BLICK ART SHOW AT ART HELIX GALLERY

My piece Queen of the City is on view at the Art Helix Gallery in the Blick Bushwick Art Show curated by Jackie Cantwell of The Bishop and Wilson of Duggan of the ArtHelix Gallery. Please stop by to see works of 30 artists. The opening night was amazing. The turnout was great and I appreciated all of the feedback on my work from fellow artists and guests.

On View Dec. 12th- 21st.

"Queen of the City"36" x 36" Acrylic on Canvas.2013

Uncaged Heart

 Good Morning loves. Sonia Williams (@sonjiawilliams) stole my heart with her latest creation which took 2nd runner up from from last week's aired episode of @projectrunway #allstars. I loved the entire concept of the challenge and it felt really personable hearing the stories from each designer.

Loved how they incorporated their personal lives into their designs and couldn't help holding onto Songai's words (paraphrasing) about being in a more confident relationship that allows her to hold on tight to her beau after dealing with "those" losers. I felt inspired to do make a big effort to do away with the general emotional losers in life.

 The loses; the worry, the doubt, the sabotage. That's my life's loss. It's inevitable but it's my biggest feat. My point tonight is that nothing is wasted. Transformation is a reality. As artists, creative beings, vessels of life, it's our job to connect. I feel even more inspired to uncage and let my heart spread out in every work like never before... follow thy heart. Here's to the future and focusing on positivity! Have an amazing week!

Getty Images

Captured illustrating backstage at CZAR by Cesar Galindo Fashion Show by Noam Galai.

#454864168 / gettyimages.com

CZAR by Cesar Galindo MBFW SS15 Presentation

Recap from a wonderful experience drawing live illustrations during  the CZAR by Cesar Galindo Mercedes Benz  Fashion Week Presentation. What a dream! I have worked backstage at Venexiana's 2011 SS12 Show at Lincoln Center as an intern during her casting and presentation on the runway. However, since those days, I have wanted to do live illustrations at the a fashion week venue for a designer. I'm so thankful to Brandon of  Would You Rock This  for the great opportunity to lend my skills to the show.

Cesar Galindo's designs were full of color, simplicity, line and graphic elements. The concepts for hair and makeup; elegant, french braid. Take a look at my experience through illustration and photography.

Here are some of my illustrations from the event. I found myself so immersed in the process, and loved the experience of capturing so many of the different variations of the production to the actual presentation. As someone who loves to work behind the scenes, I found my mind working 10 miles a minute, feeding off of the adrenaline and wanting to capture the energy of those moments.

Backstage Hair & Makeup CZAR by Cezar Galindo SS15 MBFW Presentation ©SaraJean-Baptiste 

Photos taken on my phone while sketching from backstage; hair and makeup at the CZAR by Cesar Galindo SS15 MFBW Presentation at the Hudson Hotel.

Photos from my phone from the presentation at the  Czar by Cesar Galindo SS15 MBFW Presentation at the Hudson Hotel.

Photo by Jay Marroquin
http://instagram.com/p/spzyHPOCGm/?modal=true

Photo by Brandon Graham of Would You Rock This

Photo by Brandon Graham of Would you Rock This

Photo by Brandon Graham of Would You Rock This

LIFESTYLE | SUMMER SKINCARE

I know I haven't graced my own blog for a few weeks now. Mainly, I just wanted to come back with a fresh approach after considering many lifestyle changes and plans on making going forward in life, surrounding my habits, art, and my relationship to social media in entirety! Since summer is near it's end, I decided to do a passion project focusing on my skincare routine as it has been a major positive!


Here's my story.

Growing up, I was somewhat always around the beauty industry in some way. My mom sold Mary Kay when I was very young and being around that intrigued me. I also was always around backstage and art or performance in some kind of way and have always been a fan of makeup and the beauty industry. I had some embarrassing acne and discoloration throughout my pre-teen years and even had oily acne over my forehead when I was in the 6th grade. Once I started high school, it was ON and Sephora was a saving grace- haha! I But treating my skin was never really the focus of my routine at all, and I believe my skin suffered. Dark spots, rough, dry texture (on top of not having the best diet in the world) showed on my face and always made me feel like I looked older than people my age.

Fast forward to this summer and I finally got a clue. In a world were pictures are a big trend, I was so determined to tone it down for my own presentation's sake. At the start of the summer, I knew it was time to put the foundation away since I have oily skin. As much as I love an artistic full made up face but I found myself getting too dependent and becoming one of those beautifully late and didn't actually care for all that attention.  I have always had a love hate relationship presenting myself so I decided it could all be so simple and went for a minimal approach for he summer.

I decided to start by stripping my face of foundation and going with groomed brows and a lip to compliment. It was much more convenient and allowed me to focus on grooming the most prominant areas of my face.

Now a days, my makeup consists of these simple staples.

1.H&M Sunglasses
2. e.l.f. studio brow kit, $3
3. Neutrogena MoistureShine Lip Soother SPF 20, $6.49
4. e.l.f Studio Small Angeled Brush, $3
5. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick Lady Danger, $14
6. Mac Cosmetics Lipstick Rebel, $14
7. Simple Skincare  Cleansing Facial Wipes, $4-6
8. Street Level Bags (makeup pouch included with handbag)

On June 20th, I took a trip to The Body Shop where an amazing buy 3 get 3 free deal was taking place. I spent about 2 hours at the store discussing the products and figuring out which of their different lines would work for my skin and what I was aiming to do. Given my history with foundation, my focus was even skin tone and acne treatment, as well as prevention. I decided on a few products which I have religiously been using in my routine every day. For just over 2 months now, I can say that I am glad I stopped myself from the overuse of makeup. Check out my routine and my staple products to see what I can't live without now-a days.

Morning Routine

 Every morning once I get to the bathroom it's about skincare ---immediately! I've become so excited about skincare once starting this routine and it has seemed to pay off for my skins appearance.

I start of with 1. The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion cleanser which doubles as a scrub. I gently massage and the rinse off, following up with my AHAVA Sun Protection Anti- Aging Moisturizer. Now, I must say sunscreen is the BOMB. I grew up thinking it wasn't that serious for me since I have dark skin but I've educated myself so much more on it and applying it to my life has well, changed it! I will NEVER again apply body lotion on my face. I have become a believer in sunscreen for the first time in my life and believe that it's use has changed my skin's texture and even appearance due to it's protection fron UV/UVB rays.  The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost is effective as a pimer before makeup application but since I'm off that banwagon it's also used to coat the moisturizer used under it and help firm dull skin. My results have been noticable to me. There is a subtle satin finish and glow to my skin now. 

Night Routine

Along with the vitamin C line, The Body Shop Tea Tree Line caught my eye a.s.a.p. simply on the stength of the tea tree ingredients being a major factor. I was convinced because I knew I didn't want to smell like tea tree during the day and worked it into my regimen due to the fact that it has a night cream meant to focus on your skin overnight. The Night Lotion feels like a facial peel once rinsed off the next morning. I've noticed a smoother and cleaner surface on my skin since using it. I approve. The pore perfector has been a staple daily, when I use it I see a primed surface for leveling my pores.

Weekly Routine

Sunday is a day that I pamper myself all around. I relax, I wash my hair, and do my facial symoltaniously at the end of my wash regimen. I usually apply the Tea tree facial mask when I'm at the end of a good deep conditioning treatment. It's amazing. With this on, my entire body just feels like it's being renewed for the week ahead. You get a lot of product in the container, and where I am now, I should be good for another three months at least! MAJOR STAPLE. 

Skincare Products, from The Body Shop and AHAVA.

Before I became a believer, I spent about $70 on all of my products combined thanks to the Body Shop Sale. 

1. Cleanser/ Scrub- The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion,$21
2. Sunscreen- AHAVA Sun Protection Anti- Aging Moisturizer, $15 (on sale) $38
3. Primer- The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost, $27
4. Foam Cleanser- The Body Shop Tea Tee Skin Clearing Foaming Cleanser, $13
5. Night Lotion- The Body Shop Blemish Fade Night Lotion, $19
6. Pore Minimizer-  The Body Shop Seaweed Pore Perfector, $20
7. Facial Mask- The Body Shop Tea Tree Mask, $15

Hopefully this post wasn't too long or dragged beyond the overall point.  I'm happy I made this change and I will continue to use these products through the fall. I also realize I will probably need a moisturizer that focuses on nourishing the skin so eventually I plan on adding some Vitamin E products from the Body Shop later this month.

What products or lifestyle changes have helped your skin improve? Let me know!

COCO & BREEZY MUSES OF FASHION REVIEW

Hey everyone, back in April, I attended Would You Rock This drawing session curated by Brandon Graham where the eyewear designers Coco and Breezy posed and modeled eyewear from their previous collection. I've been a fan of Coco and Breezy's eyewear, work ethic and mantra since my younger days on Myspace days. It has been amazing to havewatched their growth as designers. Both Brianna and Corianna were so sweet and humble and honestly have reflected interpretations my ideal muse. Women like them, fashion forward with a grind psyche have always been apart of the voice I've aim to convey in my work. I was so inspired capturing them in the moment saying to myself, I "know" these girls! They are MY girls ... The expression of being comfortable in your own skin and how you choose to express yourself through your fashion. Then there's bringing your A-game to your craft contrast to the status-quot or the market as well. I was inspired to paint them as a duo, a unit and a pair in all looks because even though they are individuals, their brand is evident. Two souls, one vision. Sisterly love!

 Client

Coco & Breezy  | Eyewear

http://cocoandbreezy.com/

I captured these women in a few different looks. They dressed in their signiture monotone style, loose racerback tees, snap back caps, vintage prada jacket, Dr. Marten boots and their ultimate accessories... two pairs of their eye collection from last se

collection; "Mosi" and "Rainy Days".

Line | Rainy Days

Brush | Rainy Days x Mosi

After the event, getting kind words from the duo, sketches were seen by Coco & Breezy themselves.

 I'm so grateful for their nod to my work. 

 

 

Press

Below is a full version to my piece that was selected by Coco & Breezy.

Line x Brush Digital Finish:  Back to Back w| Rainy Days

I'm looking forward to what the future holds. 

-Sara

Tonight's Best

Tonight's Best Gouache, Ink, Photoshop 2014

Last night I got a chance to attend the Society of Illustrators sketch night presented by my former professor Bil Donovan. One of my living heroes of fashion illustration,  and a fine artist himself, I appreciate a good abstract approach to painting the fashionable. 

Breathtaking looks one after the other and emotional gazes given by these models brought me back to sitting in his Concepts of Fashion Illustration class that he instructed while I was at FIT. I couldn't help but think of positive vibes and thinking about how we can put our best foot forward after getting knocked down or going through a really hard time. I had to tell myself, confidence, confidence and only positive energy allowed. Here is what I felt was my best that night, done in ink and gouache on paper with digital finish of a photoshop brush.

Here are some originals from the session.

WIDE STYLE

Lately I've been admiring flowy and oversized garments which are definetly on trend this season.

To speak for myself, my favorite looks have been incorporating 90s style earrings with gold embellishments, easy wide leg pants and bold lips I recently picked up Lady Danger by Mac as well as purchased some harem pants from Urban Outfitters, both of which have inspired these posts.

I was inspired by one of my favorite minimalist fashion bloggers Natalie Live, see her blog post on, The Tiny Closet for the reference of my illustration above. I'm so gravitated toward the styles of old fashion photography from the 90's featuring Beverly Peele, and the styling of those shoots, where to me, the avante-garde over the top looks used to make statements in contrast to today's very much more simplified editorials, catch my attention. 

                                                  What inspires your summer style?

What's in my Bag?

On my downtime, when I had a moment to evaluate, I went through all of my cosmetics that I use on a daily basis and wanted to do a fun  "What's in my bag?" post. Currently, my bag of choice is I designed by streetlevelbags. 

I've been getting through experimenting with Nars Exhibit A blush, Mac lipsticks shades Rebel and Cyber, eyeliner, blush my makeup brush, my staple fragrance, Stella by Tocca. This is one of definitely my favorite bags that I own and it was sold out within 4 days of being stocked at Urban Outfitters.

To my suprise, I was regrammed by the brand's instagram account on the cropped picture that I shared. 

Turbans | Sugar on Top

I attended sketch night from the Society of Illustrators this past Thursday. Models were dressed in costume that really reminded me of traditional african attire. The folds of the garments and the shapes of exxageration and bold colors really got my creative juices flowing that night. It's been a while since I got to attend one of those sketch nights so I was really in the zone.

I had been thinking of concepts of turbans as I myself really loved wearing them a few years back.

I envisioned a scene in a carnival, or in one of the Caribbean islands were they were, maybe strangers to the island but embracing the customs of the fashion of that event.

"Turbans" & "Sweet on Top"

INTERNATIONAL FLAME

What I admire about the way Lupita carries herself to the media is her freshness and reserved energy,  Yet, she is so in your face with her style. This woman is bringing such versatility and confidence on platforms and I love seeing many different angles to play with when I refer to her as a muse for pieces in tribute of her momentum. After seeing photos of her look at the MTV Movie Awards, I kept going back how exciting her choices are whether it be hair or clothing. As someone who wears short natural hair (at the moment) as it grows, seeing her switch up her style so quickly has become so iconic in my opinion and I think most magazine and bloggers agree. Constantly referring to her for creative inspiration proves how evolving she is. Starting in watercolor and ink, I just allowed my digital embellishments to lead me to the what the end result of this peace would look like. Working in a spontaneous style is most rewarding when I initially have somewhat of an idea of a concept. 

 

VALIDATION

 

I've been captivated by Lupita Nyongo's burst onto the scene as an actress, who played Patsy in

12 Years A Slave which earned her many awards including the most sought after, Oscar for Best Actress in a  Supporting Role. The film based on Solomon 's  Northrup's real life has already placed itself into the city high school curriculum beginning in the fall of 2014 as apart of history. That's a game changer and one of the reasons why I really appreciate this film in this time.

 Lupita's humbling speech upon her acceptance really moved me. I was almost tearing up watching it and feel her moment is something special to really unfold right before my own eyes.  She has it going on and really nails diversity in so many ways. I love that!

Once I saw the trailer back in October, I did my research on Lupita's experience as an actress and got a feel for her through doses of her perspective toward the film and her craft. Her style stands alone in itself, which I light up and can't wait to see what she wears every time she makes an appearance. She does colored girls PROUD!

"No matter where you're from, your dreams are valid" was just one of the standout heart wrenching phrases Lupita said while accepting her academy award this year.

She is the first African woman to win an Academy Award and this was her debut film role, following a record of doing many other projects before this big break into Hollywood history.

Camelia Is Calling

If you can't buy 'em, draw 'em. 

I came across the Chanel Camellia sneakers and boots. If this was a few years ago, would have found the right time to physically find myself at the Chanel store in NYC just to look at them, but in this quickly speeding world of cyberspace, I got enough inspiration from looking at enough pictures of them online.

After sketching my camellia flowers and the boots with legs up, I had a retro outlook on the shoe even though the appearance is out of this world modern. Taking it to PSD, adding colors and a line or two completely changed by vision and I was humming Beyonce's Partition and seeing strobe lights. I decided to design my view of what a promo ad would look like if the song had been used for the campaign--- or even better, if these Camellia boots (seen below) were featured in Beyonce's Partition video.

Final graphic after my journey of this ride.

vvv ---- INSPIRATION ---- vvv

Nib Chanel Camellia Embelished Leather Boots FW 2013 14

Stock reference shot

BEYONCE - PARTITION (video still)

#BABYLOVE

I was so inspired by House of Holland, designed by UK based designer Henry Holland. I originally started taking note of the brand when Agyness Deyn was head muse. The rebellious bold color placements and patterns have seemed to stand of from the crowd.

Inspired by their RE14 collection called "Babylove", I put my spin it illustration style and re-outfitting the looks for my illustration.

There MBFW show goes on today so in honor of that, check out the entire lookbook here. Resort 2014 Baby Love

Golden Girl

Lupita Nyong'o is having her moment. Her performance in 12 Years A Slave earned her a nomination at the 71st Golden Globe Awards. She stunned everyone including me with her effortless style choices. I'm just loving the class and regal ora about her.

Heres my take on the rising star's look on the red carpet in Ralph Lauren.