owl 2.3.12

owl 2.3.12
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

Via Flickr:
this was interesting. There are somethings I like, some I don't. PRACTICE is needed.

Fish_Watercolor 2.2.12

Fish_Watercolor 12.2.12
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

Via Flickr:
Foray into watercolor. Have no idea what I am doing so yeah.

My Brain Just Went Into Overdrive

I just listened to The Perfect Bait by Bobby Chiu. And it was fantastic. Really insightful and really touched on subjects I often find myself thinking about. There were excerpts throughout his dialog from other successful artists as well.

Coming off the highly unproductive weekend I just had, the subject matter really hit home for me. I honestly couldn't have chosen a more perfect time to buy the book. It seriously spoke to me and my current mindset.

The book is available in the iTunes store for $9.99 for both the audio and readable versions. And of course you can order the paperback version if you so  choose. Do yourself a favor and go pick it up.

Sketch 1.11.12

Sketch 1.11.12
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

Getting back to business. Working on sketching and sculpting. Will be posting an update once I have more solid work done.

Let's Dance 2012

I look forward to posting my New Year's post. There is always a sense of excitement for the unknown events that will shape this next year. And above all, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on the year I have had as a whole.

It has been a year full of extreme goods, and extreme bads. I have struggled professionally and personally for sure but I have accomplished more than I had hoped. I have met amazing people that have helped to shape this last year in ways I could never have anticipated. And I am most thankful for those who brought a smile to my face when I needed it most. And when I stumbled, those words of encouragement were welcome and appreciated.

This past year I found myself further immersed in this amazing community of artist and collectors that have such a passion for what they do or what they love and I have loved every minute of it. The opportunity to spend some time with some of them at DesignerCon was most definitely a highlight and I hope that I will have that opportunity again. And for those on Twitter, Instagram, and the CP forum it has been a pleasure to get to know everyone and interact with you. And thank you for those of you that have willingly shared your knowledge and insight. I am indebted to you.

As for my family, thanks go out to my sisters and cousins, they may not always understand what I am doing but they show up. They go to shows with me and support me regardless of what my crazy mind is cooking up. My older sister and her husband are my biggest cheerleaders, and my cousin and her husband are the proud owners of several of my original illustrations and customs that they kindly display in their home. You guys warm my tiny tiny Grinch heart.

And now with the sappy stuff out of the way, I turn my attention to the new year. This next year will find me trying to keep my life balanced. As amazing as this past year has been, I was very distracted from a very important goal. And I cannot allow that to happen again. So I go into this year with a renewed sense of purpose and focus and I am take on this goal guns blazing. I will continue to update my sketch blog randomactsart.tumblr.com but I am going to try to hold back a bit and get better. I want to paint better, sculpt better, draw better, and just BE BETTER. As of right now I have nothing on my plate so I am taking that as a sign that I need to step up my game. I need to evolve if I am going to have a presence and if I am going to be able to consider myself an artist.

So as you can see, I have no specific things I want to achieve. There will not be a bulleted list of resolutions or hopes and dreams. In fact, I really only have some professional aspirations that I will not share here. I will continue to do my thing and if opportunities arise, then I will remain open to them. I am an ambitious person so I have many things I want to accomplish in my life and they require more than  year to come to fruition. So I am trying to think differently and not get hung up on small things.

As I wrap up this post I hope the new year finds you well. Best of luck to everyone. 2011 you have been kicked to the curb. 2012. You. Me. Now. Let's do this.

Sleeping At Last "Slow & Steady"

Sleeping At Last "Slow & Steady"
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

Via Flickr:
This is an After Effects project I made for a class. Everything in the video is hand drawn by me.

Song is
Slow & Steady by Sleeping at Last on the Storyboards CD

Getting my draw on.

Getting my draw on.
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

Getting back to drawing on the regular again. And getting back to my more stylized drawings. Feels good. I actually have a sketch blog where I post more drawings HERE.

Pictures of DesignerCon 2011

DesignerCon 2011, a set on Flickr.

Pictures from DesignerCon

Because Doing nothing is not an option...

Had some extra blank androids and I wouldn't be me if there wasn't a Yeti android. #yetisforlife
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

Had some extra blank androids and I wouldn't be me if there wasn't a Yeti android.

Decided to go with the more classic version of my yeti. A whole lot of lines. A whole lot of patience.

DesignerCon...The Aftermath

DesignerCon was a great experience. I was finally able to meet face to face with people I have only ever known though social networking. I had such a blast talking to everyone I was able to get time with and the highlight was being asked to sketch for a few nice people (Sorry to the guy that got the Yeti sketch with no ears). It was such a different experience from last year and I am really excited moving forward. Really hoping there is more opportunities like this in my future.

And speaking of the future. I have an original figure that I am collaborating on with Adam Pratt that is realeasing soon. I had a lot of fun sculpting this guy and I have no doubt Adam is going to kill it. I will have more information soon and some pictures as well.

For now I have some customs, prints, and coasters left. I will have them in my store hopefully next week but if anyone wants to purchase anything here is what I have left.

I will take pictures if the prints this weekend. But don't hesitate to ask if there are any specifically you would like. Thanks again and more updates soon. 

DesignerCon Stuff

DesignerCon is tomorrow. I am all done besides a few small things. Here are the pics of what I will have at the show.

I will be at Matt Hisey's ToyPinionated booth #412 along with Yosiello Lorenzo, Troy Stith, and the breaking news addition of Gary Ham for a special Hermees signing.


Click here for the floorplan.

Booth #412

DesignerCon 2011

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

10 am to 5 pm

$7 at the door

Pasadena Convention Center

300 East Green Street

Pasadena, CA 91101

See you there folks!

DesignerCon Stuff, a set on Flickr.

Bambaboss AP Customs Fire & Ice

Bambaboss AP Customs Fire & Ice
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

Here is another look at the customs I am bringing to DesignerCon. Kind of experimenting with new materials. More to come as the week progresses.

DesignerCon Update Booth 412

DesignerCon is next week and I now have a booth number to share with the fine folks that are kind enough to take a gander at this here blog. To reiterate, I will be at the ToyPinionated booth #412 along with Yosiello Lorenzo, Troy Stith, and the man himself Matt Hisey. Be sure to buy your tickets online for $5 instead of the $7 bucks at the door.


Click here for the floorplan.

Test Shots With New Camera

Test Shots With New Camera, a set on Flickr.

Playing around with my new toy.

Chugging Along

My new business cards arrived today. Decided to go with digitally printed cards this time. My last two cards have been letterpress so it was nice to change it up.

I was a little stressed because the cards were scheduled to arrive two days before DesignerCon and I was using moo.com, a service I have never used before. To my surprise and pleasure they arrived about a week and a half early and I am pleased with the quality of the card stock and print. Also I was able to print multiple images at no additional fee.

And here is an update on a pretty elaborate custom I am working on. Not a whole lot of time left so I need to keep working.

New Business Cards

Astronaut Dude (AP Bambaboss)

More WIP

Still plugging away and trying to get as much done as possible. Here are some WIP pics.

More androids. Can't stop myself. Tiny mustaches and dapper suits.

This handsome fellow requires quite a bit of work still.

This guy has been some work and still not entirely sure how I fee about him.

Screen Prints

Screen Prints, a set on Flickr.

Here are some pics from my Screen Printing escapades. Really wanted to keep the sketched look and I knew I could with this process. getting ready for DesignerCon.

I'm Going to Designer Con!

I was invited by Matt of Toypinionated Blog infamy to join Yosiell Lorenzo and Troy Stith at his booth at Designer Con this year. I will be selling some fun stuff and meeting and greeting. Swing by if you get a chance and until then buy your tickets here. More info to come. Keep your eyes peeled for work in progress pics.

DesignerCon. Here I come.

Might be too leafy but I don't give a shit. #ThatsRightISaidIt
Originally uploaded by Vanessa_Ramirez

So I have been graciously invited to the Toypinionated booth at designer con and I am really excited. My first con. So here a peek of my latest work that will be on display at the booth and I will have more info soon.

Custom Gomi 2011

Custom Gomi 2011, a set on Flickr.

This little guy will be in The Gumpy Show which is on Saturday, October 8th 2011 from 7pm-11pm at Gunnzo in San Diego. Hoping to be there myself.