1 year in Korea...

It will be one year on September 1st and... I'm planning on staying another year. Woo! This blog hasn't been updated for almost a year. Eek... All I can say is that a lot happened and perhaps I'll journal it in comics someday- when I grow up... ahem... I'm super thankful for those who were there when I needed them, and for all their love and support. Super thankful...

So, I haven't been drawing all too much. :( I do, however, sometimes draw on my marker board at the academy to provide my students a better understanding of things. The kids that I teach are talented, too, and a few students would sometimes add to my drawings. It's been fun.

I have recently drawn something for Yvonne. I met her at Phoenix ComiCon of 2010 and we became friends on Facebook. She's super nice and super talented. A few days ago she asked me to help her design a banner for her Etsy store, www.dollfromtheattic.etsy.com. I worked with her concept and she provided me sketches of what she wanted. I drew first in pencil and colored it on PhotoShop- something I haven't touched in a while. Here is the end result of our collaboration:

Closer look at the dolls~

Montgum.com, by the way, is no more. u_u Therefore, I'll be presenting my artwork here. There are some drawings posted on Twitter that are neither posted on this blog or my site. You might find them here: http://twitpic.com/photos/kiwimomo

That is all for now~ Na zdravi! 건배! Cheers!

2 months in Suwon, South Korea

Why, hello, blog. It's been a while since I've seen you... I'm not sure if I ever mentioned it... but are you following me on twitter? http://twitter.com/kiwimomo

After spending six months in Phoenix and life in Tucson, Arizona, I needed out and decided to teach English as a second language in Korea. I needed the change of scenery, and I figured it's a good time to travel and turn things around. As I teach every day in Korea, I am learning something new and it feels fulfilling as I help the kids and make sure they're happy and enjoying life as much as possible... Secondly, there is CUTE all over! Even the illustrations in the text books are aesthetically pleasing. So there is more than plenty to supplement my love for art. Perhaps, I'll look into furthering my education in Korea... First, I need to learn Korean...

I miss everybody, I love my family, I love my friends, I love Sam, and I wish I can share my experiences with all of you. So far, I've walked through the Hwaseong Fortress; wore slippers all the time during work; picked up Korean words here and there; ate amazing food; went to a festival celebrating tall grass; experienced saunas and public baths; got scrubbed by older ladies; received puhang (fire-cupping suction treatment); experienced the Korean metro system; made friends with amazing kids and amazing people... and I met my family that I haven't seen in over 12 years! I'm still not used to having so much family... and twin cousins! I'll soon be going to a cousin's wedding! Ahh!

Artwise: I don't have a scanner, the scanner at the school isn't working, and I'm not really planning on purchasing... so I'll be honing on my tablet skills ^^; I'm really not used to it... You can see a bit of evidence here:

Halloween: Throwing the Halloween party for the kids was a treat, and I wish the party lasted longer (it only lasted for an hour and a half)... It made me feel a bit homesick... Here are the Halloween posters I did for my school... I used pastels, and they were handled without fixative... so they're a bit smeary.

Ha... my director wanted me to write, "Come On."

Honey Bunches of Sam, Chris and Oats

I drew this up with Sam and Chris at a Barnes & Noble about a week ago.

While writing e-mails and researching on teaching English in Korea, I ate a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats, hence the title of this blog. I'm kind of getting tired of Honey Bunches of Oats (and it used to be my favorite cereal too) but I can never get tired of that one nutella cereal in Italy (damnation). I got a call from a recruiter in Korea a few days ago, and they found a teaching job for me in Osan City. I'm excited but a little nervous. It's been over 12 years since I've been to Korea. I was in the fifth grade and crazy about Sailor Moon, and wherever I went there was Sailor Moon merchandise... It was the only time I ever saw my Korean family and it was one of the greatest times of my life. I am probably remembered as a funny looking brat though. Anyway...

I'm Etsying it up again, and selling some chum bears that I crochet and hand make into chumming goodness. Sam and I sold these at the Phoenix Comicon in May, 2010. I can do custom orders too. WOO! http://www.etsy.com/shop/kiwimomo27

Oh, I am also working on a short six page comic collaboration with Sam. It's going to be lots of fun! Plus, Chu Chu Chums is doing a back and forth comic, where Sam and I take turns doing 2 panels. I must say that it is a rather surprising story and I hope that we have readers, haha.

I believe that's what is all going on right now. I 'll be sure to keep you updated from time to time.

Thanks for reading whoever you are!

Sensory Overload - Art Show @ LuluBell Toy Bodega

The reception was on July 10th, but the art will still be there for the next two weeks. Sensory Overload also features art of my favorite artists and peers from school: Bek Davis, Christi Rochin, Alex Waters, and Andy Steinbrink. If you can't make it to Tucson anytime soon, here are a couple of photos of my most recent work now showing at Lulubell!

I painted some nesting dolls, each representing one of the five senses. From left to right: touch, hearing, sight, taste, and smell.

World Conquest

Opf, Con Sketches & Chum Bear Tags

Opf, I forgot!! I started a new sketchbook while chumming it up at the comicon table... Hundreds of cosplayers walked by and I think I was hungry and thirsty a lot of the time.

Annnnnnnnnnnnd here are the backstories I did for the Chum Bears:

Post Phoenix Comicon

It was good. Sam and I had a very good first time experience. We teamed up as Chu Chu Chums and sold our mini comics, bears, pins and totes. Surely, for next time, we'll have more on the table. We sort of sold out on some of the items on the second day. We really didn't know what to expect, we had no idea how big the table will be, or that the table cloth was going to be included, or how many people would come by. You can look at our recap here. I never actually got to take pictures of my crocheted chum bears until we got to the con and after I sold both of the Awesome bears. But Miss Heidi took a picture of him and... well, well... it looks like he's chumming up with a cat!

Oh, and here's the cover of my newest mini-comic- also sold at our table at Phoenix Comicon... ;)

I'll also be exhibiting in an art show - Sensory Overload - on July 10 @ Lulubell's Toy Store / Art Gallery in Tucson (6th St. & 6th Ave.)

I'll do my best to keep you updated. Yes. Ciao Ciao for now!

Oheyyyohhh

Hi there folks~! Long time no see! Ugh... I'm now living in Phoenix- not much of a change in scenery but it's still different than Tucson... and away from a secure home, adorable puppies, yummy food, TV, constant internet connection, and everything else annoying and nice. Although my family is not too crazy about my starving artist lifestyle, they still gave me the support to get me started and keep me going... so I'm grateful for them... anywayyyyy... Ah, I'm running out of time. Currently, I lack internet at my place, so I'm taking advantage of Border's free wifi.

Sam Laggren and I are Chu Chu Chums and we will be doing a table at the Phoenix Comic Con. You can check it out some more, here. I'm sooooo excited!! I have mini comics and surprising things to sell... Now, I'd like some feedback... I did this sort of cover thing for a nonexistent comic... I'm wondering if I could sell it as a print, maybe? Yes? No?

I appreciate everyone for looking! Thank you! Thank you! Much Love!