A List - Halloween, Fabric, Art, Red Hook, some People & a Dog

Halloween Party

I painted these animals for If I Were A Toy store last year.

I had a great run painting their glass door with a seasonal, often monthly theme for 

about 3 years, before they closed up shop. This was one of my favorites.

and then there's  fabric, I received 2 of my samples from Spoonflower last week.

The printing is pretty good. I'll probably play around with the repeat more. 

I simply chose "mirror" option on the site. 

Margot Kingon has offered to sew a few small purses for me :) 

I'm not sure how much I want to get involved in manufacturing products, but it's 

nice to place some pieces in shops or sell online and see how they do.

I currently sell bags, pillows, prints in my Society 6 Shop, but as other artists know,

the profit margin is quite low. You can place your products and art on the market quickly, 

with ease and get high quality printing, it's just not the most efficient way to make money.

and then there's  Artist House Party Presents

Christopher Joy, of Gorky's Granddaughter, has opened up a gallery on the UES

 The Opening for Diagonal Triangle was Oct 19th and includes my friend 

and fellow scenic, Bryon Finn (with his work below)

As you can see, I failed to take good, or even mediocre, shots of the artwork.

Just visit the site to view paintings by other artists in the show-

 Elana Herzog, Julian Kreimer, Sangram Majumdar & Sarah Walker

or better yet, go see it in person!

It's up for another 2 weeks, the Closing Reception Nov 12th, 2014

*Check out 5 Questions with Bryon Finn on Angela Fraleigh's blog this week- it's fun and insightful!

and then there's  my neighborhood...

I ran into neighbor, Gabriel as he was visiting with one of my favorite dogs in Carroll Gardens. 

This is such a lovable happy pup! These people are very nice, too ;)

and then there's  Graham Willoughby

I've known him forever and he remains one of my favorite people.

On this day, I admired the way he carried laundry on his head, so he could

carry his daughters' small jack-o-lanterns home in hand.

and then there's  Red Hook

I worked on a small job in a prop guy's studio down on Van Dyke Street last week.

This area is just great. 

I lived on Van Brunt Street back in 1991.

My roommate and I had a terrific space and each had our own studio, but the neighborhood is

very different today. Besides, the charming shops and restaurants along cobble stone streets, 

there are the buildings down on the water, like Pier 41. 

I could smell the salt air, hear seagulls and ducks as I painted set pieces and props.

Plus, it was a quick walk to Fairway to enjoy lunch outside.

I somehow missed this Fire Boat last Friday Night, but production assistant,

Ron Pritchard, captured it. Apparently, a fireman had just been married and this 

was part of the celebration.

and then there's  Halloween. I sure loved it as a kid!

I no longer dress up (tho I will if asked ;) Here is one of my 1st -

#tbt

Happy Halloween!

xo, A

Bear's 1st Halloween

as a CAT!

* Happy Halloween *

Hurricane Halloween & an Art Competition

Taco Cat disguised as Vampire with Bat-Bird

The Annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade has been postponed due to

damage from Hurricane Sandy. 

Despite trees falling on certain side streets, my immediate area in 

Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn was very fortunate. 

I only experienced a brief loss of power and some fears as the Gowanus Canal 

flooded parts of Smith Street behind me Monday night. 

It was a devastating storm for many in this area and my heart goes out to them. 

It will take a long time for certain subway stations and trains

to be repaired and parts of downtown Manhattan may be without 

electricity for another week.

*photo - Gothamist

This article in Gothamist outlines some of the major concerns for lower Manhattan.

Below, the Fairway in Red Hook with a message from Occupy Sandy Relief NYC

*photo - Occupy Sandy Relief NYC

*This food cannot be brought into the kitchen at Red Hook Initiative due to their status as a 501c3. 

Please alert: "food not bombs" or make at home distribute DIY style* 

Fairway 480-509 Van Brunt street

                                             CBS News just reported that in Hoboken, 

                               half of the area is still flooded with sewage while live wires 

                                                               dangle in the water.

                        Of course, many areas in New Jersey have suffered great devastation.

                          Sadly, over 100 homes in Breezy Point, Queens were destroyed.

                     This just touches on the aftermath here in the North East, not to mention 

                 other parts of the world. The BBC reported that Haiti fears a food shortage 

                        due to extensive crop damage. How much more can they take?

                                                                              

I sure hope we start to discuss Climate Change in a more serious manner in the months and years to come.

                                                                      

Kids in NJ will not be Trick or Treating tonight, but they will have the chance to enjoy their costumes and candy next week!

                I made this drawing last year and reworked it a tiny bit to share for the holiday.

Animal Parade

Ironically, because of the shutdown of the subway system and lack of electricity on

job sites, I  was afforded time to finish "Rush Hour" from my Subway series. 

I just submitted these 3 images for the Society of Illustrators Show 2013.

I know it's a long shot, but I felt very excited after uploading them to Society of Illustrators 

The deadline for Illustrators 55 Exhibition is tomorrow, Nov. 1st 

:: You never know :: is a motto I live by.

Cheers from Leslie, Rosalita & moi! Halloween 2007

I think this is the last time I dressed up. We went to a party at

Le Petit Cafe. I was some kind of Cher/Cleopatra hybrid,

Zexter (Rosalita) was a witch and Leslie was a MTA

construction worker. She did work for MTA at the time.

Have a Fun and Safe Halloween!!

xo, A

Taco Loves Halloween!

Have a safe and fun-filled Halloween weekend!

 Taco is in disguise as a black cat while bird friend dressed up as a bat.

So Scary!

Hello October!

Trick or Treat Brooklyn

I painted my Halloween themed door for If I Were A Toy store yesterday. It's definitely one of my favorites.  I love seeing my friends' kids and those from the neighborhood walking Carroll Gardens for treats. 

There are plenty of fun parades, too :) The Brooklyn Eagle and BococaLand do a nice job of listing them each year.

and Don't forget the annual Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume parade! Presented by Perfect Paws, it runs along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

This was my original sketch-

Below, was my September door. I made the somewhat obvious choice of a Back to School theme. Here, the bunny races to catch his bus!

Bunny Chase Bus

Summer sure raced by, but I'm enjoying the cooler weather. 
Thanks for stopping by :) Happy October! -A

Happy Halloween

It was pretty exciting here in Carroll Gardens!  

 

Above, Snooki makes her way down Court Street ;)

Thought the Candy Exchange "Leave a Yucky, Take a Yummy" was a great idea!!

                                          This dog was dressed as a crab :)  

                         Below is Ewing, a super sweet dog with a very large head!!

                                                                      
                                                                      Well, Hello there :)

 Joanna and Virginia of  If I Were A Toy gave out candy and posed for cameras in front of their shop.

Odille celebrated her 5th birthday today at The Painted Pot on Smith Street. Kids can choose from a selection of ceramic animals, piggy banks & dishware paint. Pieces are then taken to the kiln and parents are contacted when it's time to pick them up :) It's a great place for a party!

Freddie celebrated his 6th birthday on Saturday! Above, disguised as The Unknown, think I see some giggling beneath his mask ;)

                                             The Unknown with his dad, Mike :D

                                                                              

.

Scotto Funeral Home... yikes! Below, Court Street Grocers has opened up one side and it's looking good so far :) See photos and read updates on their facebook page          

Lena stayed home... Zzzzzzzzzzzzz...

 

 Thanks for stopping by! Check back next week for my profile of Palo Cortado, Court Street's fab new Tapas Bar :D

xo,A