Christmas is in ten days and I haven't draw anything festive

Hi there, how are you?

Christmas is around the corner and it seems that is coming much more speedy that the other years.

I haven’t draw anything festive this year, except for a little paint I did as a postcard.

I felt tired and overwhelmed at the beginning of this month, because of all the pressure I have in my daily life, but at least this December is going well. The good news is that I carved some time to experiment more with mixed media, meeting friends and get my sketchbook full of draws I finally love.

I’ve got my birthday and it was the same day of the corporate company I work in big party, so I’ve got the chance to celebrate my birthday with friends and colleagues and it was fun, I didn’t realise since than that it was about 18 year I didn't go to dancing!

Also this month I’ve participate into two session of drawing party on line, one with the Orange Beak crew and one with the wonderful, marvellous team of The Good Ship Illustration, here what’s I’ve done I like most form the Good ship’s Christmas Party:

The same day I meet up into a café here in Trieste with my dear friend Hannah, and we carved an hour and a half to draw and chat and get a taste chocolate with whipped cream. She also was so gentle to bring me some handmade cookies to share St. Lucy’s cakes.

And I leave you with this draw I did yesterday night for the challenge #Lazyline_slowtimes the lovely Ema Malyauka set for this month on Instagram. Is the Bookshop prompt and I imagined two little mice in a nutshell turned into a bookshop. They love to read classics and explore places like Scotland (which I would love to go).

That’s all for now my friend! Have a lovely and happy festivities!

See you in January, xoxo. Giusy aka Jdeebella

It’s the crispy season, Fall/Autumn love as a Gilmore Girls in a Cottagecore style

Hi my friends!

If You as me, love Autumn, this is the right season to look into your deep core. Following you can give a glimpse into mine.

A Touch of Magic in the Life of an Artist: Embracing Cottagecore and Gilmore Girls

There is a timeless charm in art that extends beyond creations and into the lifestyle of those who create it. Imagine a day starting with  birds songs, a steaming cup of tea, and a sketchbook ready to be filled with new ideas. This is the enchanted world that embraces the Cottagecore style, with a touch of the magic from Gilmore Girls.

The Ideal Daily Routine of an Artist

The morning begins with a walk in the woods or maybe into the hidden spot of an ancient city, gathering inspiration from the surrounding nature or buildings. Falling leaves, wildflowers, and hidden paths are silent muses that fuel creativity. It's a perfect moment to pause, take notes in a journal, or capture an idea with a quick sketch.

sketches I’ve done quickly

One on my latest sketch

The Tea Ritual

Returning home, there's always time for a good cup of tea. With a cup in hand and the soft morning light streaming through the windows, it's the ideal time to reflect and plan the artistic day ahead. Tea is more than just a beverage; it's a ritual that centers the mind and opens the heart to new ideas.

Creative Corners

In a Cottagecore-styled home, every corner can transform into a small sanctuary of creativity. A worn wooden table, a cozy chair, and a window overlooking the garden. Here, the artist can immerse themselves in their work, surrounded by books, sketches, and objects collected along the way.

A beautiful corner in my living room

Cross Stitch patterns I’ve designed in 2023

Moments of Connection

Just like in the stories of Gilmore Girls, moments of connection are essential. Sharing your world with friends and family, discussing new ideas, and receiving feedback is a vital part of the creative process. A simple lunch invitation can turn into an afternoon of laughter, memories, and new inspiration.

connecting also with our animal besties

A Life of Simple Beauty

Embracing Cottagecore & Stars Hollow (from the Gilmore Girls) lifestyle means finding beauty in simplicity. A vase of fresh flowers on the windowsill, a handmade blanket draped over a chair, and time spent creating with one's hands. Every day is an opportunity to live and breathe art in every detail.

That’s all for today friend, since next time, xoxo, Giusy. aka Jdeebella @soulfulcrane

And happy Autumn to Youuuuuu!!!!

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