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

Brooklyn Heights Promenade

Brooklyn Heights is one of my favorite neighborhoods in New York. It's located near the Brooklyn Bridge and surrounds the beautiful Promenade which hangs above the waterfront and two-tiered Brooklyn Queens Expressway. The walkway is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. I took a long walk through the area yesterday snapping photos as reference for my drawings (or so I told myself ;)

Above is one of the many entrances to the Promenade from various quaint, tree-lined side streets. There is a playground located at the base of Montague, the main street and busiest, lined with shops and restaurants.

This "Heritage of New York" plaque was on one of the many historic buildings in the area. This was located on Willow Street, which is where Truman Capote wrote "In Cold Blood" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in his basement apartment. Brooklyn Heights was also home to such renowned writers as Walt Whitman and Norman Mailer, who was lucky enough to have a home right on the Promenade.

Always loved this corner building above!

Browning Frames & Prints at 37a Cranberry St. specializes in custom archival framing and prints. Frames are handmade by local craftsmen. Such a charming facade!

I took this picture because of the little plaque that reads circa 1820. Sometimes referred to as "America's 1st Suburb", Brooklyn grew by leaps and bounds in the 1800s. It attracted many wealthy investors and in 1814 Robert Fulton began operation of his steamboat from Brooklyn to Manhattan. If you are interested in reading more about the history, visit this South Brooklyn website. Brooklyn became a city in 1833.

This yellow house is one of my very favorites. It's just perfect to me :)

This is the side entrance to the Hotel St. George on the corner of Henry and Clark St. It was once a grand hotel, the largest in NYC and now provides residence for students. Part of "The Godfather" was filmed here! The NY Times wrote an interesting piece, "The Hard Life of a Brooklyn Heights Grande Dame" a few years ago. John Manbeck wrote a terrific story for the Brooklyn Eagle about it's salt water pool which is now part of Eastern Athletic Club. A small portion was saved, as a fresh water (chlorinated) pool.

Some of my favorite street names are located in the Heights-- above is Pineapple Street, below is Orange Street :D Cranberry, Love Lane are others...

Here is the city view from another entrance to the Promenade. It extends from Remsen St. to Orange along the East River.

Staten Island Ferry above :)

New Park Construction began in 2007. This park will extend from the one under the Manhattan Bridge and Brooklyn Bridge in the neighborhood of Dumbo. *Piers 1 through 6 will be replaced by floating pathways, fishing piers, beaches, playgrounds and restored habitats (*SouthBrooklyn.net)

Here are some of the trees to be planted.

Across the way is South Street Seaport.

Below are the fabulous homes that line the Promenade.

I rarely walk past a Vespa without taking a photo of it... Orange You Cute!

This is a small part of a huge apartment complex along Joraleman St leading into Heights area.

There are quite a few old homes built in the 1800s that have been well maintained and often cramped between newer architecture. This one looks so sweet and really stands out despite it's small stature.

There are lots of converted carriage houses in and around Brooklyn & NYC.

Like this grand window & doorway!

You'll also see lots of homes with wood slat (slatted?) facades. I'm particularly drawn to these, I think because they look like they could be out on the countryside.

The Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA), founded in 1910, is focused on maintaining the quality of life and neighborhood character of this historic part of Brooklyn.

Of course, I love Carroll Gardens, but I am so glad I can walk here for extra research ;)