Retro Sorrento

I don't know what to call this post.

2012-02-26T01:32:00.004-05:00

It's been a few weeks! So busy!

I've 99.9% decided that I'm going to be merging my handmade and illustration business and calling it "RetroSorrento" after my blog and my Etsy shop. [As some of my customers might know, if they are dealing with me off-line, I go by "Maria Vallese Illustration"]

The handmade aspect of my creative life has been intertwining itself with my illustration, and vice versa. It all seems to fit into one package, so it no longer seems necessary to separate the two.

Oh, and now you can like me on Facebook! I'll like you back!!! <3

Something I've been struggling with for the past year is the identity of the handmade business and it's packaging. This is such an important part of my business as a whole but something I never really considered starting out. Anyway, here are some new tag designs that I've come up with. The great thing about these is that they can be used as price tags for hats, earring cards, and can be glued to boxes for a really cute look!

I've also ventured back into some oil pastel work in the past few weeks. Something I felt so passionate about and then got away from, feeling it was an "immature" medium. In hindsight, I'm glad I made that decision because it helped me find my illustration style, but it's nice to go back to this medium and see how I've changed and improved, regardless of the outcome.

I've been reading "Van Gogh: The Life," and I think I can attribute some of my color, subject matter and experimentation inspiration to that.

[You might remember this from a previous post! It's one of my first floral arrangements.]

Last, here are some logo sketches for my cousin's DJ-ing business. In case you're wondering, he's flip-flopping on the name a little bit, but that's something I can identify with, so I don't mind.

Some Flowers!

2012-01-11T23:17:00.007-05:00

Some recent floral design pieces.

Wedding Sample:

Silk arrangement for main lobby of the casino:

And some yellows:

Flower Logo WIP

2012-01-10T00:47:00.002-05:00

Possible logo for my handmade business. Or just prettiness for my resume!

Holiday Indie Garage Sale, etc.

2011-12-29T23:49:00.007-05:00

Photos of my booth from the Holiday 2011 Indie Garage Sale at Union Station in Utica, NY.

And Union Station all decked out for the holiday and sale!

And a portrait done for my cousin of her granddaughter. A present for her son and daughter.

Happy Holidays

2011-12-29T18:02:00.004-05:00

Wishing you creative adventures in the New Year!

A little bit of Utica love.

2011-12-08T21:16:00.004-05:00

FX Matt Brewery!! Took long enough :)

Also! Just a heads up to all you folks in the area... I'll be showing lots of sweet new items at the Indie Garage Sale this weekend!! Will try to get a preview up beforehand!

Something Different!

2011-11-19T23:10:00.002-05:00

Something a little different that I've been working on:

It's weird for me to get used to being able to do whatever kind of art I want without rules or guidelines. I am almost hesitant to do anything beyond what I know will be successful. But that's what being an artist is all about, isn't it?

Oh, and here's some flowers!

Very Important Arrangements.

2011-11-03T04:14:00.002-04:00

Too many ideas.

2011-10-29T21:55:00.005-04:00

Some things I've been working on getting ready for the Holiday sales season:

This piece was not dry when photographed, but pretty cool either way:

And a greeting card in progress:

Some experimentation. This piece is going to be slightly dimensional, in the style of kitsch 70's wall hangings!

Sketch:

Beginnings of a colored pencil piece:

Purples and reds

2011-10-28T23:01:00.000-04:00

Wedding Bouquet Samples

2011-10-21T22:44:00.003-04:00

Getting ready for my first Bridal Show with Turning Stone this weekend:

One building down...

2011-10-01T18:21:00.003-04:00

Still some details and windows need to be finished... but put in a good 8 hours today.

More Progress on Brewery Piece

2011-09-30T04:07:00.002-04:00

Spent most of tonight working on this, although I should have been sleeping and working on some other things. I feel accomplished though, so being a little tired tomorrow will be well worth it.

Some Changes And Earrings!

2011-09-25T02:11:00.005-04:00

Made some changes to this piece after looking at some impressionist work. I kept wondering why I was straying from my bright color pallet...

And some new earrings, something a little different for me:

Flowers and Works in Progress!

2011-09-24T01:19:00.005-04:00

A digital mixed piece:

Painting in progress:

And some Flowers:

Fall Flowers

2011-09-15T04:21:00.003-04:00

Flowers, 2D

2011-09-15T04:04:00.000-04:00

A sketch and future piece of finished art:

Street Sketch

2011-09-10T16:17:00.001-04:00

Future painting.

I'm a Florist!

2011-09-08T21:36:00.006-04:00

Recently I took a position as a Floral Designer! I really LOVE this position. It's a great compliment to my illustration work. I've had the opportunity to do work for some fairly large weddings, restaurants and the spas throughout the resort, and every day customers. Creativity is key! And COLOR!

Check out some of my work:

Studio!!

2011-05-25T15:16:00.003-04:00

I am currently renting a studio/office in Clinton, NY. Now that I'm settled in, I guess I'll give you the grand tour.

A piece I'm working on, I apologize for the terrible photo.

April 30th Electric Nostalgia at Urban Headquarters

2011-05-25T15:05:00.004-04:00

Some images from my show at Urban Headquarters in Utica last month.

Show TONIGHT!

2011-04-30T15:56:00.002-04:00

Hello!

If you're in Utica tonight please stop by Urban Headquarters on Broad Street for "Electric Nostalgia: Illustration and Art by Maria Vallese"!

Would love to see you there!!!

Also, big shout out to my friends The Moho Collective for inviting me to show at their Album Release party last night! Please check them out! They are Rochester natives, talented, and great people!!!

Photos will be coming soon :)

And if you haven't already, please check out my website's new layout!

Love you, and see you tonight!
-Maria

2011 Spring Indie Garage Sale!

2011-04-16T02:45:00.004-04:00

Will be selling the following few pieces and more at the Indie Garage Sale tomorrow!! 11a-7p!!

All crocheted earrings are $8 a pair. Unframed prints (in plastic sleeves) $15. Framed and signed prints $30. More items available in person!! That means come see me and give some love to your LOCAL 315 talented artists :)

LOVE!

Spring Indie Garage Sale!

2011-04-08T19:16:00.004-04:00

Just one week until the Spring Indie Garage Sale!

Saturday, April 16th. 11AM-7PM

177 Genesee Street, Utica

Come check us out!

Jimi Sketch

2011-02-02T20:47:00.001-05:00

Pages and pages and pages. Working on a likeness.

Also looking for studio space.

Happy Holidays

2011-01-01T16:21:00.002-05:00

Indie Garage Sale

2010-12-17T23:36:00.003-05:00

If you are in the area, I better see you there!! I will have lots of new stuff!!

Better late than never.

2010-11-09T19:03:00.009-05:00

Hello! some photos of my show with the Moho Collective last month.

Thanks again to The Moho Collective and Nail Creek Pub & Brewery for an awesome time and for letting me draw and display my artwork all night. Check them out if you get a chance :)

Here are some new earrings! My etsy account has been updated and will be updated regularly for the holiday season.

I have been using a lot of patterns passed down to me from my family, one great thing about having a big ol' crafty family. I use the patterns for inspiration and change them to fit the pieces I would like to create. These earrings come from afghan patterns, coaster patterns, etc.

Some holiday pieces will be posted soon, get ready! Please check out the mini-Etsy feed on the side of my blog for regular updates.

Here is a business card I recently designed for a friend. I made a couple versions, she likes the orange/red best, which suits her personality. Needs some tweeks but I can't wait to have these printed!

On the show scene, you can find me on November 27 at the Building 41 Gallery in Sherill, NY and at the Indie Garage Sale on December 18th and 19th at 117 Genesee Street in Utica, NY. More info to follow!

AAAAANnnnnnnnDDDDDD I would tell you about my Christmas card but it is super-top-secret. :P

Love,
Sorrento.

Where I've been.

2010-10-20T00:46:00.004-04:00

The last month has been crazy! A new job, some shows, and getting ideas flowing and work done on top of it all. Here is a sketch I am working out for a painting, possibly a fall/halloween mailer.

And since we're in the fall spirit, a little thing I wipped up with some friends a few nights ago (my dad really likes this):

Here are some photos from the fantastic weekend I had at the Utica Music and Arts Festival. We really got some nice weather, and I met some awesome artists and musicians over the course of the weekend.

Here are some photos from my opening Saturday for "The Arrival of Night" at Building 41. I found an amazing frame for one of my older pieces, Ghosts, and I am so happy with the way it compliments the piece.

Finally, a heads up to anyone in the area, The Moho Collective, a Rochester-based band who I met at the UMAF, will be returning to Utica for a show this Saturday at Nail Creek Pub on Varick Street. I will also be displaying some of my artwork and maybe doing some on site drawing/painting!

Hope to see you there!

Love,
-Maria

"The Arrival of Night"

2010-10-16T00:44:00.004-04:00

I will be exhibiting some of my "eerier" pieces at the Building 41 Gallery with several artists for the month of October. The show is called "The Arrival of Night," and the opening will include costumes, music, food, drink, hauntings, and of course art! I will also be selling prints, jewelry, hats, bags, etc. Please come down if you are in the area from 6pm-10pm tomorrow night! Love to see you!

I must apologize for the lack of updates, I know my illustration partners in crime are probably wondering where I've disappeared to! Don't worry, lots of stuff to post, and it will come soon!

<3 Sorrento.

Utica Music and Arts Festival/Greens Festival

2010-09-17T21:42:00.005-04:00

Hello! Long time no blog... lost my camera charger and I have been very, very busy! Not a bad thing at all!

Just a heads up for all of you, I will be vending at the Utica Greens Festival, part of the annual city-wide Utica Music and Arts Festival. I will be selling some original artwork, prints, hats, jewelry, bags, etc. Here is a small sampling:

If you're in the area, come down to the Brewery District (Varick Street) between 12-6! See you there!
LOVE,
Me

Ruffles!

2010-08-19T18:32:00.004-04:00

Making new purse to sell and applying to fall craft shows. More news to come!

Summer Breezes.

2010-08-10T00:18:00.004-04:00

Open publication - Free publishing - More vintage

Just uploaded this to Issuu recently.

Here are some things:

ZitoFest Painted logo:

Cake:

And early stages:

Funny, I'm almost exclusively working digitally right now. I can't wait to get everything back in order so i can paint, but I can't say that I am not enjoying this.

Goodnight,
Happy Summer.

Pew! Pew! Happy Fourth and lots more!

2010-07-07T14:33:00.006-04:00

A quick entry before I hit the road for the second time this week!

First off:

This is the blank note card I will be sending out for my thank you cards. Deciding on ordering either from Overnightprints.com or from someplace local, which would save me shipping and handling.

I recently ordered some new business cards. Overnight Prints had a huge sale, and honestly, I was sick of cutting them out myself. They are brighter than I expected, but I think they fit well, and ooohh those rounded corners!

Above is a sketch from a few weeks ago, Java's Cafe in Rochester. I will probably end up digitally painting this at some point, since I still don't have a definite studio space.

This past weekend I traveled I-90 to Boston to visit my room mate Noelle with my fellow Illustrators Dan and Jamie. We met up with several other friends and had a fantastic time together celebrating the Fourth of July! We visited the sites, spent a lot of time in Harvard Square and took a trip up to Hampton Beach, but of course my favorite was the visit to the North End, complete with beautiful architecture, beautiful (and expensive) cars, small shops, and of course, Italian Pastries! Here's a photo I may end up sketching from:

Also, here are some great stained glass windows from John Harvard's in Harvard square! You should check this place out if you're in the area!

Last, when I came home from my trip, my parents had left some old photos they found out for me. Look familiar?

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!
LOVE.
-Sorrento

Things.

2010-06-24T01:11:00.003-04:00

Still working on the colors with this one, coming along slower than I'd like with all the moving/cleaning in my way. I think I might go much lighter on the background and use the salmon color elsewhere. We'll see. I like it so far!

There needs to be some tweeks here and there on this, Particularly on the Z and the T, but this is what will be going on the glasses for the party. I will also be creating invites with a similar logo, and illustration/caricature on the inside.

Lots of updates!

2010-06-08T00:52:00.004-04:00

Finally a few minutes to update amongst all this crazy moving!

A few weeks ago my fantastic group of friends and I graduated from RIT! Still feels a little weird and hasn't sunk in totally, but I'm okay with that.

So now that I have my B.F.A. in illustration and all these congratulations are coming in the mail, it's time to start sending out thank you cards! Here is my initial sketch for a digital painting I will be doing for the front of the card:

Obviously influenced by wallpaper and fabric from the 70's here. I have been using colourlovers.com to come up with some color pallet ideas.

I put in an order for my first set of mailers, and am looking for local printers to work with to get copies of my portfolio made. I have a huge list of companies I will be submitting my work to, and I am really excited to be getting to this!

Also, a side project I am working on for my Uncle Al! A logo for ZitoFest, which is a get-together he will be having at his camp at the beach. He wants a logo he can get put on glasses. He owns a boat, so I decided the boat might be an appropriate theme. Here are some sketch ideas (I am pretty sure we are going with the last):

Such an plain colored blog entry. Hopefully will have some color soon!

Hope all is well with everyone!
Love,
Sorrento

Finished!

2010-05-17T15:41:00.003-04:00

So I kind of obsessed over this one, and I am SO happy with it.

I also wanted to mention the point of this project, which was a reflection on myself as an artist. I twisted and turned my brain in all different directions until I realized the answer was right in front of me: My artwork is a saturated representation of a place or personality, with retro-vintage color schemes. Right now at least.

More updates to the website: mariavallese.com

Kitchen

2010-05-17T02:20:00.003-04:00

Have been watching the Godfather and doing this project for days now, still not done, but I am loving it:

Needs to be lightened and I need to change the color of the stove to something a little more yellow/green. It's much too gray for me now, but that seems to be a bad habit I've acquired with digital painting.

Happy finals week to all my RIT friends!

Website, walk-though, etc.

2010-05-16T19:13:00.004-04:00

http://www.mariavallese.com

2 things I want to fix on the site, but for now, it's done. I have to step away.

Here are images of my layout:

Also, we had our senior walk through this past Thursday, here is a photo of my completed portfolio and the setup for the walk-through, what I will be taking with me to interviews.

6 more days until graduation! I can't believe this has gone by so fast.

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure

2010-05-16T17:11:00.001-04:00

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure | Video on TED.com

This is really great! I recommend listening to the whole thing!

Boulder Coffee Co.

2010-05-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

Finished.

11 days and counting.

Graphiti Monster and Some Paisley!

2010-05-10T01:56:00.004-04:00

Finally finished this! So happy with the results!

Also, found these old swatches of fabric laying around. They were my grandmothers. Not quite sure why she had them, they're far too colorful for her, but then again she had a LOT of fabric. Going to use them for the buttons on my website! Check 'em out:

Going to have a busy week!!

How do you feel about this?

2010-05-07T12:33:00.002-04:00

Outline? Yay? Nay? Should I paint it myself rather than use a stroke?

Reduces down nicely!! (reduced version may not have my name on it, definitely won't have "illustration" and "caricatures & portraiture").

Maybe this should be the logo on my portfolio... Need to make that decision ASAP.

Website Progress.

2010-05-05T02:37:00.002-04:00

Little bit more to go... thinking about scanning in some fabric to use for the menu on the regular pages.

6x6x2010

2010-05-02T17:58:00.003-04:00

Rochester Contemporary is having a 6x6 show. Here is my piece:

Getting down to the wire and things are getting crazy, post more progress/finished pieces later.

Spread the Love,
Sorrento

"We were both hitchhikers but you had your ear tuned to the roar "

2010-04-27T10:15:00.010-04:00

I just want to paint, but very little time, all this typing and organizing is making me a little crazy.

I finally got my suitcase in that I will be using for my portfolio. It needs a few minor repairs, and it's not the exact color I thought it was, but I think it suits me well:

It even has a nice little pocket for resume's and business cards! Nice!

So now I have done some edits on the color I want to use for my portfolio page, and I would still really appreciate some feedback (the typography is better positioned on the second one, and I think I like that color better too):

My goal is for the page to match the case, but not distract from the artwork.

Other than the portfolio, I've been working on these 3 paintings, which I am hoping to have done by the end of the week:

And some digital work:

This one is in progress:

Feedback?

2010-04-25T23:01:00.002-04:00

Any opinions on my layout page for my portfolio?

"To the violence of the sun!"

2010-04-21T00:46:00.003-04:00

So I've been working on this main page a lot...

And here are some sketches for my next oil paintings:

This sketch is from life, a girl sitting by the window at Boulder Coffee's Open Mic Night. I think her boyfriend was performing.

This sketch is from a photo and a great adventure a few years back.

VW Love.

2010-04-19T02:23:00.003-04:00

Work in progress, obviously. This will be the main page of my website, and will be shrunk down and placed above the menu buttons on the other pages. Loving it!

Illustration Opening, and some sketches!

2010-04-18T00:06:00.008-04:00

Some photos from our opening!

Sushi Peeps!

Tons of people and thanks for the 30th time those who came!

I am making myself a new bag for spring! I found this fantastic fabric from Joann's last week: Corduroy floral print and this funky green print in my for the inside.

I also had the opportunity this week to draw and paint at Corbett's Glenn in Brighton, NY. I found a great little rock in the middle of the stream and plopped myself down for a few hours. This makes me extremely excited for camping in the Adirondack's soon! Here's 2 of 6 sketches.

Waterfalls are harder to draw then I remember!

Some work in progress:

These are coming along slowly, I'm a bit unsure of myself. I'm liking the second a lot.

Last, I just wanted to geek out about this website my room mate Noelle showed me today! http://animationbackgrounds.blogspot.com/

Love.
-Sorrento

UPDATE YOUR RSS PLEASE!!

2010-04-13T23:36:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone! Please do me a favor and update your RSS feeds to retrosorrento.blogpsot.com. I need to shorten my address and I want to make sure it's the same as my Etsy account. Easier to find me! THANKS!!

-Sorrento

"Can't Buy me Loooovvee!"

2010-04-08T00:59:00.003-04:00

Finished with this digital painting, for now. I will probably go back to it.

And here is a sketch of a good friend. Unfinished, but the person got up before I could finish:

I am also taking a web design class this quarter and I have been thinking about ideas for my sight for a while. I want to use this bus as my main page navigation, and then use it without the text above the navigation on each page. Obviously it will be green.

2 Days until the Illustration Opening at Gallery R. See you there!
Love,
Sorrento.

Let it roll, baby, roll!

2010-04-01T18:27:00.008-04:00

I'm a busy bee!

My senior year of college is quickly coming to a close. Senior Illustration Exhibit is coming up and portfolio preparation is getting intense!

(In case anyone is wondering the opening is on April 9th at Gallery R in Rochester, NY).

Framing has been pretty hectic and I am considering not painting large or at odd sizes ever again! Robert Plant has been the most difficult to frame. I first made a small backing structure for the piece because it was beginning to warp, and I am staining some pieces of wood to attach to the side as a frame. I purchased a purplish stain (which was pretty expensive!) for the frame, it matches his jacket and it's going to be awesome!

Next, for my Personal Focus II class I am working with city streets and scenes. I was really inspired by the pieces I did last year after my trip to New York. I love buildings, yet my scenes never have people in them.

I drove around Rochester and took tons of photos, but nothing stood out to me when I sat down for sketches. Going through my photo collection from my various trips, I found some photos from a trip to Toronto. Got a little nostalgic and decided I would paint some of the places I really enjoyed.

Here is Queen Street, where I gallery hopped with my Pandaloping friend:

And the sketch:

And here is the Imperial Pub and Library, across from our hotel. Great memories:

Lastly, for my digital mixed media class, I am doing a piece based off the idea of Growth. My concept came from "growth from destruction/decomposition." I wanted to show that a space that had been neglected for a long period of time was being repaired and ready to be loved.

After all the painting I've been doing, digital painting is becoming more natural for me. This last little sweet spot is looking a lot like what I do with oil paint, and that is really what I want. I love getting my hands full of paint, but it's also frustrating not to have sufficient space to paint in, and this may be my solution.

Lastly, I'll leave you with this great little photo I took a few weeks ago with my friend Tony:

Back to some webdesign!
Peace,
Sorrento

Beets again.

2010-03-29T21:21:00.002-04:00

I don't really like digital painting, however, it's convenient when I don't feel up to lugging myself to the studio. These came out nicely I think.

Character Sketches, etc.

2010-03-22T10:43:00.001-04:00

I haven't posted in what feels like a while, nothing really finished to show. But, here are some things I particularly like from the past week or so.

I got to illustrate the cover and feature spread for RIT's Reporter Magazine two weeks ago. Here is the spread without design:

You can read the article here.

I am also taking a character design class this quarter, the first time I've ever tried my hand at this.

I have this ridiculous sci-fi/glam/new wave rock story in my head.

The plot is basically this: The main character, Trixie DiMarco (work in progress name), is a troubled lead singer to a sort of Glam Rock/New Wave band in the early 1980's (Think Debbie Harry/Blondie). She's abducted by aliens, brought to their planet, and forced to adapt to their lifestyle (How 'bout something like the original Star Wars series?), which suits her and her band-mates almost perfectly, considering their distaste with what is going on around them on Earth. This, that, and the other thing happens and the end up saving Earth from takeover after some soul-searching. When and if I actually write this ridicoulous story further than a short summary, I will post it in increments on the blog.

So here are the first sketches of Trixie:

Yes, that is a tentacle around her neck. It's a sort of pet-boa that she aquired on her new planet. Not sure if I want to give it eyes, it's sort of creapier and grungier without.

Another sketch of another nameless character:

Obviously a "ferocious" drag queen! Not sure how he'll play into the story exactly yet, but he definitely is quite the sidekick.

Beets Me

2010-03-11T18:33:00.005-05:00

Got to draw outside in the somewhat warm Rochester Weather today:

This will eventually be a digital painting for my Digital Mixed Media class with Chad Grohman.

Revisits.

2010-02-26T02:02:00.001-05:00

revisit [riːˈvɪzɪt] vb (tr):

1. to visit again

2. to re-examine (a topic or theme) after an interval, with a view to making a fresh appraisal

When I find myself trying to change in a direction that doesn't feel right, I seem to revisit old love.

I wish I had a better camera. Soon.

Farmland.

2010-02-21T12:27:00.000-05:00

Still working... it's going to be a long few days. Bring on the Coffee!

"If Maria had a VW Bus..." (In Progress)

2010-02-18T14:00:00.000-05:00

My current and last series for Visual Essay is a series of landscapes featuring a traveling VW Westfalia. I really wanted to get away from the caricature paintings for a while and regroup some stray brain cells.

These are all currently underpaintings. I started some highlights and shaddows but for the most part they are mostly midtones. I tried several different techniques to see where my strengths lie.

So far the third technique is coming out the most naturally.

I like painting landscapes because it really gets you to analyze a space and how you would deal with it without having to deal with anything that has to be completely exact. I am definitely a little rusty with this since my last finished landscape was a few years back (I've done a lot of sketching and watercolors, but no paintings!). I am surprised at how much I've improved, kind of interesting.

Mailer Back.

2010-02-14T23:48:00.000-05:00

Back of my mailer:

Printing tomorrow. Will be a long day.

"We can't go on living, with suspicious minds!"

2010-02-14T00:16:00.000-05:00

So, FINALLY finished Elvis. A LOT of hours put into this piece, sort of unexpectedly, but I am so happy with the way it came out. My friend (and hopefully my professor too) will be happy with it. I am going to crop it in a bit for the postcard.

And speaking of postcard here is the illustration for the back. I am not sure about the hand lettering, I might use a font instead.

All I know is that I have a renewed appreciation for Elvis Presley music and have it stuck in my head!

Sketchdump.

2010-02-09T23:36:00.000-05:00

So as the winter quarter at RIT is winding down, and we are all sleeping less and less, I figured I would update with some recent sketches of upcoming work.

First, for my business and marketing class I am preparing a promotional mailer. I decided to use a caricature for Elvis Presley I was asked to do by a friend. Here are some preliminary sketches:

Elvis' likeness was one of the more difficult portraits to master, but I finally think I achieved what I wanted in this last sketch. The final piece is somewhat off from this sketch, and I've been a bit frustrated with it. I will upload the photo of it soon.

These next sketches are for my next Visual Essay series:

I decided I needed a break from the portraits/caricatures to recharge my brain and get myself back into focus. What easier way than to go back to my roots in landscape painting. I think it might be those winter blues getting to me, combined with a need for something a little more wild and free.

I am trying to work on more narration and stories in my pieces, since I have been straying away from that recently. The story here is, "If Sorrento had a pea green 1973 VW Westy, where would she take it?" Sort of humorous and catering to my interests.

Lastly, the Zine and Craft fair went well, at least for networking purposes! I met so many amazing people with fantastic artwork, zines, crafts, and things to say.

And speaking of things to say, everyone should find a soapbox where they can shout it (Jack White advises.).

Rochester Regional Zine and Craft Fair!

2010-02-07T00:25:00.000-05:00

Hey Everybody,

Just a heads up! I will be at the Rochester Regional Zine and Craft Fair today (Sunday) at the Flying Squirrel Community Center (285 Clarissa Street, Rochester, NY) from 12-4pm. I am bringing some prints with me and some knits with love.

Because this is my first crafty gathering I will have a discount on prints! Will also have some things not posted on my etsy account.

Schmutzine will also be making an appearance, releasing it's latest issue!

So whether or not you grab something from us we would love your support!!

Peace.

Crocodile Rock

2010-01-28T00:30:00.000-05:00

Ok, so some colorful things:

This was a tarot card for my Symbols in Editorial class, I tried a new technique with acrylic, and I am not too hot on the way it came out, but hey, experimentation! The card I drew was the High Priestess, who is a representation of hidden knowledge, fertility, the unconscious, etc.

My stationary printed beautifully, I love the texture that came out, it looks hand made. I need a few more technical edits, and then finished and usable:

And finally:

I need to work with the background on this one a bit more, i think it could be cropped in a few inches on both sides, but overall, I think he's a cutie!

Alright, back to work.

Night Lovies.

Business as usual.

2010-01-25T04:18:00.000-05:00

Some new ideas I am working out for my stationary, for my business and marketing class...

Possibility of a two-sided card:

And some sketches I like:

Goodnight Loves.

"I just don't know what to do with myself..."

2010-01-19T02:27:00.000-05:00

I could be OCD until the end of eternity lately. Here is tonights progress on this painting, but I can't decide whether i want his jacket to be a dark navy blue/gray or a light blue/gray. I originally had started laying down and underpainting wash for the lighter jacket, but when I started going dark, I decided I liked it and I would see how it goes:

I also think I need to shrink his finger down, the exaggeration doesn't look correct and I may have excentuated the highlights a little too much. I fixed his eyes also, they were a little crooked looking. Turns out, as somone pointed out, it was the way my eyelids were angled and not the position of the pupils.

I also finished Grace Slick (finally):

This piece looks exciting, and even if it isn't my best piece, I like it just fine. I'll get a good scan of it sometime this week.

On a side note, I am thinking about participating in the Rochester Regional Zine and Craft fair. My friends Jamie and Ben are bringing Schmutzine to the fair and I was considering having a table of caricature prints and knitted things that I have not sold yet on Etsy.

Feedback??

Night Loves, hope you get more sleep than I do.
Sorrento

Friday Night Progress

2010-01-16T01:27:00.001-05:00

Didn't get as much done as I would have liked tonight (Thanks to High Noon), but here goes anyway:

Simple coffee cup, but mmmmmmmmmm coffee.

I'll be putting in some cooler colors soon and toning down the stripes in the background. I'm afraid they might be an issue, but with the right color choices I think I can fix this.

"I am a traveler of both time and space..."

2010-01-15T01:00:00.000-05:00

The Zepp is getting my blood pumpin'!

I need a new camera.

Either way, noisy progress shots:

Poe!

He needs to look creepier, but hopefully with the inclusion of some elements and his hand I can achieve this. The face got a bit overworked when I tried to tone it down from a more peach color to a greenish-pale sickly color.

Kurt Vonnegut!

This is my initial under-painting, which was more successful than Poe's, and therefor is making things a hell of a lot easier.

And tonight's progress:

I tried to keep in mind the advice of my professor Bob Dorsey and keep parts of the under-painting that I found to be successful. It's coming out really painterly and loose, and I am really liking it.

Finally here is the work on Grace Slick, which I ended up starting over from an unsuccessful and frustrating oil painting:

I'm using gouache and colored pencil here which is working well, the detail is just taking longer than expected.

Good night.

Goodnight.
Love,
Sorrento

"Don't you want somebody to love?!"

2010-01-05T23:05:00.000-05:00

It's been far too long since my last post! But that doesn't mean I haven't been a busy bee!

First off, Happy Holidays and New Year to everyone! Hope you all had a safe and happy one, and maybe got to enjoy some delicious cookies (not as good as my Nonnie's though!).

This portrait of Clark Gable was my mom's Christmas present this year. I used a different technique when I gessoed the board to give it a nice texture. I want to give it a nice varnish for her and then maybe a gaudy gold frame! haha

This is a work in progress caricature of Yogi Berra that I am doing for my cousin's tattoo. Should be finally finishing this up and sending it along to him this week.

For my visual essay class I decided to keep going with the roll I am on with portraits and paint some writers, with narrative environments. LARGE.

Edgar Allen Poe:

Lewis Caroll:

I am also sketching a piece on Kurt Vonnegut for this same class.

For my Symbols in editorial class I am creating a portrait of Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) based off a painting by Gustav Klimt. Here's the sketch (although the likeness is off on this):

Finally, here are my final photographs of my portraits from last quarter:

Clapton:

Plant:

I know I am forgetting things, so I'll be back later.

Love you all.
Sorrento.

"It only goes to show, that though life's pleasures are few...

2009-11-23T13:02:00.000-05:00

I have a week off of classes, which is filled with working ridiculous amounts of hours at my part-time job back home, knitting, working on commissions, planning out my next moves, and of course enjoying good ol' Utica with my friends and crazy Italian-American family.

So I figured, hey, lets blog on the only morning I have off from work! haha

This week I plan on knitting a couple new hats to post on RetroSorrento, and finally figure out my website. I'm actually really excited to be attacking Dreamweaver, it's a lot of fun, but I know I can go overboard.

So here are some of the things that finished up my last fall semester at RIT:

This is the final image for my hot sauce label for my illustrative design course. I loved the way it looked on the bottle (image coming soon, as my professor has the bottle), although I'd like to go back in and define some of the illustration a little more for a portfolio piece.

This, also for my Illustrative Design class, is my magazine layout. I really like the way this one turned out, especially printed. It was a real pain to scan the illustration though.

And finally...

These are horrible images, but they are all I have and the only proof I have that I've finished this piece, since I'm 2.5 hours away from it. The bottom background is a bit warmer, a deeper red-blue, but I think you can get the drift. I absolutely love this, and it feels so good to have a piece I'm proud of after struggleing with what I wanted to show for so long.

I guess that's it.

Peace.

Regina Spektor

2009-11-09T05:03:00.000-05:00

About 80% finished:

Mountain Hop anyone?

2009-11-06T13:27:00.000-05:00

Still some work in progress, but it's coming along nicely:

Soul Kitchen.

2009-11-05T03:53:00.000-05:00

So this may be more for my own sanity, but here are some work in progress shots of Mr. Plant (which is, by the way a 4'x2' piece, and it feels SO good to paint this big again.):

I did some color comps before starting the piece, I might scan some of them and post them. The background is going to be a deep blue/teal color. I'm excited for that part!

Also, here is another caricature I'm going to be painting this week, Regina Spektor:

And because this post is not nearly as colorful as I'd like, here's my knitting (which is going much better and almost finished!!):

Whole Lotta Love...

2009-11-01T22:05:00.000-05:00

Robert plant sketch, for a HUGE painting:

Wine.

2009-10-31T14:43:00.000-04:00

So, for my Wines of the World course, I made a label for a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc:

Obviously I was inspired by some poster art!

Moonshadows.

2009-10-27T11:34:00.000-04:00

Some things I'm working on:

This is a portrait for my anatomical figure drawing course that I will be painting. Currently it's charcoal on gessoed illustration board, but I'll be doing oil paint washes over the top of it. I think I'll be taking work in progress shots for this, since it's a new technique I'm trying out.

Hunter S. Thompson, at about 98% complete, I have some nitpicking I'd like to do.

And finally, Mr. Clapton, pretty much finished. I decided not to hold back on my color choices for htis one. I also painted it a little bigger on just a gessoed board instead of canvas. It was a nice change of pace and I'm decently happy with the outcome. Could use some adjustments ot the jacket. We'll see.

Designs.

2009-10-19T08:29:00.000-04:00

Also, Mr. Clapton is on the board and ready to paint this afternoon, and I will have a good scan of Hunter today too I hope.

"Her name is Aphrodite and she rides a crimson shell..."

2009-10-14T18:52:00.000-04:00

Hello.

I figured I'd update with some sketches from pieces I'm working on/working out to a final stage, mostly because it makes me feel better about life.

First off, I'm still trying to get this Jack White portrait down:

It's looking better, I still have to work on the hands and a few things on the guitar, but his face looks a little better I think. It's been a frustrating battle with this piece, but there has to be one or two of these in the mix.

Next, Hunter S. Thompson:

This should be done later tonight, and hopefully I can find a way to get a good scan of it before I have to give it up. I'm really happy with this one. Maybe because of all that yellow.

Some sketches for a painting of Eric Clapton:

These are in order based on development, which means I'll probably be going with something closer to the the last sketch for a composition. His face is just basic shapes right now, but this will help me when I get to the canvas.

I've discovered that painting a caricature is about a thousand times harder than drawing one, which I did not think was going to be the case at all. Either way, after these sketches I'm super determined to get the hang of it. I think I'll be looking more Phil Burke's way this time (check out his Warhol piece, love. love. love.) and be listening to a whole lot of Cream. I need to get more colorful, freer, and cleaner. I've been fighting with what I love lately, when I really should be fighting with other things, or just keepin' the peace.

Keeping this Rock-blues theme:

For my illustrative design class I'm designing a hot sauce bottle label. "Crossroads Hot Sauce" is my concept, with a devilish, southern blues mystery about it. Lots of antique looking designs around the middle drawing and possibly some old wallpaper in the darker areas. This is going to be a lot of fun! I plan on doing it in a gouache and colored pencil technique, like I did with my Sleepy Hollow pieces last year.

And just a random sketch I like:

Off to work.

Love.

Sorrento.

The current WIP...

2009-10-06T19:45:00.000-04:00

So I've been obsessive compulsive about this for a bit longer than two weeks...

Needs a lot of work on the hands and general details... but I'm going to keep on keepin' on.

"All they got inside is vacancy!"

2009-10-03T15:48:00.000-04:00

Just some things:

These were part of my first illustration in RIT's Reporter Magazine:

My latest colored pencil caricature, Hunter S. Thompson:

And a hip bone, from my anatomical figure drawing class. I just kind of liked it:

Love all around,

Sorrento.

Gushing after a whole lot of coffee...

2009-10-01T00:31:00.000-04:00

This is definitely not something I usually do, but I really feel the need to (granted, it's 12:34 AM, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.).

I just got back from seeing the film It Might Get Loud.

So.

Utterly.

Fantastic.

I could go on for hours about this, but I won't. Granted, I know very little about the details of music, but I think I can safely say I know a lot about emotion.

I'll just say that it was amazing to see three different perspectives on what rock music is, was, and could be. Three totally different interpretations of the soul.

Jimmy Page, the God of guitar, talking about his early beginnings, his bow, the Yardbirds, Stairway. Even as someone as old as my grandparents, he can still rock that guitar (oh, why did you have to age!!).

Seeing the way the Edge (U2, in case you were wondering) works with his guitar and sound alterations was fantastic, especially because they are so different than any other band that popped out of the 80's.

I especially enjoyed Jack White (possibly because I'm working on a portrait/caricature of him right now), who seems to be a collector of the old. It's nice to see an appreciation for things that may be considered useless throw-aways. He puts old recording devices, pianos, guitars and an array of broken and altered instruments to good use. How inspiring to hear someone say that they like things that are broken, so they can battle with them, and push them to the next level.

So the neck on your guitar is bent, or in my case my paintbrush might be a little stiff, you make it work, and you make it work for you. You find where your soul lies and you run with it, and you don't let anyone take you away from that.

"I heard George Harrison say the Beatles used to go to see Blackpool lights. What is that? A different place all together? I'm in the right place at the wrong time? That's how I feel every day." - Jack White III

Signing off- Love you all.

Sorrento

The right place at the wrong time.

2009-09-24T19:27:00.000-04:00

Some new artwork!

Illustrated Logo:

Caricature of Bob Dylan:

I'm kind of unhappy with the outcome of this, I would like to re-do it eventually. In my opinion I just didn't grab the emotion I wanted... but that's for another day.

Also, some knitting:

FINALLY got this pattern down...

"Inch your way through dead dreams to another land..."

2009-09-15T15:56:00.000-04:00

I'm very grateful to the Grateful Dead for a Box of Rain.

So I've been knitting this kerchief:

I'm using this fantastic sock yarn by Red Heart. Super soft and super colorful. Apparently if you knit with circular needles the end product is striped!

Also, crocheting a scarf for Tony:

Really did not think I could get this effect without knitting, found a pattern on Ravelry (which, if you're a knitter, is a great community).

For class this semester I've decided to create some pieces somewhere in between portraits and caricatures. Ideally I'd like to focus on my favorite musicians, since I am greatly influenced by them. And, I figure, I have to really love what I'm doing.

Rough sketch of Mr. Dylan:

And another for Hunter S. Thompson:

Rough sketches, still in the early development stage, but I'm still super excited, so I had to gush.

Dear Ithaca, you are gorges.

2009-09-10T00:25:00.000-04:00

So, a few weeks ago, I went camping with my fellow artists in Ithaca, NY.

I had never been there, and honestly, didn't expect it to be nearly as beautiful as I find the Adirondacks to be.

So here's a few highlights of our hike to Lucifer Falls. The photos will probably turn into paintings at some point, when life calms down.

That's my friend John, who likes to Pandalope, in this last picture.

Lastly, just so everyone knows: Bob Dylan is genius.

"It's alright, ma, it's life and life only..."

2009-08-26T19:44:00.000-04:00

Some new etsy uploads...

I've been reading On the Road by Jack Kerouac and listening to a lot of Bob Dylan. There has not been a lot of me time in the last few weeks. School starts soon and I want to get back into the groove.

Looking back on the discussion in New York about drawing/creating what you know: what do I know and what does anyone else know, for that matter? Nothing, but everything we need to. Simple. I know octopus', clouds, lakes, old buildings, love (and what it could be), color, hats, patterns, psychedelic music, The Beatles, food, camping, sunglasses, twirls and swirls, clutter, Filmore posters, hairdos, fashion, needlework, etc., etc., etc.

"I'm not aware of too many things, I know what I know, if you know what I mean..."

This all came from stumbling upon some old photos:

I <3 the ADK. It's so depressing summer is over, maybe I can squeeze in one last trip.

Knitting hippie.

2009-08-04T19:36:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling super productive last couple days, uploaded some new stuff to my etsy (link over on the right side of the page!).

Coasters:

And some other fun stuff:

New Business Card

2009-07-31T20:24:00.000-04:00

So I wasn't feelin' the old business card. New start:

Kind of plain, not my usual. We'll see.

Busy busy. :]

"I've got you under my skin..."

2009-07-25T02:17:00.001-04:00

Commission...

Goodnight!
<3 sorrento

p.s. I miss my scanner.

"So I don't mind if you don't mind..."

2009-07-20T12:22:00.000-04:00

Oh The Killers seem to define every summer for me, and the Chili Peppers.

So I haven't updated in forever, partly because I don't have a digital camera.

So quick little blurb: I had a piece in the MWPAI Sidewalk Show again back on July 4th. I entered my yellow apartment piece from NYC this past spring.

Other than this, I've done a commissioned portrait for my long time co-worker/friend Herman, who just had another little boy. I should be able to get a photo of this somehow.

I'm working on a caricature for a 45th wedding anniversary, which I'm beyond excited about! Another portrait in the works for another co-worker and some other random things in between.

FINALLY sold some stuff on my RetroSorrentoArts etsy account, and will be making more stuff as soon as I find the time. (On a side note, Old Forge Hardware store has the most expensive and most amazing yarn I've ever touched).

Other than that I've been workin' my part time job, spending lots of time with friends and conquering fears, and of course eating tons of italian food, there being no other choice in Utica.

Portrait.

2009-06-25T00:08:00.000-04:00

So I haven't done a straight up portrait in a few years, but I was asked to do a portrait matching one I had done a few years back (matching it was probably the most difficult part). So here it is (also I don't have current access to a scanner, so this is an off-kilter photo...):

Also, another psychedelic granny square, which I'll be patching together to make myself a new purse...

Psycadelic Granny...

2009-06-21T01:21:00.000-04:00

...Square!

Pattern found here: http://crochetme.com/patterns/granny-spiral

"Soulshine, better than sunshine..."

2009-06-15T14:01:00.000-04:00

So just some random blabbering. Summer break has been a whole bunch of working, crocheting, and portrait-ing.

While stocking shelves at the drug store this week I've been enjoying the fantastic new Pepto-Bismol label, which makes me actually want to eat the stuff, even though I prefer Brioschi. (Probably just because I'm a bit of a guinea.)

Also, in my searching for an image of the logo, I found this fantastic blog: http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew

I like looking at new logos when I'm stocking, just like I like reading greeting cards, don't tell my boss.

Also, I have been accepted for the third time into the MWPAI Sidewalk Arts Festival. It runs July 3rd to the 8th, the same week as the Boilermaker Road Race. So come see me, eat some great italian food, vote for my piece, watch the Kenyans run in the race, and be bored otherwise!

Working on a portrait and a monster, upload some images later in the week when my 40+ hour week is over!

Summer Crochet Stuff!

2009-05-24T15:08:00.000-04:00

Earrings and pot holders for sale @ http://retrosorrentoarts.etsy.com

Beatles Series

2009-05-22T15:19:00.000-04:00

Finished series of three pieces based off Beatles lyrics for my Dimensional Illustration course. These pieces slowly killed me, but I love them. The last piece could use some extra work, but it's a learning experience.

Now to some relaxation!! Hope all of my RIT illustration bloggers have a fantastic summer! Keep in touch!

NYC.

2009-05-19T16:17:00.001-04:00

One more project to go!

I'm really happy with this painting, I might put it in a show.

Searching for something to say...

2009-05-18T01:32:00.000-04:00

Work in progress...

Original intention was to work like Alphonse Mucha but I got a little carried away with my own painting style. This photograph makes the architecture look lopsided.

I intend on inserting linework at the end... but I do like the way it looks now, so i'm sort of indecisive.

Retro Sorrento @ Etsy!

2009-05-15T00:40:00.000-04:00

So I finally opened my Etsy shop, lookin' for some extra cash, although I have yet to upload photos of all the other things I'm selling.

RetroSorrentoArts

Other than prints of my caricatures I intend on selling hand made jewelry and housewares with my own crazy flare.

Here's a preview:

These will turn into pairs of earrings, matching.

And these will be sets of coasters.

On a side note. I need to fix my Duckies banner, it's really annoying me.

NYC part 1

2009-05-12T11:52:00.000-04:00

Finished my first piece.

Eight more assignments to go and then I am relaxing and painting some landscapes to chill.

So I rented this really cool camera for the weekend...

2009-05-09T11:44:00.000-04:00

...so random posts whenever I feel like playing with it.

Here's something I'm workin on today:

I'm trying to emulate the style of the paintings I saw at the Neue Galerie in Manhattan. [Check out the current exhibition BRÜCKE: THE BIRTH OF EXPRESSIONISM
IN DRESDEN AND BERLIN, 1905-1913.

I haven't painted all semester so I had a rough time starting out, plus I've had so many other needless distractions. I want to get a loose consistent brush stroke going, and keep the paint nice and thick.

I've always really loved German Expressionism. I love the colors and the atmosphere. When I saw the exhibit I was so captivated by the paintings and I really wish I could have stayed longer just to watch [key word watch, not look because it was like the paint was a movie]. I need to see Germany to appreciate it a little more. Someday I'll get on a plane, haha.

Back to work.

"My baby she wrote me a letter..."

2009-05-08T19:50:00.000-04:00

[Fantastic Joe Cocker song.]

FINALLY. Finished this damn thing. I'm indecisive about the photograph, much like everything else in my life. I'll probably end up re-shooting everything together at the end. Again the photograph will be printed at 11x17 or something like that, so theoretically the type will be readable.

Thats bean bag vinyl by the way. YES EBAY.

Also I finally figured out what I'll be doing for my NYC illustrations. I'll be painting some apartment building architecture that I photographed and sketched in the city.

This is the Dakota building, where I assume Yoko Ono still lives, and John Lennon was shot. Strawberry Fields memorial is directly across the street.

Don't remember what the other two were. Oh well.

Back to work. 3/11 projects and counting!