TINA APPRECIATES

joannaestep: IGN has posted a sweet new interview with my...

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:26:26 -0500

IGN has posted a sweet new interview with my editor Joe LeFavi, regarding the Thrilling Adventure Hour anthology. There are previews of some of the art too, including a couple of my Down In Moonshine Holler pages. :D

I’m super stoked for this book, and excited for my art to have such a broad audience!

Jo’s first-class hobo comic will blow your wig! Get your hands on a copy of this snazzy keen pulp mag August 27th.

2013 UW Drag Spectacular with Jujubee! Part II, photography ©...

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:45:41 -0500

2013 UW Drag Spectacular with Jujubee! Part II, photography © Jesse Charles.

Thank you for putting on such a fun and fabulous show in at the UW Drag Spectacular last week, Jujubee, my family and I absolutely loved it. Through your work and performances, you are helping cultivate in me a growing sense of self-worth and positivity.

Take care, be true, and be sensational and I will strive to do the same. Now if only I can learn to find the camera… All the ♥!

joannaestep: SO HERE’S A POST FOR ANYONE FEELING LESS THAN...

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:18:00 -0500

joannaestep:

SO HERE’S A POST FOR ANYONE FEELING LESS THAN STELLAR— *eyezooms at one person in particular* …. And that is, my adventures in being a walking flower arrangement. Seriously, you can’t stay sad while you look at my head covered in flowers.

…Anyway, long story short, me n’ my friends went to the UW LGBT drag show, and got to meet JuJubee (of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame), and see her perform, and she is just fly as hell okay. And so good to her fans, too. Seriously, she was so sweet to friedcheesemogu, and hugged her like a million times.

Anyway I was gonna be DAMNED if I didn’t do something crazy-fabulous to my hair for JuJubee’s sake, so… well, you get the idea.

I look kind of chubby on camera these days, but… you know, I am kind of chubby, so there you have it!

It’s Madison’s most fabulous with the talented and opulent Jujubee! She was shining inside and out, work it girl!

I am so lucky to have shared this event with my family aka best group of glamazons the world has ever know. I <3 you guys forever!

-brought to you by the feeling “awwww”

pixilation: I’m asking friends and fans to help me stay in the...

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:41:29 -0500

pixilation:

I’m asking friends and fans to help me stay in the top 5 artists in Selina Fenech’s Fantasy Art 2013 awards. Just click the LINK and select Meredith Dillman at the bottom, and then click VOTE. There will be another round of voting after May 30 with the 5 finalists.

http://selinafenech.com/2013/2013-art-awards-round-one-voting/

If I win:

• I will get an art licensing contract with a reputable company and be among many well known artists.

• I’d be able to bring some of the really cool products that I can’t make otherwise to shows.

• The company is based in Australia which will give me worldwide exposure and allow overseas fans to more easily buy my art

Thank you so much!!!

meredithdillman.com

pixilation: I’m on a shirt!! (Still available here...

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:48:21 -0500

pixilation:

I’m on a shirt!!

(Still available here https://shirt.woot.com/offers/under-a-full-moon)

Only $15 with free shipping. I’m wearing mine right now:

Yeah, that happened.

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 19:07:28 -0500

Yeah, that happened.

Asexuality: a legitimate sexual orientation

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 20:32:05 -0600

Asexuality: a legitimate sexual orientation:

So much of what I’ve wanted to express but more concise.

Pomegranate White Chocolate Chip Cookies Source:...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:47:42 -0600

Pomegranate White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Source: @TwoPeasandPod

Feeling the love this Valentine’s Day with cookies and warm mug of white hot chocolate.

joannaestep: Some hobo character designs from my current...

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:00:58 -0600

joannaestep:

Some hobo character designs from my current project, which have since been rejected/revised…. but hey, I like ‘em.

So yeah, I’m doing a story for the Thrilling Adventure Hour book. (Ignore the kickstarter stuff, it’s already funded).

DOWN IN MOONSHINE HOLLER: A hobo fairytale. During the Great Depression, a millionaire’s son fell in love with a woman he thought was his societal equal. In truth, she was the Hobo Princess. She fled, leaving behind only a fingerless glove. Now, under the assumed identity of Banjo Bindlestuff, the millionaire’s son rides the rails with his hobo-mentor Gummy, in search of his one true love he believes will be found in the possibly make-believe hobo-paradise: Moonshine Holler.

Tangelo-Stuffed Chicken Breast Source: @MarthaStewart I missed...

Wed, 06 Feb 2013 14:16:00 -0600

Tangelo-Stuffed Chicken Breast

Source: @MarthaStewart

I missed out on persimmon season this year, but I’m making up for that with all of the winter citrus fruits. Meyer lemons, grapefruit, blood oranges, honey tangerines, and the amazingly juicy tangerine and pomelo hybrid: the tangelo, provided courtesy my loving mother. Thank you, Mom!

Champurrado (Mexican Hot Chocolate) Source: @MuyBuenoCooking A...

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 11:36:37 -0600

Champurrado (Mexican Hot Chocolate)

Source: @MuyBuenoCooking

A warm cup of filling sweet and spiced hot chocolate is the perfect pairing to a snowy day.

Mexican Tortilla Soup Source: The Daily Soup Cookbook Prepared...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 20:32:00 -0600

Mexican Tortilla Soup

Source: The Daily Soup Cookbook

Prepared with homemade baked tortilla chips, not fried as the recipe calls for. At two cups of soup per serving for only 280 calories it doesn’t get any better. Oh wait it does with the inclusion of smoky minced chipotle chile. This is the best soup cookbook.

Layered Birthday Carrot Cake Adapted from: @Cooking_Light and...

Sun, 03 Feb 2013 20:29:26 -0600

Layered Birthday Carrot Cake

Adapted from: @Cooking_Light and @brooklynbaker

What to do when your birthday also happens to be National Carrot Cake Day? Make a delectable layered birthday carrot cake! I tested many different recipes and found my favorite in a bright and spongy Cooking Light carrot cake. It has a tasty crumb texture and an amazing cinnamon punch finish (using Vietnamese ground cinnamon from Penzey’s), paired with a tangy fromage blanc cream cheese frosting between the layers, and coated in a classic cream cheese buttercream. Topped with toasted coconut and chopped pecans, it is my ultimate birthday cake. It tastes even better the next day.

The only thing I would consider changing would be to make it as a two-layer cake instead of three next time for more cake with each bite.

16 servings, 435 calories.

joannaestep: So I’ve been given permission to post what I’ve...

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:35:00 -0600

joannaestep:

So I’ve been given permission to post what I’ve been working on all week…. the very first cover to my book for Titanium Comics, Age of Darkness.

While I was given a plot summary and character roster to work with, I was in fact hired on as the writer for AOD, so technically this book is scripted AND illustrated by yours truly. I’m pleased as punch to have been chosen for a project such as this one.

Click here to fullview!

My roomie knows how to properly Zombie Apocalypse it up.

pixilation: I’m holding a raffle for 1 of 5 fantasy and...

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 14:26:00 -0600

pixilation:

I’m holding a raffle for 1 of 5 fantasy and fairy art prizes! The contest is open from now until midnight on Dec 8th. I will announce the winners on Facebook and here. Winners will need to get me their shipping address before the 10th for shipping in time for Christmas.

To enter please fill out the form below and see how you can qualify for multiple entries. Facebook fans automatically get one free entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Free giveaway of original fairy art swag by the talented Meredith Dillman, enter now!

November has dawned and we’re rolling up on Christmas now....

Fri, 02 Nov 2012 13:00:28 -0500

November has dawned and we’re rolling up on Christmas now. If you’re seeking ideas of what to gift the fantasy and adventure reader in your life, or even just for yourself, look no further.

Despite the unassuming title, I picked up The Thief years back pretty much for the cover by Vince Natale. I was drawn to the beautiful transparent layers of skin tone colors which recalled to mind my then-favorite painter Jacob Collins.

Best impulse buy ever.

The Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner features the most well-crafted, memorable characters I’ve ever read, tied together through a variety of complex relationships while facing extreme challenges presented by the far-reaching machinations of men, monarchies, and gods. The @booksmugglers summed it up perfectly in their (slightly spoilery) review:

As I was reading the books, as the pages were being turned I had only one thought in mind: this is why I read. This is why I read. This is why I read.

Each book makes up a portion of the ongoing story arch and should be read in order. Luckily, they pass quickly and contain thoroughly satisfactory conclusions with exciting reveals. I also greatly appreciate how the author assumes only the best of mental facility from her readership despite the allocation of the books into Young Readers/YA (potentially due to the physical age of the MCs).

These are the only books I will always and forever choose to re-read, enjoy, and wear out so I can deliberately order new copies. The excessively cracked and failing spines of my current copies can attest to this.

If you’re still on the shelf (ha! get it?) read the first three chapters of The Thief online now. But be warned Gen steals more than just precious treasures, he also steals loyalties and hearts.

Vanilla Bean Toffee Streusel Caramel Apples make for a very...

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:37:00 -0500

Vanilla Bean Toffee Streusel Caramel Apples make for a very happy Halloween indeed. As do Soul Cakes and Shrunken Apple Heads in Hot Mulled Cider.

Adapted from: Baked: New Frontiers in Baking by @brooklynbaker, @Cooking_Light, @NPR, @MarthaStewart, & @Cooking_Light.

Toffee Streusel Topping by me:

1 1/4 cups toasted rolled oats
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed
6 tbsp toffee bits

In a food processor combine the rolled oats, sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Pulse two to three times, or enough to just chop the oats. Drizzle in the apple juice concentrate, then pulse one to two times. Combine in a large bowl with toffee bits.

Makes 14 caramel apples, 320 calories each.

Soul Cakes photographed by pixilation, and the recipe made 17 cakes, 128 calories each.

The results of pixilation’s Spooktacular Pumpkin Carving...

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:15:16 -0500

The results of pixilation’s Spooktacular Pumpkin Carving Party, along with the pumpkin seeds currently roasting in the oven.

Mjölnir by joannaestep, Cthulhu by thatscarybroad, and Pumpkin Pie by myself, of course.

Last minute costume fun for Baristacide’s Halloween show,...

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:30:00 -0500

Last minute costume fun for Baristacide’s Halloween show, made easy with the classy Soda Fountain dress courtesy ModCloth.

Happy Halloween!

Traditional Egg and White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncakes Adapted...

Sat, 22 Sep 2012 16:07:00 -0500

Traditional Egg and White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncakes

Adapted from: @easyrecipes, @cafenilson, and House of Annie

The leaves are changing, the wind is bracing, and the fruits of summer are being harvested. Today I celebrated the Mid-Autumnal Equinox with my dear friends over a hot cup of tea and batch of homemade mooncakes.

Prep for the mooncakes began on Tuesday, soaking the lotus kernels overnight in order to make the paste and the dough on Wednesday. On Thursday molding and baking commenced, before letting the cakes sit two days as the oils soaked through to turn the dough shiny and soft.

Commercial store-bought mooncakes range anywhere from 700 to 1000 calories per cake. At 60 grams and 217 calories each, mine were worth every bit of homemade effort.