Summer Break

Hello!

Summer is finally here. I skipped last month post due a very busy time: As a home schooling parent for my son, June was a huge and intense one. After months to prepare my son for the middle school graduation, we speed up a bit to repeat everything for the exam.

The lovely thing was that he talked about Art and the Belle Epoque on his speech and I was very happy to have passed some love for that history time.

I completed also 7 comics spread pages to get the Shorts Comics Marathon done that was closing on June 15th.

On the 4th of July we got the results and even if I didn’t make the finalists, as a participant I’ve got my entry to the final art exhibition. I’ve got the chance of knowing the Juror and wonderful Comic s Artist Barbara Canepa and listen at her Masterclass was really interesting. We also got a chance to go to a dinner organised locally here in Trieste by the Comics Marathon team (thanks especially to Francesco Paolo Cappellotto, that was a perfect month’s long marathon and meeting), with she, It was very lovely to meet and chat with those who where coming from other cities, Milan, Como, Florence and Gorizia.

So, today is the very first week end I can sit and write with a bit of peace (due the city today is locked because of the Pope’s visits).

So nothing much to record than life events, or just because my mind is falling down.

If You follow me on Instagram, have notice that on the past month there were two new opening studio here in Trieste. The artists' community is growing fast and I’m very happy, and a bit nostalgic, since it seems that my time is gone, and I would have loved people get such a sort of this renewed interest in art 20 years ago, when it seems I was an Alien on a zombies planet.

Anyway, I meet old friends at the opening and enjoy the visits so much.

I didn’t work much to the book I was intention to enter the DPictus Unpublished Picturebook showcase, and honestly I wont rush on this because I’m not still ready. Working 9 - 18 every day, parenting etc. etc. didn’t leave much time to work on it, so I will enter the showcase maybe next year or get ready for other occasions.

My body is also telling me to rest, because of all the stress gained on the past months.

So I’m going to have a slow summer time. I want to improve my drawing but with no rush or stress.

That’s it. Before I go I want to leave here a record of the movies and series I enjoyed the last two month, and also a challenge “Created with Human Intelligence badge” held by Beth Spencer that was so great to get in! below is my badge, please go to look at all of them, there were more than 1000 artists from all over the world!

I loved watching:

• Thank You, Next - Netflix

• The Quiet Girl - Rai Play

• Bridgerton 3 - Netflix

• Mrs Harris goes to Paris - Netflix

• Friends Forever - Netflix

• The Sound of Music - Disney plus (this was a suggestion from Rebecca Green and I loved rewatch it!)

• Geek Girl - Netflix

• Atlantic Crossing - Rai Play

• Saving Mr. Banks - Disney plus

• Collateral Beauty - Netflix

that’s all my friends, see you soon!

Since thank xoxo, Jdeebella

Loosing up into a sketchbook

Hi, how are you?

May is here, this means that spring will unleash its super power soon. Super power means flower’s scent all over the streets, pigeons in love, and for those who are still alive, hormones in turmoil, yes, human that turns into pigeons! *grin

Ok, this is my humor, you’re allowed to not understand or share it, I can relate.

Anyway, I loosing up into my sketchbook lately, I need to stay grounded on this Earth for the majority of the time, but when I can create freely I feel the true me coming out.

I shared a video on youtube last week, while sketching some Chihuahua, some turned good, some less realistic, some much more cartoony, especially the last one, that reminds me about a Disney character. There wasn’t any expectation of “making good works”, it was just an unconscious drawing session, with zero expectation. As I mention in a group where I share the result, I know that those aren’t final illustrations good enough for a book, but I know that sketch by sketch maybe one day all that works will lead me to publish one (or maybe many) book.

As I said on Instagram, I am on a mission to get back to a book I wrote and illustrate in 2022 (there is only a plot/miniature sketching of what I have in mind, but the story is fully written).

I was in a moment of strong inspiration during the Picture Book Course with The Good Ship Illustration, I’ve ended up with a fully completed sketchbook, and it was a blast.

At a distance of two year, I’m currently taking another course with Helen, Katie and Tania, it’s “Find Your Creative Voice: Fly Your Freak Flag”, and let me say that these three ladies really boost your creativity.

I am in the process of completing another sketchbook, so I’ve bought some and can’t wait to start on a fresh new one! And since I’m happy to make videos on youtube again, I think I’m going to share some old sketchbooks there, reserving the newer to my Patreon page (maybe in two weeks from now, so there is plenty time to jump in).

Well, that’s all for this week!

So, since next time, xoxo and have fun!

JdeeBella

A week in drawing

Hi there,

It’s Friday and I’m going to work today and then I’m scheduling a relaxed week end. This week has been tumultuous about some health issue, but at least I’m still here. I sketched a lot and paint tried new to me media and I had much fun, that helped me a lot to stay grounded and not be too much discouraged about my troubles.

First of all I enter this illustration to this month #SCBWIDrawThis themed Barber Shop. I found that playing with shaving foam for kids it’s a joyful experience, so I imagined two brother or friends playing as if they are at the barber shop, and the magic is that a comb could be transformed in a razor shaver.

Above there are some of the picture I found on Pinterest to get inspired for my piece. As you can see I am captured by nostalgic and vintage look images.

Then I also made a zine, packing a sequence of images that made up a mini concertina book remembering some of the precious moment from childhood.

I shared a video on Instagram showing up the zine, and you can watch it down here (scan the Qrcode and go to the IG video directly)

Finally I did some sketching evening meeting on line (got so much fun!) and yesterday I finish a new illustration inspired by spring, that I named “let the spring embrace you”

I mixed up traditional and digital painting media for this one. At least, Procreate is a good thing to have ever since you are a traditional media artist, just because can correct those imperfections or a not so good scanner job. (Below the original before I digitalise it).

Ok, that’s all for now, I hope you like what I share here, and please, let me know if you want to know something else, just write it in the comments, I will be happy to share more.

Since next time, xoxo, JdeeBella

Birds are singing again…

Howdy, how are you?

Hands up who today are laying in bed resting after the Bologna Children’s Book Fair!

I’m sorry I can’t be counted in those, but I am with you all. Unfortunately I couldn’t go at the fair this year, (talked about that more specifically on my Patreon page, that is where I share more in depth posts).

I followed the BCBF from home, half consolation, but better than nothing.

Meanwhile I’ve almost completed another sketchbook. Nothing seriously, but I’m just putting down ideas, images, fictional character, etc.
One of my goal in 2023 was to publish a book I wrote/illustrate in 2022. Then I did nothing.

Well, there are two opportunities to apply to at the moment, and if I would be enough brave, I will.

well, I’d better return to my sketchbook, I want to test some old art material I had when I didn’t know how to use it at best, now I’m ready to make them work :)

Since next time, xoxo, Giusy

I was, I am, I will be

Hi,

Happy Easter to anyone, every thing Easter means to you.

For me represents the promise of a new adventure, the hope, the renew of a rebirth.

I won’t indulge any longer with words, but I’m going to share a little “poetry” I wrote:

I was, I am, I will be

I was a happy little child

I was a rebel adolescent

I was a thoughtful woman.

I am a workaholic

I am a supportive mom

I am a starving/desperate artist.

I will be a proud mother

I will be a successful artist

I will be a happy woman.

(Giuseppina Di Bella)