* * Happy Mother's Day! * *

Just wanted to share these little gifts I got for a very special lady

 

~ my Mom! ^___^

 

 

...and this is an old photograph of my mom helping me cut the cake on my 4th birthday (or maybe it was my fifth? o__O)

 



 

To all the Moms around the world, I wish you happiness on your special day!

 

 



"Farewell, Yume"

It's been three years, three months, and 6 days. On that cold February night, I woke up to the sound of you fighting for your last breath. If I close my eyes, I can still picture that moment: me, calling out your name over and over again. I had never felt so powerless in my life.  You, fragile and lifeless on my bed, your golden eyes being swallowed gradually by darkness. 

Death embraced you and took away your pain.

 

You were gone.

 

This is a piece dedicated to my tuxedo cat, Yume. I didn't have the heart to paint her after she died. Too painful, I guess. But when Illustration Friday presented the topic of "Farewell" and "Tribute,"  I couldn't get this image out of my head.

This is the moment Yume's spirit gives her farewell and becomes a star, but not before she whispers, "I will always be your grumpy cat, Jenny. Thank you for loving me." 

   As a tribute to Yume's memory, she will feature in her own mini adventures and cross paths with my character, Anila, from time to time.

 

 

 

Farewell, Yume, Mixed Media on Strathmore Watercolor Paper.

© Jenny De La Torre 2013

Love you, always.



WIP and detail pictures:

Visit me soon, Grandma!

It was my grandmother's 78th birthday last month. She's the lovely lady in the middle, side by side with her two sisters, and looking as uncomfortable as I do when someone takes forever to snap a picture.

*hohoho!*

 

 I hope she will make a trip to the states by the end of this month.

 

 Love you, grandma!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special Delivery Part II

Yet another package arrived yesterday (thank you, UPS man!) from Gallery Nucleus. I'd been counting down the days for this particular piece, but I finally added to my collection one of my favorite illustrations (print, but I wish I had the original >___<) from fellow artist May Ann Licudine. 

 

You can read about this wonderful piece and the story behind it on her blog.

 

*sighs happily*

 

I love all shades of blue and magical dragons...

 





 

 



Special Delivery!

The best part about coming home from a looong day at work (other than being home, ha ha!) is to find a special package on the counter made out just to you. In this case, my good friend Ashley sent me an envelope full of surprises which I ordered from her Etsy.

 

 

 

Wrapped in a snazzy package.

 

***

 

 

 

Enclosed in a plastic cover.

 

***

 

 

Ta-dah!

 

An original ACEO card, made with colored pencils (blue! <3) and micro pens. Beautiful color blending and line work.

 

This guy was my favorite of the bunch. Those soft green eyes and cute little blue scruff, how could I resist his charm!

 

 *laughs*

 

 I'm glad no one had taken it from the shop yet.

 

 



***

I didn't order this. It came as an extra surprise, along with a coupon! >___<

 

 



 

 

 

***

 

 

 





***

 

 

 

^_____^

 

 

Thank you, Ashley!

 

 



 

 

 



Trip to Bear and Bird Boutique + Gallery: Starter Art 2 show.

I went to the  gallery opening show at Tate's Comic Book Store and had a blast! A plethora of amazing talent decorated the walls, with each artist adding a personal touch of magic to the show. Among them was one of my favorite artists, Nicole Gustafsson. You can find her blog here.  I also found a piece (not part of this particular show, but still cool) from Filipino artist May Ann Licudine, a.k.a. MALL. You can find her blog here.



>____<
 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Nicole Gustafsson

 

Kim Laurenti

 

 

Art by May Ann Licudine, a.k.a. MALL

 

 

 

These are just a select few. For more pictures of the show, follow the link to my facebook page and check out the entire album!



Illustration Friday: "Train" ~ also, introducing Anila and the mischievous Kis-Kis.

It was a close call, but I finally managed to finish my piece for Illustration Friday's : Train. This topic was also a great opportunity to formally introduce my girl,  Anila. If you remember from this previous post, she is the brave traveler who wanders from one mysterious land to another in search of adventures.  Subsequently, she is also the original character of "Egg." I couldn't think of an appropriate name until a few nights ago (had an "aha!" moment again, but  I will leave the origin of her name for another day ^__^)

 

 

Kis-Kis Train, Mixed Media on Strathmore Colored Art Paper.

© Jenny De La Torre 2013

 

 

 

 

 

The little woodland creatures following Anila are called "Kis-Kis" [Pronounced like 'KEE' with an S]. They are modelled after my cat, Kisa. They look like a mesh of raccoon, barn owl, squirrel, cat and a bit of alien?

 

*laughs*

More on their origin will be revealed soon!

 

 

 

 

Of course, Kisa has a final say on the concept art.  

 

 

***

 

 

***

 



 

 

 

 

 

Sketchbook Corner #10

 

Another set of preliminary sketches for my special little explorer. Once I have a design I'm happy with (yes, I'm picky ^__^;) I will reveal her name and story!

 

 

 

She  will carry this neat little staff around with her everywhere.

 



The stag will also be a reoccurring character in my illustrations. He's the reason my girl goes off to many adventures. Another being her very inquisitive nature.

 



 

Added a little color. ^___^