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

My studio, my dad, a Christmas painting and gifts on Etsy

Hi! Today I'm sharing a few things I wanted to share, so I am. 

I'm sharing :)

Above, a sketch - Birds, suitable for framing.

My dad turned 73 on Tuesday Dec 2nd - hard for me to believe. Happy Birthday dad!

He likes waving to me once I'm on the train at the Amtrak station in Richmond. 

Always makes me happy.

Lately, I've been attempting to declutter my space where I live and work.

It's not easy for me. I hang onto things, but it feels nice to let go. I feel lighter. I think.

I moved a couple of paintings. Cata Caquinho, above, now hangs in my living room. 

This is Cattie, a cute Steiff cat from childhood. No, I would never give her up.

This is a corner of my studio/kitchen area. It probably still looks cluttered to many of you, 

but for me, it's good. And, I've moved a bit more since this, too!

Crash Bunnies is now above my drawing table, along with dogs, Ruben & Cooper

Pirate bird and others...

I painted this little winter scene last week.

It's bun's 1st Christmas.

I recently had to get a crown after cracking my back tooth on a pistachio :/

My new dentist is Pasha on 5th Ave and 17th St, Brooklyn.

I think he did a fine job, although my temp popped out eating a breakfast burrito!

Time will tell.

This photo was taken along 4th Ave and you can see, the light was fantastic that day. 

Above, is the lovely, talented Yuko Katakawa at this year's CBIG portfolio review.

It's held each year at a public school on the Upper east Side.

I just love this little cape-coat! 

I thoroughly enjoyed my meetings with Beth Terrill, editor North South Books

and Patti Ann Harris, now at Scholastic. It was a great experience. 

CBIG does a good job of organizing it all. I'm really happy to be a part of this group.

Now, onto gifts! I gave this to my friend, Margaret as a little house warming present. 

She likes whales and this one from Clayopera on Etsy couldn't be sweeter! 

Take a look at her other ceramic pieces, all fun and whimsical.

My sticker :)

If you're shopping for charming toys this year, Hazel Village makes super cute animals,

like these two. I found them at the Union Square Holiday Market last winter.

little tree

My Christmas and holiday cards are available in my Etsy shop, Blip Blop Shop 

take a peek :)

An inkling of an idea - overindulgent animals...

You know who you are!

:::

It's almost the weekend. Have a fun one!

xo, A

Sunday Post

It's another Sunday post!

Here's a little snapshot of my week. Hope you find something you like.

::

This painting, above, is a vibrant multi-colored version of the piece I made below, last spring.

I painted over it, on a layer of acetate, basically giving me two for one.

Sometimes using an old school process that pre-dates photoshop, is fun. 

Kristine Lombardi recently saw it in my apt and exclaimed (without my prompting) "I Love It"!

It's great to have a friend who freely shares her enthusiasm when she likes something.

My Doggie bag, on the sidewalk holding extra vinyl for touch ups on Monday's job.

I like the two oranges together :)

Meanwhile, Lisa Congdon's Art, Inc waits for me on my work table. 

::

Lisa is teaching a FREE class online this Tues 30th & Wed 1st

through Creative Live 

**Plus, she'll be including samples of my friend, 

Melissa Iwai's work in her section on branding. 

Prop man, Bentley checks out the shiny British Taxi, one of several picture cars for a commercial.

The prop guys asked it's owner to take our photo with it, he kindly obliged. I like this BW version.

and a few us couldn't resist a selfie 

and one of us did his best Miley Cyrus impression ;)

AdWeek wrote a piece about a Motorola commercial that I worked on in August.

Bryon Finn charged it and put in the longest hours (from our crew, at least) 

It was shot at Grumman Studios on Long Island. 

See How Droga5 Actually Made the Insanely Intricate Sets for Moto's

New Ads Four spots share one truly elaborate sound stage by David Griner

Scenic painters (like myself), prop and carpentry departments execute the 

agency's vision, as well as that of the director. 

We work directly with the production designer to accomplish this. 

Clem Price-Thomas, whom we work with often, designed this set of ads.

You won't find us in the credits, for we are the unsung heroes ;)

::

My shots don't do justice to the overall look and scale of these ads,

 but if you watch the videos, you'll recognize these two sets and this 

sweet beagle in one of the spots.

Gold leafing

almost finished sets

just getting started (again & again on this one)

View of set up and ready to shoot w/ monitor

They're pretty cool spots! See the "behind the scenes" and videos here

This is Samson, a 9 month old Bull Mastiff and Zeus, a 10 year old mixed breed.

I met them walking back to Broadway Stages in Greenpoint, Brooklyn this week.

Needless to say, they are a perfect pair!

In other news, I was happy to learn that my illustration, Big Bun, Little Bun

was voted as one of 4 images to make it on the cover of the B&W 

CBIG directory this fall. It will share space with my friend, Yuko Katakawa

and fellow illustrators, Patricia Keeler and Barbara Dilorenzo :)

Thursday night's rainbow, as seen from a little corner of my neighborhood. 

I know that pot of gold is out there somewhere ;)

Have a great week!

xo, A