Blipadee, on the move ...

Blipadee has moved! 

From here on out, I'll be blogging directly on my website.

Under the Sea

Please come visit Blipadee and me in our new spot.  

Thanks!

xo, A

Spring Flowers, Paint, Patterns & People

So far, May has been a lovely sunny month!

I try to eat out and outside as much as possible. In my neighborhood, I tend to 

alternate between two very different Italian places, Frankie's and Enoteca :)

What does this have to do with painting? not much.

But, springtime is the best time for painting! I love the light and being able to 

open windows for that semi fresh city air.

This is Fiona, I think it's obvious she loves flowers.

I painted this last spring after returning from a few days in California. 

It was just a color sketch for a MATS project that I didn't end up using. 

I really like the light, loose and airy quality.

hi 

If you visit my blog, you've probably seen these pieces. 

Sometimes I just enjoy adjusting color and looking at details.

I consider this Cherry Blossom tree to be my own personal tree. 

It stands outside my living room window and I really enjoy seeing it spring to life 

year after year (we've both been here a long time!)

Speaking of a long time, Court Express has been across the street from me since '94.

Some of the drivers come and go, but I've known several of them for over a decade. 

I mostly use the subway to get around, but it's nice to have these guys around!

I was very happy to run into Jon and his son with their new dog, Dixie last week. 

I remember how exciting it feels to get your 1st dog as a kid! Magic.

I haven't eaten at La Slowteria in quite some time, but it's good. 

Love their barrel of tulips and cute blue sign :)

Happy Friday! 

:: Enjoy your weekend ::

xo, A

Sunday Post

It's another Sunday post!

Here's a little snapshot of my week. Hope you find something you like.

::

This painting, above, is a vibrant multi-colored version of the piece I made below, last spring.

I painted over it, on a layer of acetate, basically giving me two for one.

Sometimes using an old school process that pre-dates photoshop, is fun. 

Kristine Lombardi recently saw it in my apt and exclaimed (without my prompting) "I Love It"!

It's great to have a friend who freely shares her enthusiasm when she likes something.

My Doggie bag, on the sidewalk holding extra vinyl for touch ups on Monday's job.

I like the two oranges together :)

Meanwhile, Lisa Congdon's Art, Inc waits for me on my work table. 

::

Lisa is teaching a FREE class online this Tues 30th & Wed 1st

through Creative Live 

**Plus, she'll be including samples of my friend, 

Melissa Iwai's work in her section on branding. 

Prop man, Bentley checks out the shiny British Taxi, one of several picture cars for a commercial.

The prop guys asked it's owner to take our photo with it, he kindly obliged. I like this BW version.

and a few us couldn't resist a selfie 

and one of us did his best Miley Cyrus impression ;)

AdWeek wrote a piece about a Motorola commercial that I worked on in August.

Bryon Finn charged it and put in the longest hours (from our crew, at least) 

It was shot at Grumman Studios on Long Island. 

See How Droga5 Actually Made the Insanely Intricate Sets for Moto's

New Ads Four spots share one truly elaborate sound stage by David Griner

Scenic painters (like myself), prop and carpentry departments execute the 

agency's vision, as well as that of the director. 

We work directly with the production designer to accomplish this. 

Clem Price-Thomas, whom we work with often, designed this set of ads.

You won't find us in the credits, for we are the unsung heroes ;)

::

My shots don't do justice to the overall look and scale of these ads,

 but if you watch the videos, you'll recognize these two sets and this 

sweet beagle in one of the spots.

Gold leafing

almost finished sets

just getting started (again & again on this one)

View of set up and ready to shoot w/ monitor

They're pretty cool spots! See the "behind the scenes" and videos here

This is Samson, a 9 month old Bull Mastiff and Zeus, a 10 year old mixed breed.

I met them walking back to Broadway Stages in Greenpoint, Brooklyn this week.

Needless to say, they are a perfect pair!

In other news, I was happy to learn that my illustration, Big Bun, Little Bun

was voted as one of 4 images to make it on the cover of the B&W 

CBIG directory this fall. It will share space with my friend, Yuko Katakawa

and fellow illustrators, Patricia Keeler and Barbara Dilorenzo :)

Thursday night's rainbow, as seen from a little corner of my neighborhood. 

I know that pot of gold is out there somewhere ;)

Have a great week!

xo, A

It's National Dog Day!

Who knew? 

Apparently, August 26th is National Dog Day! 

Yay

Above, I pose with Bruiser, the nicest dog in the world,

besides Ricky, who was the sweetest dog in the world :D

Don't worry, no injuries were incurred during our photo shoot.

Snorkle Dog - detail from one of my toy store door paintings 

I'm taking this opportunity to remember the 4 dogs I loved most in my life 

and to shamelessly promote my own dog art. 

Looking over my dog illustrations, I've come to realize that I'm influenced by iconic characters 

like Snoopy, Scrappy Doo and Weebles (they wobble, but they don't fall down)

* Hooray for Today *

Dogs read, when they have the chance. They rarely get a chance however.

Dogs, mostly

I'd like a nutty buddy, please...

Dudley Scooter Dog, zips round the boroughs looking for adventure and fun!

Dancin' dogs and One bun entertain the whole train, except for one very sleepy fox.

Petey meets Sal

Animals love to dance, but dogs really love it most, practicing about 75% more 

of the time than any other animal. That's true.

Dogs dream of flight and space travel. That's just another little known fact I've uncovered ;)

Dogs love birthday parties, but should never ever eat chocolate. They think they can eat chocolate

and they will try to eat chocolate, but dogs must never have chocolate. That is very sad, but true (really true!)

This pup loves his gondola. Really, it belongs to his dad, 

but he knows he will one day

steer one, too!

Melissa Z in her Top Dog tee :)

I have Top Dog tees for sale in my Etsy Shop, Blip Blop. Take a look

or contact me for sizes.

I painted this portrait of Sugi Pug Wonder for my friend, Leslie's birthday one year.

The real Sugi is even cuter, if you can believe that :))

These went off to Arizona Pug Rescue for a fund raising event last year. 

I have a couple of 'Brooklyn Pug' onesies available in my Etsy shop and you can 

purchase a print from my Society 6 shop.

Lyle, he's a little lost and lonely, but things will look up soon. I promise.

This is my 1st dog, Ricky. 

When the Clements family dog, Ginger had puppies, I went over early 

each morning to sit and watch over them. Granted, the family was also my 'baby sitter' 

when my parents went to work. Still, I was enamored with these puppies.

We chose Ricky, named after my childhood friend, to be our dog.

I loved her more than anything in the world. 

This is Ilsa and Bruiser. 

Ilsa, on the right, was a beauty but she was mischievous. 

She loved chewing on anything and everything she could get her teeth on! 

Ilsa and Ricky were often punished together, which upset me greatly :(

We got Bruiser after poor Ricky was hit by a car. She was only about 4 years old. 

I was heartbroken.

Bruiser was as lovely a pet as Ricky, but I still feel terribly sad thinking about little Ricky.

Above, Bruiser and Ilsa meet Jake for the 1st time. 

I found Jake in college and brought him with me whenever I came home, 

which was often since my parents lived only about 20 minutes from VCU campus. 

Love blossoms on Gustavo's gondola

This is one of my favorite paintings. You might even be sick of seeing it by now.

If so, I am sorry.

My dream is to return to Venice to research my little story, 

but for now, I must rely on the wonderful wild web.

Westie at Sea

Another detail from one of my toy store door paintings for If I Were A Toy Brooklyn.

Have a great week and remember to

Celebrate and Love Dogs, today and every day!!

xo, A