tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14768013208848537442024-03-13T07:23:59.377-04:00Jenny McMillen, Illustrator Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.comBlogger475125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-622476372563705632021-10-11T15:30:00.000-04:002021-10-11T15:30:09.904-04:00New Website Coming Soon!<p> Hi, everyone and Happy Belated Thanksgiving. It’s been awhile, again, but I got some news to share. </p><p>After getting some comparison research done, I’ve narrowed down where I would like to host my new website soon. I plan to have 2 websites overall, 1 showcase site and 1 story site (for possible upcoming project) but I’ll be getting my showcase site up and going first. Within the remaining part of this year or early next year the latest, I’ll be moving my whole domain over to the new site. </p><p>What that’ll means for the old content here? I’ll be removing some of the older works that not part of my usual stylings of drawing and painting anymore. Either for being ineffectual in their deliveries of the concept and too tedious to repeat for many different works. Frankly, some genres need to be beefed up somewhat however once I have a starting amount of my works ready, I’ll be uploading them online. For now, it’s mostly will be short works: emojis, spot icons, single pieces and gradually more longer, grander works will be uploaded.</p><p><br /></p><p>For a good while now, I’ve been busy with putting some things in the past. Old things to donate/toss, scrap materials to use up and including changing old habits (the last one is always a work-in-progress). I’ve learnt it’s okay to NOT get everything ALL DONE in one day or one week as everything in life is like a routine. With many things on people’s plates or to-do lists, even a bucket list, the most you can do is set aside a small amount of time for each item to make a bit of progress on them or deal with some things on only certain days so there’s more equitable time to work on them. I’m ready to move onto building my future rather just clearing out my past, but there’s still plenty of things and relationships of people I want to keep maintaining as I go forward. I hope that a lot of you had been given that chance over this pandemic and are probably feeling the same way about refocusing your goals and aims in the near future too.</p><p>So, that’s it for now. When I get the roughs ready, I’ll showcase what I generally plan for my new website is to look as final. Fairly soon, hopefully. </p>Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-30084448400486484162021-03-28T13:22:00.001-04:002021-03-28T13:22:26.532-04:00Spring has Bloomed!<p>Hi again, everyone! Spring (for in Toronto anyways) has returned. I don't see any crusty ice banks around now, getting more rain than snow for the plants to come and everyone are more than eager to come outside to enjoy the fresh air at least, more so than ever as the pandemic continues. While you're all anxious about getting things back to normal, please upkeep with ALL the safety rules for COVID: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><u>Keep about 6ft apart</u></li><li><u>Wear your masks inside public areas</u></li><li><u>Wash often your face and hands</u></li></ul><p></p><p>And finally <u>please, please, <b>PLEASE</b>, <b>BE PATIENT</b> in the line-ups</u>, especially when the store staff has to clean after each customer to avoid cross-contamination between people. To stop the virus' spreading and reduce cases, including deaths. We're NOT out of this YET and until at least most of us gets <i><b>vaccinated</b></i> for against this virus, we have to keep at doing this so we can get our normal lives back sooner!</p><p>Well, as of late, I've been getting some spring cleaning done and getting ready for the warmer weather to come while storing away my winter gear. Tossing some things and using 'em up too; it can be an ever-ongoing life trend for myself. I don't want to have too much junk being held on for trivial reasons, mostly for practical or sentimental values. Letting go of some things is a lesson I've been doing some insight about of late too. Use it up, Give it away, Let it pass or just Toss it, determining what is worth it or not in the end with my aims and goals. </p><p>I'm still doing artwork though I'm going for short works right now. Something to help beef up my portfolio with more recent works. A while back, I did small spot illustrations with the year-end holidays for some banner art. It seems fine enough for short works, plus could also be used as emojis too. Figured that I make some sets of them for assets. Right now I'm doing holiday themes. So far, I did Valentine's, St. Patrick's and the upcoming Easter Day. I can draw other themes like the weather, sports or anything with enough content to make a series of. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrgo8D_Cdb8/YFv0wmvgxtI/AAAAAAAADgM/hD0kPYCw1jgeD41gTrQv6EIIBuZ5lHybgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ValentineSpots.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1580" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lrgo8D_Cdb8/YFv0wmvgxtI/AAAAAAAADgM/hD0kPYCw1jgeD41gTrQv6EIIBuZ5lHybgCLcBGAsYHQ/w154-h200/ValentineSpots.jpeg" width="154" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbEPBQveoQE/YFv0wJ8tmyI/AAAAAAAADgI/2zPjegCpWwstsVlTpMJYEctiSG21kqTNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/St.PatricksDay.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1593" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbEPBQveoQE/YFv0wJ8tmyI/AAAAAAAADgI/2zPjegCpWwstsVlTpMJYEctiSG21kqTNgCLcBGAsYHQ/w156-h200/St.PatricksDay.jpeg" width="156" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oz-IhdL61eo/YFv0u59tNFI/AAAAAAAADgE/Hmi8ovZqcw4qTpr2HOR6C0HzM7zC7epdgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Easter.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1497" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oz-IhdL61eo/YFv0u59tNFI/AAAAAAAADgE/Hmi8ovZqcw4qTpr2HOR6C0HzM7zC7epdgCLcBGAsYHQ/w146-h200/Easter.jpeg" width="146" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, other than making sketches, I've made an Easter card for my niece. I didn't paint it in, only inked it in brown liner. I could've paint it before sending it off to her for Easter but I thought she might like to colour it in herself with some new pencil crayons while snacking on the chocolates that I've sent too. Hopefully she'll send a photo (or her Dad or Mom could) of the finished work. Other than some rubber band crochets and doodles on greeting cards, I don't get to see much of her artwork. She's not yet at the age to have social media accounts to showcase her interests and achievements.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_VuSNpER8g/YFv0ph2JXVI/AAAAAAAADf8/GkCBEvvQ6aUQcW2ht17BASQlrPm0hu2pQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2021EasterCardRough.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1348" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9_VuSNpER8g/YFv0ph2JXVI/AAAAAAAADf8/GkCBEvvQ6aUQcW2ht17BASQlrPm0hu2pQCLcBGAsYHQ/w132-h200/2021EasterCardRough.jpeg" width="132" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9b0mqNYoe0/YFv0q2fLiUI/AAAAAAAADgA/F481oxFkmXg3i_xD3zXBxhImkwjM0JY8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/2021EasterCardInk.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1360" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9b0mqNYoe0/YFv0q2fLiUI/AAAAAAAADgA/F481oxFkmXg3i_xD3zXBxhImkwjM0JY8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w133-h200/2021EasterCardInk.jpeg" width="133" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that's it for now. I'll like to start rendering the spots into finished works soon but I want to get around to getting that new website business all done too. I have to get better with my time management with not only my home routines but getting not too tired out from my current day job. With the lockdowns being lighten now, more people are coming inside but they want to act like things are back to normal (FAR OFF from it still). Please keep being considerate of ALL Frontline Workers; they had to do their jobs all the while facing increased risk of catching the virus with double the usual efforts of sanitation. Think of how it's like for being in their positions while dealing with yourselves please. Happy Easter/Spring, be safe and be kind.</div><br /><p></p>Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.3831843-4.7931128038450836 -149.69568429999998 90 -9.0706842999999964tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-11959160459513004812021-01-31T21:01:00.013-05:002021-01-31T21:13:42.161-05:00Fruity Artsy<p style="text-align: justify;">So, what to say after about a week has gone by? Not much has gotten done. Still reading thru tax guides, still sorting thru old papers of resumes and art promos, and I'm still looking up possible web hosting sites. On top of all that, there's my necessary chores to get done between shifts at my essential retail job, if I got enough energy and time for it afterwards. So, yeah, not much done art-wise. The most creative thing I've done this week is sand and varnish a wooden foldable table stand that I use regularly so to have it be more water resistant and easier to clean. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>(This is another reason why I want to change from Blogger: struggling to get the composition I want in a blog scroller frame is tricky. I can't always get it to look the way I want it.)</i></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0PBPhidZmJY/YBdiQDx05JI/AAAAAAAADe8/o3MYTADvbHUb_X-P5o0kUeXXQlGvCmCVACLcBGAsYHQ/FruitVectorIcons.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1457" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0PBPhidZmJY/YBdiQDx05JI/AAAAAAAADe8/o3MYTADvbHUb_X-P5o0kUeXXQlGvCmCVACLcBGAsYHQ/FruitVectorIcons.jpeg" width="170" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Sketches<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTSSYe5IRBU/YBdi7YzKVLI/AAAAAAAADfQ/vWF0HAp2GjwbNDBy47S78UUdr9oA2c8EgCLcBGAsYHQ/FruitVectorIcons-Final.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="1224" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WTSSYe5IRBU/YBdi7YzKVLI/AAAAAAAADfQ/vWF0HAp2GjwbNDBy47S78UUdr9oA2c8EgCLcBGAsYHQ/FruitVectorIcons-Final.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit Vectors</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I could at least show you what I got finished last month though. I had the thought on drawing vector icons of fruits during the summer for a Keto Ingredient Guide I wanted to make as I'm regularly eating toward that diet to lose weight (down to 310Lbs or less now). I've since found a better guide of it with Wholesome Yum (they're a great site for food facts and keto recipes, you should definitely browse the site for low-carb/sugar diet help), but I wanted to finish what I drew. I did also a quick water mark to see what I could do to deflect infringement, might need work still.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I thought to make a set of icons as stock assets to eventually put up for sale (once I worked out the market part of it). Was going to draw a few sets of foods for the guide idea but got side-tracked with finishing off other projects like the last of my Halloween Decor ideas. I'm glad now to be all done with trying to use up old materials for the sake of avoiding wasting them, so now I'm mostly about my artwork with the occasionally DIY house work. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm not sure exactly when I'll be able to start freelancing as I got a lot to catch up on, even with my retail job being part-time (it can get usually exhausting on front cash, foot traffic depending). While I'm not wanting to stay on my current job permanently, I don't want to quit it cold-turkey and be without a steady income for a long time. That was one thing I've learnt from being jobless for about 6 years, except for having brief temp jobs, welfare and my parents' support to fall back on. Once I can finally make a sustainable living with my art, I can consider going full-time into it and quit doing retail work. For now, I'll be building up my portfolio while getting more informed with the business side, providing I don't have to keep doing a lot of small things like restitching worn clothes or refurbishing damaged items in a DIY fashion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's it for now. Going to apply that second coat of polyurethane so I can reassemble my table again tomorrow, part of it anyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p>Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-51739794867066085812021-01-25T18:27:00.004-05:002021-01-25T18:27:29.788-05:00New Year, Refreshed Start<p> Hi again everyone! Welcome to the new year and hopefully to the turnaround of this whole pandemic. This virus is still kicking the Earth's bum here but at least with vaccines now getting made and being distribute among the populace, things are starting to improve for the long run. Let's keep at being safe!</p><p>For me personally, I'm finally all done with projects to just use up extra crafting materials (it's taking WAY too long for them anyway while still working an essential job). This year, THIS YEAR, I'm now all about my artwork and to freelance or at least to get work as an artist. Okay, I'll be making time for other things like my health & fitness (the Keto Diet has been doing well for me) and purge away what I don't need or compact down my storage for more space and less excess materials. One good lesson to learn with managing your stuff is to figure out what purposes each item has for you and to know what you really need from them. It's really that you want it very badly or you need it essentially, otherwise don't buy or collect it. Unless you can trade it for what you want like money.</p><p>What I'm doing right now is brushing up my knowledge on the legal and accounting side of freelancing: GST/HST, T-Forms, Canada Revenue Guides, Business Essentials, any legal advice with freelancing. After that, I can start working on building up my portfolio with new works. With freelancing, I'm NOT understanding about Canada's legal business obligations and how to file taxes as a freelancer and that is baffling me. I was taught about it somewhat way back at my OCAD years but ultimately it wasn't possible to narrow it to only Canada's way of business start-ups and registration as it was an international university with students across the globe. I've done some artwork jobs before but only as an individual, not as a registrant business owner. I want to change that so I'm studying on the business part of freelancing so I won't be afraid about it anymore. One way to overcome a fear to learn more about it, that's my thinking behind it.</p><p>Lastly to talk about is that I'll be considering a new site to host my artwork soon. While I've relied on Blogger for years due to being free to host on, it doesn't allow much design freedom for displaying your content online. I've tried my old web comic on this site for a while but the navigation was terrible. Unless there's been changes for available formats since then, I want to build a more professional website to not only showcase my artwork better but also allow me to do a webcomic again. Maybe to restart my Crystalium series again but I'll need to dust off that project too, refresh my work and revise how to tell it eventually after I get the ball rolling again on my freelancing.</p><p>If not weekly, then bi-weekly or monthly updates are going to happen from now on. I want to do this full-time eventually and not working still at a supermarket (as long as I can support myself by artwork alone). Either with a tidbit of news or maybe a doodle sketch, I need to start talking on social media more to re-grab people's attention again as well as drawing. So that's it for now. See ya next month.</p>Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-90430683082436297262020-04-20T00:10:00.001-04:002020-04-20T00:10:35.742-04:00What I've done and What's to come...Hi everyone, if there's any one left that follow my posts. Sorry for that; I've been more productive than interactive.<br />
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What to say after it's been about a 16-months hiatus since I've posted anything here? I can say that I got some things cleared away from my backlog of projects or just simply dropped, leaving less things on the back burner of my mind. I can say that I have changed some of my old habits, working out what tends to do better for me at different times of the day. I like to say that I'm in a better place in my life in comparison to where I was last year but I don't seem to feel that. However, that's probably a good thing as I can be motivated to keep improving myself until I start to feel happier.<br />
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As I'm starting to make all this purging more of a timed-weekly chore list rather than stuff to take up my free time in-between my work shifts, I'm getting what I want to do as an artist worked. It is about time I start to do this more professionally rather than as a side-hobby. I'll reveal how I plan to in the near-future.<br />
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In the meantime, I might as well show you some photos from one of my projects that I cleared off last year. Or you can click/tap away from this page for something else, it's up to you.<br />
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One of the longer projects was my scarecrow doll project, taking a lot of the scrap fabric to use up for a halloween decor idea. Depending of some features, it took weeks to get one of them done. For the 1st half of the year, I was getting all 4 of them sewn and stuffed into blank sitting dolls:<br />
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<li>Sawing and gluing wood scraps into a weighted head spikes for styrofoam heads.</li>
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<li> Cutting out multiple sheets of limb templates from discounted canvas cuts.</li>
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<li style="text-align: left;">Strenuously Hand-Stitched (Machine-Stitched for some parts thankfully) and Hand-Fluffed & Stuffed all 4 into blank canvas dolls, button eyes and thread smiles.</li>
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And that was just before I start working on each one individually by summer time in-between my work shifts. I've worked roughly from July to October to complete 2 of them before Halloween, only to have it pouring rain on the big night (Thank you for front porch awnings). <br />
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The first one was a funky mop-head hippie. The hardest and longest part to work on it was the hair, not just for twinning into locks from literally a discounted disposable mop head but the stitching it all in staying in place with multiple cut strands. I remember this took about 3 weeks to do out of its difficulty and having to find another mop-head that came close enough to complete the whole head. After that, I decided to make hats for the rest of them to cut down on all that hand-stitching work.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8Tl47JJXDI/Xp0Es-uFCsI/AAAAAAAADYk/ljC_4x9ZaUMGJJrK3dLL0ZH4Djnt6oGWACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8Tl47JJXDI/Xp0Es-uFCsI/AAAAAAAADYk/ljC_4x9ZaUMGJJrK3dLL0ZH4Djnt6oGWACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7070.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_1-Licl_zY/Xp0HrAEAAKI/AAAAAAAADZc/SBMADBdtDqQ4iGvut6K-rwGK95tj-_5RQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c_1-Licl_zY/Xp0HrAEAAKI/AAAAAAAADZc/SBMADBdtDqQ4iGvut6K-rwGK95tj-_5RQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_7200.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Next came making its clothes. Much of it was possible by sewing machine but for some aesthetics, I used colourful threads that I've double-double folded for decorative hand stitching. A lot of the fabrics are ones I've found (and cleaned) via salvaging while some are old worn clothes and textiles like old throw pillows or seat cushions.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M92H2R5NWe4/Xp0Esl340QI/AAAAAAAADYg/fCZUjqQZH7EQnDS2Z9_SrycQoKTtJdaNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M92H2R5NWe4/Xp0Esl340QI/AAAAAAAADYg/fCZUjqQZH7EQnDS2Z9_SrycQoKTtJdaNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7305.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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After many hours and hours of sewing, I took old dried corn leaves or some plant fibres and hot glued to the hem ends of the sleeves for a straw-stuffed look. They looked a bit too long so I trimmed them. I'd also hot-glued some extra decor for finishing touches.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_wGfN503VM/Xp0Et7wsvAI/AAAAAAAADYw/99znemPzRZ4xanuyDMZVJJqAhBO4Ne09wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W_wGfN503VM/Xp0Et7wsvAI/AAAAAAAADYw/99znemPzRZ4xanuyDMZVJJqAhBO4Ne09wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7907.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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...And after about 2 months' of work, this is its final look. It definitely carry much from the original sketch I drew. It doesn't have many halloween colours but the project was about using up the old materials I had hoarded for a long time. </div>
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Now onto the 2nd one, which is a more autumn-coloured country girl. I used a lot of old denim pants' scraps to make her dress, embroidered with some orange threads courtesy of my sewing machine.</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IEBYg7rNGY/Xp0UBHp4TXI/AAAAAAAADZo/3bdWSEyQHuc8QQ1hd_o3PQj-rUdxoanNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6IEBYg7rNGY/Xp0UBHp4TXI/AAAAAAAADZo/3bdWSEyQHuc8QQ1hd_o3PQj-rUdxoanNQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_7470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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After the dress, I did the pointed hat in denim too but made more patch-like with both sides and discoloured wrinkles.</div>
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I decided to have a colourful inner-liner for the hat. This took lots of sewing to get every bit of that dollar store-bought dishcloth to fit under but the patchiness works with the hat.</div>
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After a few adornments included to the hat and dress, I've moved onto the hair.<br />
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Taking unwoven dishcloth strands and dyed raffia fibres left-over from my Scarecrow Angel Makeover project, I've hand-stitched front banes and back hair to weave into a braid. Remembering how much trouble I had for the first one and I didn't have enough "red hair" for the 2nd, I used the hat to cover over the "bald spot," giving the illusional look.<br />
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And then after a few additions, voila the second doll is done and just a week before Halloween. Had some trick or treaters said that they liked how they looked.<br />
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Well, that's what I got done for this project last year. After putting in about 6-8 months of my spare time into those, I took a break from them, just to take time for clearing other things and to get a gift idea for my niece done. That's part of the old habits I was talking about, how I tend to drift off into other things than to stay focused on my current task/work. Youtube clip-watching while working is another one, should stick to more non-lyrical music videos.<br />
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Okay, I'm starting to sound unfocused here, partly for extending my bed time and still am working during this pandemic. But this was a long overdue post that I should've made months ago, a habit that I want to be less tardy about. So, fairly soon, I post up here what I plan for my future work as an artist. Succeed or fail, I'm going to go for it! Laters!<br />
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-82479917067700671222019-01-07T11:54:00.000-05:002019-01-07T11:55:46.078-05:00My Future Planning for 2019So it's the new year now. Much like everybody else, I had thought about what I would like to accomplish for the months ahead. I'd also thought about how the last year went. Dad's passing was a huge transitional trigger for both Mom and I. There was a lot of purging that we are still doing between our work shifts. I'm still trying to use up or donate my old materials and clearing off my old project or DIY projects, on a weekly budget basis. It's getting whittle down to less and less on the back burners but eventually this year, I should get all of it or almost cleared off. I do have two goals that I would like to get underway among the purging.<br />
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The first goal is about my health. After spending about a decade nursing and living around Dad's health problems, I'll definitely want to avoid having my final years in sickness like that. I have some general idea of where to start: 1) work on my dietary intake, control better what foods and their portions that goes in me, 2) have an exercise regimen that's compatible with my job activities and 3) keep up with reading ways of improving myself with my health.<br />
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I have had the exercise equipment for doing the work, part of the problem was keeping my bedroom space clear for doing the work. As I'm getting rid of things, I'm also getting what helps to organize my remaining stuff better (under bed containers, vacuum bags, storage totes, etc.). It's getting better for having more space to stretch my limbs or just not knock/whack into anything. When the warmer weather comes back, I can do stationary workouts on the back porch area again. The other part is doing the work around my work schedule. The shifts are random so I could work late at night, then early the next morning on some weeks. It's also an exhausting job if you don't pace yourself sustainably, like a long 8 or 4 hour rep session; it feels like a long workout sometimes on top of the mental stress from some customers so I might not do any exercising for that day because of work. During the warmer weather, I would commute to work on my bike but only on half-days, 4-hour shifts because that's all what my body can handle for now.<br />
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My second goal is about my employment. While my current part-time cashier job is giving me money for savings, essentials and project funding, I've been reading or watching internet videos about how to improve my skills and to make a better living. Things like Alux.com, Jumpcut, Udemy Courses, whatever allows me a flexible pace with my random work shifts. I won't make the same mistake again of quitting a job before you have another one to fall back on but I wouldn't want to do the cashier job for the next several decades of my life for all the muscle strains it gives me.<br />
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Mainly the one thing I want to do career-wise is get back into freelancing or just sell my artwork again. Just not like it was with the online freelancing where you seem to get paid in peanuts (less than minimum pay) for work that I could be pay much more for at a 9 to 5 retail job. I would like to be make as equal or more as my art skills are worth (though I'll likely have to brush up on some of them). My lack of confidence is on the legal/business side of freelancing. I have some general idea for how a freelancer goes about their job, it's about getting a business number registered, collecting taxes and reporting the income properly among other matters. The legal requirements are different on geographical areas (Like CRA in Canada and IRS in USA) so I need to learn what those are. My teachers back at OCADU did do their best to explain the whole process but they made a point of researching into the matter itself (rule updates, hands-on experience, etc.); internationally, they don't know how every country's set of rules for having a business are like. With some dedicated time, I could finally get around to understanding the process in Ontario, Canada. If I were have to suddenly to get by on my own, I would need to make better income than my current job allows right now. <br />
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Well, those are my thoughts for the future for now. I'll be posting up any artworks I make as I go though I might not do weekly as I tried in the last few months. There are some things as I said that I want to clear away for good and that won't always be art-related stuff. Basically, if I got something art-wise to talk/showcase about, I'll post them up here. So, for whatever you guys aim to make of your year, I wish for you all the best success for it. Until next update!Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-20982553316212481542018-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:002018-12-16T07:39:15.955-05:00Christmas WorksAnyone else getting those winter muscle aches and dozing nods (those in the Northern Hemisphere anyways)? Been getting those a lot lately so sleeping in or having multiple cups of coffee isn't doing it. According to health articles online, I need to stay warm with extra layers while drinking lots of fluids/water. Not overstraining your muscles with workouts too is good but with my current job, that's a might bit difficult.<br />
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Well, I've been drawing a bit in-between chores and clearing-off DIYs. One of them being my nightgown project. I wanted to make a complementary gown to go with a pink night coat I had for years; figured it would make for a quick project (like my summer dress project went 😁).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gau0MuaKSmI/XA3H28In8sI/AAAAAAAADTU/81pmoPtznsUMg0EDj6qsjtZKT-YV7GshQCLcBGAs/s1600/NightgownConcepts01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1254" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gau0MuaKSmI/XA3H28In8sI/AAAAAAAADTU/81pmoPtznsUMg0EDj6qsjtZKT-YV7GshQCLcBGAs/s320/NightgownConcepts01.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1st and 2nd Concepts</td></tr>
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The colour scheme is mostly pink/hot pink with a starred pattern and lace. So about 6 concepts I drew. I think I'm liking the 3rd & 5th concepts the most. I'll draw and cut out pattern pieces for the one I'll go with soon enough.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqPZQu1XZQA/XA3H3Ez7RKI/AAAAAAAADTY/8TtZ2t7ruP0iwIDmxdZ6n3GA7bxg4kVQACLcBGAs/s1600/NightgownConcepts02.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1085" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DqPZQu1XZQA/XA3H3Ez7RKI/AAAAAAAADTY/8TtZ2t7ruP0iwIDmxdZ6n3GA7bxg4kVQACLcBGAs/s320/NightgownConcepts02.jpeg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3rd → 4th ↙ 5th → 6th Concepts</td></tr>
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I've also got onto my Christmas Card sketches done. It was hard for me to think up some diverse ideas. Seemed to be tired each time I've work on it, mostly after work or a lot of chores. Maybe too is that I have a hard time thinking of creative ideas when I'm in a time crunch (Should work on that after the holidays). I kept on wanting to draw minimalistic reindeers so I figured to just do that.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NB5U2X4YaYU/XBMWPEdyQgI/AAAAAAAADTk/yTN_4wlojo0gd_CCLDKbrz5p-gt4OiJpQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas2018-Sketches.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1236" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NB5U2X4YaYU/XBMWPEdyQgI/AAAAAAAADTk/yTN_4wlojo0gd_CCLDKbrz5p-gt4OiJpQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas2018-Sketches.jpeg" width="247" /></a></div>
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This is the finished look of my Christmas Card. A little bit simple and it was fun to illustrate it. I've already sent out several printed cards of it to family and friends (or just anyone that I had mailing addresses from). This is the most Christmas themed thing I did this holiday; I haven't started decorating the house yet with our tree or other decor. The Holidays for retailers are very customer heavy and can demand extra work hours from their employees.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1mfzgplRFE/XBMWfOGHMDI/AAAAAAAADTo/LEMqOyiPfrIy1S2dm7VLW1KUPrPfLG_vQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas2018-Cleaned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1425" height="269" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b1mfzgplRFE/XBMWfOGHMDI/AAAAAAAADTo/LEMqOyiPfrIy1S2dm7VLW1KUPrPfLG_vQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas2018-Cleaned.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It'll definitely feel different here for Christmas this year without Dad. I remember how he would love to see our Christmas Tree all lit up with decorations in the living room. The most presents we had on it nowadays was small gift cards and some small parcels. There isn't much for what Mom and I could do for the holidays. Maybe we could prepare and eat Christmas Dinner. Maybe I can persuade Mom to drive out to see some of our relatives (if she can get over her worries with highway driving and we can both get the time off together).</div>
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Speaking of the Holidays, this post will be the last one of this year. I'll be posting again in January when there's more available time for artwork. I suspect that I'll be called on a lot at my job to fill extra shifts and it'll be takin a lot out of me to do that much bagging work for hundreds of customers. </div>
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So, I hope that everyone does have a great and safe Christmas, New Year's and Happy Holidays. As one year comes to a close to a close, another one gears up for new possibilities and new growth. I definitely hope to see myself in a better position with my life in the next few months.</div>
Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-68793460530551002572018-12-02T10:35:00.000-05:002018-12-02T10:35:01.463-05:00It's the most stressful time of the year...If you had a job in the service/retail industry, you would know what I mean. For it being this time of the year that you would expect others (or just the public) to show the better virtues of society like gratitude, charity, consideration and just being respectful towards others, we, the helpers, unfortunately don't get it back as much. Getting more than usual heavier foot-traffic of people along with the expectation of you being able to keep up the work pace like a machine; you can't expect the public to remember that we're still human beside those actual machines and that they're guests in the stores that have to show good manners just as much.<br />
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This is the only issue that I have during the Holidays. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way with holiday crowds. I do love everything else about the Holidays but it isn't easy to endure all the stress and fatigue of running a cash register for hours with near nil assistance and with an endless lineup with heavily packed cartfuls of goods to bag up and hair-triggered egos to deal with. Well, I don't want to rant on and on over it; this is a seasonal trend that'll never change no matter what.<br />
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On a more positive note, I've finally got around to purchasing new Adobe Programs. It isn't the subscription one that the company now does; it's an older copy of their Adobe Master Collection CS6 for the Mac platform, never opened or used. With my older Adobes being on an even older Windows XP platform that I need Parallels to have access to them, it causes a lot of slowdown time / memory usage on my Mac Mini. Plus I like to see about getting not only faster performance on my art programs but also more compatibility between them and my Wacom Tablet. Just hopefully I didn't get scammed on it for the lower price compared to past listings; this was over on eBay with only 3 available at the time. I should expect it in about 2 - 6 weeks approximately.<br />
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For a lot of this week, it's been doing several DIYs between work shifts (when I'm not overly exhausted that is). Small odds and ends to help streamlining my chores or clear up more things on my To-Do List. While I didn't do much artwork, I should have an easier set of shifts this week to invest for this week. In the meantime, here's a sketch I did while dealing with updates for my tablet. More Christmas-y theme works for next week, hopefully.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BEKQUt6hvw/XAP5C9XFycI/AAAAAAAADTE/sCP7u8crHzMwxScHgI1i-hSj-EJo10cnACLcBGAs/s1600/TorinShadowClown-Hunchbacked.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1010" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BEKQUt6hvw/XAP5C9XFycI/AAAAAAAADTE/sCP7u8crHzMwxScHgI1i-hSj-EJo10cnACLcBGAs/s320/TorinShadowClown-Hunchbacked.jpeg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still got Halloween on the brain, apparently.</td></tr>
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-17904921967834051982018-11-27T14:22:00.001-05:002018-11-28T23:06:46.390-05:00Drying Pains and Jump RopesSorry for not posting last Sunday. I didn't honestly have much for artwork to discuss or showcase for this week, unless it was on the backlog of projects that I'm trying to clear off. For last week, I was assembling together a set of beaded jump ropes. Having saved aside several beads from one of those wooden beaded car seat covers when its' plastic strings broke, I had finally decided on what to use those beads for.<br />
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As if counting the number of beads, natural and dark brown, wasn't a pain (there were 1,028 altogether by the way), I also had to drill-funnel each one of them to make their holes consistently the same size. That took a few days, along with a couple of power drill's battery recharges and several breaks for my sore hands (this was a while ago before I was working on the Halloween Decor; OK, ok, last time I'll talk about it until next year or when I make any progress on the scarecrow dolls). Luckily I didn't need to coat any of them with polyurethane. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeg5hCt-Al8/W_2BaD6wcxI/AAAAAAAADS0/7h36H8R4gXsHbZaemvwBj8Euy7UWdE_oACLcBGAs/s1600/jump%2Brope%2B1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="859" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zeg5hCt-Al8/W_2BaD6wcxI/AAAAAAAADS0/7h36H8R4gXsHbZaemvwBj8Euy7UWdE_oACLcBGAs/s320/jump%2Brope%2B1.jpeg" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As you can see, I needed to keep count aside from memory.</td></tr>
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After that prep-work, I've done a bit of division math to figure out a pattern for the beads. A ratio of 1:4 for all the beads and 1:5 for the main body of beads (e.g.-@00000-) excluding the pattern for the end sections. Since I don't know where I could get some cheap plastic cord/string, I decided on using jute crafting rope. The cut ends would be a pain to string all those beads so some clear scotch tape was wrapped around them like aglets, plus it kept them from unravelling. I didn't know how long the rope would need to be for stringing on all the beads; it surprisingly took over 70 feet of rope, providing I had to split up some of twine strands to make the rope fit thru the beads' holes and sewn & weave the connecting ends with sewing machine thread. With both the weight of all the beads and the exceeded length, it was decided to make 2 long jump ropes (both about 25 feet) and 1 single-user jump rope.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oweNb6p_Elw/W_2BZ6QfevI/AAAAAAAADSw/3DcUnJJlWS8jBQnxLGhsFGwlVy_AmpowgCLcBGAs/s1600/jump%2Brope.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1404" height="233" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oweNb6p_Elw/W_2BZ6QfevI/AAAAAAAADSw/3DcUnJJlWS8jBQnxLGhsFGwlVy_AmpowgCLcBGAs/s320/jump%2Brope.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pattern plan for the ends and main sections</td></tr>
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Now what was left was the handles. The best I had around were a couple of green painted natural bamboo poles. Natural bamboo grows like hallow column blocks, plus very resilient against bending/snapping so it was a good choice to use. I needed to saw 6 pieces (fixed any peel-off splinters with glue later) and drill out the inner knot "walls" to make it possible for the rope to go thru. After doing that was painting polyurethane on them. I had some leftover Minmax Polyshades (Wood Stain + Polyurethane) from a past project with art stand displays, applying it onto the bamboo handles after sanding off the old paint and any other rough spots. <br />
I goofed on one important step with it; even if the polyurethane had dried to the touch, it isn't solidly harden yet and I kept getting fingerprints and rope fibres imprinted on the handles' finish. Polyurethane, depending on its thickness of the coating, usually takes hours for each coat (this time, about 8 hours) to fully dry and harden with little tackiness. Painstakingly annoying but that's the price for a good quality work. I fixed those goofs by sanding down the first coatings and repainted them, allowing them to fully dry this time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz4yvUK9kh8/W_16yyKI2PI/AAAAAAAADSQ/eXgMzSWxRfUFk_xdkN6a_2G_oXM0sG_ngCLcBGAs/s1600/470F24C9-B585-498D-B1AB-D32F8A3F9D73.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gz4yvUK9kh8/W_16yyKI2PI/AAAAAAAADSQ/eXgMzSWxRfUFk_xdkN6a_2G_oXM0sG_ngCLcBGAs/s320/470F24C9-B585-498D-B1AB-D32F8A3F9D73.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My drying setup for the bamboo handles</td></tr>
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So after the handles have been finished, I've just threaded the rope ends thru them and knotted both ends. This was one of those projects to use up old materials though I did had to buy the ropes at Dollarama, not much more than $7. I'm thinking on what to do with them now, either gift them to someone or donate them; I already have my own jump ropes. With Christmas coming, that's one opportunity to do that.</div>
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Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-9897907738646118392018-11-18T20:08:00.003-05:002018-11-18T20:13:54.411-05:00Some Future Planning and Seasonal Planning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey Everyone! Sorry for the late update; I wasn't back home until this evening and wasn't aware that my images weren't on here. How are you faring for the coming winter? Toronto had already got its first snowfall for the season. Not much had stayed around for long but it’s only the start of dealing with the snow for the next 5 months. I’ll least have more chances to sip hot drinks from cafes around now.</div>
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I had wanted to get more of my Halloween decor plans done back before the end of October but my time-management to balance prep time with work was fluctuated at least. Plus the scarecrow angel had taken the most time to finish. If given the infinite desired time, I would’ve got these made as well.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2YBYjBdruh4/W_IKOlOkUGI/AAAAAAAADR4/ppFjJNy3cTwyyhwbdd-nI_Qiu8AX6wAiQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketches.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1141" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2YBYjBdruh4/W_IKOlOkUGI/AAAAAAAADR4/ppFjJNy3cTwyyhwbdd-nI_Qiu8AX6wAiQCLcBGAs/s400/sketches.jpeg" width="285" /></a></div>
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Wanting to use my excess pile of fabrics, I had the thought of making other smaller scarecrows. Supposedly a bunch of old fabric scraps including some new materials to expand my seasonal decor. I might’ve already said this but I would like to create/buy a new decoration piece for each year; just like to upkeep the same love for Halloween as my Dad did. As for these thumbnails, I’ll probably be working on them on & off thru the upcoming year so not to be pressed for time for next Halloween.<br />
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So Christmas is coming and I usually do a Christmas Card Illustration to mail out to friends & family. I’ll be doing that again, along with working on other DIYs. Eventually when a lot of my DIYs done (about 5 or 6 big ones left) and I've mostly purged out anything else that I don't want to be routinely dealing with, I’m going to have to start planning my career path for freelancing my Illustrator skills soon enough. I have some general idea of direction but I really need to work out the business half of it, plus can't hurt to build up a buffer of savings should when I choose to go full-time again or stop having my part-time job for any reason. <br />
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Well, that's enough for now. Got to get back to trimming away my perpetual To-Do List.Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-9193117278227564242018-11-11T00:52:00.000-05:002018-11-11T06:56:31.840-05:00Dental Hassles and Belated Halloween PhotosSorry for not posting up anything last week; I've gotten a bad problem with my mouth that took over my available time during last weekend that kept me from it (including back to back 8-hour shifts).<br />
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It started with just not being able to bite down on one of my molars (bottom-right-middle). I've had that tooth to be a sensitive one for years since I've got it last filled in replacement of an older one. It was so close to the dentin (the soft tissue of the tooth past the enamel, before the nerve roots) that it may have been beyond the nerves to heal. It got extra sensitive whenever I had ate too much sugar or citrus-acid or bit down on dense foods like a steak but I usually could treat it myself or the dentist would disinfect it for me. <br />
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Well, it finally got to where it couldn't just be disinfected anymore; the nerves had rotten out from within the root canals and my gum line swelled up painfully from the infection that it throbbed constantly. Before knowing that, I was at first seeing if it would pass the sensitivity, by last weekend at least but the throbbing was too much. Had you tried to work on a grocery superstore cash during one of the busiest times of the week, constantly moving your sore mouth for 8 hours? I had to cancel my remaining shifts for the week to see the dentist to confirm my condition and to get a root canal treatment done. That was how bad it was.<br />
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I had an "interesting" side-adventure to that dilemma while waiting for my root canal treatment on Thursday. On Tuesday morning, I was taking my medication prescribed by the dentist. I'm to take these Amoxicillin pills for the disinfection in my nerves. However, Mom informed me that I had when as a child that I had taken Amoxicillin before to the point of developing an immunity to it. I was told to also take some painkillers like Advil for the throbbing. There was another painkiller pill by Life Brand I was taking before, being composed of acetaminophen, caffeine and codeine which was working well despite being a bit old. Well, I took one Amoxicillin pill, one Advil pill and two Life Brand pills all together that morning with water. About half-hour later, I took a big sip of my coffee and a few seconds after, my mouth, throat and part of my chest started to swell up. It may had been a bad combo of medicine with the coffee drink that triggered it or I had an allergic reaction to it all; Mom helped me to the hospital emergency to help clear out the medicine/swelling from my system. Got strapped with chest sensors while they put some IV and Benadryl in me, monitoring me until I felt back to normal. It wasn't easy waiting for about 5 to 6 hours on a hospital bed in a bright hallway with only your pants and a hospital gown on, including trying to nap to pass time with hunger cramps. When I left the hospital, I got a new prescription to take instead. They recommend that I avoid taking Amoxicillin or Codeine for medicine in the future. The good thing I'll say that happened for it was that it got rid of the painful swelling I had (the abscess bursted out from the gums from the overdose swelling apparently), not that I would try that again. <br />
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So, now I have my molar cleaned out and refilled without the rotten nerves and taking the new meds to clear up the remaining infection in my gums. Doing okay with everything this week except for having a lesser paycheque for next payday.<br />
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It's late and past the holiday now but better late than never.<br />
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So I got the jack o'lantern carved out before the big night. Bought some interesting pumpkin carvings tools that made the work easy. Like cookie-cutting hole punches and mini-carver.</div>
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I decided to carve the face similar to my scarecrow angel with a catty look.</div>
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And this is how it looked all lit up!</div>
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So this is how my Halloween Setup looked like. A bit minimal but I can remedy that in coming years with new decorations.</div>
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And despite all the rain, it didn't dampen my scarecrow angel's debut. Got some people commenting nicely on it.</div>
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Well, not much artwork due to my molar but I'm getting back to routine of clearing off extra things. I'll have to be a penny pincher for a while until I get my dental bill paid. I should also something better for artwork next week too, as long as I don't get any more sudden health problems popping up.<br />
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Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-78517492216551550442018-10-28T10:43:00.000-04:002018-10-28T10:43:06.320-04:00Computer Problems, Marathon Runners and More Halloween DecorOye! I'm having a hard time with my computer lately! My Photoshop CS2 via Parallels/Windows XP is slow as molasses (I say that instead of a turtle because I remember how surprisedly fast my late pet turtle Zack was when he wanted to be) and it was just making a simple sketch cleanup look like a hi-res filter application that take an hour at least to apply.<br />
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It may be high time that I start replacing or upgrading my computer studio equipment; though a gift from my brother, this 2012 Mac Mini is getting slower each year and these years old art programs aren't keeping up with the latest technology much now. I started looking into what to buy/get though the funding may take a while to get saved up. Cheap alternatives in the meantime?<br />
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And that's my personal rant of the week, now onto my work for this past week.<br />
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For sketches, I happen to been just getting off from work when the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon was going by my workplace (Lake Shore & Leslie).<br />
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After grabbing a hot latte to drink, I sat on to watch all the runners going by and thought to sketch them while I could. It definitely a challenge to capture the runners' likeness within a minute before they completely out of view.<br />
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What I like drawing them the most was getting each runner's movement down on paper. By confession, I did winged some details by guesswork and memory.</div>
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I don't usually sketch real people too often; usually it's my made-up characters. This was one of those rare times that you could sketch a stranger without that person feeling uncomfortable of being stared at while being drawn.</div>
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Next is my Halloween Decor progress. I got my Scarecrow Angel all done! I chose to add a plaid cloth (originally dish cloths newly bought) with a couple of old throw pillow cases with the indian ink-dyed burlap dress and sew them together as such in the pictures.</div>
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A shawl was added as well including a handkerchief to cover the bamboo neck.</div>
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The wings were a hassle to not only clip onto her dress but to also to position accurately parallel to the bamboo shaft as well. I managed to get done though.</div>
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Getting her hands back onto the sleeves took some hand cross-stitching. </div>
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After putting her old straw stuffing for her arms back in, I've hot-glued more faux leaves to give the look being "stuffed" with more of those leaves like I did for her head and hat.<br />
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Lastly, I've also hot-glued some shimmering maple leaf confetti onto her shawl and sleeve ends. To include a reflective element into her dress as I did for her wings and head.</div>
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Overall, I'm happy with how she turned out. Before, she looked like a generic store-bought or a plain homemade craft. Now she looks like she's ready for a party.</div>
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The only other decor I made was decorating this store-bought black cat wreath. Originally a black tube-cleaner wrapped around a plastic frame with plastic yellow eyes and whiskers, I took some glitter berries, faux leaves and maple leaf confetti and hot-glued them onto it as such. So now I have a Halloween Wreath that should grab attention from nearby treat 'n' treaters.</div>
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So that's all I got here for now. This week, I have a pumpkin to carve into a jack o' lantern and may have some more sketches to show later on. Till next week then.</div>
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Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-32829188264710797362018-10-21T01:02:00.000-04:002018-10-21T01:02:23.788-04:00Fall Market, Inktober sketch and Halloween Decor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For this week's showcase of creativity, I did two sketches and work on a seasonal project that I wanted to be done before Halloween.</div>
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Due to using every day off that I could on clearing off backlogs of projects, I didn't go out much for day trips to outdoor events, let alone do urban sketching. I kept wanting to see this flea market that's in my workplace's neighbourhood, Leslieville, Toronto all summer so I made the effort to see its' last outdoor date for the year. There weren't too much there, understandably due to the cooler temperature but it was a nice sunny day. There was one stand I really liked so I did my sketch on it. I even bought one of the vendor's goods.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober Sketch, Day 11 - Prompt: Cruel</td></tr>
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I love the idea of inktober, getting to do small improv ink sketches or grander ones depending your time and creativity. For taking a breather from house chores, I decided to do at least one ink sketch and that day's prompt was "CRUEL". My main thought for that word while checking emails were seeing Change.org's petition updates on Tyson's cruelty to their chicken breeding. So seeing a flock of chicken stuffed into a small cage was the sketch I went with (an earlier idea was having a pig stuffed into a rectangle cage that it was bulging thru the gaps). There's unfortunately a lot of big name companies or farming practices that treats the animals that we'll be eating eventually more like commodities rather the living creatures that they are and it keeps happening often away from the majority of public awareness. <div>
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Finally is my main focus for the week: my old Scarecrow Angel. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take any "Before" photos of how it looked like before but it was long overdue for a makeover. I think I first got it when someone was giving it away (maybe back when I was in the Girl Guides) and had used it for Halloween Decor since. Rain damage and Ink dye run-off plus a bit on the plain side, I wanted to revitalize it for this Halloween. Starting with the head, lifting and tightening her burlap face (giving her literally a facelift 😉) I've hot-glued the burlap in place then repainted her eyes, nose and mouth in acrylic paints, adding some more head bangs with her straw hat. Her hat was a bit plain so I've decorated it with raffia strands, dollar store decorations like faux leaves, styrofoam glitter berries with twigs and for the heck of it, a small styrofoam lacquer pumpkin. </div>
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Another feature for me to fix was her torso/bust. It used to have a plastic bag stuffed with newspaper that got thrown out. For a replacement, I took an old throw pillow that no one really uses and with thick thread, cross-stitched it around the scarecrow angel's pole and shoulder dowling. Much more permanent than the cheaper materials used before.</div>
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I've made more progress than this on it last week but I'll save that progress report for next week. I have an early morning work shift next and I'm pushing it as it is with getting enough sleep tonight. Post to ya then.</div>
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Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-90122064817479003502018-10-14T11:54:00.001-04:002018-10-14T11:54:04.475-04:00Pixel Icons for Desktop Organization.Hey everyone! So whenever it is possible, I'll like to post up weekly updates of anything artistic I've done. Could be a bunch of random stuff or more professional works; in any case, it'll be about restarting my routine of reaching out with my artworks.<br />
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Last week while I was organizing my desktop files/folders, I learned that you can customize my icon images, by opening the 'Get Info' window, then selecting the icon image and pasting a new image for the icon. Maybe you can overlay a new image that better associate with the file/folder's content than the generic default icon image. So I ended up spending my whole day off doing pixel icon images to better identify my files/folders by sight.<br />
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Some of them you may see being more blocky than others. I was experimenting with different format sizes (32, 64, 128 Px2). Strangely, when I go to apply (copy & paste) pixel icons in 64 pixels for the new icon image, the image turns blurry. If anyone knows why, could you comment about it?<br />
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All of these are enlarged to 512 pixels from their original formats. I've decided to do pixel works because it would be the easiest way to change the icon images. </div>
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Some of them for routine things like my finances, work and some are for ongoing projects. I did them all in my Photoshop CS2 program (I've been meaning to get an upgrade soon for it).</div>
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I'll likely make more of these as I need them or I make stock art from them. Though there's probably lots of people who can do this themselves. Still, it's a possible venue to get my artwork out to others.</div>
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So, that's it for now. If I make anything art-wise this current week, I'll post it up. See you then.</div>
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Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-89438920092405646272018-10-07T12:34:00.001-04:002018-10-07T12:34:12.620-04:00Half-Yearly Update, Hi Again Everyone!Hey Everyone, It’s been a good while, like 6 months ago. There’s been a few big changes going on in my life since I’ve posted in April last. First of all, I’m emotionally okay; just been keeping busy with housework and figuring out what to do with my life here on out.<br />
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Aside from getting used to not having Dad around the house anymore, we’ve been clearing out some old junk that really don’t mean anything important to us or that we have no real use for. For my mom, we got a renovation going for our living and dining rooms’ area and that involved moving a lot of old things out of the way. The house was originally built around the 1920s with signs of poorly done DIYs, so a lot of old plastered walls, flooring and wiring to replace/upgrade. Even got my windows replaced to stop leakage above the front 1st floor of the house.<br />
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For myself, I’ve been gradually purging away some of my old things or upcycling my years’ of accumulated materials (e.g. fabric, old clothes, crafting items) into new things for a few hours per week. So far , I've made or tailored a few clothes, a new wallet, repaired a few decorative items to give away, growing transplanted off-shoots from my houseplants to give away too. There’s also buying some new materials to improve or fix what I have at home like my papasian chair’s cushion. It would be faster to just dump it all into the waste bins or donate it all away but I guess I’m too eco-conscious to let materials that are still in decent condition to waste away in a landfill. Plus before my new cashier job, I gotten into the habit of scrounging around for free/discarded things to look reusable again after a little mending. I want to get back to my artwork soon, as soon as I can get over half of the purging of old stuff and these back-burners projects out of the way.<br />
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If I have to start anywhere for resuming my artwork, learning better the business side of freelancing would be a good place. Taxes, legal paperwork and simply network/market in different selling venues had never been my strongest area of skills so I want to improve on that. I also want to get a better handle of my health and diet as I’m getting older and need to have a healthier body soon. For now I’ve made a new routine schedule that’s going to help improve my progress and get things done quicker than in the past few months, hopefully.<br />
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Yeah, so lots of clearing out to do as well as planning for the future. At best, I’ll hopefully get many things done due by Christmas or the Holidays (that my PT job will allow). Just got to keep putting in the time for them, one footstep at a time. Maybe for now, I'll work to put any sketches that I can on my spare time.Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-73666693609578222482018-04-08T11:49:00.000-04:002018-04-08T11:49:20.158-04:00A Family LossHi everyone, sorry for yet another long break from posting. It's been a month of anxiety and last week had been very emotional. There's been some real-life emergency happening with my family of late, keeping well-occupied from doing any artwork or even from my part-time job.<br />
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Just before midnight on Wednesday night, my Dad, Kenneth A.J. McMillen, had passed on while in Palliative Care at Scarborough General Hospital. For the last 10 years, he had chronic kidney disease along with his earlier type 2 diabetes to be treated with hemodialysis, insulin, etc. He'd been in the hospital for a month with showing no sign of improving and finally after suffering a stroke a week prior that basically "killed" his brain, my Mom had to make the hard decision of stopping his treatments and allow him to naturally pass on comfortably. He was 63 years and a half old. My older brother along with other relatives were able to come in to see him one last time (or several) before then.<br />
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Dad was a stubborn but loving man for most of his lifetime. He worked for the Toronto Transit Commission for many years as a vehicle driver, a fare collector and distributor. He grew up to take care of his mother, younger brothers and sisters when his own father passed on from a heart condition and for better or for worse, worked hard and long overtime shifts to support me and my older brother Jason. He even helped paid my educations at The Art School (Central Tech High School) and at Ontario College of Art and Design (now OCADU) and helped for my late rabbit's medical fees.<br />
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In a lot of ways, I do resemble my Dad. His eyes, his temper (when actually provoked), his sense of preparation, planning and work ethics. There were some things with him that he could've tried to help himself with while there was still time but it just wasn't in him strongly enough to make those changes to hopefully improve his life. With whatever he had left behind now, I have to learn from both his good and bad examples what to be doing more or less of, to help myself to hopefully avoid going out the same way as he did. <br />
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For now, it's a big transitional time: Dad's funeral service this Thursday, clearing out some things from the house, fixing things up with the warm weather coming back, figuring out what Mom and I are going to do without him. Don't worry; Dad left behind some coverage for us and we both got our jobs and each other. As I said before, I do want to get back into my artwork soon. Well, I'll have more time for it now. So, thanks for reading all of this if you got this far. Maybe in another month, I'll have some content to showcase but family matters takes first-priority right now. See you again fairly soon.Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-87519047848274394442018-02-16T22:34:00.000-05:002018-02-16T22:34:25.828-05:00Winter's Commuters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It certainly had been a while since I've last posted up anything new. After the holidays (Late December), you would've figured that there would be less hours to fill at a retail store; not for groceries anyways. Not to sound unappreciated of getting the extra hours still, but it takes you away from many other things going on in your life if overdone. In my case, it's my artwork and online schooling, among household obligations. </div>
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Despite having slim spare time for it, I'm making efforts to keep steady progress on my artwork. From my most recent TOUSK meet up on Toronto's TTC subway lines, I've started to make ink drawings of people's portraits. It was easier to sketch the heads than trying to capture the whole bodies, not knowing when fellow passengers will up and go. I've actually liked how I was capturing interesting head portraits with their winter gear, kind of like they're all dressed up. Yeah, not really for everyday things but it helps accentuate their appearances, meaning that they look more interesting.</div>
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So, aside from that, I'm just trying to keep up with everything (using my timer, set limits on a chore/project per day, etc.) and keeping myself sane yet productive. Hoping for an early spring with each winter thawing we get (I miss riding my bicycle)!</div>
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.38318429999998243.2856095 -80.028631299999986 44.020842499999993 -78.737737299999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-79200526801606387242017-12-15T22:13:00.001-05:002017-12-15T22:13:39.580-05:00Happy Holidays and Raving' Retailers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally with some money coming in, I'm taking time to go to any events that catches my interests. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto during early November had always been a favourite due to the animals. If people aren't a challenge to draw as it is, animals are fairly similar. At least they don't get touchy about being drawn, just some about being petted.</div>
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Wanting to finally see it in person for myself, I went to see this year's, Toronto's Santa Claus Parade. It was a bit chilly (luckily I thought of packing a wool blanket & hot coffee in a thermos) so I tried my best to sketch in the cold. I've ended up taking a few photos and videos. </div>
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Two more sketches from my last TOUSK group meet up at the CF Eaton Centre. Not too many showed up due to large holiday shopping.</div>
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And this last one on my own time (just before my extra shift at work)</div>
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The holidays I have to say are definitely keeping me busy, between extra work hours, winter house chores and personal side projects. I'm doing my best to keep it all balanced though I do admit, I have to put some things off at home for a couple of days at least. Frankly, our Christmas Tree isn't even put up yet. So hopefully after the holidays like New Year's Day, there'll be more time at home to get creative again.</div>
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-23382237366188945372017-10-20T10:25:00.000-04:002017-10-20T10:25:55.366-04:00Busy, busy, busy, like a bee!<div>
It's been a few busy weeks for me. First of all, I'm done with my job-hunting because I FINALLY GOT A PERMANENT JOB!!!!! It's a part-time cashier job where I've been working approximately 20 hours. So far, it's been good except dealing with my SmartServe Certificate. I'm waiting for my Ontario Photo Card in order to take the test for the certificate so I can start selling the alcohol grocery items at the store. All I can do is keep studying the material over until I get that card in the mail (4 to 6 weeks their site said) and it's been 2 weeks now. :b<br />
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So with all that stuff of my new part-time work, I haven't been making much art lately. I want to be doing some ink works for Inktober but I'm having other chores around the house like water sealing the back porch for the winter. Well, I'm going to get some free time for this and my other projects soon, hopefully. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Relaxing at a Starbucks after my interview</td></tr>
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Been trying out a new RED marker with my latest sketches. A Buick Marker brand, double-tipped with a wide and brush ends. No problem with fluid flow but it can soak thru the paper. It's probably better for thicker papers like illustration board.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Performance Art @ OCAD's Onsite Gallery Opening</td></tr>
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Not much I have to showcase here this time. I haven't been posting up my art video uploads on Youtube so here are the links now. Hopefully next month, I'll have more artworks to show and also get my SmartServe Certificate at long last.<br />
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<b><u>Youtube Links</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/5TPIqkXYmiM" target="_blank">Single-Serve Bag</a><br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/FAoIftmtec4" target="_blank">GingerMan Cookie</a></div>
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<a href="https://youtu.be/6VPSzc22usU" target="_blank">GingerWoman Cookie</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Single-Serve Bag, 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GingerMan Cookie, 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GingerWoman Cookie, 2017</td></tr>
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-86161528986277308052017-09-09T22:31:00.000-04:002017-09-09T22:31:53.749-04:00Summer Break is Over (For most people)Well, now it's after Labour Day and for most people, it's back from summer vacations and either to work or school! Then again, work and school aren't really restricted from September to June in Canada or online. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artscape Wychwood Barns, Farmer's Martket</td></tr>
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While practicing my art and self-study my Udemy courses, I'm looking for part-time work! Applied to a few locations already but no luck as of yet. It's not so much as finding work you can do adequate but also being able to travel to a workplace in a reasonable commute time. Unfortunately, finding creative jobs in Toronto is harder than online when you have to travel about an hour each way to a studio on transit. One of the pitfalls of living in a suburbia like Scarborough, even when it's in the most South-Western end of it. I would honestly like to live closer to the downtown where it's more of an artist hub and as soon as I can get enough steady income coming my way, the better.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Customers @ Tim Hortons</td></tr>
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Anyways, as far as beefing up my portfolio, I've made some game graphics assets with the intent of a Match-3 game. I've even gone as far as record my work progress on these, made fast-speed art demo videos of them and have their links down below. Some on them aren't posted yet on Youtube as they auto-scheduled for weekly updates. It's still ongoing the project but I could turn them into my first game, maybe on my own or if I team up with a game programmer that knows Unity or similar. Not right now, but maybe soon or just sell them as assets on a game graphics store.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdYf4f5fMZg/WbSe7K4QU4I/AAAAAAAADGs/AMu5N48CsEw313S70CMtQptEpqKvhRvHwCLcBGAs/s1600/AUG27%253A17-Pigeon%2540SugarBeackPark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XdYf4f5fMZg/WbSe7K4QU4I/AAAAAAAADGs/AMu5N48CsEw313S70CMtQptEpqKvhRvHwCLcBGAs/s320/AUG27%253A17-Pigeon%2540SugarBeackPark.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pigeon @ Sugar Beach Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Got other examples of works up for the month, so browse around and I'll be back soon (in October) with any new works or sketches for the month. Hopefully with a job.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61dmH20ypoA/WbSe7FJVcNI/AAAAAAAADGo/Nu4Hml_RWk0DsDqdi17IAQEQ0XGDqjMowCLcBGAs/s1600/AUG27%253A17-SplashPadSugarBeachPark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1000" height="224" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61dmH20ypoA/WbSe7FJVcNI/AAAAAAAADGo/Nu4Hml_RWk0DsDqdi17IAQEQ0XGDqjMowCLcBGAs/s320/AUG27%253A17-SplashPadSugarBeachPark.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splash Pad @ Sugar Beach Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlyyrXxPa3k/WbQoHJHxivI/AAAAAAAADGg/lQtxzlrCp5gBnfqUPmLVyqc3Amvcs25XACEwYBhgL/s1600/AUG19%253A17-ROM%2540BloorStW%2526QueensPk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlyyrXxPa3k/WbQoHJHxivI/AAAAAAAADGg/lQtxzlrCp5gBnfqUPmLVyqc3Amvcs25XACEwYBhgL/s320/AUG19%253A17-ROM%2540BloorStW%2526QueensPk.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) @ Queens Way & Bloor St West</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSFnNXF8hME/WbQoHqhp_oI/AAAAAAAADGg/SsGEvVnm4QMxU2VibfXst9cLoQ9kCrBdQCEwYBhgL/s1600/AUG19%253A17-ROMPhotos1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iSFnNXF8hME/WbQoHqhp_oI/AAAAAAAADGg/SsGEvVnm4QMxU2VibfXst9cLoQ9kCrBdQCEwYBhgL/s320/AUG19%253A17-ROMPhotos1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of ROM Sketch Site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u><b><br /></b></u>
<u><b>Youtube Links</b></u><br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/YQu5RHrk0-g" target="_blank">Flower Cookie</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://youtu.be/YM0IvEYwjvE" target="_blank">Star Cookie</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://youtu.be/Wv_YcUAPxUE" target="_blank">Meringue Cookie</a><br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/07FhFaBhEHc" target="_blank">Icing Topper</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxaWQ3_NAeM/WYx0Sp-M-SI/AAAAAAAADEw/EVaABJPKQfAES_bP65LozzvEMEpmWXRDgCLcBGAs/s1600/FlowerCookie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="481" height="238" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxaWQ3_NAeM/WYx0Sp-M-SI/AAAAAAAADEw/EVaABJPKQfAES_bP65LozzvEMEpmWXRDgCLcBGAs/s320/FlowerCookie.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Cookie, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oskQf5yLLo/WYx0bxvYu6I/AAAAAAAADE0/WeZs5fZUqDELRB6YoOORzbKpZTKc5zwkgCLcBGAs/s1600/StarCookie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="481" height="238" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oskQf5yLLo/WYx0bxvYu6I/AAAAAAAADE0/WeZs5fZUqDELRB6YoOORzbKpZTKc5zwkgCLcBGAs/s320/StarCookie.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Cookie, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnCNI7CbVvg/WY36HWpO0BI/AAAAAAAADFI/J8UGiIqGl_0iqG7dt4DHHrt8j8WzZSX8gCLcBGAs/s1600/MeringueCookie.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="481" height="238" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnCNI7CbVvg/WY36HWpO0BI/AAAAAAAADFI/J8UGiIqGl_0iqG7dt4DHHrt8j8WzZSX8gCLcBGAs/s320/MeringueCookie.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meringue Cookie, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsPz-Keh58k/WY9_qyVaJBI/AAAAAAAADFg/WtkOmi-FwHAMUng9gTaMoB-i7uQ_LkPbwCLcBGAs/s1600/IcingTopper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CsPz-Keh58k/WY9_qyVaJBI/AAAAAAAADFg/WtkOmi-FwHAMUng9gTaMoB-i7uQ_LkPbwCLcBGAs/s320/IcingTopper.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Icing Topper, 2017<br />
<div>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-4263887695569149812017-08-02T12:55:00.000-04:002017-08-02T12:55:03.089-04:00Working out what works best for myself! - Early August<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi y'all! I've been busy awhile with my artwork and other odds and ends. Working on filling up my portfolio in genres that I've lacking recent pieces in. I got some lingering ideas and DIYs out of the way, I'm also working on some of my social media sites, improving them for promoting myself. And here I'm sharing some of the samples.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCwGr5fknjE/WW4oVXjBpGI/AAAAAAAADCQ/kkR6gxr5nXsGtWXAjzPKMtjjXhkUva8pACLcBGAs/s1600/AzeemLecturesHisGenie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mCwGr5fknjE/WW4oVXjBpGI/AAAAAAAADCQ/kkR6gxr5nXsGtWXAjzPKMtjjXhkUva8pACLcBGAs/s400/AzeemLecturesHisGenie.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azeem lectures his genie, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TJ8rMHj1gY/WXrRblsYvFI/AAAAAAAADC4/FpeeJIpEeqgNbixt1KajqIih3B3jd-SwACLcBGAs/s1600/VectorFeatherPattern.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1TJ8rMHj1gY/WXrRblsYvFI/AAAAAAAADC4/FpeeJIpEeqgNbixt1KajqIih3B3jd-SwACLcBGAs/s320/VectorFeatherPattern.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vector Feather Pattern, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfUj7jWKkaI/WYFOViQKGKI/AAAAAAAADDQ/nU9oMXoIgxEHfp8-MikkeYfwosg0fRe4QCLcBGAs/s1600/VectorAnimals2017.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="857" height="175" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfUj7jWKkaI/WYFOViQKGKI/AAAAAAAADDQ/nU9oMXoIgxEHfp8-MikkeYfwosg0fRe4QCLcBGAs/s320/VectorAnimals2017.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vector Animals, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D46HRmbQs98/WXrRbv0TamI/AAAAAAAADC0/yalcB0CTthI7brQVEvxwzcSrydV4S51iwCLcBGAs/s1600/VectorAnimalsBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D46HRmbQs98/WXrRbv0TamI/AAAAAAAADC0/yalcB0CTthI7brQVEvxwzcSrydV4S51iwCLcBGAs/s320/VectorAnimalsBanner.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vector Animals, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rli-CHdhRs/WYHn0M_cV8I/AAAAAAAADEY/mi2kQ775Oo4u2gGFFza1y5DCc8yoxx3NACLcBGAs/s1600/JULY21SketchShots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1454" height="220" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Rli-CHdhRs/WYHn0M_cV8I/AAAAAAAADEY/mi2kQ775Oo4u2gGFFza1y5DCc8yoxx3NACLcBGAs/s320/JULY21SketchShots.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JULY 21, 2017 - DeSerres @ Danforth & Coxwell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5G2qI8dXG8/WYF9ivAYvCI/AAAAAAAADEI/1MNWAi7N7RceyRwjKCJV-cw4KerWg1zAACLcBGAs/s1600/SandwichTriangleBoxShots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1520" height="245" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w5G2qI8dXG8/WYF9ivAYvCI/AAAAAAAADEI/1MNWAi7N7RceyRwjKCJV-cw4KerWg1zAACLcBGAs/s320/SandwichTriangleBoxShots.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triangular Sandwich Box Template, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArXiO01FU4U/WYFjLZBD0bI/AAAAAAAADD0/rMB_uPjEebs7cbyIvAqGLgbh1imdeEJmQCLcBGAs/s1600/BlackBoxEaselShots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="761" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArXiO01FU4U/WYFjLZBD0bI/AAAAAAAADD0/rMB_uPjEebs7cbyIvAqGLgbh1imdeEJmQCLcBGAs/s320/BlackBoxEaselShots.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Box Easel, recently fixed up, 2017</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What I'm hoping to get done very soon is create a bunch of assets that I can sell for some income. Also getting hired on by a temp agency for some regular income to afford professional promotional materials (my printer won't print in black right now unless it's photo paper which I only got in postcard size) :(. So I'll be busy doing that and hopefully have some news of my successes soon.Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-10841023119234912552017-07-11T16:42:00.000-04:002017-07-11T16:43:51.820-04:00Staying Productive for the Summer - JULYWell, I'm trying to do more things outside of the house while the weather is mostly pleasant. Seeing the festival sights and sketching them. Also trying to get some part-time work nearby to keep myself above water while I get thru my current projects and online courses.<br />
<br />
I don't know why I have the hardest time getting a job just in this city compare to working illustration jobs over the internet. That's why temp agencies seems much easier to apply for temp work verses getting permanent jobs with big corps; you only have one interview, get hired and then just be assigned job placements without having to always be prepping to sell your skills for each one. I know that doesn't sound like being a reliable way of living but many people change jobs or even careers throughout their lives. I just need to get my foot inside the door and start making some headway instead of such a slow crawl toward a better lifestyle than forever living with my parents and I know that's not permanent.<br />
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Anyways, here's what I done in and out of the house. Feel free to comment on anything here:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk3bjpL8gN4/WVxPlieloEI/AAAAAAAADAE/FlHRFdeAuJI20g5CIaDRAWDQJzLb9ySTQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sk3bjpL8gN4/WVxPlieloEI/AAAAAAAADAE/FlHRFdeAuJI20g5CIaDRAWDQJzLb9ySTQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2244.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant Inflated Ducky at HTO Park, Harbourfront.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M93qCfXN7rA/WVxPEsJsbAI/AAAAAAAADAA/KXrNJ2G7sxE7e5H8i5pbdsYzscIzlYH6gCLcBGAs/s1600/JULY1%253AGiantDuckyHTOPark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1000" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M93qCfXN7rA/WVxPEsJsbAI/AAAAAAAADAA/KXrNJ2G7sxE7e5H8i5pbdsYzscIzlYH6gCLcBGAs/s320/JULY1%253AGiantDuckyHTOPark.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhkTuo3ZF7A/WWU4C7cYndI/AAAAAAAADCA/WgCg0BzJyzMeoxMdW7TgPi3Za8kpGALvwCLcBGAs/s1600/JULY9%253A17-Alv%2527eoleSaleTruck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="715" data-original-width="1000" height="228" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhkTuo3ZF7A/WWU4C7cYndI/AAAAAAAADCA/WgCg0BzJyzMeoxMdW7TgPi3Za8kpGALvwCLcBGAs/s320/JULY9%253A17-Alv%2527eoleSaleTruck.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg0hr5UXbx4/WWGkfNFhnnI/AAAAAAAADBM/kNgdLb6wVVEHSAnHbH3252B-87262GsbQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1500" height="186" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zg0hr5UXbx4/WWGkfNFhnnI/AAAAAAAADBM/kNgdLb6wVVEHSAnHbH3252B-87262GsbQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2330.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tim Hortons' Small Titbits Box<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Jv0sYples/WWGot62EqXI/AAAAAAAADBw/yOzqbC65Zp02SyY2PtGhjKGVU8MUXKirgCLcBGAs/s1600/BoxCarrierTemplate.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="794" height="173" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Jv0sYples/WWGot62EqXI/AAAAAAAADBw/yOzqbC65Zp02SyY2PtGhjKGVU8MUXKirgCLcBGAs/s320/BoxCarrierTemplate.gif" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YKqmIW-I4g/WWGknO5_QOI/AAAAAAAADBk/BUTTdYXgvHQgkmUbnlECjQcMicrzuiizwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1YKqmIW-I4g/WWGknO5_QOI/AAAAAAAADBk/BUTTdYXgvHQgkmUbnlECjQcMicrzuiizwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2332.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZCn9H4cHak/WWGkfxkgJpI/AAAAAAAADBQ/_g_iJuF_KrgEdTNOUBSGGJyPOsCyGgJpQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZCn9H4cHak/WWGkfxkgJpI/AAAAAAAADBQ/_g_iJuF_KrgEdTNOUBSGGJyPOsCyGgJpQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2334.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-Uonl0FhOw/WWGkgDyHL2I/AAAAAAAADBU/hdhm7SfmMTA5k7vfLotuc3tskDI0P3saACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-Uonl0FhOw/WWGkgDyHL2I/AAAAAAAADBU/hdhm7SfmMTA5k7vfLotuc3tskDI0P3saACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2335.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JldsZDiA1zI/WWGkex1w5WI/AAAAAAAADBI/suNOB_AB1qwb6-O_Z77fZzlq_bLYaKUbwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="1500" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JldsZDiA1zI/WWGkex1w5WI/AAAAAAAADBI/suNOB_AB1qwb6-O_Z77fZzlq_bLYaKUbwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2331.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unknown Foreign CD Tri-Folder Sleeve</td></tr>
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-39171602506997928012017-06-18T23:21:00.000-04:002017-06-18T23:21:38.325-04:003 Amazing New Works - Pixel Art + Video and WatercoloursIn the effort of getting back on track with my artwork, I've been busy making promos in categories that I'm lacking good examples in. Also I've been busy making more memory room for my computer, especially when I'm making art videos that takes up Gigabytes in my Mac Mini. <br />
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First up is the new pixel artwork, Underpass Rain. These are 600 times enlarged from the original file size (108 to 648 px). I've made it based on a video clip I took on a day trip last fall. It started rainy on me when I pit-stopped at around Dufferin and Queen West and being in the underpass of the railroads' bridge as it was pouring, saw an interesting scene with the bright light, the rain and the creeping plant growth. So I decided to make a pixel art from that clip.<br />
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After checking out the works below, there's also an art video demo of Underpass Rain on my Youtube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvKxZ3jaiQQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvKxZ3jaiQQ</a><br />
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That'll be it for now. Come back again soon for more new works soon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkmaPkmuQmQ/WUc2yBnLhmI/AAAAAAAAC_E/t6YY9C_mn0kDGzWUIWyTVzeqsf-JktMSQCLcBGAs/s1600/UnderpassRain600xNoRain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="648" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BkmaPkmuQmQ/WUc2yBnLhmI/AAAAAAAAC_E/t6YY9C_mn0kDGzWUIWyTVzeqsf-JktMSQCLcBGAs/s320/UnderpassRain600xNoRain.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underpass Rain - Wall Background (No Rain) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underpass Rain - Final with Raindrops</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underpass Rain - Animated</td></tr>
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Oh, and lastly here are a couple of watercolour urban sketches from my recent day trips. Since buying some floral water vials with rubber caps and making wire clips for them to clip to my portable watercolour kit, I've been trying to do more urban sketches with watercolours rather than just colour pens and highlighters.</div>
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-35989725866302572842017-06-01T23:39:00.000-04:002017-06-01T23:43:27.477-04:00A-MAY-ing Sketches & Box TemplatesIt's been rather eventful this month for me:<br />
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<li>Strained my left knee while hauling two buckets full of beach pebbles for Civic's old pen, turning it into a garden planter. Probably after buying those strawberry plants and the extra soil.</li>
<li>Went to the TCAF - Toronto Comic Arts Festival and bought 4 volumes of Octopus Pie.</li>
<li>My brother Jason and my niece Caitlin visited for about 2 weeks; his rowdy, bouncing daughter wanting to always play with me over my parents. Helped her somewhat overcome her fear of pets.</li>
<li>Went to another TOUSK Meetup at Berczy Park, sketched the new dog fountain on display.</li>
<li>Got a bad stomachache last weekend, making me have to stay in bed about 2 days except for going out to buy antacids.</li>
<li>Been catching up on emails, online surveys, book reading, course studies, exercises and miscellaneous after I've gotten better.</li>
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So yeah, busy. I'll be getting even more busy now that I need to get back into my working rhythm. </div>
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Now to show some of the work I've lucky got done over the month:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vector Template of The Beer Store's Card Stock Carrier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vector Template of Random Trapezoid Food Box</td></tr>
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Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476801320884853744.post-68723792228923677462017-05-21T03:00:00.000-04:002017-05-21T03:00:22.706-04:00TOUSK Meetup Trip - Yorkville Village Mall, Yorkville - Toronto, ON<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
About once or twice a month, for a few months now, I've been going out to these urban sketching group meet ups. To do some drawing/doodling and to socialize with other artists or hobbyists. It gives me another reason to go out for other than exercise and scrap-scrounging. </div>
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Urban sketching is basically drawing/painting an area, with the people, the scenery and all the activities going on. Usually it's drawing on site and from what you're actually seeing happening (you can add colours or any small details from a photo take, along as you started the sketch onsite or not if you're a true purist about it). It's a very popular hobby for anyone with creative skills; it's relaxing, you can capture things in a way that photos can't, and it's an international movement. And all you need is simply a notebook and any writing tool that you carry around easily, extras like watercolours or even a tablet with a drawing app make great add-ons!</div>
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If anyone interested, here are some links:</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbansketchers.org/">http://www.urbansketchers.org</a> </div>
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<a href="http://toronto-urbansketchers.blogspot.ca/">http://toronto-urbansketchers.blogspot.ca</a></div>
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To check out my USK group and all the posted work we share:</div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/TOUSK">https://www.facebook.com/groups/TOUSK</a></div>
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<br />Jenny F. A. McMillenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14452778669678823818noreply@blogger.com0Yorkville, Toronto, ON, Canada43.670758540142614 -79.39312934875488343.667887040142617 -79.398171848754885 43.673630040142612 -79.388086848754881