Jul 12, 2012

DAY 7 | 30 Days of Soca Sketches

Frech kiss meee and mek meh oui oui! Lyrics from Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah's French Kiss. (May favourite part is at 2:35 when it slows down, REAL sweet!). Apologies for improper grammar/conjugation :P


Jul 11, 2012

DAY 6 | 30 Days of Soca Sketches

Although Mighty Gabby's Dr. Cassandra is from the early 90's, it will forever sound like a classic to my ears. I can't get enough of the first line (probably why I chose to illustrate that part). This was also an excellent opportunity to give some shape and form (pun intended) to the elusive Dr. Cassandra ;) Waaan injection in my midsection, I did-n't have tuh pay!...


Jul 10, 2012

DAY 5 | 30 Days of Soca Sketches

In February of 2010 I participated in Trinidad Carnival, a truly special experience I will never forget and can't wait to repeat! Firstly Carnival is just that, an experience, one that you can not put into words. As cliche as it sounds you have to be there and feel it. I think this is what truly makes Carnival an interdisciplinary art form that combines all mediums (music, dance, sculpture/costume, performance etc.) Artists like Peter Minshall and Brian MacFarlane have made such huge contributions to mas and Carnival Art, I am always inspired by their incredibly imaginative work.

The pattern I created is inspired by the Mas indigenous to Trinidad Carnival. Here we have Drunken Sailors, Blue Devils, Bats, Midnight Robbers, Pretty Mas, cow bells, whistles, beer, bottle and spoons, steel pans, peace and love. I created this pattern last year as part of a Threadless Challenge, but HAD to include it for 30 Days of Soca Sketches!




 

Jul 9, 2012

DAY 4 | 30 Days of Soca Sketches

The Pushbackasaurus was a bipedal omnivore with a rear that extended beyond it's head. Remains of the Pushbackasaurus can be found throughout the Caribbean Islands and along parts of South America's Northern coast. It's large posterior was designed to push back (or back-back), a movement used for attracting mates, defending against predators and necessary to their survival.



Jul 8, 2012

DAY 3 | 30 Days of Soca Sketches

Were you told Anansi stories when you were a kid? Anansi is a fictional character that is part of West African and Caribbean folklore. He usually appears as a spider, or a man (or in my case both!). Anansi stories have been on QUITE a journey from Africa to various parts of the Caribbean. At some point Anansi stories came to mean fables or fairy tales, know as Nancy Stories (that is what my grandmother would call them). My friend Amma is from Ghana and can remember being told actual stories about Anansi during her childhood. I think it's pretty cool that this folklore came from West Africa, made it across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and still exists today in many forms :) My depiction of Anansi was drawn in black pen and pencil crayon.

Jul 7, 2012

DAY 2 | 30 Days of Soca Sketches

JUMP UP time is upon us! Just a little doodle done in black pen and pencil crayon.

 

Jul 6, 2012

DAY 1 | 30 Days of Soca Sketches

My goodness! WELL over a month since my last post, tisk tisk :S Lots of transition going on in work and life, which has taken me away from blogging :( No time like the present to jump right back in, and what better way to do so than with some sort of challenge! 30 DAYS OF SOCA SKETCHES starts today (on Facebook and Twitter as well, #30DaysOfSocaSketches). Every day I will be posting a sketch related to Soca or Calypso music, West Indian culture or Carnival. Not only will this help to build better blogging habits, but 30 Days of Soca Sketches will be a fun and enjoyable countdown to Caribana :D (Oops, I mean- Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Toronto). 

Day 1 begins with some positive vibes with lyrics from Nadia Batson's One Island. When I thought about doing this challenge I knew I had to illustrate lyrics from this song (can't get enough of her message!), so why not start with something that is promoting love and togetherness over some seriously groovy vibes. I love Nadia's music and this song in particular, I might have to illustrate another verse, even if it's just for fun :)


May 23, 2012

My First Screen Printing Class

Back in March a couple of friends and I took an 8 week water-based screen printing class at Open Studio in Toronto. My intention in taking the class was to give all of the illustrations and doodles I have been doing some context through printing them on different things (Tshirts, totes etc). This was a beginner/intro class, so we were able to learn about different screen printing techniques (my fave is photo emulsion). This class was so much fun! I have no idea why it took me so long to try screen printing, but man have I been missing out! I have definitely developed a taste for it (borderline addiction) and I know I will need to incorporate screen printing into my life as another creative outlet. I had a pretty kick-ass experience overall, so much so that we have decided to take another four week class :D Here are some prints that I didn't screw up, lol. More to come, stay tuned! 







For the CULTURE! Cricket Team doesn't deserve this...yet, haha


Monster



Yall know it's true

For the Tweeters


If your Mom makes roti, chances are you like hers the best :)


What do Canadians do best?


May 15, 2012

A Heart Healthy Mother's Day

While most families were out wining and dining their Mama's on Sunday, our family spent a quiet afternoon at home for Mother's Day. Our mom is very health conscious, not to the point where is is depriving herself and cutting calories left right and centre- but she actually enjoys healthy eating (weirdo, I know). In turn the theme for our Mother's Day meal was Heart Healthy. Plenty of raw veggies, salads, whole grains, lean proteins and heavy on flavour of course. In all fairness I didn't miss the 'something junky' portion of the meal and was actually quite satisfied (say whaaat!?). Mom thoroughly enjoyed, which was most important :) 







Pecans candied meringue style (egg white & brown sugar), not traditional (white sugar & butter). 



May 9, 2012

Sketchbook Project Limited Edition

At this point I think it's safe to say that myself and Art House Co-op are lifers :) This time I participated in Sketchbook Project Limited Edition. This project had a reduce number of spots (5000) and will be the first in a series of collaborative art books where each participant gets a small feature in a printed book! I thought this would be a great opportunity to potentially get something published, however the process of simply letting my mind go and have fun with the theme/sketches was what was important. Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour has begun, and should your city be one of the tour stops, DO check it out! Until then, here's my stuff from Limited Edition and look out for the book in the fall :)


Theme: The Last Word Ever Spoken






Insanity