Weekend Snippets

Thanks Amazon Prime for delivering this on its release day, thanks also for shattering the case. Sweet of you. 

Spent the weekend working and listening to too much Gambino and buying so much cutie art from my friends. Can't complain, won't complain. 

Got my one Cyber Monday purchase this week and it was too beautiful not to photograph? I bought too much lip balm and then also like brow gel and concealer because my face is mostly composed of eyebrows and zits. Love Glossier's branding and design and their products are top notch too, obviously.

After work on Saturday, my friend and I rushed over to Cultivate Tucson on 6th Avenue to visit all the hippest creatives in Tucson. Cultivate has got to be one of the coolest events in Tucson and I felt intimidated (and inspired) by all the beautiful creators there. Emily Orzel, my friend who I talk about like she is a saint (she is!!!) had a beautiful booth there and I basically raided it. I pushed people out of the way and grabbed everything my hands could get ahold of. Not proud of my actions, but not embarrassed either.

Emily Orzel prints. I need to become a worrier warrior because right now, my anxiety is always winning. Also, I believe so much in breakfast food and wish I could eat it always. 

Snagged these HAND SEWN HAND SCREEN PRINTED flags (or sport triangles as Paul so eloquently called them) and I am so obsessed. These guys sold out so quick at Emily's show and I basically begged her to save me two and I feel really guilty being so selfish but also... I needed them an insane amount. So, so beautiful.

♥

This is Emily's beautiful booth set up. Her aesthetic is always on point and everyone was loving what she was putting out into the world. 

Stole (borrowed?) this photo from Emily because it's so beautiful and I also wanted to talk more about her flags! She made them in three colors and they went like hot cakes. If you're interested in one, contact Emily and ask nicely because I'm sure there will be some sort of waiting list for these beauties. But like all good things, it will be worth the wait. 

I swear I'm not completely obsessed with cacti, just kind of sort of. Bought this ring from an old classmate who is KILLING IT in the metal working game. We took jewelry making together a couple years back and I'm embarrassed at how terrible I am compared to her. Spring Winders' wearable art is sold in a lot of shops in Tucson, like Pop-Cycle on 4th. 

Spring Winders aka Helitrope Metal is one of my favorite jewelry makers. I say that because I think a crazy high percentage of my rings and necklaces are her creation. I just think she is the coolest and makes real quality stuff that handles all the wear and tear I put on my jewelry. Check her out!

Then on Sunday morning, I was surprised to see my momma's art front and center on the Home Section of the Arizona Daily Star! A whole half page dedicated to her cool wind chimes. She's basically Tucson Famous. You can buy her art at Tohono Chul Park, Tucson Botanical Gardens, or Southwest Gardener in Phoenix. Super unique Christmas gift, just saying...

xoxo. 

PS. I also ate a weird amount of marshmallows this weekend. I don't think I even like them that much... 

Tickets to the Gun Show

Have you ever did something as a joke but then somehow it stopped being a joke and just became a really important part of your self identity? I can't stop finger gunning everyone I see. It has become a habitual mannerism and it's so much easier than saying "hi" or "Good Morning!" or "Yo, Sup?" 

I just let my fingers do the talking and I keep walking. I kind of hate myself for being such a tool, but also, do I look really cool doing it??? Probably. 

I can't stop and honestly, I won't. Who knows, I might even make the hang loose Shaka cool again. (Or was it never not cool? I'll leave you to ponder that...)

*Finger guns* I'm out. 

The Emily Orzel Fan Club

Sup homies! I am the president and founder of the Emily Orzel Fan Club and I just want to talk for a second about how great my friend is.

Emily is the epitome of cool and stylish and talented. We met up in art school and I have just been running to catch up to her greatness ever since! And I suck at running!!!

  

Even though I am a trillion miles behind, I have always been proud to have her as a friend and like always wondered why anyone AS cool AS her would associate with me. I am learning not to question it because I'm very content with the current situation. (Minus I want to hang with her more and our work schedules are very conflicting. That's one thing I am not cool with.) 

Anyways, Emily has been pumping out the art like crazy lately and I'm very stoked on it every time I look on my IG feed. It's so colorful and sweet and edgy and everything I want to be and more. Not only impressed with her craft but with her constant and consistent output! As someone who currently does not have a working computer and who weeps every time she opens her sketchbook, seeing my friend make beautiful art every god damn day is dreamy as fudge! Like, gorgeous. 

So lucky to have talented people like her in my life. Truly, truly. Anyways, I'm going back to working my warehouse job and collecting my tears in a jar. 

Check out Emily at:

www.emilyorzel.com

@emilyorzel

To Blush or Not To Blush?

Sorry, the real question is when am I not blushing?? I heard a boy asking another coworker about this (regarding me) and I'd like to clarify: I'm always embarrassed and I'm always blushing. Especially when I am talking to dudes.

It's perpetual.

I think the sad thing is I literally didn't know people could see me blush until a couple weeks ago? I thought my skin had my back and was hiding all my wishy washy feelings but... Nah, I'm a beet. With acne. My skin/body hates me.

Ugh. Excuse me while I go hyperventilate. 

Let me change the subject right now to something way more interesting. My sweet, talented, so perfect ex-employee/friend from DC reached out to me the other day and wow, I really missed her?! Just talking to her and giving her my two cents about ~life~ was really nice. She posted this shout out afterwards and I was just floored by how thoughtful that was? Not bragging, but very grateful for having sweet people in my life, no matter the distance. Karina is currently in Chicago kicking ass as a designer and photographer for a cute start up company and I'm very proud of her. Her styling and design aesthetic is truly impeccable and I highly suggest you check her out and follow her rise as a successful artist! I mean, look at her hand lettering! My eyes are heart shaped right now, no joke. 

Usually my general presence makes peoples day way more sucky so... this is surprising.

Side note: according to my stats lately, my blog is very popular with those who live in Russia? Hey Russians! Thanks for looking at my crappy art, I appreciate you. Not stoked that you guys kind of tried to cheat the Olympics with that sketch drug test situation, but... we're cool.

My Week In Review

Quick, messy gouache doodles.

I've been having a weird past couple weeks. They've been really frustrating and embarrassing and awkward and... sweaty? (Sweat seems to be a strong theme, awesome.) Doodled out some of my anger this afternoon instead of taking a rage nap and I feel a lot better. Like, obviously more sleepy but not as mad.

No real way to explain the random bits and pieces I illustrated above other than to dive right in? Here are a few quick snippets of my bizarre week:

• I was driving to work at like 5 am and I pass a cemetery and I notice a lady taking a shit on a grave stone. Why? Also: seeing a middle age butt that early in the morning is not ideal.
• Talked to a jabroni at work and he said I didn't look Italian except for my hairy arms. So romantic and sweet of him. Not at all self conscious now. (Silver lining? I don't get cold easily. Also, clearly it's a conversation starter.)
• Developed a sweet sweat mustache that just seems to permanently rest on my upper lip. Thanks, humidity, you're a bitch. #realwomensweat
• Really wanted to flip off almost everyone I interacted with this week but very thankful for my self control and vivid imagination.
• Had a panic attack during work today because something triggered me and I couldn't breathe. I was cold sweating like a son of a gun and had to go to the bathroom to dry my armpits under the hand dryers in there. Side note: this was incredibly effective. Second side note: I know hand dryers are germ traps from hell but my armpits were a lost cause at this point. 

Also got called 'eccentric' today by a stranger, so thumbs up forever for being the weirdest human being alive without even trying.

Mystery Team

What does a burger, a cell phone and peebeejay have in common? No clue. But if you quick (!) go sign up for StudioDIY's newsletter, the mystery will be solved tomorrow morning! Kelly sends a once a week, totally cute roundup email and she'll be giving away 3 of my stationery designs. Exciting!

I'll share the designs later this week, but if you want the first peeks, head on ova to the StudioDIY blog! Like, cmon guys. 

Ps. Life has been kicking my butt the past (long pause---) forever and this commish was tough!!! But SO fun! And turned out cute as fudge... 

Working real early in the morning and being sick and snotty AND trying to stay up late to finish quick projects is testing me mentally/physically/emotionally but I'm still alive. Success. 

Mail Time!

Just got exciting mail this afternoon! Some stickers I drew finally came in and I can't wait to start selling art so I can slap these babies on the packages! I love making this kind of stuff and developing "my brand." 

Just trying to be make design funny and functional and I hope people get a kick outta it sometimes. 

PS. I can't even touch my toes so that yoga master back bend pose was clearly not inspired by my bodily ways. 

PPS. Hairy legs > Fishnet stockings. 

Cryday the 13th

Any day in the life of Danielle could be considered Cryday (I'm emotional,) but today is actually Friday the 13th and it's time for my favorite tradition! Tattoo parlor around the world (probably, did not fact check) have Friday the 13th tattoo specials and looking at all the really bizarre, terrible gag ideas they come up with (and that people wait in line for!) is just... hilarious. Some places here ink people for $13 and it's really great. (Check out the tag #fridaythe13thtattoos and then thank me later.)

Clockwise from the top left: Rob McElchenny a la Always Sunny, dumb bone tattoo idea to show you're tough, a WAHHHbulance, a cool LL Cool J reference, sad toaster strudel, Kylie Jenner's lips and Sandlot reference.

Anyways, last year, I came up with my first flash sheet making fun of the idea of cheap, perfunctory tattoos, and I had time to dream up some new ones last night. (I'm honestly questioning why no one is questioning why I drew a sad toaster strudel...)

Side note: this is not directed at anyone in particular, I'm just having fun! I honestly don't care if you get cheap tattoos or expensive tattoos or if they do or don't have meaning. PLEASE consider getting Mac tattooed onto your neck though, I would really love to see someone appreciate my creativity. THX

Sick As A Dogg

Guys, the past couple days have been THE WORST. I thought I had some food poisoning but it ended up being the full blown stomach flu and I got everyone I know sicker than sick! I feel terrible! I ended up sleeping for 3 days straight after a night spent napping on my bathroom floor (gross, I know) and I am just starting to feel human again. Sipping that 7-Up and snacking on saltines until get my appetite back. Ugh!

Stay well, homies. 

A Way With Words...

If you ever speak to me, ever, I will memorize every word you say and replay it in my mind and analyze the shit out of it, no matter why or who or when or where or any of the other "w's." Part of that is because I'm a sensitive girl with feelings and the other part is because I'm introverted and anxious as hell and think constantly even though I really really don't want to. 

Anyways, I usually write out a lot of the words people say to me in my sketchbook- just to get them out of my brain and onto some paper. I make them look pretty or ugly (depending on how they were directed at me, which may seem obvious but... ) and this sentence from last night, kept playing in my mind. Pretty funny thing to say to someone, but also a pretty okay compliment.

Of course, I had to decide to make each letter out of sunflower seed illustrations and that was fun and tedious and kind of a painful creative decision on my part.

Anyways, here's some word art for you to look at and laugh at and wonder about and make fun of. Try it out on all the ladies and gents out there! I heard it works best with birds and other critters that have a seed-based diet. 

♥ ♥ ♥

Just Dinking Around!

I'm no stranger to the ol' Shrinky Dink magic. My dear friend Emily Orzel and I reignited our childhood love for the craft back in college when we made pins for our zine, Washed Out. We were way ahead of the whole pin game that has taken over Instagram but I'll try not to brag about that now... 

Anywho, enamel pins are back and big as ever and if you want to be a relevant, hip artist, you are turning your line art into metal pins and slinging it to anyone who digs your style. It's great to bask in the golden age of pins, I am all about poking holes into my jean jacket or my army jacket with illustrations that show who ~I really am~. And literally anything you have ever wanted to express yourself is made into a pin now a days. It's amazing. From The Smoking Man to lady products to Mrs. Doubtfire and Mike Tyson to Olde English in a paper bag. Literally anything you want. Anything... But my art. 

I don't know how to get into the enamel game and I don't think anyone would want to buy my shit and I am not financially able to make risks like that. So the alternative is... Shrinky dinks! 

I made a bunch of random doodles into a bunch of hunks of plastic and watched how they shrunk to a third of their printed size and expanded to 9x's their widths. It was fascinating. Still. (The packaging does suggest that teens and adult use this product, so no shame!) 

These pins aren't for sale, they were made for a special purpose and a cool lady and are off in the mail as we speak. 

I pinned the pins onto swatches of my pattern designs and they turned out pretty dang cute. 

This heart eyes pin set would've been so cute for a Valentine!

Do you guys want some dinked pins of my art? No? Okay, cool.

PS. Before you go and start thinking I'm a magical magician of a human being (I'm not. At all.) Check this picture out: 

Perfectly imperfect. I messed up like 3 full sheets of dinks because they got too hot and the inks melted together and couldn't unfold in the oven. It's a game of chance- nothing comes out perfect and hey, that's pretty cool. 👌🏻

Cold like a DQ blizzard

How to survive your first blizzard? With incredible fashion. Like, just really, really great, mismatched lounge wear. 

Mostly focused on popcorn.

Hey, I'm not mad about being snowed in. 

Stuck on you

My dear, dear friend Tess got a drawing of my saguaro tattooed on her forearm the other day! The biggest, best(est) gift and compliment I could ever get! Tess was my first friend in art school and is responsible for keeping me sane and smiling. She lives in Washington state and now she will have a little bit of Tucson with her always. And she's stuck with me too... Oops! Sorry!

So cool, I'm dying! LOVE.

Who else wants a Danielle tattoo?! ;) 

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Heading home from the east coast where it's warmer than it is on the west coast. This is my holiday card I sent out this year and it's ironic as all hell... Thanks El Nino!

The background is a pattern I made that I used for the envelope liner, as shown below.

Envelope liner?! What's that? I don't know, just a pretty touch that us paper snobs and stationery geeks add to make letters even prettier. It's my excuse to create a repeating pattern.

Thinking of you and wishing you well!
xoxo

Stress Relief

Coloring pages of my art because everyone is talking about how coloring is like meditation and hey- I believe 'em! 

Everything is (rose) Golden!

My illustration of champagne (duh!) foiled in rose gold with soft, sweet letterpressing. Part of Haute Papier's new holiday card collection for the 2015-2016 season! Order now and avoid waiting later. Totally customizable, totally cute. More details can be found at any of the 900 stores that carry HP products worldwide! 

Wipe Out

When it's rainy out and you have glasses as big as picture windows, you wish your specs had windshield wipers. 

(Top, vectored line work (usually don't use Illustrator when drawing TBH.) Bottom, colored version) 

My doodles as stickers, one of my favorite things!

Catching up

Digitally doodled some Mom Jeans the other night (queue SNL's short starring Amy Poehler) just for fun!

I love moms in general, mine especially :)
(In a cool, not creep way. Duh!)

And got commissioned to letter this cute quote from my favorite 3rd grade book, Fantastic Mr. Fox! It's going in a little boy's nursery that happens to be fox themed. Love it! So sweet :) 

More soon,

Xoxo