I guess maybe it’s one of those innate characteristics that my genetics blessed upon me, but I have a weak spot for art of all kinds, especially illustration. Doesn’t matter if it’s my own or someone else’s, or a random doodle by a child (especially my child!) I am not prejudice about technique, either. It could be made by a modern computer or by a traditional graphite pencil...I JUST LOVE ILLUSTRATION!

So, after learning how I feel about illustration, no one should be shocked to learn how excited I became when I found my sophomore sketchbook, from high school. I thought it had been long lost!

Within it’s dusty pages, unknowingly hidden in my storage shed, I found the gems you see highlighted in this post. Dated 1992-1995, I was shocked when this trip down memory lane seemed like yesterday, yet was over twenty years ago. I remember lying on my bedroom floor, sketching as I often did for my weekly class assignment, taking my subjects from ads in fashion magazines. Occasionally, I would look into my floor-length mirror, imagining the person staring back at me was my audience. Somehow, through my wandering imagination, I often dreamt it was someone else other than me, rather, maybe one of my fans, and that silly figment somehow empowered me to draw better.

“I JUST LOVE ILLUSTRATION!"

PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my little bamBEANos, in the best way this Mama Chickpea can. Art is my "balance" to life and I enjoy all the DIY therapy I can handle!

Artwork © copyright Shelly Arroyo, A.k.a. Mama Chickpea.