Brooklyn Art Exhibit for Children and Adults alike!

*Empire by Jeffrey Chuang

Thursday night, From Mice to Monsters Opened! 

Feels like I've written this title a million times, either promoting it here 

or on my Facebook page.

It was a bit of a thrill for me, because I have not shown work in a couple of years.

I'm also happy about my latest work, which is specifically geared toward

stories for children.

:::

Here is a peek at the show...

Melissa Zexter studies my painting closely.

"Absolutely Fabulously Intriguing!" real quote, by real person!

Much of the work in the show is hung at a child's eye level.

:::

Above my piece hangs one by Kristin deNeeve. 

She's one of the few artists I had a chance to meet, because 

the opening was quite full. I like her work and I just noticed on her site 

that she received her BFA from my Alma Mater, VCU :)

Subway Animals

Scott and Marzena marvel at Gustavo Gondolier and the Animals in Venice.

This gained some extra attention, hanging above the wine and snacks ;)

"Spyglass", hand cut paper, is by my friend, Joyce Leipertz.

It *Sold* !!!

Eye Doctor by Kristin deNeeve

Baby Penguins Everywhere by Melissa Guion

Phil Schneider, Laura Wise, Bryon Finn, Kristy Mitchell & young beauty

Fabulous ladies, Margaret Heidenry & Laura Wise

M. Zexter, captivated by Tim Main's story

The Watering Hole by Kelly Light

Jeffrey Chuang

Kiko by Michelle Farkough

A happy artist and art appreciators :)

Mesmerized onlookers

Tumpsy's Family by Mariko Suzuki

Mama's Watching by Susan Blanchard

The Great Bear and the Little Bear by Kristiana Parn

Here I am with two dashing young men

Mirabelle and Odille mug for the camera!

Big fan and collector, Michael Thibodeau

Confused man, stunned by the heat 

and high level of illustration created for children

Above, is my invitation for the show. I made this because 

I was unable to pick up the printed ones, myself, in time to promote.

My good friend, Melissa Stampley, kindly dropped off my

paintings for me because I had to work last weekend (a good thing :)

Here is the official postcard by wonderful illustrator, Boris Kulikov.

The original is in the show and is one of the illustrations he created 

for "Carnival of the Animals" by John Lithgow.

Stephen Geiger looks on as his wife,

Sarah points out mice under the subway seats. 

Where could the monsters be hiding?

:::

Hope you've enjoyed my brief round up of the show.

There are many more cute fun quirky pieces on view and 

a series of artist talks/demos are scheduled on Sundays at 4:40 

July 15th and 22nd *Click here for info

Unfortunately, I'm not one of them :(

but, I may stop in to learn something myself :)

:::

440 Gallery is 440 6th Ave nr 9th St in Park Slope, Brooklyn

                                     Subway: F & G to 7th Ave; R to 4th 

              Hours: Th & Fri 4-7 pm, Sat & Sun 11-7 pm. show closes July 22nd

Oh yeah, Peter Caine couldn't make it, but Alec showed up in his place.

Nice guy!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

xo, A

From Mice to Monsters

:: 440 Gallery presents it's annual theme exhibition :: 

*Opening this Thursday, June 28th 6-9 pm* 

"From Mice To Monsters" is an International Exhibition of Illustrations for Children by some 40 artists, and I'm one of them :) I have two paintings on display here.

The juror, Buket Erdogan, has illustrated books for Orchard Books, 

Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins and had several on the New York Times 

Best Sellers list.

*

              440 Gallery is 440 6th Ave nr 9th St in Park Slope, Brooklyn
                                Subway: F & G to 7th Ave; R to 4th 

*Please come and bring your little ones* 
Hours: Th & Fri 4-7 pm, Sat & Sun 11-7 pm. show closes July 22nd

Hope to see you at the Opening!

Have a great week

xo, A

Happy Father's Day daddios!

:: Happy Father's Day ::

I include this photo every year. 

I'll have to snag a few more next time I'm home.

Although, this is a favorite of mine.

Here's to my dad, R. Henderson Howard :D

Like Father, Like Son

Hope all you dads out there had a great day!

xo, A

Bun Drives Fantasy Island

This bunny is driving around Fantasy Island, an isle for animals only. 

Here, they relax and enjoy recreation without the stress of humans 

hunting them or conversely, fawning all over their furry cuteness ;)

There are all sorts of places to hike, chase, swim, fly, burrow,

or see art, theater, take classes and simply talk among themselves.

Good for them!

Have a great week.

xo, A

Sketch, Dream and Drive

It's a beautiful day and Gustavo Gondolier is taking a little nap. Hope he doesn't tip!

These are rough sketches for my story about a young dog 

who dreams of becoming a gondolier in Venice and learning just what it takes!

Above, Gustavo in the arms of his mom taking his very 1st ride.

Sketch of his wave goodnight to Signor Caputo's gondola,

docked outside his window.

I'm happy to announce that Venice Animals and Subway Animals

were both accepted in 440 Gallery's upcoming show-

:: From Mice to Monsters: Illustrations for Children ::

:: Opening Thurs. June 28th, 2012 :: 6-9pm ::

440 Gallery : 440 6th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11215

Hope to see you at the Opening! I'll send out a reminder :)

my promotional card

I attended my 1st Book Expo at the Javitz Center this week. 

It was bustling, which must be a good sign for publishing!

I stayed in the children's book section for the most part. Still, it was

a little overwhelming.

Fortunately, Monica Wellington, published author/illustrator, 

graciously met with several of us on Tuesday, opening day.

I'm currently in her wildly popular class at SVA,

you got it, Creating Children's Books 

Overall, it was a very good experience. I had a book signed by Marla Frazee, 

attended a seminar on new technology and the future of kids' books 

and took notes on some of the smaller publishing houses for which I was unaware.

As much as I like to talk, 

I'm pretty shy when it comes to introducing myself to people in the booths.

It's important to try, because there is always a chance you can talk with an editor or 

leave your card with an art director. I was able to attend the final day and I gathered 

some courage to talk to a few publishers, all of whom could not have been nicer. 

Admittedly, I handed out more cards when I walked the floor with Anna, from my class.

She showed Yuko (also from class) & me, how it's done. I would love to have her

chutzpah, because I believe it's true what they say, 

Fortune Favors the Bold!

Thank you Monica! and you, too Anna!

I look forward to learning more and more ...

Have a great weekend!

xo, A