octopus's garden

I'd like to be under the sea 

In an octopus' garden in the shade 

He'd let us in, knows where we've been 

In his octopus' garden in the shade 

I'd ask my friends to come and see 

An octopus' garden with me 

I'd like to be under the sea 

In an octopus' garden in the shade. 

We would be warm below the storm 

In our little hideaway beneath the waves 

Resting our head on the sea bed 

In an octopus' garden near a cave 

We would sing and dance around 

because we know we can't be found 

I'd like to be under the sea 

In an octopus' garden in the shade 

We would shout and swim about 

The coral that lies beneath the waves 

(Lies beneath the ocean waves) 

Oh what joy for every girl and boy 

Knowing they're happy and they're safe 

(Happy and they're safe) 

We would be so happy you and me 

No one there to tell us what to do 

I'd like to be under the sea 

In an octopus' garden with you. 

"Octopus's Garden" by the Beatles

I did this piece for my sister's birthday. Octopus's Garden is her favorite song in Beatles Rock Band. ^_^

commissions

Hey guys,

I need to make some extra money AND keep drawing...(I have a few things in the pipeline, but really have been shamefully lazy art-wise, apart from all the design work for Cravin' Raven.) Would there be any interest in commissions? Let me know!

cravin' raven

Today, something very special.

Ladies and gentlemen, I just cashed my first legitimate check for illustration and design work!!!

ZOMG!!!

So....amazing, yes? I've been working full time at my day job at Cravin' Raven Organic Bakery in Portland, saving up money for my impending wedding, and it's been pretty awesome. The owner (and my boss), Cindy, is so cool. Since I started working at the bakery I've been doing various design projects for her. Here are a few things:

So far I've streamlined the logo, drawn the mascot in a number of different poses, created gift certificates, menus, open and close signs, labels, informational signs, and catering brochures. By and large, though, the biggest thing I've done for Cravin' Raven is our website. Thank you once again to Gordon and that Flash class!

------> Visit www.cravinraven.com! <------

I did the whole thing - graphics, art, site design, coding - and INCLUDING photography. Either Cindy's camera is the best there's ever been or I missed my calling as a food photographer. Mmm...food.

Anyway, while I've sort of put my "art career launch" on hold (wedding planning + full-time job = no money and no time) it's been great to keep my hand in with these projects. I love Cravin' Raven!

engage!

The invite to me and Admael's engagement party, front and back. Just a fun little thing I threw together for the nerd cred. XD

Text reads:

Worf: "Captain, a Romulan warship is decloaking off our port bow. She is arming phasers."
Picard: "Thank you, Lieutenant. Raise shields. Arm phasers and photon torpedoes."
Picard: "Helm, prepare to execute Picard maneuver zero-three. On my mark!"
Picard: "Engage!"

And you know what the first thing my darling fiance said to me when he saw this?

"Honey, Romulan warships have DISRUPTORS, not phasers!"

*facepalm*

EDIT: Also engagement-related: a sneak peek at our engagement photos is up at Jessica Hill Photography's blog. Check it out here!

website update

Just a quick post to say that ToraIllustration was updated today. Don't forget to refresh! And suddenly I have more decorative work up than anything else (and that's excluding the Idiomatics series)! WTF? Time to get back into the children's book game. I have several ideas for projects that will supplement my current work in a much-needed way. Just need to get inspired! In the meanwhile, I'm considering breaking off the decorative work into its own site. I already have the design and the name all prepped...in my head.

I spent the better part of this morning and early afternoon doing an online job-hunt for some non-illustration work, admin assistant or something along those lines, for the summer. Need to get some money flowing for an apartment and mailers. The first master list of children's book publishers and agents I want to submit to has been compiled. Finding venues for my editorial and decorative work might be a bit harder.

Not much else happening at the moment, unless you count nearing the end of watching all of Star Trek (TOS), including the films. Good times!  Live long and prosper, friends.