Random Art Challenge Video Series Launch

2023 is a year for putting more creativity and positivity into the world. I recently launched the Random Art Challenge video series. I pull random prompts from a series of jars and then proceed to create a piece of art based on the prompts. The concept is very similar to the writing competitions I used to compete in and the process is extremely valuable in stretching those artistic muscles that can grow stiff of not used from time to time. If you’re looking for inspiration or simply curious to see what crazy prompts I pick, each video shares insight into the creative process and strives to educate through tips and tricks in a variety of media. So, if you’re thinking of trying a hobby but don’t know how to get started, chances are I’ve tried it and you can see how to get started. Subscribe and never miss an episode of Nicole’s Creative Life. I promise you’ll learn something and the videos are even safe for kids to watch. Download the FREE Anime Cat coloring page of the latest challenge result and join in the fun!

2023 First Quarter ROUND UP - Design All Around

Whew! This year is off to a busy start but exciting things are brewing. My mission is to add more positivity and inspire creativity in others. The world can always benefit from those. Here’s a few things I’ve been working on.

• Released Cole Street Coffee Bag and T-shirt Designs - A new coffee shop has opened in Bushnell, IL and needed some original bag designs.

• Launched the “Random Art Challenge” Video series on my YouTube Channel Nicole’s Creative Life - I draw prompts from a jar and create new original artwork based on that.

• Worked on a plethora of infographics and vinyl wall graphics to be installed at the Jump Trading Simulation and Education Center in Peoria, IL.

New Character Fan Art - GCN's Get In The Trunk Delta Green Play Through

I’m a big fan of the Glass Cannon Network, a group of friends in the NYC area who started a podcast of their Pathfinder Giant Slayer game and 7 years later they now have a myriad of shows, their own network, live performances, and collaborations with other role players. I find their storytelling and improvisational skills massively impressive and informative. During the pandemic they started experimenting with other games, one of which was Delta Green. Kind of a Cthulhu game set in modern times (think X-Files meets Fringe meets True Detective). The characters are memorable and at times very fragile, it’s only a matter of when and how they lose their sanity and their lives holding back the unnatural alien entities that threaten our world. Unlike traditional gritty supernatural thrillers, you will laugh until you cry. I thought I’d try my hand at some character art, they usually commission stuff for their shows, so I thought, why not. So, FYI, these are not official or anything, just my artistic interpretation of the characters. The response has been amazing. I can’t wait to see the actual art they have made for the show. It felt so good to pick up a pencil again.

New Logo Branding Projects

My cousin has branched out into woodworking and reached out to me for his branding. He’s former Navy and his last name is Croteau, hence the crow and the anchor. Went for a hand drawn illustration inspired by old tattoos with a no nonsense approach.

A local property management group in Peoria needed a refresh and approached me for some options we went through a few rounds of design and narrowed in on this classy clean letter mark and word treatment. I really enjoyed exploring the interplay of letters that harkens back to the turn of the century printer marks.

DAFT PUNK Halloween Costume Reveal

On Halloween my neighbors finally found out why I’d been sanding and spray painting in my garage all summer! Voila! My ode to Daft Punk, (love you Thomas and Guy-Man) one of my favorite bands that sadly parted ways this year, but their legacy lives on. Not only their music, but their damn fine eye for design. I mean, seriously, forget dressing up as a sexy nurse or unicorn furry for Halloween, give me a slick French robot that’s about to drop the sickest beats you’ve ever heard. Showing zero skin never looked so good!

I’ll do another post on the actual process later. This photoshoot is the result of the incredibly talented photographer David Crossett and the super chill Younger Than Yesterday record store in Peoria, IL. We showed up unannounced and walked in, the clerk didn’t bat an eye that I was a robot and just said, yeah do what you gotta do. We had the place to ourselves and it did not disappoint. We both got excited as soon as the helmet caught the neon. These images just make me so happy!

Let’s get bedazzled.

I’m not a 6 ft tall Frenchman but I work with what I got.

“Search for Spock! I don’t have this one!”

“It’s good to exchange ideas and feelings and culture, whether it’s France or Japan. To exchange ideas or share music or art, can bring everyone many gifts, to travel, and then share everything we can to learn more about oneself and try to bring, maybe, peace.” —Daft Punk

Nothing says 90s music zine like a fisheye lens.

Ice Cream, Sanding, Drawing, and all the things

What a summer it’s been. As the pandemic continues, I find solace in my hobbies and being able to host people outside my house for ice cream socials. I tried a few different flavors this year, okay, I may have gotten carried away. Salted Caramel, Chocolate Buckeye, Thin Mint, Strawberry Rhubarb Sorbet, Black Raspberry Cobbler Frozen Yogurt, Balsamic Strawberry, Butter Pecan, and Lemon Sherbet. But as sweet and delicious as those flavors are, it was even sweeter offering a place where my friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers could mix and mingle and enjoy each other’s company. Whatever resources you have handy, use them to build fellowship and community, our world needs it.

Also this summer was accented by the sounds of sanding, sanding, and more sanding. I will have a whole video and step-by-step process of my Halloween costume progress coming in the next few weeks. Spoiler alert, I’m going as Daft Punk. It’s been a learning experience with 3D printing, gluing, Bondo, sanding, priming, sanding, painting, messing up, sanding, repriming, repainting. Patience, patience, patience. Honestly I could have probably made another set of Princess of Power armor in the time I’ve spent on this ha ha.

Never pass up the opportunity to get away from a screen and stretch your drawing muscles. Now, I couldn’t get completely away from a screen because I don’t have a printer at the moment, but it felt good to get my hands on some graphite. Check out the tutorial here! When was the last time you picked up a pencil to draw just for the heck of it?

Writing Journey: 50 Queries and Counting

A little update on this stepping stone journey, as I navigate the path to publishing. 50 queries sent to agents and 23 rejections so far on my first novel. I’ve recently rewritten my query and am trying out the new model on the next batch of agents. Along the way, you tend to learn some hard truths that you will continually process:

• Your family will likely not read your writing nor give you honest or constructive criticism. Get outside of your comfort zone. You need honesty to improve.

• Find good beta readers and support each other.

• Every agent wants something different. Be prepared for the zillion variations (ie, 5 pages, 10 pages, synopsis, first 3 chapters, first 50 pages, bio, pitch statement, other similar works, etc…)

• Comparison is the thief of joy. Stay off Twitter and go write some more.

• Spreadsheets! Log your progress of every project and status.

• Accept the fact that your first novel will likely not be the first one that gets the attention of an agent nor the first to get published. I know it’s your baby, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket. It could simply be that the timing is not right. Keep writing and diversify.

But the best thing to do is show up and do the work, bit by bit. Persistence is key. I’m going to get to a set number of queries, then move on. My next novel is written and needs editing and proofed, then I will start querying while writing a third. Don’t count on a “big break” because that’s not the real world we live in. Process is joy.

Carrying on the Bob Ross Legacy: Painting Tutorial

The other night in my studio, I finally set up a camera before I started painting and let it run. A week later, I shut it off. I ain’t no Bob Ross, that’s for sure, but I’m happy with the results. If I inspire one person to take a break and pick up a paint brush, then I have done my job. So, if you are looking for a relaxing watch, kick back and learn how to transform a junk canvas into art with some simple supplies and a dash of imagination. Also I discovered that Lofi Girl music is now available for free use in videos so I gobbled that up. It’s like digital smooth jazz.

Late Night Drive-In: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

I have a number of cinematic, literary, and cultural blind spots. I finally corrected one of them. I had never seen 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Art. Pure and simple. This movie is art.

I almost feel like I’d seen it because so many directors, writers, and production designers have ripped this masterpiece off. Granted, it was very slow, dialogue is sparse, and the future according to 1968 looked very very “white” but still, it is masterful. I didn’t need to hear the stories to know from looking at it that people killed themselves artistically and sacrificed some sanity to make these sets, effects, and sequences. There are films and stories that take art baby steps and this film pulls out a catapult. Star Trek the TV series was running on network television when this came out, and look at the VAST contrast. You just don’t see movies like this in mainstream cinema today, movies that embrace stillness and beauty with minimalism and design. Though I do think Arrival (2016) touches on that tradition. I enjoy a movie that’s not afraid to be quiet.

I know volumes have been written about this film in terms of its philosophy and message, but sit down and revisit. It will stick with you for days. Knowing that no CGI was used either blows my mind on some of the sequences, my brain still doesn’t know how they got some of those shots and that I find a delightful puzzle.

These chairs look like red blood cells just floating along. Dope production design.

Creativity in Full Bloom: Catching Up

I’ve been so busy with so many projects, sorry it’s been a minute. My peony bushes exploded this year and I was so delighted. My house smelled like sweet roses for days. I can’t get enough of these. The white ones were the size of popcorn balls!

It’s been in the 90s lately, so you know what that means…ICE CREAM SEASON!!! Oh yeah, baby. I’m coming in hot with strawberry rhubarb sorbet, salted caramel, lemon sherbet, and chocolate buckeye ice cream. All from scratch. I have an ice cream stand at my window and hand it out to my friends, family and neighbors.

I’ve also begun production on my Halloween costume. Actually I think I started this in March but it’s been some trial and error. I will post a video of my lengthy process on my YouTube Channel: Nicole’s Creative Life. This is what happens when one of your favorite bands breaks up and you discover that the library offers 3D printing for $1 an hour. Halloween is going to rock…ROBOT ROCK!

Watch List: Curiosity Inc.

One of my new favorite shows that my thrifting cousin turned me onto is Curiosity Inc. Which is a gem of a YouTube Channel that features the Archbold family as they run an antique store, go on adventures throughout Edmonton, Alberta, to find treasures, and occasionally clean out hoarder houses. It is fascinating, as each house is like an archeological dig. But there’s none of the drama and hype of a network show, it is Canadian nice and Alex is always respectful of the owners and has more dad jokes on hand than you can shake an antique carved walking stick at. Start by watching the Potter’s house and the Musician’s house series, you won’t be able to look away. Not to mention you will immediately want to start cleaning out your own house.

Mom's Latest Haul

Highlighting a family hobby today! For those of you who don’t know, one of my hobbies is a co-venture with my mom. We run a vintage jewelry store on Etsy, we’ve had it for over 10 years now and it’s always fun to see what she finds on her hauls. My mom has had a passion for jewelry since she was a little girl and she scours garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, pawn shops, and thrift stores for just the right bargains. She started my sale-ing career before I could walk, standing in line for numbers, talking to dealers and digging through boxes of strangers’ things. I can’t count how many weird wood paneled basements and collections of glassware I’ve seen. Now that the weather is warming up, it’s garage sale season and mom scored this killer vintage beaded purse, cameos, a pearl necklace, seed pearl pin, and a bone bracelet. Look for them soon in the shop! Message us if you ever need a quick free appraisal or if you’re looking for anything in particular.

Artists Gotta Eat: Haystacks

Do you ever just make a batch of something for yourself? I sometimes do that because I’m an adult and I can. And you only need 3 ingredients and you can get creative by varying them or adding nuts, oats, cereal. It’s a great snack for whatever you’ve got lying around.

Chocolate Butterscotch Haystacks
Chocolate chips
Butterscotch chips
Chow mein noodles

I don’t really measure, I just kinda wing it. Melt chocolate in 30-sec increments (DON’T BURN IT, it will stink up your kitchen for the rest of the day). Mix in chow mein noodles and drop by the spoonful on a silicon mat. Put in the fridge until the chocolate’s hardened. Then eat. Store in the fridge. Enjoy!

Painting Process: Vantage

Time has little meaning or disappears completely when you’re working in the studio. I looked back at photos and realized this oil painting has been on my easel, untouched, for nearly a year. Yeah. That’s how I work on things. There was just a single session left to finish it, but I let it sit there, until today. And it didn’t feel like a year. So I finally patched the last holes and called it a day. It started as a canvas I revamped from a painting I had started probably a decade prior. This artwork takes me back to a Friday at the Art Institute, when a friend of mine and I played hooky from work and drove to Chicago to take in the culture and see Death Cab for Cutie in concert. It was amazing, exhausting, and unseasonably warm, so oddly enough the Institute smelled of linseed oil. My guess is they had something wrong with the climate control system. (YIKES!) That aside, I like catching people having an intimate moment with art. Painting it becomes my moment. The angles were tricky but you know I like a challenge. What artist do you gravitate toward in a museum? I’d love to hear.

Session 1: Marker, just straight up drawing the composition onto the canvas.

Session 2: Blocking out mid ground. Finding the mid range colors that I can add shadows and highlights to.

Session 3: Adding tone. Enriching the colors to get them closer to realism.

Session 4: Details, details, details. Tightening loose screws.

Session 5: Adding those last flecks of life and adjustments to make it pop.

Late Night Drive-in: Ghost (1990)

Yeah yeah, everyone knows the pottery scene, but seriously, this movie is amazing. The story is incredibly well written, so it’s no surprise that Bruce Joel Rubin won the Oscar for it. And this has one of the best one line descriptions: “After a young man is murdered, his spirit stays behind to warn his lover of impending danger, with the help of a reluctant psychic.” How can you not be pulled into this story. I’m also a sucker for amazing set design, sign me up for their soaring loft apartment. It’s a character in and of itself and verges on church-like. The chemistry of the cast is infectious, and beautifully moves between humor, heartbreak, terrible dread, and hope. Revisit this movie.

Popcorn perks:
-Score by Maurice Jarre (Lawrence of Arabia, Doctor Zhivago)
-Whoopi Goldberg’s wardrobe
-Cats can see ghosts

Make Art: Side Quest Side Sesh Fan Art

One of the things that got me through the pandemic, entertains me during the workday, and amuses me while working on projects are podcasts. I’m a big fan of the Glass Cannon Network which produces actual play role playing game podcasts. Their humor can tend a bit blue at times and they swear like sailors when the dice are not on their side, but their storytelling and improv skills are so hilarious and interesting that it’s hard not to get sucked in. At the height of the pandemic, since they couldn’t meet in person they started a hilarious side quest with some memorable characters. I thought I’d take a crack at drawing the characters.

It’s side projects like this that remind me of how much I want to create a comic book or graphic novel. Which I know will take years at the rate that I go, but I still keep thinking about it.

Make Art: Suit Up

Doing the house picture, brought back memories of past projects. A few years ago on my birthday, I found myself in DC at the National Air and Space Museum, face to face with the suit John Glenn wore during the first orbital flight of a U.S. astronaut. I snapped a picture because I thought it was so cool. It’s hard not to be taken with the sight of a uniform, whatever that is. All the buttons, snaps, straps, and character. Clothes tell stories. I did this in colored pencil and tried watercolor paper, which was very thick and could take the pressure, but it was almost too textured. A good lesson learned. What’s a uniform that catches your eye?

Late Night Drive-In: The Rocketeer (1991)

Dang! This movie is 30 years old already, how did that happen? Also it actually holds up really well. Can’t believe that it was a flop at the box office. I hadn’t seen it in years and came across it on Disney + over the weekend. A down-on-his-luck pilot and his friend stumble upon one of Howard Hughes’s latest inventions that is wanted by everyone, including the Nazis. This movie has everything: gangsters, chase scenes, romance, Jan from The Office as a night club singer, and a restaurant in the shape of a dog. This film is also gorgeous on so many levels. The 1930s sets are lavishly rich, the costume design is sharp. Directed by Joe Johnston and the score is by James Horner (the guy who basically scored my childhood: Jumanji, Casper, Star Trek, Titanic.) The cast is also easy on the eyes and ears, I mean, Billy Campbell, it’s crazy how good looking that man is, but he plays the sorta clueless ordinary guy well. I heard Johnny Depp and Bill Paxton were almost cast as Cliff, but I’m pleased they went with Billy because any other known actor would have been bringing a whole different swagger to the roll that may have proved unfit. Jennifer Connelly plays the sweetheart and Timothy Dalton perfectly pulls off the two-faced actor in the tradition of Gable/Flynn. And Alan Arkin is the pitch-perfect partner in crime. Give it a watch, you won’t regret it.

Project Complete: Colored Pencil Commission

I don’t take on commissions very often and it had been a while, but this one came up and it proved a good challenge nonetheless. I got a new set of colored pencils last summer and over the past few weeks, I wore off the sharp at last. Perspective is not my strong suit, so it took extra concentration to ensure my angles didn’t go all wonky. Layers and layers and layers. That is the key. Also you don’t need a zillion colors, a simple set will do. I use Prismacolor brand pencils and XL Bristol Paper. You really get to know an object, place, or face when you sit and and study it for hours. Every shadow, tuft of grass, flower pot, and glint on glass.

Artists Gotta Eat: Full Moon Quesadilla

If you like Mexican food and are looking for a fast, cheap, filling meal—this is it. My version of a quesadilla is a little different from the norm. This can easily be a great vegetarian meal as well.

Full Moon Quesadilla

2 small tortillas, or 1 large folded in half
Refried beans
Black beans rinsed and drained
Rotel or any brand chopped tomatoes and chiles, drained
Taco cheese
Shredded cooked chicken, leftover or canned works, with some of the chili powder and cumin mixed in
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Cumin
Tajin

This is super easy. I use a small 8in skillet for small tortillas or a large skillet if i’m folding in half. On one tortilla, spread a layer of refried beans and place in the skillet, then scatter a layer of black beans. Shake a bit of all 4 spices on the beans layer, as spicy or mild as you like. Or skip if you’re a plain palette person. Then add a layer of Rotel and chicken. Sprinkle on a handful of cheese. Top with the second tortilla and turn the burner on Medium. I like to smash the quesadilla down a bit with the spatula. When the bottom tortilla starts to brown, flip over, press and brown the other side. Cook it until the tortillas are crispy (but not burnt) and the cheese is crispy around the edges. (If doing the large tortilla, put all the layers on one side and then just fold the other side of the tortilla over to top the cheese.) The browned tortilla kind of looks like a full moon. Even though the real moon isn’t made of cheese, this one is. Dig in!