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!!!!

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

December 2022 - wrapping up a thoughtful year

Hi there!

What is your favourite festivity time? Mine is Christmas for sure.

This is a bittersweet time of the year for me: I love the magic you can feel in the air, the preparation of the Advent, the calendar, the Christmas tree and home decoration, the sweets you can eat almost without control *yes! But for contrast you know that day 25 will come very soon, this year I feel the pressure of living this period at my very best every single day from 1 to the end of Christmas time.

I spent the last days of November in coziness and sofa after dinner, watching Netflix series while knitting.

I can’t recommend enough you to watch WEDNESDAY directed by Tim Burton and THE SANDMAN from a novel of the genius Neal Gaiman.

All that had an impact on my creativity and I couldn't resist to draw a fan art / non fiction illustration card.

I appreciated Jenna Ortega role playing so much, and if you, as me, have a teen or a pre-teen at home, probably you have recognised her as the shop a holic friend in the TV series Richy Rich.

Christmas is also a wonderful inspiration time for picture books. Have you some favourite novels on this time of the year?

I do love some very classics, and my most loved novel is “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens and also “The Taylor of Gloucester” by Beatrix Potter.

I wish to draw more Xmas scenes this year, so I joined the Advent Challenge held by Ema Malyauka on Instagram. For the first week of December I did the following illustration. I love so much how it turned out and the vintage feeling it took.

I draw first a sketch in graphite and then I redraw it digitally on procreate, finishing the colour laying on photoshop.

Since I haven’t holiday for Christmas as always, I will make the most from those magical days and this year I’ll write intentions and wishes out loud that I hope became true in 2023.

So, since next post I wish you all the best and if you would like to tell me how do you’re going to spend this advent time let me know down below or drop me a line. I’ll be happy to read and write you back.

Xoxo Jdeebella

November BLUES

Dear Reader,

How are you?

For some aspects this Autumn is really glorious to me: warm weather was going on, but today the air is finally much more crisp and I am indulging in Autumnal/Wintery outfits dreams.

You know, fashion is something I really love, but for me wearing has to be very personal and colliding with my own style, my feelings, so I could say I do love STYLE over TRENDS.

On my research lately I’ve discovered more about what my style looks, It seems I stick over three styles:

• Dark/white Academia

• Classical/Balmoral

• Woodland/Cottage Academia

Yes, In winter I love to live in tweed and wool garments, reading, drawing, writing and sipping hot milk, tea, coffee, eating comfort food and watching tv series on Netflix and co., I also love meet curious people and go to theatre.

All this, You may say, it’s a bit Girly, but it’s really what I TRULY feel I belong too. (Not the only one, it’s what the lovely last Queen Elizabeth wore).

I could probably say that I belong to those who love reading classical or modern books with a sophisticated individualism savour (currently I am immersed in Donna Tartt’s #thesecrethistory book, I’m adoring it!)

So, I also got the opportunity of watching the HARRY POTTER saga again, (thanks to Massimo Battista new book that make me want to go deeper at Hogwarts).

Which house you belong to?

As I did my test on the official website, I was happy to discover that I am a Ravenclaw member, my patronus is a deerhound and my wand is a very special one since is made with Acacia wood that I adore and Unicorn core (love them a lot!). And if you’re asking me, yes I am a fan of Luna Lovegood.

So, speaking on Art & Crafts, this month I create some magical icons you’ll be see very soon on my Patreon Page, the course at The Goodship Illustration is wonderful, Thanks to it I wrote a story, I need time to put it in pictures, since I hope it will become a real book on the next year! (This sound extremely scary to me, but that’s it!)

And as crispy weather comes, I’ve got my knitting mojo set in, so I’m making a new sweater for the new year.

Ok, that’s all for now from me, wishing you a magical Autumn’s end.

Xoxo, Jdeebella