"...when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”-The Alchemist

Warning: This post is long and cheesy, If you don't want to read it all skip to the end and just read the blue paragraph, it has an announcement about the future of this blog.


This phrase from "The Alchemist" keeps popping into my head, when unexpected changes affect my life; Specially now.


It is my goal to become a successful illustrator, by successful I mean that one day  I'll illustrate a lot of children's books, and have just enough money to live a good life full of motivation/inspiration and travel.


Due to many circumstances I had to make some hard choices( but again as life has taught me sometimes the hardest choice is the right one) but long story short, I'm moving back to the motherland, by motherland I mean Mexico.


It was sad to let go of my opportunity with Oregon College of Art and Design, I'm not completely closing that chapter, I plan to definitely come back one day, maybe to visit and take a summer class there, one never knows. I'm sad to leave behind beautiful people, they being family and friends who been with me for wonderful 12 years that I lived in the USA.


Despite sadness, there is excitement in me too ( I guess that's what it means to have mixed feelings)
I have good family in Mexico, that I have't seen in so long (not counting facebook) plus I have reconnected with childhood friends that I'm looking forward to meeting again. Plus I have fond memories of my hometown Oaxaca. So I'm looking forward to re-discovering its beauty before (& after) I move to Mexico city for school. In Mexico city I plan to attend a Seminar of  8 Months where it will introduce me to the world of illustration in Mexico ( It will be the push I need to start and become part of the illustration market in Mexico).  I will finally be able to freelance and grow as an illustrator 
(something I could not do here in the united states where I only had a diplomatic visa, that gives me no permission to legally work).


But before all that excitement begins I'm making another stop at another continent: Europe, destination? Switzerland. A cousin of mine and her husband has always encouraged me to come visit her and learn french. I kept saying no because the timing was always wrong, but now I can totally do it, the savings I had for grad school, I'm using it to make this trip possible.


To end this novel of a post, my last announcement is to say that my blog is getting a whole new makeover I want to make it into a blog where I will still cover recycling and green consciousness, but I want to expand it to inspiration, illustration, travel and books( Lately I been slowly going toward that directions, so I feel the name ecollustration no longer applies to my blog.) My blog will be up and running again in January first. :)


Thank you for sticking with me.....well if you did, I have to admit it was a really long post so if you didn't, I don't blame ya.




Love 


Romina

Ecollustrations of the week: 1st two pages of the sketchbook project!

Finally started sketching on my sketchbook project: Yay!

Ecollustrations of the week: Bird's Feathers Alphabet

Here's a glimpse to some of the letters from my Bird's Feathers Alphabet that I submitted to DesignSponge, It was fun to do!.

On a side note: I want to see this movie!

"Linotype: The Film" Teaser from Linotype: The Film on Vimeo.

I have actually seen a functioning Lynotype typecasting machine at the International Printing Museum, is amazing to see and hear all the movement the machine does to create the each line of type.

Best Illustrated Children's Book 2010. Check Them Out!

So I came across the "Best illustrated Children's Books 2010" article and I really want to check them all out. I am familiar with Peter Brown's "Children make terrible pets" why? because it was once upon an afternoon a friend an I wandered into a Barnes and Nobles, walked to the children section, saw the book from the display, took it and we started reading, and giggling, and loudly kept giggling all the way to the end. I added it to my list of books to buy in the future when I get a bigger bookshelf and we left happy.


Here's a pic of the cover:

To read about his process creating this book, head over to one of my favorite blogs: Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast a fun blog about books.

Have a great week everyone!

On a side note: Book Dominoes!

Pretty cool no?

Ecollustration of the week: Happy Day of the Dead!

Feliz Dia de Muertos!

A Quick sketch for a wonderful holiday done in colerase pencil and pen, since my watercolors haven't arrived from LA.

VAcation! Texas to LA to Portland

Ooooof So much to do! I have to finish a book, start packing, then off to a road trip with the parents to LA where I will see my wonderful friends and family. Then off to a road trip to Portland. So I want to do all  this calmly so I will take a break from my blog. As soon as I'm settled in Portland you will all hear from me :).

I Write Like...

I came across this fun program that analyzes your writing and tells you who famous writer you write like. Let's see who do "I write like", by posting one of my blog post. The result was...

*Drum rolls*

CORY DOCTOROW

I never read any of his books, but if I write like him we must share good humor.

Then since this is getting really famous there's even a funny version known a "I actually write like".

Here was the result I got from it.

*Drum Rolls*

Like a drunk working through issues.

yohoohohohahahahaa

Try it and let me know your results!

I Write Like

I Actually Write Like

I am an INFJ but write like an ESTP!

That's right so I took the Bryes-Miggs personality test and discovered that I'm a:

INFJ

The website where I took it describes me as:

"INFJs are warm and affirming people who are usually also deep and complex. They're likely to seek out and promote relationships that are intense and meaningful. They tend to be perfectionists, and are always striving for the Ultimate Relationship. For the most part, this is a positive feature, but sometimes works against theINFJ if they fall into the habit of moving from relationship to relationship, always in search of a more perfect partner. In general, the INFJ is a deeply warm and caring person who is highly invested in the health of their close relationships, and puts forth a lot of effort to make them positive. They are valued by those close to them for these special qualities. They seek long-term, lifelong relationships, although they don't always find them"

I read it and think yeah that sounds like me!, but then I took the blog analyzer and came out being an:

ESTP!

Here what wikipedia says about it:

"According to Myers-Briggs, ESTPs are hands-on learners who live in the moment, seeking the best in life, wanting to share it with their friends. The ESTP is open to situations, able to improvise to bring about desired results. They are active people who want to solve their problems rather than simply discuss them."

And the blog analyzer website says the following:

"The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time..."

I'll read it and think, ok some of it applies but the rest does not apply to me!. I'm not into physical out-door activities, I mean I SUCKED! at P.E. ( I tricked the teacher that yes I ran the 4 laps but actually ran 2, by hiding behind runners so he would never spot me) and yes sometimes I keep my problems to myself because I like to solve them on my own first, but if I realize that I can't I'm always open to discussing it with friends for a second opinion. And I have no problem in sitting still as long as I'm doing something like reading or painting.

So what does this mean?
I'm suffering from a split personality? 
I have a double soul? 
I'm possessed?
I don't know myself?
I don't write the way I act?




Or maaaaaybe ESPT + INFJ = Gemini? yes that must be it.
But has given me the curiosity to re-read all my blog post.


Share me your opinion, what personality you feel best describes me? I'm curious.
Also share me your personality trait :)


To find out what you are go HERE.
To have your blog analyzed go HERE.

Hope Everyone had a Happy 4th of July Weekend.

Today I've come to realize that sometimes the people you love the most can also hurt you the most. To cheer me up I posted here some of the pictures from the trip I took yesterday with my parents to Galveston, Tx. I hope to feel more like myself tomorrow.

If you could only read one magazine for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Wow this is a hard one, I have so may favorites. Let's see
I will go with Uppercase, It is beautifully Designed and it covers topics I love of the illustration,craft and design world.

Check it out here:
http://www.uppercasegallery.ca/uppercasemagazine/

Ask me anything

What's your favorite drink?

Chocolate Milk :)

Ask me anything

What was your favorite toy to play with as a child?

A cute colorful turtle that had a round mirror in his belly. Why did it had a mirror in his belly? I have no idea

Ask me anything

Ecollustration of the Week: The Happy Owl

Here's a quick painting that I owed a friend, I love drawing happy birds :)

All hail the happy owl.

Phrases for the Week

I'm all settled in my new home(at least until I move to Portland), which means I'm back to blogging regularly. In the process of cleaning, packing and unpacking I came across this paper:

This is in spanish, but here is the English translation:

:The knowledge man should not forget:

The biggest obstacle..............................Fear

The most beautiful day..........................Today

The biggest mistake...............................To give up

The worst flaw.......................................Selfishness

The worst bankrupt................................Discouragement

The best teachers....................................The Children

The most ugly emotion...........................Envy

The most beautiful gift............................Forgiveness

The biggest knowledge...........................God

The most wonderful in the world............Love

The sweetest happiness...........................Peace

I don't know where this paper came from, but I'm glad I found it. It is now glued to one of the pages of my sketchbook. Thought It would be nice to share it and welcome this new week, have a great week everyone.

Side note

Sorry for not updating lately,when moving from one place to another is hard specially when you just canceled your internet :/ , but as soon as I'm settled I will get back to updating regularly.
Have a good weekend everyone :).

D.I.Y Recycling taking a vacation.

As you know, I'm in the process of packing before moving again. (wow feel like a nomad) so I will start the D.I.Y. Recycling until I'm settled in the other house. :)


If you are a fan on book covers check out this amazing book process from artist Joy Ang . It's going to inspired you to do a pencil rendered sketch and edit it in photoshop :)

http://theanthologyproject.com/theanthoprocess.php 

PS:I Decided to go back to courier instead of helvetica :)

Look! I got featured on a blog!

Hello everyone, hope you had a good weekend. I did, my painting "Las Luciernagas" sold (Thank you Adam). But if you are interested you can request a print HERE. I really like how part of the profit goes toa non-profit, when done with my current projects I plan to submit another painting for sale.


Also my painting "The Swan Maiden" was featured on "The Fairy Tale Cupboard". Being a Fairy Tale fan I was honored blogger Claire Massey asked to use my painting.(Thank you!)If you love fairy tales, storytelling, beautiful illustration, writings about fairy tales, informaton, events, exhibitions and more, then you will love this blog.
Again if you are a fan of fairy tales you must check it out, if you are not a fan of fairy tales CHECK IT OUT you may find a new passion.


Here is the link: http://thefairytalecupboard.blogspot.com/


Also my computer charger died on me, so I'm on my brother's computer and I miss my Mac already, I'm so ackward on the P.C.(where's my command button?)


See you guys tomorrow :)

Look I won a book. Ask me a question. Read amazing interviews

Hello everyone:
We wont have a D.I.Y this week , I have some lovely guests visiting from my hometown I must attend to, but here are a few quick announcements:


LOOK I WON A BOOK:
It's always so exciting to win things, but for me even more super exciting when is a book. I won this book from a giveaway giving by Booklicious. A blog that covers all things book from reviews to amazing reads, beautiful book covers, amazing bookshelves. I truly recommend to check it out @ www.bookliciousblog.com. Here's my book:

ASK ME A QUESTION:

If you are wondering why randomly a question will show in my blog with an answer from me? Well is because I have joined Formspring, where you can ask me any questions and i'll gladly will answer it for you. You can do it so by going to the side bar of the blog I have the little question box or @ http://www.formspring.me/byromina

READ AMAZING INTERVIEWS:

I have become contributor for the blog A BAD CRIT, a blog for the underdogs. A blog that shows artists who are on the rise and are not known as widely as the artist we heard about all the time. 

Check it out is very inspiring @ http://www.abadcrit.com 

Enjoy the rest of your week :)