004-04:00

I am very proud to say I've received a great opportunity recently to do some illustration and design work!

A former teacher of mine is taking part, as the sole Nova Scotian cyclist, in the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride! http://www.searsnationalkidscancerride.com/

She had intended to take some popular children's characters such as Muppets, Sesame Street and Disney characters and put them on her jersey but there were copyright issues. So, in came my opportunity! I was able to create a character and a series of images to be put on her jersey!

I put a lot of thought into it and came up with a little orange and blue tiger~! The character seems to be a hit! I'm so excited and I feel great for helping out for such a great cause.

The best part of the whole experience is how good this will look in my portfolio and also the fact I will be getting one of the jerseys with my tiger on it! I cannot wait to see how they turn out.

In different news I am home sick for the day :(
So I guess I'd best get my bum back to bed for some R and R.

Have a lovely week!

Snow Day~!

2010-01-29T14:58:00.002-04:00

Hooray!

There was a snow day today canceling school after my morning class.
I came home, finding myself feeling fairly productive, and got a lot of things done- from assignments to cleaning I'm feeling pretty accomplished, haha. The only downside is I didn't go to the gym today after class like I was going to, instead I went home and ate candy... Yum!

In other news, I purchased Holly Dewolf's "Breaking into Freelance Illustration" book in order to get a grasp on things with my potential freelance illustrator career. Its such a great resource! Especially for a beginner like me; to read about successful freelance illustrators its very encouraging. Holly actually came in to talk to my business class last term about working as a freelance illustrator- the entire time I was taking notes and hanging off her every word! Haha, what an inspiring presentation, really! Its what first made me realize that I (hopefully) won't become a starving artist if I become a freelance illustrator and that my dream to become one wasn't crazy, like my grandmother told me it was, haha.

Anyway, away I go to enjoy the rest of my snow day and my candy!

Have a great weekend, any/all readers!

School and Life

2010-01-22T14:17:00.003-04:00

Its hard to believe it is already the 22nd of January. Especially since only a month ago I was exclaiming "Tomorrow is Christmas Eve Eve!"

Time flies.

As time is whizzing by me I am reminded of just how busy things are going to get with school! In my business class I am setting myself up for becoming a freelance Illustrator... one of my dream jobs <3

At this point I am merely researching and testing the market. For this summer, once I graduate, I am out in the world on my own. For the first time in my life (since I was 5 anyway) I will not be a student. Scary! But that won't last long!

As it stands I am taking the year after graduation off. I intend to develop myself as a freelance Illustrator and hopefully make enough money to pay down (preferably off) my student loan. I want to pay it down as low as possible... I'll do whatever it takes! If it means working part time at some crappy fast food joint (again) while I freelance then so be it! ...Though hopefully it won't come to that <3

Once the loan is down (or gone!) I will take out another student loan and I will go back to school for illustration or expand my animation~! Not sure which yet.

In additional to all of these big job plans I am excited to announce my first big trip!! This May I will be going to New York!! I have never left the country before so I am very excited. I am taking the trip with my mother and a gaggle of other St. Francis University Alumni's. I am my mom's plus one, haha. I am raising the money for this trip on my own while I continue with school. It's been tough but I'm almost there! I got a bulk of the money doing commissions and other freelance illustration work- a great start to my potenial career!

I can't wait for what this year has to hold, travelling, working... I hope it all works out!

Happy 2010~!

2010-01-15T14:26:00.003-04:00

Goodness, I really need to get my butt in gear and commit myself more to this blog!

Considering I will be graduating from college this April and I intend on breaking into the world of freelance Illustration I need to be a better blogger! Not just posting pictures either, haha.

Good news though, I have been practicing my digital art skills and I feel I am improving. Hopefully I will be right where I want to be within a few months.

I also have been beefing up my portfolio doing illustrations for people/businesses here and there. I also had great success with a series of Christmas cards I sold during December. I was actually asked if I would be doing a Valentine's Day line~! Woo! Although, I haven't decided if I will yet. Hahaha.

I'm very excited, hopefully sometime next week, I will post info about a project I will be working on this weekend for a former Jr. High teacher of mine. I'm stoked <3

Anyway, I promise myself to try and be a better blogger and update more often!

A new blog is born!

2009-10-23T14:58:00.003-03:00

It's been a while since I've posted on here!
Actually I decided to start the blog over from scratch and reorganize myself.
I have some pretty good expectations for this blog. I'll update soon!