Summer In Media Res

Right in the middle of summer in California, I'm breathing in more pastel dust from what my easel has been catching.  I've been busy getting some art out there, and so the very sparse updates on my own website.  But I have been working on making sure that what I put out there will be what I will be proud of sharing.

You may have noticed several updates, like finally adding a portfolio to my site.  I am excited to finally have pieces that I am proud to show in my portfolio.  And these are the pieces that have been keeping me very busy since the last time I've updated.  

At the moment, I am in the middle of a new piece that I hope to share soon.  In the meantime though, I have brought back the Beach Sharpie drawings in memories of a cooler time at the beach.  

Have a great life, everyone!  I am excited to be sharing much more soon.

Keep busy staying dizzy!

Too Busy Staying Dizzy (and Tumbling on the Freeway)

Hello World!  How've you guys been?

It's been almost a year since I've last updated, despite resolving to keep a schedule on doing so.  And in the span of the year that I've been away, I've gone on two major motorcycle trips to Washington State and to Joshua Tree, finished a handful of portraits, got a new motorcycle, got into a motorcycle accident, and going through recovery from said accident.  Been keeping busy and now I'm so dizzy.  I thought it was about time I come back to catch up with everyone.

Just because I'm off getting dizzy with everything, doesn't mean that you guys need to go through the same thing.  So down below I've added some of the highlights of the past year with portraits and motorcycles.  They're mostly videos

Teal Monster Portraits

I've finally created a playlist of all the portraits I've done in pastel.  Follow the link and enjoy!  

Teal Monster Portraits in Pastel

I'll also be updating the Portraits section with all the portraits from the past year.

Then, you might be curious about the accident I mentioned early on.  Don't fret, because I had the opportunity (?) to catch it all on video.  Brace yourself.  I've gotten feedback from people that know me personally, who told me it's hard for them to watch.

Still Keeping Busy Staying Dizzy

Even with all that's been going on with the past year, I'd say I've been generally well.  Currently in recovery mode after the accident, otherwise keeping busy with the portraits and still having adventures.  I'm hoping to get back on the bike soon.

Thank you for taking the time to check out what the Teal Monster has been up to.  I'm glad to be back and hopefully will not be away again from this blog for too long.  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Derrick Dereleek, Wildcard Joker

Happy Birthday, Derrick Dereleek (DereleekMedia and RHPC).  Derrick is deemed the wildcard of the RHPC crew. I always enjoy his spin on the BTS videos and his editing makes them fun.  To me, he's the usual champion of the I Dare You (or sometimes it's Sean Fujiyoshi).  I usually catch myself saying "Oh, Derrick" when he takes up the challenges in the I Dare You videos.  

Even though Derrick always seems like a happy-go-lucky guy in the videos, it was a challenge for me to find just the right expression to work with.  And I'm happy with what I worked with.  It's also different that I did his portrait with him without a hat, when I so used to seeing him with a hat.  I really enjoyed working on this portrait and totally did not expect what colors I was going to end up with.  Hope you guys enjoyed watching it too!

Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Ryan Higa, Boundless, Infectious dealer of Happiness (and Unpopular Opinions)

In case you didn't know, Ryan Higa is responsible for many comedic videos on YouTube (and I still get surprised to this day when I meet someone who hasn't heard of him yet).  I was really happy when I watched my best friend subscribe to his channel.

My cousin introduced me to his videos many years ago, starting with his infomercial for the bouncy inflatable green ball.  Every time I got down, I was always reminded to watch his videos and they always cheered me up.  Even years later, I still enjoy his videos.  I don't think I can sum up in the description how grateful I am that he does what he does.  I love that he makes the content that he wants to make, and that inspires me in what I do and reminds me to do what I love. Watching his videos always make me laugh, no matter how many times I re-watch them.  Seeing RHPC working together is always awesome.

I was really excited about working on this portrait.  And I felt nervous, excited and giddy at the same time while bringing it together.  I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I enjoy watching Ryan Higa and making this portrait!

And working on his portrait also inspired the subject of my most recent motvlog about Passion.  Watching his videos always made me happy.  I was always amazed at how his ideas are put together and brought to life.  He started with doing the videos for fun.  And to this day, he's still making videos because he wants to.  And I believe that's why it's so enjoyable to watch his videos.  

Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Darth Vader, infamous tyrant of the stars

How can I not round out my celebration of Star Wars month without creating a portrait of the infamous Darth Vader.  I am not gonna lie; this must be the hardest portrait I have made so far.  What made Darth Vader a challenge was that I was not drawing a face, I was drawing a mask of one of the most infamous villains known in the galaxy.  I may not have experienced Star Wars earlier in my life, but I always knew of Darth Vader and his intimidating stance. 

Here's some trivia to come away with: this is the first portrait that I've had to use a black pastel for.

https://youtu.be/DMBXcgObpKI

Thanks again so much for watching! You guys have been so great and patient with how the Star Wars portraits have come along.  It's been such an exciting and busy month putting the portraits of beloved Star Wars characters.  Come and watch all of them again: https://goo.gl/pu0HYR

Keep busy staying dizzy!

Solo Father and Son

Hello World!  I've got a late update for the portrait of Han Solo and a slightly late update on the portrait of Kylo Ren.

Han Solo, once a general of the resistance and then a legend of  smuggler.  But he's most memorable for being the pilot of the Millennium Falcon.  Space gunslinger.  

Although, for me, I watched him as Indiana Jones before I even learned that he was also Han Solo.  I really love the dynamic between Han Solo, Leia Organa nd Luke Skywalker.  

Emo Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren, a new character in the continuation of the legendary series that is Star Wars, was very intimidating when he first came on screen.  How can you not be amazed and at the same time terrified of someone who can stop a laser blast in mid-air?  I loved having gone into the movie guessing who Kylo Ren may be.  After learning that he was related and part of the Skywalker and Solo legacies, I thought he became even more interesting.  

Star Wars month is almost over with just one portrait left!  I'm pretty sure that you guys would have a good guess who is next.  Also, Han Solo marks my 20th portrait and his son, Ben breaks that 20 and is the 21st portrait.  

Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Leia Organa, Leading the Resistance

Leia Organa is one of the most iconic heroines.  I grew up recognizing her hair style, but after more recently getting into the Star Wars series, I learned how much of a bad-ass she is.  She is definitely not your typical princess.  And another reason I regret not having grown up experiencing Star Wars.  I think she would have fit right in with the rest of my role models growing up. 

I enjoyed working on this portrait and it is so far the longest I have done (since starting pastel portraits for uploads).  I enjoyed seeing where the portrait was going.  I honestly did not have any ideas on how the final portrait was going to end up.  I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did in making it.

Fire in her eyes.

I'm really enjoying this Star Wars theme of portraits.  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Luke Skywalker, from Farmboy to Legend

May the force be with you on this May the 4th.

Luke Skywalker must be one of the most influential characters to have been projected on the silver screen.  From a farmboy to a legend, his character has changed through the span of 4 episodes.  

Believe it or not, I haven’t had the privilege to enjoy the original episodes of the Star Wars series until January of this year.  *queue some gasps*  But when I finally sat down and A New Hope started playing, I was immediately captivated and blown away.  I couldn’t help but feel that I had missed out on so much by not having experienced the original episodes of Star Wars earlier in my life.  I was so taken, I actually ended up getting a Luke Skywalker figure from Bandai.  I was very happy to have watched Mark Hamill being Luke Skywalker and knowing that I grew up listening to him as the Joker. 

Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Poe Dameron, Dashing Pilot of the Resistance

Poe Dameron is that cool looking pilot that shows us how scary Kylo Ren is in the Episode VII of Star Wars.  I was sad when I thought he had died at the start of the movie after the TIE Fighter that he and Finn were in crashed in Jakku.  But then I got excited again when he flew in at the right time at Maz Kanata's Castle and when he and Finn got re-united.  

Poe Dameron, pilot of the resistance.

More Star Wars to come especially with May the 4th coming up!  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Finn, the First Order Traitor

FN 2187 aka Finn aka the traitor of the First Order.  I thought it was a really interesting concept to have Storm Troopers be actual people rather than continue with having them be clones.  It was an interesting idea that they pointed out in the story as well when Kylo Ren and General Hux were arguing about clones vs. the trained people as Storm Troopers.  

Let's keep moving forward with Star Wars!  Thank you guys so much.  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Rey, from scavenger to force-sensitive supergirl

Rey, finally!  I love watching her in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.  She definitely has a lot of great skills in the movie.  I think she was awesome and super expressive.  I started watching the original Star Wars movies just so that I was ready to jump into the newest Star Wars movie.  I really enjoyed watching her and thought she was an interesting re-introduction to the Star Wars universe.

Scavenger to force-sensitive supergirl!

This is just the second of my Star Wars celebration.   Watch out for the next ones.  Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Queen Amidala, my introduction to Star Wars

When I was about 12 years old, I saw Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.  This was my introduction to the Star Wars series.  At the time, I had only known that Star Wars was about Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa.  But I didn't watch any of the movies until I watched Episode I.  It may have been so long ago, but the biggest thing that stayed in my memory was Queen Amidala and how she looked.  My mom even got me a Queen Amidala doll that switches faces so that she has her painted look and her bare-faced look. 

And a significant amount of years later, I finally got introduced to the original Star Wars Trilogy and began stringing together all of the episodes of the series.  I was instantly captivated by A New Hope.  And was even more excited when Episode VII came out.

So to celebrate such an awesome, inspiring, captivating series, I wanted to start off with a portrait of Queen Padme' Amidala.  

So, look forward to more Star Wars characters coming out in pastel.  Until next time!  Keep busy staying dizzy!

Kina Grannis, melting my heart

Kina Grannis is an artist that I've listened to for years and when I listen to her, my heart always swells and just fills me with overwhelming feelings sometimes happy, sad or both.  Her music always makes me happy and I sing along with her songs to help me get through times when I'm down or lonely and also when I'm happy.  In fact, I was singing her "Message from your heart" song yesterday while riding home alone on my motorcycle. 

If you still don't know who she is, or if you want to get your heart melted, you can watch her for yourself on her youtube ->  https://www.youtube.com/user/kinagrannis

Also, with the new month of April, I'm oping to get some new things to share with you guys including, but not limited to a "WIP" day and some motorcycle rides (as I'm definitely planning to have more of those with the sun now showing up more often).  Until the next post, keep busy staying dizzy!

Lindsey Stirling in Pastel

Lindsey Stirling is an amazing musician and performer.  I don't think you need me to tell you that because you should probably just go and watch her for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/user/lindseystomp

The first time that I watched her, I was so amazed and inspired.  I thought there could not be anyone like her who can play the violin and dance at the same time.  She definitely has her own style.  I learned about her when my friend showed me her cover (with Pentatonix) for the song Radioactive.

She continues to amaze and inspire me.  

I'm going to keep making portraits of people that make me happy and inspired. :) Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Celebrating my Grandmother

I worked on a portrait of my grandmother, Luz since my parents were going to see her in April.  And in working on this portrait, I had a lot of time to reflect on how much of an influence and effect my grandmother has on my life, and in the life of so many other people. 

I inherited not only the shape of her face, her eyes, and the color of her hair, but I'd like to think that I also inherited her strong spirit.  She has been through so much and I'm happy that my grandmother can just hang back these days and spend her time listening to the radio and working on her fill-ins.

I know this is a few weeks early, but I wish Lola Luz the best and an awesome 96th birthday.  Love you, Lola.

Rihanna in Pastel

I've been on a Rihanna binge lately, where when I need to get busy I start singing "Work".  I think I took much more time putting Rihanna together than I have with the other portraits, and I enjoyed it.

Rihanna lookin at ya!

Awesome lady to celebrate for the Women's month of March. 

Hope you guys have been enjoying so far, Rihanna's is the 10th portrait that I've done so far.   Until next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Furiosa in Pastel?!

How can I not do Furiosa when celebrating awesome women in this month of March.  She is one of the strong female characters that I am so enamored with.  I enjoy watching Mad Max Fury Road just to see Furiosa.

I may have posted up this blog entry almost a week later than I uploaded the video.  But I'll try to post up the next videos at a closer to regular schedule.

Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Lady Gaga, always amazing

Lady Gaga is always so amazing and inspiring.  When I watched her sing the anthem for the Super Bowl, I cried because I felt so moved.

While I was going through art school, she was my pick me up especially when I was trying to get through my final thesis.  And after I was granted my degree, the first song I played was her song "Applause".  

Anyway, I don't think that I need to tell you how awesome she is.  

View fullsize

Until the next time!  Keep busy staying dizzy!

Devon Aoki in Pastel

Devon Aoki in pastel!  It's later than my previous uploads (it's already midweek).

I had a lot of fun working on this piece.  I worked on a portrait of Devon Aoki when I was still in school.  I think I should maybe post up the older one at some time.

I was always amazed to see her in movies and she was probably a big reason I would watch Sin City and Dead or Alive.

Enjoy everyone! 

Keep busy staying dizzy!

Brandon Boyd in Pastel

To celebrate and pay tribute to one of my favorite musical and visual artists, I tried making a portrait in soft pastel of Brandon Boyd.  I enjoy seeing his art work and listening to his music.  I still remember when I got to watch him perform at the Fillmore as part of Sons of the Sea on his birthday.  It was electrifying.

But I don't need to tell you guys how awesome he is.  You should check him out for yourselves!  

Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!