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

A Gift for You

"This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone."

-Taylor Caldwell

A heartwarming message for your start to the week!

xo, A

Court Street Carolers

Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year are creeping up quickly.

This Holiday Season, I decided to paint Carolers on IF I Were A Toy store's door.

While the Carolers Carol and animals play, bad bunnies steal Snowman noses 

from all over town!

*detail view : See full Rush Hour illustration Here

In case you've been following...

These guys did not make it into Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition.

Sal skunk has to break the news.

I entered 3 of my Subway Series illustrations. 

My expectations were not exceptionally high. Still, it's disappointing 

to see the official rejection, as polite and professional as it was.

Oh well, it's cocktail hour ~ Cheers!

xo, A

Santa Dog Reads his List

It's December! 

Time to paint the holiday door for If I Were A Toy store here in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

I was happy with the one I painted last year, but I think this is pretty cute, too. I kept some skaters in the scene, but gave the spotlight to a dog playing Santa Claus :') 

Overheard in Santa Land Park this year- 

I stayed out of trash cans, I'd like a sled! I stopped scratching the couch, can I have a barrel of catnip and more long strings? I stopped tackling strangers, I'd like a bean bag chair and delicious cold cuts. I stayed away from the cat and I need a teeny reading lamp. I wiggled my cute nose for endless YouTube videos, I'd like more cardboard and bananas please! 

Timothy Hay! Skates! Raw Hide! and so on and so on ...

Little penguin is unsure of how to move his skates.

You can find my holiday cards and gift items on Etsy and browse everything else, including more greeting cards, on my site :)

***The Carroll Park Tree Lighting Ceremony is tonight at 6pm***

Thanks for stopping by today. 

Have a Swell Weekend!

xo, A