Change - good and bad

If I Were a Toy store has closed.

This is a picture of me last June after I painted their door for the summer season.

I will miss painting this door. I've been doing it, almost monthly, for close to 4 years.

This was my 1st little sketch for the St Patrick's door. 

I'm always looking for that pot of gold :)

Here's a link- Lucky Days, to that door & post from March 2010 

It includes some of the murals 

I had painted inside the shop and hair cutting space.

I also sold a few baby tees there

like Space Mouse

and the ever popular, Scooter Dog.

I'm happy for Joanna and Virginia, the owners of the shop,

as they pursue other avenues and dreams.

I know it's silly to get sentimental, but I'll miss chatting 

with them as I painted and talking to some of the 

kids who were curious. They usually came in for the 

gum balls or to get coins for the rides outside,

but many showed real interest and shared their opinions.

It lead to some fun custom work for me and I guess I

just liked knowing it was there, little friends at the entrance.

I painted my last door in February this year, Valentines, of course :)

My friend, Melissa Zexter took this photo of me painting the 1st Valentine's 

day door. She's also taken quite a few of Mirabelle and Odille after

picking them up from school. This holiday door is from Dec 2011.

Below, a rather large mouse posed with pirate bear last summer.

I think my best ones might be the Halloween doors, which is

odd since I'm not a big fan of halloween, though I do love candy.

This one pays homage to "Where the Wild Things Are", in costume, at least.

Below, was a continuation of the previous year's door.

The kids enter a haunted house.

This year's 2013 was a favorite of mine. I would go to this party ;)

Venice Valentine from 2012 is another favorite and lead to a series of

illustrations for a children's book idea.

Finally, I really like these funky NYC buildings and the fireworks.

If you'd like to see more of my faves, I have a Pinterest board

with a bunch titled - My Glass Paintings

You can also see more and additional custom work on 

my site here

! knock yourself out !

Alas, I knew the day was near, when George's store would 

officially close :(

This was my landlord's shop. George passed away in 2010.

I painted this sign when he and his wife moved the shop to a less

populated area of Court Street.

I'm not known for my sign painting, but I was happy

to hear that more than a few people wanted it.

I just didn't want it to go in the trash.

I'm happy that it is safe and sound with the fabulous guys

at Court Street Grocers.

I think Eric and Matt might be as sentimental as I am.

:::

I still miss George.

:::

As always, thanks for taking a look.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

xo, A

My Year of Painting One Door

St. Patrick's Day is on the way and here is my latest door at If I Were A Toy to celebrate! This March marks one full year of painting the toy store's door each month. I decided to share them all with you here. After painting murals in the shop and adjoining kids' hair salon, Joanna came up with the idea to change the lower section each month to suit the season or holiday. They've become much easier to paint and a bit more complex since my first one last March 2010.

This month is Hip Hip Hooray We're Rich Irish Animals! 
It takes some time to feel natural painting on one side knowing it will be seen more often from the other. It always looks much smoother from the outside.

Above, painting the Valentine door, Skunk Luv Dance Party, my friend happened to walk by and take a couple photos. Kids often stop to watch and ask questions, which makes it more enjoyable for me. It's also fun to hear conversations in the shop, especially children explaining to parents or a nanny why they need a particular toy or activity/game :)

Holiday Paradise on Ice, this Christmas door was one of my favorites. I only recently started creating some distance and making the scenes more full. You may have noticed we skipped January, this was just too good for only one month ;D

Below, I like a lot, too. Thomasina blows outta Brooklyn. Gotta be tough for the poor turkeys when it dawns on them they won't be at the table, but on it!

The color looks warmer on the inside, below. Chase bank's bright sign on the street, often makes it's way into my photos.

At Halloween, I was still keeping them pretty simple.

September had to be a Back to School theme. This was the 1st time I tried to indicate space/background with some shelves, an easel and chalkboard.

I like the shot below because it leads into store with my Space Mouse painting :)

Celebrating Independence Day, Bear Family Enjoys Fireworks from their boat. I love these two blues together, think I could have gone more nuts with fireworks, but it's a sweet scene.

Below, was last year's Father's Day door. Dad rooster is impressed by the flying pig and his chicks are impressed by him! as is the other little piggie :)

Mother's Day door ~ these ducklings have a special gift and flowers for their mom!

Surprise! chickie pops out of fresh painted egg ~ Easter door :)

And finally, my first painted door ~ a Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow. It is very simple and a lone little mouse finds this big treasure.

I made a few sketches before I went to paint, but the one below is on a tiny piece of notebook paper and it holds a sentimental spot in my heart...

Happy Anniversary to Me! Happy Saint Patrick's Day to You!
Thanks for taking a look today :') -A