My Comrades, an Exhibition and Lovey Bunny!

Shane Ingersoll, me and Michael Nirenberg (Ajamu "red cap" Kojo)  -   photo by Anne Harmon

Just another day in the studio - working the barre with my fellow scenic painters

preparing for our dance debut.

It's not as easy as we make it look ;)

Anne Harmon took the stage at Reverend Ike's United Palace. 

We're still doing work on The Following, filming there for a day or two.

We didn't have too much to do inside, just a little additional plug to paint, 

masking out some signs, things like that. 

I've worked there before, it's simply stunning! I wish I had pictures of the lobby.

photo by Jessie Walker, stand-by camera scenic

Here is part of the crew I've been working with since January. 

Left to right is Shane Ingersoll, Anne Harmon (behind me), Ajamu Kojo (biting my head), 

Michael Nirenberg, Dieter Council and in front, our leader, Travis Child. 

Sadly, this photo is missing William Valentin and Tim Daly, 

who regularly work on Travis' jobs. 

This mansion upstate was quite beautiful, yet much of it is dilapidated and 

there were some safety hazards that came up as we worked. I'm glad I'm in a union, 

that's all I can say.

Thursday night was the opening of a children's book illustration show with my good

friend, Yuko Katakawa and a few other CBIG members. 

I'm so happy for her! 

The opening had to be rescheduled because of snow last week and 

it was a nice mild night this Thursday, thus a good turnout :)

She has about 15 pieces in the show and sold 4!!

photo by Nina Edwards

From left- Melissa Iwai, Yuko, Kristine Lombardi, me, Monica Wellington 

(our lovely teacher from SVA's Continuing Education dept, where I met Yuko a few years ago)

Ruth Chan (also in the show) and Nina Edwards' cute & funny daughter.

I like that they asked each artist this.

photo by Kristine Lombardi

Here, just a small sampling of Yuko's work on view. 

The exhibit is at The Interchurch Center, near Columbia, and it's a large space with lots of light.

It's up until March 31st. Take a look if you're up that way.

Ruth and Barbara are also terrific illustrators and part of CBIG

I loved this piece by Violet Paek, she had a few water tower pieces on display.

Daniel Kirk listens intently as Kristine reads - photo by Melissa Iwai

Onto Kristine Lombardi's Big Event at Books of Wonder last Sunday.

Lovey Bunny made her debut March 3rd and Kristine was part of a panel reading. 

 This has been her dream for so many years. I felt terrible that I couldn't be there. 

I rarely have to work on Sundays, but I was working on a commercial that day.

Luckily, friends shared photos and I got to see video of her reading.

I knew she'd be great and she was! Kristine is super charming and funny.

I could not be happier that this is happening for her. 

She's a great friend and one of the hardest workers I know. 

Below, you can see where she'll be next.

I'm thrilled she'll be doing a signing at my local bookstore, 

Book Court on April 4th! I'll keep you updated.

:: Lovey at home ::

photo by Ajamu Kojo

Just giving a little more direction to performers, tying up loose ends...

It's almost there ;)

Have a swell weekend!

xo, A

August, you're pretty

"Do what we can, summer will have it's flies." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

:::

On the East Coast, August has been surprisingly dreamy with it's sunny skies and mild temperatures. 

I created these promotional pieces for the CBIG (Children's Book Illustration Group)

digital directory. It's the 1st step in preparing for fall and making another go of it

in the worlds of publishing and art licensing.

The "flies" in my summer tend to be work related, not the cute animals and scenes I choose to

paint, but the interruptions to that, let's just call - my job ;)

:::

These photos were taken at Grumman Studios on LI, where the 

Apollo Lunar Modules were created. Grumman is currently referred to as 

"Hollywood of the East". Fortunately, I never heard anyone actually call it that. 

We were there to work on a pretty ambitious and creative commercial. 

Our work doesn't compare to putting a man on the moon, but it pays the bills. 

I can share the commercial, once it comes out.

I mostly took pictures of the building, my friends and the floor. 

Below, dusty shoe prints on rubber mat covering cables.

A clever production assistant put a hammock up in his cube truck once it was empty. 

Above, scenic artist, Gennadi Barbush relaxes in it.

Scenics take a coffee break in the lot, while I rest in hammock :)

Hard to resist taking a pic of rust this good!

Damage the sun does to paint is often the most beautiful to me. Faded reds, pinks, blues ...

always get me.

Great shape and yellow, not sure how it functions, maybe for fire fighters?

We passed this building on the way home every night. I love it. 

Thought I took a pic with the lighted sign, but now I can't locate it.

Below, detail shots of two of my paintings that sit on either side of my bed, 

in my tiny bedroom. Sadly, they're a bit too large to hang in my apt.

I think they relate to the other photos, but I might just be tired.

Great skies to and from the job. My favorite part of the day - catching sight of New York City.

It will always excite me.

 hand-me-down, carpenter's union tee, don't have 829's, do we have one?

Fellow scenic, Michael Taranov took this photo of me "fighting the good fight".

:::

This particular job was quite a beast, in terms of hours, number of set

changes and variety of fumes inhaled. I want to end my post with a

big Thanks to Bryon Finn, who I work with a lot.

He handled everything with grace and as always,

worked his ass off. 

Ok, I have lunch, I mean work to do!

:

ps- if you like my photos, then follow me on Instagram

I share much more there :)

Have a great week!

xo, A

HAPPY 4th !!

* It's Independence Day *

Animals bbq and enjoy the fireworks from a Brooklyn rooftop

- a painting I did last summer for If I Were A Toy store

:::

"During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4."

:::

Revisions - a mere 2 days to make. wow.

Enjoy your day & stay safe! 

xo, A

Springtime in the West Village & the Cutest Corgi

* Let's Celebrate *

Boogie Woogie is my latest promotional postcard.

Each mailing stirs up my hopes of capturing the attention of an 

agent, art director, editor or manufacturer/art licencee.

It's not unlike the feeling I get

playing lotto. I have to believe I have a better shot at

publishing a picture book than winning millions, 

but I will take either ;)

Springtime in the West Village

Here are just a few pictures I took on W10th Street this week.

This area remains my favorite neighborhood in Manhattan.

I met this Corgi on Court Street, here in my neighborhood. 

I think he is one of the cutest ever!

xo, A