Black Cat Sketches

 

JUNE'S JOURNEY: Hidden Talents Contest 2023

Hi Wooga!

My name's JAC, and I am a freelancing Graphic Designer, Illustrator, and Photo Compositor based in Los Angeles, California.  For the June's Journey Talent Contest this 2023, my entry is two-part:  I physically created a printed t-shirt of a moody photo-realistic portrait I created of my two favorite characters June and Jack as fan merchandise; AND I created concepts for other fun fan merch that could look cool if made to celebrate playing this wonderful mobile game.  

When the pandemic began in 2020, I had to cancel 3 international trips around the world.  Not knowing when it would end, I found June's Journey on an ad through Facebook and three years later, I'm still playing this amazing game.  I love the cleverness of a detective female main character brought to life by both detailed artistry as well as a compelling mystery story, and of course, travelling the globe via game play.  

Since June and Jack come from affluent families, I decided to put them inside a mansion with dramatic lighting on both the scene and their faces.  This mysteriously inviting portrait can be printed to hang on the mantle of a fancy fireplace, made into a cover of a new sketchbook, or printed onto different fabrics as fan merch!  Here are my other concepts that I think would look super cool with artwork inspired by June's Journey.

 

MEOW WOLF: The Great Interdimensional Getaway Sweepstakes

Rule:  Write a letter or send a postcard to a mailing address.

BEST OF 2016

Double Exposures of all my favorite moments and adventures this year:  I found real love, true happiness, and the greatest gift of realization that I will have to be my own artist if I want to pursue the Creative.  I used Photoshop and my iPhone photography of all the locations.  Good luck to everyone who is trying to pursue their own dreams~

Serenity Gathering - Joshua Tree, CA - March 2016

 

Burning Man - Black Rock City, NV - August 2016

  

Family Vacation - Venice, Italy - June 2016

PINK PROMISE: Cotton Candy

I imagined eating her hair every stroke I painted...

PINK PROMISE: Peace Lightning

I initially though about rendering this a different way, but...it came out like a female David Bowie~

PINK PROMISE

It is currently three-quarters of the year 2016.  I drew "Pedi Baby" while waiting for clients at my secret side job I started in 2013.  "Social Paranoia" was drawn because I didn't trust my long-distance partner after 4 years of stress and doubt; it was the only way I could see what he was up to, what his thoughts were, and any other piece of information that he didn't share with me thru our brief, clinical calls.  The relationship carried on for another year and a half before I broke, thus breaking up with him, and freeing both of us from the doomed cycle.  A lot has happened since my 2012 graduation.

As I look back on my journey, I noticed that I have never lost sight of who I am, nor have I regretted much of my decisions because they forged who I am today.  Throughout the years, I am constantly seasoned with a tomboy mentality--I never liked pink save for princess gear I adorned while playing with Batman action figures, Hot Wheel cars, and Gargoyles.  After college, there was a rush to fit into anything a feature film would hire for.  I have tried my hand at many things and still have not found a home.  I have taken a hiatus from the entertainment industry and have once again picked up the stylus for myself.  These are the first drawings I've done seriously since a fun little Christmas card in 2014.  This is the dawn of a new creative era for JAC.

"PINK PROMISE" is a series of various illustrations with rosy shades and hues that accompany line work featuring strong women depicted in both innocent and risqué poses, representing the choices females have made in their careers and the integrity they keep while carving their own paths in corporate society.  Pink can be soft, edgy, warm, and remind us of private lady parts.  This artwork is inclusive to all persons of any gender and race who take pride in their own gurl power!

*<~Happy Happy, Merry Merry~>*

It's been a crazy, busy year that flew by...!  Job change, trouble with the law, and heart breaks included.  Glad I made it through 2014!

My mother requested a Christmas card with the theme of an angel.  Angels are so generic and common--[like I can judge, haha] but as an elitist [sarcasm], I like the high-ranking Archangels.  My first Christmas card was a pencil drawing of Gabriel.  I don't know if this one is badass enough to be Michael, so I'm going to say this is Raphael, known as a great healer who watches over travelers and lovers.  I love the characters and personalities people came up with lifetimes ago as morals, myths, legends, and prophecies.

This androgynous protector of hope looks up to the light and waves a banner of the past year as a milestone.  Onto the next!

2K Games - Social Media Assets Designs

Did a test for 2K Games based on the games that are launching this October--banners and GIFs.

American Horror Story: Costume Contest

A co-worker of mine recommended we all try designing for American Horror Story's fourth season, Freakshow.  Don't know if I did a good job following the 1952 Jupiter, Florida period and location, but I had fun mixing eras and had a blast looking at vintage postcards and flyers of circus and carnival folk.

Daily Post #24: Carousel Girl

Practicing painting in black and white~

PS--Since I didn't start out with a sketch like I usually do, there is no "process" this time.  Painted on 4 layers total:  One for the horse, two for the girl, and one extra for miscellaneous holes.

Daily Sketch #23: Cabana

Since Summer is sadly fading away, and it is now officially cooling down with Autumn, I thought I would do a warm, sunny spot under a cozy wooden outdoor seating area.  New colors are created by bounce light and sun filtering through the cabana coverings in this private corner.  We have a fresh jug of water with already melting ice and glasses prepared for a small party of three with a wedge of lemon for each.  Big elephant ear leaves linger over the edge of the seat, inviting us to an exotic place in our imagination, far from reminding us about the urban reality beyond the mustard walls...

Song:  "A Summer Song" - Chad and Jeremy

Daily Sketch #22: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

There's been a lot of talk about Floyd Mayweather Jr.  AKA "Money" via the web, word of mouth, and even radio.  Undefeated for 47 fights and 26 of those wins were by KO, I wanted to practice drawing the a heavy rendering hand of Mayweather just prior to action.  The style is borrowed from an artist in the film and animation industry.  The blue background is for the cool pre-game state he's in.  He looks like a nice guy...before he steps into the ring, that is.

I think I'm going to have to do a faceoff with Mayweather vs. Manny Paquiao sketch in the future, since that will be an epic fight that we will never get to witness.

Focus is the key.

Process:

Daily Sketch #21: Cage

Haven't done a self-portrait for a long time, so I figured I take the picture of myself taken on the last weekend of August at the Disneyland / Disney's California Adventure Ferris Wheel Ride with the sun setting against my face as reference. Life is really rocky right now--a trifecta of problems.  Haha, but who does have those?  Relationships, jobs, debt...the list goes on.

This sketch is dedicated to those who still have the fight in them and who know they will persevere forward in this mad concrete jungle we've evolved into.  Determination.  Courage.  Delivery.

Process:

Daily Sketch #19: Ethnic Girl

Lame title, but it is what it is~

I thought it was really cool to see a fair, blonde little girl in tribal garb.  It's not what we usually see, and I love the mix of cultures or cultures I've never seen or experienced before.  Her pose tickles me with the slightly tilted head just barely perching on her tiny hands.  Was she ending a dance performance?  Was she just posing for the picture?  Even the blurry background behind her tells us we are not in North America.  Is it a golden deity statue?  A temple?  Earthy tones with a deep blue to contrast with her tri-toned hair [including white-grey dreadlocks!] and pale green eyes.  I loved everything about this, I just had to paint it~!

Daily Sketch #18: Old Potter

Taking a break from the landscapes and practicing people again.  I've been drawing and painting a lot of old men--probably due to the recent passing of my grandfather.  May he finally rest in peace.  I will be doing a portrait of him in the near future, but for now, I want to exercise my sketching with other people's fathers and grandparents.  This is the first painting I've done in a single layer without much of the crtl Z combo--just a lot of painting over and erasing.  Reminded me of animation and art by William Kentridge.

Daily Sketch #17: Growing Old is...

...not for the weak.  My father just came back from Brazil from my grandfather's passing.  Unfortunately, I was not able to visit and attend the two stressful weeks before the funeral.  For 18 years, my grandfather had lived with cancer.  I did this sketch of an old man, still fighting to lift weights and continuing his boxing training even in his older state while my grandfather was still alive, living off of an IV bag in the hospital.

We take advantage of how slow older people are, but in reality, they are the most experienced out of all of us.  They've lived an entire lifetime that we'll never truly know about except from their stories pulled from their fading [but glorified] memories.  I appreciate older folk, even if they have become bitter and cynical, because at one point, they too, were once happy and very much in love with their careers, spouses, children, and life itself.

Stay strong.  Eat Healthy.  Live long.

Daily Sketch #16: Brazil

My father was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  My grandfather raised his children there and that is where he passed away and is buried.  This image reminded me of a memorial.  Was a nice quick drawing then painting under the lines.

Song:  "Girl from Ipanema" Justin Imperiale Remix - Ezel / Tamara Wellons

Daily Sketch #15: Urban Landscapes - Spain

Mixing line art with fast coloring--want to get better at drawing accurately, and pinning the big blocks of color before I get too noodling with the details.

Song:  "Snake Charmer" - Ottmar Liebert

"Home is where the heart is."

Daily Sketch #14: Urban Landscapes - Italy

Ok, I think I just need to spend time in this country!  Florence streets look beautiful no matter what time of day.  Huge architecture masterpieces housing other glorious works of art surrounding the alleyways and small cafes...  Dreamy sigh~

A quicker sketch today--rougher edges and shorter lines.  Song:  "Sarah Smiles" - Panic! At The Disco