Shalimar Luis. My Art, Design & Opinion.

New Website!

2009-01-11T23:42:00.007-05:00

Good News Everyone!!! I have finally updated my website. Well not so much updated as revisited and redid it. I have combined my blog with my portfolio website. Now everything is all in one convenient place. Besides the blog and portfolio, there will soon be plenty of extras such as downloads and prints available for purchase. I will keep you updated, but not on here, on www.shalimarluis.com.

Word Doodles

2008-12-11T19:43:00.001-05:00

I had a headache.

I was listening to Incubus.

Old Dreams

2008-12-11T11:11:00.000-05:00

Fun With Cameras

2008-11-24T12:35:00.001-05:00

Change '08

2008-10-23T19:16:00.007-04:00

Last night I was having a political debate with my mother. She had been on my blog and saw the flyers I had made for two Obama '08 fundraisers. She gave a snarky remark in reference to them that gave me the urge to be a pain in the ass and make more Obama related artwork. So in waiting for my roommate to finish work today, I went ahead and made a simple Obama poster. In making I thought I would post my process, since I usually find it very fascinating when I see the process of other artists. Not that my poster is very fascinating.

First I found a picture that I thought fitting and I placed it in what I thought was a pleasing composition. Lowered the opacity a bit, and got it ready for tracing.

This tracing method is something I started doing about a year ago. I sometimes feel like I'm cheating, but I am a graphic designer after all. I feel what makes it unique is the line quality that I try and incorporate.

This is the finished line work.

Close up detail.

I then started looking through my collection of textures and backgrounds and began to experiment with different colors and textures. Finally setting on this sunburst and old paper feel.

I shaded Obama, in a way that I almost wanted him to look carved out of paper and stone. Applied texture to the shade layer aswell. You cant really tell here, but the line work was replaced with another texture.

Took me a few tries to find typography that I liked. I ended up choosing the same font I used for the Day of the Dead flyer I did the other day. (Which can be seen if you scroll down a bit.) I am still not 100% on it, but it seemed to fit.

Final Piece: After some color correcting and sillyness, this is the final piece.

I hope you enjoyed my post, and if you like the poster. It is available for High-Res download upon request.

Thanks!
Shal

Day of the Dead Party

2008-10-22T17:34:00.003-04:00

Another flyer I made for an Obama'08 fundrasier.

Pumpkin Party

2008-10-21T16:41:00.000-04:00

Old/New Work

2008-10-17T18:15:00.004-04:00

Old because I did some of these a while ago and new because I haven't put any of em online. I am currently in the process of updating my website. It will be a longer process than usual. I plan on adding new and fantastic goodies besides just a plain ol portfolio.

¡OBAMANOS!

2008-10-17T17:30:00.001-04:00

A Flyer I did for an Obama '08 Fundraiser.

Updates

2008-09-11T09:49:00.005-04:00

Hello blog readers. I will be updating my portfolio website with some new work, most of which can probably be seen here on this blog, very soon. I an considering doing an entire overhaul on my website. Ive posted a couple of photos of recent print outs. Small preview of new work to come.

Illusions

2008-08-06T13:06:00.002-04:00

Pain&Pleasure

2008-08-05T14:33:00.002-04:00

Gargantuan

2008-08-05T14:32:00.001-04:00

Ambidextrous

2008-08-03T23:02:00.002-04:00

Continuing the typographical mess that I started.

Giant Sketch Book Update

2008-07-24T18:06:00.003-04:00

I decided today to scan and post my sketches that have been festering in my sketch book. Alot of it is just random doodles and ideas that I do during my idle time at work, which usually isnt much.

Equivicate

2008-07-14T16:43:00.001-04:00

equivocate: to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead.

Old Stuff

2008-07-08T15:53:00.004-04:00

Ive been looking to start painting again. Its been a very long while. Just wanted to post one of my older paintings.

I Scream, You Scream...

2008-04-29T12:49:00.000-04:00

We all scream for non-fat tofuti rice-screamcicle. Ok, dorky X-Files quote. :-D

New Desktop! Click to download full size.

Lazy Sunday

2008-04-15T15:57:00.001-04:00

In attempt to make my room prettier and use the frames that I bought like 2 months ago, i decided to take the day and create a graphic that would work nicely on the wall. Then printed it tiled it and framed it. They may not be perfectly straight on the wall, because i did it by myself with out a level or someone yelling "A little to the left" from across the room, but i think it'll do.

Floral Spiral

2008-03-19T22:01:00.001-04:00

Woosh

2008-03-18T17:39:00.001-04:00

Marble Madness

2008-03-16T22:36:00.001-04:00

From an evening at the MET.

Etching: Innocence Lost

2008-03-08T00:25:00.000-05:00

I am taking an Continuing Ed class @ SVA for Etching. Here is my latest print that Ive been working on for a few weeks.
This picture is rather on the crummy side, but I will scan it in when I get a chance.

The Mighty Manatee

2008-02-22T00:36:00.001-05:00

Sketchbook Update

2008-02-12T12:06:00.000-05:00

Some random pages from my sketchbook.

I'm almost done with it. Its a very exciting and accomplished feeling. Can't wait to move on to a new one, its like having a new start. But the "new start" feels a lot fresher when you have actually finished one cover to cover. I used to just constantly buy new sketchbooks, and I feel like that was some sort of subconscious way of me trying to restart or reboot my creativity, or maybe even other aspects of my life. I still cave and buy a new one ahead of time every now and then, but I've managed to find some little bit of self control in me somewhere. Enjoy.

Updates to the .COM

2008-01-29T23:05:00.000-05:00

Sketch Book Update

2008-01-29T23:03:00.000-05:00

Some scans from my sketchbook as of late.

This is dedicated to Alex B.

Put Em Up!

2008-01-05T23:57:00.000-05:00

Lost Between

2007-12-20T00:25:00.001-05:00

Bored at work.

New Desktop Download

2007-12-12T13:55:00.000-05:00

Hello 4 Readers,

I've put together a new section in my other blog, Partners In Design, for free desktop downloads. So why not run over to PID and download a high res version of Lady Day Dream to make your desktop pretty. Also, continue to check back to PID for more desktops from our other fantabulous artists.

Gorilla Doodle

2007-12-10T17:39:00.001-05:00

Fish Tank WIP

2007-12-06T20:02:00.001-05:00

An illustration that I am working on for work. This is supposedly going to end up being animated some how either in Flash or AE. It was fun to do, because I got experiment with a different style that I wouldn't normally do.

Drawing Session 3

2007-11-30T01:49:00.001-05:00

The Mummy at a Concert

2007-11-21T13:13:00.000-05:00

No one liked the typography on this, all for different reasons. I can understand all arguments but for some reason it feels right to me, and I've grown attached to it because I actually have reasoning for making it the way it is, which I barely ever do. BTW. this is an old illustration that I retooled a bit for my brothers band.

Hold My Hand

2007-11-09T16:53:00.001-05:00

Oh Mummy.

2007-11-02T15:42:00.000-04:00

Out of the Moleskins Mouth

2007-09-29T12:51:00.001-04:00

I would like to thank Alex for nagging me to the point of no return for me to post my sketches.

Complain 'bout your Brain

2007-09-28T15:15:00.001-04:00

Plato

2007-09-27T15:13:00.001-04:00

Dreams

2007-09-06T11:35:00.000-04:00

Another work in progress, well sort of. This is pretty much finished as an illustration, but I am currently experimenting with color.

Current Project

2007-09-06T11:29:00.000-04:00

I am currently working on an album cover for a friend of mine. Here are some works in progress.

3 People.

2007-08-15T23:54:00.001-04:00

To the three people that read this (and already know this).
I updated my website recently.

www.shalimarluis.com

Recent Randomness

2007-08-15T23:45:00.000-04:00

Silly Rabbit.

Aching Heart.

Why I shouldn't Design Receipts

She Said?

2007-08-15T23:44:00.001-04:00

Random boredom induced poster.

Drawings

2007-06-18T15:11:00.001-04:00

It has been a while since my last post to this particular blog. Currently I find myself incredibly busy at work and also working on a few projects including putting together a book for my blog Partners In Design, recreating my portfolio, and redesigning my website. Here are a few doodles from the past few days.

2007-05-03T23:10:00.001-04:00

I mentioned her in my previous post. But I finished rummaging through her amazing body of work, and I think i have developed a serious designers crush on her. The work she has created is the kind of work I dream of creating. Sexy type explosions. (Listen to her DesignMatters interview) Ive chosen some of my favorites that will hopefully inspire ideas for your work and/or the PID Birthday Project.

(this was originally posted on PID)

An Ugly Birthday

2007-05-01T19:46:00.000-04:00

An Ugly Birthday 15"x17" Mixed Media on Craft Paper

Anyone who knows me knows that I constantly draw these little characters that I have lovingly dubbed "Uglies." They are these little creatures that have strange deformities, arms for legs or something unusual going on with them. In this case it is an overweight Ugly. A big fat head on a big orb of a body, the eyes hidden under huge bulging brows, and a huge nose accompanied by wrinkly mouth and chin area. Not so sure what possessed me to draw this particular species of Ugly, I'd say it was a mistake that I elaborated upon.

This particular piece I have created as a birthday present to my brother who turns 17 on Saturday. Both him and I have a great interested in street art and graffiti, so I themed this one using a drippy effect with spray paint.

Inspiration Overdose

2007-05-01T01:43:00.000-04:00

Even though I've finished my senior portfolio and all the work for this semester, I still have a resonating but strong desire to continue to making work. Both painting and design, my mind is wracked with ideas. This sounds scary, but I want to go back and possibly eventually redo my Portfolio book. I have to ask myself if this is just a symptom of the end of school or if this will last all summer. I hope it lasts.

Another Design Blog

2007-05-01T00:15:00.000-04:00

In a few days I will be graduating from the School of Visual Arts and taking my first steps into the "real world". I now face the same challenge that every art school grad does- finding a job, amongst other things. My dreams are to run my own studio one day, to become respected in the industry, to have my opinions heard and my words remembered. Which brings me to my next point, it has never been natural or easy for me to express myself verbally- I guess that is why I am a designer. With this blog, I would like to not only practice communicating my ideas in a written format but also post art and photos of mine and others. Basically share my view of the world with anyone willing to look with me.

So, I guess what I am saying is that, I hope this blog becomes a promotional tool as well as vehicle for me to express myself.