Illustration Friday Topic: Sail

Okay, okay, so it's more of a tugboat. Oh well.

This is another one of Carlos' for a client. I believe this one got accepted. Enjoy!

Illustration Friday Topic: Poof

So I've been slacking on IF, but luckily for me, Carlos had worked on a piece based on magic for a client! The piece didn't actually get picked, of course, because it was the coolest looking one.

ENJOY!

Naomi's Artwork in the Ventura County Star today!

Hello everyone! My article is in the Ventura County Star newspaper today! Go out and buy a copy if you are in the area! You can also go check out the article here: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jun/24/camarillo-artist-gets-some-tv-exposure/

Here's a little snippet of the article:

"A Japanese illustration from her father was the inspiration behind the work of a Camarillo artist whose pieces appear in one of the many extravagant rooms in "The Real World" house on MTV.

"I was freelancing at a company in Camarillo and on my wall next to my computer, I hung a Japanese illustration that my dad brought me from Japan," said Naomi Valdivia, 26, whose three-piece Geisha Muerta series is featured in the Hollywood home where the reality television show that will air at 10 p.m. Wednesdays is filmed."

Etsy Press Club

Yes, that's right, we are now a part of the Etsy Press Club! We were listed under the TV Press section in April's edition for my work on The Real World Hollywood! Check out our links and a lot of other talented artists and crafters here:http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/etsyNews/article/etsy-press-club-april-2008/1893/

World Vision

So, I decided to sponsor a child through World Vision a couple of weeks ago. I had been frustrated with my kids getting a little whiny over petty stuff, and I thought, why don't we help someone in need while also giving them a little education on how other kids live in other parts of the world. That was probably one of the best decisions I've made in my 7 years of being a mom. Last night we watched the DVD that was sent to us to educate us on the parts of the world that World Vision is helping, and it also showed us how to write letters and send small gifts to our sponsored child. My son really felt compassionate toward the babies he saw that were in dusty and sub standard environments. He kept saying, "Poor baby!" With a sad look and then would hug me as if he understood how much he had. The biggest impact was on my daughter, who just watched silently, barely blinking, taking it all in. She is excited to write to our sponsored child, who lives in Ethiopa, right away. I think I will take them shopping to buy some gifts for our first package to him. And before bedtime, as I was tucking them in, she said she had something to pray about (and she hardly ever prays unless in church-I don't force her to). She prayed for all the families and kids around the world, and she prayed about the AIDS epidemic (in the DVD it really showed how that is effecting kids in other countries) and that we could help people get enough food and clean water to live a healthy life. My eyes were teary upon hearing it, and I am so grateful to have good kids, and grateful to my sponsored child, who we haven't even written to yet or heard from, for showing my kids how blessed they are and that it is necessary to give to others when in a position to.

For any parents out there, I really recommend doing this. For more info go to:

Naomi

Illustration Friday Topic: Baby

A portrait of me and MY baby.

Enjoy.

Naomi

Ventura County Star and Enchanted Web Designs

So this morning, a photographer from the Ventura County Star came to my studio to take pictures of me and my Geisha Muerta pictures for an article. I was so nervous, but it turned out really well. Keep your eyes peeled for more on that-I'll be buying a few copies for myself! lol

Also, I hadn't put this up when I got it, but I am the illustrator for Enchanted Web Designs, a really great web designer specializing in feminine and girly sites. Her prices are extremely reasonable, even WITH custom illustrations done by yours truly, and includes en ebay template and store front, and all kinds of other extras that other web companies charge for.

Here is my page on her site: http://www.enchanting-webdesigns.com/catalog.php?category=7

She's a great person as well, which also makes it nice!

Have a great Sunday!
Naomi

Chinese Madonna Now Available for Purchase-ALL 100% Proceeds Will Go Directly From Sale to The American Red Cross China Earthquake Relief Fund.

Thank you for all the great comments on my Chinese Madonna piece. I am now selling the piece on my beenznrice etsy shop and 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the American Red Cross China Relief Fund.

Please take a look at my listing here at http://www. etsy. com/view_listing. php?listing_id=12179487

My goal is to sell 25 and raise $500. If I reach that goal I will list another 25. Help me reach that goal and spread the word of the goodness of humanity in time of crisis.



If you would like to donate directly, the link for the fund is http://american. redcross. org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntld_china_relief_fund_0508

Thank you for all your support!

Naomi of Beenznrice Art and Heavenly Skull

Beenznrice featured in The Crafty Chica blog!

We are so excited to be in one of my favorite crafter's blog! Diary of a Crafty Chica is the blog of Kathy Cano-Murillo! She is famous for her colorful, day of the dead, latin style crafts---oh and GLITTER!!! Check out our presence on her blog here:
http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com/2008/05/jewelry-making-as-therapy-to-etsy-or.html

and her site (which is absolutely a treat to look at) here: http://www.craftychica.com

Enjoy!
Naomi

Sketches from Big Bear and Illustration Friday Topic: Forgotten

I chose to show these for the Forgotten topic, because most of the cabins I drew looked like they had been abandoned or forgotten. Especially a couple of outhouses. Enjoy!

For Memorial Day Weekend, we stayed at a family cabin in Big Bear. I was a little worried, as I'm not fond of snow, but it was absolutely beautiful. We drove past a white winter wonderland up higher to the cabin, where there was no snow, but crisp cold air, sunshine, and green pine trees everywhere. It was my perfect setting. I woke up early to go walk for miles, and just draw interesting cabins and scenery. I hope you enjoy my sketches!

Naomi