Mika Doodle Contest 2013 - Part II

Hello everybody! Just wanted to update the blog with the continuation of my "Mika Doodle Contest" entry from earlier this year. If you missed my previous post about the competition, let me catch you up. The contest was open to all illustrators, artists and anyone else who wanted to doodle select tracks off the album, "The Origin of Love," that were posted on the MIKA Facebook fan page every week. I made it my mission to submit an entry for EVERY one of the songs posted. This post contains the other half of my entries below!!

Song 6: Popular

This track was based off the original tune "Popular," from the musical Wicked. I love the production Wicked and this song sang by Galinda to Elphaba. MIKA's version has a similar melody but the message was less about BECOMING popular and more a stab at the "popular" kids that put down the other kids at school. I resisted the urge to create something girly and cute and based my drawing on the the line that said, "Dunk me in the toilets now it's you that cleans them." Your typical queen bee trades in her tiara for a little janitor's bucket printed with the song title and filled with cleaning solution, a sponge and a toilet brush. 

Song 7: Love You When I'm Drunk

Next was a song called, "Love You When I'm Drunk." My doodle depicts the chorus, which is exactly the same as the title of the track. I drew a bottle of whiskey with the lyrics written on the label and a half empty shot glass with heart-shaped ice cubes beside it. The entire drawing is surrounded by little broken hearts because as happy as the melody sounds the theme is pretty depressing. The text was based off of 3 different fonts from my computer. 

Song 8: Stardust

Next up was a track called, "Stardust." My original concept was going to be a silhouette of the singer made of little tiny stars taken as a Polaroid picture. After a few sketches, I was convinced it looked much better as another cartoon Mika instead. As for the colors, I was going for galaxy; purple, dark blues and dark pinks. Once I was done, I realized it looked A LOT like Coraline and her star-covered pajamas. Oops!! I still think it came out pretty good though.

Song 9: Emily

I loved the style of the video which starred "Fanny Ardent," dressed in red playing the part of "Emily," that went along with this song. The video's artistic interpretation of the song was spot on but didn't want to translate that too literally into my piece. "Emily" seemed to me from the song, to be a woman under an identity crisis. I wanted to play with the idea of changing identity by illustrating a mannequin head complete with wig and hat labeled "Emily." The curly short haircut and bright red color of the hat tie in with the look of the music video. Elegant yet still fun this is a stand alone piece and an illustration I'm really proud of!

Song 10: Make You Happy

When I heard this song for the competition I immediately thought . . . robot! And that's not just because I love robots and think about them 56% of the time I had a valid reason. The line, "all I want to do is make you happy," is constantly repeated throughout the song in mechanical sounding-auto tuned voice. Much like a robot. But this isn't just any robot, this is a MIKABOT. He comes equipped with a bolted-on suspenders, a fancy top hat and a mop of curly locks underneath it. Beep boop beep!

Song 11: Underwater

The competition wrapped up with a song called, "Underwater." I thought about what could be underwater and came up with an oyster. The oyster is open to reveal a precious pearl, shaped like a heart to symbolize love. I hand-lettered the lyrics, "put your lips on me and I can live underwater," above the piece and added some bubbles to surround the piece.

I love challenging myself artistically by entering contests and competitions. And it was fun to see everyone's different interpretations of the songs off the album. Not only that I made some new artist friends along the way!! Hope everyone has a good week!! 

Mika Doodle Contest 2013 - Part I

Hey everyone! Just wanted to update the blog with a contest I participated in during the beginning of the year. If you caught my previous post about musical artist "MIKA" you remember me mentioning how fun it is to illustrate to his tunes. So boy was I psyched when I stumbled across a "Doodle Competition" posted on his official Facebook fan page.

The tournament worked like this: nearly every week from January through mid-February a song title off the album "The Origin of Love," was announced giving fans the chance to submit artistic interpretations of the featured song and its lyrics. A doodle could be any sort illustration of the song's message whether it be digital, painted or just scribbled. I made it my mission to submit an entry for EVERY one of the songs posted. Scroll down to check out a set of the entries I submitted!

Song 1: The Origin of Love

This was the title track off of the album and the first revealed in the competition. I wanted to render all my doodles by hand while keeping consistent with my normal artistic style. I chose crayons and marker as my medium to create fun pieces reminiscent of coloring book pages. After listening to the song I created this sugary candy and pill coated heart encompassing some of the most vivid lyrics such as "some love is a candy cane it tastes so sweet but leaves you feeling sick with pain."

Song 2: Lola

This is one of my favorite doodles I created for the competition. I went for simplicity and tried not to get too literal. The particular lyrics I based it on were, "when you find your love's for real you'll beg and borrow, cheat or steal, trying to get the money just to call her." The red phone's cord twists and knots to form a little hidden heart at the end. The word's "Lola" coming out of the phone were also something I hand-lettered which I've been challenging myself with more often instead of relying on fonts to keep my work unique.

Song 3: Three Steps

"3 Steps," was appropriately chosen as song #3 (COINCIDENCE?!). This track was extremely light and airy similar to a day-dream. My main focus was the line, "this love's delicious like home-cooked dishes." I included the text in my doodle since I'm not one to turn down a warm home-made meal and it was SUCH a super simile. I drew a little cartoon MIKA up in the clouds surrounded by hearts and comfort food swirling around along with the "3 Steps."

Song 4: Heroes

"Hereos" was a bit tougher to translate into a crayon doodle since it was more serious and I like to focus on fun and happy things. The song addresses war and inner conflict among other hard topics. Since it was so sad and meant to honor our heroes what personally came to mind for me was a cracking war medal. On the inscription are the cold lyrics, "you don't have to die in your glory to never grow old." I'm pretty proud of how this turned out.

 Song 5: Celebrate

The next song revealed was an almost an exact opposite of the previous track. It's extremely upbeat and cheery titled, "Celebrate." So whee, fun! Celebrate! Balloons! Party! I hand lettered another set of lyrics on this doodle, "I want the whole world to celebrate." Little cartoon MIKA floats off into the sky to spread joy to the whole planet.

I decided to split this post up and save the other half of my entries for another date. If you are ever game for spontaneous contests that flex your creative muscle I suggest "like"ing the MIKA fanpage at http://www.facebook.com/mikasounds. Hope everyone is having a super week and keep your eyes for Part II coming soon!!

200th Post!! NerdyCupcakes Print Giveaway!

Hey everyone!! I promised the 200th entry of my blog would be a giveaway. Since this is an illustration blog what better prize to give away than an illustration!! One lucky winner drawn at random will be the recipient of their own custom NerdyCupcakes illustration!

What do we mean by CUSTOM you ask? The winner will get the chance to be the designer!! You choose your favorite cake flavor, frosting flavor, one topping and your cupcake's wrapping color!! Peanut butter NerdyCupcake with strawberry frosting?? Why not! Chocolate NerdyCupcake with Vanilla Bean frosting and rainbow sprinkles?? Heck yes!

 
But just like any bakery we have a few limitations when it comes to "flavors." Frosting and cake choices are listed below. Toppings can be anything from candy, to sprinkles, to a slice of bacon; it's all up to our winner!

How do you enter?? Just leave a comment on this blogpost to be entered into the random drawing for your chance to win your very own 8x5" x 11" custom NerdyCupcakes print shipped to your home! Hang it in your home, office and even locker!! DEADLINE TO ENTER IS FEBRUARY 25TH 2013!!

RULES: Please only one comment per entry. Make sure to leave a VALID e-mail IN YOUR COMMENT so we can contact you by. The winner will be contact via e-mail by VioletInkDesign. Remember this is just a PRINT not something you can eat!! Any entries that do not follow the rules or past the deadline will not be accepted. Good luck everyone!!

Triana Orpheus Illustration: Venture Bros

Hey everyone!! I know I haven't posted lately but things have been so hectic. Fall and Halloween are also my favorite time of the year so I haven't been sitting around the computer lately but instead going out and doing festive stuff with my and my friends!!

(image via Venture Bros Blog)

Something that makes THIS year's Halloween extra special is that the Venture Bros (probably my biggest television obsession) is premiering a new episode tomorrow in the states, at 11h30PM Eastern Time! To raise awareness of the awesome show that is The Venture Bros and since this is my doodle blog I thought I would share a Venture-Themed illustration I created!!

I created it to enter it into a contest (sadly didn't win). The illustration depicts Triana Orpheus, daughter of a necromancer staring at a her closet in fright. If you're not familiar with the show at all, she has every reason to concerned about her glowing closet because it's actually a dimensional portral!

Shhhhh! Don't question it!! Triana isn't one of my favorite characters but the colors of her bedroom and really convinced me to use her as my muse. If your not familliar of what she ACTUALLY looks like, here is a pic of her I kidnapped of the Venture Bros Wiki (http://venturefans.org): 

And a close up of my my stylized approach:

I made sure to incorporate a lot of elements that make up Triana's appearance in the show. And some items that caught my attention in scenes they present of her room. A few things include giant grandma panties, a pudding cup and even one of her signature inappropriately short shirts!

I used (and improved upon) the style and technique of my Crystal Castles Alice Glass illustration. Unfortunately for me I don't have too many friends that appreciate the Venture Bros but I urge you to give it at least a try!! I know I'm excited for tomorrow night!! Hope everyone has a great weekend and GO TEAM VENTURE!

Out and About won an AWARD!

Hey everyone just wanted to update the blog with some EXCITING news I received a few weeks ago about a publication I was involved in called "Out and About" magazine. It is a FREE local publication I created with my fellow Graphic Designers at the Daily News that got distributed all over area businesses.

 

(Table of Contents of OUT & ABOUT  featuring my illustrations and crediting all the designers!)

My responsibility as I had posted before was to lay out a few of the stories, create illustrations and bring summer content like recipes and activity lists. I wrote another post about it here http://lauradoodleshere.blogspot.com/2012/07/out-about-illustrated-recipes.html and you can even view the publication in it's entirity online over here http://lebanondailynews.pa.newsmemory.com/special.php?date=2012060

Well as you can tell from the title of this post the publication won an award!! It took FIRST PLACE in the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association's Advertising Tear Sheet Contest in the "Special Section/Niche Publication" category!!

We got a plaque for winning. As you can see I was really excited to be holding the glorious FIRST PLACE trophy. The newspaper even ran an article of it for their print edition as well as online at http://www.ldnews.com/business/ci_21684853/lebanon-daily-news-graphic-design-team-wins-pennsylvania. For a full list of winners be sure to check out their website at http://www.pa-newspaper.org/events/contest/awardtearsheet.

Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival!

One fun event my town has from time to time is a Sidewalk Chalk competition. Artists of all ages can pay a small fee to reserve one (or more) blocks of sidewalk and create a masterpiece! Pieces are then judged and prizes given to winner's in each age group.

I decided to participate this year. My drawing was a combination of two things that I love; baking and robots!

My little baker robot was busy at work making lots of yummy frosted cupcakes in all sorts of colors and tasty sprinkled donuts. MMMMM!

I didn't win any prizes but I still had a blast!! It was great checking out other people's pieces!! Almost enchanting strolling around the environment being surrounded by vivid works of art on every step you make.

And honestly, I don't think I did TOO bad for a girl who spends majority of her time at a computer all day! I'm really excited to participate next year. I even told a few of my friends about it. Who knows, maybe I will win!

Corey Eps - Drawing Contest Entry!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to make a quick post about a hand drawing I did for a Facebook contest! Anther drawing contest that involves Tracy DiMarco of course; except this time all you had to do was draw her boyfriend, Corey Eps!

It is a hand drawing contest and there are some REALLY great entries in it. Contestants really took their time to create some true masterpieces with all sorts of mediums! Here's my entry:

I created it with Sharpie markers, the colored markers were Prismacolor and then just some regular ole Crayola crayons :)

It turned out really cute and although I doubt I will win, but you can definitely tell I brought a bit of my own style to the competition. If you want to check out all the entries check out Corey Ep's Facebook community in the "Drawing Contest" folder.

If you haven't heard of Tracy's prince charming or how they plan to live "Jersey Ever After" they now have their own website at http://www.05-15-11.com. AND be sure to look out for him on the NEW Season of Jerseylicious :)

CMYK+Jakprints "Stick-It" Sticker Contest

Hey everyone! I recently entered a contest from CMYK Magazine!! They partnered with JAKPRINTS for a completely free sticker contest open to all designers!

Winners will get published in CMYK Magazine and on Jakprints.com! Here is the illustration I entered:

You can also enter as many times as you would like. The deadline when I entered was last Monday but they seemed to have re-activated the contest and extended the deadline until September 5th.

Wish me luck everyone! Since they extended the deadline I think I'll create another design for the second run :)

Calling all Artists!! NEW Tracy Contest!!

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let all my fellow artist know about the newest competition going on Tracy DiMarco's Fanpage wall... a drawing competition!!

All you have to do is pick a photograph of Tracy from on the albums, get out your markers, paints, crayons, colored pencils, whatever and re-create it!! Post your masterpiece on the fanpage and tell your friends, family, fans, everyone to hit that "like" button to vote for your drawing!!

Of course I entered:

Digital entries are not being accepted for this contest, so I drew it out in pencil and colored one of two ways I knew how, with watercolor paints! Please vote for my entry by clicking "like" at : http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=224149877603510&set=a.223887467629751.64175.113948348623664&type=1&theater

50% of the contest is the amount of votes and the other 50% is determined by Tracy herself!! The contest ends on July 4th so hurry and get drawing!!

ModCloth "Cute as a Button" Contest!!

Hey everyone! I am currently entered in a Facebook contest hosted by ModCloth that my awesome friend Emily told me about!! The premise of the contest is to design a button that is well, as cute as a button :) and get the most votes!! The top five designs get judged and a winner is chosen!

I have been spreading the word the best I can, everyday to EVERYONE so I can win! Here is my entry:

I think my design has a fighting chance, my cute little monsters are actually one of the top things that brings people to my blog!! So why not put them on a button!!

I am by no means good at any popularity contest so I am asking for everyone I knows help!

To vote you just need to log-on to Facebook and click vote on my entry here: http://bit.ly/j6EAu4 and spread the word I need like...60 more votes atleast!!

Voting ends May 10th! Thanks everyone and wish me luck!

a Life of Bunny CONTEST!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to make an entry to help promote the contest from one of my blog followers, Bunny!

She posts great reviews on products, makeup, photos, has an awesome sense of humor and I love reading her blog. To celebrate her 200th post she's throwing this contest with TWO SETS of unique prizes!

Each prize pack is chock full with adorable bunny themed products. It's easy to enter!! Just click the link here: http://unchainedbunny.blogspot.com/2011/01/omg-200th-post-give-away-beauty-or.html!! Hurry though, contest ends this January on the 24th!! And don't forget to follow her blog!

Good luck everyone :D

Cartoon Tracy Madness!!

Hey everyone, sorry for the late update on the posts. Things have been super busy and I did end up getting sick for awhile. The BeABiographer contest is really winding down and it is not looking good for Team Laura!! To place some final votes just click here at: http://www.beabiographer.com/#/gallery/13/

The important thing is though, (whether I win or lose) is that I made art for a great cause! By showing people my piece I am raising awareness to the social cause at hand; the reality of human sex trafficking. I urge you all to visit the Blind Project's website (http://www.theblindproject.com) educate yourselves and if you have some extra money, donate to their cause :)

Onto the artwork now! I have done a couple portraits since the last time that I updated. First off is a portrait request from Tracy DiMarco modeling a look from the store Pop Culture! Here is the photo I had to work from:

And here is the finished piece:

I think it turned out great! I just loved the neon green dress and matching bracelets! The important part is that Tracy really enjoyed it :) and when she's happy, I'm happy!!!

Next I did a portait for her and her boyfriend!!! :D They are definitely the cutest couple around! Here is the photo I was provided:

And my finished piece:

How adorable is that??? I even made sure their outfits matched this time!! It did take a longer time for me to do, the camo pattern was REALLY slowing down Illustrator. So much that it refused to save :( it was really annoying!! But once I switched her dress to black, everything went smoothly. I then added the pattern last. And of course I had to add a big pink heart :)

What do you guys think?? I love doing work like this!

ALSO if you are interested in showing your TEAM TRACY pride, the style network has an official store to buy JERSEYLICIOUS merchandise!!

Go to http://www.cafepress.com/Jerseylicious/7249326 and order yourself a hoodie, shirt, or even a canvas bag!!

Vote, Vote, Vote!!

Hey everyone just wanted to let you know that the voting for the BeABiographer contest has started. I'm a small town girl, a real underdog, it would make my life to win this contest!! First I need enough votes to make it too the semi finals.

The competition is tough :( Artitsts from all over the world entered with their own take on survivor's stories. So I need everyone's help, you, your friends, family, pets, etc.

Just check out this link: http://www.beabiographer.com/#gallery/13/

Click the "Dig" button to help me advance in the contest!! Not only are you helping me, but you are helping raise awareness of the realities of human trafficking. It's a good cause, and all it takes is one simple click :)

ALSO you can vote for more than one person so vote for my best friend Kara's designs;
http://www.beabiographer.com/#/gallery/97/
http://www.beabiographer.com/#gallery/98/
http://www.beabiographer.com/#/gallery/96/

Voting is on until October 17th!! And there's nothing to lose! Have a great day everyone!