This was a project for a techniques class. A Halloween-themed beer label for a fictional seasonal beer. Done in ink and watercolor. I chose to base mine off vampires and tried to combine bits of Vlad the Impaler and Count Orlock. I keep meaning to design a six-pack packaging to go with it. I included a dragon near the bottom (where the skeletons' feet join) because that was a symbol of the "order of the dragon" of which Vlad the Impaler was a member. I do so many child-friendly illustrations, this was a nice break from the norm.

This was a scratchboard project I did a few months ago. It's a 2 page spread illustrating the traditional japanese tale of Urashima Taro (like Rip van Winkle). It was my first time doing scratchboard and I really really liked it. Haven't gone back to it yet, what with class and everything, but I definitely plan on doing more of this. Some of the symbolism I included was the crane (represents longevity and eternal youth, which was contained in the box) and cherry blossoms (for their short blooming period and fragility represent the transience of life). I'm especially happy with how the old man's face and the sea turtle came out.

Unpublished editorial cover mockup I did for Harper's Magazine. Ink, watercolor, and photoshop. I like the layering effect, but want to get back to more traditional processes. Still, I'm getting a good feel for how digital programs can enhance my traditional work. Always good to have options, I guess.

These are some t-shirt designs I did using ink, pencil and watercolor adjusted in photoshop. I'm trying to get comfortable using a process of both charcoal and ink because those seem to be my strengths right now but also have a very different look comparatively (my charcoal being messy and my ink being very tight). Something like this where charcoal replaced pencil might be cool. I'm in a portfolio class right now that might give me the opportunity to develop that idea.

Self-Portrait in charcoal and white conte crayon. My portraits are getting better, but I want to get some better stuff for my portfolio because I really do enjoy it and I've heard you can get a fair amount of work from it if you're good.

This was a really fun project for me. I was born in Mexico and have always wanted to do some 'dia de los muertos' illustrations. The concept was a set of stamps I could market for anniversaries (I did a whole box set of 'do it yourself' anniversary cards focused around these stamp designs). Done in ink and adjusted in photoshop. I actually made these into a series of earrings that I'm hoping to sell and use and self-promotion. The earrings have a little bit of color added, but remain largely black and white. I'm really enjoying my ink work and am trying to expand on my typical editorial ink illustrations. This was a bit of a new direction for me.

This was an unpublished editorial piece I did for "Paste" magazine. Just an exercise in illustrated type. I'm applying to an additional program in Illustration Design to up my graphic design IQ and I thought playing with lettering might help my chances. (In case you were wondering, the World Cup didn't make their top 10, but the new season of 'Lost' did. Hilarious).