Collaboration with Face-tuh-Face and Artful Trini

Two brilliant, humble girlies sat before me as I prepared myself for an interview with them. Throughout the past few weeks I observed in awe and fascination as real, raw talent flowed from their blogs. Two fellow graphic designers yet students like myself. It was an opportunity I could not pass up and so I asked and they accepted to collaborate with me in a sit down interview.

Shanice Vitals of the "Face-tuh-Face" blog and Allison Padillia-Alexander of "Artful Trini": - two rising stars in the graphic design industry. I asked about their earliest memories in reference to art and they revealed to me how those memories shaped the start of a journey on which they now find themselves. As I listened to their stories, I understood their respective roads travelled and the discovery, excitement, fear and triumph that is inevitably attached since I too travelled a similar path.

Shanice's work speaks in edgy, rebel tones. She is determined not to conform or blend in with what she sees around her. On her blog she stated that her blog was a means to discover her own artistic style and in the process, find herself.  From my observations she is surely on her way to achieving that goal if she hasn't done so already. The concept involves depicting her self portrait in the styles of the artists she admires. Choices she makes in her prefered artists give insight into just how good and gifted an artist she has already become. One such artist is Sara Golish - a prominent up and coming artist.

The work of Sara Golish

Our collaboration involved Shanice agreeing to do my portrait in the style of this amazing artist. Here are the results.

Allison's talents are also undeniable. The detail in her drawings are mind-boggling and has earned her compliments and high praise among her peers. A particular work of art produced by Allison entitled "Aquatic Globe" caught my attention because of the concept. It made me realize that she could quite easily become a concept artist. It's a glass globe (the kind that usually has a winter scene in it with the snow falling) but with a beach scene. The vivid color and the details were so magnetic. She revealed to me in our little chat that she sometimes dreams about the concepts of her art projects before fleshing them out. I was intrigued by this since I would give anything to be able to dream in such a way. Allison's talents include arts and crafts where she not only draws but makes things with her hands and also looks for objects on which to express her unique style. As with Shanice, Allison also agreed to do my portrait in her own style. Here is the result.

I really love these two portrayals. For more on these two rising stars, watch the video below of our chat together where many things about these artists are revealed.  Definitely something to enjoy!