Ice Bucket sketch for ALS and a good person lost to this disease

I took on the less chilling Ice Bucket Challenge, to make a drawing, 

from Melissa Iwai.

Here it is, quite sketchy, but I like it.

:::

My father's good friend, Richard Garretson,

 whom he'd known since attending the University of Richmond, 

was struck with ALS almost 7 years ago.

It's a heartbreaking illness.

Richard, also called Pete by his older college friends, 

had lived in NYC since graduating in the late 1960s. 

He was a wonderful, funny, vibrant person 

and an avid bird watcher. 

We got together with him each time my parents came to 

visit me here in New York.

Few people made my dad laugh as much as Pete did.

:::

Once diagnosed, it didn't take long for ALS to take 

Richard's life, which may be a blessing.

He and his girlfriend and another couple made 

one final trip, an African Safari. 

My parents have a few photos from that trip which 

seemed to be a life altering event. 

I have enormous respect for him. Despite being ill,

he had the will to see a bit more of the beauty in life.

I don't know if I would have that kind of courage, but I recognize that it's

important to seek as much as you can from life while you have it.

My dad mentions Richard often. It's still hard to believe he's gone.

I hope there will be a cure, someday soon, for ALS 

and other devastating neurodegenerative diseases.

:::

You don't have to dump a bucket of cold water on your head to give!

I made a donation to the ALS Association

You can read about what they do, here.

Keep in mind- every little bit helps! 

:::

I found a beautiful memorial to Richard by one of his friends 

 on Fantastic Forum - this is one small part,

but it says so much.

"Finally, what I would also like to share with you about Richard's interests, was that he was also a lover of birds. He travelled the world, from Central America, to the Galapagos Islands, and near the end, on the trip of a lifetime to East Africa to observe these magnificent creatures. His love of birds extended to nature and highlighted for me the delicate balance of this world we live in. Birds as I know them are small creatures, with incredibly varied and delicate features. In many ways, his love of birds reflect his gentle soul, and incredible diversity." 

This was written by Scott. I have no idea what his last name is, but Scott -

if you happen upon this post, it was a touching tribute to a lovely person.

Hope you're having a pleasant weekend!

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

Random Monday musings

Still Life with Aliens, Liddle Kiddle and magic Gold nugget by Melissa S. 

Sleeping Lamb, photograph 1994 by Larry Gianettino

    Winnie the Pooh, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore & Tigger - original toys given to Christopher Robin Milne between 1920-22

*Detail Cata Caquinho - oil painting by me

Basilica San Marco, Venice postcard presented by skunks

ps - I'm on Instagram

- Follow me -

It's not all cats, sorry Lena.

:: Have a great week ::

xo, A