From the Sketchbook

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There is something particularly charming about drawing cute pictures for people requesting characters that they have a strong connection with. Of course, as with any situation, you might run into less than courteous characters, but for the most part, I really enjoy doing these types of requests. It also serves as a nice space in which I can experiment a little bit with different drawing styles and just generally practice making art in a more relaxed setting.

Recently, I've decided to try a sort of "quick-sketch" style. Partly for increased speed. And also because I really love the soft coloring style, and wanted to find a way to do it myself. Nice solid rendering is nice, but there's something about soft colors that just really makes my heart do flips.

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And Then There Was Snow

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~ Trees and bushes dressed in their winter's finest of plush snow-furs and cloaks of white. ~

I always enjoy wintery scenes where all the greenery is covered in a fresh coat of fluffy white snow, making them look particularly round and cuddly. I'm sure it's not great for the plants to be weighed down so much, but I have to admit I find it very beautiful.

With winter also comes warm, comforting drinks in cozy corners. I myself am always partial to some hot chocolate with whipped cream on top. Or a hot cup of tea, but that's weird with whipped cream. It's nice to sit in a little cafe, alone or with a friend, and just enjoy the quiet moment of contemplating the steam rising up in front of you.

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University Ballet of Chicago Presents: Raymonda

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For the first show of our 2015 - 2016 season, University Ballet of Chicago Presents Raymonda!

It is the height of the Fifth Crusade. War threatens to keep Crusader Knight Jean de Brienne and his beloved, Raymonda, apart. The arrival of an enigmatic foreigner jeopardizes Raymonda’s happiness--forever. Set to Alexander Glazunov’s brilliant score and adapted from Marius Petipa’s legendary choreography, witness the valiant triumph of devotion over deceit in the Holy War.

I myself danced two roles in this show: as an emissary featured in the Grand Pas Hongrois, and also as one of the maidens in the Valse Provençale. The Grand Pas is indeed one of my favorite ballet scenes, and the music is so very beautiful, so I was very exited to have the opportunity to perform it!

Much of the costuming was very frantic and last-minute, but we managed to pull it together in the end! Here is the outfit for the Valse maidens.





For the Grand Pas, I spent the last couple of days before the show making the sparkle fabric overlays for the tutus, as well as the matching armbands and fan-shaped headpieces for all of the women.










I had fun dancing, the show came together just in time, and I had lots of friends and family come see me! Also, best partner ever ^_^

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