August, you're pretty

"Do what we can, summer will have it's flies." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

:::

On the East Coast, August has been surprisingly dreamy with it's sunny skies and mild temperatures. 

I created these promotional pieces for the CBIG (Children's Book Illustration Group)

digital directory. It's the 1st step in preparing for fall and making another go of it

in the worlds of publishing and art licensing.

The "flies" in my summer tend to be work related, not the cute animals and scenes I choose to

paint, but the interruptions to that, let's just call - my job ;)

:::

These photos were taken at Grumman Studios on LI, where the 

Apollo Lunar Modules were created. Grumman is currently referred to as 

"Hollywood of the East". Fortunately, I never heard anyone actually call it that. 

We were there to work on a pretty ambitious and creative commercial. 

Our work doesn't compare to putting a man on the moon, but it pays the bills. 

I can share the commercial, once it comes out.

I mostly took pictures of the building, my friends and the floor. 

Below, dusty shoe prints on rubber mat covering cables.

A clever production assistant put a hammock up in his cube truck once it was empty. 

Above, scenic artist, Gennadi Barbush relaxes in it.

Scenics take a coffee break in the lot, while I rest in hammock :)

Hard to resist taking a pic of rust this good!

Damage the sun does to paint is often the most beautiful to me. Faded reds, pinks, blues ...

always get me.

Great shape and yellow, not sure how it functions, maybe for fire fighters?

We passed this building on the way home every night. I love it. 

Thought I took a pic with the lighted sign, but now I can't locate it.

Below, detail shots of two of my paintings that sit on either side of my bed, 

in my tiny bedroom. Sadly, they're a bit too large to hang in my apt.

I think they relate to the other photos, but I might just be tired.

Great skies to and from the job. My favorite part of the day - catching sight of New York City.

It will always excite me.

 hand-me-down, carpenter's union tee, don't have 829's, do we have one?

Fellow scenic, Michael Taranov took this photo of me "fighting the good fight".

:::

This particular job was quite a beast, in terms of hours, number of set

changes and variety of fumes inhaled. I want to end my post with a

big Thanks to Bryon Finn, who I work with a lot.

He handled everything with grace and as always,

worked his ass off. 

Ok, I have lunch, I mean work to do!

:

ps- if you like my photos, then follow me on Instagram

I share much more there :)

Have a great week!

xo, A

S'mores aren't everything

What's better than roasting marshmallows over a campfire with friends?

Making S'mores and more :) 

Still, they can't solve all your problems, it's just a start!

"It's time to rehearse. Who's the new guy?"

Practice is very important.

Lately, I've been practicing a slightly different way of painting background

scenes by muting the colors or simply keeping that part monochrome. 

I think it's helping the characters to stand out and compete less with the backgrounds.

It's something I'll continue working on.

Bear was trying out his new costume in Central Park when he heard a tiny voice from below.

"Help, my friend needs a hand!"

Gee, I sure hope Bear knows what to do.

:::

Rush Hour, below, is an example of characters getting lost in the mix. 

It's a shame because each animal has personality. I tried to make some pop more

using Photoshop and I think it helped somewhat. 

Subway Series is one of my favorite groups of illustrations. If only things could stay 

as simple as initial sketches. 

Anyway, I decided to pluck certain characters from Rush Hour, give them some space 

and consider which to use in a story.

I shared Capybara and pals and others taken from this

crowded train in last week's post.

I liked these guys enough to have some postcards printed. 

I used Moo for the 1st time and they look great!

I had some printed using "Classic" paper stock. I was surprised Moo uses the shiny side for the 

backside. I don't mind, just unusual I think. I also had some printed using "Luxe"stock. 

I couldn't be more happy with the quality of both sets. I could be hooked!

I also have some coming from Zazzle who I've depended on for years.

I'll have to see what people think. I've only heard good things about Moo, so had to try them.

May these guys, at least, make it onto the bulletin board of a brilliant art director, 

editor and/or agent out there! for safe keeping and maybe more. 

Kitty reading about birds is also new, although cats reading books, 

shows up in  a couple of my paintings. 

I was charmed by this simple quote from Garrison Keillor.

In other news, I bought a Karlstad love seat from Ikea that I put together myself.

The price was right, but I can still smell the particle board from which it's built. Oh well.

I styled this photo with my lovely pillows.

Yes, they are available in my Society6 shop - Allyn Howard :)

Lena the cat loves it!

View from Ikea showroom

And now for some random neighborhood pics. 

I've always liked this old building on Clinton Street, looks like it's getting a make-over.

I passed by it on my way to the public library. That's right, the library - been a long time!

I love this summery window display at One Girl Cookies in Cobble Hill.

These cool wood paneled houses are across the street. You may have noticed them in the reflection.

 Cute Italjet in Greenpoint. 

My favorite outfit of the summer, so far, worn by the one and only Michael Taranov.

He's a fellow local 829 scenic painter and I was happy to see that he changed into

paint clothes before we got started. 

This is the giant house we were working in that day. 

Ditmas Park is a fantastic neighborhood in Brooklyn. Mansions abound in a suburban 

setting with city streets within walking distance, kind of a perfect mix.

Back to my neighborhood, I like the way St Mary's Star of the Sea looks

at sunset. It's very close to my home, so I'm always happy to pass by and take notice.

The Gowanus canal is less lovely in summer.

I have to say, G.H. Cretors is my latest addiction (besides ice cream :)

It is sooooooooo tasty! like 2 bags a day, tasty. forget dinner, tasty.

The end. 

xo, Lena and me