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
Hansel & Gretel: Breadcrumbs
Hansel & Gretel: Breadcrumbs 6.5"x10" Watercolor & gouache on paper
Little Hansel consoles a crying Gretel as he fends off the crows that are trying to steal their bread. Of course we all know the importance of those breadcrumbs to Hansel & Gretel, the famous forsaken and tragic fairy tale siblings.
This is my rendition of the beloved Grimm's story.
Shakespeare is Deer to My Heart
In My Hart of Hearts 8"x10" Acrylic on paper
Today the world is remembering & celebrating the brilliance of William Shakespeare, so I thought I would join in and share a Shakespeare inspired commission I did for a British music magazine (I'm a sucker for those lace collars.)
Here's the quote that inspired the piece:
"Give me that man, That is not passion's slave, and I will wear him In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart, As I do thee." - William Shakespeare (Hamlet Act 3, scene 2, 71–74)
Way to go Shakespeare!
Rambling Jack Rabbit
Rambling Jack Rabbit 7"x7" Watercolor, gouache & ink on paper
Rambling Jack has wanderlust and loves a good adventure. Most rabbits are content to stay in their woods and fields, but Jack is on his way to see the world. Right now he is going to visit his Aunt Hattie and three little cousins, Elliot, Rose, and Buttons.
He's asking directions from a local owl, as Jack had heard they are supposed to be very wise.
A Wise Old Owl
A detail of an illustration featuring a rabbit with wanderlust, (as previously promised).
Here's the wise old owl he's asking directions from.
Painting the Great Egg
Painting the Great Egg 8"x10" Watercolor, gouache & ink on paper
My last painting, Coloring Eggs Together was so well received, and it definitely found a soft spot in my heart. It was suggested to me to not just leave it at that, but to paint a new interpretation of it. And thus, this sequel was made.
As well as a miniature story to go along with it: Fredrick, George & Harry Bunny will hand you a card for their trade and it will most likely read the following: "...Bunny Bros. Inc., we'll paint your house, walls, fences, and storefronts. Have experience with whitewash, and fine detailed lettering."
Their specialty however, has always lied with eggs (no job is too big or too small). They aim to please and take pride in their craft. During this particular project, the eldest Bunny Brother, Fredrick is consulting the plans to their tried and true architectural plans. They have enlisted the help of their two dear friends, Sadie & Sam. But painting eggs can be a messy business, and some sort of mischief always presents itself. The youngest, Harry Bunny, will definitely have to take a good long bath tonight to remove all of that red paint.
WIP: Painting Pansies
I've been a busy bee this past week. Here is a close-up of something I recently finished. I'll share the finished piece with all of you little rabbits tomorrow.
Sketch & Work in Progress: Rambling Jack Rabbit
New painting coming soon: "Rambling Jack Rabbit"
Here is my sketch of the traveling bun, Jack Rabbit. I'm smitten with this 'fella.
I'll share the painting with all of you shortly. Until then... happy trails!
Central Park: Through Wind and Rain
Central Park: Through Wind and Rain 11"x14" watercolor, gouache and ink on paper
Letters are falling from the sky as a New York stork flies over Central Park making his rounds. The following historical poem was the inspiration for titling this feathered postman, but his obstacles are a little different:
"Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." - Herodotus, (Inscription, New York City Post Office), adapted from Herodotus Greek historian & traveler (484 BC - 430 BC)
However I did alter his creed, way up there a gust of wind can pose quite a pickle for feathered couriers. Storks would make for fantastic postmen. Here's to hoping one comes on my route sooner rather than later.
Original Painting Now Available: Coloring Eggs Together
My latest illustration: Coloring Eggs Together has been so well received, I would like to thank all of you for your kind words! Just in time for spring and Easter, I have listed the original painting for sale in my shop.
I have to say that this painting has found a special place in my heart, and I almost can't bring myself to part with it. It is definitely one of my favorite pieces in my portfolio right now.
A Happy Easter to all of you, my little rabbits, in your own little burrows across the globe!
Coloring Eggs Together 12"x16" Watercolor, gouache, & colored pencils on paper
Dyeing & Painting on Eggs
If you know anything about me, you'll know that every year since I was young I look forward to the tradition of dyeing and painting Easter eggs. The smell of hot water, vinegar, and food coloring wafting from small tea cups fills my soul with childhood memories and revisited joys. Let's all agree together to not get too "grown-up" to enjoy these youthful activities, who's with me?!
For 2016's batch of eggs, I also hand painted a couple. One with a floral pattern of pansies, and the other with bumblebees (being tempted by their flower friends.)
Here's to hoping your house smells of hot water, vinegar, and food coloring this weekend as well. Happy Easter!
Coloring Eggs Together
Coloring Eggs Together 12"x16" Watercolor, goauche & colored pencils
This brother and sister know that rabbits make the best of friends, and who better to help them decorate a larger than life egg? The children are using broad strokes of red paint and paint cans, while the two bunnies are tackling the task of the fine painted detail with their little brushes and paint palettes. All the while springtime is in full bloom coming up around them.
Wishing a Happy Easter to all of you as well, my little rabbits!
Spring Sketch
A sketch of a little something that I did last week, I will share the finished piece tomorrow with you.
Yesterday was the first day of spring, and this little rabbit illustrator is welcoming spring with open arms.
Time Flies
Time Flies 16"x20" Watercolor & colored pencils on paper
Most of us have heard of the expression Time Flies, but it is also said to stand still... These are two images I tried to capture and convey within this illustration.
Swallows swoop and alight from an opened pocket watch as if they're escaping a birdcage, while a girl and her deer stand motionless and observe time flying by. (The girl is wearing a Valentino dress from their 2015 Pre-Fall collection.)
I was in my happy place painting all of those beating wings and the blue plumage of the swallows. Birds are dear to my heart, they are my feathered friends.