Channelling Vera

A current project has dictated the need to depict flowers. Botanicals are a subject I've always wanted to explore, but haven't much, until now. I pretty much stick to little gnarly flowers and weed-like grass when it comes to landscapes of any kind. For inspiration, I've been turning to the work of Vera Neumann, who depicted wonderful loose graphic flowers, mostly on textiles through out the mid 20th century. Here is one I especially love:

And here is a tiny little snippet of a design I'm working on now:

I hope to be able to share the full image later this spring! Until then, many more flowers, washes and doodles must happen.

Thank you Julia for teaching me about Vera! What a valuable resource she's been!

looking closely

Lately I must admit, I've felt as though the walls are closing in on me a little in my teeny apartment. I'm trying to stay motivated and positive amongst the cabin fever tendencies of the winter. I took the (smallest) spin around my place to take pictures of the things that surround me...and to try to appreciate the details of my everyday scenery.

Some dribbles and drabs from a recent painting:

Sharp and dirty things that are my precious tools:

My weird little stovetop that I try to display artwork on. (shows what a cook I am!)

Some discarded doodles of birds:

My pencil cup that a long long time ago once had cookies in it:

Some drawings with intentions:

And my Great-Grandmother's crewel embroidery:

Stay warm everyone!

chill in the air

ouch it is cold out round here! Seems appropriate to share a little sample of a series illustrations I've been working on for a project that won't be released to the public until late 2012.



Happy New Year to all!

Also thrilled to announce that I was able to make a nice donation to the Black Cat Rescue of Boston due to all the purchases made in December of my black cat prints. These prints are still up for sale and the profits will still benefit kitties if you missed them during the holiday rush.

Thanks to all you contributed!

It's that time again...

...to bring out the little old spinning tree. This little tree is one of the only things that makes me truly enjoy the Christmas season. When I was little I used to stare at this tree in my Grandmother's den and felt like it was a little bit magical.



Merry everything to all of you!



On a side note, the Hearts in the Dark black cat charity has been going great! If you've been eyeing some prints, now is the time!

Visit the shop to get some.

Hearts in the Dark: A Black Cat Initiative

I'm so happy and proud to announce that starting today you can buy prints in my shop OR in Julia Denos' shop that will benefit local animal shelters. We are calling this effort "Hearts in the Dark", in reference to the plight of the black cat in shelters. Black cats are almost 50% less likely to be adopted than other cats!

Why?

Partially because they don't photograph well, because people don't see them as well in a cage, and believe or not, because of superstition. This is in spite of the fact that (I believe) black cats are especially loving, doting and affectionate animals. Anyone who has ever owned a black cat I'm sure would agree.


Julia's prints

Many of you may already know that this subject is dear to my heart... and I have posted about it on numerous occasions.


My prints

I have owned and loved many cats, but one black cat in particular was a special presence in my life.



Read Julia's post on Hearts in the Dark over at the Cinnamon Rabbit


Read more about our cause on Facebook

Thinking of Christopher

Windows

I've always coveted the curtains in my Grandmother's den, and decided to paint one of her windows. It was fun to just paint, and to not worry about line AT ALL. Line is my constant obsession, and so a little break was nice, even just as an exercise.



I have always been fascinated by windows. I have a collection of photos of every window of every room or studio I've had since I was 18. I will share just a few of my favorites.