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

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

Process, Flowers and Self Promotion Monday :)

We all start somewhere. 

I thought I'd share some process pics of a painting I made this weekend.

I like to start by drawing everything out loosely with charcoal, 

but I sometimes use pencil or just start painting. 

For my latest series of flower themed art, I've been working on canvas again.

Most of my animal illustrations are currently painted on gesso board or wood.

Pre-primed canvas provides a smooth surface for acrylic paint. 

Filling in the background with color is really relaxing to me. 

I guess because it requires only light focus and skill.

Painting each flower is the most fun, but the moment comes when you gotta decide just

 how far to go. I considered keeping this loose and painterly, 

but decided to add lines for definition and to keep it similar in style to the 

last couple of patterns I made. Below, is a detail before I went lighter.

I tried a softer look, by making the background pink, plus I worked a little more on it overall.

And then, I went back to a bolder background using Photoshop, which you can see below. 

Of course, with tools like Photoshop, you can alter almost anything. 

I can get lost in all the color options, alone!

In general, I prefer to do as much with paint before scanning or photographing a piece.

I currently use my iPad to photograph work that's too big to scan, 

like this, which is about 40" x 40" I think it's time to consider buying a large flatbed 

scanner or investing in a better camera or even using my old camera again.

I would love to license work like this to fabric companies, furniture and home accessory

manufacturers. I will begin researching places I can send samples to once I have a few more 

in the series. I'll probably have some printed using Spoonflower, plus create 

some pieces in my Society 6 shop to see how they look on products.

Speaking of samples, nice segue, huh - 

Here are my little square business cards being printed by Moo as we speak :)

Below is the back with a list of select social media platforms & my website, of course.

I'm doing a variety of square cards, here are a few -

and I want to start promoting my custom work again.

I used to paint murals more regularly and I miss it. 

I also live in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, a mini-mecca for newborns!

Below, are postcards of my latest custom painting, which I like a lot.

I decided to print detail shots bc I think it shows the work off better 

than the full image on a postcard size. 

I may print some larger samples or some flyers also.

Thanks for taking a look and indulging me on this self promotion Monday!

Finally, I will leave you with something sweet -

* TAFFY *

Have a great week!

xo, A

Sunday Post

It's another Sunday post!

Here's a little snapshot of my week. Hope you find something you like.

::

This painting, above, is a vibrant multi-colored version of the piece I made below, last spring.

I painted over it, on a layer of acetate, basically giving me two for one.

Sometimes using an old school process that pre-dates photoshop, is fun. 

Kristine Lombardi recently saw it in my apt and exclaimed (without my prompting) "I Love It"!

It's great to have a friend who freely shares her enthusiasm when she likes something.

My Doggie bag, on the sidewalk holding extra vinyl for touch ups on Monday's job.

I like the two oranges together :)

Meanwhile, Lisa Congdon's Art, Inc waits for me on my work table. 

::

Lisa is teaching a FREE class online this Tues 30th & Wed 1st

through Creative Live 

**Plus, she'll be including samples of my friend, 

Melissa Iwai's work in her section on branding. 

Prop man, Bentley checks out the shiny British Taxi, one of several picture cars for a commercial.

The prop guys asked it's owner to take our photo with it, he kindly obliged. I like this BW version.

and a few us couldn't resist a selfie 

and one of us did his best Miley Cyrus impression ;)

AdWeek wrote a piece about a Motorola commercial that I worked on in August.

Bryon Finn charged it and put in the longest hours (from our crew, at least) 

It was shot at Grumman Studios on Long Island. 

See How Droga5 Actually Made the Insanely Intricate Sets for Moto's

New Ads Four spots share one truly elaborate sound stage by David Griner

Scenic painters (like myself), prop and carpentry departments execute the 

agency's vision, as well as that of the director. 

We work directly with the production designer to accomplish this. 

Clem Price-Thomas, whom we work with often, designed this set of ads.

You won't find us in the credits, for we are the unsung heroes ;)

::

My shots don't do justice to the overall look and scale of these ads,

 but if you watch the videos, you'll recognize these two sets and this 

sweet beagle in one of the spots.

Gold leafing

almost finished sets

just getting started (again & again on this one)

View of set up and ready to shoot w/ monitor

They're pretty cool spots! See the "behind the scenes" and videos here

This is Samson, a 9 month old Bull Mastiff and Zeus, a 10 year old mixed breed.

I met them walking back to Broadway Stages in Greenpoint, Brooklyn this week.

Needless to say, they are a perfect pair!

In other news, I was happy to learn that my illustration, Big Bun, Little Bun

was voted as one of 4 images to make it on the cover of the B&W 

CBIG directory this fall. It will share space with my friend, Yuko Katakawa

and fellow illustrators, Patricia Keeler and Barbara Dilorenzo :)

Thursday night's rainbow, as seen from a little corner of my neighborhood. 

I know that pot of gold is out there somewhere ;)

Have a great week!

xo, A