Chanel

I loved the Ruben Toledo spread by Nordstrom in a magasine (I think, Vogue?). Plus, the model reminded me of Karolina, haha. I wasn't able to find it on Google, but here's the [link] to my scan of the reference.

Watercolour on Canson 90lb paper.

(C) Nordstrom & Chanel

Bearing Down

This lino-cut is really old (2007) but many of the themes are still true. The seven hairy balls around the bharatnatyam dancer are actually coconuts. They represent my family members who are all very much part of my life, whether I like it or not. And I'm part of their's now more than ever. This pose is the 'snake' which represents my Chinese zodiac sign. I tried my damnedest to scrape an angry expression onto her face since those dancers have highly expressive facial contortions. At least she looks unhappy, that much I was able to cut into the lino. Why unhappiness? It was mostly inspired from my crazy relationship with my parents at the time, it was not a good year, really.

Overall, doing this lino was an interesting experience. Got to use the local university's resources, exhibit my work at the city's school gallery and a gallery in South Africa. 

Feeling Brown

I think the whole thing with APH and my RPing as India is pretty cool and it's been dragging (not kicking and screaming, as it would have before) me into my own heritage. It was a bit daunting at first, getting into character and such. I've tried so hard to avoid that part of me. Not too hard mind you. My church is a MTC church, after all. But I still don't watch Bollywood movies and I don't keep a whole lot of Indian friends. :/

Though I haven't posted much on Tegaki E this week, I've been doing a bit of Sanskrit and 1940s India research and thinking of ways to tick off England.

This is was my 'introduction' into the OC tag on Tegaki E. I've been trying to give her a name other than Indian, haha. I've been thinking either Deskari (done by the country) or Padma (lotus). And then for a last name...I should probably ask my parent for common Indian last names. Other than Patel, of course. x3 I found an excellent reference for her outfit on Arun Kumar Sinha's blog. Period uniforms, yay! Since APH mostly takes place in the 1940s what with the Axis Powers and Indian trying to gain it's independence at the same time, finding this was like a gift. A woman constable's uniform from 1940 from a southern Indian HQ matched the original countries from the web comic/anime PERFECTLY! *squeee*


Anyhow, other than RPing as Indienne, I've been doodling a bit of 'Indian' art. Figuring out how saris, salwars, churidaars drape and such. Shoudlnt' be too hard as since I wear a churidaar every week and seee even more people wear them in church. Perhaps I should bring my sketchpad to church. Hmn, that'd take away from me teach Sunday School. :T
Here's a WIP that I've sketched a bit in pen in my agenda and I'm oekaki-ing. I'm not sure what I'm trying to do with her skirt. Back to lined paper for this, I guess. x3











"Bird of Paradise"

An old pen and ink drawing from my art class back in secondary school.
The girl who modelled the form has hair like mine, so many people asked if I drew a self portrait.

Thankfully for her (and me, since I posed for the other student at some point during the year), she din't have to hold the pose for the entire making of this drawing. We only needed the 'outline' and had to fill it in with patterns, much like I do with mehndi, haha.

Mitochondria! And paisleys!
:3

Dreamscape

As if.