YES! I've finally started sending out my portfolio, creating log in accounts, and applying online! So far I've hit up a few of the big guys, as well as a couple of choice places in Montreal. I already snagged and interview, so I'm pretty stoked about that!
I was in Montreal last fall for Comic Con and fell in love with the city. Plus I have a TON of friends already living there so I feel really comfortable about the thought of possibly living there. It's a beautiful city, nothing like the kind of beautiful city that Calgary is. Everything in Calgary is new and clean and shiny. Montreal on the other hand is a charming, old city with stunning architecture, and I could really get used to that! And soooo much poutine!...
I've got to keep this post short, as I have to get up at ass-o'clock for knee surgery tomorrow morning. My job search will be cut short this week, but I hope to be alert, painfree, and feeling well enough to continue with my online applications as I rest and recover at home with a laptop in my -- wait for it -- lap. That, and/or I'll finally have ample time to return to making some art! Imagine that!
Over'n'out!
xoxo
~LB!
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
CALGARY EXPOlosion!!!
First off, I missed blogging last week...but for good reason! Calgary's Comic & Entertainment Expo was. da. BOMB.
WHAT A SHOW!
Watching the entire cast of Star Trek The Next Generation reunite for the first time in convention history was by far the highlight of not only the weekend, but probably my life! Sir Patrick Stewart is larger than life, and the whole crew had so much awesome chemistry, it honestly was so surreal!
RIDICULOUS Saturday of the Calgary EXPOlosion! Warm, wonderful fandom all day long, capped off with a little bit of history-making. Check out that assigned seating! Whatta day, whatta night!!!!! Beyond awesome = B-AWESOME!!! (This pic was taken after hours, at late night sushi with good friends!) It's a good life! ;D
My husband usually manages the business end of "Art of Laurie B!", but I of course was in Seattle for Emerald City Comic Con a month ago, and then Vancouver FanXpo the weekend before last, and he of course has been increasingly less available to me due to his involvement/commitment to the Expo. Thus I have begun to take more command over my business: display, printing, inventory replenishment, etc. and I'm actually digging it quite a lot! I suppose it was never fair to him or me that he was responsible for all of that before. Nonetheless, I'd been busy planning and preparing for the Calgary Expo, and WOW was I impressed with the results! The attendance was record-breaking, and the fandom was unending! I kept busy at my 10X10' booth -- run off my feet is more like it -- all weekend! Thankfully, I enlisted friends and family to help at my booth, so I was constantly covered, and I'm eternally grateful for their presence! Couldn't have done it without them! <3 The home-ice advantage didn't hurt any, either!
I definitely suffered a lot of sleep loss, but ahhhh it was worth it! Plus, give me through to the end of this week and I'll be completely recouped! I had so much fun catching up with friends from out of town, playing host, all with the creature comforts of home and the convenience of being able to sleep in my own bed each night, limited as it was! It's definitely got me thinking about how I can improve and run things differently at other shows...The gears are turning!...
Next up is San Diego Comic Con, July 11th-15th, 2012...In a way, still a couple of months away...in a way, right around the corner!... ;)
I'd like to remind everyone again about my fanpage: www.facebook.com/artoflaurieb
If you have any suggestions for pieces/projects you'd like to see from me at Comic Con this summer, or better yet, place a commission with me to have ready for pick up in July, please "Like" my fanpage and send suggestions that way.
Thanks again for reading and keeping up with me! And I promise to resume posting more art again reeeaaaaal soon!
xoxo
~LB!
WHAT A SHOW!
Watching the entire cast of Star Trek The Next Generation reunite for the first time in convention history was by far the highlight of not only the weekend, but probably my life! Sir Patrick Stewart is larger than life, and the whole crew had so much awesome chemistry, it honestly was so surreal!
RIDICULOUS Saturday of the Calgary EXPOlosion! Warm, wonderful fandom all day long, capped off with a little bit of history-making. Check out that assigned seating! Whatta day, whatta night!!!!! Beyond awesome = B-AWESOME!!! (This pic was taken after hours, at late night sushi with good friends!) It's a good life! ;D
My husband usually manages the business end of "Art of Laurie B!", but I of course was in Seattle for Emerald City Comic Con a month ago, and then Vancouver FanXpo the weekend before last, and he of course has been increasingly less available to me due to his involvement/commitment to the Expo. Thus I have begun to take more command over my business: display, printing, inventory replenishment, etc. and I'm actually digging it quite a lot! I suppose it was never fair to him or me that he was responsible for all of that before. Nonetheless, I'd been busy planning and preparing for the Calgary Expo, and WOW was I impressed with the results! The attendance was record-breaking, and the fandom was unending! I kept busy at my 10X10' booth -- run off my feet is more like it -- all weekend! Thankfully, I enlisted friends and family to help at my booth, so I was constantly covered, and I'm eternally grateful for their presence! Couldn't have done it without them! <3 The home-ice advantage didn't hurt any, either!
I definitely suffered a lot of sleep loss, but ahhhh it was worth it! Plus, give me through to the end of this week and I'll be completely recouped! I had so much fun catching up with friends from out of town, playing host, all with the creature comforts of home and the convenience of being able to sleep in my own bed each night, limited as it was! It's definitely got me thinking about how I can improve and run things differently at other shows...The gears are turning!...
Next up is San Diego Comic Con, July 11th-15th, 2012...In a way, still a couple of months away...in a way, right around the corner!... ;)
I'd like to remind everyone again about my fanpage: www.facebook.com/artoflaurieb
If you have any suggestions for pieces/projects you'd like to see from me at Comic Con this summer, or better yet, place a commission with me to have ready for pick up in July, please "Like" my fanpage and send suggestions that way.
Thanks again for reading and keeping up with me! And I promise to resume posting more art again reeeaaaaal soon!
xoxo
~LB!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
My Character Design Portfolio LIIIIVES!
Without further ado!..........
http://lauriebportfolio.blogspot.ca/
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, that was simultaneously the easiest and most difficult blog post ever!
In all sincerity, at the time of this posting, there are a few images missing from the grand scheme of things. They are the last few edits needing a bit more additional work yet. I will update/upload them as they are completed. I spent the last two days writing my resume and cover letter and I am ready to roll out so those edits will be coming soooooon!
I'm slightly nervous and excited for what the future will hold for me. Knock wood, my portfolio will garner some attention and before I know it the shape of things to come will slowly start coming into focus. Just like a Polaroid picture! ;) My trip to CTNX last November solidified my need to relocate if I'm ever going to realize my true career goals, and the five months since then have been very eventful! Sometimes I feel like they've gone by in a blink, and at other times I feel like I've lived five lifetimes. I like it! I like feeling alive. I like the element of surprise. It keeps me on my toes! And I embrace it! Here's to 2012!
I will be in Vancouver, BC, for FanXpo this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Center, then back in Calgary for the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo at the BMo Center April 27-29. If you're attending either or both of those shows, do stop by to say hello! ;)
xoxo
~LB!
ps: "Happy Birthday" to my mom, and Conan O'Brien! :)
http://lauriebportfolio.blogspot.ca/
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, that was simultaneously the easiest and most difficult blog post ever!
In all sincerity, at the time of this posting, there are a few images missing from the grand scheme of things. They are the last few edits needing a bit more additional work yet. I will update/upload them as they are completed. I spent the last two days writing my resume and cover letter and I am ready to roll out so those edits will be coming soooooon!
I'm slightly nervous and excited for what the future will hold for me. Knock wood, my portfolio will garner some attention and before I know it the shape of things to come will slowly start coming into focus. Just like a Polaroid picture! ;) My trip to CTNX last November solidified my need to relocate if I'm ever going to realize my true career goals, and the five months since then have been very eventful! Sometimes I feel like they've gone by in a blink, and at other times I feel like I've lived five lifetimes. I like it! I like feeling alive. I like the element of surprise. It keeps me on my toes! And I embrace it! Here's to 2012!
I will be in Vancouver, BC, for FanXpo this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Center, then back in Calgary for the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo at the BMo Center April 27-29. If you're attending either or both of those shows, do stop by to say hello! ;)
xoxo
~LB!
ps: "Happy Birthday" to my mom, and Conan O'Brien! :)
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Little Portfolio That Could
...I think I can, I think I can...
Not unlike my excursion to Emerald City Comic Con two weekends ago (in accordance with last week's recap) it seems that life wants to throw me every possible and obvious curve ball to deter me from this path of completing my portfolio. My laptop finally died, and I've been working off of a back-up-of-a-back-up system. Over the course of the past week, I did get an amazing opportunity to test out a Cintiq on loan from a friend. :) Alas, Photoshop crashed upon installing the driver. :( Not just crashed. Died a horrible and glorious death. Over the course of the last week, I've been: sick with recurrent ConSARS, playing single parent, running on a fume, and tried and tested in ways that I cannot explain and do not wish to discuss in a public forum.
OK. I'll quit feeling sorry for myself or making excuses...
Here is another image from my (yes, upcoming) portfolio, a sketch from life, done last week at my favorite local coffee shop (so I know it's new -- just for you)! ;)
Until then,
xoxo
~LB!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Emerald City Wrap
Well, where to begin!? Emerald City was...an experience!...
The night before I left Calgary, I received a call from my counterpart in Seattle who said that none of my inventory made it to the show. So I stayed up all night (re)packing all that I could manage. Fair enough. It's not the first all-nighter I've had to pull, and it won't be my last!
...Then I show up at the airport at 6:30 for an 8:00am flight, only to be told that my flight was booked for the wrong weekend, the wrong month altogether! whoopsie.
I still made it to Seattle that morning, via some quick thinking, a shot in the dark, and a little bit of kismet! And I was only about 2 hours behind schedule from the original plan! Not bad! ...Long story short, the lesson was reinforced that with focus and determination, anything is possible. That, and for the right price, a person could flee their current setting or circumstances in a heartbeat! Lol!
Anyway, the show was good, all things considered, but not surprisingly I came down with Con SARS rather immediately (as opposed to immediately-following) SO my apologies for spreading the plague due to my compromised, sleep-deprived immune system. Would I do it again?! Absolutely! Meeting fans and hanging with friends makes it all worth it in the end. True story!
I did manage to get my portfolio uploaded online before travels, but it is still in its beta-testing phase. That is, it's been sent it to my tried and true network of pros, and is garnering feedback before getting the final spit-shine. Exciting times!
Anyway, I am still recovering, and have an early morning doctor appointment, so here is another image from said portfolio, as I inch ever closer to finalizing!
The night before I left Calgary, I received a call from my counterpart in Seattle who said that none of my inventory made it to the show. So I stayed up all night (re)packing all that I could manage. Fair enough. It's not the first all-nighter I've had to pull, and it won't be my last!
...Then I show up at the airport at 6:30 for an 8:00am flight, only to be told that my flight was booked for the wrong weekend, the wrong month altogether! whoopsie.
I still made it to Seattle that morning, via some quick thinking, a shot in the dark, and a little bit of kismet! And I was only about 2 hours behind schedule from the original plan! Not bad! ...Long story short, the lesson was reinforced that with focus and determination, anything is possible. That, and for the right price, a person could flee their current setting or circumstances in a heartbeat! Lol!
Anyway, the show was good, all things considered, but not surprisingly I came down with Con SARS rather immediately (as opposed to immediately-following) SO my apologies for spreading the plague due to my compromised, sleep-deprived immune system. Would I do it again?! Absolutely! Meeting fans and hanging with friends makes it all worth it in the end. True story!
I did manage to get my portfolio uploaded online before travels, but it is still in its beta-testing phase. That is, it's been sent it to my tried and true network of pros, and is garnering feedback before getting the final spit-shine. Exciting times!
Anyway, I am still recovering, and have an early morning doctor appointment, so here is another image from said portfolio, as I inch ever closer to finalizing!
Ballet Trio
pencil on paper, and digital
Au revoir! Until we meet again next Wednesday!
xoxo
~LB!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Emerald City Love!
In mere hours, I'll be heading to Seattle for Emerald City Comic Con this weekend! In 10 years, I only missed it once, and that's because I was full-term pregnant with my due date right around the corner! (For the record, I still would have gone, but my baby-doctor ordered that I not even leave the city limits. Kill-joy.) (JK!) Emerald always treats me right, and I'm looking forward it!
Portfolio assembly is progressing nicely, despite my laptop dying a slow death. This is why I work traditionally, FYI. Pretty much everything just needs the digital touch -- add copyright, contact info, and layer adjustments, etc. Tedious and annoying work (in my world anyway!), but I like to think I can still knock it outta the park! ;)
Here are a few more portfolio pieces:
As always, please respect the art and copyright.
That's all for now! Lots to do before I drag myself to the airport! Hopefully by this time next week, my portfolio will officially be floating out there in the ethereal! Wonder what THAT blog's gonna sound like!... ;)
xoxo
~LB!
Portfolio assembly is progressing nicely, despite my laptop dying a slow death. This is why I work traditionally, FYI. Pretty much everything just needs the digital touch -- add copyright, contact info, and layer adjustments, etc. Tedious and annoying work (in my world anyway!), but I like to think I can still knock it outta the park! ;)
Here are a few more portfolio pieces:
That's all for now! Lots to do before I drag myself to the airport! Hopefully by this time next week, my portfolio will officially be floating out there in the ethereal! Wonder what THAT blog's gonna sound like!... ;)
xoxo
~LB!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
My Computer Wants to Die!
If my laptop came with a "Do Not Resuscitate, Do Not Put on Life-Support" clause, I'd be in a heap of trouble right about now.
As stated by the title of this post, my computer does indeed want to die. I not terribly gifted at technical trouble-shooting, but thus far I have managed to Frankenstein my way toward adding a few more pieces to my portfolio. (Still not complete...but rounding out nicely...)
Here is the latest of said installments:
This piece is my contribution to the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo's 2012 Exclusive Artbook. http://www.calgaryexpo.com/artbook/ Artists were invited to create an art piece based on the theme "Dreams and Wishes". I often have dreams that I can fly (and of course I wish that I could)! "Fly Me to the Moon" is an old Sinatra song that's been stuck in my head for the last week or more as I've been plowing through portfolio development and visualizing what dream job will come my way, where I'll relocate to, my new apartment, and all that jazz!
Copic markers and col-erase pencil on Bristol
As stated by the title of this post, my computer does indeed want to die. I not terribly gifted at technical trouble-shooting, but thus far I have managed to Frankenstein my way toward adding a few more pieces to my portfolio. (Still not complete...but rounding out nicely...)
Here is the latest of said installments:
"Fly Me to the Moon"
Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 9 X 15"
Copic markers and colored pencil on Bristol, 9 X 15"
This piece is my contribution to the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo's 2012 Exclusive Artbook. http://www.calgaryexpo.com/artbook/ Artists were invited to create an art piece based on the theme "Dreams and Wishes". I often have dreams that I can fly (and of course I wish that I could)! "Fly Me to the Moon" is an old Sinatra song that's been stuck in my head for the last week or more as I've been plowing through portfolio development and visualizing what dream job will come my way, where I'll relocate to, my new apartment, and all that jazz!
Detail of "Fly Me to the Moon"
Copic markers and col-erase pencil on Bristol
Figures shown here are approx 2.5 X 5"
This art piece was inspired by my son and I dedicated it to him on the occassion of his 2nd Birthday, which was yesterday! ♥
I would definitely be interested in doing more illustration work like this, for children's books or other purposes, and am heavily considering/seeking how to have a gallery showing of my work. If anyone has a solid lead for me in this department, please contact me via my website www.artoflaurieb.com or facebook www.facebook.com/ArtofLaurieB. Brownie points if you do!
xoxo
~LB!
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