Recently, I joined an artist discussion group on social media.
Though I was apprehensive at first (hello INFJ), I've found so much positivity and inspiration by other artists in my field just out there doing their best and supporting each other.

life rn

photo by street photographer Mario Vega

Hiiiiiiii

This post is a quick update about my actual life haha. I would feel ungrateful if I didn't rave about living & working in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City for the past several months.

I always joke that it's very much like a "pretend" big city -- it's large enough to have conventions and nice restaurants and nightmare traffic during the holidays, but there's only one layer of buildings between you and the crazy mountain view (we reside on the 6th floor of our apartment complex that overlooks Main Street, the U, and those mountains). Everyday I look out the window and pinch myself. I absolutely love being within walking distance of a bunch of donut shops, Talia's school, my work, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Temple Square, and the Capitol.  The trax is so close we can hop on and go to the public library, planetarium, or splash pad in the summer time. For Halloween, we went trick or treating in the Avenues and visited lots of historic homes with haunted pasts. During Christmas time, marching bands played Christmas carols right under our window. 

I thrive being surrounded by movement, ambition, creativity, travelers. While I'm not sure where we'll be in the next few years, this has been a life changing experience, one that I'll look back on with a deep bittersweet longing. Then again, I look back on every phase in my life that way, ha. 

  

(Also, Talia's outfit, could you die?!? She mostly dresses herself these days, but still accepts suggestions lol. She asked to wear my sunglasses this day when we went to pick up a pizza we ordered from the shop on the corner, and we met Mario who snapped this pic of us!)

Spring Break

Fortunately for me, my current day job requires me to keep updated on fashion and what's new and what's trending, so I've been making a lot of these little board things.

If I was traveling for little this spring (Mexico! California! Greece! Anywhere with a warm beach!) This is what I would wear, and basically just switch out graphic tees.

Straw bag: Nordstrom // Tanning ladies tee: JCrew // Tassel earrings: Topshop // Platform sandals: Treasure&Bond // Motto Jacket: BlankNYC // Maxi skirt: Alice and Olivia

Girls Summit Art Show!

photo: Trevor Christensen

A couple weeks ago, I was asked by Tanei Henry, one of my closest friends and founder of Provo Girls Summit, to attend the Launch event for their upcoming Art Show in conjunction with the Neighborhood Art Center.

Winter Break

That time between Christmas and New Year when you only come out for hot chocolate/doughnut runs and can be found wrapped in a blanket re-watching True Lies and Kindergarten Cop.

mug: Bando // spoons and eye thing: Nordstrom // Mask: Kiehl's // slipper: Ugg // Dress: Champion // candle: Diptyque // bomber jacket: Rag & Bone

fall trend:

BLAZERS. The new cardigan. Wear them to the office, wear them over shredded boyfriend jeans to dinner, with a mini dress for a girls night out. I am all starry eyed for the long tailored ones with a little oomph in the shoulder. Also, kitten heels are here to stay and helloooo sling back heels!

Blazer: Theory // High neck ruffle shirt: Frame // Skinny jeans: Paige // Heel: Lewit

Live Illustrating at Nordstrom Beauty Trends

UFW: front row & backstage

I quickly realized, while sitting on the front row with paper and brush in hand, that it was near impossible for me, a first timer, to capture an entire look while the model whisked down the runway. 

UFW: live portraits

As the event neared, I was emailed by the producers of Utah Fashion Week, who I had been in contact with, and was offered a space at the UFW Pop-Up Shops.

UFW: before the show

I've had such a fantastic time working with the founders of Utah Fashion Week for this year's event.
Natalie Wynn from Natalie Wynn Design  has been so gracious and kind in allowing me to be a part of this event.
Below are the paintings I made, featuring one designer from each show at fashion week:

werkout mixtape

SIDE A

Cheap Thrills // Sia
One, Two Step // Ciara
Hips Don't Lie // Shakira
Work // Rihanna
Call Me Maybe // Carly Rae Jepsen
Hot n Cold // Katy Perry
Bad Romance // Lady Gaga
Here It Goes Again // OK Go
Wannabe // Spice Girls
Barbie Girl // Aqua

Feelin a slump in my fitness resolutions, so made this playlist for a little motivation/pick-me up with some of my old school favs. (Perfect length for a 30 min workout!)

img/life inspo: Lady Gaga at the 2017 Grammy's

red

I'm a sucker for makeup trends; I love the challenge of integrating runway beauty looks into my day to day routine. It has been so great to see playful eye makeup make a comeback.

The versatility of the color red has been proven in lip colors for ages, and now is being used around the eyes to make waves in the beauty world since Miu Miu s/s 2012. Grunge or elegant, soft or bright, a little or a ton. I love it because application can be super quick plus and it really makes my brown eyes pop.

I compiled a few looks from the runway& the red carpet below along with some everyday glamour ideas from around the web.

behind the scenes

 

I rarely post about my creative process, because as illustrator  David Downton once put it, why would I show anyone the panic/pain involved in each painting? haha

However, I myself love watching little painting videos, I feel like I can learn so much from watching how other artists work. Everyone is so different!

I've been trying to use instagram stories a little more for this reason.  Here is a quick little step by step I documented while I was painting this particular piece.

Moonangel and friends

Local artist Libby Frame recently launched Moonangel, a line of shirts featuring her work. I was lucky enough to model her apparel in her latest photo shoot for the brand.

Wish it at looked like glitter and shine, but it's been a rough few months.

As Christmas approaches, I have kept reminding myself to be a little nicer to myself today.
I have a hard time thinking of myself as an actual person and often overload my plate with jobs and expectations. I am realizing (with the help of a professional and my loving husband) that I have feelings and limits and needs that only I can recognize, and that only I can take care of. I always preach that women need to take time for themselves, but I am such a hypocrite on that front, haha.

Anyway, I am important! and you are too.

Take care of yourself this holiday and may the light of giving and love bring you peace. 

Recreate: Positively Oakes

Recently, a company called Recreate reached out to me to work on a commission for lifestyle blogger Jess of Positively Oakes.

Interview with Braid Workshop

Friends over at Braid Workshop asked me a few questions about me and my work! It's published on their website, and I also posted it here >>>

Fall Mixtape

 

SIDE A

Congratulations // MGMT

Anyone's Ghost // The National

City of Lovers // Baby Monster

Lazuli // Beach House

Dull Life // Yeah Yeah Yeahs

inktober 2016

Here is everything I made for Inktober (the instagram challenge to create daily) this year. 
I dropped off towards the end there, but I regret nothing.

A recent fashion drawing of Dolce and Gabbana's Fall/Winter '16 collection

I rarely draw without photo references to guide me, but I took the dive this time to see how I felt about my overall drawing and painting skills. I was pleasantly surprised and I had a lot of fun.