*New Work* and Marketing

Thankfully I didn't have to stay up too late to do this one.


"Summer Dance" Ink and Colored Pencil

I've always loved pinup art, and hated the fact that you rarely see full figured gals being sexy, because *gasp* there are quite a few out there who find us attractive. This is panel two of my "Seasons" series. A stunningly curvy hula chick, full of sass, shakes her stuff in the summer breeze. The model is a friend of mine who was kind enough to give me permission to use her image in this piece. I love the combo of warm and cool colors in this one, and the fact that the image itself went through a ton of modifications. I'm contemplating a full figured pin up series, but that's still in development.

I got quite a few things accomplished yesterday in terms of marketing myself. I registered with several portfolio websites, including Portfolios.com and Deviant Art(links TBA). I'm also designing business cards and letterhead, making basic contracts, and researching several website developing techniques and equipment. One thing I can say is that I honestly didn't realize how much work(and money) it was in order toy build a business. Every minute and every dime you invest has to produce something. It's for this reason why I'm interested in meeting other freelancers and artists, to hear their stories about how they started out. It can be a bit overwhelming. But you know what? Because it's something coming from the heart, I don't mind it. One thing I've been striving for is to be able to make a living doing from what I love to do. Even though it's been a tough road so far, it's been a rewarding one, and I am grateful.

All Images Copyright © Tasha Williams Taylor

*New Work* Thanksgiving Weekend

So I locked myself in my studio during the holiday weekend, and pumped out three new pieces...

"Self Portrait: Bohemia" Ink and colored pencil

I'm developing a series of self portraits and this is the first one. When I was growing up in Westchester, I always wanted to live the "Bohemian" lifestyle. I pictured myself moving to Greenwich Village in a high rise loft, letting my hair grow big and wild, wearing funky jewelry and clothes, and surviving on creativity, passion, and happily painting my life away. Fast forward to now, and the closest I've come is letting my hair grow out, heheh. But that's okay, lately I've been dancing a fine line between conformist and creative spirit, and I'm looking forward to soon being able to combine the two. So here I am, wild-haired spirit welcoming you into her loft. I'm not totally happy with it, so I may redo it later.

"Spring Rain" Ink and Colored Pencil

The first of the "Seasons" series. People have different interpretations of what springtime is. For me, spring has always equaled rain, new beginnings and growth. In fact, the springtimes I've experienced have always been warm but gray. So that's what you see here...a forest sprite crouched under a flower leaf, trying to stay dry in the spring rain.

"Island Lovers" Ink and Colored Pencil

This was inspired by one my many talks with my husband about traveling to the Caribbean, which is where he is from, for a vacation. I've never been to a tropical island, and I've heard nothing but wonderful things about how beautiful and romantic they are. So in thinking about that, this was formed. My husband was kind enough to be my ever obedient model, and the man in the portrait is as handsome as he is.

So I have a review on Wednesday at my day job. I'm seeing this situation as a opportunity to showcase my portfolio, because marketing companies use illustrators on a fairly regular basis. Hopefully if they like my stuff enough, they'll take me off the phones and into the studio. When I graduated from college I thought it was best for me to get some regular job while I pursued illustration independently, because you need money to buy art supplies, right? Now, four years later, I wish I had pursued an art related job to build more relevant experience. But it's all a learning process, and I'm going to keep pursuing illustration until I don't have to work there anymore. I'm so proud of the progress I've made so far; I'm the most productive I've ever been, and although it's tiring, it's been worth it!

All Images Copyright © Tasha Williams Taylor

*New Work*

Saturday was my last day at my part-time job(loong story...well, not really), so I spent Sunday working on some prelims for a narrative and coloring this piece:

"Corpse Bride" Ink and Colored Pencil
I see a few things here and there that I want to correct, but overall I'm proud of the way it turned out. It's not really based on the movie...the closest thing that comes to that is the colors of the bride. So I'm not really sure where it came from...just a spirit wandering her masoleum, reflecting on her living love.

I also wanted to put this one up, mainly because it's kind of the way I felt today...
"Thoughtful" Pencil

My mind is always going a mile a minute, and my mind always floats towards the work I am doing to further my career. I sketched this out while my mind was drifting and this was the result.

Right now I'm working the actual panels to the narrative I'm illustrating...a song by Craig David, one of my favorite singers. Until next time...