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!

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!

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!

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.  

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Until the next time!  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!

Alicia Keys in pastel

Alicia Keys was one of my favorite artists growing up.  I always enjoyed her piano playing combined with her soulful singing.  I drew her years ago in charcoal when I was much younger.  So, it was exciting for me to go back to doing a portrait of her in Soft Pastel, a medium that I never expected myself to enjoy using so much.  

I hope you guys enjoy!

Until the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Daisy Ridley in Pastel

Daisy Ridley was a blast to draw in pastel.  A lot of my inspiration and influence for working on her portrait was how awesome her performance was as Rey in the most recent episode of Star Wars.

I enjoy seeing such a stunning heroine making a huge mark in the timeless epic of Star Wars.  Star Wars will be something to celebrate in a few months.  But the strong female character, when finally out in the media, is always such a big thing.  I'm hoping to fill my portrait gallery with more inspiring female characters.

The latest video featuring Daisy Ridley was really fun to make.  Kept my blood pumping and I felt very motivated working through.  

Unil the next time, keep busy staying dizzy!

Quorra in Pastel

For this week, I was able to spend some time putting together a pastel portrait of Quorra from Tron: Legacy (played by Olivia Wilde).  This was a good piece to practice rendering an under-lit subject.  

Come and watch for yourself:

Of course, if that still doesn't convince you, maybe this will:

Stay dizzy!