Back to SERIOUS Business!

Warming up?

My oh my!!!! I can't stop saying it!!!!

So much to do, no time at all!!!

But I'm doing my best. I was playing around with some paint a while ago, just warming up for some 'serious' work. But I kinda like the 'un' serious work, so I just decided to share.

All acrylics, 16x20

Three blogs.....

Trying to keep up with one blog is challenging enough! But three! I keep on asking myself why I do this??? (Apart from the fact that I’m a complicated woman….my husband’s description, not mine!) Especially considering the fact that I’m a new mom and that time has become a precious and rare commodity. A couple of my friends have asked the same question. Let me see if I can explain.

In my past life, I provided a wide range of services; fashion design, interior décor, event planning and décor- these were the major services, and then there were all these other services like cakes, catering, card making, gift wrapping, flower arrangements, hats, shoes etc. Anything that I knew how to do, I did. At the time I didn’t find anything wrong with the way I was working, but in hindsight, even though my one goal/mission was “Beauty Inside, On You and All around You”, my brand appeared not to be focused and probably made me look like a wannabe “Jill of all trades”, so this time around, I’ve tried to draw some kind of lines, even though, in my mind, they are all one and the same.

I realize this created a kind of ‘block’ when it came to blogging, so I just decided to put it out there and free myself.

I’m an African woman living outside of Africa; it’s a major part of who I am, and so, I feel I need a different perspective when it comes to all things African, hence, “Asinti Sanaa”. This blog is about African fashion, all things African which interest me and my life as an artist.

Then there’s “Leonarda Renaissance Woman” and if you read my profile, it’s just about all the things I love; discovering them, creating them, celebrating them.
And finally, “Petale”, a blog and brand committed to my love of flowers. Apart from blogging, I really am developing these personas into individual brands, hence the ‘lines being drawn’.

From experience on my Facebook pages, I realize there will always be an overlap somewhere which may seem repetitive, but I think eventually, I’ll be targeting different audiences, so it’s all a-okay!

Okay, done! Now, I’m ready to move on!

Let’s roll!

Back to Blogging!

I've been away for a loooong time...but I'm back to blogging again!

There's been a whole lot going on in my life, but best of all, I'm now a mother! And I couldn't be happier. Now more than ever, I am so inspired and motivated to be the best woman, mother, wife, sister, friend, artist and designer I can possibly be!

As you can see, the last time I posted was way back in 2009!!!! I kinda got busy after that. I started an MFA in Fashion Merchandising while trying to get three certificates in Fashion Design, Interior Design and Art. It was a race against time....well that's what it felt like.

Now that I'm a mother, I've taken a whole different approach towards life and living. Instead of trying to do everything PERFECTLY at the same time and driving myself crazy in the process, I'm learning to 'breathe' and just do what I can, when I can, to the best of my ability.....it may not be perfect, but at least, I'm showing up, and it's okay.

So, here's creating beauty the best way I know how....and it's all okay!

I'll be back with pictures of stuff I was working on while I was away!

Last day of the year!

I’ve been MIA!

Sorry!

Today, I have two goals……

1 To post every other painting that I have made this year so that I can start with a ‘clean canvas’ next year……….which is tomorrow!

And 2, to share what I’ve been working on the past couple of days!

Wish me luck.

First, let me share what I’ve been working on.

So many people have touched my life in so many ways and at Christmas time, the best way for me to express my gratitude has been to paint.

These paintings are more along the lines of the fashion illustrations that I hope to have under my “Asinti Sanaa” brand.

I hope you like them.

I hope the recipients like them.

I love them!

And just a secret between you and I, I love them so much, I don’t want to let go! Thank God for photography! (although the quality of the pictures is really bad! Sorry, I took these around 2am!)

As you may know or not, I LOVE Roses!






I'm trying to channel an illustrator who inspires me; Ruben Alterio, I have a long way to go!!!!



And my African Ladies.





My table




My sketchbook









I'll be back!

Today!

Before the clock strikes 12!

Acrylics

I've been missing in action. The semester is coming to an end and my plate is seriously full! Projects, presentations, homework, finals! It's all good.

Today, I'm sharing my experiences with Acrylics.

My teacher, the great Marc Romano, came with a completely different approach. He was like "no funny abstracts, no funny creative stuff! WE'RE GOING TO PAINT WHAT WE SEE! Period!" And I was like, okaaaaay.......

So he showed us some work from the great masters and that was what we were going to do! After my ethereal experience with watercolors, this was quite scary, because I didn't think I had it in me, but, I was surprised at the results! I still have a long way to go, but I think 'there's something there'.

You be the judge.




Still Life

I've never liked the idea of still life, I thought it was boring, but after I painted this, I became anew! Looking forward to more compositions of still life in all media!




Architecture/Landscape

I love Dubai, just love love Dubai. I think I love Dubai because of the sense of 'possibilities' it presents, being there makes me feel like anything and everything is possible, so when it was time to choose something architectural, I chose the almighty Burj-Al-Arab. And I'm so happy I did!

Once again, I must say, I didn't think I had it in me!




Portrait

Hmmm, this one was scary. The first two gave me the confidence to do this. I had never, ever, ever painted a face before, much less even drawn one. At this point, I was wishing I could run from the class, but Mr. Romano wasn't going to let me go anywhere. First of all, he taught me the basic rules of drawing a face and we took it from there. This was the last project of the semester and I know it needs some fine tuning, but I'm not touching it! One day when I become a pro, I want to be able to look back and say, this was my very first! And as far as I'm concerned, it was great!

It is my pride and joy.

And just so you know, I painted this long before the portrait I posted a while ago,of my BFF Selasie. This was my very first!




Color chart

How could I forget? Before we started painting all these beauties, we had to go through the grueling process of creating this color chart. It was painstaking and one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. As you can see, I didn’t even finish, I was in a hurry to start painting! But it was worth all the trouble!

I would never have been able to achieve any of this without the skill and patience of my teacher. He brought it all out. Thank you Mr. Romano. I can't wait for more lessons with you!

Doodling.....

I almost forgot!

Before I took the watercolor class at Victor Valley College, I took some classes; just about three, at the Rancho Cucamonga Community Center. This was my very first experience with water colors.

And these classes were free!

Anyway, I’m happy I remembered. I have to get in touch with my teacher Melanie and show her the progress I’ve made!

She taught me how to ‘doodle’. Just staying busy with small pieces of watercolor paper anywhere- car, kitchen, bedroom and at anytime, because sometimes you just don’t feel like formally sitting behind the easel or table and painting. That’s exactly how I felt this weekend, but I still wanted to paint. So, I stayed in bed and ‘doodled’!

Here are some things I did in my first class, about a year and a half ago.













And here’s what I did in bed this weekend!












No earth shattering works of art, but I had a nice relaxing time with no expectations and I love what I was able to produce!

Take care!

I’ll be back with more ‘serious’ stuff!