February Favorites

I missed doing these! Here are the things I was digging this month.

  1. Vinny got me freesias for Valentine's Day and they are somehow still alive!
  2. I finished the first season of Insecure on HBO and I LOVED it. Issa Rae is so great and I highly recommend it.
  3. Gouache! I've been getting better at incorporating it into my work. The properties are a lot more different from watercolor than I thought. But it's all a ~learning experience~.
  4. Moistfull face moisturizer (Korean skincare) that I purchased in the Philippines. Kept my winter skin nice and bouncy!
  5. All the cakes. There were so many birthdays and multiple celebrations, therefore there was a lot of cake consumed this month. These are only 3/6 kinds of cake that were devoured, not counting 2nd and 3rd helpings.

I have lots of plans for myself in the next few months and I plan on sharing them with you as I go! I think I've finally gotten to a place where art and illustration don't freak me out (and they did) and I can have more fun with it, while at the same time develop a clearer business strategy. More on that soon.

24 Hours in Japan

We spent 24 hours in Tokyo on the way to the Philippines, where we stayed for two weeks.

It most certainly was not enough time to visit and I desperately want to go back soon! Here are a few snaps of that visit.

*Click to see full size.*

2017

Boracay

Boracay

2017 has already started off as a rollercoaster. I had a fantastic and exhausting trip to the Philippines (with a little layover in Tokyo) and came back so ready to work. But suddenly, I was plagued with self doubt and got a visit from some mental health demons (more on that later).

Regardless, I've decided that my theme of 2017 (I'm not really a resolution person) is to "face my fears". I know it's cliched and tired, but I really can't find a more direct way to put it. And I've already started! I've been more direct about what I want with clients. And I got what I wanted! No big deal. It used to be a big deal because I would whine about how much they would hate me if I said no to something or asked for too much. But so far I'm learning that as long as you are kind, polite, and a hard-worker, clients who care about you are more than happy to accommodate.

Another fear I'm facing: meeting/talking to new people. I wouldn't say I'm very shy. I AM very introverted, but I still like hanging out with friends and mingling at small gatherings. So I'm trying to attend more events in my community and have already a handful of friends in the neighborhood. I was even in front of the camera today for a little photoshoot which was WAY out of my comfort zone but I'm glad I did it.

Anyway, here's to 2017 and facing fears. Including the big, angry, political fears that are beginning to take over this country. I'm ready for ya.