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 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.

Paul, circa 1994, © Shelly Arroyo.
Barbra, circa 1993, © Shelly Arroyo.
Linda, circa 1993, © Shelly Arroyo.

“I JUST LOVE ILLUSTRATION!”

Unknown, circa 1993, © Shelly Arroyo.
Unknown, circa 1993, © Shelly Arroyo.
Cindy, circa 1995, © Shelly Arroyo.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME as I embark on a quest to enjoy, learn from, and raise my 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! To learn more about Mama Chickpea, click HERE.

To shop Mama Chickpea originals, click HERE.

All content and artwork © Shelly Arroyo, A.k.a. Mama Chickpea.

shellylarroyo