Here are two illustrations for two out of my now four penpals from my Indie 2.o class!

Samia's Illustraion my Holland based Pen-pal, by m. diaz

I did this one by hand as a quick illo in my sketchbook and decided to keep it for Samia's letter.

For Salmezan, I decided to play with a cupcake drawing I did in my sketchbook that I scanned into photoshop. I layered the background with collaged digi pics and placed in a font that I later hand outlined. It came out a bit too green,but I still like it.

An Illo for my London based penpal Salmezan by m.diaz

So here's a silly question for you! If you were a cupcake what kind of cupcake would you be?

Let me hear about your filling as well as your topping. For example you might be a chocolate cupcake with ganache and raspberry filling and pink icing,or you might be red velvet cupcake with butter cream icing. Do you have any sprinkles or a cherry on top?
Be creative, you're a cupcake!

P.S. It's not to late to join the April 4th Basket Giveaway Raffle! Just comment on every post since the GIVEAWAY post AND be sure to leave a NUMBER on your last comment on April 4th before 9pm!!! We've decided we will VIDEO TAPE the number drop through the bingo cage to reveal our HONEST attempt to fairly choose a winner!

'Sweetness' illustration for my Basket GIVEAWAY!!

Basket will include this small 4"X6" print on matte photo paper and signed by me. I just did this watercolor illustration last night for the lucky winner of my April 4th Giveaway! I hope you all like it!

I tweaked it in photoshop after it was done, hence that weird effect in the icing.
Anyhoo, I've had such a great time preparing for this GIVEAWAY and appreciate everyone's support. If you're interested in WINNING the basket please be sure to read the rules of eligibility (which-BTW it's open to all!) in the GIVEAWAY post.

I've also been working on illustrations for my new penpals from my Indie 2.0 class - I'll show you those soon!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

For my cousin Tai's Birthday this year I tested out a new prototype for my MAI Sweetshop Line - a giant faux cupcake container! It has one major compartment for a fairly large jewelry gift (big enough for a watch) and a secret small top container great for a pair of earrings or a ring.

Cupcake container by marisol diaz

container open

It was the perfect gift box to house some of my latest Mai Sweetshop gifts, a strawberry-shortcake-on-a-silver-platter necklace and a cupcake ring!

Tai opening her B'day gift at Alice's Tea Cup - Another great Tea House!

Aerial Cupcake view

Unfinished Cupcake Display Doll

The last time I had a craft fair for my Mai Sweet Shop, I really wanted to make a Marie Antoinette Display doll to house my cupcake carousel and never found the time. A while back when I was browsing through cyberspace, I saw a gorgeous old porcelain display doll and I never forgot it. I went to A.C. Moore and bought a generic plastic doll. I plucked her legs off (sorry legs). Using a Dremel I cut the pelvic area off and drilled holes along the bottom edge of the torso.

I drilled holes with a Dremel I used strong wire and pipe cleaners to make the cage There will only be cupcakes in the open cage...the bird is free Unfinished Doll This is the face the doll came with that I plan to alterpattern for satin skirt The fabric and color palette for her dress Buttons that show the dress color palette Stay tuned to see how she turns out. I think she would make an excellent table centerpiece too - maybe you can make your own! Let me know if you do!

Art - The Best Therapy

I have been struggling since Saturday with the loss of my beloved Maya. I have felt helpless, alone, isolated, misunderstood and I faced the world with futility. Somehow in my life it always comes back to art. Simply making has become the best drug available. Last night, I sat in my studio for the first time since the fatal vet visit and it was the first moment of lightness, hope and peace I have felt.

Cupcake sketches by marisol diaz

cupcake sketch2

a page from my moleskine

Another page from my moleskine

watercolor sketchwatercolor sketch2A Dae (not Pullip) doll sketch A sketch on primed masonite to begin an oil paintingwatecolor sketch3 watercolor sketch4
So take it from me...there are no narcotics out there that can compete with a good 'ol night in the studio...if your blue - distract yourself with creating something that makes you smile and who knows you might make someone else smile too!