Christmas 2012

Here's this year's graphic. Have a Merry Christmas to you and yours.

year in review

This year, I kept very busy. Busy is the best word I could use to describe everything that's happened. You'll have to excuse me a bit, I may get a little 'deep' and personal in this post.

The Good:

• I have my family, friends, and health.
• I finally worked at a job for a full year.
• I got to go to New York and Boston, and even New Jersey for a day.
• I got a new job at the doing guest photography at the Dole Plantation, and got promoted.. twice.
• I saw some kick ass concerts with Yellowcard, and Reel Big Fish.
• My friend helped me out with some sweet pins (I still owe you Michelle!!)
• I traveled out to Washington to say what's up to my family and a few friends, and even took a short visit to out to Vancouver.
• I went to the my first NFL game (SEAHAWKS!!)
• I managed to make a short visit to SoCal.
• I met a lot of new people and friends.
• and I got to see a LOT of old friends this year :]
• I've "time traveled"* a lot this year.
• I learned what it felt like to be relaxed.
• and I learned how to let go and move on.

The Bad:

• The job that I had worked in for a full year had to close because their contract was up.
• My heart was broken.
• So was a promise.
• I had to end friendships relationships..twice..
• I lost my Nikon DSLR that had my pics from Washington and Vancouver in them.
• I had my Bank Account hacked and had become the victim of fraud.
• I'm not quite doing Graphic Design as much as I'd like....but that's because i'm being lazy.

(*in the sense that I've had moments that made me feel like a kid again, and across different time zones via literal traveling!)

Reflecting on everything, I think I had a pretty decent year. Sure the bad stuff was pretty strong, but I think a lot of the good really outweighed everything but I learned a lot; the difference between crushes and genuinely liking someone, how to take a hint when people are being really flaky, the kind of people I want to surround myself with in the long run, that if you're ever gonna do anything "just for a girl" it's never going to be worth it, and that when all's said and done and no one's around - the character I possess. Maybe time will heal some wounds, maybe not - who know's, time's never ever really been on my side.. and that's fine. Life's too short to be down for too long. The year's not quite done yet, so here's hoping we can add more (good) to the list!

until then, aloha.

Travel log: West Coast

In a break from what I usually post up, I'm writing something I've had up on my mind since I've returned from my trip that I've just been putting off until now. As most of my friends and family have known I've recently took a trip to Washington that was nothing short of amazing.

Up to now, I never really gave anyone a really detailed reason as to why I did what I did so spontaneously towards the end of the year. I took a trip out to Washington because it was the only U.S. West Coast state I hadn't yet 'conquered'. As some of you may know I had gone to school in Southern California, and saw my sister graduate from Oregon State University and it was actually inevitable that I would go to visit Seattle one day and I thought to myself -  "what better time than the present?" coupled with the fact that I had some money saved up and work at Dole right now is slow made this a no-brainer to 'take a vacation'. Washington had a lot of appeal as well, seeing as I have a good amount of family from my Mom's side as well as a few friends that live out there right now.
Seeing how I had a few connections, I decided to make an adventure out to the Pacific Northwest.

Seattle was such an amazing city, downtown alone reminded me a of a tremendously less busy New York. The vibe was less fast paced but there was so much to see, eat, buy, and document with photography. I took a few photos here and there with the phone and a few on the DSLR but we'll get to the camera fiasco shortly.. The family from my mothers side was very welcoming and felt very natural to be with. Needless to say we really took advantage of happy hour in the time I was there.

I also took a short day trip out to Vancouver B.C. as well and can honestly say Canada warrants more than a day to be out (pronounced "oat") there! On the way back, I had a little mishap on my return to Seattle regarding the fact that I may have been a little suspicious because honestly, who comes to Washington tanned, 'vacationing' from Hawaii, with a rental that has California license plates, and a very unusual name? (and that's just the short version).

As my days in Seattle were wrapping up, I ended up missing my flight back home but through patience and understanding from the SeaTac airport and the lady at the front desk managed to arrange an unexpected trip out to LAX and lost my Nikon DSLR camera! It was either lost, or fell out of my bag clip and never returned. Nonetheless I returned to LA where I met up with some old friends and definitely made the time count.

Long story short: I've done a lot this year. Traveled here and there, lost a job and got a new one, made a few mistakes and messed up a bit with some friends, made some memories, but most importantly, learned how to let go. If things are to work out the way they're supposed to, in time they will.


But don't ever wait. Keep busy! and most importantly, be good. Until then, Aloha.

Last minute goodies

I've been verrrrrrrry busy these past couple weeks, and have a few things I have to send out to some dear friends that I haven't had a chance to send yet. For now, I'll upload these pics. Until then, Aloha...

10/11/12

It's only going to happen once in my life! This is a little illustration I did summarizing how I felt today. I was all over the place! I dropped off my grandparents at the airport, returned home to get the longboard to bring out to waikiki and surfed out for a bit with my bosses, came back home to get ready because now I'll be meeting up an old friend out at the local watering hole for some very nice drink specials. 10/11/12 was a success, and serves as a reminder to make everyday count.
(and that's why i'm updating the blog!)

Until then, Aloha!

October is here. and it's a friday

With October comes Halloween. and on fridays....i like doing illustrations! So here's one for the new month! Until then, Aloha.

spoiler

I won't go into too much detail on what this exact scene is, but I will say it has to be my favorite scene from the entire run of LOST. all done in photoshop! whooo

Start of sept

made a fun little book design. when boredom hits, the best thing to do is be productive. you'll never know what you kinds of things you'll be able to create.

August!!

it seems i haven't really had a chance to post anything up this month and it's just about wrapping up. Here's an image I made for my fb. it went into timeline on me, so I made my own cover photo.

I'll be working a lot more on my independent works sometime soon - busy busy busy...and that's a good thing.

Roann : NY MODE + site update

Believe it or not, this is my first painted photoshop piece! pictured here was my go-to getup while i was in NY; all black NY Yankees hat, grey hoodie from UNIQLO, Nikon D30, black Gravis backpack, jeans and Converse Chuck Taylors. I miss NY and can't wait to go back again one of these days.  and i also got to updating the portfolio with some awesome wallpapers! enjoy. and until then, aloha.

july startup

i've been multi tasking a lot so here are a few illustrations that i've come up with in the time since! sometimes the best way to get new work done is just get in the zone and crack it out. pix after the jump. until then, aloha!

asian-zoo

the chinese zodiac really. i just thought it was nice to have a little 'a-z' thing going with the title. anyway, started doodling, i'm sure it'll grow into something bigger for me. for now, here's a little 'calligraphic' style that i've been playing around with the tablet. until then, aloha

i'm back!

back from New York/Boston - the East coast! definitely got a refresher and learned a lot about work ethic. Lessons and memories gained from experience can never be stolen. I also took a lot of photos you can find on my facebook. I should actually try and update my flickr so I can share those publicly...one day.. for now. here's an album screenshot. enjoy and have a great weekend.

updates!

updated the site! have some new wallpaper for your desktop and mobile devices up, which is always exciting. today I leave for my trip, with my first stop being a layover in Seattle, WA. not sure how long it'll be until i update again, but it'll definitely be soon. Until then, have a great June! aloha

june

june is my favorite month for several reasons. as it stands right now I have several updates planned within the next couple of days for my website and plans to apply to several places before I go on a much needed trip. stay tuned! and for now, good night..

with the people i have in my life, i am truly rich.

Poké doodles

 finished editing some stuff in dreamweaver (my site has a portfolio section now!!!) so thought i'd doodle some fun sketches in illustrator. still have a few things to do with the site, but for now just enjoying what I have that's accomplished. heres some fun Pokémon 'action' shots. enjoy

button pins

something a friend and i are teaming up on. can't wait to get this going! :] here's a *sneak* peek...

and some AWESOME shots w/ credit to my friend Penga! Check out her blog for some cool DIY inspiration!

flying kois

for boys childrens day. have a happy weekend!

Extreme!

one of my favorite Pokémon: Dragonite getting ready to use a powerful move...i do feel kinda bad for bidoof though. :\

pac that thing up

some random pac-ing I had lying around that I never got to upload 'til now.

bubble bounty

"boba" fett

choco-bar addict

here's a small piece i did for easter. hope you all had a good one

Male on Sunday

made a flyer for my friend for a dance workshop in LA done in the style of Nigo's BAPE clothing line. simple and effective - check it!

cup of coffee

here's a tumbler design I made for a friend. These are 2 concepts she wanted to illustrate, one is the wolf and an elephant snuggling, another is them letting out cries and a heart. I think the pics are pretty self explanatory. definitely have a lot more to grind out art wise, so stay tuned!

trail blazin'

ghost rider in mario kart! poor shy guy.

animals first set

so much fun you'd think we're in a zoo. colors and simplicity at work. sometimes, you just have to do art for the love of it.

"T"

T shirt concept I have for a "future" Threadless submission. Initially there were 2 concepts...but I honestly prefer this one the best.


it's up! vote for it here (click on photo to go to the link)

TRON vs キカイダー

Having some fun with a cool crossover idea inspired by my friend. Enjoy!

30 day challenge! 17-30

challenge complete!

feb. wallpaper

website updated with new monthly wallpaper! check it out on the link/image below!

doodlin' on the tablet.

having more fun than i should! off to bed i go. aloha

30 day challenge! 1-16

as promised, here are the first 2 weeks of the challenge (plus 2 extra photos)
it's an exciting little exercise to be working on. stay tuned for some new wallpapers!

icons

Here's a cool new personal icon I made.

thinking of making it the new favicon for the blog, but right now i had just changed it to the burger..
decisions, decisions. 30 day drawing challenges of what I've done so far will be up in just a few days. so will the new months wallpaper. 2012 sure is a year I'm making the most of myself and it's awesome.

here we go

had to redesign the challenge list..didn't really fit my style. but here we go! i'll be sure to post when i go through the first 2 weeks, culminating in an awesome surprise.

prepare for trouble

don't know what i'm getting myself in to...but let's see if i can keep it consistent! update on when i begin soon.

new banner!!!

about time too, the old one was 3 years old!
here's one last look of what it was before the current one. until then, we'll make some overhauls...slowly but surely.


aloha

happy new year everybody!

several updates coming soon. for now, peep this months exclusive wallpaper!
the inspiration behind this piece; 2012 - year of the dragon.