Cacti and Books

On their heads?!

I have made a new Australian friend. His name is Dylan. You might recall my previous Australian drawings for Vincent, my Number 1 Australian, such as the Fluffy Sheep in a Silly Hat and Underwater Smoke Break. Dylan presented a different kind of challenge for me. He requested that I draw a cactus with a book on its head, but I had to draw it with my eyes closed. Since my new job requires my eyes to be open, it took me a little while to figure out the best way to draw something with my eyes closed, but not really closed. I thought maybe I could take my glasses off and try drawing it that way, however, I may be blind, but I can still see basic shapes. I eventually decided to draw it with the monitor turned off, that way I could Alt+Tab my way out of Paint if a student came in requesting a study room. Then there was no chance for cheating. He said I couldn't color it until the drawing was completely done, so not only did I have to create something that wasn't superb, I had to color the results, which is painstaking for me, being a bit of a perfectionist. Here is the result: 

As you can see, the mind makes you think you're actually on the correct side of the page, but you're totally not. It was really fun to try and make it work. And I've got to hand it to Dylan, it looks pretty darn creative! But I couldn't leave it well enough alone. I decided to go ahead and attempt to draw the cactus actually being able to see. The masterpiece is below.

Behold, the cactus! I am very proud of this little guy, which is beady eyes and his big grin because he has a book stuck on his head. Since the cactus was so simple to draw, I decided to go head and draw the cactus with my glasses off. I'm pretty blind, so brace yourselves. 

I consider this one to be like the Second Cactus's inbred cousin. He looks pretty normal, but there is definitely something off about him. Thank you Dylan for the inspiration, it was a lot of fun. 

A Classy Penguin with Blue Balloons

But not all of them are blue

My awesome sister, who has been supportive of my blog since day one, requested for me to draw a penguin dressed up in classy attire with blue balloons next to a bonfire. It was strangely specific, but I made sure to cater to her needs. This painting is like a hybrid MS Paint 1.0 and 2.0 piece. 

I started this one ages ago when I was still working at my old job. I had half of it done before things really started to get busy and pick up between school and work. I finally found the time to complete it and I decided I would play around with some of the paint brushes. For the clouds and the tree, I used the new oil brush. And that was the only new one I used. I do like some of the new default colors paint has, it makes it easier for me to diversify the color of the pictures, and then I can save any new colors I create, which I could never have done on MS Paint 1.0. I had a lot of fun drawing this penguin, so thank you Lauren for the idea. 

Please be sure to take the time to check out her webpage and view her wonderful art work. I know, my art is pretty awesome, but Lauren's art is much better than mine. Don't forget to send your requests to MSPaintAtWork@gmail.com

Back and Ready for Action!

The Temporary Hiatus has been Temporarily Lifted

First off, Thank you so much to everyone who has patiently been awaiting my return. I wanted to update everyone on the happenings within my life. I still haven't found a replacement vehicle, and I thank my family and my boyfriend for all of their wonderful support, from taking me places to lending me a car. Hopefully my car-less-ness will end today. Wish me luck! 

Secondly, my new job is amazing! I am enamored by the library and the fun things it has to offer. With my new job comes an office. Granted, I share it with 3 (or 4) other people. But during my shift, it's all mine! I can listen to music, study, check Facebook, and best of all, work! I never thought I would find myself enjoying a job at my college, but I haven't had this much fun at work, ever. With my new office comes a new work computer equipped with Windows 7. This means I also have MS Paint 2.0! So not only will I be able to create wonderful images, I'll be able to do it in style! Below is my latest masterpiece.

Lastly, with my new job, new computer, new MS Paint, and hopefully a new car by this evening, I am open for requests! So please email me at MSPaintAtWork@gmail.com with all your wonderful ideas and I'll do my best to recreate them! I have two requests currently lined up that I plan on working on today, so expect another blog post later this morning/Monday morning. Thank you for your support and help. 

Please note the new brush styles, varying from crayon, watercolor brush and calligraphy pen. The possibilities are endless! 

Temporary Hiatus

Houston, we have a problem

Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for the month delay in blog posts. My friend Dylan mentioned to me the other day that I hadn't posted in over a month, and I am deeply sorry for that. However, a few things have been going on that I feel I can share with you!

1. I got a new job!!!!!

Huzzah! This might not be news to all of you because I'm pretty sure everyone who reads my blog are friends with me on Facebook, but I'm working on changing that. I'm still going to be working at my college, but instead I will be working at the Library, which is very exciting for me because I'm majoring in library and information sciences, so it's practically like working my dream job. So go me! Feel free to give me a virtual pat on the back. 

2. School has started again!!!!!

Which means I am EXTREMELY busy. I'm taking Accounting, Physical Geology, Finite Math (which is basically algebra on business steroids),  and Marketing. This means all my free time at work is dedicated to trying to understand which accounts are debited and credited, why volcanoes happen, drawing a few parabolas here and there, and also the different marketing mixes. Sadly enough, this means that all my time to drawing cute/funny pictures is used up when I am working on my various studies, but have no fear! I will be drawing again soon. 

3. Someone totaled my slug bug!!!! D: 

Many of you might recall my drawing "Happiness" as suggested by my friend Wendy which had a poorly depicted slug bug which is now ruined. I was hit from behind by a young gentleman who wasn't paying attention and then my bug, in turn, hit the car directly in front of me. Luckily, aside from some minor whiplash on my part, no one was hurt and he is insured. The insurance company and I are currently working out the settlement but this also means on top of starting a new job next week, and my massive piles of homework, I have to find a new car as well. Below are some of my favorite pictures of my bug. 

Here is my bug, temporarily immortalized on Google Maps at my house.

Here's my bug in its favorite parking spot at school. This was always the shadiest spot for my bug to relax after a long drive to school.

Here's my bug, Stanton and I on the first day of owning my bug.That was the happiest day ever.

So I apologize for the delay in posts, I really want to get this blog going, but with the workload from school, the new job and trying to find a car, I simply don't know when I'll be able to get a new drawing up. I do have a some awesome requests like a particular penguin and maybe some plant life waiting to be drawn. I encourage you to send your requests to me as well, because I will get to them one day. 

Underwater Smoke Break

But don't worry, it's classy

My dearest friend, Vincent, requested another image. You might remember him from my previous post regarding sheep in a silly hat. On Friday I had my wisdom teeth taken out, and I spent the weekend recovering, sleeping and moping around. Luckily both Vincent, one of my best friends, and Stanton, my wonderful boyfriend, were able to keep me company via Facebook chat and texts while I was bedridden and bored. 

Vincent requested earlier last week for a dolphin taking a smoke break. I decided to bypass the gross cigarettes and go for a more classy kind of smoke break. Equipped with his smoking chair, his smoking jacket, a roaring fire (because it's winter in Australia), and a smile while puffing on his pipe. This is one dapper dolphin. Dolphins were not as easy to draw as the precious sheep I drew last time for Vincent, but I had fun drawing the scene nonetheless. Thank you Vincent for the idea and keeping me company while I was recovering!

Unicorn 2.0

Now with actual detail

So my friend Wendy requested the happiness picture last month and requested for me to redraw the unicorn and make it less morbid. I decided to switch up my art style this time around because I wanted it to be SUPER pretty. And I am pleased with the results. It took almost twice as long to draw it this time around because I was going for more realism and less folk art, but overall, it looks pretty freaking awesome. I probably won't do very many of these realistic pieces in paint because it is extremely difficult for me to do and it makes my eyes hurt. Thanks Wendy for letting me expand my skills with this awesome unicorn!

Ellah's Super Strong Heart

And it's fighting for her, really hard. 

My dear friend, Ellah, is having to fight against her own body. Ellah and I went to high school together and had the same circle of friends. She had a heart transplant when she was very young and has had various health complications throughout her life. She has fought so long and so hard, you can't help but be inspired by her strength, determination, and faith. She is truly a beacon of light in our dark world, and I admire her greatly for her continuation to fight and her continued faith knowing that everything will get better with time. Her body is starting to reject her heart and she is going under intense plasmapheresis treatments to clean out all the bad plasma attacking her heart and replace it with new plasma to help keep her heart strong, to put it simply. I drew this picture for Ellah, not because she asked for it, but because I asked her for inspiration so I can help get the word out about her cause, her strength, and her bravery. 

Often times I feel so small and like such a coward because I take so many things for granted, and I have to remind myself that I've got it good and I can help people with what little I have, be it a quick word in my blog asking people for their support, or dedicating and image for a dear friend in a time of need when I don't have anything else to give. I think if we all gave a little to those who need it most when we have something to give, be it time, money or resources, we should. Please take a quick moment to go like Ellah's facebook page that her family keeps updated for all of her friends and family at www.facebook.com/AThirdChanceForEllah and if you can check out her contribution page to help fund the costly expense of keeping such a strong heart going.