Chocolate Factory and Hogwarts

Hello everyone!
I've been extremely ill, so I haven't been able to post in (what feels like) forever!
But do I let illness interfere with art? Heck no!
I've been busy illustrating! Here are my latest works:

Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory, as I imagine it in the book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as I imagine it in the Harry Potter series

I'm really proud of these illustrations (especially Hogwarts)... I've never put this much time and effort into digital illustration before!
I like how my style is evolving! I'm influenced by retro-style art: 1930's cartoons, 1950's kitsch, modern-retro stuff (like Dexter's Laboratory), and of course Mary Blair (she was a genius!) Mix all that with some minimalism and creepiness and *poof* you've got my style!

In addition to spending a ridiculous amount of time working in Adobe Illustrator, I've also been busy re-watching Veronica Mars! I'm currently on season two, disc five! I love Veronica Mars... I just wish it had a proper ending!!! If they don't go through with the movie (which they probably wont) they should at least publish the script (since it's already written) or write a novel!

I must sleep! I'm exhausted, but I'm glad I stayed up to write this... it bothers me when I don't update regularly!

I've lost my marbles...

Okay, so it's not really a marble, but it's close enough. This is a photo I took this afternoon of my favourite glass paperweight (actually, it's my only glass paperweight... but whatever).

I've photographed this paperweight before (and even done paintings of it), but this is the best result so far.

When I look at this orb I feel inspired to create. It helps jump start my imagination. I keep it in a place of honour, on my writing desk, and stare at it whenever I need help focusing.

I haven't had a chance to organize my novel notes yet. I'll get to it once I publish this post. It's a daunting task, but it must be done! I'm determined to make miracles happen this year!

My writing goals for this winter are to finish my Alice in Wonderland fanfiction, and to begin writing my novel, for real.

Writing a novel has been a major goal of mine since a very young age, and now I think I'm ready to commit to the challenge! It's all part of my "save yourself" mantra. I want to reach this goal, and I am the only person standing in my way!

The only trouble is deciding which idea to go with first. I have at least three novel ideas stuck in my head, begging to be released. I'm gonna start weighing my options tonight!

Will it be the supernatural disaster story, the fantasy/thriller, or the teen comedy? I have no idea!

Life's a beach...

Me and my trusty assistant, alias: Oprah, froze our arses off taking these photographs!
This beach is quite far from where we live, but the drive is always worth it. Our visits to the beach are always very peaceful, except for the millions of stairs! It's quite easy to go down, but hell to climb back up!
At least we got our exercise!

Now, I must be off! I'm going to organize my novel notes, and hopefully take a few photos... I'm feeling very inspired in the new year! If my photos turn out I'll be posting them sometime tonight!