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

More round paintings - yay!

I made 6 more round paintings in the last few days.

We only have to submit one for Lilla Rogers' Bootcamp class,

but my love for painting on wood has been reawakened.

Rudy Rides! Bike Chase on Boardwalk

I like chase scenes.

I found an image of clotheslines on Pinterest that I liked, then later stumbled 

upon a panda toy hanging out to dry, soooo I couldn't resist.

I wanted to include another face with decorative flowers in the series

and thought it would be nice to paint a younger girl in springy fresh colors.

Peacock with babies and daisies

 A peacock seemed perfect for the round format.

Flirtatious Lion, in touch with feminine side ;)

Hope you've enjoyed seeing these as much as I've enjoyed painting them.

I have to decide which to submit by our deadline this Sunday 2-22. 

I think I have a favorite, but will see which lasts in my mind :)

Which one would you choose?

Thanks for stopping by!

Stay warm East Coasters!!

xo, A

I love painting pictures

  I just shared my sketches for the MATS Bootcamp class I'm taking

on Monday, but I wanted to show these painted versions on wood. I like them a lot!

Hope that doesn't sound bad, but somehow simply switching to the round format

feels * Fun* Fresh * Fabulous ;D

Our final assignment is to create a piece of wall art on a round wood panel.

Several years ago I had bought a bunch (too many) of 5" and 7" panels for prints I was creating.

I'm glad I held onto these, they're even notched on the back for easy hanging.

These are on the 7" diameter size. I wish they were larger, but they're sweet.

I have to go back onto a TV job tomorrow, so we'll see if I have time 

to make more before the end of the month.

I feel like I could keep going and going.

And now 

onto some (pretty awful) photos from a pretty great 

event at Society of Illustrators Tuesday night.

Nate Williams spoke about his process for creating art 

and discussed his 1st two picture books.

Afterwards there was a Q&A with a fun informative panel-

James Yang, author/illustrator

Giuseppe Castellano, Art Director/Penguin Young Readers

Jim Hoover, Assoc. Art Director/Viking Books

and the lovely Kirsten Hall, Agent/Cat Bird *(website, a work in progress)

She baked chocolate chip cookies for the whole audience.

They were delicious, too!

Nate's talk was funny and full of some gems to consider when working on story ideas.

I attend a fair number of talks about creating picture books, but this was better 

than most, in part, because the audience had good questions 

and the panel was straightforward in their answers.

I also learned that James Yang is quite funny!

I received an original print for being one of the first 15 to arrive.

Friends may find this funny, since I'm often running late.

I bought Hank & snOliver and a couple of journals.

Nate is incredibly nice. I know a lot of you illustrators know him

from Illustration Mundo, I'm not really clear if he's still running it or not.

I know he had featured my friend, Kristine Lombardi's work there

and they had had phone conversations about the industry in the past.

I was happy to report that she was busy meeting a deadline

for her 2nd book to be published by Abrams.

The best part of the night was when the panel all agreed that this is a 

"Golden Age" in children's book publishing, not only in terms of numbers

of books being published, but for the sophistication of images 

being created for them. 

Hmmmm, if I can't break into this now ...

 well, I'm gonna leave on a high note!

Have a great weekend!

xo, A

Cheers 2015 - Come on in!

:: HAPPY NEW YEAR ::

Here is a little party in Venice, Italy for you! 

I worked on this today and spent some time on a story about a dog gondolier 

(many of you know that character, Gustavo)

I must finish a new book dummy this month,

or Kristine Lombardi will be mad, sad & disappointed in me. 

I can't have that on my conscience in 2015 ;)

Thought I'd share some of the steps to the finished piece.

I often like the 2nd to last step most, bc of the loose quality and the charm that

sometimes gets lost by the time you do the finishing touches.

It's something to think about and it's understandable that many illustrators

work in layers in photoshop, keeping options open.

And, the initial sketch in charcoal.

:::

I rarely have resolutions for the New Year. 

Today, I'd just like to express my gratitude -

Cheers to my good friends - who are there, in good times and bad.

It seems we've all had some ups & downs in 2014 

but having supportive, fun, interesting people in your life makes 

all the difference.

I'm happy to be part of a union that takes good care of us, 

United Scenic Artists Local 829

and the neat people with whom I work who make even the most 

difficult of jobs, mostly commercials, enjoyable.

I feel lucky to live in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, 

a neighborhood I still love, after many years here. 

I'll be looking at other options in 2015 since everyone, 

understandably, loves this area $$ ;)

I know, change can be good.

I'm happy to have finally given CKO Boxing a try.

Rosa Martinez is to thank for that! 

So far, I love it and I had become very bored with other 

workout routines, thus doing less and less until recently.

Great teachers, fun music, fast pace and kicks your butt!

I'm glad to have met such neat people through continuing ed classes at SVA

and groups like CBIG and SCBWI (which, I need to rejoin!)

You know who you are - especially happy to have become friends

with Kristine L. (old news ;) Yuko Katakawa and Melissa Iwai

Finally, I'm incredibly grateful for my parents.

I'm their only child and I'm close to both of them.

We're far from being a perfect family, but I've always felt loved.

My mom and I have been blessed with a particularly remarkable relationship. 

 It's been a painful few years because of her

illness, a relentless depression that breaks my heart.

It's been difficult for my dad to take care of her and

it's mystifying to watch someone who once exuded such great 

spirit, fall so hard to an illness that completely alters who you are.

I guess I'm ending on a sad note, I didn't mean to, I promise.

I do sometimes see glimmers of hope and catch a glimpse 

of the "old mom", the "real person" in there.

I guess I consider how lucky I've been. 

I just feel great sadness now

because my mom was always the most wonderful, 

loving, generous and funny person, friend and mother. 

It's hard to imagine what the future will bring. I know we all have our struggles.

I truly hope that all of us experience more joy, love, meaningful exchanges

and goofy ones, too

Plus, many big bright spots to feel grateful for next year.

Have a lovely New Year!

Now, do your thing.

Really, do it. Now :)

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

Ollie owlet sketches

Ollie will stay here a little while longer ...

:: enjoy your weekend ::

xo, A