Ain't Nothing Like a Brooklyn Girl

Last year I got some Glittens for Christmas. They're bright ruby-red and they shine like the sun in the sun. I get compliments on them all the time. I was thrilled to pull them out the second we found ourselves in the sixties. They're totally inspirational and so, that is why...

on a beautiful bright morning in October I wrangled a gaggle of my girls, adorned them in kind, and went all Glitteratti on them. The sun shone and we shutterbugged the shine. Here are some of my favorites from the photoshoot. They're rocking out on Etsy, like a boss.

My gramma is the Betty behind these beautiful fingerless convertible glitter glittens (they actually sparkle!).

When I was a kid my parents were obsessed with this book called 'Start Small, Finish Big'. I don't remember anything about it, except the title. Maybe I'll look it up. However, that's exactly how I designed this shop. My gramma Betty handed over the glittens and I designed a logo. I thought I'd try a photoshoot.

That went well....

Once we got a glimpse at the film I realized two things, firstly,  Charles Hamilton was right and secondly, our tagline had to pay homage to these brownstone hotties.  We fixated on twinkling eyes and sparkling smiles and suddenly found ourselves with a tagline. I designed a banner

It's been a perfect exercise in fearless living. On that note I have some to go do. 

 Go see! Tell your friends! Dust off those wallets! Rock those manicures. Woot! Rally! Rah!

You Say You Want a Revolution

Guess what??!!? 

 I finally remembered I am an illustrator. 

Sorry, loves -- It's been a while.

Tonight, my intern extraordinaire and I indulged in some good old fashioned life drawing, that's right -- Revolutionary War style. 

There was maybe not a horse. I don't quite recall.

 OK. Fine. There was no horse. However, how could anyone with any integrity waste this 'happened on an ottoman' pose on anything without reigns?? 

 

 

 

The Society of Illustrators provided the light, the glitter, the flocked feathers, the electric live music, the bar, and the gorgeous powder-wigged models who slowly but surely stripped from their 1775 finery down to their diamond pasties at the evening's end. 

However, I provided your total raging jealousy with the power of description.
(I assure you it was better than it sounds).

Bookish

New Fashionista East girl. Beauty and brains. I think she's going to need big horn rimmed glasses. I might be mistaken, but buckle shoes and a headband might be in order too.

I'm deciding which one I'll use. I always sketch lots and pick the best, but lately I'm thinking I'll start developing three or four at a time, so I have a quick and easy to go licensing collection. That way the next time someone wants them on ______ but all different by Thursday, they're ready to go.

Although, these girls don't look like they'll be rushed... Just one more chapter?

Classy Fish

I am reading a deliciously inspired book.
Every page makes me want to readdress my favorite thing.

I have also playing with these fairies.
Their exquisite little features and feminine touches have had me start thinking about my favorite thing. 

So a lot of things in my life have me thinking about my favorite thing....

Fish are my favorite. 

I have brought you some classy fish. 

I hope you like them, because manners matter to these friends.

They hope they are your favorite too.

Nude on Kraft

30 second - 2 minute poses,
scroll of 14"x 56" Kraft paper, wax crayon, chalk pastel and Tomboy marker
Listening to right this minute: Valerie! by Amy Winehouse

Vorrei Essere in Italia

Queste Ragazze Amber sono ispirate dalle dolci colline della Toscana.

Il mio preferito è il pulcino con la borsa di grandi dimensioni.
Il mio amica, Emily, pensò di questi disegni. Sono entusiasta di apprendere che è il sua preferita.

Renderli indossare un trench, metterli in scarpe basse! E 'così divertente da disegnare le idee.

Sono andata a una scuola d'arte di fantasia in cui è stato richiesto a tutti di studiare una lingua romanza. Ho imparata un vago italiano conversazionali. Ne so abbastanza per scrivere un post sul blog, ma non abbastanza per arrivare ovunque in Italia che non è un bar, biblioteca, museo, o un bagno.

Grazie per la vostra pazienza.

Onion Curls

I wish that you could see the way these curl girls started, just a swirl on a piece of paper that needed pants, and then a face, and then hair of some sort.

The duchess of justice leaned over after a small army had started to materialize, "Are those onion girls?," she whispered. Oh yes. Yes, they are.

The insight that someone not holding the pencil can provide when it comes to your drawings can be prolific, well especially when it comes to the Duchess' insight.

Just as I was closing my sketchbook Logan leaned over and said
"Those should be Olympic Mascots."
Oh yeah they should!

If you know a guy who knows a guy they make sure they call me. I can be emailed at info (at) amberalvarez.com.

It's not like it's a secret, there is no greater aspiration I have in life than to participate in the Olympics and since I have poor depth perception, a low tolerance for physical pain coupled with a fear of heights and high speeds, it seems like this would be the perfect match ;) After all, it's not like I haven't been working towards this since I was three years old.

Yoga Baby, Yoga

I Draw Girls

On one particularly long day in college a life-drawing professor chided me. Somehow (how?) he sensed my feigned interest in drawing the male form. Perhaps I was nibbling on the end of a charcoal pencil while a nude man graced the stage. When i draw men it's with half my heart.



"Amber, you can't base an entire career on just drawing girls...." he sing-songed.
I paused in thought, then recommitted myself to my Bristol, realizing with a sigh that he was probably right.



What have seven years of reflection on this point taught us? Oh, I know.

BOO YA.



I say neigh, Professor. Neigh to that.

My life drawing from this year's Pratt Draw-A-Thon can be seen on FlickR. I'll be uploading the last of the drawings that happened this year this coming weekend.