Ashleigh Carter

Ode to V-day

2012-01-31T17:58:00.000-08:00

Higher

2012-01-29T20:15:00.000-08:00

I've experienced God's blessing and favor this past year in ways I would have never imagined. I'm continuing to understand more about myself and why I am in the place I am now, helping me to embrace the present day and be patient for the future. Anything I don't understand I trust that I will at some point. He is truly my peace through it all.

Newly Designed Table Napkins & Elephant Pillow

2012-01-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

I created the above pattern using Illustrator and had it printed onto fabric. I had originally planned to make another pillow with the design but the print came out much smaller than I had expected and I felt that it would have an odd or incomplete look when finished. I then decided to use the fabric to make table napkins--random idea.

I spent some time YouTubing the art of napkin folding and ways to embellish them. I bought napkin rings off of Etsy from Sierra Metal Design. I used two different fabrics from JoAnn's to place on the back side of the fabric I created, and also used some silver straw from JoAnn's to complete the napkins.

New elephant pillow.

Milk and Sugar

2012-01-06T20:12:00.001-08:00

The best part about eating cereal when I was younger was drinking the leftover milk and sugar.

Elephants and Colored Water

2012-01-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you! I pray you have a blessed and prosperous one. It's finally 2012, the year I've been waiting for since sitting in my 9th grade history class watching a movie about the Mayans and learning about our final days on this earth. I was all like "whooaa, I wonder what I'm going to be like and what I'm going to be doing?" Well, at this time in my life I'm learning more about myself than ever, and at the moment I'm making an elephant pillow and have been trying out some watercolor paintings.

A finished pillow will come soon. I'm also working on some place mats and some napkins. I recently ordered some napkin rings from a seller on etsy that I'll be receiving in the mail any day now. So excited about that!

I was just having a conversation with my mom that kind of inspired me. We were just talking about all of these ideas we have and feeling like you sometimes don't have the time to do it all. It's quite frustrating. That's why its so important to plan and stick to it as best you can, and deviate from it only when it feels right in your heart. Never forget who you are, never forget where your heart is, remember what you stand for and believe in, and never lose sight of any vision that you've had for yourself that made you smile, maybe teary-eyed with passion, maybe eager, maybe it gave you the jitters...anyway, stick to it and let all that good energy flow from your toes to the tips of your fingers to the follicles in your hair.

I just rambled :)

My boyfriend and worked on some watercolor paintings together this weekend. This isn't too great, but good fun to do together. I enjoyed experimenting with them.

90's Saxophone Breakdown

2011-12-30T22:23:00.000-08:00

These are pretty popular in songs today (i.e. lady gaga and katy perry songs come to my head first) and it got me thinking...

I wish I had my own personal saxophone player that would breakout in a solo for me anytime I accomplished some great feat

Empanadas and bowtie pasta

2011-12-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

Some simple watercolors I did. I haven't used watercolor in sooo long, but definitely want to experiment some more. It was fun to paint again. I'm getting stuck in this digital and fabric world :O

Baking & Camera Fun

2011-12-27T18:04:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone! Christmas came and went as it always does and now its time for a new year. 2011 was not so bad as my first full year out of college. I was blessed with a job, with a great relationship, with opportunities to learn more about myself and grow, the ability to be near my family and spend more time with them, the ability to spend more time with God, and so much more. I'm truly excited for the next season in my life, and even more excited about all that I'm learning now that is preparing me for that.

Anyhow, this post is supposed to be about baking, not a 2011 'Best of' recap.
My family bought me a camera for Christmas (such a blessing!) and I decided to play around with it while baking some cookies for my neighbors. I only cook about 3 real meals a year so I get really excited when I cook something fabulous. I have to give the whole concept of this blog posting to the blog found here, for if it wasn't for it I wouldn't feel like the cooking connoisseur that I do at the moment (I'm not a connoisseur at all!), and I also wouldn't have been inspired to take photos of the cookies while baking them! So all props to the Lick the Bowl Good blog.

For Christmas I made some snickerdoodle blossoms for my family and my boyfriends family following the recipe above. I was extremely nervous about them at first, eating one after another trying to figure out if I liked them or not, looking into my own eyes in a mirror trying to convince myself each time that they were getting better and better (really though, they remained salty). So i decided to let others be the judge. If i failed i would try again. I would not be defeated ...

Everyone loved them! It was so exciting for me. So my baking confidence has boosted about 30% and I think I will continue to experiment.

2011-12-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

Sushi

2011-11-17T22:39:00.000-08:00

In the January issue of Northern Virginia Magazine (which is now out on stands -- go check it out/order it!) I did some illustrations of sushi for an article. The style of these are a bit different from what I usually do but i enjoy how they came out. Illustrating food may possibly become a new joy of mine.

2011-11-14T22:28:00.000-08:00

Illustration for an article on Ray Deter and Joe Dressner, two men who have passed but made creditable contributions to the beer and wine industries.

Eva Bonita

2011-10-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

My brain gears have been grinding recently and I feel that slowly, yet surely, ideas and goals are coming into fruition. I can't deny that its been a difficult and frustrating process, though.

Anyhow, commuting to work can be annoying but its also a great time to brainstorm, reflect, figure some things out for myself, and talk to God. My next goal is to launch my website which I'd like to be broken down into three sections: Illustrations, graphic design, and interior accents. I've been ruminating on my name as a brand. As an illustrator and designer I think its fine and necessary to use my own name, yet as a line of products I don't feel that its marketable.
Above is a photo of my grandma Eva Walker. I never had the chance to meet her but from stories told by my family and conversations with older folks in this small town of mine, I understand that she was a phenomenal woman. She was smart, beautiful, self-enterprising, had her own beauty salon, started her own cosmetics line, modeled, was a community activist, a mother, a wife, a sister, bold, strong, and all-in-all Amazing. I remember sitting with my Grandaddy on his porch one day (Eva's husband) with a friend of his named Buddy and my sister. Buddy asked my Grandaddy, "How'd you get a woman like Eva, Mr. Walker?" I smiled. Grandaddy responded by shaking his head and saying, "I donno...," and we continued our conversation about her.

I suppose my siblings and I feel her spirit in us sometimes. Thinking about her, I get this "I have to make something happen" feeling that moves through my veins and honestly makes my feet wiggle (I think my feet have a life of their own!). I thank God for that feeling and I thank him for blessing me with a Grandma like Eva, a mother like the one I have that encourages all these ideas I have and has pushed me as a creative, a brother and sister that inspire and encourage me as well and are my biggest fans, and a Dad that has fed me wisdom and taught me the importance of it and discipline.

(So, to put an end to this novel that I'm writing) I've decided to name my interior accents line that I am in a continued process of brainstorming and creating, "Eva Bonita: Interior Accents." This line I dedicate to her and will create out of the seeds she had sewn and her thriving spirit imparted in us.

Here are mock ups for the logo. I'm still trying to get an idea of the direction I'd like to take it. I'll try and post more of this process.

I've been wanted to create some nice tags for my Eva Bonita line. In the meantime I made these very quickly. I really enjoy the process of branding a product and thinking of the little things you can do to make something sellable. Once my logo is complete I'll create the Eva Bonita tags for products. I'm currently doing som research, trying to find what sort of materials, designs, look, etc. that I'd like to go for.

2011-09-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Donate cans to food bank!

2011-08-18T18:10:00.000-07:00

Donate food cans to your local food bank or give a monetary donation!
Link to my local shelter: http://fauquierfish.com/Food_Bank.html

I was inspired to create this poster after hearing of the food banks dwindling supply of food cans while at church recently. I felt that this was a cause I can easily contribute something to and wanted to involve others. Since work is like a second home and my coworkers are basically family, I've decided to try and begin collecting there. I was (and still am) fearful of the outcome, but who knows of an outcome until something is tried!

2011-08-16T18:12:00.001-07:00

Part of a flyer I'm putting together. Will post final version soon...

Nachos

2011-08-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

This random image popped into my head at work and made me giggle to myself...

Lessons that I'm Learning and Rediscovering

2011-08-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Remain humble.
Be receptive to new knowledge. Position yourself as a learner. There is always something new to learn, no matter what point you're at, how old you are, etc.
Give and expect nothing.
Listen.
Act out of wisdom and not emotion.
Don't take things personally. Defensiveness impedes growth.
Complacency is the enemy of progress.
Think not of why you can't, but why you must.
Everyone makes mistakes. Even Me.
It is all for His glory -- not our own.
We are limitless.

2011-07-30T21:29:00.000-07:00

Fun with Cake!!

2011-07-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

It's always fun to decorate your own cake if what's offered to you at the bakery or store isn't what you're looking for. Just need a plain cake and whatever fruits, toppings, icings, etc. you need and go at it!

Illustrated ladybugs collaged

2011-07-18T19:36:00.000-07:00

A few posts ago I did an illustration of some ladybugs. I thought about illustrating it digitally but then felt it'd be fun to collage it since I haven't collaged in some time. So, here it is.

I wish I had done the dashed line a little different or a little better than I did. OR, maybe I limited myself by the paper size I chose. Anyhow, the balance is off right now so if I decide to make anything out of this I'll have to fix it up a bit.

Giraffes

2011-07-13T19:22:00.000-07:00

I started painting the design of giraffes I had created for some pillows. I'm not sure how different this one is going to turn out, but I'm kind of just doing it to try some different mediums other than digital. I've strayed from what I'm most passionate about -- collaging, painting, illustrating -- and its timed to get back to that!

Poster for Camp Meeting

2011-07-13T18:28:00.000-07:00

Poster designed for Camp Meeting at my church, Faith Christian Church and International Outreach Center (long name, take breath! -- But anyway, i love it there!)

I recently began designing event posters for my church. Its a little different than what I'm used to, I guess because of the client and audience that I have to consider. Its a challenge, and sometimes a compromise because my style is so different (and sometimes odd)--BUT I like a challenge! and opportunities to try something new

Cooking show? i donnooooo

2011-07-06T18:22:00.001-07:00

Don and I have been trying to come up with some sort of show we can put together simply for fun and to dilly-dabble in something new. We thought about doing a show about veggies for kids and, well, that fell through. But anyway, the other day on Skype he was cooking some hot dogs and acting like a TV chef and I thought that would be a perrrect show for us to try out. Neither of us can really cook very well (i.e. cooking hot dogs on your cooking show), but both agree that its fun and we need to learn. So why not learn how to cook, from him I can learn how to edit, work on some animating, (I can work on my acting skills), and have a good time entertaining....even if we're our own audience! So for now here's the logo but it could definitely change. We figured we should just do something to motivate and get us started on this thing. Not sure how far we'll take this but we shall see!

Pattern for Pillow

2011-06-26T17:17:00.000-07:00

Summer

2011-06-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

Sheep!

2011-06-20T19:53:00.000-07:00

2011-05-29T15:30:00.001-07:00

Brewing

2011-05-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

2011-05-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Recently...

I love this

2011-04-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

so did this...

just for fun

2011-04-16T15:39:00.000-07:00

Throwbacks

2011-04-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Some sketches and old work I found while cleaning off my desktop.

media

self-portrait

cake building

2011-03-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

Man in the Rain

2011-02-27T19:20:00.000-08:00

Flyer for Event at Latitudes Fair Trade Store

2011-02-21T19:49:00.000-08:00

http://latitudesfairtrade.com/

Some things I've been working on at the job....

2011-02-19T11:12:00.000-08:00

All photos in the "Sheltered Life" editorial piece taken by Jonathan Timmes http://www.jonathantimmes.com/ -- He's really great!

I learned sooo much while working on this piece. Before I had never really worked with photos in my layouts so I was excited about the opportunity and challenge. I also learned a bit about combining typefaces. I had a lot of fun with that on the 2nd to last page of this article.

When I began putting this together I had sooo many ideas I wanted to use and many weren't working together at all. I hadn't established a direction for it and this showed in the early stages of the layout. The other designers helped me see this and I began to understand how I can bring things together into a cohesive piece by choosing a few styles to carry throughout. I also had to figure out what styles/elements would best provide tone and visually tell this story to readers. Very thankful for this project.

I enjoyed making the Illustrations for this piece. My struggle with this one was using color that would be appropriate for the subject matter -- pro bono work and lawyers.

Illustration done for Light Pollution editorial piece. These spreads are also on my blog, a little ways down.

Flyer

2010-12-09T19:05:00.000-08:00

Pro Bono design for a client. I had fun putting this together and having the opportunity to explore what I can do with current ideas and inspirations.

I suppose if you're in NY you should check out the event.

Related links:
http://thefashionisette.blogspot.com/
http://mallorymusanteshoes.com/blog/

Animation!!

2010-12-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

Don Jonathan Webb, a friend of mine who is a great film editor, producer, writer, and now experimenting more with animation, animated this illustration of mine for me. I was soooooooo excited!!!

a lovely couple from Don Jonathan D. Webb on Vimeo.

Check out his work here: http://vimeo.com/donjon

2010-12-02T20:47:00.000-08:00

Individual Pillow Designs

2010-12-02T16:41:00.000-08:00

Below are some of the designs that I am selling. Not all are here. If you click on the image you can see it at a slightly larger size. I'm working on making it bigger so each design and price is more clear.

Recent painting

2010-11-30T18:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't painted in so long! I have a love/hate relationship with it. Its extremely hard for me to get into it, but once I do I love it. I think I should definitely continue to paint still lifes, portraits, or anything to continue to push myself. I don't think that this painting is spectacular, but I believe I have the potential to be pretty decent at it if I keep trying.

Interieur a la Table à Ouvrage, 1893

2010-11-23T19:45:00.001-08:00

Been working on a painting for a friend and needed some inspiration. Just wanted to highlight a few of my favorites...

Painting by Edouard Vuillard
I love patterns and texture. He does it so well

Valazquez

Klimpt

Pillows for Sale (update)

2010-11-22T17:22:00.000-08:00

Update

2010-11-09T16:59:00.000-08:00

Above are some of the pillow cases and place mats I'm working on for the show I'm doing with my mom. Hopefully they'll look a little better once I stuff them. Just found out I can get some coasters laser cut -- Extremely excited about that! I'm not sure what more I'm going to do but I'm kind of just going with the flow and seeing where creativity takes me, I suppose. I am enjoying spending time doing this, though. I hope by Sunday things will begin to come together.

11/1 Inspiration

2010-11-01T20:54:00.001-07:00

Brewing Mind

2010-10-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

had this idea to make a blog for girls/women to post anything inspirational, creative, informative, insightful, etc. I'm unsure about it now but we'll see if anything happens with it in the future.

New York

2010-10-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

Congrats to a friend who got a job up there recently!
Such news is inspiration for many of us

Work Hard/Play Hard

2010-10-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

It's beautiful outside today. I woke up at 6:30 a.m and thought about falling back asleep because its saturday, but couldn't. I figured I'd try and make the most of my day since lately I haven't been the best at doing that.

I began working on the pillows for the show my mom and I are doing together. I'm extremely excited but also fearful of the outcome. I'm anxious. I won't worry too much. I keep having all these ideas that are making me antsy, so hopefully everything will kind of come together and fall in to place -- but only if I put in the time and effort necessary.

While putting together a folder of images I wanted on my pillows I became inspired to post on here. The image above was inspired by something I saw while driving to Richmond last week. I was riding and saw birds flying low above myself and other cars. Maybe I've never payed attention before but I saw the birds shadow on the ground and was intrigued by it. I thought it was neat how their shadows were kind of, creating the ground beneath us, and thought it'd be cool to see an image where birds shadows created the horizon. I drew this kind of fast, and could see executed in a more graphic fashion, but the idea is there. I suppose I'll recreate soon?

Over the summer I designed this logo for a connect I made through a previous client. I prefer a different font, or a different "s." I fell in love with this logo discovered while looking through poketo.com.

I've got to find some better, preferably free, fonts. I've seen plenty of sites that periodically posts free fonts to download, so I'll have to take some time to do some research.

INSPIRATIONmondays

2010-10-10T17:02:00.000-07:00

This calender is so awesome. and Smart.

City with a Brain
(Click link below)
The green city that has a brain - tech - 11 October 2010 - New Scientist

"less aesthetics, more ethics"
I love to create and this is why.
We have the choice and opportunity to inspire, educate, and change lives with our passions.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20827814.800-the-green-city-that-has-a-brain.html?page=1

Pattern for soon-to-be pillow

2010-10-10T16:34:00.000-07:00

My mom and I will be selling work at a craft show at the end of November. She's been doing shows since I was about 7-years-old, and this will be the first time that I have joined her. She'll be selling more folk art, christmas crafts, and I'll be selling pillows, coasters, and framed work. I'm currently working on my pillow designs. Soon enough I'll order them and begin sew and stuff them!

INSPIRATIONmondays (!!!!!)

2010-10-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

I've never had an "INSPIRATIONmondays" until right now. This is most likely a one time thing, BUT perhaps it will continue. Its definitely necessary to take the time to research and check out work that will be catalytic to your creativity.

NPR

For spring break my sophomore year of college I went to my aunt and uncles in Florida. It was there that I discovered NPR and its opulent way of telling the news. My uncle would listen to it wherever we went. I expected it to put me to sleep, but I was fascinated by the way they told stories and also what they told. CNN and MSNBC can be a repetitive bore a lot of the time, but I've never thought this of NPR.

Anyhow, not until recently did I realize how great the station's design sensibility is, and I respect the way they present themselves through design in their marketing materials. Below is their 2011 calendar and a new volume that gives "a behind the scenes look at what has gone into the making of NPR over the past 40 years."

The image of the calendar I found using Google. It led me to the blog of Jared Andrew Schorr, an illustrator featured in the 2011 calendar. Here's a link to his blog. I enjoyed it, and in it, he lists other illustrators featured in the calendar. They're worth checking out as well: http://jaredandrewschorr.blogspot.com/2010/07/npr-calendar-2011.html

Turnstyle : Seattle-based design firm

A look like this would be awesome for the "Pieces of We" zine I have been putting together.

I love the graphic + organic look of this cover. This makes my heart weak, my eye cry, and...just kidding. I just like it a looot.

...one day grasshopper. One day.

Fall is Here

2010-10-02T20:58:00.001-07:00

Spread and Ad created at Current Internship

2010-09-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

I'm currently interning for Northern Virginia Magazine until December. (Hopefully I'll have a full-time job to begin afterward:/ )

Anyway, I absolutely love what I do there and all that I am learning. I had a great opportunity to design the spreads and illustrations for an article on Light Pollution for the October issue. Honestly a dream, and I am embracing every bit of it. I encourage all to find an internship in whatever field you're in. What you learn in school is great, but I believe it is very important to have experience in the workplace. Who cares if its paid or not, (although paid is a plus!), the knowledge you will receive if you choose to take full advantage of it will be worth it. ALSO, try and find one where they value your growth just as much as you do!

Web Ad designed for Destination Polo for NoVA Mag's "Specialicious" site. Photographer deserves much recognition though! He does nice work! Link below, along with link to the NoVA Mag special deals site.
http://www.sondersphotography.com/
http://www.specialicious.com/

9.24

2010-09-28T16:42:00.001-07:00

On Friday, September 24th, Don Jonathan and Ashleigh began to ready for an outing at the E Street Theater in Washington D.C. Don Jonathan didn't want to go. Ashleigh did. He went anyway after she begged for a shared experience.

Ashleigh fixed her hair, put on her fake pearl earrings that she rarely wore, a soft pink shirt-dress, black jeans, and her favorite burnt sienna sandles that remind her sister of orthapedic shoes.

Don Jonathan ironed his shirt. The steam made him sweat a bit, but it was nothing a little Old Spice couldn't take care of.

They walked out the door together. They could hear the neighbor carrying on an emphatic conversation with mystery guests. Perhaps there was just one. Ashleigh assumed it was his night for spades. Don Jonathan took a liking to this assumption.

Two hot dogs were bought and one large coke.
They're both young. Broke. Sharing costs whenever possible. They compromise. They sacrifice.

Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radient Child.
A beautiful documentary. Much of his story was an enigma to Don Jonathan and Ashleigh. It inspired the two artists.
They sat in the movie for an hour and a half with four other individuals.

Don Jonathan won the race up the steps. The movie let out and they walked out the theater. Took a round around the block and back to the car.

and back to the house to create.

"In the Cypher" Basquiat, 1982

2010-09-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

Coffee shop on H Street. Great spot. Great people. Great environment.

and Another Owl.....

2010-09-24T13:44:00.000-07:00

Hiatus

2010-09-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

NOTE TO SELF:

2010-08-09T08:33:00.001-07:00

Time to create something tangible...

--more pillows?
--more coasters?
--collage piece?
--illustration/animation/comic/children's book?
--Pieces of We needs to be added to!

Make sure to hold yourself accountable. Surround yourself by people or a person that will keep you in check and focused

August Begins -- and will surely end

2010-08-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

I drew these on the way to NY this past weekend. Met a real cool artist/poet on the bus ride there. Its interesting how people kinda come and go out of our lives but you enjoy and appreciate the lil moment meeting them and the conversation shared. Lots and lots of interesting people in the world. Keep your mind open to receive what you can from others, and/or give if you can do that.

Ideas and Thoughts of the Morning

2010-07-31T08:39:00.000-07:00

"stay strong be about something have a purpose in liiife do you if you wait for someone else to make you happy you'll be sad a long long time when you meet your dead end that should be when your new road begins remove pain from your brain by removing your brain from pain" ---Man's words from a video I was watching this morning

i was reading an article in GOOD magazine talking about the education system and how it needs change.
http://www.good.is/series/the-chalkboard/

some thoughts:

I wish i realized the importance of insight at a younger age. I think i would have processed information and would have been able to express myself differently today. I'm glad that i acknowledge this now..better late than never. I just feel that I didnt take advantage of classes I had taken, books I was given to read, or those moments when a teacher would ask, "are there any questions?" the way that I could have. Just something thats on my mind right now.... i dono.

We all process information in different ways and our interests are different as well. While watching the news I change the channel if the story doest interest me..while reading a magazine I keep flipping through until I see a headline/title that catches my eye. I admire people who take that time to expose themselves to varying topics, have something to say or a tidbit of info to add to a conversation, or ask questions and simply listen to learn if they haven't a clue.

SO ANYWAY Its important that we give ourselves time to learn new things, understand what we're learning, research, ask questions, and have opinions. Something I need to continue to work on myself.

I may be wrong about some of the things im saying, or perhaps stating the obvious. But, im just thinking .

My GOOD magazine also focused on the rebuilding of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. This was a tragedy that even I look over and forget most of the time. But while reading I was wondering if this is an opportunity for America to become innovative in the way that we build homes, build communities, rethink the way we educate, and so on. Again, just a thought ...

Filling Time

2010-07-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

I was listening to NPR and learned a bit about the process of a mosquito finding blood. Soon enough I'll create a mini comic strip describing the process as a story.

I've been offered an internship with a publication! I need a another side job though for extra money. In the meantime to fill time i'll try and take advantage of free time.

Pillows for Sale

2010-07-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

decorative pillows for $25 each
twitter me (@ACCarter) or comment if interested

Oldy but a Goody

2010-07-23T20:13:00.000-07:00

Save the Music

2010-07-17T21:57:00.001-07:00

I was looking through my old sketchbook and wanted to do something with this illustration. Looking at it made me think of VH1's Save the Music organization. The non-profit is "dedicated to restoring instrumental music education in America's public schools, and raising awareness about the importance of music as part of each child's complete education."

It also has a a pretty cool logo :)

Shadows

2010-07-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

Last week at church I saw reflections and shadows on the wall, and while looking at them new ideas and images came to my mind. This was one.... minus the words. I just wanted to add something to go along with it.

Janelle

2010-07-05T22:27:00.001-07:00

Sweet Spectacles

2010-06-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

I think my uncle just bought these, and they look greeeeat! He looks like a new man, and he told me they make him feel different.

Heres the site i found them on. one of my favorites: http://www.good.is/post/warby-parker-a-truly-visionary-eyeware-company/

Wedding Cake Design

2010-06-29T07:30:00.000-07:00

I'm designing my friends cake for her wedding--very exciting project! She wanted to go for 70s patterns so I drew several different ones and cut them out as if they were the different layers to the cake. I also drew different bands that would help show the separation of each layer. She then sorted through them, rearranging them different ways until she found the patterns she liked most. The patterns in these images are the leftovers that she didnt choose. We'll see how this goes once complete! Can't wait.

Today I'm gonna finish this logo, i hope. Its kinda stressin me because i cant find a font i like. It'll work out tho!

Mexi-Chocolate

2010-06-29T01:23:00.000-07:00

A week or two ago I randomly decided to go walking in Carytown in Richmond. I went into this ice cream shop called Bev's and got THE MOST delicious ice cream I've ever had. It's called Mexi-Chocolate and its chocolate ice cream with a hint of cayenne pepper---soooo goood!! So after eating it I decided to make a poster for it since I was and still kind of am attempting to create something new every day. So here's somethin quick I came up with!

Clean Up

2010-06-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

Coca Cola 90 Calorie Mini Cans

2010-06-24T21:12:00.000-07:00

I came home around 11pm tonight. I have to head to Maryland in the a.m and thought it'd be best to leave from Warrenton rather than Richmond. I always look in the fridge when I come home. We usually have a whole lot of nothing. My mom packs the fridge with vegetables from Wegmans. I just want junk food. But I enjoy looking anyway, out of curiosity i suppose and the hope and desire to be surprised by something delicious staring back at me.

Tonight I was pleased. These cute little Coca Cola cans were dispersed throughout my fridge, placed wherever they would fit. These things are awesome to me. Package design is so clean. Can is so little and cute. They're all that are necessary. In life. Just kidding. Kinda of. No really I am. anyway, I feel like Coke is the Mac of (i was going to say "cokes" but) soda....

Dear Coca Cola people, this is genius. I love them.

PHOTOS OF WORK {pics taken by Lichelle Laconsay

2010-06-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

all photos taken by Lichelle Laconsay http://www.helloluda.com/

My goal of posting something new everyday failed...already. But foreal, I have been sketching a lot more and observing more. Soon enough i'll post some stuff from my sketchbook. I'm also workin on this poster for some ice cream I fell in love with :) a logo, creating the pattern for my friends cake and designing her invitations (!) very excited about it all. just trying to manage it and...life. but I'm OFFICIALLY a VCU alum today. Took my last class test today and will receive my diploma in the mail by the end of the summer. I've been waitin for this moment. Now lets focuussss.

JUNE 17 -- My Dad's Birthday

2010-06-17T22:05:00.000-07:00

I've posted this illustration before but because its my Dad's bday i rededicate this to him. love him

So i decided to experiment on my phone a bit today. That was my project for the day. Nothing spectacular but it could inspire some new idea at some point..who knows.

A lil fashion illustration i did for the heck of it. I love drawing sometimes and not having an idea of what i'm going to draw but just seeing what happens and going with it. This is what happened.

I must confess, the tree and owl drawing on my arm (its not a tatoo.. but i wish i could get it and it would vanish whenever i desired) i did a few weeks ago. The tattoo is just a dream of mine that will probably never happen...we'll see tho. A friend and I went on a road trip one day and stopped by this park where we saw this tree. I loved the carved "typography," and how the letters kinda fade down and disintegrate. Quite inspiring. And the other images are just places I've been today--panera, my room....annnd no where else.

World Cup Poster designs

2010-06-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

Top'a tha mornin! I should be studying for this exam right now but got distracted.
and now I'm posting...
but just wanted to share this poster design from the 1982 World Cup in Spain--this is definitely my fav!!

I'm really enjoyin this years games. Was never really into it before. BUT check out other posters here:
http://artatm.com/2010/03/evolution-of-graphic-design-in-fifa-world-cup/

i'll be back on later to post somethin' new i've done/made today. much luv

fix her up...kind of

2010-06-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

INSPIRATION/ NEW GOALS

2010-06-14T18:24:00.000-07:00

Went to NC this weekend for my cousin's graduation. Sketched a bit. Talked to some fam members and friends to get some "next step" advice. Crazy/odd/exciting transition time for me and i wanna make the best of, well, this life. Im realizing that i dont have to squeeze everything within a year! Plan it out and things will transition as they will. Put in the work and not forget the things that are most important. Cant lose sight of myself, my dreams, and the people that are most imporant in my life.

Was on behance.net and there was this post of someone who made something new everyday. And this is a my new goal. Today I'm just going to use a sketch i made from the weekend (above). Tomorrow, we shall seeee! Not sure how long this will last but its worth a Go!

INSPIRATION! INSPIRE-ation. inpiratiooonnnnnnnn
{check out these sites! beautiful and sexiii}

http://www.arisemagazine.net/

http://www.inventorymagazine.com/

Coming Soon....

photos of some of my work taken from Lichelle Laconsay -- neighbor, VCU student, photographer, and mad cool girl. Check her out: http://www.helloluda.com/

POKETO!

2010-05-26T14:58:00.000-07:00

i'm in luv. check out http://poketo.com/

(FYI: this is an image from Poketo.com, not one of my own)

RANDOM THOUGHT: this probably came from watching my friend Jasmine Coles (who is by the way an AMAZING actress) do her solo performance. but anyway, i was like, is it a choice to be in love? or maybe a choice to act on the feeling? is it controllable or preventable once you feel it? i donnoooo..ive never been..but just thinkinnng.

BUT please check out that site! i've chosen to luv it

"Pieces of We"

2010-05-25T16:31:00.000-07:00

This past semester I was working on a prototype of a book-- or i guess now i want to call it a zine-- for young girls. I wanted this zine to give young girls a positive and strong image of a girl/woman. I asked several of my friends three questions: who you are? what you stand for? and what your definition of a strong woman is? i was so amazed by these ladies responses. there are more responses i have to add to complete this. My hope is that I'll eventually have at least 15 girls featured in the zine, at least 9 quote pages from notable women in history, and maybe 8 or so special topics. I want to find some organization that may help me get this mass produced and distribute it around the Richmond area, or wherever i may end up after leaving Richmond. Hope to have them for free in bookstores, schools, community centers, etc.

If you're able to read these pages, i apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors on the special topics page about relationships. There are several things i still need to perfect with this and add in. But i enjoyed the process and learned and grew a lot from it. Man, this is why i love what i do. With the gift that God chose to give me I can choose to use it to hopefully help/inspire others in some sort of way. It makes me feel extremely fulfilled and overjoyed. Hope you enjoy, and would love to hear any suggestions if you have any. You can email or comment on here: carterac@vcu.edu. Its definitely something I'd like to complete and your suggestions could help me make this something spectacular.

...too girly

2010-05-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

i felt like my blog was getting too girly (not that a thing is wrong with that) so i had to put some monsters on here

2010-05-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

INSPIRATION! Marimekko and more

2010-05-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

Something I'd like to get into is repeat pattern making and getting some designs i make licensed. I love drawing, collaging, and painting, but when I can put the things i make on a useful object, whether it be a pillow, coaster, clothing, an umbrella, shower curtain, or whatever, it gets me kinnnda excited (!)

I was introduced to marimekko last summer and luved the bold and organic designs. When i saw how they were used and all the things they can be put on, i knew exactly what i wanted to do with some of the patterns i create...now i just need to get to designing some.

The Elle Decor blog link is below as well. Its pretty awesome and worth checking out.

http://elledeco.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html

"COO-COO-ca-CHOO!"

2010-05-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

2010-05-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

(pennies from heaven)

2010-04-26T20:50:00.000-07:00

hey hey. soo this semester is bout to be ending (thank you Lord) and soon enough i'll be able to update this thing. I've been anxious to do it but havent had much time. things have been overwhelming lately foreal... and i can not wait for the moment i take my last test, turn in my last project, come home take me a nap, and start workin on some things i enjoy workin on, figurin out my next moves, and just doin me :)

this semester i've struggled to stay motivated and inspired and havent felt like myself completely. and it was n odd low to deal with. like the one thing that i used to depend on (making art) to get my mind off things i couldnt anymore. suuucky feelin. but life goes on and most things are temporary.

so anyway heres a lil collage/illustration im workin on for my independent study. still not done at all.
im makin this prototype for a book "Pieces of We" for young girls, like middle to high school. Once its complete ill post it up here for yal to check out what i have so far. I've been enjoying the process of making it. ivespoken to so many different women with so many different experiences and perspectives on life and i LOOOVE IT. very inspirational.

but anyway, will update this again soon with pillows and coasters i made. and the "new identity" i've been creating for myself ---(branding stuff)

much luv. be beautiful

2010-03-30T20:42:00.000-07:00

I made this for a design competition for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.) Their theme for 2010 is the "International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures." I had no clue what "rapprochement" meant before doing this. Its basically harmonious relations between cultures. So my concept for the poster was to show plants from various nations "growing from the same garden." Same roots, same soil. The intertwining hands were to show that harmonious relation as well. And there are little vine-like speech bubbles growing to show the development of dialogue among cultures and how that may also positively influence progression in relations among nations. Looking at this again I kind of feel like the hands look like they could be growing from a grave so thats something I need to improve. Still need to do some work on this but had fun with it.

Soon enough I'll post up some pillows I'm working on. I had fun with the project but could have been much better if I didnt wait until the last minute. Things are so much more enjoyable when you dont procrastinate, i must say. But anyway, also made a poster for a friend and hopefully that turned out ok for him. I'll put it up on here eventually as well. But here are some magnets I was selling at Rumors, a local fashion boutique. Check 'em out: http://www.rumorsrva.com/ . The owners are sweethearts, mad cool, and inspiring, and i definitely appreciate them allowing me to hustle there :) hah

Some Sketches

2010-03-25T11:33:00.001-07:00

OOOOOOOOH, liiife......bittersweet.....
thats how I've been feelin these days......
(I'll add more to this when I have a moment to fully express how I've been feeling lately)

So this one is kinda dark. Makes me feel kinda weird. I drew it on the bus comming back from New York. The day before we had gone and seen the Tim Burton exhibit at the MOMA. It was pretty great, and I guess I didn't realize how much his mood had an influence on me at the time until I began drawing this. Kinda emmooooo...but hey, it happens.

While looking through the exhibit I realized how much work he puts into his projects. It was so inspiring. He had notes, sketches, character designs, clay models, character costumes displayed, and soo much more. Somewhat overwhelming and i was still expecting a litttle bit more, but it was a great to see and experience.

Another artist whose work was being exhibited was William Kentridge, and I fell in loove. Honestly he can have a little piece of my heart. Loved his process and technique. And their was this dope quote of his on a wall basically describing the process of a piece being created. How before it is, i guess, physically executed its conceived fully in your mind. I'll have to find it. I just really dug the way he said/explained it.

2010-02-18T13:56:00.000-08:00

Its been some time. I've recently been going through an "unmotivated" phase....no good, no good at all. Way too young for that, and way too soon! But thankfully it didn't last too long. Recently I've been working on a poster for friend and a personal piece--just a sketch I did and felt like fully executing. Over the break i tried to enter this Roots Jam Session logo contest for the Roots Jam Session that happens during the Grammys. The winner got to go to the event in Cali. I was soooo trying to win but didnt unfortunately. I had fun creating what i did. The winner's design was pretty sick so can't be too mad. At least I can say i tried! So below are some that I had submitted

Here are some illustrations i had done for some magazine spreads i was redesigning. The article was a "tongue and cheek" sort of article about how fertilizer was "the greatest invention in history" (....not really) but it was still interesting. It talked about how artificial fertilizer was the reason for industrialization and population increase, and how a chemical in the fertilizer was used in bombs so it was the reasons for several wars that occurred early 1900s. I mean, the guy who wrote the article was being facetious but he was making interesting points and i actually learned quite a bit from what he was saying. You should honestly read some on the invention of it, tho! Didnt know fertilizer was so serious :)

And heres a logo i designed for this contest. The lady wanted a logo for her up-and-comming bridal shop called "The Green Dress". The dress would be "green" friendly of course

2010-01-04T17:04:00.000-08:00

2009-12-15T18:51:00.001-08:00

New Sketches

2009-12-11T11:55:00.001-08:00

2009-11-26T20:06:00.000-08:00

Playing around with type and then i got an idea. Ill have to work on this some more but im liking where its going..

2009-11-21T13:03:00.000-08:00

Been doing a few things here and there. Haven't updated this in a little while and today has been a good day and I've had time to do my own thing, so I took advantage of it. Anyway, I recently put together some art to sell in local fashion shop Rumors. Its a real cool spot. Excited that they'd sell some of my stuff there. I've also been looking for jobs lately, trying to figure out exactly what it is i want to do after this year. I definitely want to be in a big city, New York is what im shooting for. I'd LOOVE to be an in-house designer for small company. Otherwise i want to work for a design agency. So recently ive been trying to sharpen my graphic design skills. I dont post much of that type stuff on here. Im still working on it :) I need to experiment more though, foreal. Anyway, Its somewhat scary to be graduating but im anxious at the same time. Definitely taking this time to continue to learn and discover more, learn as much as i can from my professors, and see where it all takes me. Im thankful for this time, though. Everythings been nice lately, and i cant complain. Anyway, hope everyone else is acknowledging the beauty of life.

2009-10-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

"Reading Days"

2009-10-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

I've been on a mini break from school. Its our fall break aka "reading days" and I really didn't do anything besides homework. I saw my brother and sister so that was good. We went and saw Where the Wild Things Are. Didnt see any friends (sad). Got some time to myself though so that was good. I think i needed a mental break. Anyways, been sketchin' and stuff so i'll probably upload some stuff soon. I was just playin' around and made this little thing for fun. Need to get better with type and stuff. Not much of a success but at least there was an attempt i suppose:)

Until next time, a bit of wisdom to share:

#1 Surround yourself with people that you can learn something new from every day. Its refreshing, beautiful, and inspirational. It pushes you to be a better you.

#2 Dont take your dreams to the grave. If you feel like theres something you should be doing, push to accomplish it, and continue on with other dream/ goals.

2009-10-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

2009-10-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

This is an illustration for my most recent piece i've been working on. I think I'm finnaaally beginning to figure out what it is i like to do and how i like to do it. I've always had an understanding of the things i like and what my style is, but my execution has not always been the greatest. Recently, I've been making monoprints and i really enjoy the texture that they create. In all honestly, im not sure that i do them the best way, but just like anything else, you just try new things and learn something new every time. I wasnt sure how people would respond to this, but peoples reactions have been nice and its definitely been encouraging. In the words of Dora from Finding Nemo: "Just keep swimming." Yeaaa, always push on.

2009-09-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

workin on this piece still. next im trying to figure out what details to add. i love patterns and intricate designs so i may try and incorporate some along with some textures. may put a background of some sort because i never do backgrounds..buut that may be unnecessary. im gonna experiment and see.

on another note...im really excited about the movie Where the Wild Things Are. i dont even know when its comming out but im excited.

2009-09-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

Assignment i had to do for type class using word and/or image to convey meaning of word. I chose "fishing"

i drew this a few years ago actually and just recently found it and decided to do something with it. definitely not finished but still in the process....see where this goes...

Im in love with elephants. But i want to add a whole bunch of different tetures to the bow ties and ties. I have a mini obsession with patterns. but Im gonna try and make that happen soon.

i drew this a couple years ago also and wanted to mess with it. im not sure how i feel. i want texture in it but what i used isnt looking to great. i still need to work on this some. I've been trying to come up with an illustration to send to Brick Weekly and hopefully get it on the front page. They pay a little cash, and im extremely broke, so hopefully ill figure out what to send in soon! we'll seee.....

I made these 2 designs during my internship at Washington Post Digital. I learned soooo much while there. My graphic design/typographical skills arent too spectacular, but slowly improving. Im trying to take any opportunity i can to learn what i can. Im feelin like graphic design is almost hte only way to get a job if i dont want to go the freelance route. my ultimate plan is to just improve in both.

Labor Day Weekend '09

2009-09-06T16:40:00.000-07:00

I'm outside right now typin this and mosquitos are killing me......
but anyway.

A few interesting...i guess...things that happened this weekend:

I was driving and a butterfly was crossing the street (if thats what you wanna call it) and i ran into it. It made me kinda upset and i wish it flew a little faster....

I went to church with my dad this morning and realized hte difference between a pastor or preacher preaching and him/her teaching. i prefer teaching. i prefer a message without all of the extra-ness. straightforward. real. to the point. and something that i can learn from and makes me want to learn more and understand more.

i just watched Corrina Corrina wit a good friend. Thats a GREAT movie and i highly recommend it. The music and some of the scenes in that movie are amazing.

and last, tonight/tomorrow begins this semesters hustle. Estoy lista

Lenny Shakespeare

2009-05-09T19:21:00.000-07:00

We had to collage a book for a short story my teacher wrote. It was about Lenny Shakespeare, William Shakespeare's alcoholic brother.......interesting. I actually enjoy collages so this project was fun for me. But here are just a few of the pages