TEDx Philadelphia 2015

TEDx Philadelphia 2015's host, Erica Atwood,
the only speaker I forgot to draw

It's been awhile since I felt I had anything important to write about here, but my experience at TEDx Philadelphia talks last week definitely deserve a post! I have watched a few talks on the TED website but seeing a whole day worth of talks (14 in all) was a different experience entirely. I wasn't familiar with any of the speakers before seeing them on the day of the conference, so I wasn't too sure what to expect. I was hoping for a few talks about Graphic Design or other art-related discipline, but the theme, "Justice for All" suggested otherwise, which was ok, I do realize there are more pressing issues in the world than picking the right font.

There was one talk about artwork made while incarcerated, and one about architecture, so art wasn't completely off the table, however, I was surprised to find I was more interested in other subjects discussed, such as being an openly gay preacher (I didn't know that was possible!), just how hard it is to break the cycle of poverty (with some pretty sobering statistics), and police brutality (spoken by Philadelphia's own chief of police, Charles H. Ramsey). Downstairs in the basement there was also an art show and a screen printing station were attendees could make their own 2 color screen print to take home with them, and two live musical guests, so don't worry creative people considering attending next year, you will get your art on :)

David Norse, Philadelphia first Openly Gay Preacher!

I bought a little 5 x 7 inch sketchbook with me with the idea that I would draw people in the audience during the talks - but ended up drawing the 14 speakers instead. Each talk was 18 minutes or less, so I worked quickly to try to capture each guest's likeness and pose during their speech, then add their ending quote & name.

Charles H. Ramsey, spoke about police brutality and other experiences
during his 46! years of working in law enforcement. Cool guy.

The short drawing time for each speaker meant I worked in pen with no chance to erase mistakes (which I made many!) and some line work that I would considered sloppy, however overall I was happy with how they turned out. I liked the speed of each drawing  - no time to second guess yourself or over think, just do it.

Yasmine Mustafa, former Persian Gulf War refugee & Entrepreneur

If you want to see all 14 drawings, you can check them out in my TEDxPHL15 Album on Flickr.

Thanks, TEDX Philadelphia, you've given me a lot to think about, I'll be back next year.....

GIVEAWAY! Quick Portraits drawn from your Facebook Profile Picture

If you're not already a fan of my facebook page, Lauren Lopez : Illustration & Design, head over there now :) Comment on my latest post & I'll draw a portrait of you based on your profile picture. I'm not sure how long I'll keep doing this, but for now I'm having fun drawing them....so if you want one, hurry up!

Here's my favorite portrait so far (and the first one I did):

Hipster Wedding Invitation with Mason Jar!

I shared a sneak peak of the caricature I drew for this wedding invitation on facebook last month, and now that the wedding is passed, I figured I should show the rest of the invite.

I drew this for an old friend who was getting married quickly, but had very specific goals for her invitation: unique, retro, & printed on recycled paper

While it would have been easy to make a flat 5x7 card and call it a day, this was their wedding, afterall, and I wanted to make something a little more special. I settled pretty early on a caricature of the couple, and thought it would be cool to have a little die-cut action, but didn't want to get too crazy, as I would be cutting them by hand. So I compromised with a modified circle shape which would fit the hands on the front side, and their heads on the reverse. The result was a card that opened horizontally, but still fit into a (recylced) 5x7 envelope - I was really happy with the way it turned out!

I am still alive....just very busy

I've been working on many things at once, which means nothing has gotten completely finished....and things I've finished need many many revisions :( so....

for no reason at all, here's a quick sketch of abe lincoln......

Figure in Nature

Back on a steady diet of vector illustrations, not sure how I am feeling about it......

Sticker #2 for Woodstock Trade Co.

Have I mentioned how much I love the fabulous people at Woodstock Trading Company??? Not only are they some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet, they are also the best possible people an artist could work with....which leads to sticker design #2, featuring the owners and their much loved cats, Monstro & Mugsy (one of which you may remember from this sticker design).

Lauren likes to Design

The title of this blog may be "Lauren likes to draw", but there hasn't been much actually drawing lately. Even though I went to school for illustration and would spend up to 8 hours a day drawing, over the years I have gradually become more of a graphic designer. Not only do the jobs pay better, but there is more of them.
(an old sketch book page, click to enlarge) 


I spent a few years designing concert posters (see here), and made an attempt to be a portrait artist (see here), both of which were fun, but not very financially rewarding (and I have 14k of student loan debt!). 

(Chalk drawing and charcoal drawing both from 2002!)

So in an effort to remember my drawing days, I signed up for a basic drawing class at a local art center. I've only had one class, and it was spent listening to the instructor talk and drawing different tones (from pure white to pure black) and basic shapes. I was disappointed, but I also remember in art school, we spent an entire YEAR drawing this stuff, before we were finally allowed to copy some master drawings and draw basic anatomy. 

 

                  (anatomy drawing, done in pencil) 

(copy of a master drawing, done in water color pencil)

So in the next few weeks, I plan to post some of my new drawings (which will be mostly still lifes (...yawn), though the teacher mentioned the last 2 classes will be drawing portraits (yeah!!!). Stay tuned.

     

Portrait Painting

While much of my work is created or colored digitally, every once in awhile I dust off the old paint set and create something from start to finish by hand ;)....though in my head, I am constantly thinking: ctrl+z UNDO whenever I make a mistake, hehe. This a commissioned portrait I painted last summer.

Acrylic, measures 16 x 20 inches.

Beatles VS. Stones

Digital, done in Illustrator

The Beatles were my first love, then I got Rolling Stones Beggar's Banquet, and I was hooked !!! This is my homage to 2 of my favorite bands . Prints can be purchased at The Mew Gallery, 906 Christian Street Philadelphia, PA 19147. If you are in the Philly Area, you MUST check this place out - it's located in the Italian market and features thousands of handmade articles by local artists and crafters.