new & noteworthy

Happy Saturday! 

It snowed here in NYC last night :)

I spent time finishing up my journal cover for Lilla Rogers Bootcamp 2015

I got a late start on sketching, but I really enjoyed this one.

Our mini assignment was to sketch Edwardian brooches.

I got a little off track when I spotted a baby bear and tree on Pinterest, 

while looking at images.

For those of you who don't know, Lilla is a licensing agent who has paired up with

Beth Kempton, Do What You Love, in the UK to offer online classes 

that help hone your skills and gain a better understanding of the business.

I took her intensive 5 week class, Make Art That Sells 3A last spring. 

I learned a lot and gained more confidence.

Melissa Iwai convinced me that Bootcamp was just as helpful, with deadlines

end of each month rather than weekly, encompassing 5 months and for less $

The only drawback is that you don't have a chance to have your work reviewed 

by Lilla, herself, but finished pieces are displayed in the Bootcamp Galleries. 

You can view last year's projects here.

Our final assignment was to create a journal cover. You could incorporate your sketches

and reference in any way you like. I'm not the only artist who chose to frame animals

and I almost resisted the urge, but I take do what you love pretty seriously! 

It's funny, because I often sketch frames and animals in frames, "hanging" salon style.

Some of mine took on more of a Mexican folk look, with the bright color and flowers, 

but I'm happy with the mix. Lilla stresses to make what you would buy for yourself.

So I try! and hope that others share my taste in art and products :)

:::

Thanks for stopping by!

Lena is taking a snow day ... Zzzzzz

xo, A

Hello you!

Hello Love - painting/pattern I made for class

This Monday did not begin like my last 5, with a "mini" assignment 

from agent, Lilla Rogers. 

I miss it. 

For the past 5 weeks I've been taking MATS 3A, the online course 

Make Art That Sells - unabashedly bold, huh? 

Initially I felt a little funny tagging the phrase as I added some of my sketches 

and reference to Instagram. Like most things, you get over it.

I took this course because I'm a fan of many of Lilla's artists.

I would love to one day create art to license to manufacturers and companies

like Anthropologie, Blue Q, Land of Nod, Oopsy Daisy, 

Eeboo, Galison, Madison Park (ipop)...

the list goes on. I realize these are tough to get, but a girl's gotta dream.

My friends, Yuko Katakawa just completed part B of this class

and Melissa Iwai is currently in Bootcamp. Click links to learn more.

One thing I've learned, the world is FULL of TALENT.

What the heck is in the water in the UK and Netherlands?! 

Soooo many fabulous designers & illustrators.

:::

Lilla's positive energy and encouraging words, each week filled with 

industry insider interviews, plus the class itself, most of whom participate on the 

private Facebook page (sharing work, ideas, links, reference & support)

make for an addictive productive experience.

I created these gingham "zipper pouch" designs as incidentals. The top one, Hello Bear

accompanied my main piece for last week, which needed to be "Hyper Lush and Full". 

Gingham doesn't quite suite the assignment, on it's own at least. 

I created the one below today and I think it's pretty sweet. 

This is another pay off from class, creating lots of elements, 

those edited out can be used in some way later.

This chipmunk also went with my final presentation. 

Below is my final, Hyper-Lush or just plain weird? you be the judge ;)

I worked on this a long time, made numerous little paintings of select ceramic animals and flowers

((the mini had been to gather personal collections - find inspiration, then photograph, draw, scan))

 The main assignment was to create a Hyper Lush Zipper pouch. I own several by BLUE Q 

assumed this would be a breeze. Not really, I never think anything will be a breeze.

I may have put too much pressure on myself, but it was fun to see  

my little ceramic animals together in one place and put them to good use! 

Many I've collected myself and some were gifts. I have to hand it to

Melissa Zexter and Kristine Lombardi for understanding my aesthetic so well!

Thank you.

These are some of the rough sketches I made in my notebook.

T

This sketch of the Scooter Bears was ok, but I could not paint 

anything that came close to the awesomeness of the real thing. 

I wish I'd had time to put together a collaged version using my photos. 

I suppose I can still do that.

 I couldn't help wanting to paint each thing.

Some flowers for background, stripes didn't work out.

This little bunny didn't make the cut, either but I will find a place for her soon.

Below, my Hello Love painting without text. I created that separately.

I will definitely do something with it in my Society 6 shop and 

will look into licensing or producing some of my own tea towels, pillows, 

fabric, maybe a card or journal?

Who knows. I will make more similar, it was probably the most simple 

piece I did for class. I had made separate pieces to attempt some sort of collage,

week 4 was 'Wall Art' 

but that was enough of a fail that I won't even share it here :/

Alas, sad kitty expresses my feelings.

I'm practicing drawing animals with more expressions than

my current stock of happy and/or surprised :)

:: Back to the drawing board ::

Thanks for taking a look!

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to know more about the class. 

I learned a great deal, not just about habits to get ya going or

the effectiveness of deadlines, but about myself -

looking honestly at what needs improving, 

pushing myself to use or draw subject matter I might not have 

chosen myself, face insecurities & look at envy directly, whether of another 

person's skill level, creativity or the success they've experienced.

For instance, I will definitely keep in mind,

that if I see work or a product I wish I had created

and feel some jealousy creep in, to look at it as a sign of 

just how much I want that for myself. 

I'll try to embrace some of the positivity Lilla exudes,

believing that more is more, that people and

businesses want great work and there is room for everyone.

Almost everyone, you know.

A BIG thank you to Lilla and Beth Kempton for a wonderful experience.

:::

I'm now going to watch the last interview, 

it's with one of LR Studio's agents, Jennifer Nelson.

This and a glass of wine will be my reward for waiting all day 

for a fridge to be delivered. 

It never came.

 ! wtf !

* Update - fridge came and it works, hooray *

PS - if by chance you'd like to see how each piece is presented, visit 

my Flickr page (the 1st 5 are all from this class)

Love ya! Have a great week. xo, A

My friend, Fox

and the sweet crow he swindled out of some cheese ....

This is my book cover art for The Fox and The Crow, an Aesop fable.

This was the 3rd assignment for MATS 3A class with Lilla Rogers. 

Read more about the course and see sketches in last week's post, if you'd like.

You can see by his collection, he gets around!

The title could look cuter if reworked, I think. I didn't leave as much time for that,

but I wanted something quirky to offset the traditional look of my painting style.

This poor girl was surprised and thrilled by Fox's flattery,

only to lose her tasty snack to him.

Don't worry, these guys are onto him.

 To Be Continued ...

thanks for taking a look!

xo, A

Make Art That Sells, Allyn! you can, too :)

The 1st two weeks of MATS 3A class taught by Lilla Rogers

has felt all encompassing and incredibly fun!

This is the 1st online course I've ever taken. It's a collaboration between the much sought after 

and influential Licensing Agent, Lilla Rogers and Beth Kempton, founder of Do What You Love,

who is producing the class and sharing interviews with various artists represented by 

Lilla Rogers Studio.

Today, I'm sharing the 1st two assignments from the 5 week course. My latest finished piece is shown above - Assignment : Create 1-4 pieces of art for a collection of ceramic plates. 

Below, the 1st Assignment - Make a piece of art that would be ideal to send to a Bolt Fabric 

company to attempt to get a collection.

What I particularly enjoy about the class is the way Lilla eases you into each

assignment by giving specific exercises, sketches to play around with

on Monday. On Wednesday of each week, we receive the 

Final assignment which will then incorporate these initial sketches.

It sounds simple, it is, and it works :)

We receive some reference, visit Pinterest, of course! and for the 1st assignment I 

even referenced some of my own previous paintings like the women below,

I used to love creating loose patterns as background for all my pieces.

                                                                     

What pushes me is that we are given specific exercises.

This was to sketch Tropical Fruit and vintage Pyrex dishware.

I really liked my loose pale blue design, but in the end went another direction.

These are some initial sketches in sketchbook, then onto watercolor paper ...

I started using wet media acetate, which I hadn't for some time, just to play around with ideas before committing. That's right, Kristine Lombardi, tell your class - Wet Media Acetate!

I've been sharing some sketches on Instagram with #makeartthatsells, yes that's

what MATS stands for. Here's hoping!

Many in class share images in our private Facebook group. Everyone is super

supportive and encouraging. I try not to go on there too much once we get our 

final assignment, so as not to be too influenced by what others are doing. 

There's quite a range of work and about 250 artist/designers, in this class alone.

My friend, Yuko Katakawa is now in Part B of this course, 

being taught simultaneously.

Back to me... after placing this pineapple on my grey sketchbook, I decided to go with 

a dark background for my entire piece. Lilla encourages playing with palette,

not doing the usual. For this, we were encouraged to look at retro pieces and combine 

Pyrex *style dishes with the tropical fruit icons we created.

She also talked to us about including coordinates to share your ideas/smaller patterns that

would work well with the main piece. I created two patterns and a pineapple tea towel design.

I shrank down my tulips for the final coordinate, but think these are kinda sweet, too.

Onto week 2 - "Make plates that YOU would love to have!" -LR

I adore painted ceramic plates from Italy, Spain, etc. so I went in that

direction, keeping in mind what I tend to buy at Anthropologie, 

my favorite shop, especially for home goods :)

Our initial sketches were to be of Succulents. This was challenging for me

because they aren't my favorites, although I've developed a little affinity for them.

I wanted something warm and summery. I literally drew in the sun.

My idea was to create a big blossoming world where a little bird looks up with wonder at it all.

Below, I made a simple and I think pretty dessert plate.

Here, you can see the simplified version above. Below, is a slightly more defined 

version where I draw more lines & add more color to the overlay.

I like this because this way I have two physical versions before doing anything in photoshop.

After deciding this saucer was just too busy? English Rose? Chinese? looking 

for the assignment.

I went back to simple sketches before making another small plate

and deciding my cup did not necessarily need a saucer.

Below, is the main larger plate design. I wanted to keep the sun, but after playing around, it felt more

sophisticated without it. Looking again, I do like how bright and fun this first version is. 

The great thing about class and others have expressed this- once you're done,

you immediately want to make more versions.

In order to have Lilla see your work you must upload your final to our Flickr/class group 

by 5p each Sunday. I think she visits the Facebook page some, but in order to have a 

shot at being reviewed by her personally, you gotta get it submitted on time, fair :)

This was a long post I know, but for anyone considering taking the class, after only two weeks,

I think it is well worth it. 

I haven't even touched on all the information and interviews shared each day for the class. 

There is a very encouraging, generous feel to everything presented. 

Personally, I really needed this push, something to feel excited and motivated by. 

It can be hard working on your own in somewhat of a vacuum.

I'm fortunate to have only had 2-3 day scenic jobs over the last couple of weeks.

Granted, I can't afford to turn down jobs, but it feels good to put some real time into this.

This week, is Children's book illustration!! 

I want it all, but my friends all know, kids' books is a big dream :)) 

Thanks for taking a look at what I'm currently up to!

*Have a great week*

xo, A