Finally Finding...

As I promised months ago, an explanation of my new and improved thesis is finally here. I kept putting it off, trying to complete as much work as possible before I revealed it to the online world but I realized that's a ridiculous idea. I'm going to start from the beginning, with posting the first piece that turned everything around. The project still consists of six word memoirs paired with illustrations, the difference is the overall theme and layout of the final book. Each spread is now a full page (20 inch long by 8 inch tall paintings that make an overall 10 x 8 inch book) as opposed to one page containing hand lettering and the opposite page made up of a full bleed illustration. There is also a theme, which makes the largest difference. Instead of a handful of random images compiled into a book, each spread now illustrates a place - these places vary from realistic to completely imaginative and have a memoir hand lettered into the composition. The final piece I'm going to complete is a map that will be twice the size of each painting (20 x 16 inches) that folds out from the first pages of the book itself. An element from each full page spread will be worked into the map which will contain a key to make it easy to navigate the book and visit the places you'd like to see.

The first piece that I completed in this style was a fluke, I was trying something new that happened to work out really well and the rest is history. And now, for your viewing pleasure:

"Finally finding without ever having looked"

I have six additional pieces near completion at the moment but I will post them as soon as all my nit-picky fixes are made. Stay tuned!

Essex Street Market

I know I promised a while back that I was going to start posting my new and improved thesis work but I really want to perfect everything before I post anything on here. You understand. Instead, I'm adding a little drawing that I did this past Friday at the Essex Street Market with my Drawing on Location class. It was one of those dreary, soggy days that was incredibly unmotivating when it came to running around the city to draw but I (surprisingly) did a doodle that I'm happy with. I was really digging the brown paper too, it was a nice change to work on.

I added the touches of digital color when I got home later that night and I feel like I could live with or without it, but you're just going to have to live with it since that's all I'm showing you.

As always, stay tuned for more!

Drawing on Location

For the past few weeks I've been working on an assignment for my Drawing on Location class (in case you didn't see my previous post about it) where we were to choose a city block and do a series of drawings of three businesses on that street. I chose 25th street between 6th and 7th avenues since there are a number of great vintage outlets and crafty places to shop. I finished the last of the drawings this past week and and I can finally and officially say that I am done! (and our last class is tomorrow, phewf!) Actually, that goes for everything I had to do this semester, so I'm feeling really great at the moment. These are the final five drawings that I've been working on since Thanksgiving...

(New York Vintage)

(The City Quilter)

(Fleamarket Antiques)

(Goodwill)

Expect a post within the next few days explaining what's to come in my Thesis project and an update on my iPad app-making experience...very exciting stuff!

Four down, two to go.

In the past few weeks I've managed to complete two more six-word-memoir spreads...That leaves two more spreads to go for this semester! One is currently in progress and I have a few ideas for the final piece. If it weren't for all of those other pesky classes I'd probably feel pretty darn good.. but alas, I have too much on my plate - not a surprise considering there are two weeks remaining in the semester. Let's keep this post positive though.

I think it's pretty obvious that one of these hits very close to home for me, I'll leave that for you to figure out which.

Oh, just some drawings.

With one month left in this semester I'm probably going to disappear for awhile, but before I do I wanted to post some drawings I've been doing for my Drawing on Location class. We have an end-of-the-semester assignment to choose a city block and do at least nine drawings in three different stores that may relate to each other in some way. I chose to work on 25th street between 6th and 7th avenues; there are a few really great places just on this one block alone and I'm enjoying exploring them. I originally chose this area because of The City Quilter and then also found a Goodwill, an antique shop, and some great window displays that feature mannequins in crazy poses and clothes, I'm looking at you, New York Vintage. So here's what I've done so far, nearly half-way done with the project...

I may add some more detail to these if I have some time but that's a huge maybe considering the amount of work I have ahead of me for Thesis and my Digital Book class. If you don't hear from me for awhile you can pretty much bet that I'm locked in my studio with a sore hand. Yup.

Jersey Shore vs. The Brady Bunch

Before I get into these next two pieces, I'd like to explain my process of working - or more really, the way I like my surroundings while arting it up. When I work at home I always prefer background noise from the TV as opposed to music, I get too picky and indecisive with music and am constantly changing up the tunes instead of focusing on my work. With TV, it may be distracting at first (like when initially choosing a channel) but once I get into working I almost forget that it's on at all. There's usually an awkward moment at some point in the afternoon when I look up and realize that I've been watching (listening to) women giving birth all afternoon. This happens quite frequently when I have TLC on, A Baby Story, much?

Now that you understand, I can admit that I somehow started watching Jersey Shore. This happened the same way as the aforementioned happens, but once I looked up at the TV and realized what was on.. it was too late. I was hooked at first because I was so annoyed, so angry that this is what people think of and expect from my home state. (I was on a trip to Michigan in May and stopped in at the local Starbucks and upon giving the barista my partner numbers she asked where I was from, the usual question, but when I responded "Jersey" her eyes lit up and she asked, "Oh my god! Is it JUST like the show Jersey Shore there?!" Well, I'm sick and tired of this.. because it's not. Not if you're a normal human being as opposed to an MTV celebrity.) So I watched.. and I watched.. and I was hooked in a weird way. I ended up watching the complete series online, cringing through their drunken escapades, counting the times Deena fell down, and turning away every time Sam and Ronnie felt the need to break up and get back together again. I will admit though, there were quite a few times when I laughed out loud. There, I said it.

Moving on, it was sometime during the beginning of season three when I decided I needed to illustrate these guys. It was completely appropriate for two reasons: 1. I'm wasting my time watching the damn show anyway, I might as well use it as reference and 2. I could use a few celebrity portraits in my portfolio, it's about time I get on that. So, the obvious way to go about this is to compare TV now to TV when it was wholesome, a.k.a. The Brady Bunch era. That idea combined with a six word memoir only equals one thing.. exactly what I have for you here today:

The choosing of this memoir was inspired by the fact that the Jersey Shorians often refer to themselves as a family - a rather dysfunctional one, but a family nonetheless, I suppose. Also, maybe I was a bit biased when painting Sammi, this painting was beginning to take shape at the peak of her and Ron's fighting. I do apologize. And it really did work out in the end that Angelina came and went and was replaced by Deena or I never would've been able to fill nine squares. See? Everything happens for a reason.. even Angelina's tears. Enjoy!

Starbucks Holiday 2011, Let's Merry

Today started out with an unfortunate morning, it all went down hill when I realized while arriving at the train station that I forgot my laptop - you know, the one with all my current files on it for my thesis work and such. With an eight hour day ahead of me consisting of nothing but free studio time, I was a lost puppy. Thankfully enough, I remembered that I was supposed to make some holiday drink sampling cards for my Starbucks (Sorry if you're reading this Ginny, nothing like waiting till the last minute, eh?!) And so I put together these three cards for our counter using pre-existing alphabets that I have made + a bit of new script. Gabi Peller, another fantastic barista/artist combo from Preakness Starbucks is making the rest of the cards to display while sampling - Peppermint Mocha, Skinny Peppermint Mocha, and Christmas Blend.

Along with the beverage cards, I made tiny interchangeable pastry signs that will velcro on to pair with the drinks as we see fit...

 Eggnog Latte

Caramel Brulee Latte

 Gingerbread Latte

Cranberry Bliss Bar

Gingerbread Loaf

 Mint Brownie Cake Pop

And so there you have it, a completely wasted day turned into something useful. Now make sure you stop in our store to see these signs in person and to check out my other great talent - drink making!