Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Human Beings Are Just Outlines

Voices

______Some time ago, my darling friend and fellow wonderblogger, Amber, contacted me via carrier pigeon for an artsy opportunity.

______The carrier pigeon she sent came as a whirlwind of flapping feathers through my window, swirling alongside my ceiling fan until finally slamming into my bookcase.  I scooped the awkward creature up and plucked the note from its scrawny leg, a little peeved about his messy landing.  In curly burgundy handwriting, the note read:

______"Dear Ali, pls o pls draw me a thing and we shall rejoice with fancy lemon-enhanced sparking water and tootsie pop bouquets."

______Immediately after I read the note, a second carrier pigeon smashed beak-first into the previous one.  This new pigeon was quite pudgy and his leg was equipped with an even lengthier scroll of paper.  The chubby bird limped toward me, each hobble-step more agonizing than the previous, and I concluded that he had been emotionally eating upon the realization that Windex would never again employ him as a model in their window cleaner commercials.

______And how effortlessly he crashed into any window, too!  Whether diamond-paned or slightly reflective, pummeling into a variety of windows was one thing he could never get wrong.  The fat bird sighed.

______I detached the note before the poor creature could hobble any further toward me.  The bird  flopped over in exasperation, too tired to move or think about his future employment any longer.  And so I sat at my desk, two restless birds by my side, and I began to read.


Voices (detail)Voices (detail)

______Since my dream job is to be an illustrator, I inhaled the opportunity to illustrate Miss Amber's short story, which paints the musings of a man who romanticizes those around him to unrealistic expectations.  People adored and were enamored with him; however, since he held himself back so much, he was never able to feel and connect with those around him, so the affection was rather one-sided.

*note: no pigeons were harmed or even existed before or during the creation of this post.

17 comments:

  1. I LOVE YOU MORE TODAY THAN YESTERDAY

    BUT NOT AS MUCH

    AS TOMORROW

    8

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  2. great story and i'm excited to see more images... those poor pigeons. ;)

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  3. Wow. this has a kind of full metal alchemist turned american illustrator feel to me. Does that make sense? I hope so. I love this. It's really beautiful. Everything you do is.

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  4. Wonderful illustration Ali! I definitely feel like all those people are very overwhelming and annoying and the man has just had enough of it.
    Chic on the Cheap

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  5. These. Are. Stunning. You never fail to amaze me with your artistic talent and I could only dream of drawing such beautiful things. I love the way you portrayed her character with an outline separating him physically and emotionally from the others around him.

    I have no doubt in my mind you'll land your dream job. No doubt at all. If my life was a book I would hire you to illustrate it. <3

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  6. Oh wow, you drew this perfectly! Definitely evokes the feeling of being surrounded yet isolated. I read the short story too, and it's captivating. I like the last paragraph the most <3

    Trendy Teal

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  7. Girl, you're amazing. You're such a gifted writer, and you have some awesome artistic talent! My boyfriend is a graphic designer (he double majored in graphic design and in illustration!), and the drawing of this man reminds me a lot of the man in this illustration of his (idk why): http://stevenhalldesign.com/#/be-my-lover/

    But anyway. You got some skillz. For realz. I'm white.

    xox Sammi
    www.thesoubrettebrunette.blogspot.com

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  8. Wow, nice story btw, kind of sad, but not that depressing sad, but good sad :D And love the drawing of course, you go girl!

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  9. This is so cool. You're super talented! When you're working at Disney or Dreamworks or something I'll be hitting you up for a job. Because I can't really draw. But I like to look at them...
    I make no sense. I need to go to bed.

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  10. The illustration is fantastic.

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  11. This illustration is amazing, I'm sure you are very proud of yourself. It's so thoughtful and wise, it gives food for thoughs - this is what I call true Art. I've got to say that you are always writing really unusual, intricate things and I do sorry, I'm don't know english perfectly well to understand the whole beauty of your words. Thanks you for sharing such a nice, inspiring things in here!
    Have a happy time!

    Best wishes, Alexandra
    www.svetusvet.com

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  12. Aliiii! Can I just say how lovely of an artist you are. That is such a meaningful story--I feel like I idealize and romanticize things too much sometimes as well. And the pigeons in your story? Just so cute!

    By the way, your last two comments really made me smile. Thank you for all your support and encouragement, girl! And hey, don't sell yourself short. You are ravishingly (is that even a word haha?) gorrrrgeous and you better believe it (:

    I'd also like to add that you've been such an inspiration to me to make my blog scratch more than just the surface. Because of you and Linda, I've tried to show everyone more of my insides (like you said, not the guts but the soul haha) and refrain from being just an outfit photo machine. I always get a laugh from reading your witty writing and I know that with your talent and determination, you're sure to be a lovely illustrator! Love you lots as well, Miss Ali!

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  13. Hahaha I literally love reading your posts. The whole time I was being reminded of Harry Potter, and the owls carrying notes and Ron's owl that was very bad at carrying them and always ran into things!

    You are so talented, this illustration is great! I would definitely run to the store to pick up a book if you illustrated it, in a heartbeat! :)

    Francesca

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  14. The illustartions tell such a great story. Love the outfit below. The two toned shoes especially. Thanks for posting the photos and feel free to drop by me too anytime.

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  15. Oh, Ali this is magnificent! I love all of the expressiveness in this illustration. The face of the man tells so much about the story. I always thought that was the most fascinating thing about an artist-how they can convey emotion in a face. It's an amazing talent. She was wise to choose you to illustrate her story! Someday, I can see you writing the most amazing book Ali, and then filling it with beautiful drawings. :)

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  16. i was really hoping that someone actually still used pigeon carriers :)

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  17. i like to read your blog ....really....i said that because i prefer to look at pictures more than reading.....but interesting is another story....and yours is so nice to read.....i don know so much about illustration but wish to know more from u
    xoxo kelly

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