Blipadee, on the move ...

Blipadee has moved! 

From here on out, I'll be blogging directly on my website.

Under the Sea

Please come visit Blipadee and me in our new spot.  

Thanks!

xo, A

My MATS Bootcamp 2015

Magic Carpet Ride

This is my final submission for MATS Bootcamp online course, 

taught by art licensing agent, Lilla Rogers and produced by 

Beth Kempton of Do What You Love.

June's assignment : illustrate an article about digital nomads

Each month we receive an assignment. 1st we're given hints and reference for 

sketching and a week or so after, we receive the final assignment.

I really love having these deadlines, despite nearly missing this last one. 

I mistakenly thought we had another week. 

It's been a busy month.

I was proud I knocked out this piece on Sunday in time to submit. 

My work is more suited to a teen or kids' magazine than it is for Forbes where - 

Tips for Becoming a Successful Digital Nomad was printed.

Even so, I like it :)

Above - May's assignment : crustacean + pattern - plate designs

April's assignment : design a poster for The Global Art Gathering held in Brighton, UK

February's assignment : wall art on wood 

(we skipped March while the MATS B course ran)

These were some other paintings I made. You can view them larger on my website or here

and see sketches if you'd like - here

Our 1st assignment - January : create a journal cover (Edwardian brooch/jewel inspired)

You can view my sketches here

This was an extra little piece - A Manifesto for the class

I had another very good experience taking this course.

The Facebook private group is super for support and sharing opinions and resources.

Plus, the projects are fun and tailored to the current market.

I took Make Art That Sells part A (one week deadlines) 

in spring of 2014. I've signed up for Lilla's Global Talent Search

that begins in August. I'll keep you updated on that one! 

Thanks for taking a look!

Hope you have AC, I finally turned mine on.

xo, A

Magical May, I love you!

I've been painting more flowers. It is spring, after all!

"Earth laughs in flowers." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Bee to the blossom, moth to the flame; Each to his passion; what's in a name?" - Helen Hunt Jackson

"I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, 

and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen." - Anne Lamott

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful

than the risk it took to blossom." - Anais Nin

"If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older." - Tom Stoppard

"You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming." - Pablo Neruda

Have a great week! 

xo, A

Spring Flowers, Paint, Patterns & People

So far, May has been a lovely sunny month!

I try to eat out and outside as much as possible. In my neighborhood, I tend to 

alternate between two very different Italian places, Frankie's and Enoteca :)

What does this have to do with painting? not much.

But, springtime is the best time for painting! I love the light and being able to 

open windows for that semi fresh city air.

This is Fiona, I think it's obvious she loves flowers.

I painted this last spring after returning from a few days in California. 

It was just a color sketch for a MATS project that I didn't end up using. 

I really like the light, loose and airy quality.

hi 

If you visit my blog, you've probably seen these pieces. 

Sometimes I just enjoy adjusting color and looking at details.

I consider this Cherry Blossom tree to be my own personal tree. 

It stands outside my living room window and I really enjoy seeing it spring to life 

year after year (we've both been here a long time!)

Speaking of a long time, Court Express has been across the street from me since '94.

Some of the drivers come and go, but I've known several of them for over a decade. 

I mostly use the subway to get around, but it's nice to have these guys around!

I was very happy to run into Jon and his son with their new dog, Dixie last week. 

I remember how exciting it feels to get your 1st dog as a kid! Magic.

I haven't eaten at La Slowteria in quite some time, but it's good. 

Love their barrel of tulips and cute blue sign :)

Happy Friday! 

:: Enjoy your weekend ::

xo, A

Making a Poster! Make Art that Sells :)

This month in MATS Bootcamp, our assignment was to design a poster for 

Lilla Rogers' Global Art Gathering event in Brighton UK this summer.

We were encouraged to participate in a contest where the winner is paid and

has their design produced and used as the official poster and postcards for the event.

Here's the April Gallery if you'd like to see all the submissions! I'm on page 4 :)

I made some loose sketches and then just went for it, since I had some other 

projects to finish last week.

I stuck to my painterly, kid-centric style, which could limit my chance of winning.

The event is about creating commercially viable art, not solely for the kids' market.

but, you know ...

I've Gotta Be Me - Sammy Davis Jr

I Am What I Am - Shirley Bassey

I Yam What I Yam - Popeye  :D

I still look forward to trying some Skillshare classes to make more 

elegant, funky and/or fanciful lettering, but I think mine worked for 

the overall feel of my illustration. I wanted the Make Art that Sells to appear

as if it was drawn in the sand, but kinda tricky to do. 

Our brief included a color palette, dimensions and the essential information. 

I made my image too long and had to resize it in photoshop.

In the end, I think it actually helped to shorten it, but it sure is annoying 

when you realize your mistake.

Brighton - ice cream man in waders - photo by George W. Hales 1939

Of course, I went to Pinterest to see what Brighton is all about.

I really wish I could attend this event. I'm sure it will be fun and informative.

Plus, Brighton looks delightful!

Below - some of the reference I used for my piece. 

I love vintage travel posters, beach umbrellas and amusement park images.

My dog pays homage to this guy ;)

Pesaro would make a nice trip, too!

Have a great week!

xo, A

paint paint paint pictures

:: Happy Monday ::

Here are some new paintings to start your day off right.

I loved painting these little abstractions with animals!

This piece, above, is a few years old. I've decided I like it again.

It's funny how you can tire of something, then look at it again in a new light.

I think because I want to maintain a painterly feel in my work, it's appeals to me.

However, I love lines, too. and animals in frames ;)

I revised this one a little. It's also a few years old. Bailey bear overindulged 

at an Italian eatery and bun would like to taste those left overs!

See more work by me at AllynHoward.com - 

illustration, custom paintings, murals, product designs and process pics.

Hope you have a splendid week ahead.

xo, A

:::

*PS - Kristine Lombardi's 1st picture book, Lovey Bunny, debuts this week! 

Perhaps I can score an interview with her this month :D

She'll be reading and signing books at Books of Wonder this Sunday

March 8th from 2-4pm

I'll be there. Maybe I'll see you!