LittleMissMachete

Take a Risk! - Piranhas

2012-01-20T13:03:00.000-05:00

Promo - Take a Risk! - Piranhas
digital painting

I've created this piece as a promotional postcard and had it printed by the glorious people at MOO. If you haven't heard of MOO, you are missing some! They print, and print good! Their quality is nothing short of excellent, their service is fast and reliable, they offer a variety of neat products plus they are super friendly. Rad! Go, check them out, I'm sure you will love them!
And now, to mail the postcards. Wish me luck!

visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see my work

#drawhellboy

2012-01-06T11:05:00.000-05:00

Draw Hellboy - Hellboy
digital painting

My dear twitter friend @themooks (a.k.a. James Howard) is having a Hellboy feast over on his tumblr and I just couldn't miss it. Here is my #drawhellboy for you to enjoy!

visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see my work

ProSite - my review, just saying

2012-01-05T07:32:00.000-05:00

ProSite - product/service review
just saying

Today, I would like to share with you my experience with one of Behance products, ProSite. Please note that these comments are solemnly based on my own experience and my own opinion.

IN SHORT
I love it and completely recommend it. It is an easy, stress-free way to have a professional looking portfolio without worrying about coding. All for $11/month, and if you ask me, that's money well spent!

IN LONG
I started thinking about using a portfolio-based service for having my website to make my life easier. In the past, I had coded my own website and it'd always been a lengthy process (and some times frustrating, I must add.) Especially since I am not web designer and every time I wanted to redo my website I had to re-acquaintance myself with HTML, CSS and the like. My website was in serious need of an update and time wasn't on my side. After looking to different options I chose the somehow new Behance product: Prosite.

If you are not familiar with Behance, it is an online platform for creative professionals that I highly recommend you join. It is a nice and progressive creative community that could be of advantage for your career. Within their range of products and services you will find ProSite, "a revolutionary new way to build, host, and manage your personal portfolio website." (taken from Behance.com) And indeed it is revolutionary since it offers an easy way not only to create your website, but to manage it and keep it up to date with your latest work. It synchronizes with your Behance Network account, which means every time you create a new project, you can make it part of your portfolio right away. And that guaranties having a portfolio as current as it could be. With the possibility of having your own domain and a user-friendly interface, you can customized your website to look professional without loosing your personal style. It will be a reflection of who you are and the type of work you produce.

THE BUTS
Like most things in life, there have to be the "buts". In this case, I found two.
1. At the time I joined, they did not offer the possibility of having a personalized email account matching your domain. That made me stay with my old and good hosting provider, ehosting.ca and a package that gives me my beloved @littlemissmachete.ca email accounts. Then, I just linked my domain with my ProSite and voilà!
2. Although they have the great advantage of Google Analytics, I wanted to add the counter service, Statcounter, I have been using for years. Unfortunately, that's not possible yet. However, I have to say that I contacted ProSite regarding this issue and they promptly responded. Thumbs up for customer service!

TO MAKE IT EASIER
If you are thinking of revamping your portfolio website I recommend you think ProSite. I did it, and I am very pleased with the results, judge for yourself: littlemissmachete.ca

______

Websites mentioned:
Behance Network: www.Behance.com
Prosite: Prosite.com
ehosting: ehosting.ca
StatCounter: Statcounter.com

visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see my work

New website is up!

2011-11-18T08:35:00.001-05:00

News - Up and updated!
website

Long overdue but it's finally here! My new website is up and running. I've decided to try Behance new Prosite and I really like it. I'll be posting about it in my next post, but meanwhile, go, check out my new site! Don't be shy and leave me your comments here about it.

visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see my work

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-13T13:11:00.000-04:00

Me - Happy Halloween
mixed

Halloween is upon us! Boo yourself and don't forget to let the kid within you get out and play.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

LittleRed

2011-09-01T16:02:00.000-04:00

LittleRed
digital painting

Finished this one today. Hope you enjoy it!

IF - LittleRed (disguise)
digital painting

I'm so happy this piece fits IF word for the week: Disguise. The illustration is inspired by Little Red Ridding Hood story (really?) and we all remember the wolf disguising himself as Little Red's grandma, don't we?

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Star Gazing

2011-08-02T08:44:00.000-04:00

kids - Star Gazing
digital painting

We went to the Catskills over the weekend for a star party. It was fun, the stars were amazing! and saw a few meteors. Nothing like laying on the ground watching the Milky Way and feeling the immensity of the Universe. Everything was perfect, minus the three hours of sleep in the car because we were too afraid of going to our cabin at 3 in the morning. To be honest, the cabin we were supposed to stay in felt like the perfect horror movie set: in the middle of the woods, no cellphone signal, no people around us, and there was even an axe sticking in a tree trunk close to the door. To much tv I guess. But anyhow, here is an illustration of a star gazing fan.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Mental Health Cuts

2011-06-20T11:53:00.000-04:00

New work - Mental Health Cuts
digital painting

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Shoe bottle

2011-06-16T13:22:00.000-04:00

New work - Shoe bottle
digital painting

It turns out a little girl -that happens to be a celebrity offspring- has a shoe collection worth thousands and thousands of dollars. I bet a pair of her shoes could be feeding kids somewhere in another part of this planet. Yet, we think it's cute.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

This is what I would like to be doing right now

2011-06-02T18:52:00.000-04:00

sketch - drink
digital

Why not? Cheers to all!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

US H1B Visa

2011-04-20T11:55:00.001-04:00

New work - US H1B Visa
digital painting

To those who have to sit and wait for anything, let's say... a visa.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Back Home

2011-03-22T16:56:00.000-04:00

New work - Back Home
digital painting

Another one to add to my portfolio. This one deals with parents taking their kids back home and the kids' inability to say otherwise.
Enjoy!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Winter in Vancouver

2011-03-17T15:44:00.000-04:00

New work - Winter in Vancouver
digital painting

I've been working on new pieces to add to my website focusing on editorial work. this is one of them.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Harper on Oda

2011-02-15T21:03:00.000-05:00

Venting - Harper on Oda
digital

Oh, politics!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Sea creatures - details

2011-01-31T19:42:00.000-05:00

Details - Ciénaga de los placeres
digital

Hello! I've been asked to show some of the creatures I created for the Bocachica commission. I am happy to share them here. I had a lot of fun working on these guys and if you already seen it, you can see the final result here.

Cheers!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Quick Grasshopper - 40 min

2011-01-28T14:35:00.000-05:00

sketch - grasshopper
quick painting

Another exercise to loosen up.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Ciénaga de los placeres

2011-01-25T14:10:00.000-05:00

Commission - Ciénaga de la Bocachica
digital

Above is the art for an invitation to an Open Call happening at the Bocachica blog. Below is the final result with the words on.
The Bocachica Gozoza is an international cultural collective that have partnered with Sandino Editores (Colombian publisher) for this new adventure.

I love working on this. Partly, because I have a personal attachment to the Bocachica, but also because drawing sea creatures is fun!

Check out the open call and participate! I will.
The invitation is currently in Spanish but it will be translated into English soon, so make sure to check back here. I'll update the link as soon as the English version is up.
Fell free to spread the word ;o)

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Quick Gallina - 30 min

2011-01-25T02:07:00.000-05:00

sketch - gallina
quick painting

This is a quick sketch I just finished. It took me half an hour to do and I had a picture as reference. Doing this kind of sketches helps me step away from my usual work.

Working fast, almost careless, just for the fun of it, is a great way to loosen up. I highly recommend it.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Organic Chicken

2011-01-19T18:43:00.000-05:00

IF - Organic Chicken
digital painting

I couldn't pass this week topic on Illustration Friday: Chicken.
Pollos (Spanish for chickens) are fantastic animals. They walk funny, they have crazy eyes and I believe they think they are in power. My take for this piece is a result of the organic craze we live these days and the harsh reality of industrialized food production.

Hope you enjoy my organic chicken!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

A clown to start the year

2011-01-13T01:05:00.000-05:00

sketch - profile of a clown
digital painting

Had to start the year at some point, and being January 12th makes me feel bad for not starting earlier. There are plenty of goals, plans and projects for this year and I hope to share some news soon. Stay tuned!

Have a marvelous 2011 and be extra kind this year!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Venting: Toronto politics

2010-12-09T19:54:00.004-05:00

Venting - One bike at a time
digital

I cannot get over Toronto electing Rob Ford for Mayor.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Colombian Buñuelos

2010-12-08T11:22:00.005-05:00

They Draw and Cook - Colombian Buñuelos
digital painting

Here is the piece I submitted for "They Draw and Cook" . Buñuelos are a Colombian Christmas tradition and I can best describe them as fried cheese balls. Oh no! Did I just say fried and cheese in the same sentence? They might not be all that healthy, but surely they are super good. Besides, it's Christmas anyways ;o) The conscious eating can wait!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Ri front (Rhi)

2010-12-03T02:45:00.006-05:00

The Creature Curiosity Project - Ri-front
digital

I created this half of a "kind of" rhino for The Creature Curiosity Project. The idea is for illustrator to submit one half of a creature or animal. The illustrations will be collected and then share with children in workshops across the UK where the kids will draw the missing half. It sounds fun! I'm even considering doing the back of another creature to submit later on.

Hope you like it... and if you are an illustrator, participate!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

NaNoDrawMo #07

2010-11-25T01:08:00.002-05:00

NaNoDrawMo - Cold Guy
digital

This is how some Vancouverites feel about snow in the city. A completely different story of how they feel about snow in one of the three ski mountains.
PS. I just realized that I never posted #06. Will do.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

NaNoDrawMo 2010 - #04 and #05

2010-11-16T18:59:00.004-05:00

NaNoDrawMo - Racoons
digital

Yes, cannot deny it anymore, Christmas is in the air!

NaNoDrawMo - Birds
digital

Not everyone enjoys singing birds.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

NaNoDrawMo 2010 - #03

2010-11-12T13:04:00.004-05:00

NaNoDrawMo - Powerful Idea
digital painting

Sometimes ideas can be too powerful, you know?
47 to go... being Nov. 12th I am starting to think the 50 drawings in November are a bit of a stretch, but I'll keep sketching nonetheless.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

NaNoDrawMo 2010 - #02

2010-11-09T13:25:00.005-05:00

Commission/NaNoDrawMo - Xmas Card NLE
photoshop

This is a commission for a Christmas card. The nicest thing about it it's that is going to be hand engraved onto a copper plate and then printed. THe end result is going to be a bit different from this drawing since the engraving is going to be done by another artist and I can't wait to see it printed.

I'm incluiding it in the NaNoDrawMo 2010... 48 to go and we are already on Nov. 9th!!!

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

NaNoDrawMo 2010 - #01

2010-11-02T13:10:00.005-04:00

NaNoDrawMo - Flower Pot
digital painting

I've decided to participate in the NaNoDrawMo 2010 group over on Flickr. It's simple, 50 drawings/work between Nov 1st and Nov 30th. This is my fist one. Forty nine to go.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

My dog

2010-10-20T17:34:00.005-04:00

My dog - digital painting

Anyone looking for a pet? I know, he is just sweet!
A few days ago I downloaded some fantastic Photoshop brushes courtesy of Mr. Chris Oatley. And that's how my doggie friend here was born. You might be familiar with Chris Oatley's work, but if you are not, I recommend you go and check him out. He's a great artist and his website and artcast are great resources for artists. He was also in episode 7 of the Escape from Illustration Island podcast.

PS. Haven't got many comments lately... my fault for neglecting the blog. But, hey! I'm back and comments are always welcome ;o)

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

El que espera, Dispair - 100910

2010-10-17T03:22:00.007-04:00

A thing drinks my coffee - digital painting

This is one of the things that happen while I wait! And they'll be more to come.

visit www.littlemissmachete.ca

Just a sketch and keep waiting :o/

2010-09-17T20:55:00.004-04:00

sketch - boy

I can say that right now we are in limbo. Waiting for some news that will determine our plan of action. There's nothing we can do, but wait.... And those of you who have had to wait for something understand how annoying it could be.
My life on hold, but I keep sketching.

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

Let's just say I have been on the Moon

2010-09-09T18:36:00.003-04:00

sketch - Moon landing
photoshop

Yes, I have been absent and it's too long to tell. So let's just say I have been on the Moon and back. Now I'm jet lagged and there is more to come, so hang in there with me, please. I'll be back later. Hmm... hopefully sooner than later.

Fall, where are you?

please visit www.littlemissmachete.ca to see more

I forgot my brushes... think: "fish."

2010-06-02T10:16:00.005-04:00

sketch - fish

Made with one brush as an exercise to forgive myself for not making a copy of my brushes to install on our laptop.
It might be the water pouring over Vancouver what makes me think "fish."

Rejected!

2010-05-29T15:29:00.004-04:00

submission - translation

digital painting

One good thing about a rejection is that I get to share it! I created this piece for an open call for a magazine here in British Columbia (oh, yes, I forgot to mention I'm spending the summer in Vancouver.) Got my email saying "no" which is very kind of them, since replying to all the submission is a time consuming task.

Hope you like it! I still like it a lot.

Thanks for visiting and your comments.

12 week challenge, I'm in!

2010-04-01T15:52:00.003-04:00

sketch - pretty dancer

I'm so excited I feel like dancing! I've joined the zero2illo 12 week challenge and can't wait to start. Look at other participants and read about it here. Many, many thanks to Jonathan Woodward and his hard work. All the best!

PS. What do you think about my pretty dancer? Isn't she gorgeous?

Blog neglected no more!

2010-03-18T10:40:00.004-04:00

sketch - sad bird

A month! Inexcusable, I know. Here is a quick sketch to break this not blogging cycle.

New Website is up!

2010-02-19T13:27:00.005-05:00

Screenshot - new website

I've been working on my new site on and off for the past week. It is always a learning proces, but exciting! Specially when is up and running!
This time around is all about green. I opted for a front page to welcome the visitor and I created galleries to differentiate my work. That's the reason why it might take a bit longer to load. But it's worth it! ;o)

Here is the link: http://www.littlemissmachete.ca/
Hope you like it!

My tall ship for Illustration Friday (adrift)

2010-02-12T11:16:00.007-05:00

IF - adrift
digital

I'm excited I get to participate in this week's Illustration Friday. It's been a while, but this piece fits perfectly! I created it last weekend. It is part of some new work I've been playing with lately. It's a lighter approach to my usual work and I'm having fun with it.
Please, do comment. I really appreciate it since this is a bit different and I would like to know what others think.

Cheers!

Good News! - sharing "My Quest"

2010-02-06T09:32:00.005-05:00

EFII - My Quest 01
digital painting

A few weeks back Thomas James from Escape from Illustration Island contacted me and invited me to write guest posts for his wonderful site. So I will be sharing my experiences and ventures in my quest to get an Art Rep with a broader audience. I'm so excited! Here is my first post.

Please check back regularly as I will be posting the links here every time they get publish. And once you are at the EFII website, don't be shy, leave a comment and check the great resources and information they have.

Cheers!

Beautiful Insanity

2010-01-30T09:04:00.006-05:00

MondayArtday - Beautiful Insanity
Acrylic painting

I'm happy to share this painting and love that fits the MondayArtday subject.
This is a photo of the painting. Not ideal, I know. It's difficult to take a good photo of a painting, I can tell you that! Promise a better quality image soon.

My Quest to get an Art Rep - II

2010-01-17T12:45:00.004-05:00

gathering info
digital painting

As I said before, my quest is guided by the Escapee from EFII. Keeping that in mind, I have narrowed my focus, and good thing I did! Just googling "art rep" gave me over 29 million possibilities. I know just a few of those are viable possibilities, but still, 29 million is a BIG number if you ask me. So I'm going for reps focusing on children's books/magazines illustrations. And that gave me a start.

Reaching for my primitive side.
Deep in my genetic memory I'm sure there is something about gathering, because that's the next thing I'm doing: Gathering information (hence the illustration). Tons of it!
I'm not looking into details, admiring portfolios, recognizing names, I'm just gathering, period!

I will be back here, posting my progress and, hopefully, a first run of candidates... Hmm, that sounded political. Now I'm just hoping I don't end up with a winner that will behave like a politician (no offense): Too much talk and little action ;o)

See you soon!

My Quest to get an Art Rep

2010-01-13T10:50:00.007-05:00

sketch - huh?
photoshop

After some consideration, I've decided to start looking for an art rep. Getting work, making contacts, following up, networking, contracts, etc. requires time. It is a business after all, and right now I have no such time. I am going to let the knowledgeable help me out. Now, getting an art rep is not a matter of looking up one on the yellow pages, so I'm calling it a quest.

Where to start? Getting informed! and my timing cannot have been better. The Escapee from Escape from Illustration Island is yet again, right there, sharing his wisdom.

Wish me luck!

A girl in my pajamas!

2010-01-12T09:34:00.004-05:00

sketch - girl in the morning
photoshop

This is a little sketch I did this morning. Definitely not me, but those are indeed my pajamas! I've been away for a while. Xmas, New Years, moving to a new city having only a week to do so... but here we are!

Today's special...

2009-12-23T09:00:00.006-05:00

pure fun - purrrrsta nostra
ink on paper

The ink was on C's desk quietly waiting and the blank paper so exposed, so inviting. I couldn't resist. The pasta sauce was on the stove and I had some free time in my hands. Purrrrsta nostra was born right before dinner time.

I see gorillas

2009-12-17T12:54:00.002-05:00

tv sketching
from my sketchbook

Another night in front of the TV produced this gorilla. I might have been watching the news (no offense).

2009-12-13T11:00:00.001-05:00

work in progress
painting

Sneak peek of a painting I'm working on.

2009-12-12T13:19:00.004-05:00

Christmas card
lino cut

I decided to carve my way into the holiday season with a printed Christmas postcard. I am posting a complete sequence of the process so you can see the steps involve and enjoy it as much as I did.

Wishing you, all the best for 2010!
and when I say all, I mean it.

Happy Holidays!

The short version: After having the design ready and knowing how I wanted it to look, I traced it onto the lino cut boards and carved out the "white" areas. Then it was a matter of inking the board, printing one color at a time and letting it dry.

To give it that final touch, we -C and myself- applied gold leaf (imitation) to the star on top the tree and voilà!

2009-12-10T09:50:00.003-05:00

tv sketches
from my sketchbook

the result of my tv sketching (end of November.)

2009-12-07T14:09:00.002-05:00

IF - crunchy
digital painting

Anyone said supper time? I have a blast working on this. Truly, the thought of a kid being eaten by a gang of kind looking monsters cracks me up... I mean, in a good way ;o)
Please, don't be shy and leave your comments.

Cheers!

2009-12-02T13:10:00.005-05:00

Doodlers Anonymous - coloring book entry
photoshop

I decided to participate in the open call at Doodlers Anonymous. It's a coloring book project that I'm sure it'll be tons of fun. Deadline is today (Dec. 2nd) so get your marker/pencil/pen moving!

2009-11-22T20:15:00.005-05:00

no computer - 4 x 6
acrylics on canvas

After a crazy few days without my computer, trying to fix it, getting parts and finally getting a new one, I'm back. The good thing about not having the computer was that I realized how much I like painting! It's the equivalent of intense therapy minus the price tag ;o)
This is a little piece I want to share with you, but there is another one I'm still working on between work, enjoying my new computer, social networking and helping C with his lithographs.

Feel free to comment!

2009-11-08T10:34:00.003-05:00

IF - skinny (later than late)
digital painting

I sketched my friend here for last week's IF word "skinny" but couldn't color it until now. Better late than never.
Lately, I've been noticing that I really like green, and there is certain fascination in me towards amphibious and reptiles. Not the touchy or having-them-as-pets type of fascination (no, no), but rather an admiration. I bet it is because I grew up in an area of Colombia where they were part of the environment. Right there, everywhere, all the time... That was until we moved to Bogota (the capital city) where I encountered other type of reptiles, you know, the human type. I'm sure most of you have had experiences with those sneaky characters.

2009-11-06T10:50:00.004-05:00

TV sketches
from my sketchbook

Fresh from the scanner! I call them TV sketches because I usually do them while watching TV. Here is the story, we have no cable, so we are stuck with three channels. (Image clearness on 3 is 75%, 5 is 85% and 8 is 50%.) Yeah, we have one of those rabbit ears TV antennas that we have to fight against once in a while if accidentally moved. So shifting channels during commercial breaks is not an option, and some shows can get a bit boring at times. My solution, keeping one of my sketchbooks close by. The results vary but the fun never ends... sometimes not even when commercial breaks are over.

2009-10-31T13:37:00.005-04:00

Twitter - I gave in!
My twitter bird

Well, at the beginning I wasn't sure it was a good thing: too much information leads to desinformation, sharing too much, privacy, blah, blah. But then, being as curious as I can possibly be, I found myself looking for my favourite people on twitter and checking their updates. It seemed fun, so why not join? And I did. And so far, so good! I've discovered great and talented people, sites, information going around... I think it's a good asset for anyone wanting to inform, get informed, promote, network and share!!! Ideas, links, comments, good vibes... share the love!

Curiosity led to action that now leads to promotion. I'm liking it! and I invite you to give it a try, follow me if you are already there or simply check it out. I think it's a good tool to promote your work, connect to like-minded people and share some good vibes your way.

This birdie is going to my side bar and let's twitter!

2009-10-24T15:45:00.007-04:00

Got my postcards- Yay!

Thanks for helping me choose! (#2 and #6 were the chosen ones.)
I decided to have them printed locally for two reasons: First, I'm a buy-local kind of girl (whenever possible) and second, because I am in Canada and would've had to pay taxes again in their way in. I'm pretty excited! I think they did a pretty good job. For the next run I'll probably use 14 pt paper, but for this one time 12pt will do.
Cant' wait to start sending them out!

2009-10-21T19:45:00.004-04:00

Banner - I adore your comments

The absolute truth, I LOVE receiving and reading all the comments left on my blog by all of you. There is a certain vibe traveling all around, powered by positive thoughts and good wishes. I also try to spread that same vibe when leaving a comment on someone's blog.
Today, I am putting up on my side bar a little banner I made and share the love.

Hope you like it and THANKS for your comments ;o)

2009-10-18T18:41:00.003-04:00

IF - Frozen (vampire)
digital painting

When life gives you lemons... drink your own blood! ;o)

This is a two-for-one entry for both IF (frozen) and Monday Artday (vampire.) It wasn't really a coincidence, but I think it works pretty well for both subjects, plus fits into the Halloween atmosphere.

Cheers!

2009-10-15T22:55:00.003-04:00

IF - Flying
digital painting

Almost late for this week IF. But here it's my entry.

2009-10-14T09:33:00.001-04:00

sketch - púa
photoshop

A little something.

2009-10-11T11:31:00.003-04:00

Monday Artday - Fire
digital painting

Happy (Canadian) Thanksgiving!!!
I hope the pumpkin pie maker in your family will have better luck than my dear friend in the picture.

Many, many thanks for your comments!!! I love getting them.
Many, many thanks for following my blog and your support.
Many, many thanks for being part of bloggerland.
And many, many big and loving thanks for your inspiration, and for sharing your amazing work and creativity with the world.

2009-10-08T09:59:00.003-04:00

IF - Germs
digital painting

So, who would have the more germs? I bet my keyboard, right here at home. Eew!

2009-09-30T20:22:00.003-04:00

Website - New Header

This is my super duper new header. Not extremely different thatn the old one, but I certainly like the new guy in town.
Check it out in action!

2009-09-28T08:15:00.002-04:00

Postcard - Please, help!

I need a piece (or two) of advice. I'm going to have some postcards printed and can't decide what image to choose. So here is where you, the super creative blog-squad, come into place.
Please, pick your top 2 favs and let me know. I do have two options, but I'd like to know other's opinions. I think a second (third, fourth and so on) pair of eyes are always helpful. THANKS!

I REALLY appreciate your input.
:o)

2009-09-27T15:59:00.005-04:00

IF - pattern (instinct)
digital painting

I definitely see a pattern in my batfriend here... To you all! kind people visiting my blog. Cheers! And this post comes double (not talking about the Bloody Mary.)
Here is a shot of the progression for this week's IF entry:

2009-09-19T14:35:00.004-04:00

Sketch - payaso (clown)
photoshop

Every time I'm starting a new illustration I like to warm up by doing loose sketches. One sketch, one layer. One idea leads to the next one and I end up with 8 or so layers with doodles. Many times, that layer 8 is THE layer, the beginning of my final illustration.

What happens to layers 1 to 7? Well, they get tossed... But not anymore! In this time of recycling and reusing I cannot let those poor layers go to waste. I've decided that before deleting them from the original file, I'm going to save them in a smaller format and "finish" them. The quotation marks imply a sketchy finish, rather than a full-colored painterly looking finish.

Loose and fun. This is the "before and after" of a sad looking clown.
Here is to Layer 5, cheers!

2009-09-14T11:56:00.005-04:00

IF - Welcome
digital painting

Down in the land of refuse, people always welcome the city's waste.

2009-07-17T13:54:00.003-04:00

I am a Monday Artday winner!

Thanks to Mike and Monday Artday for their kindness!
I'm very grateful and honored!

Monday Artday is a blog where a challenge word or phrase is given each Monday for the members to illustrate. I encourage you to visit them and join!

Love what you do and let the inspiration flow...

2009-07-13T11:17:00.004-04:00

Monday Artday - Birthday
digital painting

I really enjoyed working on it!!!

2009-06-26T23:56:00.003-04:00

New website up!

Well, I decided my www.littlemissmachete.ca website needed an update (you know, some TLC), so I've been working on it, writing html, drinking coffee and today (well, tonight - we're talking 1 a.m. my time) I've finally uploaded it! Nothing too fancy but I'm happy with the results.

I know it's not a perfect looking site, but hey! who said I was looking for perfection ;o)

Check it out! & send me your comments, let me know what you think.

Off to sleep now... Cheers!

2009-06-06T15:26:00.003-04:00

IF - craving
digital painting

Enjoy!

2009-04-12T23:15:00.004-04:00

IF - Fleeting
digital painting

Two little birds, one fleeting storm and half of a red umbrella...

2009-03-24T23:52:00.005-04:00

IF - subtract
digital painting

My tooth fairy might not look like a fairy but will surely go all the way for a fairy tooth!

2009-03-11T17:48:00.007-04:00

IF - Intricate
digital painting

Peace... It should be an easy task.
Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate your comments.

2009-03-02T12:14:00.006-05:00

Monday Artday - Me @ age 8
digital painting

This will be my very first entry for Monday Artday.
All about dancing with my versatile, long-hair, handsome prince charming: Mr. Mop.
Let the music begin!

- "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution." Emma Goldman -

2009-02-28T13:12:00.005-05:00

New small banner for www.littlemissmachete.ca

On the left column and besides the other banners, a plain "LittleMissMachete website" needed a bit of love.

2009-02-27T10:14:00.002-05:00

IF - breezy
digital paint

I made this illo a few weeks back for IF subject Time, but didn't have the chance to submit it. Time flies, no doubt and for this week's subject, I'm happy it'll see the light and breathe the IF air on this very beautiful breezy day.

2009-02-17T14:43:00.005-05:00

IF - Celebrate
Digital Painting

Wow... time just keep passing by... I don't even know why I'm so surprised.

For this week IF CELEBRATE. Although I'm not feeling blue, a rather sad picture came out. I was thinking about celebrating my birthday (this passed Saturday) and how important balloons were when I was a child. But for this poor kid, not even a yellow balloon will do...
Comments are ALWAYS welcome!

2008-10-03T11:58:00.003-04:00

My new website is up and running!
check it out:

www.littlemissmachete.ca

2007-11-11T17:59:00.000-05:00

IF - Scale

Photoshop

For this week's IF. I'd like to believe the Universe tries to keep things in balance. With all the injustice we witness today, it is clear to me that we humans are not as good as we would like to think, when it comes to maintaining an harmonious world.

Far away, beyond our reach, the scale keeps working... or not?

2007-10-22T00:28:00.000-04:00

IF - Grow

photoshop

What about a bit of water, uh?

Well, my IF viewers, two months went by...

2007-08-26T23:13:00.000-04:00

IF - Visitors
pencil / photoshop

SIX months!! Not 1 or 2 but 6.
Well, as they say, time flies. Make no mistake, that's not an excuse. Here I go again and there is nothing better for a restart than IF. This week's topic is Visitors, some of them expected, some others come as a BIG surprise ;)

PS. Has anyone been monstrously attacked by a state of "creative laziness"?

Once you succumb to it... [SIGH]
It can take you 6 months to get out!

2007-02-19T23:07:00.000-05:00

by Chris Dunnett

2007-02-19T22:33:00.000-05:00

Phew!

2007-01-13T14:50:00.000-05:00

Late for x-mas...

Have a great, marvelous, beautiful 2007!

I'm gonna need a lot of energy and "berraquera" (Spanish word for ... eh... let's say it's slang for strength - not your regular Spanish, I think it's use only in one South American country) this year, so wish me luck! It'll go right back at you.

2006-11-17T18:18:00.000-05:00

IF - Thanksgiving
Ink

Playing with ink for this week's topic. Here in Canada, thanksgiving 's already passed, but as I believe thanking is such a pure explosion of kindness, here is my a turkey postcard!

PS. Don't forget to thank yourself... at the end,

who else deals with you 24/7?

2006-11-07T14:12:00.000-05:00

IF - Smoke
pencil / photoshop

Here is a second entry for IF. Without and with a cigarette (evil!!)

I keep a diary with stories, drawings, dreams, thoughts, bla, bla, bla... you know what a diary is like, right?. One day in 2005 (if I knew where that diary is I'll tell you the exact date), I drew myself with a cigarette (I got to admit, not an uncommon scene) and started colouring it in photoshop (only did the shirt, pants and shoes) and left it to finish it the day after -...Well, we all know the "day after" not always comes the day after- IF topic made me go back and find it...

Finally, the day after has arrived! (over a year later, oops!)

2006-11-05T17:51:00.000-05:00

IF - Smoke
pencil / photoshop

I don't know why and I don't know how, this creature (nature unknown) came to my mind when having smoky thoughts.

It's not a dragon, it's not a dog,
let me just call him,
Mister Smoke.

2006-10-31T20:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween everybody!! We got some treats for the kids in our neighborhood, we carved the pumpkin (not bad, ah?) and ... Halloween has always been one of my favorite days (along with my b-day, christmas, the first day in the spring I get to wear sandals, etc.) and is becoming a big thing again - which I absolutely love. People get to be what they want, walk around the streets, having fun. It's a "giving" holiday and that makes it special, in a world where we think twice before sharing with others... So for the good times, CHEERS! and have a great day!

boo!

2006-10-29T08:43:00.000-05:00

I just saw this week's topic for Illustration Friday...

WIND

which is perfect for such a windy sunday here in Toronto.

2006-10-25T11:36:00.000-04:00

Model Evolution

Here is something I've heard about and went to YouTube and found it. I like Dove campaign... All about real beauty!

Feel free to comment!

2006-10-24T16:44:00.000-04:00

GREEN???

Here I am in my blog, traying to "jazz it up" a bit. I'm starting w/ something fairly simple, as I'm not an expert in this html business. The fun part, it's that I don't have to be... it's a matter of playing with photoshop, identifying colours, copy-paste (in the right place) and trying... that's why I LOVE the preview button.

2006-10-24T15:46:00.000-04:00

2006-10-23T12:00:00.000-04:00

IF - Ghost
ink / photoshop

Our ghosts within are probably the scariest and most dangerous ones, don't you think?
Let them all out... and be happy!

2006-10-13T12:09:00.000-04:00

2006-08-09T21:54:00.000-04:00

Thinker
ink / photoshop

Today I'm posting an illo for a quote by Walter Lippmann:

"Where all think alike, no one thinks very much."

I'm getting a little obsessed with that "reading quotes" exercise I've been doing. There are so many, my personal favourites are the ones with that hint of black humor... reality as it best.
Check it out: www.quotationspage.com

2006-08-08T11:31:00.000-04:00

IF - Capture
colour pencil / ink / photoshop
It took me a while to decide what to do with this one... I mean, I didn't want to get dark and deep (and that's what came to my mind in the first place with all that's going on in the world these days). Anyway here is my entry for the topic Capture.

Love to read your comments!! THANKS TO ALL who visited my blog last week ;)

2006-07-29T18:13:00.000-04:00

IF - Clean
ink / photoshop
I've always been a great admirer of mops. When I was little, one used to be my dance partner... oh! we danced so well!
I definitely think it's sexier than a broom and kinder than a vacuum cleaner.

2006-07-26T13:06:00.000-04:00

Poodle
ink / photoshop

"I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult." by Rita Rudner (US comedian)

Sometimes it's hard for me to find that "endless fountain of inspiration". I mean, I draw and draw (people, situations, animals, ideas, everything) but sometimes my sketchbook lacks of THAT ONE DRAWING begging me to finished it. Well, I may have found my way to get to the fountain, I am reading a few quotations online and drawing about one that I like.

2006-07-23T20:48:00.000-04:00

IF - Opposites
Pencil / Photoshop
This is my first time posting for Illustration Friday. I love the idea!!
I'll try to keep up with it every week.

2006-07-20T15:35:00.000-04:00

Pencil / Photoshop
2006

La Reliquia
Here it's the cover (the coloured one) and some of the illustrations of a book published in Colombia this year. It was an interesting project as I was given the stories that a group of teenagers from a poor neighbourhood in Villavicencio (a city) had written (about relationships, dreams, sex, family, etc.) in a workshop. Their stories where incredible, some of them with a touch of sarcasm mixing reality and those fantasy worlds of a teenager. It was a huge responsibility, as this was their first (and sadly, probably their last) opportunity to be read by somebody from outside their immediate environment. I still don't know what the writers thought about the illustration...