Greetings friends!After a long hiatus, a long winter, and an even longer artist’s block, I’m finally blowing the dust off my blog page and giving it a fresh spring makeover. *cracks knuckles* So let’s do this!First of all, thank you to everyone who is reading this. That means that you have taken the time out of your day to read my update. That also means that you’re still somewhat interested in my art happenings. You’re invested, and I appreciate that. So a big thank you and welcome to my updated and renovated website!A quite update on the last six months...2015. To be completely honest, a rather challenging year. From picking up and moving our life across the world, my incredible husband and I have slowly been putting roots down in our new home. It’s been a long time coming, but we’ve started getting into a new rhythm of life. We’ve met some wonderful people, got plugged into the community, and have nested well into our lovely new home. The thing with moving and adjusting to a new place is that it takes time. It’s intriguing to see the seasons of life echoed through the growing seasons of plants. Through life’s hard season—the “winter” season—I found myself in a place of waiting and rest, just like how a bulb hibernates in the winter ground. Though as time progresses, a little bit of green growth pokes through the cold, frosty ground…and one day you find yourself in a new, warmer season of life. It’s a beautiful, hopeful image.
A while back some of you may remember that I started the 52-Week Challenge. This project began in January of 2015 and challenged illustrators to post a weekly picture according to specific theme. By the end of the year, I planned on having a total of 52 illustrations, better artist skills, and a broader portfolio.I got as far as summer, and never finished.I found myself falling behind and growing frustrated with my inability to keep up, and eventually halted altogether. But now as I reflect back on the challenge, I have learned a few things:First of all, I started the challenge in the middle of our major international move. That by itself ate up any free time I had, not to mention it consumed most of my creative and emotional energy. More importantly, I found that I attempted to create a beautiful, fully-rendered color image complete with backgrounds—EVERY WEEK. FOR 52 WEEKS. My ambitions were a wee bit high. Contrast this to my Alphabook challenge, which was only 26 weeks long and focused more on spot illustrations of single characters, sans backgrounds. And unlike the 52-Week Challenge (which requested people to submit only finished pieces of art), Alphabooks encouraged people to submit really whatever they had, even if it was a rough sketch. When I was doing the Alphabooks challenge, I felt alright posting the occasional crappy sketch—knowing that it was okay and I’d do better next week. With the 52-Week Challenge, I felt pressured to make every piece my magnum opus, and therefore when I had a bad illustration I felt it reflected poorly on me as an artist.All this to say: I learned a lot from doing the 52-Week Challenge. Is it a bad challenge? Absolutely not! It’s a fantastic way to hone your creative skills and rub shoulders with other artists. I would highly recommend it. What I WOULDN’T recommend is having unrealistic expectations and instead know your limits. But hey—that’s why we challenge ourselves in the first place. That’s how we learn and grow.But now, let’s talk about more fun things:
What’s Next!
As you can see, I’ve given my website a much-needed makeover. Take a moment to check out the galleries, which have some new images and surprises in them. (new art! YAY!) Also, I have created a new Facebook page for my art ongoings. I plan on using my Facebook Page to more frequently post quick updates, add photos of works in progress, and post any art-related content. Check it out, and don’t forget to “Like” it! :) 
In April, I will be participating in my first convention ever! If you’re in the DC area, come check out RavenCon. I am super stoked to be hosting a table in artist alley. 
And in May, I will be hosting another artist alley table at the Tidewater Comic Con!
Keep posted for more updates! Alright, I can hear you saying, “Okay Jess, this is great…but what about your art? What’s are you working on now? What’s next?”One thing about me is that I’m pretty good at cranking out art, but pretty terrible at actually posting it. So you’ll be happy to know that I have several folders packed FULL of sketches, characters, and illustrations just waiting to make their debut. My challenge to myself is to spend more time sharing my artwork with you and giving you sneak peaks at my upcoming projects. Projects that may involve a dragon…
A cat with the "gift" of gardening...
And maybe a space angel…
Oh yes, get ready. Because I am SO excited to introduce you to some friends of mine. I promise you will love them. :)I hope this gets you a little excited for what’s to come. Thank you all for sticking with me through my artistic (and life) journey. As I stand on the brink of what I consider a new year, I survey a hopeful and bright future laid out before me. I'll leave you with an image and a quote from Guster's song "Parachute":But how much strength does it take For exploration For split decision? Or are you stronger to remain?Opened the door Knew what was me I finally realized Parachute over me 
Meet Kyle, a character in an upcoming graphic novel of mine. He's a good kid--kind, studious, and looks out for others. He's majoring in astronomy and physics, and has a deep fascination for space. Did I mention that for his high school senior project he constructed this Apollo replica astronaut suit all by himself? It works, too. Sharp kid!(Ink and Ink Washes) Week 13: TransportSometimes the fastest way to get where you're going is on dragonback...(Ink and Ink Washes)
Week 14: VietnamPho, anyone? : )(Easy Paint Tool Sai, Photoshop)
(Excuse me as I breath a HUGE sigh of relief.)I am happy how this piece turned out, yet furthermore relieve that it’s finally finished. This was one of those more difficult pieces to create. I was very happy how winter kimono kitty turned out, and therefore felt the pressure to follow-up with an equally pleasing spring counterpart, who was to don the symbol that best identifies Japan: the sakura blossom. The first attempt at drawing spring kimono kitty was unsuccessful, and I had to redo the entire drawing and pose. I also had several other projects whose deadlines were clamoring to be finished, and therefore left little breathing room to allow creativity to easily flow. I eventually found my groove, and settled in to painting while listening to my audiobook. And after 20 hours from starting over again, I finally finished her. As the Japanese would say, やった！(I did it!) :)
I had just gotten back to Japan from the states while my husband Cody was still finishing up some training for the Air Force. It was a two month long training session, and we were one month down. That month I enjoyed an extended stay with friends and family in Washington. But now that I was back in Japan, I suddenly felt the sharp ache of being away from the close connections of home and husband.Stay busy. That was my mantra. Though honestly, it’s hard forging your way as a self-employed artist. Your workplace is your drafting table in the next room, and your boss if your own self-discipline and will. Going to work means that I need to somehow push all other distracting things aside and making myself stay focused on the goals at hand. Some seasons I’m right on track and making headway. Other times, it’s not as easy.February was one of those times. I quickly found that many things that I came back to do turned out to be less time-consuming that I had originally thought. I had a lot more time on my hands, which ironically made it harder to stay focused and busy. I began fretting and doubting my decision to return a month early. Waking up and going to sleep in an empty house (spare the cat) was taxing, and it was a slog to keep moving on through the days. I even considered hopping a flight back to the states during one emotional meltdown. It was a good thing that it didn’t work out, but dangit….it was hard.That’s when I remembered the crocus.The crocus is a flowering plant part of the iris family. It grows from a bulb and appears anywhere from late winter through early spring. Despite its delicate nature, it can force itself up through the snow to display blooms varying in colors from pinks, yellows and purples. Throughout many cultures, it has been known as a symbol for hope and strength, since it perseveres even through the icy grip of winter.There are many ways the God speaks to me, but perhaps one of the most strongest and clearest is through the language of flowers. I felt the immediate connection. Seeking out a few photographs of crocuses I took years ago on my mom’s old Nikon SLR, I posted couple pictures around my workspace and one on my bathroom mirror. Every time I would glance at my calendar or brush my teeth, I saw those pictures of the crocus. I am a crocus. I would tell myself. I may be small, I may feel weak, but I will push through. I can do this.
Also, Cody gets back on Sunday. : )
