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

Happy Holidays to You!

Is this bunny a guardian angel or an oversized ornament? 

All I know is Santa owl is quite tired and needs some help crossing things 

off his gift list! Bun can help, maybe.

:::

I was happy to receive some of my bag designs in the mail this week. 

Baby bird and doggie bag have been around, but the floral patterns are new.

The print quality by Society 6 never disappoints.

These come in various sizes and the patterns are available on other products, as well.

Take a look, especially if you still have some shopping to do!

Society6.com/AllynHoward

 The lovely talented Margot Kingon created wristlets, change purses and pencil cases 

with my new fabric patterns, these printed by Spoonflower. 

I just got them today and they look super sweet!

ps - Margot is exhibiting some of her mixed media work now at Catalyst Gallery in Beacon NY.

I love the pale pink and blue linings she chose.

I'll probably see if I can place a few of these in local shops 

and maybe even do a little give away here on the blog.

These are my favorite custom Christmas paintings painted on the front door of 

If I Were A Toy store over the last few years. They closed up shop last winter. 

It still feels a little strange not painting a theme there each month.

Court Street Carolers 

Gift from big Bear

Bear made it as a smaller illustration also.

You can buy A Gift for you as a print or cards in my Society6 shop - Allyn Howard

Also available as cards *only in my Etsy shop - Blip Blop Shop 

Thanks for stopping by.

* I hope you're enjoying a wonderful holiday season *

All my best!

xo, A

Change - good and bad

If I Were a Toy store has closed.

This is a picture of me last June after I painted their door for the summer season.

I will miss painting this door. I've been doing it, almost monthly, for close to 4 years.

This was my 1st little sketch for the St Patrick's door. 

I'm always looking for that pot of gold :)

Here's a link- Lucky Days, to that door & post from March 2010 

It includes some of the murals 

I had painted inside the shop and hair cutting space.

I also sold a few baby tees there

like Space Mouse

and the ever popular, Scooter Dog.

I'm happy for Joanna and Virginia, the owners of the shop,

as they pursue other avenues and dreams.

I know it's silly to get sentimental, but I'll miss chatting 

with them as I painted and talking to some of the 

kids who were curious. They usually came in for the 

gum balls or to get coins for the rides outside,

but many showed real interest and shared their opinions.

It lead to some fun custom work for me and I guess I

just liked knowing it was there, little friends at the entrance.

I painted my last door in February this year, Valentines, of course :)

My friend, Melissa Zexter took this photo of me painting the 1st Valentine's 

day door. She's also taken quite a few of Mirabelle and Odille after

picking them up from school. This holiday door is from Dec 2011.

Below, a rather large mouse posed with pirate bear last summer.

I think my best ones might be the Halloween doors, which is

odd since I'm not a big fan of halloween, though I do love candy.

This one pays homage to "Where the Wild Things Are", in costume, at least.

Below, was a continuation of the previous year's door.

The kids enter a haunted house.

This year's 2013 was a favorite of mine. I would go to this party ;)

Venice Valentine from 2012 is another favorite and lead to a series of

illustrations for a children's book idea.

Finally, I really like these funky NYC buildings and the fireworks.

If you'd like to see more of my faves, I have a Pinterest board

with a bunch titled - My Glass Paintings

You can also see more and additional custom work on 

my site here

! knock yourself out !

Alas, I knew the day was near, when George's store would 

officially close :(

This was my landlord's shop. George passed away in 2010.

I painted this sign when he and his wife moved the shop to a less

populated area of Court Street.

I'm not known for my sign painting, but I was happy

to hear that more than a few people wanted it.

I just didn't want it to go in the trash.

I'm happy that it is safe and sound with the fabulous guys

at Court Street Grocers.

I think Eric and Matt might be as sentimental as I am.

:::

I still miss George.

:::

As always, thanks for taking a look.

Enjoy the rest of your week!

xo, A

California Dreaming

Okay, last weekend at this time I was lying on the beach in Malibu.

Today, I write about it from rainy Brooklyn. It's ok, it is a little warmer here, at least :)

Above was shot by Melissa Zexter in Santa Monica. We travelled to LA together

to see my Subway Animals in the Illustration West 52 Exhibit  

and to visit her cousin Judy and family.

American Airlines got us there safely, but not without a snack issue. 

I purchased a sandwich which came with chips. Yay! 

Zexter wanted only a bag of chips, but with each attempt to buy a bag, our flight attendant 

held up a big bag of Chex mix and said, "NO! but I can sell you THIS!" 

She was a serious Chex Mix pusher. You had to see it to believe it.

Does anyone eat Chex mix? It's understandable when you're stuck alone 

anxious at a party with no other options? but this was vacation time!

The Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay helped lighten the blow and 

I shared my delicious kettle cooked chips.

Our hotel was terrific! I really enjoyed our stay at Le Meridien Delfina Santa Monica. 

Big comfy rooms, a little balcony and a heated pool. Plus, just a few blocks from the beach.

I liked these cushiony headboards, too.

We didn't bowl, but we did have a buttery english muffin in the diner :)

Friday was the 1st full day and it was like heaven to simply walk on the beach & feel the sun and sand. It wasn't that warm really, but as East Coasters know, it has been a rough winter. 

We picked up our car at Enterprise and bc they were out of economy, we scored a Jeep Cherokee.

I was happy, being the main driver, I felt safe in it and it didn't look like an obvious rental. 

We drove to Chateau Marmont, the iconic beautiful old hotel in

the Hollywood Hills. I had been years ago for drinks, but wanted to have lunch in the garden.

Below, is my quickie little sketch of it. Click here to see the real thing, if you haven't before.

Despite almost rolling down backwards into it from a hill above 

as we looked for parking, we made it! 

Well, had some trouble getting to the valet once we ditched the idea of street parking. 

Marmont is located off of a very busy street and one that reminded me of driving in New York 

 a couple of grumpy pushy drivers frightened me a little. 

When we finally reached the quite handsome valet, I rolled down my window 

admitting defeat, adding "we're from NYC"

He teased us about the Colorado plates & we learned that parking is free for 3 hours!

I only have a few photos and they're of the bathroom and hallway. 

I will ask Zexter to share some of hers here. She took several on the patio and inside.

The hallways are lined with large Annie Leibovitz photographs, like this one of Redford.

Lunch was delightful and we had a really great waiter. I have to say, folks in LA 

seem very friendly. People actually look at you and smile in the streets, on the beach, in shops,

restaurants, wherever. I sometimes forget just how guarded New Yorkers can be, 

although there are many friendly people here, once you crack that 1st layer.

I did a little photo shoot with my Doggie bag poolside, 

while Zex took a swim Saturday morning.

My show was up at Center Stage Gallery in Burbank.

That drive took some time and the area is not the prettiest, although

there are some splendid lemon trees in the surrounding neighborhood.

Here it is, my little buddies were still reading the paper, checking phones, 

napping, looking for snacks, treasure,  etc ;)

There was some nice work in the show and most of it was not art 

created for the children's market, although that's what I liked most, in general.

When we returned to Santa Monica, we popped the champagne and hung out on our tiny balcony.

Sure, it was midday, around 3pm, but remember it was already 6pm EST ;)

I love all the huge plants, palm trees, Seuss-style flowers and orange! Lots of orange all over :)

After wandering around lovely Santa Monica and buying  a few gifts, 

we enjoyed a cocktail and watched the sunset 

from the windows at Casa Del Mar, a lovely hotel on the beach.

My good friend, Margaret recommended it. I soon began texting her, 

asking just why again it was they ever left LA?

I'll get to her old neighborhood soon!

That IS bird sh*t on the window. I decided to leave it in as a reminder that nothing is perfect ;)

This is Wadsworth Ave. I'm posing in front of the very house my friends, 

Margaret and Scott shared an apartment for years. 

A bohemian Frenchman talks on the phone behind me, seemingly unaware 

of our oohing & awing at the charm of the street 

and it's nearness to the water. I guess he's used to it!

Zexter poses with plants that look as if they could wrap round her at any moment.

I didn't call.

Neat!

This was our Sunday - off to Malibu :)

Driving Pacific Coast Highway - it doesn't get much better!

Delicious strawberries for sale by side of the road and fantastic signs to lead you there!

We went to El Matador State Park. You pay $8 and stay all day.

It was a perfect way to spend the last day. We packed a little picnic and lingered for hours.

I'm going to end abruptly here because that's how it felt having to leave Monday.

It was a quick trip, but so enjoyable. It only takes a few days to feel renewed really.

Melissa Zexter took time to work on her piece for a show in Milan this summer.

That just feels cool to say. 

I was happy to see my piece and I look forward to it's making it's 

return to Brooklyn. I did not offer it up for sale, 

since it's part of an ongoing series and possible children's story.

I offer you my few night shots ...

That is the Hotel California, below. Not as formidable as you might expect ;)

Here, I pose with shell by Chez Jay, apparently this was Dennis Wilson's favorite bar!

As for dinners, we spent two nights at Judy and Greg's lovely home in Santa Monica.

Besides graciously inviting us for dinners, I got to jump on their trampoline :D

The other two nights were spent at Blue Plate Taco, a block from the beach and very tasty! 

I can't recommend it enough. It's a lively spot, filled with some of the beautiful people for sure,

mostly it's the food that gets you and a fresh margarita :)

Farewell Cali ... sniff sniff  I'll be back.

Thanks for taking a look.

Have a great week!

xo, A