Happy New Yaaaar's!

Happy end of 2012, everyone! I'd like to celebrate by sharing a few of the Christmas commissions I've been working on lately ...

Now, a SPOILER WARNING for the images below ... as I've blathered on about before, I'm currently obsessed with Game of Thrones (on book 5 now, yippers!). My brother is too, and for Christmas wanted to do some drawings featuring the characters. BUT these may be a spoiler for anyone who is reading the books and isn't past Book 3 yet, so tread further at your own risk!

I decided I wanted to do a series of Game of Thrones SUPERTEAMS, so for now I've just drawn these two:

I have a bunch of ideas for other ones I want to do in the future. Why? Because -- OBSESSED!!

Anyway, I hope you all have a shiny glittery New Year's Eve tonight (I believe this is a night for as many sparkles and as much make-up as you want to wear, as is my custom). Catch y'all on the flipside!

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30 Days with a Pin-Up

Ahh, another 30 for 30 is finally at an end. 30 days of me trying desperately to match the same ol' clothes in new and interesting ways, and wishing I owned more interesting accessories. 30 days of me cursing clothing items I previous loved, because of their lack of flexibility.

So for this 30-for-30, I decided to up the ante and add a further challenge - to pose like a pin-up each day. Specifically, like the Queen of All Pin-Ups, Bettie Page.

Here are some of the things I learned while I set a timer and took anywhere from 10-20 awkward pictures of myself each day:

• Shoulders back 24-7
• Sticking your boobs out really hurts your back after a while
• I definitely have a "side"
• America's Next Top Model had some useful posing tips
• You are never as fat as you think you are
• You are never as skinny as you think you are
• It's all in the angles
• I'm not as coordinated as I thought I was
• There are constantly bruises and scrapes on my legs (and I'm not even in derby at the moment!)
• It's really, really hard to try to make this shit look pretty

Bettie is impossible to emulate - she truly was the best at what she did. She managed to make every single pose look effortless, sexy, and fun. Three cheers to Bettie for making this swelteringly hot summer a little silly and infinitely more fun.

• 

Summer 30-for-30: Day 30!

Photo of Bettie from bettiepage.com It just wouldn't be an accurate depiction of me if I wasn't putting on lipstick. Or, if there wasn't a cat somehow in the picture.

All done! Finish line! 30 for 30! This is a pretty big day for me - the 30 are done and I just finished my book!

I'll be posting about what I've learned through the process of working on this graphic novel for almost a year and a half, as well as a recap of all these 30 outfits. (As well as what I've learned by making an ass out myself for the last 30 days). BUT for now - I think celebratory tacos and wine are in order.

Summer 30-for-30: Day 29

I really think something's gonna need to happen with these shorts. They definitely need a trip to the tailor. For some reason (especially in this picture) they're really starting to remind me of elephant legs .... and that's just not cool.

ONE MORE OUTFIT TO GO! Check back for it later today!!

orange shirt - Gap, shirt - H&M, shorts - Gap, shoes - Steve Madden, belt - Express

Summer 30-for-30: Day 28

I was wearing a necklace the first 5 times I posed for this picture, but then my cat found it and it had to be removed from sight. Whoops.

This is probably one of the most iconic Bettie images. Although I can't really aspire to be as magnificent and fun-loving as she is here, I can at least be glad the photo was bright and blurry enough to hide my underarm stubble. (It's the little things.)

shirt - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, pants - Express

Summer 30-for-30: Day 27

Oh Bettie. How I wish I was out on the beach with you, twirling my toes in the white sand and making fierce poses under a palm tree. Sidenote: I'm glad you also have a problem with hair poofiness in the heat. Makes you seem more human.

shirt - H&M, tube top & belt - Doubledutch Boutique, skirt - Express, pumps - Bandolino, necklace - Target, ring - The Zone

Summer 30-for-30: Day 26

Yep, I'm still sloooowwwwly chugging along at this 30 for 30! This is what I get for not wanting to take pictures of myself on a weekend - ever! Plus, I'm running out of Bettie poses that I think I'll be able to handle. I mean, c'mon - this one? Are you kidding?? Shirt - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, shorts - Gap

Summer 30-for-30: Day 25

Why yes, I am wearing this dress under a skirt! Since the last time I wore this dress to work and subsequently voted it too-short-for-work, I thought covering it up with a slightly longer skirt might just do the trick. And it did! Dress = Shirt.

Dress - H&M, Skirt - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutiqe, Shoes - Steve Madden

Summer 30-for-30: Day 24

Day_24

Okay, I admit it, this pose wasn't much of a stretch. Cross your legs, fold your arms, and look uncomfortable? BEEN DOIN' IT MY WHOLE LIFE.

Shirt - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, skirt - Express, shoes - Bandolino, Necklace - Red Envelope

Summer 30-for-30: Day 24

Okay, I admit it, this pose wasn't much of a stretch. Cross your legs, fold your arms, and look uncomfortable? BEEN DOIN' IT MY WHOLE LIFE.

Shirt - H&M, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, skirt - Express, shoes - Bandolino, Necklace - Red Envelope

Summer 30-for-30: Day 23

Photo of Bettie taken from celebs101.com

This summer 30 for 30 is no joke. I way underestimated my need for cardigans and/or pants. So, since I'm on day 23 and haven't worn one of my assigned cardigans once, I've swapped it out for a white tube top today just so I could look like a candy striper. And pants?? Thanks to this swelty heat wave, looks like I'll be limited to a 10 for 30 for the next couple of days.

Oh, and BTW - I've started a Pinterest account if anyone's interested - a beautiful way to showcase all the things you love, influences, ideas, in one place. I just started, so c'mon over and follow me, if'n you want!

shirts - H&M, belt and shorts - Gap

Summer 30-for-30: Day 22

Okay, so most of this outfit appears to be sponsored by H&M. Everything but the belt, in fact, which was a hand-me-down from my mom. I think people at work are getting sick of seeing me in layered tube tops, but I consider them lucky. TWO meetings were cancelled today, so clearly it's working.

Summer 30-for-30: Day 21

Today at work, I was spied doodling during a meeting. This man asked me, "You were a graphic arts major, weren't you?" "Yep." "You look like one." It must be the bright orange belt. Gives me away every time ...

Shirt - H&M, skirt - Express, belt - Gap, necklace - Target, and - not to be a snob - but I TOTALLY got this leather cuff in Florence. ;) Woot. Place-dropping.

Summer 30-for-30: Day 20

Woof, I don't know how I'm going to handle the 100 degree weather this week. No matter the outfit, I always end up sweaty before I even leave the house. I think in the next few days I'll just burst into flames. Not that I'm being overly dramatic, or anything...

Shirt - H&M, tube top - Target, shorts - Gap, shoes - Kenneth Cole

Summer 30-for-30: Days 16 - 19

Finally, some catch-up on outfits!

Summer 30-for-30: Day 15

Clearly I'm too tall for this pose.

shirts - H&M, pants - Express, belt - Doubledutch Boutique, shoes - Kenneth Cole

Summer 30-for-30: Day 12

(Bettie photo via fredseibert.tumblr.com)

Yep, I've been bitch-slapped down into my glasses for the moment. So not only does wearing work clothes (instead of sexy lingerie) make it difficult to pose like Bettie, but now I'm a Four Eyes to boot.

Shirts - H&M, shorts - Gap, pumps - Bandolino, necklace - Target

CGS Soopashow SoopaRecap!

Just got back from my first time attending the Comic Geek Speak Supershow in Reading, PA, and it was fabulorasa! It was a pleasantly small show, which meant more room to spread out, a lack of B.O. in the air, and more time for shmoozing with fans and comickers. I was honored to be part of the Indie Spinner Rack line-up of tables - which included Fred Van Lente, Colleen Frakes, Sean Ford, Fred Chao, GB Tran, Jeff LaGreca, and of course Charlito & Mr. Phil themselves. At first, Dennis and I couldn't figure out where the correct entrance to the convention was and tried to sneak into the neighboring Gun Show next door. (which always makes me think of DOG SHOW! in my head) Alas, one look at me and I was told I "didn't look like I was here for guns". The nerve!

Sitting next to the food stand all weekend meant every wonderful second of each day, the air smelled like BACON. Which was heavenly. Unfortunately, the bacon was in smell only, because what they were really cooking up was hot dogs. Me - disappointment. Boyfriend - ELATION. This prompted us to spend most of the weekend trying to guess what the sign language for "hot dog" was. Turns out, it's this. Which is actually dirtier looking than what we'd come up with.

I got to draw my first pin-up girl for Kevin Freeman of SubCulture Comic fame:

Dennis made fun of me for making her slightly slouchy. How was I supposed to know pin-up girls ONLY had stellar posture?

Never having been to Reading before, I was impressed by the pretty pretty mountains, the amazing hospitality of the CGS guys, the guacamole made at the table of our restaurant, and how convenient it was just to drive up there for a weekend. I got to check in with my fave gal Danielle Corsetto, meet the loverly Erica Hesse in person, meet the awesome Andy Jewett in person, and speak on my very first comic panel! All around, great times, wrapped up by pizza and Charlito trashing a men's room. RAWK.

CGS Soopashow SoopaRecap!

Just got back from my first time attending the Comic Geek Speak Supershow in Reading, PA, and it was fabulorasa! It was a pleasantly small show, which meant more room to spread out, a lack of B.O. in the air, and more time for shmoozing with fans and comickers. I was honored to be part of the Indie Spinner Rack line-up of tables - which included Fred Van Lente, Colleen Frakes, Sean Ford, Fred Chao, GB Tran, Jeff LaGreca, and of course Charlito & Mr. Phil themselves. At first, Dennis and I couldn't figure out where the correct entrance to the convention was and tried to sneak into the neighboring Gun Show next door. (which always makes me think of DOG SHOW! in my head) Alas, one look at me and I was told I "didn't look like I was here for guns". The nerve!

Sitting next to the food stand all weekend meant every wonderful second of each day, the air smelled like BACON. Which was heavenly. Unfortunately, the bacon was in smell only, because what they were really cooking up was hot dogs. Me - disappointment. Boyfriend - ELATION. This prompted us to spend most of the weekend trying to guess what the sign language for "hot dog" was. Turns out, it's this. Which is actually dirtier looking than what we'd come up with.

I got to draw my first pin-up girl for Kevin Freeman of SubCulture Comic fame:

Dennis made fun of me for making her slightly slouchy. How was I supposed to know pin-up girls ONLY had stellar posture?

Never having been to Reading before, I was impressed by the pretty pretty mountains, the amazing hospitality of the CGS guys, the guacamole made at the table of our restaurant, and how convenient it was just to drive up there for a weekend. I got to check in with my fave gal Danielle Corsetto, meet the loverly Erica Hesse in person, meet the awesome Andy Jewett in person, and speak on my very first comic panel! All around, great times, wrapped up by pizza and Charlito trashing a men's room. RAWK.