Iconic Couples & Characters

* February 14th * Valentine's Day * 

Here are the iconic duos I've decided to toast this year, some have loved each other romantically, some as friends and some only on the Silver Screen. 

Cheers to Love of all types!

Diane & Woody from Annie Hall

Gena Rowlands & John Cassavetes

Anais Nin & Henry Miller

Paul & Joanne

David Lynch & Isabella Rosellini

Jean Paul Belmondo & Jean Seberg in Breathless

Audrey & George Peppard in Breakfast at Tiffany's

Burt Lancaster & Deborah Kerr in From Here to Eternity 

(I've actually never seen this film, just can't resist the scene)

Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort in Harold & Maude

Debbie Harry & Joey Ramone

Andy & Edie

Butch & Sundance 

DeNiro & Scorsese

Harvey and Jimmy Stewart

Laurence Olivier & Vivien Leigh (and cat :)

John & Yoko (marriage certificate in hand :)

Jack & Jackie

Queen Elizabeth and you know... that man... the Prince...

Alan Rickman & Kate Winslet in Sense & Sensibility

Jane Eyre with Michael Fassbender & Mia Wasikowska

My favorite version of Pride & Prejudice with Colin Firth & Jennifer Ehle

Midnight in Paris with Marion Cotillard & Owen Wilson

Well kept secret, Pee Wee & Regis

Mia & Cassavetes behind the scenes on Rosemary's Baby

What's Up Doc? Barbara & Ryan O'Neal

Ahhh, Daniel Day Lewis and Juliette Binoche in 

The Unbearable Lightness of Being

William Powell & Myrna Loy and of course, Asta 

in The Thin Man

Gregory Peck & Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday

Shampoo with Warren Beatty & Julie Christie

Jackson & Lee, sweet pic

A favorite photo of Sam Shepard & Jessica Lange

The quintessential romantic tearjerker, The Way We Were

Behind the scenes on To Catch A Thief  with Cary Grant & Grace Kelly

I wanted to end with Woody from Sleeper, for when all is going well 

or somehow goes wrong, it's always fun to laugh!

Have a Wonderful Valentine's Day! Spread the Love!!

xo, A

A Venice Valentine!

Here's my latest painting for If I Were A Toy store's ever changing door 

in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. 

A Venice Valentine may be my favorite so far!

I love Venice! 

I thought with Valentine's Day on the way, what better background 

than Venice for some cute animals to share their Valentines, 

in a gondola no less :)

Nothing like it :)

Have a lovely Sunday!

xo

-A

It's a New Year!

Farewell 2011

Here is a tiny glimpse at some of  my favorite moments, people & things... 

Zexter's show in Hudson, NY was terrific. It's a shame that the photography offshoot of Carrie Haddad Gallery had to close this summer. On the bright side, Anne McGinnis moved her wonderful antique shop, 12 into it's space :)

Murals murals murals, more more more...

I'm not a beer drinker, but liked this odd drawing on a Heineken bus ad.

It was great to see Wendy, an old college friend, and catch up this year. 

Below, she tastes treats at Dylan's Candy Bar. 

I love the US Open, especially seeing my very favorite, David Ferrer of Spain play :)

I can't take credit for this particular photo, it's courtesy of his Facebook page

You may have seen my post, Silver Cup East Kitty this summer. 

No longer a stray, he now rests comfortably in his home. 

Birthday celebrations! The River Cafe cocktails are hands down the Best :)

Star Wars

It was a thrill to meet my friend, Kelly's two adorable sons for the 1st time. She'd made a promise to them, which is how we ended up in the Lego store at Rockefeller Center. 

Legos sure have advanced since I was a kid! 

Above, Melissa S and Freddy, who was quite specific about his Gorilla costume. 

I later learned he was so exhausted by the time they reached their destination, 

that very little trick or treating ensued.

The Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met this year was mesmerizing, dark and beautiful. 

It felt more like an all encompassing art installation than fashion design, 

although everything was tailored to perfection. *A huge Thank You to Rika for giving my mom and me a semi-private viewing!!

My good friend, Kristine's beloved 19 year old cat, Miss Freckles passed away last month. 

She was a beauty and will be greatly missed and loved forever!

Yes, Local 829 got out there to Occupy Wall Street! 

Ironically, we had very few hand painted signs made up :-/

This little drawing was a winner in a Read Your Dog contest and

it was published in the Nov/Dec issue of the SCBWI bulletin. 

Unfortunately, SCBWI cropped it, leaving only the artist dog. Still, it was fun to see him in there :)

First time apple picking, unseasonably warm, pretty and apples for months!

Doug Moe, walking with Bryon above, created and performs 

Doug Moe is a Bad Dad at the Upright Citizens Brigade. 

It's very funny, even if you don't have kids. 

The Brooklyn Paper just did a nice piece on him, too!

Lena the cat :x)

Thom, Kristine & I appreciate the Christmas lawn displays :D

I love these girls, Odille & Mirabelle! 

Here, posing with my toy store doors.

My friends, Margaret and Scott recently moved back to NYC, one of the best things 

to happen this year, or any! I couldn't be happier about it.

Margaret, Melissa Z and I went to the Blue Bar at The Algonquin for holiday drinks before Christmas. They're about to renovate all the rooms and we were shown a finished one. It's clean and modern, but lacks the charm of  the old days. Of course, I wasn't around during the Round Table glory days, but my mom and I did stay there during my teen and college years. She continued to stay there, once I moved here, until about 8 years ago. We've made nice friends there over the years. Most have retired, but a few are still around and a holiday card my mom sent last year with a photograph still hangs in their coat room.

I shared this with my mom when I went home at Christmas hoping to raise her spirits. She's one of the most generous and fun people I know. I'm sure we'd be friends even if we weren't related! She's been having serious health problems this year and it breaks my heart. The only thing I wish and pray for in 2012 is that she recovers and lives a very long healthy life!! 

***

Cheers to 2012! 

I hope we all experience a year with more ups than downs, full of love, success & joy.

Live it people, live it!!!!

xo, A