My MATS Bootcamp 2015

Magic Carpet Ride

This is my final submission for MATS Bootcamp online course, 

taught by art licensing agent, Lilla Rogers and produced by 

Beth Kempton of Do What You Love.

June's assignment : illustrate an article about digital nomads

Each month we receive an assignment. 1st we're given hints and reference for 

sketching and a week or so after, we receive the final assignment.

I really love having these deadlines, despite nearly missing this last one. 

I mistakenly thought we had another week. 

It's been a busy month.

I was proud I knocked out this piece on Sunday in time to submit. 

My work is more suited to a teen or kids' magazine than it is for Forbes where - 

Tips for Becoming a Successful Digital Nomad was printed.

Even so, I like it :)

Above - May's assignment : crustacean + pattern - plate designs

April's assignment : design a poster for The Global Art Gathering held in Brighton, UK

February's assignment : wall art on wood 

(we skipped March while the MATS B course ran)

These were some other paintings I made. You can view them larger on my website or here

and see sketches if you'd like - here

Our 1st assignment - January : create a journal cover (Edwardian brooch/jewel inspired)

You can view my sketches here

This was an extra little piece - A Manifesto for the class

I had another very good experience taking this course.

The Facebook private group is super for support and sharing opinions and resources.

Plus, the projects are fun and tailored to the current market.

I took Make Art That Sells part A (one week deadlines) 

in spring of 2014. I've signed up for Lilla's Global Talent Search

that begins in August. I'll keep you updated on that one! 

Thanks for taking a look!

Hope you have AC, I finally turned mine on.

xo, A

La Mia Casa

Today I share with you, my humble abode - my live and work space in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

Above, is where I work on my computer and store most of my paintings and paper products.

My living room, where I store my giant cat.

Yes, Lena has been overeating. I'm under there, somewhere.

That is a Stereo/CD player and I still use it!

My kitchen/studio is one of my favorite spaces. 

It gets plenty of sunshine, which makes me quite happy.

Progress Pic Alert -

Gustavo Dog Gondolier and his pal, Mick in Venice, Italy.

Below, is the 2nd version of a crustacean inspired, crabby plate design I made for 

last month's MATS bootcamp. You can see the ones I submitted in the gallery.

I like the top version, particularly as a possible fabric pattern. I think I'll start creating more 

multiples, a minimal version along with the more colorful painterly versions, I typically make.

And oh yea, there are still a few of these flower pouches left in my etsy shop - Blip Blop Shop

I've added some new work to my website and rearranged a few things.

Feel free to take a look. I welcome your feedback.

Thanks for stopping by! I always appreciate it.

Lena, looking a little less bloated ;)

Enjoy the rest of your week!

xo, A

Hi there! Crabs, seashells and flowers for you :)

I recently ran into a friend on the street wearing mustard colored pants.

I came home and immediately made some paintings with it as a background. Above, is my favorite.

The assignment this month for Lilla Rogers' MATS Bootcamp was to create 

1-3 plate designs : crustaceans + pattern

The blue crab, above, probably got a bit too painterly for a plate, 

but I cleaned it up some for the final submission, which is at the bottom of post.

Meanwhile, I keep painting flowers. I think once I learned that florals tend to stay in style, 

as far as licensing and art goes, that I've given myself free rein to keep going.

Below, my set of summer plates. Click here if you'd like to see the class gallery.

June is the last month for bootcamp. 

I look forward to finding out what our final project will be next week. 

I recommend the class for anyone who wants

deadlines and a supportive group of artists with whom you can

 share opinions, resources and encouragement, if and when you need it. 

If you'd like to view any of the class galleries, showcasing assignments from

previous classes 2014 - 2015 - Click Here :)

And finally, Thank You Chris Dunbar of Konduit Set Makers, LI City

for giving (and cutting) some nice squares of birch plywood for me.

I should have taken more!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

xo, A

Magical May, I love you!

I've been painting more flowers. It is spring, after all!

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Bee to the blossom, moth to the flame; Each to his passion; what's in a name?" - Helen Hunt Jackson

"I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, 

and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen." - Anne Lamott

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful

than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." - Tom Stoppard

"You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming." - Pablo Neruda

Have a great week! 

xo, A

Picture that!

Gustavo gondolier and his pal, Mick.

The past few months have been busy for me, painting sets on a TV show

and finishing up March on a big La-Z-Boy commercial. 

and YES, their spokesperson, Brook Shields 

still looks gorgeous!

vintage doll head, part of set decoration - The Following

This was a nice quiet weekend. I caught up on some of my own work,

tidied up my apt and got back to a CKO class. 

I did get out and enjoy the sunshine a little, too :)

I'm so happy spring is here (is that too hopeful?) The temps look

like they will stay on the mild side. I really hope so. 

This was a tough winter, although some say it was no worse than last year. 

Somehow it just seemed to go on & on & on.

Last Easter weekend, Kristine was here reading Lovey Bunny at Book Court.  

It was the 1st time I've heard Lovey read aloud :)

I have no idea why there was such a large podium 

with decorative fabric for a reading to mostly children.

For a minute I thought she was about to give a commencement speech.

Afterwards, a few of us went for lunch and did some browsing at Yesterday's News down near me.

I almost bought these little cats! but sometimes a picture is enough. I guess.

Yuko liked this Holland sign. It's pretty great, walks a thin line between cute and creepy ;D

Love this car.

I always enjoy eating at Frankies, especially with Kristine, Yuko & Melissa Zexter 

who met us later, thus taking the place of Melissa Iwai who had to go home.

 As I always say, there must be at least one Melissa in the group ;) 

Thom left us for another dinner date. 

Unfortunately, no Tom, Dick or Harry to take his spot.

I never remember the name of this Sangiovese blend, but it's a current favorite.

Sunday, we all met up for the 1st day of Smorgasburg down at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

I also learned that Melissa Iwai lives on this charming street with one of my favorite houses (above).

M. Zexter, me, M. Iwai and Yuko - photo by Kristine

Just a great doorway in Brooklyn Heights :)

I made it to MOMA this week to meet up with my college friend, Wendy 

who brought her 15 year old daughter, Lucy for her 1st visit to NYC. 

Wendy's lovely mom, Rhetta (I haven't seen in about 20 years) came, too!

This shot is about as much as we saw of the Bjork show.

The museum was packed and I don't think any of us had the patience to get through it.

Instead, we hit the Design, Photography and Painting floors.

This Gauguin is a sentimental fave! I always love seeing it.

Wendy, me & Rhetta - in front of Rock Ctr Anthro window - photo by Lucy

I think Lucy was just as happy to visit Anthropologie and Free People, despite

having the same stores down in Richmond. It's hard to understand, 

but they are terrific shops and it's fun when everything looks great on you :)

:::

The topic of stealing ideas came up in my MATS Bootcamp class this week, 

in our private Facebook group. Each month we receive an assignment and most

of us share sketches and initial ideas with each other for feedback and sometimes for

encouragement. It's a great group, but this is something to think about. I doubt anyone is intentionally, "stealing" concepts, but it opened up a conversation. 

I love renowned ad man, Paul Arden's book -

"It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be" great pieces of advice and philosophy.

and finally ... more Artwork by Allyn ...

and Lena

If you enjoy my work and have an interest in seeing sketches, progress shots and a variety 

of photos I take for inspiration and plain old fun, visit me on Instagram.

Have a great week!

xo, A