Back to School in Brooklyn

Weeeeeeeeeee! 

"I'm King of the World!"

These guys are on their way back to PS58 here in Carroll Gardens.

You're probably surprised by how many animals attend school,

but that's Brooklyn for you ;)

Oops, there goes lunch. Good thing it's all wrapped up,

most of it at least.

:: Full Painting ::

You looking at me?

Pizza Louie and Betty Cinna-bun wave good-bye and wish them luck!

"I hope it's not too hard."

:::

This is my seasonal painting on the front door of

If I Were A Toy store, on the corner of Court and Carroll Street.

I hope the kids have a terrific start back, this week for some

and next week in my neighborhood.

:::

Hope you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend!

Thanks for stopping by.

xo, A

Court Street Carolers

Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year are creeping up quickly.

This Holiday Season, I decided to paint Carolers on IF I Were A Toy store's door.

While the Carolers Carol and animals play, bad bunnies steal Snowman noses 

from all over town!

*detail view : See full Rush Hour illustration Here

In case you've been following...

These guys did not make it into Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition.

Sal skunk has to break the news.

I entered 3 of my Subway Series illustrations. 

My expectations were not exceptionally high. Still, it's disappointing 

to see the official rejection, as polite and professional as it was.

Oh well, it's cocktail hour ~ Cheers!

xo, A

Hello Sunshine!

Here's my June door painting for If I Were A Toy store, Fun at Sea! It includes some usuals like Yoga Bun and Bitty, the owners' tiny dog, who is actually much smaller than this painted version. I enjoy painting on the smooth surface of glass and it's cool to see how the other side looks when you're done.

Snorkel Dog loves turtles and clown fish!

I've added Maraca Mouse and Yoga Bun onesies to my shop on Cafepress and I hope to have some small runs printed to sell on my site soon.

 Yoga Bun prints can be purchased from my website, AllynHoward.com :')

((5x7 image with 8x10 cream mat))

The opening reception for my friend, Melissa Zexter's work was last weekend at Carrie Haddad Photographs in Hudson, NY. It was great to see her pieces displayed in the front gallery. I had a terrific time meeting new people, dining on Mexican twice in one night and roasting marshmallows for breakfast the next day :) 

The gallery is located on charming Warren Street. Here, the artist poses with her work.

Odille is following in her mom's footsteps, taking more pictures than any of us. This dog made quite an impression on her.

I should have taken some photos earlier when the gallery was abuzz with activity. I took mine as most of us were winding down, though Mirabelle was just getting revved up ;) 
Below, Zexter poses with her kids and Anne McInnis next to a piece with their mutual friend, Alice as the model. Anne owns a wonderful shop called 12 specializing in modern antiquities at 345 Warren Street. We enjoyed a little more wine and chatted in her shop after the show. She's one of those people you feel like you've known for years. Her store also carries some beautiful gold jewelry designed by Rosanne Pugliese :)

Leslie's friend from college, Peter Aaron currently lives around the corner from the gallery. Here he poses with her and Zex outside. Peter is the music editor for Hudson Valley's Chronogram Magazine and was in the band The Chrome Cranks :D

Lance had to get down to business at their place in Tannersville. Sawing down ferns is a man's job ;D
Melissa's show will be up until July 3rd. 
Have a lovely Sunday!  ~A

Lucky Days

A great perk from writing a blog has been meeting some wonderful people and business owners in my neighborhood. Last week I did a project for one of the stores I've profiled here. Joanna from If I Were a Toy called me about adding some characters to her new kids' hair cutting room.

In addition, I was asked to paint a seasonal scene each month on their lower door window. Above, a mouse finds a pot of gold :)
Below, a bit more about the process... Joanna wanted Big Bird & Elmo over her mirror for kids to recognize and feel comfortable with while getting a hair trim. She also chose particular images from my portfolio and I later emailed her sketches.

This kite bunny didn't make the cut, but Space Mouse, in his bright colorful rocket did and right in the doorway!


I had recently painted a smaller version of Space Mouse on wood that she liked and this one is very close to that original.

Here, you can see Big Bird & Elmo, plus a cookie eating dino. He was scratched after Joanna's partner, Virginia saw another mural I'd painted with a bunny flying an airplane. Their name waving behind it seemed perfect for over the door in here.


Here I painted a raccoon rascal playing in the trash. Originally we considered Oscar the Grouch, but opted for one of my characters instead. The full scene works well framed by the table and helps disguise some of the scuff marks that end up on the wall here. By the way, the bunny in back is collecting the trash, so as not to promote litter ;)


Above, a darling little girl has her long hair trimmed by Joanne. *She is currently there on Saturdays only. Most kids, with shorter hair, sit on the booster seat and watch a few minutes from one of the many dvds available. That day, everyone seemed to pick Finding Nemo.


Another change made was to swap Space Mouse from back to front (and in rocket as you saw) a decision I was very happy to comply with :)

Virginia liked my Scooter Dog character, especially since he resembles her dog Bitty, so we placed him over 2nd mirror :D
They chose the hot air balloon for under that mirror, since it's easier for kids to see when they walk in. A polar bear and piggy were chosen to take the ride!



Hoping this guy makes it in somewhere in the future. Still plenty of nooks I saw that could use some extra animals playing ;)

It was fun to go in and meet Lori who runs Playtime Tues & Thurs mornings and Karen who heads up Jitterbugs music class on Fri & Mon mornings. They look like a lot of fun for little ones!

I also had the chance to meet Jill Kotulka, who designs and silkscreens these iconic brooklyn onesies. If I Were a Toy is the only retailer in Carroll Gardens who carries this particular design. Jill also offers more sizes & styles online at her shop Punkahontas on Supermarket :) Visit her site to see more design work, you will surely recognize much of it!

I'll be selling my Scooter Dog and Space Mouse Onesies for babies (size 6 mos) starting mid March. Please go in and buy one or two ;)





If you're in the area, stop in and take a look! Spring is here, for now at least, and they are right next to Carroll Park :D

*Starting Saturday March 27th, Margaret, formerly of LuLu's Cuts & Toys will be providing kids' haircuts and service* Visit their site for more info and call 718.222.2444 for an appointment :)

369 Court Street at Carroll Park * Click here for hours *

xo, Allyn