A Good Deed

Hello all! Long time, no see. My apologies for neglecting this blog lately. I have an alternative blog over at Tumblr.com that I am using more often these days. It's a combination of inspirational images, sporadic written blog posts, personal art as well as from other artists, and so on.

However, I am writing this morning because I have been inspired by the events that have happened rather early on this Monday morning.

 

Meet Kody.

I found this adorable, pretty, and super-friendly puppy today. She walked up to me as I sat outside the Victory Dr Starbucks in Savannah, GA and she seemed to hang around with me.


I didn’t see where she came from initially, so I thought at first the owner went in to Starbucks to grab a quick cup of coffee. I found it odd that she wasn’t leashed or anything though, so I kept an eye on her so she wouldn’t wander into the parking lot or road. I petted her, scratched her back and fed her some of my plain bagel I was eating and she was content as can be.

I waited about 20 minutes til I had this suspicion she was lost. Her tags said she was from 41st st! I dialed the number and spoke to a guy who sounded not only sleepy (it WAS 9am) but grateful and worried at the same time. If Kody was MY dog, I’d have been worried sick! She was such a sweetie. 

I helped her reunite with her owner this morning. I kinda miss her already. :)

Original blog post here: http://twinkletaters.tumblr.com/post/11864721728

Graduate

Hi all! It's been a very busy last week or two for me, hence the lack of updates.

I've graduated with my Master's of Fine Arts degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design last Saturday afternoon. I walked the stage for the second, and last, time with a 3.72 cumulative GPA and the Outstanding Achievement Award. I think I did pretty well! It was a very intense two years. I was also able to finish my thesis promptly AND on time, before graduation. I'm guaranteed to receive my diploma in the mail anytime soon.

The day after graduation, I went with my family to try on more wedding gowns. I ended up falling in love with one, and made my purchase! I couldn't be happier with it.

The following two days I drove 19 hours back to Long Island, NY, where I'm currently visiting until the 23rd/24th of this month. I'm taking some "me" time; some post-graduation rest & relaxation, as well as running essential errands, and putting together all of my wedding invitations (something I wouldn't have been able to do had I not had this bit of free time on my hands).

Toward the end of the month, I'll be back to Savannah and back to work: both at my job and my freelance work!

Anyone who might know someone who has design, art, or illustration needs, please send them my way! I am always looking for freelance work. I have a wedding approaching, after all. :)

Until next time, my lovelies...

Thesis: DONE

So here we go, folks. Finally, after all the hard work, my thesis has been approved after submitting to the graduate studies folks. It was approved a little over a week ago. My book came in a couple days ago and I gave it to Fish. I am officially DONE!

All I have left to do is wait around for graduation next week, pack, and move out into Ben and Jason's house. I'm excited to start my life. It's going to start out in baby steps, but after a year, it's going to get going for real!

I am continually open for freelance work, as always. I specialize in illustration, digital work, logo design, etc. Please contact me to discuss more!

http://flavors.me/dianamsmith :: portfolio

paintingwisdom (at) gmail (dot) com :: email

Another Sale at Lulu.com!

There's another sale going on over at Lulu.com! This one is for a short period of time, so listen up:

Now til 5/31, get 25% off your order w/code "CYBERMAY305."

Good time to order my book, eh? Either paperback ($7) or downloadable PDF version ($1.99).

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-tell-tale-heart/15713513

Thank you all!

Thesis: Wrap-Up

As of yesterday morning, SCAD Graduate Studies have approved of my entire Thesis! I got the email from the graduate coordinator at around 9 AM. Great way to wake up in the morning, I tell you what (I'm channeling Hank Hill lately, watching too much King of the Hill).

I feel not only relieved but shell-shocked. My thesis (both written and visual components) have been such a big portion of my life for the last couple of months (to a year now). Stress levels have gone up and down, the nights I toss and turn and sleep terribly from thesis overload, and just overall the amount of hard work I have sunk into it have all come to fruition. And? It feels great. Not to mention I am two weeks ahead of schedule.

It's great to have this peace of mind in knowing I will be receiving my MFA degree on time, as I walk across the stage in June.


Again, I'm going to plug my Thesis visual component. It's a 22-page visual adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."

Paperback ($7.00) : http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-tell-tale-heart/15713513

Downloadable PDF ($1.99) : http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/the-tell-tale-heart/15713514

Tell-Tale Heart Process: Pgs 14-22 (the end!)

Here are the last pages of my Thesis visual component.

It is now 100% finished, cover included, and up for sale on Lulu.com.

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-tell-tale-heart/15713513

For Sale

I've just recently finished my entire visual component (22-page visual adaptation of "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Poe) for my Thesis, and now it's up for sale on self-publishing website, Lulu.com.

Now through tomorrow (Monday), save 20% on any order by using the code "LUCKY" at checkout. Just in case. ;)

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/the-tell-tale-heart/15713513

Editor's Day

So, this weekend was Editor's Day for the Sequential Art department at SCAD! I was able to make the cut and get signed up for one of the coveted one-on-one interviews with the editors. I wanted to see one guy, and that guy was Chris Staros from Top Shelf Productions. My favorite comics, and biggest influences for myself and my art, are published by Top Shelf: "Owly" and "Korgi."

I had a great interview with Chris. He loved my art and my stories, especially the one with my adorable fox character. I can see my little guy right in there with the ever-cute Owly and Wormy (personally). He was able to envision my short story to branch into something bigger and better (a long form, yet self-contained set of books/stories). He recommended I turn the short story into a mini comic, and then to present it. I will definitely try to keep in touch.

Overall, a positive experience, and just the morale booster I needed.

Freelancer for Hire

Hi all! Just writing to officially advertise that yes, I am available for work! 

I design and illustrate. I have done website banners, logos, and illustrations for clients in the past. I've hit a bit of a dry spell now and I'm itching to get more work. I love designing and making people happy with what I create!

Please check out my portfolio and resume here: http://flavors.me/dianamsmith

Thank you!

Placeholder Website

I've created a temporary website placeholder while I continue to create the one I've been posting progress on. For the time being, I have this one, hosted by flavors.me, to show which hosts my newly re-designed resume, and links to my LinkedIn, blog, art and design Twitter feed, and my portfolio via Flickr feed.

Thanks for checking it out. :)

http://flavors.me/dianamsmith

Website Progress!

More progress is happening with my website design! I'm keeping it simple and to the point. The artwork will open to view larger with a program called Lightbox.
Stay tuned.

Tell-Tale Heart Process: Pgs 10-13

Continuing right along with this project, here's pages 10 through 13 of my visual adaptation of Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."
More to come!

Tell-Tale Heart Process: Pgs 5-9

The next five pages in my visual adaptation of "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Poe for my thesis. More to come.

Website in the Making

Creating a website for myself. It's going to be one singular page, and simple. The middle will have some portfolio pieces, and the buttons at the bottom will be sized down a little more. I think it's really "me!"

The Tell-Tale Heart: Progress

Here are the first four pages of my comic adaptation of "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Poe for my thesis. 18 pages to go!

Logo Decisions

Since my previous post, I got some feedback from my self-promotion class, and I made some alterations to my logo. The top logo is the altered version, and now I'm slightly unsure as to which one to run with. Personally, I like both, but I want to hear some outside opinions. What do you think?

Branding

Here's my new logo. I think it represents me in a simple, whimsical kind of way.
This was completed for our first project in my self-promotion class, but will function as my personal logo for the time being. :)

Big News!

I got engaged on Sunday night! I couldn't be happier and more excited. I was so shocked when Ben popped the question. He kept the secret hidden very well. :)

He went to my parents first, and that I really appreciate. It's old-fashioned, but means a lot. My mother sent him her engagement ring, which I now wear proudly. She also gave us their wedding bands. Having these passed onto me, and us, means so much more than just purchasing at a jewelry store. It truly embodies my family's blessing.

The Tell-Tale Heart

 
I'm a bit excited for a new project I'm starting to plan out and work on. Specifically, it's the visual component for my Thesis, to which I have a goal to finish by the end of this ten-week semester. That way I can get my degree when I walk across the stage for June's graduation.

So, what am I doing? A comic / sequential art adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's short story, "The Tell-Tale Heart." Those of you who know me or my style will probably question whether or not it will be successful, or if I'll end up turning it into some cute children's book - somehow. I am optimistic that I can pull this off and do something outside of my comfort zone.

I will post my progress here as I scan it and continue along. Be prepared for something pretty cool... and different. For me, anyway.

Tokyo Sketchbook

Hi all!
Sorry for the lack of updates. I find myself falling out of a routine when it comes to updating this. School has been pretty busy.

I know I shared some of my Tokyo photographs, but I haven't yet shown some of my sketchbook I took with me everywhere while on the trip.

Enjoy!

Tokyo adventures- Continued!

More from my adventures in Tokyo this winter. :)

A few more pictures from Tokyo.

More Tokyo adventures. Most of these are taken in Ginza and nearby the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

Also- we got to meet Hiroki Mafuyu. :)

Tokyo

Brushing off the cobwebs here. I recently went to Tokyo for two weeks, and I had the most amazing time. Best two weeks of my life, for sure.