Featured Clients:There Once Was A Girl Named Shirley
So this REALLY interesting woman contacted me a while ago. She is in Iraq VOLUNTARILY, working and actually having a decent time. She wanted me to do a pin-up of her. She was referred by a friend of mine and she seemed a bit apprehensive about the fact that she was older, or something like that. When I saw her picture I was like.... WHAT? SERIOUSLY? This woman is exactly what I imagine when I hear the term cougar mentioned. I was instantly in love with the idea of working for her.
I offered to do a bunch of extra stuff for her to say thanks for being brave enough to be over in Iraq and all. My Significant Other Matthew is military and spent so long over there while we were dating and I know how hard it is. Even if she is working in a palace.
and this is Shirley in real life
She is vibrant, gorgeous, extroverted, and so incredibly nice. She was just a joy to work with. I decided to get a bit of perspective from her and ask her a few questions. This is what she had to say.
I offered to do a bunch of extra stuff for her to say thanks for being brave enough to be over in Iraq and all. My Significant Other Matthew is military and spent so long over there while we were dating and I know how hard it is. Even if she is working in a palace.
and this is Shirley in real life
She is vibrant, gorgeous, extroverted, and so incredibly nice. She was just a joy to work with. I decided to get a bit of perspective from her and ask her a few questions. This is what she had to say.
1. tell us about you, where are you from, and what are you doing with your life right now?
Originally I am from Cleveland Ohio, but moved to Colorado
springs in 1997 where I started down the path of computer help desk
technician. It eventually led me to apply for a job in Iraq because my
job was being outsourced and I thought it would be an exciting
experience. I honestly had no idea what going to a war zone meant, but
even though my lead thought I would never manage to make it here for a
full year, I will have been on this contract four years at the end of
October 2008. I love my job and the people I work with. But I think
it is getting time to go home to my family.
2. When did you first realize you liked pin-ups, what inspired you?
2. When did you first realize you liked pin-ups, what inspired you?
I have a friend. Kim. She sent me a pin-up that you did of her
and I was enthralled. I saw her in it and I wanted to be able to have
something that showed my best features like hers did. She sent me to
you.
3. What are your views on size acceptance, the idea that everyone is beautiful regardless of weight.
3. What are your views on size acceptance, the idea that everyone is beautiful regardless of weight.
In the days of Ruben, I would have been a Goddess. They loved
their women round and soft. I believe I am beautiful and desirable in
spite of the way the media has portrayed beauty. I real man will see
beauty for what it is. Inner strength, character, a big heart and
hope, and all this comes out in a real woman as beauty, with or without
extra weight.
4. How did you find out about Karina Dale, and what inspired you to want to be made into a Dale Doll?
4. How did you find out about Karina Dale, and what inspired you to want to be made into a Dale Doll?
My best friend Kimmy. She was so excited and so thrilled about
her art and I wanted to feel what she felt. She told me I could. All
I had to do was write to you.
5. is there anyone special your going to give your pin-up to? Is there anyone you would like to recognize, thank, or just say HI! to? I have a very special friend I will be sending it to. Someone who has stood by me for the last 10 years. Someone who has been my roommate, my confidant and my most significant other. And I want to thank Kim for sending me to you.
5. is there anyone special your going to give your pin-up to? Is there anyone you would like to recognize, thank, or just say HI! to? I have a very special friend I will be sending it to. Someone who has stood by me for the last 10 years. Someone who has been my roommate, my confidant and my most significant other. And I want to thank Kim for sending me to you.
It feels good to let the world know I am a sexy lady and that I am
proud to be me. I'll be putting this up on my blog, and maybe on a few
dating sites! Think it'll get me noticed? 
Thanks Karina... I am sending a ton of love your way!!
And much love right back to ya Shirley!
You can find out more about Shirley from her blog http://crazyiniraq.blogspot.com/
if you stop by send some love her way!
<3
Karina
And much love right back to ya Shirley!
You can find out more about Shirley from her blog http://crazyiniraq.blogspot.
if you stop by send some love her way!
<3
Karina
Karina, you did an AWESOME job on Shirley! When she saw what you did for me she said, "I wish someone could draw me like that..." My first thought was, "I _know_ you're not thinking I drew this myself!" and gave her your email address right off the bat and told her to get on it.
Shirley has been one of my very best friends for the last... gods... has it been 10 years already? She's such a strong woman! She gives her heart fully, and without reservation. She loves truly and deeply and forgives completely.
I thought she was crazy for going into a war zone but with tech jobs drying up in The Springs, and the kind of benefits they offered for her to ship out... I don't blame her a bit for going over there and supporting our troops in a way that most folks here in the states couldn't imagine.
Thank you for showing the world what a gorgeous and sexy woman Shirley is! You are WONDERFUL!!!
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Hey! Glad you're doing well! Love the new work! What an amazing subject, too!
I wanted to let you know you inspired me. I bought a Wacom Bamboo for $50 on ebay and have started trying to figure out how to use it (I also scored an old version of Photoshop from work) I'm using a brush that mimics a soft drawing pencil.
Here's my first attempt:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_EUGC2DOaNZE/SP-SPZ8Vb4I/AAAAAAAAAKA/f6iad490PNo/s320/PATRIOTBETTIEBANNER+copy.jpg
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