My studio, my dad, a Christmas painting and gifts on Etsy

Hi! Today I'm sharing a few things I wanted to share, so I am. 

I'm sharing :)

Above, a sketch - Birds, suitable for framing.

My dad turned 73 on Tuesday Dec 2nd - hard for me to believe. Happy Birthday dad!

He likes waving to me once I'm on the train at the Amtrak station in Richmond. 

Always makes me happy.

Lately, I've been attempting to declutter my space where I live and work.

It's not easy for me. I hang onto things, but it feels nice to let go. I feel lighter. I think.

I moved a couple of paintings. Cata Caquinho, above, now hangs in my living room. 

This is Cattie, a cute Steiff cat from childhood. No, I would never give her up.

This is a corner of my studio/kitchen area. It probably still looks cluttered to many of you, 

but for me, it's good. And, I've moved a bit more since this, too!

Crash Bunnies is now above my drawing table, along with dogs, Ruben & Cooper

Pirate bird and others...

I painted this little winter scene last week.

It's bun's 1st Christmas.

I recently had to get a crown after cracking my back tooth on a pistachio :/

My new dentist is Pasha on 5th Ave and 17th St, Brooklyn.

I think he did a fine job, although my temp popped out eating a breakfast burrito!

Time will tell.

This photo was taken along 4th Ave and you can see, the light was fantastic that day. 

Above, is the lovely, talented Yuko Katakawa at this year's CBIG portfolio review.

It's held each year at a public school on the Upper east Side.

I just love this little cape-coat! 

I thoroughly enjoyed my meetings with Beth Terrill, editor North South Books

and Patti Ann Harris, now at Scholastic. It was a great experience. 

CBIG does a good job of organizing it all. I'm really happy to be a part of this group.

Now, onto gifts! I gave this to my friend, Margaret as a little house warming present. 

She likes whales and this one from Clayopera on Etsy couldn't be sweeter! 

Take a look at her other ceramic pieces, all fun and whimsical.

My sticker :)

If you're shopping for charming toys this year, Hazel Village makes super cute animals,

like these two. I found them at the Union Square Holiday Market last winter.

little tree

My Christmas and holiday cards are available in my Etsy shop, Blip Blop Shop 

take a peek :)

An inkling of an idea - overindulgent animals...

You know who you are!

:::

It's almost the weekend. Have a fun one!

xo, A

Holiday Cards on Etsy

:: Cards Cards Cards ::

Browse and buy my Christmas / Holiday Cards Today!

Available through Etsy - Visit Blip Blop Shop

for details & view each card's message.

* Great prices, too *

*

Hope you find something you like.

Happy Tuesday!

xo, A

Custom Christmas Card Sets

Merry Christmas Mouse!

Holiday Card Fun Packs available @ Blip Blop Shop

Create your Custom Set of any 8 or 12 Christmas Cards

and get More for Less! 

Twig & Bird, Top Dog, Baby Birds, Terrier, Snow Deer, Santa's Mouse

and Christmas Cat Wish You a Very Happy Holiday Season!

Come Visit Us today :)

xo, A

Holiday Art, Books for Kids & a little Film about Fracking

I LOVE the Snowman in Court Street Grocers window!

It makes me smile each time I walk by it, which is often.

My friend, Margaret Heidenry, is in the Screen Writers Guild and fortunately

invited me to see the screening of Gus Van Sant's new movie "Promised Land" 

written by and starring Matt Damon and John Krasinsky. 

It's an excellent picture and the 1st I've seen to tackle the topic of 

Fracking. Promised Land sheds light on both sides of the issue, 

while not letting big corporations, this one named "Global", off the hook.

Surprisingly, it's entertaining and gets the point across without being heavy handed.

Afterwards, there was a Q & A with Matt, John and Rosemarie DeWitt.

As expected, they were charming and very funny. I really could 

have stayed in my seat and listened all night.

The odd thing that Margaret and I, both, noticed was the number of people

on their cell phones, texting, checking messages, etc. I think the guy next to 

me was even checking Facebook during the movie?!

I might be less disgusted were it an opportunity to feel superior 

over the younger generation, but these were middle aged adults & older. 

Crazy. C'mon people.

:::

Sunday, I met Kristine Lombardi at Books of Wonder to hear a stellar panel

discuss their latest books and share their thoughts about the publishing world.

December Picture Book Bonanza

James Howe - Otter and Odder: A Love Story

Corey Rosen Schwartz - The Three Ninja Pigs

Lane Smith - Abe Lincoln's Dream

Bryan Collier - I, Too, am America

Susan Hood - Spike, the Mixed-Up Monster

Melissa Sweet - *illustrator; Spike, the Mixed-Up Monster

Douglas Florian - Shiver Me Timbers!

UnBEElievables: Honey Bee Poems & Paintings

Michelle Knudsen - Big Mean Mike

James Howe, Corey Rosen Schwartz and Lane Smith 

           It's always fun to see writers and illustrators you admire in person. 

         Each one read a bit from their latest children's books.

                          It's interesting how ideas come about and develop into stories.

                         I love that Corey Rosen Schwartz has a son who told someone that 

                               "yes, he speaks a 2nd language, Karate." That sparked the idea for 

                                                              The Three Ninja Pigs.

                                  James Howe mentioned that Otter and Odder, first came about 

                                                 when his daughter was still a kid. She's now 24.

Lane Smith, Bryan Collier and Susan Hood

Bryan Collier's book, I, Too, Am America, is based on Langston Hughes' poem 

about the Pullman Railway Porters.

It's beautiful and he spoke, not only about this true story, 

but about the real people he uses as his models. These friends and neighbors

 end up serving a dual purpose. For instance, the young man on the cover, 

was thrilled when he went to school with a copy and learned that the girls 

thought he was cute!

Melissa Sweet, Douglas Florian and Michelle Knudson 

Susan Hood spoke about wanting Melissa Sweet, a favorite of mine and many,

to illustrate Spike, the Mixed Up Monster about an Axolotl 

(an endangered Mexican Salamander) 

Some are cuter than others and Melissa, obviously fashioned hers after 

a precious one!

I can't remember how long Susan said she had to wait, but 

Melissa is usually booked for up to three years at a time.

Can you imagine? She's truly living an illustrator's dream.

Not that she doesn't deserve it, but I couldn't help thinking that instead of

waiting, maybe the publisher could have taken a chance with a

lesser known artist, or an unknown even. 

:::

All of these books look and sound great!

 I hope to have the chance (extra cash) to buy them all, as gifts

(for me ;)

:::

Now, onto my humble artwork, patiently waiting for it's moment in the sun! 

These are a few of the Christmas cards I've added to my Etsy Shop

Now accepting payments by Credit Card, as well as, PayPal

Snow Deer and Chickadee in *square format on Etsy

 Twig and Top Dog, a mainstay for me 

*Below are Prints, Stationery & even a few iphone & ipod case designs

I recently added to my Society 6 shop for the holidays.

Snow deer 5 x 7 size

*Society 6 is offering FREE Shipping on all orders in

my shop through Sunday Dec. 9, 2012 Midnight Pacific Time*

Click Here to browse and buy that perfect holiday gift or card set :)

A Gifted Dog 

Here are some other recently added pieces

A Christmas Cat 

Lyle the Terrier

Dog in Space

Elephant draws

There is more to offer in my shop, please take a look!

Feel free to contact me about commissions or purchasing an original.

 If I Were a Toy store has decorated! 

My Carolers are happy & still singing.

and this Friday Night, December 7th at 6pm, is the Carroll Park Tree Lighting

Apparently, Santa and his elves will make an appearance. 

Shouldn't they be working?

Thanks for stopping by. Hope your holidays are off to a good start!

xo,

A

My Etsy Christmas, Birthday, Everyday

I've added some new and revised designs to BlipBlopShop on Etsy

In addition to Christmas & Holiday cards, you'll find original paintings, prints and tees.

Twig Cat Santa Hat & Snow Deer cards 

now available in vertical format, as well as square. 

Here's Taco Cat and birdie! 

Twiggy Cat, her sister has had her own birthday card for some time, so it's Taco's turn. 

I recently revised this for Jane's birthday since she has a cute orange cat named Taco :x)

I love Space Mouse.

Scooter Dog has been around for years and he's still a favorite! 

Here are two matted Yoga Bun Prints (in set of 4). 

Yoga Bun is getting in shape and in touch with the Infinite Universe, just like me ;) 

Jazz Cats is a new little painting inspired by the Beat Jazz Movement and the animals who keep it thriving underground ;) I'll be adding prints of this to my shop today.

Hope your holiday shopping is fun and not drudgery! 

It is the thought that counts. Plus, buying from independent designers 

and small companies adds that special touch, not everyone has original artwork.

and

If you're in NYC, stop by the Grand Central Holiday Fair. One of my favorite jewelry designers is there- Christina Stankard with her splendid line of true gems :')

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!

xo, A