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COMMENT
DECEMBER
NOVEMBER
OC(INK)TOBER
SEPTEMBER
AUGUST
JULY
JUNE
MAY
APRIL
MARCH
FEBRUARY
JANUARY
- Crush Fireman
- Mayday Clay Day
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DEC |
2020 |
 This is the Way
December 31, 2020
It is bittersweet to announce that after an 8 year run, this is the last doodle blog entry (at least in this format.) I began this blog in 2013 as a self-motivating platform to doodle twice a month. I found myself consumed by work and missing fine art yet I felt intimidated to create. There was too much pressure to begin an illustration or painting, fearful it would not come out fantastic. When I shifted my mindset to whimsical doodles just for fun, it got me drawing again. Many of them led to larger projects. It is with pride I can deem this doodle blog a personal success as it has fulfilled its mission of keeping me doodling. However, the intention of this blog has drifted. My initial intention was to invoke joy in the present by doodling whatever I was in the mood for. This was not entirely successful as the blog morphed into a kind of annual recap/virtual diary of the past. I often doodled in hindsight, reflecting on previous months as I tried to capture distant events with heightened emotions. Over the years, maintaining the ambitious bimonthly doodle goal proved to be overwhelming and I found myself every December frantically trying to recap the majority of the year. (or sometimes February of the following year as is the case for this entry).
After the stagnant rollercoaster of quarantine during this historic 2020, I have decided that if this is no longer a source of joy, then perhaps it is time to shift. The retirement of this doodle blog format is not an end but hopefully a new beginning (as cliché as that sounds). I will continue to doodle but also want to pave a path to pursue some upcoming personal projects. I think the only way to complete them is to clear the majority of my mental checklist and release myself from constantly feeling behind. Not having “update doodle blog” throughout the year will hopefully help restore some headspace to find a more fulfilling direction to pursue through art.
For anyone who has taken the time to read my rambles or scroll through doodles, I appreciate your interest and support. I hope to connect with you all in some future creative community. Perhaps the one stable element throughout 2020 has been our unanimous love for baby yoda. To close out this year and this blog, here is a doodle of little grogu because…this is the way.
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DZ Dough
December 30, 2020
You never know when doodles and connections may merge to launch exciting projects. This year, one inktober doodle in particular for “bulky” got recognized as a potential specialty bakery logo. With some digital revamp and typography added, I hope this delightful hippo helps to bring DZ Dough lots of yummy success. Thank you to talented baker (and hair stylist!) Danielle Schneider Adams for the opportunity to design for such deliciousness!
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NOV |
2020 |
 Oli & Ari
November 20, 2020
It is nice to be reminded of the passion in design. It was a pleasant surprise to be contacted recently about a project that began several years ago but has been dormant for some time. Working alongside two inspiring female entrepreneurs (Anisha Kurian-Phillips and Marli Klar) to assist with tshirt designs for the up and coming children’s clothing line “Oli & Ari” has been motivating. It has been fun to watch this idea emerge and especially awesome to work off of a talented teen’s drawings! Here is one sample from the series, dino illustration by Anisha’s 14 year old son jayan, vectorized and branded with my help. I love this concept and wish this brand tons of success! Check them out and show some love through Etsy.com/shop/oliandari and facebook @Oli and Ari.co!
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Ominous
November 3, 2020
Just because I did not get to all of the inktober words, there are no rules that say I can’t return to some I missed in November! Last year, I created this little mummy character with a chunky portable phone for the word ancient. Since I am still feeling Halloween vibes, I thought it best he resurface for the word “ominous” in this unfortunate yet relevant 2020 situation.
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OCT |
2020 |
 Inktober: Sleep Buddy
October 29, 2020
This year's inktober, while I still missed some words, I did complete 18 drawings which I’m going to call a success. I was pleased with some of them, others not so much but I’m leaving it up to the facebook community to decide which doodles were best. The winner this year was an ink wash for a combo of words “Sleep” and “Buddy” of the obvious fitting subject, my snuggle monster, Phoenix.
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Inktober: Fancy
October 7, 2020
Inktober strikes again! It is both gratifying and draining to complete a drawing every day. After I looked back at the end of the month, in second place for most liked on facebook, is this doodle for the word prompt “Fancy.” I attempted to do this one without lifting my pen which was a fun challenge. Once the initial lines were drawn, I went back in with shiny pens for a bit of sparkle. There is an indescribable tingly joy that comes from using glittery pens. Is that just me? Just checking.
Additional 2020 inktober drawings can be viewed on facebook in this album. I’m debating if any would be marketable once digitized for use on shirts, bags and other swag. If I ever get around to that, which doodles would you like to see out and about in the world?
<3
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SEP |
2020 |
 Doodle Wall
September 27, 2020
What was supposed to be temporary silly wallpaper for a birthday celebration has now been up for 3 years, woops! As I have gotten to spend more of my time here this year, I think my apartment is due for a makeover. A huge thank you to my sisters. Nothing says “I love you” like voluntary furniture assembly. The Nogee sisters gave my doodle wall one last hurrah with mandalas and cats before assembling a desk to kickoff the adventure of creating a home office. It dawned on me, if the majority of my time and life is spent working, how have I not created a welcoming space to do that? Well 2020, you have forced me to see one of many adulting fails. This one is at least salvageable…I hope.
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Jake
September 25, 2020
While this pandemic has been gentler to introverts like me who generally prefer isolation, there are definitely family and friends that I have missed greatly. I was fortunate enough to see two of them earlier this week! Having my cousin and her son (my baby cousin?) over made for a fun afternoon. Seeing Jake’s excitement and sweetness towards my kitten warmed my heart. I would have preferred if Phoenix returned the warmth but he seems pretty adamant about social distancing with anyone who is not me. Anyway, this doodle goes out to my adorable goofy lil cuz. Thank you both for the visit, I hope to see you again soon! <3
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AUG |
2020 |
 Chanel
August 8, 2020
As a special thank you for a much needed quarantine haircut, I’m expanding my pet pawtrait pawtfolio with this sweet little pup, Chanel. I’m glad I got to deliver this one in person as her reaction was hilarious. She said, OMG! Those are her eyes! … her bitchy eyes, the “I just peed on your bed, too bad” eyes. I have been cracking up about that all day.
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Thirty Four
August 7, 2020
34. I’m thirty … f*cking … four. Well that number certainly crept up on me. I remember in 2009 purchasing my first car on a 5 year payment plan excited to see where life might take me in 5 years. 5 years came and went. 11 years came and went. Luckily, I still have that car! In the last 11 years, my job has shifted once, my location shifted slightly from Long Island to Queens and, welp, that’s about it. I’m not sure if I should be impressed or appalled at my stability and stagnation. I mean, I have had my heart broken from people and the loss of my beloved cat, made new friends, kept others and gained family (baby cousin jake!) cat nephew Rumble and very recently my new kitten son Phoenix! All in all, there have been some major losses as well as massive gains but at 34, I can’t help but feeling I should somehow be further along in … something.
My head is currently spinning after taking some time off to recover from burnout and take a leap of faith during a pandemic for a magical vacation with great company. It seems unfair to discover you had almost 30 years to meet someone who lived down the street, but only met moments before they moved cross country. I guess it is better to have liked and lost than never to have liked at all? I’m not even sure if anything is lost but distance is certainly a soul crusher. Anyway, Phoenix is keeping me afloat with his consistent snuggles and overwhelming cuteness.
As strange as it is to not frantically try to merge all friends together for an annual birthday week of festivities because of this bizarre quarantine world, I still had an amazing birthday thanks to my family and friends. Shout out to Rori for birthday success surprising me with a delicioussss breakfast cake, fun gifts and getting crispy in the sun with me for the day at rockaway beach over frozen sangria. I’m beyond impressed. Thanks to my parents and Jaden for a birthday driveby and goodies! Thanks to my Aunt for the generous bday card and adorable bday phone message. To my cousin and baby cousin for lighting up my phone screen with their smiling facetime faces. Last but not least, a big thanks to all friends who reached out in some way. Zoom call arrangements, Facebook posts, phone calls, texts and even a cupcake delivery made a Thursday for two still feel like a very merry birthday. <3
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JUL |
2020 |
 Phoenix
July 5, 2020
While I had hoped to find love this year, I never imagined it would find me! July 4th was magical as I locked eyes with an itty bitty baby kitten living alone and scared under a container of pool toys on my parent’s deck. Apparently he had been calling out for a few days and my mom had been leaving him food. While I was in the pool, he slowly made himself seen to eat and when I looked into those baby blues thought…well, looks like I’m going to be a cat mom! I did not think my heart was ready for adaption while it id still grieving the loss of my last cat love Ember but, as I got molested by mosquitos sitting out on the deck trying to earn the kitten’s trust, I knew it was time. The next two days I came home to sit out back and try to get nearer. A storm was coming and my mom and I decided the kitten could not stay out there frightened and wet. My mom was amazing and coaxed the kitten into a cage where we soon took the baby to a furever home with me. I documented our growing love on facebook in a “Kitten Chronicles” album from needing oven mitts to approach to ongoing face snuggles.
After much debate, and failed attempts at a cute July 4th related name like doodle (yankee doodle) sam (uncle sam), macaroni (the name of the feather in yankee doodle’s hat) or rocket, my new baby boy was a warrior and needed a fiercer name. Despite my heavy heart missing Ember, I felt peaceful with a name in her memory. Phoenix…a long-lived bird from Greek folklore that cyclically regenerates to be born again. Associated with the sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor.
I think Phoenix knew we needed each other. Who could have guessed someone so purrfect could emerge in such an apocalyptic time.
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Owl Power
July 1, 2020
Apparently, working from home is still stressful. There is somehow still not enough time to finish everything I want to finish at the quality I want to finish it with. As busy as the summer months always are, rapidly trying to prepare new signage for over 20 schools across the country, at least there are some fun requests thrown in. I enjoyed working on this “owl power” theme for Democracy Prep at the Stewart Campus in San Antonio featuring citizenship and kindness as superpowers. I am sending all my love and support to teachers, students and all school staff who are currently reinventing life in a digital space without being given the time to make the transition. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be. Designing in isolation is luckily great for me but having to teach and learn from a screen…well, my admiration runs deep. Hang in there!
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JUN |
2020 |
 Anicca
June 9, 2020
A reminder of why I do freelance work! What an amazing experience it is to connect with friends over a shared passion for music. It has been a blast working together with the amazingly talented Laurie Anne Creus to make some merch graphics for her. Her original song Nothing Lasts Forever stems from the beautiful concept of the word Anicca. Anicca is originally a Sanscrit term and is a Buddhist belief that all things, including the self, are impermanent and constantly changing. She expressed her desire for a graphic that features the beauty of impermeance. After some juicy discussions and invigorating idea ping pong, we landed on this image incorporating the word Anicca, her features, signature and lace patterns inspired by her wardrobe in photos. Here is a shameless plug for Laurie Anne Creus, check out her facebook, insta and youtube. You can also hear her live Tuesdays at 9 pm on fb and insta for “Tuesdays with Laurie.”
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Beeboo
June 5, 2020
I’ve got to say; I could easily get used to this work from home life and perhaps already have. I feel better than I have in years and as eager as I am for the pandemic to be over and a feeling of safety without paranoia to return, I dread the day I have to travel beyond my living room to return to work. Being home more has given me time to pursue some personal projects. There is a biggie I’m hoping to launch at some point this year that involves taking some of these doodles to the next level. As a graphic designer, I think it is time I apply some digital design skills with the joy of doodling and vectorize select past drawings for a more professional look. Here is a sneak peek at a work in progress. This lil guy made his debut in the 2017 One Minute Film Festival but has recently been redrawn and colored digitally. He may just be the face of an updated website to come. Meet Beeboo! (derived from beep beep boop boop).
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MAY |
2020 |
 Willow
May 5, 2020
With all the recent kitty pawtraits, I felt it time I try my hand at a pup who is near and dear to my heart. With Mother’s Day approaching and stores currently closed in this twilight zone world, what better gift than a painting of my mom’s favorite daughter? Hope to see you soon Willow!
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Kali
May 1, 2020
Pawtraits continue! I’m so excited to continue this lil side hustle. It seems fate has had me cross paths with this requestor. We randomly met at a paint n sip night about 6 years ago in brooklyn and coincidentally were seated next to each other at a different Manhattan bar for my birthday last year. It looks like we share a love of cats in addition to painting and snazzy cocktails. Thanks facebook for keeping us connected. It was an honor to paint this beautiful lady, Kali.
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APR |
2020 |
 Elton
April 18, 2020
The previous Zoey doodle was for my own amusement but after an overwhelming positive social media response, decided hmmm, there might be something to painting some pawtraits for others. I was delighted to receive this request for a pawtrait of Elton—a fur baby of a past band nerd friend whom I have not spoken to in years. Ancient middle and high school jazz band day nostalgia made me smile as I painted this handsome feline fella.
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Zoey
April 15, 2020
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of confusion, guilty pleasures and great company. While adjusting to this new work from home life, I feel like I accidentally wished this quarantine into being. I wanted to stop commuting to work, I wanted no traffic, I wanted time, I wanted to be present to play with the cat I was currently watching, I wanted to hit pause on life to realign and here we are. I never intended for the life hiatus to affect the entire world and cause suffering, loneliness and poverty for so many. :-/ While my heart goes out to all of those people struggling right now, I’m going to take a moment to be selfishly grateful for recent experiences. For the last month, I had the pleasure of a furry purry roommate and the gift of time at home. Despite the restrictions of socializing, the added time has provided strange new opportunities to connect with people, attempt cooking, work on personal art projects and go for park walks. I am overwhelmed with bittersweet feels as I revel in my introverted Mecca while missing so many friendly faces. One of those faces I’m missing tonight is my fuzzy roommate after returning her to her family last week. This one goes out to Zoey and all of the snuggly company I was fortunate enough to have recently.
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MAR |
2020 |
 Unpredictable
March 31, 2020
Wow, life is unpredictable. For starters, accidental networking can lead to fun projects. While going for a routine haircut last month, conversations lead to the realization that my lovely hair dresser was in need of a graphic designer for a future product launch. I really enjoyed creating an illustrative graphic to help promote a rockin curling gel. Here’s a shameless plug to check out the website and product: eunicurl.com.
Who could have predicted that existence as we all knew it was about to change? I’m still trying to make sense of what is currently happening and what is about to happen during this unprecedented pandemic. As toilet paper shifts to be our new currency and my wardrobe consists of day and night pajamas, the world is a scary yet comfy from the depths of my apt new place. I am both fearful of its devastating effects on physical and mental health and the economy as well as a bit intrigued by quarantine life and global shifts as people are granted more time to rediscover what matters most to them.
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Carnival
March 24, 2020
As I was going through pictures from my trip, I wanted a closer look at some of the artistic mastery of those carnival parade floats! I’m still processing everything I saw in all of its colorful and shiny glory. Here is a detail of one of the numerous intricate floats that magically rolled on by at the Sambadrome.
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FEB |
2020 |
 Obrigado
February 28, 2020
Obrigado is Portuguese for thank you and I can’t think of a better phrase for the adventures I just had. While joining my friend on a trip to Brazil for a 30th birthday celebration, I met some great people and had my eyes open wide to amazing sites and a beautiful culture. Within one week in Rio de Janeiro, I attended carnival parades and was blown away by the beauty and intricacy of floats and samba, hiked a rainforest, feasted on mouth-watering steaks and chocolate, went site seeing in the clouds, embraced the tranquility of the beach and admired all of the murals and people covered in glitter and tutus that filled the streets! Who knew that 3 years ago when I walked into a new job, I would meet someone that I would be hiking through a Brazilian rainforest with. On my last day when everyone had departed and I had some time to kill before a flight, I found myself roaming around the city. Realizing that maybe walking around a foreign city with all of my luggage was not the safest of options, I found a café to sit and doodle in before heading to the airport. Obrigado for the change of scenery, the adventures and the memories.
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 Meowgical
February 15, 2020
February has been feeling pretty bad ass as I have been finding new ways to be somewhat active. Last week I went ice skating and this week, wall climbing! I’m lucky to have fun friends to experience such awesomeness with. My heart melted at the thoughtfulness from a gift of vday chocolates that had this adorableness on the front.
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JAN |
2020 |
 Crush Fireman
January 31, 2020
My fear for time consumption was accurate as I nearly lost my mind making this but in the most fun possible way. There is nothing quite like being up at 4 a.m. sawing chopsticks because the set just needs a 3d clay lamp post. I don’t know if I should be concerned or content at how happy I was alone in my apartment playing with miniature clay people in a hand painted set in the wee hours of the night/morning. It is a nice reminder that I am capable of finishing projects I want to with motivation and a deadline.
To submit in the 1 minute film festival, anyone can participate regardless of experience level. The only two requirements are that the shorts are one minute, and that they are based on a two word prompt provided. Here is my first ever attempt at claymation featured in the short “Crush Fireman”. Click here to view.
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 Mayday Clay Day
January 5, 2020
It looks like 2020 is starting out with ambition. For this year’s 4th consecutive annual 1 minute film fest, I decided I wanted to attempt claymation because apparently I hate myself and want to make sure I have 0 free time. Despite not being a true doodle, this is where my focus is now and has replaced doodling for the month. I’m excited to try something new but after making only one character so far, I fear this is going to be veerryyy time consuming and tough.
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