#alicia phen

[aliciaphen]

☆ ALICIA’S MONTHLY MEDIA MENTIONS: JANUARY `23

Hi. School projects have eaten up all my time and I haven't posted on this account. Also, the beautiful women who have recently followed me have been blowing up my notifications and it's been quite annoying. On the bright side, I have a lot of art to post! Here is all the media I consumed in January!

Visual:

Frances Ha (2012) dir. Noah Baumbach. It tells a beautiful narrative of coming of age in your twenties.

Billie and Jean. Another chill, kinda dumb podcast but it's something fun to play in the background. Gives some good laughs.

Titanic (1997) dir. James Cameron. Needed something after watching Avatar TWoW.

Mileage (2022) created by Jennifer Wu (PM) Kym Santiana (PM) Ruyee Lu (PM) Christopher Hsueh Joy Zhou Miranda Li Nicole Taylor-Topacio Ruby Saysanasy Saul Benavides. My friend made a really awesome short film for her 3rd year! Please check it out. The music suits it so well and the story is very exciting!

Cruella (2021) dir. Craig Gillespie. I wasn't going to watch this but Josiah mentioned the same person directed I, Tonya (2017) which I thought was great. I watched with a dog that I was dogsitting.

Goodfellas (1990) dir. Martin Scorsese. A pretty good story. I think the acting in it was great as well. The slurs threw me SO off guard.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) dir. Joel Crawford. I'm so excited for Shrek 5. This was great. Love how Spiderverse is bringing about a new age of animation.

The White Lotus, Season 1 (2021). I'm only watching this for Jennifer Coolidge.

Emergency Intercom - Enya Umanzor, Drew Phillips, Ky Newman. It's an every-month thing.

TXT Live at Lollapalooza 2022 (Full Performance) - Tomorrow x Together. Just very upset that they announced tour dates and Toronto wasn't on there.

Fall (2022) dir. Scott Mann. Why would they do that?

The Menu (2022) dir. Mark Mylod. Nice.

Audio: January 2023 Spotify Playlist

Space 1.8 - Nana Sinephro. Love this album SO MUCH.

Animation Happy Hour - Garrett Lewis, Katie Low, Ben Girmann. I'm excited to have found this podcast! I feel like it'll be a good resource in helping me with my future endeavours.

The Whole of the Moon (Fiona Apple cover) - Fiona Apple. Mother. Inspiration.

ATTENTION: MILEY LIVE - I'm so happy for Miley's success and I'm very sorry I was part of the crowd that shunned her post-Disney era. She's an amazing artist and I could listen to her sing rock songs all day.

Time is Way Weirder Than You Think - The Ezra Klein Show. A podcast episode we listened to for class. Confusing and it raised more questions.

Ditto - New Jeans. The girls have done it again.

Don’t Forget My Love - Acoustic - Diplo, Miguel. Fuck the original. This is it.

VIBE (feat. Jimin of BTS) - TAEYANG. Taeyang is so funny. Whenever I think of him I think of that video where he sings thank you and I love you for 2 mins.

Reading:

Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones. After watching the Ghibli film, I wanted MORE.

Sketching for Animation - Peter Parr. A book I have downloaded and have seen the first few pages of. I have yet to really get into it but it also seems like a great resource to improve my art.

Gesture Drawing for Animation - Walt Stanchfield 

What They Don't Teach You at Film School: 161 Strategies For Making Your Own Movies No Matter What - Camille Landau, Tiara White

[4liciaphen]

I JUST FINISHED MY BACHELOR'S PROGRAM AT SHERIDAN ILLUSTRATION!! Check out my thesis projects here, along with all my awesome classmates' work. It's been a tough year.

[meimei-itis]

Looking back at old photos. This is New York City, summer 2017. Highest point in North America, but I forgot what the building was called and I’m a bit too lazy to search it. One World Trade centre I think? My family took a bus tour across a few states. Found out while on a walk with my parents that my dad really wanted to try a bus tour haha

I like the way the city seems like its transitioning from monochrome to colour. I miss the sun.

[pixelatedfashions]

Woman by Alicia West Via Flickr: Hair: [monso] Phen - Available @ C88 Top: Just Because Nickie - Available @ FaMESHed Lipstick: .ARISE. Bina - Available @ Unik Eyeshadow: .ARISE. Bella - Available @ Unik Other Credits @ Pixelated Fashions Tune: Karen O and Danger Mouse - Woman

[aliciaphen]

☆ ALICIA’S MONTHLY MEDIA MENTIONS: DECEMBER `22

Hi. I've consumed more media this month than I have this entire year. Happy New Year everyone - I hope we all make the best of what's to come.

Visual:

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) dir. Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson: I was really excited to watch this after seeing the trailer but I wasn't expecting it to be a musical. I loved that they used a biblically accurate angel for the Blue Angel rather than the traditional look. I can't believe it took like 15 years to make it.

Split (2016) dir. M. Night Shyamalan: I rewatched this because I needed Anya Taylor Joy content and I couldn't get through the first episode of The Queen's Gambit. It's still a pretty great movie, but I hate that cheesy ending line lol.

Anastasia (1997) dir. Don Bluth, Gary Goldman: I grew up watching this movie throughout my childhood, so I already have a huge bias toward it. It's so great. The characters and their dynamic is so likable and the songs are so GOOD.

The Mummy (1999) dir. Stephen Sommers: Another film I grew up watching. It's a lot more problematic than I remember T_T. Also cheesy but it was the 90s so you could kind of get away with it.

Emily, The Criminal (2022) dir. John Patton Ford: I was surprised by how much I liked this one. It's fast-paced, which is good for my pea brain. They make the character Emily easy to empathize with. Especially now when it's hard to afford to live, vulnerable people are targeted for these "get rich, quick" scams. I remember seeing so many of those ads whenever I went on YouTube for quite some time. Idk, I liked this one.

Bo Burnham: Inside (2021) dir. Bo Burnham: I always heard people talking about how great Bo Burnham was. I remember seeing his vines, but I never got into watching his stuff. I feel like the humour doesn't quite suit my taste, but I appreciate his work ethic and his capacity for making such a high-quality musical comedy. He's pretty fucking awesome.

Dreams (1990) dir. Akira Kurosawa: In a quest to research the Japanese folklore of fox weddings during sun showers, I watched this movie. It's just so pretty. I love the last story, where it's the small village and the funeral is more of a celebration. Just a gorgeous film.

Incantation (2022) dir. Kevin Ko: Heard from my roommate that this film was really scary. And I can confirm that it was. I watched half of it from between my fingers. Story wise, though, it was quite interesting. It’d be a fun watch for a group.

Atonement (2007) dir. Joe Wright: Another gorgeous film. I’ve always seen screen caps of it and have even watched Mina Le’s breakdown of the costuming from the film. I think the visuals are stronger than the story. Emotion wise, it feels like a less hard-hitting titanic.

Extreme Job (2019) dir Lee Byeong-heon: I watched this with my roommate! It’s a fun, chill watch. Just overall a good time.

The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari (2022) dir. Rory Kennedy: Some time earlier this year I remember seeing volcanic scarring that looked like the most intense, painful thing someone could ever experience. And I read up about the victim and they were hurt during the volcanic eruption in New Zealand a few years ago. The documentary is quite tragic, and interesting if anybody is up to watch it.

Klaus (2019) dir. Sergio Pablos: Such a cute movie. The scene where the mailman is giving paper and pencils and stamps out like it’s a drug deal actually made me audibly laugh. I’m surprised its 2D animation. It’s a really great Christmas movie for the whole family.

Brave (2012) dir. Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews: AH. I still love this movie after so many years. I first watched it when I was in grade 5 as an “end of year” trip. It’s so good, story wise. As a young adult, I feel like I can’t relate to it as much - to my surprise. I think my older sister could probably relate to it more. I have a good relationship with my mom, which I’m super grateful for. I want to make a film about ME. Lmfao.

The Wonder (2022) dir. Sebastian Lelio: I wasn’t as interested in this film. It’s rather a frustrating watch to be honest. If you want visuals of Ireland and Florence Pugh, I’d give this one a go.

Marriage Story (2019) dir. Noah Baumbach: Ever since watching this film I’ve been seeing Adam Driver everywhere, it seems. I didn’t expect to feel for this movie as much as I did. I think the pacing was done very well. The letter reading at the end is what got me. :’(

Alice in Borderland, Season 2 (2022): Season 2 was better than season 1. Because this world and its rules are already established, I think the show got to focus more on the characters and their relationships. The action sequences were quite fun and I am SO surprised that they didn’t end it in a shitty way. I’m happy the characters got their happy ending but that there’s still room for exploration into this world. The last challenge, though was a little TOO LONG. DAMN.

Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) dir. James Cameron: Okay so I wasn’t excited or looking forward to this sequel at all. I was quite indifferent toward it and wasn’t planning on watching it in theatres. But I ended up watching it with my family and it’s literally my new hyperfixation. I’m actually listening to the original motion picture soundtrack as I’m writing - and that’s not a joke. I’ve heard people say that the story is simple, and I suppose I can agree - its basically the family having to escape from the war and a revenge plot from the enemy side. And I’ve seen people wonder why its 3 hours long. And, it definitely felt like the film would never fucking end but, then again… did I really want it to…? In that time, I felt like I could actually get attached to the characters and this new family. I often really like media that makes me go through a lot of emotions and this was one of them. I need Avatar 3, 4, 5, & 6 and whatever else James Cameron is planning. I need to go visit Pandora in Disney World, even. Zoe Saldana, I love you.

Avatar (2009) dir. James Cameron: I ended up rewatching Avatar right after coming back from watching The Way of Water. I first watched this when I was 8 years old. I never really got to appreciate the absolutely insane world building that was put into this film, but now, as a student that wants to try pursuing film and maybe (?) visdev, I’m just astounded by the creatures and the religion and the plant life of the Na’vi people and how it’s been expanded on in Avatar 2. Again, a simple story, but I felt all the emotions so I love it.

Logan (2017) dir. James Mangold: Probably one of the best superhero movies I’ve seen. It still holds up today. Another emotional ride, so I’m inclined to say it’s a favourite. It’s almost… quiet. Like - it doesn’t do too much. All the marvel movies these days are doing too much. It’s kind of embarrassing. Can you tell I’m getting a little tired of writing about all the things I’ve watched? And I’m only on visual media. Anyways - this, the original Spider-Man movies, the last Spider-Man movie from MCU, and the Spiderverse movies and maybe Winter Soldier are the only superhero movies I have the patience to watch anymore.

Knives Out (2019) dir. Rian Johnson: It was so fun! Something I don’t have to pay that much attention to because I know I’ll likely never be able to solve it. I know they spent most of the budget of this film on the cast because everyone in there is fucking crazy.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) dir. Rian Johnson: I think the first one is better.

Lead Me Home (2021) dir. Pedro Kos, Jon Shenk: It’s only about 40 minutes, so it’s a quick documentary. It’s eye opening. Makes me feel bad because I’m one of those people that don’t look homeless people in the eye when I walk past them. But I don’t think that’s the point of the doc. There’s obviously something very wrong with the housing system and to see that anybody could end up in such an unfortunate situation is scary. It’s especially sad seeing the people who have family that could help them, but I also understand their point of not wanting to be a burden on their friends or family.

Music: December 2022 Spotify Playlist

Selfish - YooA: I saw people making fun of this song but I’m actually addicted to it. YooA in that one stage where she’s wearing that fringe shirt and pink pants with her hair in a bun looks so good.

Blood Moon - YooA: I feel like I’m in a mystery movie?? Like I’m a detective trying to solve a mystery.

In My Dreams - Christy Altomare: One of the best things to come out of the Anastasia Broadway production.

Ditto - NewJeans: The girls have done it again. This time, enjoy three minutes of teenage loneliness.

Nothing Is Lost (You Give Me Strength) - The Weeknd: I wasn’t joking when I said I’m listening to the Avatar: The Way of Water soundtrack.

Into the Water - Simon Franglen: SO BEAUTIFUL. If you’re going to listen to any song from the soundtrack listen to this one.

Avatar: The Way of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Simon Franglen, The Weeknd: Linking the album for good measure.

Books:

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon: I’ve finished reading this book and it has inclined me to be better at consistently drawing in my sketchbook and journal.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynn’s Jones: I plan on finishing this book this month. I’ll update you at the end of January.

[aliciaphen]

☆ ALICIA’S MONTHLY MEDIA MENTIONS: NOVEMBER `22

it's mid-December. school is eating me alive. but here are my media faves of November.

Visual:

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) dir. Hayao Miyazaki - I was never a Ghibli kid growing up, and I think part of the reason why is that I was not exposed to it when I was younger. But holy shit was I missing out. I loved the story, the animation was gorgeous. It has further cemented this desire to pursue a career in filmmaking.

Class Action Park (2020) dir.  Seth Porges & Chris Charles Scott - So, this is a documentary about Action Park, a New Jersey water park from the 70s and the crazy fucking way it operated. I'd recommend watching it, just because it's absolutely wild seeing the different attractions they had and just how dangerous they were. But just a heads up that it swings between nostalgic past employers/customers to families who have been victimized by the owner who prioritizes capital gain over human life.

Extracurricular (2020) dir. Kim Jinmin - I don't watch too many k-dramas, because I feel like most of them have an unnecessary romance going on that I just don't want to see lol. This is no exception, but the plot is interesting. It's about a couple of high schoolers and how they get involved in a prostitution ring. It gets you asking some moral questions; it's one of those dramas you'd like to debate with someone over. Justice for Seo Minhee.

She Loves Me (film) dir. David Horn, Scott Ellis (staging) - For a school assignment, I'm making a theatre poster for the play Parfumerie, a Hungarian play written by Miklós László, set in a 1930s perfume shop, and watching She Loves Me was part of my research of the play. It's a sweet, romantic story between two coworkers who have unknowingly been exchanging letters with each other. For the trope fanatics, it's an enemies-to-lovers story. I wouldn't say the songs are quite memorable compared to other musicals I've watched, but it would be something fun to see as the holidays approach.

Fire of Love (2022) dir. Sara Dosa - This is a documentary about two French volcanologists, Maurice and Katia Krafft, and the exciting lives they led studying, filming, and photographing volcanoes. I watched this on a really cold day at the Hot Docs theatre in Toronto. I feel like I went in expecting a romantic movie about the pair, but it didn't quite feel that way. It focused more on their lives and the crazy expeditions they took to study volcanoes. If anyone has watched Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities, the final episode, The Murmuring dir. Jennifer Kent, feels similar.

Atlanta, S4 EP8: The Goof Who Sat by the Door (2022) - My awesome roommate got me into watching Atlanta. So within a month or so, I had binged all four seasons. If you're unfamiliar with the show, it can only really be described as afro-surrealism - it follows its main cast through their ventures in Atlanta and navigating the music industry, and has the occasional off-plot single episode. And it's created by Donald Glover - so you know it's good. This episode is one of those off-plot ones and it's a mockumentary of the career of Thomas Washington, the first black animator and CEO of Disney. I went in thinking this was real LMFAO. But if you go in with that mindset, it's such an impactful episode. Any exaggeration or irony flies right past you and you just see the story and how amazing it is.

Music: November 2022 Spotify Playlist

SMITHEREENS (2022) - Joji - Ugh. What can I say? It's so good. that good Joji sadness we all love to cry to. A few faves include Glimpse of Us, Die For You, YUKON (INTERLUDE), and 1AM FREESTYLE.

'The ReVe Festival 2022 - Birthday' - Red Velvet - I'm always excited for a Red Velvet comeback. I think the album is solid, but by far my favourite track is Celebrate. I listened to this album for the first time with my roommate, and it just so happens that both our birthdays are coming soon. (We're born three days apart!)

Books:

These are all books I'm in the midst of reading.

Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - I decided to read this solely because I couldn't get enough of the film and decided to read the book as well.

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon - I'm still in the middle of it, but I'd recommend this to fellow artists! An insightful, useful guide to making your way in the art world.

[aliciaphen]

Hello!

I’m Alicia Phen, a 21 y.o. artist based in Toronto. I currently study illustration, of which I’ve been in a long term, loving relationship with, whereas I am currently in an enemies to lovers arc with graphic design. When I’m not drawing, you can find me watching precarious documentaries, out on a spontaneous adventure, or baking without measuring cups.

For any inquiries, please email: 

phena@sheridancollege.ca

thanks for visiting, hope you stick around

☆☆☆

[aliciaphen]

thoughts on august

// my youth feels like August.

// the sunsets are especially golden then,

// and I always find myself treasuring them the most.

[aliciaphen]

a girlboss and her bunny friend

[aliciaphen]

My final drawing of Sakura for Le Sserafim’s Dazed Korea July 2022 photoshoot - this photoshoot was everything. currently in the process of making Angel wings for myself. no that’s not a joke.

[aliciaphen]

my first attempt at beading - personally I love how it turned out. I used a red felt backing, some beads from the dollar store, an old gold coloured glasses chain, and a sword from a necklace I no longer wear. I’m planning on using it for a photoshoot, but need to make a few more props before that comes into fruition. For now, enjoy this bleeding heart, made by me :)

[aliciaphen]

The line art of Bunny Run and a cool colour scheme I got while messing around with filters

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full illustration of the scene from Minari (2020) for Depth Cues, Issue 3 - Bloom.

[aliciaphen]

Last of the film studies from The Rider (2017) ft a white horse during blue hour

[aliciaphen]

if anyone would like a general guide to the ripening process of raspberries I gotchu <3

[aliciaphen]

I present to you… Selene the titan goddess of the moon for my Prosecco wine label 🌙🍷

Made this moving image in procreate and Adobe after effects! Added some music on iMovie and it turned out pretty cool :3

Please turn your volume on! I think the music suits this theme very well :)