almost Thanksgiving 2014

: Thomasina Turkey hosts a Vegetarian Thanksgiving :

Thomasina blew outta Brooklyn on her scooter

back in 2010, after learning just what was in store for her!

She's since lived in the woods with her family and friends.

I painted this several years ago for If I Were A Toy store.

Most of you know that I painted monthly custom scenes 

on this store's front door since 2010. 

They closed shop earlier this year, but my doors live on here :)

I share this one every year because I like it.

Hope you have much to feel thankful for this year.

I do.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

xo, A

Thanksgiving 2012

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving

:::

I am thankful for my friends and family who give 

life it's real beauty, in good times and bad,

add such humor and create true meaning.

:::

I hope all of us have something to feel 

grateful for this year. 

xo,

A

Happy Thanksgiving! xo, Thomasina & friends!

Okay, it's a couple days late... 

I am especially thankful this year for wonderful supportive friends who make all the difference when life isn't so perfect. You know who you are and you're great. Thank You! I'm lucky :)

Hope you enjoyed a lovely time with your family and friends!

xo, A

Hello November!

Yesterday, I painted my monthly door for If I Were A Toy store here in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Some of you will remember last November's door, Thomasina Blows Outta Brooklyn! She made it out in the nick of time. This year, she enjoys a vegetarian Thanksgiving with her friends in the forest :) 

Dinner was my mom's lovely idea, I just knew I'd like to show Thomasina again. Somehow her feathers this year are blue, not red. hmmm

I love lanterns and dogs in hats :)

Cat trying to get in on the action!

I hate being in the way of people walking into the store, but everyone is so nice and I love hearing what kids think.Yesterday, a little boy asked me if I was painting the wind. I'm glad he could tell, since this sky is pretty active looking.

This is my sketch.

Hope your November is off to a nice start! 

Don't forget to turn back your clocks Saturday night. 

Have a swell weekend!! xo, A

Thomasina Blows Outta Bklyn!

Here's my November door for If I Were a Toy, Carroll Gardens' super cute toy store/hair salon for kids. I went out on a limb and painted a Thanksgiving theme ;) In this scenario, Thomasina Turkey takes her babes on her scooter and gets the heck outta Brooklyn before it's too late!

Above, a friendly piglet I reworked from a pig series. Hoping he'll get a chance to adorn some of Rogue Confections' delightful & delicious Belgian chocolates by Sherri Adler :')

Thought I'd feature some recent work in my Thanksgiving post... Below, a bunny rabbit waits by the lake, drawn with charcoal on wood.

  

Above, Animal Houses -- Is Bailey Brown Bear locked out or are they playing a game?

Below, Forest Birthday Celebration painting uncropped.

Speaking of birthdays, Bryon & Kristy's adorable little girl, Vola Mae Finn celebrated her 3rd a couple of weeks ago. Here, Kristy helps her blow out her candles. I love the lighting and Vola's coy expression in this!

A Public Space, the literary magazine founded by their friend, Brigid Hughes, was the setting for her party. A good choice for Brooklyn's mini-intellectuals to meet up with parents in tow ;)

Bryon spent many hours in his studio painting games for the kids!

Inflated pink and blue ponies lined the shelves and looked innocent enough...

until an unsuspecting mom said the wrong thing and the little ones attacked her mercilessly with them!!

Most of you know I'm a big fan of my friend, Bryon Finn's artwork (below couple studio shots).

This year he made a fabulous bed for his daughter, important to indoctrinate them young!

Above, Vola appreciates her new bed. It must be fun to sleep inside a painting! I was impressed with the way Bryon stuck to his style and vision, which can fall by the wayside when an artist designs something functional.

Starting point...

He was also featured on the art & design blog, Hallazawa under label, Thanks Pops!

Onto paying projects which tend to create much more of a mess...
Below, a work in progress-- the Mega Millions Mega Phone. It's Mega alright, taking about 75 lbs of plaster to complete!!

Spending time inside the hanging horn was sorta fun, felt like I'd been on a boat.

You can see the layer of dust lining the carpentry shop floor.

Here, Melissa begins priming... little did she know just how many chances she'd have to repair and repaint this piece!

Ahhhhh, the pride :')

This cocktail lounge by Steiner Studios in the Navy Yard is going down :( I never went in, since it looked quite sketchy in harsh daylight, but I'll miss seeing this old sign with anchor.

Kristine, this water tower is for you! I no longer pass a water tower without thinking I'd better stop and photograph it. Hoping you'll put together a book one day.

Love this yellow door :)

I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with the Zexter family. They're so nice to invite me since I rarely go back to Virginia to celebrate. I can't wait to surprise them with this fancy new sequined dress ;D

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!!

Thanks for stopping by :)

xo, A