Gellatinous Laser

Lost January

2012-01-22T18:48:00.000-08:00

I have been working too much! Its true. I do have exciting news, but I do not want to share the full details until I sign something....hint. Anyway, I do not want to jinx myself as I often do or get my hopes up soo high that when they fall they fall hard and break a bone.

So, here are a few things I have had time to do:

1. make this amazing recipe (and then wrap it in a raw collard! amazing. Ps- we are cooking a lot from Thrive and really love it.) Totally new way of cooking for me and I am blown away by some of the recipes and ways of dealing with veggies.

2. A few whale paintings...a few is an understatement, but really I can only scan these two small ones.

3. We finally hung some art on the walls in our new/temporary-for-a-year-apartment

4. I am going to see some amazing shows this year: Richard III (with Kevin Spacey at BAM), Tune Yards (I went to college with her and know her via musical friends...that's right I'm bragging), and Bjork (I cannot believe it, but basically I have the most amazing and generous friends).

5. For my birthday JJ threw me a surprise party, which was hosted by my bff. She moved and is now walking distance, so I wanted to go hang out...so I went over in my jammies....sort of...I was wearing sweat pants. I do not wear such things out of the house, but I was walking over in the evening so I figured, no biggie, and JJ could not tell me not to because it would have given away the surprise...maybe. So, basically, I was surprised by all my friends and I was in jammies. Great. It really was. In fact, JJ got my shift the following day covered so I could stay out late. It was such an amazing birthday. I am now 30. My mother says that I now have credibility with being old or having any money! Yay.

6. The website I made a logo for is up and running! Sadly, none of my insane link icons were used....but that's ok because now I can use them for other projects.

7. I have been listening to nonstop Daniel Pinkwater. I bought The Neddiad audiobook, JJ bought me Chicago Days Hoboken Nights, The Hoboken Chicken Emergency, Borgel, Looking for Bobowicz, and I have been listening to the Pinkwater Podcast and digital archive which just makes me want more! It is not bad, but its hosted by someone other than Daniel Pinkwater and I do not want him to talk...and he does...he also plays music in between the excerpts from different stories. I just want the whole story. I do not understand why all his books are out of print and if he has done readings of all of them why I cannot get them on disk. I know they exist on tape, but that is not helpful!! Bah. Why do things go out of print if people are obsessed with them. If all of his books became available to buy in audio format I would. Really. I think I need to write him a letter....ok too much ranting.

I am working on a few projects in my brain, but they have not happened or even been started yet. At least one will involve kickstarter, another will be another book idea, and finally one will involve a celebrity chef....and maybe a bunch. If I can rope in one then maybe I can rope in a few more.

Off to maybe do illustration Friday and possibly not think about coffee.

Future stylist

2012-01-12T18:00:00.000-08:00

IF: grounded

First belated post of 2012

2012-01-09T18:24:00.001-08:00

This holiday and new years has really sucked the creativity right out of me...mainly because I cannot find a pencil or paper under all the boxes. We moved right after xmas and have been living in 3/4 of a set up apartment for a week now. I finally was able to sit down today for what feels like the first time since new years. I have not done illustration friday and it makes me sad...but I will do one tomorrow! New Years was great! I made JJ, my sister, and her boyfriend come on a midnight 4 mile run through central park. It started at midnight new years eve and there were fireworks and lots of drunk people cheering us on or just getting in the way. It was a pretty fun time and then we stumbled home to sleep for 3 hours and then opened the shop the next day.

Since then it has been work, running, seeing friends from Canada, and JJ having a little old time jam session with my cousin.

I have a lot I want to accomplish in the next couple of months, but for now here are some buttons I made for a website that accompany a logo I still need to post!

Playing with Logos

2011-12-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

Making a logo for a friend's awesome new website. These are what I am playing with and its really fun. Its basically a site about writers and book related events in New York. Soo I am playing with all sorts of ideas and we will see if any of them are what they are looking for. Either way I am pretty happy with the preliminary logos.

Everything and the Kitchen Sink

2011-12-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

I bought a small travel watercolor set to test out. I decided to use it on this illo and it looks ok. I think if I spent more time working with watercolor I might like it better. I am just so used to gouache and it honestly scans better. Anyway, we shall see. I might just give the watercolor set away, but you cannot hate something if you never try it...which isn't true at all so never mind.

Winnie's cake includes: hot dog, banana, jelly beans, spatula, cheese doodles, and potato chips!

IF: Sink

Holiday Slog

2011-12-17T06:52:00.001-08:00

I am feeling a little overwhelmed right now. We are supposed to be moving this week...yes, this week, but does our apartment look like we are planning to move? Do the cats seem anxious? No. In fact, we are still waiting to hear that we can move in and we have keys or contract...this is extremely unnerving. Only in New York, really, I think that is the biggest downfall of living here. The insane things that go on in this market where people bring 4000 cash just to secure an apartment to rent, where making a quick decision is almost waiting too long, and where negotiating means you lose the apartment.
We are just moving across the hall, but its still moving. We are going to the yearly tornado of holiday events. We take a bus down to VA to have dinner with JJ's Dad and step mom--->from there go to Oxford, NC for extended fam time---->California, MD to see JJ's mom and step dad----> back to NY and on the same day we get in have dinner and jazz concert with JJ's dad and step mom. This is not a week trip, but 23rd-27th. I cannot tell you how tired it makes me to think about it.
A couple of exciting thing to negate all this negative chatter: I bought all gifts this holiday from Peru or from small vendors in the USA.
I have a meeting with a literary agent in January. This is exciting because I lost my agent recently (who was not a literary agent) and went to see two literary agents who did not really see my books going anywhere. I find it frustrating that my book is less re-readable than a book called "good night ipad." I was showed this book and all I could think was, this is not a children's classic nor will be be relevant in 5 years. Angry birds will not be vogue. I was told that: no one would reread a finding book (that must be why where's waldo never took off), a kid does not want to read a book about getting dressed for school when they are about to go to sleep (no joke, she said that), and there was not enough of a plot. So, it will be nice to meet with someone else. Even if this other person cannot see how to sell this book at least I will feel like I am trying.
I am cleaning house of art, which feels very good. I put tons of prints on etsy because I have too much back stock, I put ceramics on etsy that I painted recently, and I just finished a commission painting of whales.
I am excited to move and next year: get published somehow, do some craft fairs with another great design duo, pay a lot of money for a full website overhaul that will give me a blog-store-pholio all in one place, do a kick starter for tea towels, and last but not least work on a book of illustrated recipes from celebrity chefs...after I pitch it to the chefs in question.

Right now I am in the process of testing out a recipe I invented called Holiday Snog Bread. If it turns out well it will be another illustrated recipe. Fingers crossed.

Now off to get packing and divesting.

Frenchy French

2011-12-14T18:07:00.000-08:00

A little something because I should not be sitting around watching netflix and not have something to show for it. I wanted to start drawing something every day, but this seems unrealistic as some days I leave at 5am and get home at 8pm and then have to go to sleep by 9....so

Anyway, this is a little concept for another children's book about a little chef. The idea is that she cooks in other peoples kitchens because her mother does not think she is old enough to be cooking. She has a frenchie and uneven pony tails. She is not good at a lot of other things, but she is a great cook! So, while I have not gotten the other two books off the ground I am starting another one. I know this is silly, but I figure I will work on submitting the other two to a book contest and then self publish if I have to. I think it will be cute because I do love to draw kitchens and I have an entire pinterest dedicated to them.

Hoping I have some time to cram in some drawing tomorrow.

Sleeves!!!!

2011-12-12T16:51:00.000-08:00

New sleeves!

Yay, stocking stuffers for all.

Keep em' Separated

2011-12-11T14:51:00.000-08:00

Based on actual events....all the time

IF: Separated

Because its funny

2011-12-07T18:13:00.001-08:00

Just a little something.

Squirrel holiday sticker labels

2011-12-06T11:18:00.000-08:00

Stickers! These custom stickers measure at about 2 x 2.5 and are really beautiful. Yay stickers!! They are now available on etsy!

Holiday Treats

2011-12-05T18:37:00.000-08:00

Here are two new commissions of some really cute animals! I love the holidays because everyone wants to give the gift of animal portraits.

Horseradish Cauliflower Mash

2011-12-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

Holiday recipe contest. Yay!!!

The month that keeps on giving

2011-12-01T07:14:00.000-08:00

Writing about the last few months seems completely impossible based on the things that have occurred...I can hardly keep it all straight. I am going to try and sum it all up in a list format....just for the sake of efficiency

1. marathon 1 Portland: great trip was supposed to end with marathon, but for me, it ended with a 10 ml fail and sad charrow

2. Iron and Wine viewed at the distance a 15 year old would approve of...smashed against the front fence, and we actually were sandwiched between teens who clearly had heard the twilight sound track. And yes, we did feel too old.

3. finished another book....but still have to figure out what to do with it. Going to enter a book contest and if that is a no go I will do some self publishing.

4. Signed up for the Philadelphia marathon...because I'm dumb (but I finished and it goes on the list of crazy things I've done)

5. Went to Peru and Ecuador...and still need to upload illustrations and photos

6. Started closing on an apartment we found. We were going to be owners!!

7. said apartment fell through

8. crap...where are we going to live?

9. probably will sublet across the hall...literally...for another year while we look for something new. The pros of this other place: it has sun, faces the back, and the kitchen was redone! No more black counters...which are gross.

10. entered contests for holiday recipe, card contest, CMYK Mag, Comm Arts, and maybe a few more...good bye money

Im sure there is more, but it feels like more than enough. Being busy is good, but I feel completely run down. I have not run in a few days because I have some head cold which makes it hard enough to breath while sitting.

I have to fit in all the divesting and packing with teaching classes and working...not to mention xmas. It was so much easier when I could ignore xmas. I viewed from the outside and thought what a pretty holiday it was. I loved the lights and candles and it was such a beautiful thing that I could work on a holiday I did not celebrate and get paid time and a half....oh those days. Now I see what this holiday feels like from the inside. It is stressful. It involves spending money you don't have and if you decide to break the mold and not spend money...well then you are the jerk who didn't buy people things. And instead of spending money you end up getting neatly packaged guilt.

I do pretty well on the holidays, which is the flip side of things. I sell a lot of commissions, prints, and cards. I think this time of year is partly what keeps me feeling like I can do this for a living. Its not that I do not do well the rest of the year, but December it all comes at once and keeps me busy. Likewise, this year, I bought most of the gifts in Peru and Ecuador to small vendors and then the rest came from one person companies. In fact, even most of my major vendors are small businesses.

People you should support:

eviro totes - They are a woman owned, woman run, american company operating out of New Hampshire. They have bottle cotton (100% post consumer bottle plastic) and a recycled cotton made 80% post production cotton and 20% bottle cotton. They print on site and do custom anything. They make my totes, wine totes, java jackets, and soon they will be making my tea towels....those will come next year. I might make a kick starter for it.

Sticker Mule - they make custom stickers. I get my squirrel wearing a bow tie stickers from them and soon!!! I will be getting sticker labels for Christmas and Hanukkah packages. The stickers are not shiny and are vinyl, which makes them classy and sturdy. I have gotten personal thank you's from the company for using them and that makes me feel special. They do a bunch of other things, which I have yet to take advantage of such as skins and die cuts...but clearly at some point a die cut squirrel is in order. In fact, if you think you might want a skin for your lap top, ipad, iphone, or kindle...let me know :)

If you do want stickers you can get $10 bucks off by using this link.

Ok, off to make some cards and get ready to move

Cards!!!!

2011-11-26T16:37:00.000-08:00

New cards and I am trying to do a lot more before xmas. Both holiday and non-holiday related.

Vanity

2011-11-23T17:39:00.000-08:00

Something completely different for the season:

IF: Vanity
(Pattern borrowed from http://designyoutrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/unnamed_cxnv41ps6t.jpg)
Today we found out we will not be getting the apartment we were going to buy. This means we have 5 weeks to find a place to live. The problem may have corrected itself in that we might be able to rent a place down the hall from where we are living now. It will make life easier as we try to find another place to buy....blarg. Happy thanksgiving.

Say Hello to Sniglet

2011-11-18T18:15:00.000-08:00

Busy weekend of running the Philli Marathon and getting ready for T-day. Have a great weekend and here is a little something to brighten your day!

Sound of silence is not a dog

2011-11-13T09:52:00.000-08:00

IF: Silent

Cat in a Fez

2011-11-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

I realize looking back at these animations that I was not very good. In fact, I am not sure how I got a good grade in this class. Oh well.

Old Footage

2011-11-13T09:05:00.000-08:00

I made this little animation while in school. It is really silly. In fact, they are all really silly. This one was my crowning jewel of silly.

How the Mighty Have Fallen

2011-11-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

So the truth is I have not made a flash animation in 3.5 years. I cannot remember how to do anything, but I thought I would do a little video. Its a start....a slow start.

Keep in mind this was 30 minute re-exploration. I think I will get better...

The Kingdom of Suck

2011-11-12T18:28:00.000-08:00

It came to my attention recently that a project I created a proposal for, which was accepted, and then dropped for no reason was stolen from me. I am a patient and reasonable person, but when a LARGE firm asks for a proposal it is my understanding that if its my idea, it still is my idea if they do not hire me. The concept was mine and after asking them to contact me and hearing nothing I got suspicious. I recently went to the site and found that my concept had been executed. "Turning a project over to the architect" does not mean equal "steal my shit and have someone else do it." It is unfortunate for these people that they did not pay me the little bit I asked for. This company is so big that the fee would have been worth it compared to the shit storm they are going to have to deal with now. It sucks, it really does. I hate to feel this way and I hate to be this person, but why steal what you can afford to buy? So, the lawyers letter will come next and maybe then they will answer my emails.

Blah

I Saw The Sign

2011-11-12T14:12:00.000-08:00

I will hence forth be known as the chalk master! Well not really, but I had a little freelance project at Little Owl. I usually do not work in chalk, but it was fun on a nice even surface. Usually, I do our signs at Joe, but our sign is pretty beat up by the elements so its hard to get a nice clean line. This was for a baby shower and spans about 6 feet vertically. I am really happy with the end product.

Trendy

2011-11-12T14:08:00.000-08:00

One awesome thing about Portland is there obsession with terrariums. They were everywhere. The Ace Hotel had a beautiful set up in the lobby. There was a woman that came in one day over the course of our stay and she spruced it and rearranged the layout. I had a great time sketching it and it made me more obsessed with the idea of making my own terrarium garden. After me move at the end of December I am allowed to buy the rest of the supplies for this endeavor. Not only do they look cool, but they are inherently cat proof.

Some New Cards

2011-11-11T18:25:00.000-08:00

Here are a few for the road

Holiday Cards have Begun

2011-11-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

And here are the first two that I will make available tonight. More to come both holiday specific and non denominational.

Fashion Animal

2011-11-06T15:22:00.000-08:00

IF: Stripes

Just trying to catch up with commissions, holiday cards, and sending out my book....I am officially sans agent, which is scary but probably for the better right now.

Galapagos and Matchu Pitchu

2011-11-03T15:42:00.000-07:00

Just returned from an amazing trip to Peru and Ecuador. I have a lot of photos to upload, but I also have little paintings. So here are two and there are more to come.

The Long Winter

2011-11-01T17:34:00.001-07:00

Excuse the long absence. I have a tendency to forget to mention when I leave the country. So, I went to Portland, OR (Not Maine, even though the gate for the flight to Portland Maine was right next to our gate for Portland OR....you can imagine the confusion that ensued when they announced the boarding for Portland...Maine...but did not say Maine...yes, that is right...we all looked around completely baffled by the last boarding call for Portland and we had not even heard the pre-boarding.)

So, the marathon...the thing I had planned for for the whole year...and I got very very sick the night before. I mean I could not sleep, move, stay still, throwing up, explosive stomach problems, and I was fretting about the race. We got up (JJ got up, as I was already awake) and I put on my clothes and resumed my post in the fetal position on the bed. I could not eat anything either, that was the real issue...aside from the amazing pain. So, I decided to give it a try. I made it 10 miles and realized that at mile 10, when I hadn't eaten anything and could not stomach anything aside from water that maybe ending up in the hospital at mile 17 was a bad idea. I bowed out and it was the hardest thing I have done in a while. I almost could not believe it was happening. Right before I quit I was listening to the Freakanomics podcast and it happened to be about quitting....it was so miserable. So, JJ finished and I went back to Ace Hotel and slept in the lobby. Why did I sleep in the lobby, do you ask, as apposed to our room. Well, we got cheap rooms with a bathroom down the hall and I decided for the last two days we should spurge and get a room with a bathroom. So, they were all full, but the guy said we could check out and check back in when we were done running...you see where this is going....I was supposed to be done at 1:30, but instead I came back at 10:30...so no room. Cut to me sleeping for 3 hours in the lobby, thank you Ace Hotel. The lovely counter man/boy let me use one of the bathrooms to take a shower and not smell like a hobo. By the time JJ hobbled back to the hotel our room was ready and we went to order room service and I cried. It was really hard, but I had not choice. I did not have an appendicitis, cancer, or anything life threatening. It was probably an ovarian cyst that burst....let me just say that if it happens again I may need to an epidural.

So cut to the day after we get home and I decide I am going to have my marathon. So, I signed up for Philli right before T-Day.

And now cut to 5 days after we got back from OR I went to Peru and Ecuador with my aunt. 16 days later and now Im back and ready to not take a plane ever again. The Matchu Pitchu and Galapagos trips need an entry all their own so maybe tomorrow. Pictures and art to come...and holiday cards are up and ready to go!

Its Hibernation time

2011-10-05T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is long overdue. I have been working feverishly to finish the children's book. I did finish it and recently met with a local book agent. She said it did not have a plot, once children found the objects they would not be interested in looking at it again, and the colors are all the save values so it difficult to understand the illos. It was a great meeting. It definitely made me want to go face more rejections! Its fine though, it just made me feel very tired and beat up. I will work on finishing the cover and making it look even more presentable to send around, but I will probably self publish. I am also going to revisit the ugly sweater and work with my best friend on another book. So there!

Here is an IF drawing! It has been so long and I have missed it so much. Ok, off to portland tomorrow for a few days of vacation and a marathon.

Hope to rejuvenated when I get back.

IF: hibernate

Brooklyn is on the map!

2011-09-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I have been working on this one for awhile. The brooklyn coffee map is donezo! Well, Brooklyn, and a tiny tiny bit of queens. I did not want to say "and queens" because people from queens would probably say "hey, what's the matter you!" so I included the two shops in queens and hope I only offend the normal amount of folks. I know there are shops not here, but its not a map of everyone, its a map of the most notable and consistent. Additionally, I have corrected some errors and if there are any others I will correct them gladly.

Ok, on ward to smaller things.

Some other spreads I never uploaded

2011-09-13T17:54:00.000-07:00

Here is page 9: (might be a bit too simple. I am on the fence....yes, that was a pun)

Here is the edited page 2: (I added wall stripes)

Updated page 4: I added the rug once I realized all the rooms had intricate rugs.

Page 10

2011-09-13T15:25:00.001-07:00

The final spread of the book

Where you been

2011-09-12T17:44:00.001-07:00

Hey Charrow, where are you!!!

Sorry, I have been hunting for an apartment to live in. We have to move at the end of December. That along with marathon training and Joe training is owning my life.

I have not forgotten about you dear blog and I am sorry. I will give you some color tomorrow.

charrow

A couple weeks in Review

2011-08-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

Weekend in the Country with my cousins

Long runs 17 and 20 miles:

30 mile bike ride to Fort Tilden:

Succulent garden

2011-08-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

Disguised as a houseplant

Disguise

Sloppy Joes

2011-08-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

The weather has come and gone or rather it SEEMS to have come and gone. And while the weather did its thing I finished the latest illustrated recipe for the latest TDAC contest. I have to say at this point prizes are not the main motivators. I find it harder to invest the amount of time it takes to make one of these for nothing except myself. I do love to do detailed illustrations, but I have so much to do that it makes it harder unless I feel very motivated. The Manhattan coffee map, for example, took forever and now I have to do Brooklyn!!! I basically signed myself up for this when I came up with the idea, but I have a feeling there might be other cities in my future.

Otherwise, we went to the beach for JJ's birthday on Friday and it was really fun, minus the sore butt from the bike riding. We road 30 miles and I do not think I was really prepared mentally for how far away we were going to be. The water was beautiful and there was ocean and some bays which I love so basically I got all the water I could handle. When you are out there it really does feel like a completely different state. I want to go back there and just spend a day exploring so hopefully we can do that before it gets cold.

Saturday did a lovely 7 mile run through the pre-hurricane soup (super humid) and took note of all the trees that are probably not standing now.

Today I plan to work on the Brooklyn map and think about the illustration friday doodle I should be making :)

The influence of Trends

2011-08-19T13:25:00.000-07:00

Influence

Summer Patterns:3

2011-08-18T18:10:00.001-07:00

I find it amusing when peoples bags are bigger than their outfits....somehow it seems disproportional, call me old fashion.

Summer Patterns:2

2011-08-18T17:45:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Diesels new bright idea. It would only be worse if someone can out with the a bridesmaid workout jumper.

Summer Patterns:1

2011-08-18T15:48:00.000-07:00

Swelling with Pride

2011-08-18T07:55:00.000-07:00

Swell

Dancing to the Beet!

2011-08-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

I have been chugging along with Joe and a little art, but mostly Joe. Today, is the first day off where I could sleep in and actually think about something other than work. Its raining, which makes me feel less guilty about sticking around the apartment. I have a few small projects I would like to get done before a truly shitious week begins. I keep thinking that next week will be less busy and somehow it keeps proving to be the opposite. I submitted a proposal for a project that seems like it should have been done months ago and, which, someone involved in the design process should have thought of. I know, I am being vague. Basically, its a cool project involving urban planning and I fell into it. SO, I submitted this proposal for site maps so shoppers would have an idea what is was they were looking at. This shopping area is so innovative and clever that no one passing it has any idea that its a shopping area. This is a big problem.

Basically, did not hear from the developers for a week, and figured they did not like the idea or have the money. I was even feeling relieved because I do not have the time anyway and it was going to wear on my energy....but then I got a response Friday, and of course they accepted the proposal with changes I will get tomorrow. So, this week is going to be busy and I am going to do my very best to get is done as quickly as humanly possible. I will post pictures of the finished project and process images, but only after I am done. I am not superstitious, but I am nervous about the size of this project and do not want to set myself up to underwhelm. If I never mention this project again you will know why.

Ok, enough about me time to draw some heads mounted on walls!

Imperfect Plan

2011-08-11T07:19:00.000-07:00

IF: Imperfect

Winnie believed the plan would work. She wanted to go to the pool and her mom should stop working already so they could.

The Map is for Sale

2011-08-10T12:28:00.001-07:00

That's right! I have it up through Joe. I want to put a paypal button on everything!!! ANyway, I made it really cheap, which is awesome. Its on a 50lb semigloss photo paper which makes it look like a real poster. I am happy with it. Its 13x19 so a rather nice size. And its $20! I have the shipping at $3, but it might have to be a little higher. I will know after I ship a poster today. Still around $23 total so I think folks will want it.

Yay, buy away!!

Sketches from the Country

2011-08-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

I used to do comics all the time before I learned to paint, and in a lot of ways I really miss it even though I have moved on to color. This past weekend JJ and I went to the country to spend time with my cousin and her husband at their get away. It was so much fun to be away and get to spend some quality time with them. JJ and David spent some quality time in his studio playing music...I know you thought I was going to say finger painting. We cooked, juiced, picked veggies, hung out with my baby cousins, played in the large pond (or very small lake), fished, played badminton (which I always want to spell badmitten), and ran past some very interested cows. There was a lot of rain, but it always cleared up enough for us to get outside.

I also, had some time to draw for no purpose other than to draw. It was great not having any goals and I am happy with the results. So, more of that! I might even hit up drink and draw tomorrow night.

Still life of the plentiful fruits and veggies we had. Also, a very odd lamp, a sculpture David's dad made, and an odd woman with nipples that were plugs. I thought this whole scene looked a lot like a strange orgy.

Some onions from the garden, a branch, and two sculptures of David's. He does love some poodles.

An assortment of bounty from the garden

Lesson Lerned

2011-08-04T19:09:00.000-07:00

(I misspelled lerned on purpose)

Don't be Rude, chew your food!

2011-08-02T18:07:00.000-07:00

its very important.

Additionally, chewing with ones mouth open or talking with your mouth full.....deal breakers.

Obsessed with Pattern

2011-08-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

IF: Obsessed

Little doodle. The first thing I have drawn in a week! Unacceptable!!! Someone needs to save me from myself.

Bah hum Slug

2011-07-31T18:46:00.000-07:00

Its really time to change things....I have not drawn in a few days...which is unacceptable. My hand is itching??? My brain is itching. All I want to do is draw and yet all I am doing is NOT drawing. Bah

New Products

2011-07-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

On Etsy

Perennial Digger

2011-07-27T16:38:00.000-07:00

IF: Perennial

Summer of Neglect

2011-07-25T07:40:00.001-07:00

The past two weeks have been filled with a lot of amazing events, none of which involving art.

A Grease sing along (I do not sing and have never seen Grease...it was still really amazing)

a picnic on the Hudson for baristas

riding up to Joe Columbia University (aka from Union Square up to 120th and then back down all the way to Brooklyn 23miles!)

attempting to go to the Moth story slam, but faced with the possibility that we would have to stand the whole time we opted for ice cream instead.

going to VA for a 5.5 mile hike on the AP trail (it was too hot and I wore my 5 fingers because I am simultaneously stupid and ambitious)

tubing for 4 hours, instead of 2, because "off season" means rapids have become rock gardens and the current is as lazy as dogs in 90 degree heat (my butt is still bruised)

playing with dogs and swimming in a pool

17 mile run from Park Slope to the Central Park Reservoirs (yes I am training for something...namely the Portland, OR marathon) In fact, it has been taking up a good 3-4 hours of my time on weekends not including the rest of the day I am left languishing on the couch with my feet elevated, which is also taking a huge bite out of my art time.

birthday picnic in the prospect park

Now, I am doing laundry and wondering how exactly I am going to catch up with Illustration Friday, laundry, cat hair, my own huge jew mane, my website, the childrens book, and everything else that comes with being too social for my own good.

I find it hard to maintain a life and be productive. Off to pick up the pieces and somehow squeeze in the final Harry Potter movie and the Alexander McQueen exhibit.

Page 8 of Getting Dressed!

2011-07-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

I used a different technique this time where I did the type separately and then dropped it in afterwards. I think it reads well and, aside from the pain in the ass of deleting the white around the type, it worked out fine. I guess I should do the last pages the same way...blarg

Map reboot

2011-07-12T11:14:00.001-07:00

Updated the map a little to make the houses a bit darker. I felt that some of the eye cathing was being lost so I put on another layer of pigment.

I have no time, but I have unicorn

2011-07-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

I have had no time to draw, but here's a unicorn

The 5 Boroughs!

2011-06-30T14:04:00.001-07:00

On TDAT!

NY Coffee Map

2011-06-27T17:37:00.000-07:00

It took awhile, but its done! This is not ALL the coffee in NY. Its just specialty coffee so basically, go to these shops. This is going to be an entry for the They Draw and Travel contest. I think I am going to do another one that is fun, reads well horizontally, and is fun for everyone...not just coffee nerds.

Launching into danger

2011-06-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes its hard to have an uninterrupted breakfast

IF: Launch

weighty subject

2011-06-20T14:44:00.000-07:00

So I am going to work on the IF theme of this week...this is an unrelated post. I worked 6 days this past week so aside from sleeping, nothing creative has been happening.

The following statements are not for bragging rights, but to illustrate a point. So, I ride about 13 miles a day and I am training for a marathon, which means (on some weekends) running for hours. I am completely happy to do these thing, and yet I cannot make myself lift weights. That's right, I will run for 3 hours...sure no problem...but lift weights for 30 minutes...no like kryptonite.

So, I talked with a customer, who also happens to be a personal trainer and a really smart guy. He suggested I commit to doing one push and one pull exercise with free weights. Just do one set of each until exhaustion and that is good enough. This, I think I can do. I did it today along with some push ups and we shall see if I can bring myself to do it 3 times a week. None of this would matter if I did not have such a huge hang up about my arms. I wear almost nothing but tank tops...even in winter...so honestly, if I am going to constantly bring attention to an area of myself that I hate I should really do something about it.

I just thought it was really silly that I could have such a mind block about something that seems so simple compared to the other crap I am doing. Its so weird how easy it is to sabotage ones self.

another blog

2011-06-11T16:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, I have another blog, but its completely different. I promise. Working on illustration friday entry :)

In the mean time enjoy this new card:

I love you!

2011-06-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

New card!

Coffee Map in progress

2011-06-07T18:04:00.000-07:00

coffee map of NY. Its coming! Here is the sketch without color. I am going to do another New York map....with a very squirrelly theme..hint. ANyway, this project is very fun minus the tiny type and the fact that lower manhattan is over saturated with shops. Its crazy what can happen in three years. A handful of amazing shops and now insanity. Cannot wait to see what the terrane looks like in three more years.

Stickers

2011-06-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

Stickers are in! Stick a squirrel on it. Yay. I gave out a bunch today. And they will come with totes and sleeves!

Coffee blog slog

2011-06-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

Another attempt at the Coffee Blog.

Changed the banner, the style, and the motivation. This blog was stressful because I felt that I had to write something. I have decided to update this blog with images only. Why should I have to write anything. So, it will just contain coffee related things and maybe some food too. I am going to post all of the EU trip on the blog too.

The other night I went to the BBG for the rose festival and I mentioned this comatose blog. The person I was talking too said it sounded different and not like something she had ever seen before. I thought that was interesting. Keep in mind, she was in the in the coffee world, and is not aware of the gobs and gobs of coffee blogs...there are so many I could go crazy. But still, drawing and no talking. I can do that. Talking not so much. So, an attempt to manage two blogs...it might seem impossible, but I am a superhero or maybe stupidhero!

To all the stupidheros out there blog!

BrooklynNesse

2011-06-03T14:54:00.001-07:00

Submission for the Brooklyn Industries t-shirt contest

Also

IF: Shadows...how convenient!

Painting Sketches

2011-06-03T10:54:00.000-07:00

Some free form paintings.

Asleep but not for long

2011-06-01T12:18:00.000-07:00

Im a sucker for a crazy couch.

IF: Asleep

coughing up a lung

2011-05-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

Peter De' Seve is so brilliant. I collect his New Yorker covers and now I am looking at his blog while I try to muster energy for my IF submission. I have been working on the book like mad..I am calling it the book from now on. I am training for a silly little marathon and today was the 9 mile run. Ok, so I rode to work...cause I hate the trains...and then worked, rode home, and then it was over 80 and I mean a really not 83 and now I am dead. Horrible. Ok, so I am working forever this week, but I am going to draw something now...so it might be submitted tomorrow. Ok, in the mean time here is something I did not do recentlyit was from when I first learned to paint and I was turning blogs of ink into images. This is a chicken coughing up a lung.

Page 7 of the book

2011-05-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

Page 7!

23 squirrels

2011-05-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

that is a lot of squirrel related cards...

Someone from Australia wanted an inventory of all my squirrel cards...so here they are in all their glory. I have 60+ cards anyone wanna open a store?

OOh glam cam

2011-05-26T16:45:00.000-07:00

New work and glam shots of products.

400 squirrels

2011-05-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

The sleeves are in! They look great. They are 1/8 to 1/4 inch shorter than the prototype so today I am going to see how well they fit the paper cups we have at work. Its hard to know because the plastic cups and reusable cups I have at home are a little fatter than what disposable cups look like. Otherwise, the finishing is great and I cannot wait to have them at all the Joe stores. 6 bucks for a little something cute for your cup...I mean I would buy it. Also, its hard to carry around a cup, but carrying around a sleeve is way easier to make yourself do. Some people love paper cups so they can at least do their part by using one less piece of paper.

Yay!

new market

2011-05-19T15:33:00.000-07:00

Testing out a new marketplace for my work

bigcartel

New Commission

2011-05-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

New commission! Aren't they a cute pair.

A View from DUMBO

2011-05-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Interium illustration! I have been working on the book, but took a break to work on something equally as detail intensive....oops. The colors are ok, I do think it does not have the pop some of my other work does. It could use more yellow I think, still it is cute. I might do one for each season...but now I need to get back to the book. On to the living room.

Beginner

2011-05-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

IF: Beginner.

I personally would need a lot more than wheels. Personally I prefer these. I want the pink ones...but I already have 3 pairs that are perfectly good. (I bought two and the 3rd came from a customer at work who did not want hers).

The Green Room

2011-05-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here is page 6 of Getting Dressed for School! I am so excited these keep illos keep getting better! Onward, to the living room/playroom. Get excited as the rooms get crazier.

(Also including this in IF: Safari)

Very Eerie Ear

2011-05-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is not an entry for IF, but I at 5:15am this morning as I was getting ready for work I was faced with an ear wig. I hate hate hate those little buggers. Lucky, I noticed it at the same time Fatty, the large and generally very lazy house cat, saw it took care of the problem for me in one bite. One of the awesomest things about cats is there ability to be useful when it comes to bugs and rodents.

I was faced with further vermin when I got to work....it was not pretty. The joys of living in the city.

Ok, off to bag cards and paint.

Cover your cup!!!

2011-05-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

Here is the prototype is here. As you can see the stitching is on the top of the cup holder...which is an error, but luckily I opted for a prototype so it has not gone into production yet. They are sending me another in the mail where the stitching is on the bottom so it looks more professional. I love the sleeve (note that this sleeve is reversible and that is why there are so many squirrels on it!!), but here is the question:

This sleeve is very very white. The light in my apartment right now is very green because the ginko tree outside my window is very bright. Basically, this sleeve is as bright white as your computer screen. This is bottle cotton, aka, this sleeve is made from 100% recycled plastic bottle. I have other samples of this sleeve in recycled cotton, which is a natural fabric. Its a little more off white:

Now, the issue is that this cotton above, while post-industrial, is made from scrap cotton and plastic and not bottles. The bottle cotton only comes in white and black. If I go with the recycled cotton the little illustration is not completely accurate. The lovely people at Envir0-tote have pointed this out as something they are concerned about. I think it ultimately does not matter because both are made from post-industrial products and not brand new materials.

Thoughts?

(ps- the travel cup shown above is for Evil Kevin)

Its payback!

2011-05-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

IF: lesson

Because that is what would happen if all my plants could bite back....and sometimes I wish they would so the animals would leave them be. Apparently, cats hate mint so I am going to grow buckets of it!!

Oy in the Oy

2011-05-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Oy, feeling like my coffee:illustration split is not so split right now. I cannot remember the last time I felt super illustration accomplished/successful. I still have no idea how to take the next step in the greeting card kingdom. Its making me sad really. I have a day off tomorrow, which is the first in awhile (where I did not have things planned) and I just need to make a game plan. I have been selling really well at Joe (4 of the 7 stores), but I need to get in other places or rather I would like to.

So, the question is:

How does one accomplish world domination?

(I looked up some things on Paul Frank, my business idol, and he was just lucky enough to be friends with venture capitalists and wealthy entrepreneur in school....If anyone wants to step forward, lets do it.)

I am also taking other ideas...go

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

Page 5!

2011-04-29T07:32:00.000-07:00

The dining room is done! Half way done!

Adjustments and accomplishments

2011-04-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

The bathroom scene was looking unfinished, but I just changed it recently. I was feeling that the library was looking so much more complicated than the others and the bathrooms white walls were bothering me. I added stripes to make it feel more closed in and I think that helped. I am feeling unsure of the first illustration. It has a certain disjointedness to it. When I started I was not sure how I was tying everything together, but now that I have a better idea of who this family is and how color themes change from room to room I think that the girls bedroom is not defined enough. If the parents have hand in the designing of all the rooms then their children's bedrooms should feel more special. Maybe I am over thinking. Well, I will reassess when I have finished the other rooms, but so far so good.

(The New Yorker cover is just hanging on the wall because that is where it lives and I was feeling too lazy to take it down. I realize it looks a bit out of place.)

Page 5 details

2011-04-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Sneak peak details of page 5 pre-gouache

I am still here

2011-04-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

5th illustration for the book is coming along. Finished the sketch and will post some pre-color pictures tomorrow. Also, plan to do another recipe illustration cause I been cooking up a storm while its still cool outside. Yay, now off to sleep.

Bicycle Battle

2011-04-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

IF: Battle

Complimentary Gnome

2011-04-23T14:55:00.000-07:00

new card...and yes, I included a gnome.

new favorite thing

2011-04-22T10:53:00.000-07:00

I am officially in love with Kickstarter. I had never heard of this amazing website and today a customer who works in promotion....and I think production....told me about it and said she would support me when I was done with my book. I do want to send it out to publishers, but it would be super awesome to throw it up on this site and see what kind of interest there is. I am apparently super behind on the times.

Squirrels...what else?

2011-04-20T18:14:00.000-07:00

Minor fail already. I am working on page 5 of the children's book so I did not make any new doodles today. Instead, here are all the images that will be on the reusable cup jackets I am having made. It will be reversible with 4 squirrels in total...how did I manage so many squirrels you might ask...well I am the squirrel wrangler.

The Message is Clear

2011-04-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

In New York even the animals have clever clothing slogans.

I am spoiled by the fashion both adults and children. Sometimes I want to take pictures of the clothing little kids are wearing, but sadly, that is not socially acceptable....I will try to get better at my recall skills.

Going to try to post some illo every day...we shall see how long that lasts.

Eggs and Squirrels

2011-04-16T19:16:00.000-07:00

A new greeting card-

What happens when you watch a Next Top Model Marathon-

Snacks!

2011-04-15T18:06:00.000-07:00

IF: Journey

I have been too busy for my own good and so here is an oldie (2010) but goodie from the greeting card pool

Bottle Blonde

2011-04-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

IF: Bottle

I was too late for this week, but I am posting it anyway

Because pigeons are runners up to squirrels

2011-04-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

I have no idea.

Pet Duet

2011-04-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

IF: Duet

punnie honey

2011-03-31T18:10:00.000-07:00

Will add some color later, but in the mean time enjoy.

Tug of War

2011-03-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

Battle over the toys! Octoteddy is may never recover.

IF: Toy

Toy Poodle meets Toy Poodle

2011-03-27T18:32:00.000-07:00

IF: Toy

(Its so meta)