Blipadee, on the move ...

Blipadee has moved! 

From here on out, I'll be blogging directly on my website.

Under the Sea

Please come visit Blipadee and me in our new spot.  

Thanks!

xo, A

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

Spring Flowers, Paint, Patterns & People

So far, May has been a lovely sunny month!

I try to eat out and outside as much as possible. In my neighborhood, I tend to 

alternate between two very different Italian places, Frankie's and Enoteca :)

What does this have to do with painting? not much.

But, springtime is the best time for painting! I love the light and being able to 

open windows for that semi fresh city air.

This is Fiona, I think it's obvious she loves flowers.

I painted this last spring after returning from a few days in California. 

It was just a color sketch for a MATS project that I didn't end up using. 

I really like the light, loose and airy quality.

hi 

If you visit my blog, you've probably seen these pieces. 

Sometimes I just enjoy adjusting color and looking at details.

I consider this Cherry Blossom tree to be my own personal tree. 

It stands outside my living room window and I really enjoy seeing it spring to life 

year after year (we've both been here a long time!)

Speaking of a long time, Court Express has been across the street from me since '94.

Some of the drivers come and go, but I've known several of them for over a decade. 

I mostly use the subway to get around, but it's nice to have these guys around!

I was very happy to run into Jon and his son with their new dog, Dixie last week. 

I remember how exciting it feels to get your 1st dog as a kid! Magic.

I haven't eaten at La Slowteria in quite some time, but it's good. 

Love their barrel of tulips and cute blue sign :)

Happy Friday! 

:: Enjoy your weekend ::

xo, A