Crazy 4 Cult - 10 Year Anniversary!

Very excited to participate in this years Crazy 4 Cult show at Gallery 1988 in LA!

I always look forward to making a painting for this exhibit, and since I had to skip out last year because of our move back to the east coast, I wanted to make this year's piece extra special. So I went with a favorite childhood movie, The Last Unicorn. 

It was a little challenging to come up with an idea since the movie is animated, but I used the color palette and forest details from the film as inspiration, and found a balance between my style and the style of the animations. I had a lot of fun working in this bright color palette and am really happy with how this piece turned out.

The exhibit opens tonight at Gallery 1988 West, 7308 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles

The Last, 11 x 14 inches, oil on board

The Last, 11 x 14 inches, oil on board

A Personal Snail.

Carved out a little time this past week to do some personal painting, aka painting that is for absolutely nothing, and man did I need it! Not that a lot of my projects aren't inspired or are things I don't enjoy painting, but it is so hard to find time (or make time I should say), to just paint something because I feel like it without feeling guilty for not working on my other commitments.

So here's a little snippet. Found this little guy on our porch a few weeks ago and have been trying to find a way to paint him. I have a little more to go and then will be back to share the finish!

Leo & Frankie

Sometimes everything lines up and you get to paint your dog and your sister's dog for work. And that's pretty much a dream come true.

I recently did a collection of these pet portraits for Art in Motion. There are 6 in total but I'm just sharing these 2 for now - they're not my favorites or anything ;)

Leo Lab & Frankie Yorkie

Leo Lab & Frankie Yorkie

Some R&D and wardrobe changes :)

Some R&D and wardrobe changes :)

Farm to Table.

I loved working on this farm to table inspired artwork. With moving and other obligations/deadlines, this group was just an idea brewing for a while. I'm really glad I finally had the chance to work on it because plenty of ideas never come to life, but also because these types of images (portraits of objects really) are right up my alley! I own so many of the things I painted (well not, the cow....or pig....or rooster - but maybe one day!) and I love being able to photograph my own reference, it makes the whole process really rewarding. Can't wait to see what products this artwork ends up on!

Some of the paintings in-progress used to create the final designs.

One of the final designs from the collection.

I'm also offering a version of these paintings as prints in my Etsy shop. I think they would look adorable in a rustic kitchen. You can shop the prints here!

It Starts with a Painting!

 

Sharing some stacks of paintings for a new collection I just finished up. I feel very fortunate that my work is created with equal parts on the easel and the computer. As much as I love painting, I also really love working out my designs digitally. Being able to jump back and forth between the two mediums is the perfect work method for someone who likes to change things up often!

 

In other news, I'm planing to add some more home decor/everyday prints to my shop and I might just start with this Magnolia painting, I'll keep you posted!

Bad Dads - A Wes Anderson Tribute

While I've limited the amount of shows I've been participating in over the last few years, there are  certain ones that I love being a part of and contributing to, Bad Dads being one of them!

I love Wes Anderson's little world and it's a language I speak, so having the opportunity to create a painting inspired by it is truly a joy. This is my third time around and I based my painting off of Darjeeling Limited, my favorite of his films. Focusing on the two funerals in the movie (different countries, different times, same brothers attending), the piece is what I call a "reversible painting," giving the viewer the option to hang the art in the orientation they choose. I love this idea because it invites a physical interaction between the viewer and the artwork, when traditionally the last thing you are taught to do is touch a painting.

The show will be held at the the Joseph Gross Gallery in NY (548 W 28th St, New York, New York 10001) August 7-9. Check out the Spoke Art website for all the show details and updates!

 

We Are Not 2 We Are 1

6 x 14 inches oil on board

 

 A laminated card to accompany my painting.*It fits in a pocket on the backside of the painting.

 

A laminated card to accompany my painting.

*It fits in a pocket on the backside of the painting.

New Painting Series: Ships, The Sea & Florals

With less time devoted to my personal paintings these days, I am usually only producing a single painting at a time, every few months or so. The last few weeks I was able to live in my little world of ships, the sea and florals....and man, it was really nice. 

I will have these three paintings hanging in the beautiful jewelry store Meeka, located in Camp Hill, Pa. The Grand Opening is this weekend, November 1st & 2nd, 11am-7pm, located at 2205 Market St. Camp Hill Pa.

 

All That I Know, 12 x 24 in. Oil on wood panel

 

All That I Know, *detail

 

Already Home, 10 x 22 in. Oil on wood panel

 

Already Home, *detail

 

Already Home, *detail

 

Myth, 12 x 24 in. Oil on wood panel

 

Myth, *detail

 

Myth, *detail

Bad Dads Group Show.

Over the years I have been in quite a few pop-culture themed shows. Recently, I have cut back on participating in a lot of them, mostly because when I am not creating artwork for licensing I like to use that time on my personal paintings. That being said, one of the shows I did commit to this year is Bad Dads, a group show inspired by Wes Anderson films. I very much enjoy creating paintings inspired by his world, it's a language I understand.

The show opens Halloween night at Spoke Art in San Francisco.

She Smokes, 10 x 12 in. oil on board

*inspired by The Royal Tenenbaums

Midnight Romance

I am a huge fan of seventeenth century Flemish floral paintings.....because they are AMAZING <3 Damn could they paint some flowers! I had been wanting to attempt my own version (not that I think I can paint like them, because I definitely cannot), especially after seeing the dark floral theme that trended on the runway, I love the contrast of the lush colors against the dark background.

Flowers are a subject that I very much enjoy painting, but I definitely struggle with them and this painting was no different.

Midnight Romance

12 x 12 in. oil on board

Dark Side...

Well not really, but a little break from my usual flowers, ships and pretty skies. Here is my painting for Say Hi To The Bad Guy, a group show at Gallery 1988 West, opening Friday, October 18th 7-10pm

 Say it Once, Say it Twice...

11 x 14 in. oil on board

 * Not my first time being inspired by Beetlejuice, if I count that time I drew a crayon door on my mom's wall.....

Young Adult at Gallery 1988

Now You Can Solve Crimes Too!

Nancy Drew Sleuth Kit, Faux Advertisement

8 x 10 in. oil on board

This painting is for the HelloGiggles Young Adult show at Gallery 1988, a show celebrating your favorite childhood novels. I chose to focus on Nancy Drew since I have fond memories of reading plenty of Nancy Drew novels as a young adult.  

The faux 1950's style advertisement was a fun solution for me, since one of the best parts about reading Nancy Drew was being able to step into her character and play out these mystery scenarios in my own life. I still find myself playing detective as an adult from time to time....although now the only "tools" it involves are Facebook and Google.

Be sure to check it out if you're in the area! The opening reception is February 2nd, 7-10 pm, at Gallery 1988: 7020 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles CA