Welcome to the Wonderful World of Jake Parker

Once upon time, a man named Jake Parker was born. Ok, so at the time he wasn't a man, he was just a little teensy baby. But now he's a man. And he is AWESOME. He came and spoke at a seminar I went to last semester. He is one of my absolute favorite artists. Click on his name and you will see why I think he's so incredible. Not only has he worked on movies like Horton Hears a Who and Ice Age, but he has also illustrated graphic novels and children's books. I love his illustration in his book called "The Antler Boy".

 He also wrote a book called "The Robot and theSparrow". 

 I just love his style. It's very unique. You can tell he loves what he does and that he's passionate about his work. He is a very inspirational person. Click on his name and check out the rest of his awesome work!

I Love Rock n' Roll

Rock n' Roll is mmm mmm good. I can't even put it into words. It's like the peanut butter to my jelly :) The Lynyrd to my Skynyrd. And so on and so forth. I think what I like the most about Rock is that it has soul behind it. When you watch a Rock musician perform you can tell that they FEEL the song and it actually means something. It's not some stupid fluff on the radio that only talks about parties and the boy that broke your heart that week. Rock music is about things that have meaning and are important. For the most part.

I recently went to the Rev Theory concert and it was AM. A. ZING. The opening bands were way better than the bands they had at their last concert. There was a band called Aranda who I had never heard of and they were one of the best bands I've heard in a long time. You could tell they love what they do and they actually have something necessary to their profession: TALENT. They can actually play their instruments and write songs that are actually good. No need for auto tune. And yet nobody knows of them. There's something wrong there in my opinion.

They had another band called Pop Evil and they were awesome. They couldn't have a more random group of people together but it worked. I love that Rock musicians can actually sing and have such a power behind their voice. They're super intense. I think this is because they feel everything so intensely and so deeply that they pour it into their music. This is probably also the reason why they often have drug and alcohol problems lol. They feel everything so much that they use those things to cope. Just my theory lol.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is people need to stop obsessing over Bieber and Kesha and all those people who are just a bunch of hype. Listen to something that's not superficial for a change. You might like it. It might change your life. It sure has changed mine. One of these days you'll hear a song, and the lyrics will change your outlook. They'll speak to you in a way that makes you feel like the song was written for you. That it was exactly what you needed to hear. Music saves the soul :)

I Cursed Myself

So you know how my last blog post was titled "2011...don't let me down".....well so far 2011 has SUCKED butt. I guess I cursed myself. So far I have had mono once, strep twice, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get my tonsils out. I've injured myself snowboarding about three times. I'm currently rocking the taped wrist since I sprained it on my last snowboarding adventure. But it's still worth it :) I'm finally getting the hang of it and loving it.

School is pretty awful. I'm not motivated at all. When I got done at work today I planned on going home and studying for my American Heritage midterm. Did I study? No. I ate some nachos, gave my dog a hair cut, watched a little America's Next Top Model, and am now stalking people's blogs. My classes just suck and I can't wait for them to be over. I hardly ever go to Greek and Roman Lit. I CANNOT get into it. It's impossible. I can't wait for March when I get to start Photo. I NEEEEEEED a creative outlet. Can't wait.

I've decided little kids are the funniest people in the world. I volunteer at an elementary school at this after school program. There is this little Asian first grader who pretty much made my life. Here is our conversation:

Adorable Kid: I like your ring. It's big. Did a boy give it to you?

Me: Haha no. I bought it.

Adorable Kid: What??? Boys are supposed to give girls rings. Are you married?

Me: Nope haha.

Adorable Kid: Do you have a boyfriend?

Me: Nope.

Adorable Kid: Well you need to get a boyfriend and get married and make sure he gives you a ring because you need a ring.

Me: Do you have a girlfriend?

Adorable Kid: Yeah. Her name is as;dfkjasdflijasdf (i don't remember what it was lol)

Me: Are you gonna give her a ring?

Adorable Kid: Yeah on Valentine's Day.

Me: Aw cute.

Adorable Kid: Yeah I have it already. My sister gave it to me cause she didn't want it anymore. It's green and it's a stone.

Me: I bet she's going to love it.

Adorable Kid: Of course she'll love it. She's a girl and girls love rings that are stones.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! Cutest. Kid. Ever. So whoever I marry, make sure you give me a ring cause a little Asian might come kick your butt if you don't.

About a month and a half down. Ten and a half more to go. I guess I better learn from My Name is Earl and do some good so karma will start being nice to me. Here's hoping :)

2011....Don't Let me Down

Hey there :) Sooooooooooooooo basically I got into the Graphic Design program. Yay! My stress level has gone down significantly. I literally cried from happiness. Unfortunately, the classes I needed were almost all full so I only got in one art class. The rest are AWFUL, other than snowboarding :) Speaking of which, MY SNOWBOARD ARRIVED!!!!!!! It looks SICK! And I know I'm using tons of caps but that's just how happy I am about this. I'm really stoked to finally learn to board, and get college credit for it, even if it's only half a credit.

Here's my board

(except the bottom is all black and pink, without the white)

Hopefully I don't die or destroy my board the first day. That would be awesome. What isn't awesome is the fact that I'm taking a class called "Intro to Greek and Roman Literature". The class has eight books that I had to buy

for it. I don't see how the freak I'm going to be able to read them all in one semester plus deal with all my other classes, but we'll see.

On a completely different topic, I would just like to mention that I am in love with the game Singstar. My sister and I were playing and it is probably one of my new favorite games. Yes, we both suck at singing but it is awesome. Anysways, I'm gonna go on a Taco Bell run. Hallelujah for Baja Blast Mountain Dew!!!!!

The Beginning of the End

FINALS WEEK!!!! You know what that means. Little sleep, little eating, little fun, LOTS of stress and of course, lots of caffeine. I'm lucky though. One of my classes doesn't even have a final, two of my classes have art projects as the final, and then I have 2 horrid tests for my regular classes. But I can deal :) I just busted out 2 amazing masterpieces for my 2D final. I'll post them later when I care enough to upload them. I also have 2 other pieces from my drawing final I'll post later as well.

GUESS WHAT!!!! Two of my pieces have been chosen to be put in an art show. I'm have finally arrived lol. I'm super stoked. But I'm not that special since pretty much everyone is getting some of their stuff in the show. But still :) My art will be on a wall for the first time. I consider that cause for a "WOOHOOOOOO!!!!!" Next milestone: selling a piece of my work. The milestone after that: getting my work published somewhere. It's good to have goals lol. Without them I probably wouldn't get anything done.

Anysways, I gotsta go to bed so I can wake up early and drive chillins around. Thanks to all you wonderful people who stalk my blog :) Much appreciated. Just know, I probably stalk yours just as much. Mucho love! Peace out.

The Madness That Keeps me Sane

Once upon a time I actually cared about putting an effort into school. Needless to say, that time has ended. I have run out of whatever it is that makes people care about things they have to do. Luckily, my portfolio for my application to the Graphic Design program is due tomorrow, and I have finally chosen the 10 pieces of art that are going to decide my future. Here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Numero Uno

Number Two

Nombre Trois

# 4

Number Five

Number Six

Seven

# Eight

Number Nine

Ten

I still have to finish the dreaded creative exercise, which is basically a piece of paper with a bunch of lines I have to make something out of. Should be interesting. I've stared at it for about a half hour and can't think of anything to put on the paper. Hopefully my story ends up having a happy ending and I get into the program and become an awesome designer. That would be my dream come true. I guess in a month or so I'll find out :) Cross your fingers for me.

A Black Tie Affair

Hey there. Here are some black and white products of my time sucking hobby :) Enjoy!

This was a series inspired by New York Waterfront by Stuart Davis.

This one is my personal favorite.

This is a charcoal drawing of a random corner on campus. The angle is a little weird but you get the general idea.