Magical May, I love you!

I've been painting more flowers. It is spring, after all!

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Bee to the blossom, moth to the flame; Each to his passion; what's in a name?" - Helen Hunt Jackson

"I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, 

and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen." - Anne Lamott

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful

than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." - Tom Stoppard

"You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming." - Pablo Neruda

Have a great week! 

xo, A

Picture that!

Gustavo gondolier and his pal, Mick.

The past few months have been busy for me, painting sets on a TV show

and finishing up March on a big La-Z-Boy commercial. 

and YES, their spokesperson, Brook Shields 

still looks gorgeous!

vintage doll head, part of set decoration - The Following

This was a nice quiet weekend. I caught up on some of my own work,

tidied up my apt and got back to a CKO class. 

I did get out and enjoy the sunshine a little, too :)

I'm so happy spring is here (is that too hopeful?) The temps look

like they will stay on the mild side. I really hope so. 

This was a tough winter, although some say it was no worse than last year. 

Somehow it just seemed to go on & on & on.

Last Easter weekend, Kristine was here reading Lovey Bunny at Book Court.  

It was the 1st time I've heard Lovey read aloud :)

I have no idea why there was such a large podium 

with decorative fabric for a reading to mostly children.

For a minute I thought she was about to give a commencement speech.

Afterwards, a few of us went for lunch and did some browsing at Yesterday's News down near me.

I almost bought these little cats! but sometimes a picture is enough. I guess.

Yuko liked this Holland sign. It's pretty great, walks a thin line between cute and creepy ;D

Love this car.

I always enjoy eating at Frankies, especially with Kristine, Yuko & Melissa Zexter 

who met us later, thus taking the place of Melissa Iwai who had to go home.

 As I always say, there must be at least one Melissa in the group ;) 

Thom left us for another dinner date. 

Unfortunately, no Tom, Dick or Harry to take his spot.

I never remember the name of this Sangiovese blend, but it's a current favorite.

Sunday, we all met up for the 1st day of Smorgasburg down at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I also learned that Melissa Iwai lives on this charming street with one of my favorite houses (above).

M. Zexter, me, M. Iwai and Yuko - photo by Kristine

Just a great doorway in Brooklyn Heights :)

I made it to MOMA this week to meet up with my college friend, Wendy 

who brought her 15 year old daughter, Lucy for her 1st visit to NYC. 

Wendy's lovely mom, Rhetta (I haven't seen in about 20 years) came, too!

This shot is about as much as we saw of the Bjork show.

The museum was packed and I don't think any of us had the patience to get through it.

Instead, we hit the Design, Photography and Painting floors.

This Gauguin is a sentimental fave! I always love seeing it.

Wendy, me & Rhetta - in front of Rock Ctr Anthro window - photo by Lucy

I think Lucy was just as happy to visit Anthropologie and Free People, despite

having the same stores down in Richmond. It's hard to understand, 

but they are terrific shops and it's fun when everything looks great on you :)

:::

The topic of stealing ideas came up in my MATS Bootcamp class this week, 

in our private Facebook group. Each month we receive an assignment and most

of us share sketches and initial ideas with each other for feedback and sometimes for

encouragement. It's a great group, but this is something to think about. I doubt anyone is intentionally, "stealing" concepts, but it opened up a conversation. 

I love renowned ad man, Paul Arden's book -

"It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be" great pieces of advice and philosophy.

and finally ... more Artwork by Allyn ...

and Lena

If you enjoy my work and have an interest in seeing sketches, progress shots and a variety 

of photos I take for inspiration and plain old fun, visit me on Instagram.

Have a great week!

xo, A

Sketches - scenes with animals - no surprise, I know

Hello there

I had a cold over the weekend :( but it kept me in to do a few more sketches for 

MATS Bootcamp class. Our "mini" assignment was to research and sketch 

scenes for plates. Apparently, our final piece will not be plate design.

This is basically, the warm-up, which is quite fun :)

I enjoy Lilla's approach, giving us specific parameters to work within, 

while encouraging a loose playful start.

I'm sticking, predominantly, with children's imagery.

Of course, Pinterest makes it easy to find anything you're drawn to drawing, so to speak!

These were fun to draw.

So far, I really like this guy.

I'm excited to learn what the actual assignment will be.

Wish me luck.

Have a good week!

xo, A

MATS Bootcamp Gallery January 2015 is Up!

A follow up to Saturday's post - MATS Bootcamp gallery

view Edwardian inspired journal designs 

Above are just a handful of my favorites - I'm on page 5

Top: Julie Wilson, Katie Wilson, Melissa Iwai,

Middle: Rebecca Silus, *Allyn Howard, Julie Cossette,

Bottom: Andrea Muller, Erin Balzer, Gabriela Larios

Take a look at close to 500 pieces of art :)

Don't worry, it's quick & simple to scroll through!

:: Enjoy the rest of your week ::

xo, A

new & noteworthy

Happy Saturday! 

It snowed here in NYC last night :)

I spent time finishing up my journal cover for Lilla Rogers Bootcamp 2015

I got a late start on sketching, but I really enjoyed this one.

Our mini assignment was to sketch Edwardian brooches.

I got a little off track when I spotted a baby bear and tree on Pinterest, 

while looking at images.

For those of you who don't know, Lilla is a licensing agent who has paired up with

Beth Kempton, Do What You Love, in the UK to offer online classes 

that help hone your skills and gain a better understanding of the business.

I took her intensive 5 week class, Make Art That Sells 3A last spring. 

I learned a lot and gained more confidence.

Melissa Iwai convinced me that Bootcamp was just as helpful, with deadlines

end of each month rather than weekly, encompassing 5 months and for less $

The only drawback is that you don't have a chance to have your work reviewed 

by Lilla, herself, but finished pieces are displayed in the Bootcamp Galleries. 

You can view last year's projects here.

Our final assignment was to create a journal cover. You could incorporate your sketches

and reference in any way you like. I'm not the only artist who chose to frame animals

and I almost resisted the urge, but I take do what you love pretty seriously! 

It's funny, because I often sketch frames and animals in frames, "hanging" salon style.

Some of mine took on more of a Mexican folk look, with the bright color and flowers, 

but I'm happy with the mix. Lilla stresses to make what you would buy for yourself.

So I try! and hope that others share my taste in art and products :)

:::

Thanks for stopping by!

Lena is taking a snow day ... Zzzzzz

xo, A

Cheers 2015 - Come on in!

:: HAPPY NEW YEAR ::

Here is a little party in Venice, Italy for you! 

I worked on this today and spent some time on a story about a dog gondolier 

(many of you know that character, Gustavo)

I must finish a new book dummy this month,

or Kristine Lombardi will be mad, sad & disappointed in me. 

I can't have that on my conscience in 2015 ;)

Thought I'd share some of the steps to the finished piece.

I often like the 2nd to last step most, bc of the loose quality and the charm that

sometimes gets lost by the time you do the finishing touches.

It's something to think about and it's understandable that many illustrators

work in layers in photoshop, keeping options open.

And, the initial sketch in charcoal.

:::

I rarely have resolutions for the New Year. 

Today, I'd just like to express my gratitude -

Cheers to my good friends - who are there, in good times and bad.

It seems we've all had some ups & downs in 2014 

but having supportive, fun, interesting people in your life makes 

all the difference.

I'm happy to be part of a union that takes good care of us, 

United Scenic Artists Local 829

and the neat people with whom I work who make even the most 

difficult of jobs, mostly commercials, enjoyable.

I feel lucky to live in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, 

a neighborhood I still love, after many years here. 

I'll be looking at other options in 2015 since everyone, 

understandably, loves this area $$ ;)

I know, change can be good.

I'm happy to have finally given CKO Boxing a try.

Rosa Martinez is to thank for that! 

So far, I love it and I had become very bored with other 

workout routines, thus doing less and less until recently.

Great teachers, fun music, fast pace and kicks your butt!

I'm glad to have met such neat people through continuing ed classes at SVA

and groups like CBIG and SCBWI (which, I need to rejoin!)

You know who you are - especially happy to have become friends

with Kristine L. (old news ;) Yuko Katakawa and Melissa Iwai

Finally, I'm incredibly grateful for my parents.

I'm their only child and I'm close to both of them.

We're far from being a perfect family, but I've always felt loved.

My mom and I have been blessed with a particularly remarkable relationship. 

 It's been a painful few years because of her

illness, a relentless depression that breaks my heart.

It's been difficult for my dad to take care of her and

it's mystifying to watch someone who once exuded such great 

spirit, fall so hard to an illness that completely alters who you are.

I guess I'm ending on a sad note, I didn't mean to, I promise.

I do sometimes see glimmers of hope and catch a glimpse 

of the "old mom", the "real person" in there.

I guess I consider how lucky I've been. 

I just feel great sadness now

because my mom was always the most wonderful, 

loving, generous and funny person, friend and mother. 

It's hard to imagine what the future will bring. I know we all have our struggles.

I truly hope that all of us experience more joy, love, meaningful exchanges

and goofy ones, too

Plus, many big bright spots to feel grateful for next year.

Have a lovely New Year!

Now, do your thing.

Really, do it. Now :)

xo, A

Can I share my lunch with you?

Happy Friday! Hello fall. 

It's been blissfully mild so far and the trees look beautiful with their multi colored leaves.

I hope it remains a friendly season :)

:::

Here's a gift for you 

It's true, the holidays are around the corner. 

I'll add some Christmas & holiday cards to my Etsy shop next week, 

but for the next few days (thru Sun Nov 9th) 

Receive $5 OFF ALL of my products in my Society6 Shop, pillows, bags, art prints, 

everything ... plus Free Delivery. Just click - AllynHoward to grab your deal

* This is a small sampling of what's in my shop *

It's probably obvious that much of my work is inspired by springtime, 

the colors, flowers blossoming, birds singing 

... that kind of thing. 

However, I do love fall and even wintertime (sometimes). 

New York City is especially magical during the holiday season.

 I'm happy, just as long as I have on enough layers to stay warm.

bags

mugs, rather mug (double sided- see who's on the other side)

clocks

art prints 

cards and more, yes more :)

Thanks for stopping by!

I really appreciate you guys visiting Blipadee to read my posts 

and those of you who just take a peek to see what I'm up to each week.

It means a lot to me. Enjoy your weekend.

xo, A