Hot Pink and Red

I totally had a scattered brain moment earlier today. I totally thought it was still January, even though I know its February. I feel so scatterbrained all the time. Its about to be Valentines Day soon. I just mailed off my package to the other lovely blogger, Kerri I am swapping with(I know I should’ve a week ago, my apologies if your reading) I blame it on my scattered brain! You can check her blog out at Beauty and Things. I cant wait until she sees what I got her and when I get her package, I will blog and video it as well.

So, speaking of the most celebrated day of love, I have been saving images I come across that would be cute for Valentines Day whether they are outfits, shoes or gifts. I know most people don’t know what to get someone for this “holiday” but all you gotta do is pay attention. Depends on the person, but for me, I’m pretty simple. Candy is nice, flowers are a plus, a kitty, books, makeup, shopping spree, candles….art supplies….hahaha I am still hung up on getting a kitty. I love dogs too, don’t get me wrong, but I am more of a cat person. I still want to adopt this kitty, if she is still at the shelter.

Ugh. I’m getting off topic. Back to Vday and cute gift ideas. Here are a few I found:

This chair is awesome! What girl wouldn’t want this? I found this Pin Up Passion

These pink and red shoes and awesome! I have some favs! Like those pink skull lita looking boots. These can be found at www.amiclubwear.com

 

I keep hearing great reviews on these lipsticks! I am loving all these colors, especially the Oh La Lilac.

Check out these Pink Box Tool Boxes! Ive seen these babies in salons, tattoo shops, mechanic shops and everywhere online. I would love to have these babies in art studio! They also come in Lime green and now in Purple. They should make them in Tiffany’s Blue Color! Check them out Original Pink Box.

A lil creepy, but cool, A Jello Heart mold! Would you make this? or is it too gory? Found on Amazon.com

I found some cute guys stuff, well let me not say cute when referring to men. hahaha I found some cooooooool things from this website!

Don’t forget about the kiddos- basically anything with sugar they will love, but if you wanna try something different, here is a cookie bouquet by Cookies By Design

This card is soooo cute! I love traditional tattoo art and this is perfect. Check this out on Etsy

This would be perfect for any funky style girl (ahem, me! ) I have a thing for infinity scarves and this is pretty cute! Found on Etsy

You know my infatuation with galaxies and stars, this ring is beautiful. Found on Etsy

I hope this has inspired you for this years Valentines Day! What are you favorite gifts? or what are you planning on getting your loved ones?

Love will find a way through paths where wolves fear to prey.
Lord Byron

Explosions

I cant get enough of this song. I just love it. I must have hit the replay button on this song along with a few others.

 

I just got done drawing up another design for another contest. I’m hoping to turn this into an actual job. haha They always say “DO what you love and the money will follow” I feel like that is happening. It’s like every direction I have gone in my life always leads me back to art. IN some shape or form, I always go back to art. I was so focused in fashion and my art in high school, then I joined the military and it was like I forgot I was an artist. I found myself only drawing when I was on deployments in my spare time. When I got out, I went back to school, back to art and loved it. Life happened and other things happened that distracted me like my kiddos, but I wandered back here and there. Years pass again, more life happens, and I go back to school.

When I attended the Art Institute I was so excited, in love that I was back involved in art studying fashion. I only attended 6 months, but they were the best 6 months of college I ever had. Fashion Illustration, color theory and Intro to Drawing were just my favorite. Art was my way of escaping from the real world. AT that time, I lived in Colorado and I wasn’t living in the best conditions but I pushed myself. I really feel like those times were almost the hardest and darkest times of my life. Art was my light. This was when I started drawing tattoo designs and started thinking about one day being a tattoo artist.

Above was one of the first designs I made for an ex boyfriend (heartless is right too! that’s should’ve been my sign lol)

I have really branched out since then. I went back to school when I moved back home to Virginia Beach 2 1/2 years ago and changed my major to graphic design, and then also enrolled in hair school, going to 2 schools full time. I was busy but happy. I discovered more of who I am as an artist in 2011. From makeup, to hair and to my artwork.

In 2012, I started working for Xotic Eyes, and I was really happy to work there for the experience and also because I was helping to create new looks and do the hair and makeup for the photoshoots. Then, after that going to work for a salon, I was excited to help create beauty. But I still always felt like it wasn’t enough.

And now, the past couple weeks, I have been putting my all into my sketches and artwork and trying to open my mind up and create beauty through tattoos and I feel so complete. I have developed a routine and I have to admit, I am loving it. Money is starting to roll in, slowly but surely and that tells me that I am headed into the right direction. And it feels good. I cant be afraid, I just have to do it.

I just wanted to share that with you and I hope that I didn’t bore you to death with this super long post!

Ill leave on this quote:

“You can’t make your dreams come true if you aren’t awake”

 

February Already

Today’s my lil brother, Lucas’s 12th Birthday! So, I want to say Happy Birthday to him, even though he doesn’t read my blog. hahaha I cant believe how fast he has grown up. I was 17 years old when he was born! My bros and I are all spaced out 9 years apart! Crazy huh? Here is a pic from when he got a mohawk in December! ! So cute!

 

It’s already February. Ugh. We have had some snow a few days ago, I couldn’t remember if I told you that. Our weather is so funky here in Virginia. Snow one day, crazy windy hurricane rain, warm enough for some people to wear shorts and flip flops, I am really surprised I haven’t gotten sick yet, but then again, I have been holed up in my house. Although, I did have to leave the house for some interviews. Looking for a job sucks, but necessary if I wanna pay the bills and keep food on the table right? hahahaha

So, I won my first contest on createmytattoo.com this morning, which made my day! I mean, a lot of people pay me to draw them tattoo designs, but its usually people I know. Well, last year, I did have someone from Canada hire me to draw something too. But you know it’s always a nice compliment when someone chooses your design out of a bunch of other artists. Here is the drawing I won (in case your wondering)

This was a music inspired tattoo, the translation is “We Live in the shadow of Music” I believe that’s right.

I also did this nice sleeve design and this one is for a friend of mine whom I attended hair school with. I really love this sleeve design. Whenever I draw something up, I always try to draw up something I would get myself. If I don’t like it, I will redo it. Check it out!

I have been trying to keep busy since I am not working. Just focusing on my artwork. Been fiddling with many projects, from my freelance website, to drawing, blogging, pinning, youtube videos, interviews, laundry, blog design. I’m hoping all my hard work will pay off.

I have been on HULU watching all my shows: Project Runway, which just started again! Then, watching FACE OFF..which I am sooo in love with. I wish I had the supplies to get into that field! I think that’s right up my alley too. Sigh….one can only dream right now.

Well, I am off to draw some more. Just wanted to show ya some drawings  and share a random video I filmed a few days ago




 

See ya again soon!

xoxox Cecilia Marie

 

Don't confuse your path with your destination just because it's stormy now doesn't mean you aren't headed for sunshine.

Halfway Through The Week

It is 330am and I just finished drawing up this sleeve design. Now that I have finished, I am quite tired. DO you wanna see it?

Here is my sketch! I took a before photo with my phone for Instagram (SweetSurrenderArt) , but forgot to with my bloggie camera.

I redid another drawing too of a Vegas Welcome Sign incorporating the Empire State Building.

Well, while I am at it, Ill show you all the sketches I have done this week.

I haven’t won any contests yet, but I am not giving up. But with each drawing I do, I feel I am getting better.

Well, the wind and rain is howling outside and my lights have been flickering for a while. My Aunt’s Power just went out. It’s nearing 4am…and I should go to bed. I just wanted to share my latest drawings with ya. I hope you have a good morning and the rest of your day!

 

See ya soon, xoxox Cecilia

Warm Bodies Movie Night

My friend Kathleen scored some tickets to go to the early Premier of Warm Bodies tonight, so we made a family trip of it with my brothers, cousins and of course Hubby. I am glad for the chance to get out. Movies can be expensive! I mean $8 for some popcorn? Yea that’s shiiii cray. I go to the dollar store and stuff it in my purse…hahaha 

It was nice to get out of the house because I have been a hermit held up in my art zone just drawing and sketching. I have figured it out….I don’t like winter…I hate being cold and since our weather has been crazy..I have just stayed inside huddling up in my husbands broncos snuggie. hahahaha

Before the movie, I had to swing by Barnes & Nobles and cop the latest copy of Bound By Ink magazine. Oh yes, the best well one of the best tattoo mags out there! I cant wait to read it and check out their awesome photography.

 

We got to the theater early and got good seats. Previews were good, although I cant remember any of them. As for the main feature, Warm Bodies I thought was a cute and funny comedy. Not creepy or scary. I laughed out loud at a lot of parts. I think some of you would like it too, maybe? I like a lot of cheesy movies, so yall will just have to go see it and tell me what you think.

 

As for me, I am watching Lord of The Rings, The fellowship of the ring and I just finished another createmytattoo drawing for yet another contest. Its 230am and I think I will go lay my head down and try to go to bed. I am quite tired because I did do my Insanity workout and Pure Cardio workout really works my calves and I am ready to rest them!

 

See ya tomorrow! xoxox, Cecilia

My Work Space

I have spent a lot of time in my studio. Or what it is I hope to turn into my own studio. I have stayed glued to my seat under my drawing lamp and leaning on my tabletop drafting table with my heater permanently under my legs. I don't really like my set up, but I am really in NO position to even complain. I’ve been applying for jobs online, working on my freelance website, drawing custom tattoo designs, giving my family members free haircuts and squeezing in an Insanity workout. I may as well put a couch in here as much as I am in here. In my defense- at least I am staying productive. That’s my story and I’m stickin to it.

 

I got to thinking how I want to have this room set up. I know I want to have a better drafting table. I may have written this subject before but oh well. I remember I had a drafting table when I was in elementary school. I think my mom knew I was meant to be an artist. I started surfing for drafting tables and here are a few I found on of course- none other than Pinterest.

I really like the one above because it would give me tons of room for my computer, my junk food, I mean my healthy snacks and my coffee and all my art supplies.

I like this one above as well mainly because of the compact design and drawers, where I could put organizers in there for paper, pencils, markers, rulers, candy, erasers and other tools.

I like the idea of the glass one because you could maybe put a light and in turn make it into a light table. I kinda like the peg board…but not so much…too manly for me. hahaha

This one is pretty basic, gets the job done. I don’t really like this one as much.

This is the table you would work at if you designed for Nike! Wow. I don’t know who wouldn’t want this!

These tables are all nice. If you are artsy and love to draw, which one is your favorite? I think mine is the second one. But once you figure out which table, then you have to figure out what type of chair to get with it because that’s just as important. As I am writing this, my neck and shoulder is hurting because I know my chair does not go with this drafting table and this angle. ughhhh its so hard being an artist. hahaha

And if you haven’t seen my latest youtube video I just posted, you can check it out here! Don’t forget to subscribe!

Thanks for stopping by my loves! See ya again soon!

xoxox, Cecilia

Geeky Computer Gadgets

As I am making plans to turn my dining room into my studio along with trying to revamp my blog and make a new website, there are just a few things I have been scouring the internet for. Since I am going to be working on my computer overtime on my graphic design skills, I need a few gadgets to back my work up so I don’t use too much space on my laptop. I started looking online for external hard drives and check out what I found.

For you 80’s and 90’s babies babies, you may get a lil geeked out excited over these, well, at least I did!

Geeky Gadgets

Etsy.com

Guys Nation

Craziest Gadgets

This led me to looking for speakers…because my poor laptop speakers are nothing worthy to brag about. When I am drawing, I like to crank the music up and jam. Speakers and headphones are essential!!

Both speakers are from Walyou.com

Apartment Therapy

Damn Geeky

Girl Geek Chic

( these above would work nicely too for my work out post from yesterday! )

These are solar powered and blue tooth wireless!

Geeky Gadgets

 

These are just cool and awesome and look more interesting. In some ways, nobody will even think what they are so it would be a disguise such as the external harddrives, the only thing you have to be careful of is that your kids might mistake them for toys!

 

Thanks for stopping by and see ya again soon!

xoxo Cecilia

Don't raise your fists, just raise your intelligence. Don't lose yourself, just lose your ignorance.