Photo Friday: I Love. . .

. . . this picture of my friend Christine at Cafe Reggio in Greenwich Village, New York. It makes me think of a Hopper painting. I attempted two paintings of it over a year ago. One, a loose whimsy interpretation with acrylics, and the second extremely tight painted with oils and marojer medium. The loose painting needs to be re-worked. I started it when I was sick with a cold and hopped-up on cold medicine and it sure looks it! I bet I could re-do that one in one sitting. The second however, requires enormous hours of work. Hopefully one day I will finish it!

My friend Christine and I have been friends for almost 20 years. We have always been art partners in crime, having gallery shows together and many a "Painting Party". I thought I would post of pic of us painting together, and me working on her portrait during one of those painting parties. Our painting parties often involve loud inspiring music that we can dance around to and several coffee/critique breaks in between. Afterwords, we always celebrated our accomplishments with a big bottle of wine or two and lots and lots of laughs. I highly recommend painting parties among fellow artist friends!

Zodiac Illos for M Magazine

Another page in M Magazine, and I had lots of fun illustrating this. I really didn't need to draw each zodiac sign, but I couldn't help myself! It was very therapeutic, and has helped me get back to illustrating after my long break. Completely drawn in Adobe Illustrator even the zodiac letters, as always.

What are YOU doing on New Years Eve?

Yes, I'm desperate here for some new posts. This is an ad that I did for "M" magazine, and the first issue will be out in November. That would be "M" for Mix 106.5, one of the radio stations I work for. I dug in my archives and used some of my old artwork for it since it was convenient.

Which leads me to the question. . . and I thought this would be fun for my fellow bloggers. What are YOU doing on New Years Eve? OR what was the best time you have ever had on New Years Eve? Have any neat traditions? Crazy stories? Inquiring minds wanna know!

Susan G Komen race for the cure cover flop!

"I want something light, fresh, fun and airy and full of hope!" Were the keywords I was given for this task. So I gave them (CBS Radio, my job) Meryl Streep's wild crazy energy inspired by that horrible movie Mamma Mia that just came out before I did this cover. Well, it was all subliminal, and I didn't notice it until I was finished. Ain't that a . . . .

So, I got two free movie premiere tickets from the radio station, and thought. . . Why not? If you haven't seen it, trust me don't see it! The gawd awful Abba tunes will be stuck in your head for days along with visions of Colin Firth dressed in gay Abba gear and you will sing it over and over in your brain and it will seep into your artwork subconsciously!!!

I had been working late into the hours on concepts, and taking care of my Mom during the time I created this cover. This particular concept obviously wasn't the one that was chosen, but I thought I'd post anyway since I worked so hard. And wouldn't ya know it. . . the one ad I disliked the most that I had done was chosen.

Mamma mia, here I go again
My my, how can I resist you?
Mamma mia, does it show again?
My my, just how much I've missed you!

By the way, I know this cover bombed and I agree with it, but do any of you think it looks like a pharmaceutical ad? Just wondering :P

Photo Friday: Freeze Frame

A bumble bee in mid-flight. They really enjoyed my sunflowers this summer!

My beautiful Mom

Hi everyone! I have been M.I.A. from this blog practically all summer and I wanted to let you know why. On September 21st my dear Mom passed away after a long battle with lung cancer. I have been spending the summer weekends with her at her beach house getting much needed quality time in, and sitting with her at her house during the week days helping out and keeping her company. The last two months, I was one of her primary care givers and at her house practically every day and occasionally nights. During this time, she was my whole world and everything else had to be put on the back burner. Now, I am trying to pick up the pieces and get back to my old routine. My heart is so broken, and I haven't felt inspired much at all. But I do miss all of the blog prompts, creating new art, and all my visitors with their wonderful comments. Give me a little time, I'll be back soon.