When I decided I wanted a fun logo for use on my blog, and anyplace else I happen to want to leave a mark, my first thought was of Jessica Lemmon. I'd seen some of her graphic artistry before, and knew her deft touch was just what I needed to bring my idea of a martini-swilling chameleon to life.
Here's what she came up with for me:
Isn't that fabulous? I LOVE IT! The chameleon represents my aura-adapting main character, Ciel Halligan, who is a kind of human chameleon. (You can click on the Books tab at the top of the blog to get a better explanation of that.) And the martini is because ... well, duh. Martinis are magic. ;)
And when I hired Jessica to draw the above, she threw in a few other things as well, which I also love. My new "signature":
and some spare olives. You can never have too many spare olives:
I told Jessica I wanted to showcase her here on my blog, and she kindly agreed to answer a few questions for me.
Me: Does being a supremely talented artist come naturally to you, or did you have to put in hours upon hours of grueling practice?
Jessica: I came out of the womb with a pencil in my hand! Okay, not really. Could you imagine? My poor mother! I've been drawing a long, long time. My dad can cartoon and my mom can paint, so there was no lack of creative doodlers in my family. Tons of hours of practice, but it wasn't grueling. Unless you count the disastrous 3D computer class I took in graphic design school. *shiver*
Me: Your artwork has a whimsical quality I love. Is this a reflection of your personality? Are you a whimsical person?
Jessica: Aww, thank you so much! I *am* a whimsical person, and tend to be drawn (pun intended) to that style. To quote Elf, "Smiling's my favorite!" It's probably why I named my blog Sm:)e Feel Good.
Me: You're a writer, too. Do you really think it's fair that God gifted you with two talents when He only gave some of us one? IOW, do you ever worry that you're hogging the talents? And that some poor person out there doesn't have any talent because you got theirs?
Jessica: Ha ha! There are plenty of creative people with more than one talent. Johnny Depp can play bass guitar and act. Jennifer Lopez can dance, act, judge, and sing. And Henry Cavill...
...Um, what was I saying?
Me: I know from reading your blog that you've gone meatless. Was this mainly for philosophical or health reasons? Do you ever find yourself drooling at the thought of a hamburger? Or is tofu a lot more satisfying than I realize?
Jessica: Truth? I *cried* at the sight of pizza when I gave up cheese, but burgers weren't as difficult. Chicken wings on the other hand, oy! Once I found a substitute - basically any veggie FRIED and SPICY - it's easy to ride out the cravings. And yes, tofu *is* satisfying, IN THE RIGHT HANDS. Cooking veggie is like regular cooking. If you're a lousy cook, you get lousy food. The main reason I went "Vegan Lite" (this is veggie eating without the politics) was for health reasons. I was tired and sick a lot in the last decade-and-a-half. A bonus to the energy I gained from my new way of eating was the nearly 30 lbs. of weight loss. I jokingly call it "the beer and French fry diet" because those are the two things I absolutely refused to give up!
Me: Post vegetarianism, you also implemented "ThurSTUDay" on your blog. Was this to give you something to drool over after you gave up meat?
Jessica: The jig is up! You have to admit, a big slab of man is very calorie friendly... *grin*
Me: Is there one question you wish I'd asked you in this interview? If so what is it? (Feel free to answer it, too.)
Jessica: I think you covered it, great job *applause* I just want to remind everyone we'll be doing another crossover interview wherein I turn the tables on you. *evil laugh* You can find my blog at www.smilefeelgood.com - only people who enjoy smiling/feeling good are encouraged to visit. ;-)
[Note from Linda: Can't wait!]
Me: Conversely, is there a question you wish I hadn't asked you?
Jessica: LOL, nope, I'm an open book! Or maybe I lack that filter that normal people have. *shrug*
As you can see, Jessica is clever and funny, as well as being artistically gifted. Gol-blamed talent hog ... *mumble-grumble*
[Aside to Jessica: Thanks again! I think it's perfect. :) ]
29 comments:
LOL Wonder what my husband would think if I started to call him a big slab of man. :)
Love the lizard. Wish I could draw like that. He's very cute!
Hi Stina! Try that out on your husband and see...I'll wait here. And thanks for the compliment on the drawing, I happen to think she's a cutie too, but then, I'm biast. ;)
Jessica! GREAT work!! It's perfect for Linda!
I gave up meat a few months ago but I still eat cheese and some fish once in a while. Baby steps, I guess. LOL
Hi Jennifer! Thank you so much. :-D That's right, you went veg too, how's it going? And hey, baby steps are awesome - do your best, I say. You don't have to go whole hog--er, well, you know what I mean. ;)
Ahhh, Jess. Loving the martini slurping chameleon. I'm gonna have to hit you up for a...wait...do you draw big slabs of man?? ;) That'll do just fine. LOL. You are awesomely talented, my friend.
Hi Charissa, Thank you so much! Well, even if I can't, I imagine the photo-research will be a BLAST. ;) Meet me on Pinterest!
Linda, thank you SO much for letting me create your spokes-lizard. ;) And these questions, SO FUNNY! Srsly, I can't wait to read IN A FIX!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new logo and signature!
Jessica, when I get ready to launch missyolive dot com, I'm totally going to hire you!
Hi Missy! *wild applause* Please do! I have an idea already!
jessica! the logo is superb. it's so very perfect for linda.
i like this dynamic duo!
Thanks for the nice comments, y'all! And Jessica, thank you again for my "spokeslizard" -- she's so much fun!
Thanks, Abby! All Linda's idea, and a cute one at that!
Ack! It's so adorable! Great job, Jess!
Thanks, Melissa! <3
CUTE! Love the signature, too. :)
Oooh, I love the new graphics!! The chameleon martini is PERFECT!
Love the illustrations! Nice to meet you, Jessica :)
This is a wonderful design, Jessica! I love it! It totally fits Linda. Also, great interview. Though, I'm not sure what you said after the Henry Cavill picture. I had to stop and stare....for 15 minutes...ish. >.>
Delia, Susan, Carol, Thanks! Great to meet you, too. :)
Hi Jen, thank you! Cavill's sorta my obsession at the moment...couldn't resist bringing him with me!
Dynamite graphics! Wow, an agent, a publicist, a soon-to-be-released best seller, AND your own personalized graphics and signature. Doesn't GET much cooler than that! (Now you need to get your own personalized scent, like all the celebrities...)
Jessica, you are super talented. LOVE the touches of whimsy in your work.
Ahhhhh, good to be back visiting some of my favorite blogs. I'll just eeeeeease on back into the blogosphere today and start posting again on hump day. Play period's over.
How fun. I'm going to go check out her blog right now.
And I love your new logo!
Susan! You're such a sweetie! <3 It's good to see you "back" :)
Judy, Judy, Judy - I loved writing that just now ;) - stop by any time, we love newbies. :D
Love the logo, enjoyed the interview, checked out Jessica's blog, became a follower.
Thank you, LD!!! :)
Going to come clean and admit Jess is my girl and I already know what a huge talent she is, but still, dang, she did it again! Love your work, Jess, drawing and writing. I've been the lucky recipient of both. I'm glad you gals connected. There are no 2 people I want to meet and have a drink with more! And PS, I'm about to dive into IN A FIX!!!! Squee!
Michele! Youz so sweet! :-* One of these days I'm going to read for you too! And, srsly, when are we having that drink? You're so close geographically, we really should make a date, right? And how'd you get a copy of IN A FIX? Did you win an ARC? Did the pre-orders hit the Kindle uber-early?
Hehehe - So I went to Jessica's website and checked out the post on alpha and beta heroes and low and behold, Jessica and Linda are in my blogpost that goes up 12:05 am on Tuesday.
Even less than 6 degrees of separation on the internet!
It is perfect and I love it!
@Judy, Judy, Judy - cool! Checking it out...
@Kimberly, thx! I think it suits Linda's personality perfectly. ;)
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