Painting squirrels in hats.
High Tea
High Tea 5"x7" watercolor on paper
I have had quite a few tea parties, and enjoy a ritual of tea every day - often more than twice! - and so I know precisely how my little mouse friend feels. Here is her miniature accompanying story:
Celia Mousekins has a great fondness for two treats, sugar cubes and Earl Grey tea. Here she has combined the two pleasures in one, and gives it a stir, as she enjoys a mouse sized version of High Tea.
Inking Work
The humble beginnings of a little mouse.
Snippet...
Just two friends sharing an umbrella.
Making a New Friend
A little afternoon painting from my sketchbook... I love making new friends.
From My Sketchbook
A drawing from my sketchbook, featuring two friends, an umbrella, and a jolly rain cloud.
More soon!
Grandpa Bear's Chair: Part 2
The characters in my new wine label commission beginning to take form.
These two have a great deal in common and reading is an obvious favorite pastime. Note the impressive stack of books beside their comfy chair.
This photo was taken a bit ago now, and the actual painting will be posted in a day or two. Until then!
Commission Sneak Peek: Grandpa Bear's Chair
A fox and a bear.
The beginnings of something that has two of my favorite animals.
Typography & Tea
Typography + tea = a grand weekend.
Sketchbook Snippet
A small snippet from my sketchbook.
Henry Turns Four
Henry Turns Four 15"x13" watercolor & gouache on paper
Henry and his friends from The Neighborhood are celebrating the occasion of his fourth birthday. The little boy in front of the stork in my previous painting is turning four and he is throwing a party. He has invited the children who appeared on the street as well as one or two new friends. The party has a circus theme, with toy animals in miniature party hats. They are singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles on a cake. (Noise makers are being put to good use as well!) Even the dog has gotten in on the fun!
The Beginnings of a Birthday Scene
Little watercolor faces singing Happy Birthday & blowing out candles at a party. An early peek at the companion piece for my illustration, The Neighborhood.
The Neighborhood
The Neighborhood 20"x16" watercolor & gouache on paper
A happy scene is unfolding before the eyes of these little Brooklyn row houses. The neighborhood children have come out to play and enjoy this beautiful day together, and it just so happens to be someone's birthday on the street. A mother and child walking down the sidewalk are carrying balloons and bags, it is certain that a birthday party is in the air. And to top it all off, a stork mailman has made his way to the Big Apple from the woodland post to deliver a special birthday letter, and perhaps a little bundle of joy as well!
Sneak Peek Part II: The Neighborhood
Part 2 of my work in progress: This painting has been a labor of love and a good experience for me. It is quite a large painting by my standards, measuring 20"x16". This photo is from a few days ago, since then my happy little New York City scene has come together quite well. The finished illustration is coming your way in a day or two. Until then, happy playing!
Sneak Peek: The Neighborhood
All week I have been illustrating a happy scene from a street in Brooklyn. Here's an earlier sneak peek of the work in progress.
Feature: Etsy's Seller Handbook
I had a pleasant surprise this morning as I clicked on my newest Etsy Newsletter to read, I was then greeted by an illustration of my own! My pencil- riding-goggle-wearing aviator girl & her adventurous bear accompanied their 4 Ways to Finance Your Business's Growth article. You can read it here!
Thank you to the lovely Taylor Combs (a writer and editor for Etsy's Seller Handbook) for selecting my illustration Head in the Clouds to be showcased with her helpful & inspiring article.
(Also, I have prints available of this piece in my shop on Etsy, of course!)
A Stork and a Baby
It's been a pleasant mixture of sketching, dreaming, and holiday shenanigans this past week...
Here's a small snippet of a stork and a baby.
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse 5"x7" Watercolor & gouache on paper
Oh to be a few inches tall, then you could crawl into the walls of a miniature dollhouse! That is where the town mouse makes his home in the city, within the toy house of the little children who live in the building he takes shelter in. It makes for very lavish mouse-size living quarters, and I am a bit jealous of them!
The country mouse seems to be a bit uneasy and awkward as she stands atop the table holding her china plate. A cup has fallen on the floor and shattered amid the hustle and bustle of city life. This is perhaps my favorite of the two paintings, mostly due to the awkward positions they take while sitting at the miniature toy table.
This Aesop's fable was such a fun thing to interpret, but they were also a present to my Mother for her birthday as we have always called her and her sister "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse". My mother is a country mouse, and I am as well. Although, I could be tempted to take up residence in a local dollhouse if one could be provided or I could find a drink similar to Alice's when she shrunk in Wonderland. Keep me posted if you come across anything of that nature!
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Blackberries
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Blackberries 5"x7" Watercolor & gouache on paper
I have been working on a companion set of paintings to illustrate the classic Aesop's Fable, The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse. The first one takes a peek though the briers and brambles into the modest abode of a little country field mouse. She has invited her well-to-do cousin, who lives in town, to visit her. He happens to arrive during blackberry season, and so he is just in time to partake in the art of preserving the harvest in the form of jams & jellies. Glancing over his shoulder, spoon in hand, he is looking to his cousin for instructions on the recipe.
I will admit that I am a bit of a country mouse myself. Nothing like having bare feet in the grass reading a book, or snacking on wild fruit.
In the next illustration (coming soon!) she will be visiting her cousin's home in town.
Mouses & Houses
On my plate this week: Mouses & Houses