Science Illustration

Earlier, while dodging an issue on work ethics and ignoring a spurious request to block That Social Network from the office internets, I stumbled upon California State University's Science Illustration Graduate Program. It was a eureka moment that was almost about two decades too late. It was the perfect marriage between two interests - science and art. Had I realized while selecting the course I wanted to take for college that there was such a thing as a science illustrator, I think I would have moved my lazy ass to actually work getting into that program. Never mind that it's in another country and that the course year would cost a whopping 43,000 USD, travel costs not included.

But still upon further reflection, science illustration is such a niche market and I probably would have spent the rest of my life as a proverbial starving artist, making ends meet - though that's not much different from what I have now. Also, it's never too late.

So now I'm practicing for a retirement vocation, making up for lost time and trying to regain those old drawing skills I had when I was younger which I ignored since my studies as an engineering student.

Plate 1. Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Drawn right after I volunteered for Balyena.org's Humpback whale research in  the Babuyan Islands.

Plate 2. Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata)
Drawn as a birthday gift for a friend and one of the many dolphins we spotted in Babuyan during the survey.

Plate 3. Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)
Just because I missed seeing a whale shark this season.

And maybe, just maybe, I can gather enough portfolio material to actually apply for that program and maybe even get a scholarship. Libre naman mangarap.

Whale Shark Amigurumi!

Recent obsession with whale sharks, fiber arts, and a need to look for other sources of income has inspired me to create for the first time ever in my life an amigurumi pattern in hopes for sustaining my existence through my increasingly expensive and thus largely unsustainable hobbies - yes, yarn is expensive.

Amigurumi is an ancient (;P) Japanese art of creating soft cutesy animal toys through either crochet or knitting. While this goes against my standard craft philosophy of "must be practical and useful," it cannot be helped that I did find the creation of this to be ADORABLE. (The emotions far outweighed the practicality; I'm sorry, little brain) So now I choose to share this ADORABLE WHALE SHARK with the world via Ravelry.com, for only 3.00 USD (plus taxes, I believe.) FREE!

This original pattern is designed by yours truly. Born of hours of hard work, this little whale shark is sure to inspire joy and happiness to whomever embraces it!

Promotion! This pattern is free of charge until October 8! So get it NOW!

[UPDATE 2013-04-17] I'm making this pattern a free Ravelry download just because I'm nice. And I need testers for my future patterns. But you're welcome to donate if you feel like being nice too! Just use the little button. All donations will go to a personal advocacy fund I'm putting aside for supporting local conservation efforts.