Lesson Learned

Superb Cast

I didn't write this. I didn't set the type. I do however love it. And wanted to share it.

The Win

Instant laughter and trust
Instant comfort within
It's how I first knew
With each other, we'd win

I'd randomly call you

Visiting from wherever I've been

You'd drop everything else

Because with you, I win

You'd tell me your tales
Plans of who, where and when
And I'd support your dreams
Because with me, you win

Months without a word

Yet we're instantly laughin'

Like no time has passed

Against time, we win

I walk into a show
You grin the biggest grin
So I help where I can
And we both get the win

Broken hearts, bruised egos
And patience wearing thin
We keep muddling through
As friends, we will win

We'll never give up
After all that has been
We'll continue to love
We'll continue to win

runnin' round in circles

Here's the side project I've been working on for a friend.

we are collateral damage

We've launched a new site. It features the work of a bunch of amazingly talented people who are looking for new jobs. So check out the site and spread it around. Thanks!

"We are writers, designers, art directors, producers and illustrators. We are talented, award-winning lovers of advertising and art and culture. We are funny, smart, sarcastic and creative. And we're looking for work. We are collateral damage. Nice to meet you."

Visit the site and check out the portfolios here.
Follow us on twitter here. 
Like us on Facebook here. 

Wonderful Lies

Words are powerful. Words can hurt but they can also heal. Words can be used with the best intentions and yet can be misinterpreted to cause the worst kind of pain. But I love the power of words. It's why I'm a lyric junkie. It's why I write. And it's also why I tend to overanalyze and worry. Because words are powerful, even when they don't mean to be.

Wonderful Lies

What a wonderful web of lies you weave
An intricate, beautiful web of lies
And you have me tangled up so tight that
I've been holding onto hope, believing it's disguise

It's the perfect web of words you've cast
Words that drew me in and kept me coming back
And no matter how much I try and fight them
It's the words that keep me in your trap

But your wonderful web was woven too well
So well in fact that you've tangled yourself
Because you believe your words, that your lies are true
And now we're both stuck wondering what to do

The web is unraveling and soon I'll be free
But the damage is done, the words of deceit
Have caused me to suffer the worst kind of pain
For they made me love you and then took that away

When I escape this web of wonderful lies
There's no turning back, it'll be in our past
For I no longer trust your beautiful words
I no longer trust your intentions are good

But your wonderful web won't be our demise
For we will both recover and move on with our lives
We will both spin new webs and get tangled inside
And those new webs won't be woven of wonderful lies

Stan is Adorably Awesome

Stan is back in this new poster design. Technically it's Marcus' birthday celebration and not Stan's, but I wasn't sure how to go about giving a ninja dreads. Ha.

Project Progress

Genius

I love iTunes genius. And below is why. I haven't heard this song in forever. I had forgotten I even owned it. But it came up on genius. And right now, it's perfect. It also includes one of my favorite lyrics of all time: "Smiling through denial, my specialty." It's Lou Barlow's Legendary. Enjoy.


I know you've given all that you could give to me
I know there'll come a day I understand
Until then I'll be trying to solve your mystery
And wonder why I couldn't make you stay

Smiling through denial, my specialty
I thought that was a good thing for a while
You gave me all your secrets were you testing me?
How could I do anything but smile?

Re-enact your legendary tragedy
And do to me what has been done to you
Is that the only point to all this misery?
Is there any reason I should cry?

Heal – takes time
And you gave me all you had
I know in time, I will believe
That I loved you
Did you love me?
Did you love me?

Heal – it takes time
And you gave me all you had
I know in time, I will believe
That I loved you
You loved me
You loved me.

To-Do List

I have a pretty long list of words I want to doodle up into awesomeness, but I also have very little time to do them all. Anyway, here's a partial list of what's to (hopefully) come. 

Living in limbo isn't as fun as it sounds. 

One ticket to someday please. 

I understand the reasons.

I disagree with the logic. 

Cats and air furniture don't mix.

A bad day can only last 24 hours. 

You're the lesson I've always refused to learn. 

I found my rock when I looked in the mirror.

"SHIT! ASS! FUCK!!!"

"Dont yell."

"shit. ass. fuck."

Music is what feelings sound like.

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

When life feels like a rollercoaster, go ride one.

Relationships are stupid and crazy all mixed together in a fucking cocktail.

Even the worst beer is still beer.

We're Only Human

Just felt like posting some song lyrics I'm really feeling right now. From "Human" by Jon McLaughlin.

"Can you tell me how we got in this situation? I can't seem to get you off my mind. All these ups and downs, they trip up our good intentions. Nobody said this was an easy ride. After all we're only human - always fighting what we're feeling, hurt instead of healing. After all we're only human. Is there any other reason why we stay instead of leaving? After all."


Have a good Monday everyone!

Work in Progress

So much set up, so little shooting...

My Morning Commute

In case you were curious, this is what my morning commute looks and sounds like. Well part of it anyway :)

To the End of an Era

Tonight we toast

The Valley Ho

Coach House

Vegas

And Whitehouse

We toast

Whip It

And Puff

Lemon drop martinis

And pitchers of Coors Light

We toast

Spit buckets

Gossip magazines

Beef jerky

And hours in the van

We toast

Denise

Pete and TJ

The Astronaut

Everyone except Lora

Tonight we toast

To hotel parties

Blackjack

Oversleeping

And to hangovers

We toast

To memories

To friendship

To craziness

To the end of an era

Tonight we toast

So Purdy

I'm loving this shot I got last night :)

Daily Happiness

A Very Productive Sunday

We took over 600 pictures yesterday for the project. Sadly we have to reshoot some of the scenes, but it was an extremely productive day none-the-less. And I'm learning as I go, so the next outing should run a little smoother. Yay.

Progress is Being Made

Fearless and Strong

Assistant Producer

I found myself an Assistant Producer! Score! Together, Diana and I tackled another scene. Here's your sneak peek. Enjoy.

Test Run

I did a test run with my new project last night. I'm pretty proud of myself because it turned out a lot better than I expected the first run to go. I'm also a little scared that I've taken on way more than I originally thought. That being said, I'm sorry if you don't see me much over the next month. I'm pretty sure my nights and weekends are now full.

Anyway, I'm trying to keep the project somewhat under wraps until it's further along, so this is all you get. Enjoy. 

The Nice Guys

It's a selfish world
It's always me, me, me
Every man for themselves
Their life is all they see
Time is the currency
Money is the prize
Niceness, a rarity
It brings tears to my eyes
Because I know in my heart
That it's backwards and whack
But it explains why it is
That nice guys finish last

Let's drink to their kindness
Let's cheers to their love
Let's celebrate their empathy
Cuz when push comes to shove
I want the nice guy around
When push comes to shove
I need the nice guy around

It's always a race
To the top, to be best
But the prize is loneliness
In the race of screw the rest
At the end of the day
You may own that big yacht
You may have your own empire
But it'll all be for naught
Because you'll find in your heart
That it's backwards and whack
And you'll see why it is
That nice guys finish last

So quit that race
Before it's too late
Open your heart
And replace all your hate
Be a good person
Learn to laugh and smile
We're all in this together
So let's go that extra mile
Deep down, we know in our hearts
The race is backwards and whack
But we can change the notion
That nice guys must finish last

Let's drink to their example
Let's cheers to their love
Let's celebrate their knowledge
Cuz when push comes to shove
We want the nice guy around
When push comes to shove
We need the nice guy around
When push comes to shove
We can all be that guy
And we can all finish first

Found: New Project

A thought entered my head this weekend that I can't shake. A thought that leads to a new project. A new project that will take A LOT of learning, A LOT of patience and A LOT of time. The thought is daunting. It's also exciting.

It's music. It's art. It's lyrics. It's typography. It's animation. It's handwritten. And in my head, it's perfect. If I can pull it off, I mean WHEN I pull it off, it'll be awesome.

I'll be updating here as I make progress, so get excited.

My Apologies

Dear Universe, 

I'm sorry for doubting you lately. I didn't trust you and I should have. I realize now that you know what you're doing. Granted, you had to hit me over the head, repeatedly, for me to understand it all. 

Anyway, I like the game plan. I really do. And I'm on board. But I'm going to need a little more time to get ready. I need to get everything sorted out in my head first. But you're right. Probably about all of it. So thanks. 

With love, 

Jess

Guerilla Art

I cannot take credit for this art that some kind stranger used the Jeep as a canvas for. But I do thank whoever it is for the lovely, and somewhat humorous, depictions of Sleeping Mickey (Computer) Mouse and Happy Guy Dipping Giant Espresso Bean Into Chocolate. I'm pretty sure the car behind me enjoyed your art as well. 

Road Trip Happiness

A Happy Horned Frog

Couldn't Sleep. Could Doodle.

Please and Thank You

New piece:

The wall is filling up nicely :)

FEARLESS & STRONG

Friday's Happiness

Someday

How do I get to Someday?
Can I buy a one-way pass
Hop a train, take a boat
Drive my car or fly first class?

Because in Someday plans unfold
In Someday dreams come true
In Someday hope survives
In Someday it's me and you

Someday I'll start my business
Someday I'll change the world
Someday I'll get my happy ending
Someday I'll have control

In Someday plans unfold
In Someday dreams come true
In Someday hope survives
In Someday it's me and you

My Someday is on a beach
It's on an island in the sun
My Someday is home to all my friends
Home to laughter, love and fun

My Someday is a Utopia
There's no stress, its worry free
My Someday is full of music
And love is the currency

In Someday plans unfold
In Someday dreams come true
In Someday hope survives
In Someday it's me and you

So much waits for me in Someday
And someday will some day be today

Insomnia Makes Me Color

Based on song lyrics. Don't judge. Besides, I think it's my favorite thus far. Although I have one in the works that I'm really liking :)

Recent Scribbles

Meet Stan. Stan makes me happy.

Stan lives at www.marcuswords.com if you're ever missing him and need to say hi. He'd appreciate it. Stan, not Marcus. Although I'm sure Marcus would appreciate it too.

Mother's Wisdom

My mom is so wise.

Happiness, White Dress Edition

Oh Happiness

Visual Screaming

This is what happens when you get bad news right as you're boarding a plane. You can't scream for fear of causing an international emergency, so you doodle instead.

I Now Remember

My soul is happy. Chicago makes my soul happy. Now, the city doesn't get all the credit. I'm the reason I love this city, because Chicago reminds me how fearless I am. This city reminds me that I'm the type of person who sees what they want and goes after it. And then conquers it. And today this city slapped my recent insecurities right out of me. 

Thanks Chicago. I owe ya.

Double Dose of Happiness

Because I need it today.

Quote Doodles

Did these awhile back but found them tonight. Oddly enough, they all seem pretty relevant at this exact moment. Kinda nice how that worked out :)

Happiness

New Series: Happiness

I'd Rather

I'd rather be stuck
Between the couch and the wall
I'd rather be drunk
And feel nothing at all
I'd rather be done
With nothing to fear
I'd rather be anything
Besides being stuck here

I'd rather be angry
With someone to blame
I'd rather be happy
And you feel the same
I'd rather be friends
Than nothing at all
I'd rather be stuck
Between the couch and the wall

Random Pondering

Saturday Night Scribbles

Practicing some different handwritten type styles :)

Best Day Haiku

Best day of my life
Until tomorrow's sunrise
Bringing a new best


That is all :)

Behind the Scenes

I spent last weekend working on a big project for a good friend. It's a 3x5ft banner to go on stage with him when he has shows. A lot of time and heart went into the project. And in the end, I think it's perfect.  It fits him and his music perfectly. Perfectly.

Below is the behind-the-scenes, leading up to the delivery :)

Sketch and first color.

Added the white. Love the white.

Blue added. Ninja added. 

Protective coating time. 

Stand is assembled.

Stand is painted. Ready to deliver.

Awesomeness upon delivery.