everything- right down to the pillows.

Yours truly designed all the installation art, interior design, furniture design... CD'd the Media, etc. (didn't do the entry signage.)

Hmm... 4 of those look familiar!

15 Awesome Illustrated Recipes!

wall update

photos from the "great wall of illustrations". Each illustration was hand-inked and pieced together digitally. It was printed as wallpaper and put up on a wall within a corporate headquarters. The illustrations are divided into 4 quadrants- each quadrant represents 1 aspect of the company's philosophy. SO FUN.

Top 30!

My Holiday Recipe illustration made it into the top 30 for the "Eat Pretty Holiday Recipe Illustration Contest." You can vote for my recipe HERE.

Click the image for a larger view.

Christmas Stocking Charity Competition

Sweet Salli Sue Swindell got me into this fabulous competition: design a Christmas stocking, with no restrictions. How fun is that? Visitors to the Grey Colt in Hudson, Ohio will get to purchase raffle tickets for their favorite stocking. All proceeds go to Mackline's Miracle.

I designed a "Marie Antoinette" stocking with detachable ornaments. With some sewing help from my friend Ann- this is what I'm sending. Wish me luck!

Click the photo for a larger view.

awww nuts.

Here is my entry for the TDAC "Eat Pretty" contest. To read more about it- click HERE.
For a larger view- just click the image.

more smories!

Another one of my children's stories was filmed and posted to smories.com.

To view "Nose Toes" click the link:

http://www.smories.com/watch/nose-toes/

Jazz Hands

I've been dying to submit an illustration for JAZZ & DRAW and finally did it. My song is "I Put A Spell on You" by Nina Simone. My partner in crime, Erin Crawford, suggested this particular song and I was immediately inspired.

To take part in Jazz & Draw click HERE.

Click the image for a larger view.



To listen, click below.
You may want to hit "pause" on my blog tunes at the very bottom.

To hear the song, click this

more exposure thanks to TDAC!

Check out this editorial spread in Reader's Digest Asia! That's my recipe for Corn Chowdahhhh featured in the header. Whoop whoop!!!!

To be part of the Fab World of Super Salli and Nate the Great click one of these...

They Draw and Cook

They Draw and Travel

Click the image for a larger view.

Illustration Friday: Scary

The word for this week on Illustration Friday is SCARY. Did you know that you can actually stay at the Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA? It's a B&B. I've been trying to talk a few friends into going- but haven't had any takers- yet. You can check out the Inn HERE.


Click the image to see a larger view.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!!!

Sneak Peek

Got very very lucky--- was assigned to do Patio Furniture design for a very good client. 24 sets of furniture designs for a very well known retail client. Stay tuned. I'm just psyched I can add "Furniture Designer" to my repertoire.

Halloween is Magic

I'm a self-proclaimed scaredy-cat, but after years of designing Halloween Gift Product- Halloween has become my favorite holiday and I think New England is the best place to be!!

Although I'm not wearing a costume this year, I'm definitely wearing my giant spider headband.

Happy Haunting!

Illustration Friday: Scattered

Say hello to the very unfortunate Lady Jane Grey- the Nine Days Queen. During her short reign, Jane lived in the Tower of London. She was imprisoned there when the Privy Council proclaimed Mary as Queen in 1553. Jane was convicted of high treason and eventually beheaded at the age of 17 for her (falsified) crimes. She is regarded as a Political Victim and Martyr.

Her body was buried at the Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula alongside Anne Boleyn- neither had a coffin and due to construction and relocation issues their bones lie scattered and mingled under a wall to the left of the alter. There is a plaque nearby on the floor noting the relocation of the bones.

Click the image for a larger view.

color wonder.

Sneak peek at something I'm working on. I find it very relaxing to ink all the intricate details.
Stay tuned.

Click the image for a larger view.

The Great Wall of Illustrations

Working on a big installation piece for a client- it involves 80+ hand-inked illustrations, all of which represent 4 words (4 words that represent their company philosophy.) Here is a sample of two sections- can you guess which words these 2 blocks of  illustrations represent? More to come once it is installed- stay tuned.

sad day.

had to let my beautiful dog "Josh" go last night. I adopted him in 1998 from a no-kill shelter in Elmsford, NY. He was the one constant in my life for all these years- all he ever wanted was love. I'm so so so sad today. My handsome boy is much more comfortable now. I will miss him.

Kids Cook Contest

Super Salli and Nate the Great are at it again- they've launched another illustrated recipe contest focused on recipes for kids. To see more information on the contest, click HERE. Deadline is September 12- so get cookin'. 

My illustration is dedicated to my little 4-year-old Princess- who likes to make big messes in my small kitchen. 

Click the image to see a larger view. 

Food Truck: I'm gonna Shuck you sucka.

My dream food truck design. I would like this truck parked in my driveway all summer long- right next to the beer truck and the mobile casino. Heaven.

Click the image for a larger view... or not.

100 illustrations

the lovely Diana Evans has published an annual of illustrators... very happy to be in her first publication and I can't wait to get my hands on this. Soooo fun. Order your copy- only $20 and participate in the next project!

click HERE to view and order the book.
click HERE to participate in her next adventure.

Summer 2011

We're having so much fun this summer, I decided we needed some proof! I want to remember everything. These are being printed on Canvas at 16 x 20. I can't wait to hang them up.

Click the image for a larger view.

Illustration Friday: Obsession

I've been told recently that my illustrations are too feminine, so I'm trying something a little different. This week's word over at Illustration Friday is "Obsession." Well, if you know anything about Mr. Rasputin, you'd know that the beautiful Tsarina Alexandra of Russia became so obsessed with his (fake) healing powers, that all of her children wore a necklace with his picture and a prayer around their necks. 

Click the image for a larger view. 

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

I'm so grateful for my friends at TDAT. Be sure to check out their blog for the Map Illustration contest winners. Proud to say I got an Honorable Mention for my Mary Queen of Scots Map. Hooray!!!! That was truly a labor of love. And because of the exposure I'm getting at TDAT one of my maps is being used on a fab travel blog!!

All good things. Have a wonderful weekend.

TDAT Honorable Mention---- CLICK HERE.

FAB Travel Blog----- CLICK HERE.

And here's a strange sketch I did while half-asleep. I really want to do something with this... any suggestions? meh... I think I'll move on to my interpretation of Rasputin. Mwahahaha.

Diversity in the Dining Room.

I work off my dining room table- hence the name of this post. It is smack dab in the middle of the house- amidst all the chaos, barbies, transformers, and tv show anthems blaring (I can't tell you how many conference calls I've been on when someone says "what's that noise?" and it's Dora the Explorer or Dinosaur Dan.)

This past week and the next few weeks have been chock full of really cool assignments. I couldn't ask for a better plate of projects. Here's a tiny montage of what I'm working on. This doesn't include the dozens of personal projects that lay half-done on my kitchen counter and bedroom floor (one of which is a map for TDAT of a bar in Westchester- "the best route to get a beer if you're a girl"- I really need to finish that.)

We've made the decision to establish a real office off the dining room- I don't have high hopes this will be done before 2015. ugh. I need to get my wand working.

Traveling Sketch Book

http://www.arthousecoop.com/library/3743#

So I sent my Sketchbook in for the tour with Arthouse Co-op and they posted a digital version for viewing. I loved working on this- it forced me to doodle almost everyday so that I could complete it by the deadline. I've got my 2012 sketchbook at the ready.

Take a peek HERE.

The Path of Most Resistance: The Life & Imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots

This is my most recent submission for They Draw And Travel. I've been obsessing over this illustration for about 3 weeks. Extensive research, maps, lineage charts, sketches upon sketches... I truly know everything there is to know about this woman, her 3 husbands, her staff, her dogs, etc. I think I may do something with Vlad the Impaler/Romania next. Ha!

Click the image for a larger view.

Illustration Friday: Swept

I really loved working on this illustration. I've always been fascinated with Elizabeth I. She was known as The Virgin Queen, but that wasn't because she lacked suitors. There was Philip of Spain, King Eric XIV of Sweden, and The Duke of Anjou (who she loving called "her frog"). However, it was Robert Dudley that swept her off her feet.

Robert, the first Earl of Leicester never married the Queen due to a series of unfortunate events. When his first wife, Amy Robsart, fell down a flight of stairs and died, he was free to marry the Queen. However, the rumors that he arranged for Amy's death caused too much of a scandal and ruined his chances. For 18 years he did not remarry for Queen Elizabeth's sake and when he finally did, his new wife, Lettice Knollys, was permanently banished from the court.

Double click for a larger view.

Visit Illustration Friday HERE.

best mail day ever.

This reminds me of when I was in college- my grandfather would write letters and in every envelope was a $50 bill. I would do a "I love my grandpa" dance when I saw his writing on the return address. When I got to my very full mailbox this afternoon- I did a similar dance.

- signed/doodled book by Mattais Adolffson (OMG- Go get it NOW!!!! holy awesomeness!)
- signed/personalized book from Dr. Lois Frankel (one of my fav clients)
- sketchbook 2012 tour t-shirt.

Seriously--- the only thing that could have been better is if there were some freelance checks and an 8-pack of Guinness.

Editorial Illustration

Fun editorial illo for a very sweet girls magazine. The story is called "The Scarf"

Installation Art

Worked on some installation art that is currently being put up in some amazing office space in NYC. Here's a sneak peek of the actual installation.

Welcome to Crazytown, I'm your captain... Captain Crazypants.

This is my 3rd map for "They Draw & Travel." I think I was trying to hard on the first two- this one is more "me." If you haven't looked at the blog--- GO. CLICK HERE.

double-click the image to enlarge... if you dare mwahahahahaha.
(I don't get out much.)

Interview with TDAC

So my favorite chef-illustrators interviewed yours truly for the Artist Du Jour column on their blog. I am beside myself with glee! Check out their two creative babies here:

They Draw and Cook
They Draw and Travel

Check out my interview:
They Draw and Cook Blog

Here's a photo of my workspace that I submitted with the interview- click to get a larger view!

They Draw & Travel

Here's a fun new project from Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell (the creators of They Draw and Cook).  It's called They Draw and Travel - Maps Illustrated by Artists from Around the World! They have an open call to artists worldwide to illustrate a map of their hometown or favorite place and send it in. They're hoping the maps will celebrate places that are "off the beaten path" and focus on sweet and personal things you won't find in just any guidebook, like a secret swimming hole or the best bench to watch a sunset. Click here to see the maps that have been submitted so far!


Here are my first 2 entries- Salem, MA and Dutchess County, NY
(double click the image for a larger view.)

Illustration Friday: Bottled

Took a hiatus from my usual history lesson submissions and did a bit of a self portrait. I like to call this one "Any Given Sunday."

It's been a long winter and I'm feeling a bit confined to say the least. Spring needs to come quickly or I may drown in my wine rack.

Illustration Friday: Toy.

Ahhhh.... Georgiana Cavendish. She was FABULOUS. Unfortunately, she didn't have what one would call a "happy" marriage. Ridiculed and abused for not producing a male heir - Georgiana found love with Charles Grey in a well-known affair. Their affair produced a daughter, Eliza. Sadly, she was sent into exile to have the baby and then was forced to give her to Grey's family. "G" was told she would never see her other children again if she were to keep the girl. Eliza grew up not knowing why her "parents" resented and disapproved of her (Charles' Aunt and Uncle.) Georgianna visited her frequently in secret and always brought toys (which were never given to her as a child by anyone but Georgiana.) It wasn't until the Duchess passed away that Eliza was told who her real mother was.

Eliza named her first daughter Georgiana.

They Draw and Eat Figs

Super Salli and Nate the Great have launched a contest for a Fig Recipe Illustration. For more information click HERE. This is my submission for that contest. Boy oh boy- this was a fun one. Click the image to see it larger. Happy Friday everyone.

Illustration Friday: Stir

Madame du Barry was the last Maîtresse-en-titre of Louis XV of France and one of the victims of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. She liked to stir things up from the very beginning- as she started her long and profitable career as a courtesan in a brothel-casino. Her remarkable beauty caught the attention of Jean-Baptiste du Barry, a high-class pimp/procurer - who eventually arranged for her to have a  title and falsified birth documents to make it seem as if she came from nobler descent. I personally, picture her life in the castle as the white trash girlfriend at an expensive restaurant.


Years after Louis' death, Madame du Barry was accused of treason and sentenced to death. On the way to the guillotine, she collapsed in the tumbrel and cried "You are going to hurt me! Why?!" Terrified, she screamed for mercy and accused the crowd. Her last words to the executioner were: "One moment more, Mr. Executioner, 
I beg you!"  

Illustration Friday: Warning

It's safe to say that Jane Seymour (1509-1537, NOT Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) had sufficient warning that her husband was a narcissistic sell-out. She married him only hours after he had his second wife, Anne Boleyn, beheaded. Granted, it was a fancy sword and not a "commoners" axe that removed her head. Some believe Jane was strategically placed in Henry VIII's presence specifically to draw him away from Anne.

For years she led such a passive existence that there is no record of her even speaking until she did what the first two wives could not--- deliver a male heir. Her marital servitude did not get her far. Jane died a few days after giving birth due to an infection. When asked if whether they should save the mother or the child, Henry said "let the child live, for other wives are easily found."

Although he married 3 more women in his time, Henry is buried next to only woman that gave him a son, Jane.

Good Vs. Evil

got to meet my heroes this past Friday night. I could listen to Ripert's accent all night long (he also had the most fabulous suit I've ever seen)--- I'm on a mission to try each one of his recipes. As for Bourdain, I just can't tell you how much I LOVE him, smart AND sexy.

Joanna the Mad

I had to create a character illustration for a book collage- so I chose Joanna the Mad. One of the most fabulous facts about this Cuckoo Queen of Castile is that she was married to "Philip I the Handsome". I think I will just start calling my husband "Brian the Brawny". Yes, yes, I think that's a fine idea.

burn out.

So what does everyone do to get rid of that "burnt out" feeling? I usually start sketching crazy royals and force them into an illustration friday theme... but I don't have any time to do that! CALGON!!!!

Been working at an unhealthy pace and hope to slow down very soon. But as all freelancers know- it's feast or famine so you have to make hay while the sun is shining. I'm not complaining about having work, I'm more fearful there will be nothing tomorrow. Catch 22. Can I work in any more clichés into this post?

One of the more interesting projects- (design-wise, it is limiting- but high score in coolness) signs for a historical inn and tavern in upstate New York that a friend just finished remodeling.  I grew up in the sign business, which accounts for my addiction to fonts.

Pattern Power

I've always been jealous of those artists who get to make patterns (especially like the amazing Helen Dardik) and then I got the assignment... 12-20 patterns- no boundaries or limitations. OH.MY.DOG. The potential- HUGE. (granted, it is focused around gardening) I can't tell you what these are for--- yet.
But I will tell you this... I'm not jealous anymore- this was extremely difficult. Fun, but difficult.

For Hadley

In celebration of a beautiful girl...
A friend asked me to read Hadley's story and design a print for her mother. No child should have to endure what this girl went through. She is most definitely dancing in heaven.

Illustration Friday: Dusty

The word for the week at illustration friday is DUSTY. Likely composed in the 1580's, Philip Sidney's Astrophel and Stella is an English sonnet sequence containing 108 sonnets and 11 songs. The name derives from the two Greek words, 'aster' (star) and 'phil' (lover), and the Latin word 'stella' meaning star. Astrophel is the star lover and Stella is his star.

Some have suggested that the love represented here may be a literal one - Astrophel is Sidney and Stella is Penelope Rich, the very attractive wife of a courtier. She was considered one of the beauties of Elizabeth's court. She was golden-haired with dark eyes, a gifted singer and dancer, fluent in French, Italian, and Spanish.

Details of their relationship are sketchy. Where does the word 'dusty' come in? Read the sonnet.