Plaid Panties and Lollipop Trees

An Outfit to Get Sick In

2012-01-31T22:48:00.000-06:00

an outfit to get sick in

Thankfully, by the time I managed to finish this and post it, I am all healthy again!
I have determined to use these outfit posts as a way to exercise my hand and have fun, to force myself to draw outside of work. The more I play, the more I like the results. :)

I Heart Sugar & Spice

2012-01-25T21:17:00.000-06:00

sugar & spice

1-thermal babydoll top $13 / 2-granny square crocheted bunting $38 / 3-musette bird rattle $29 / 4-pink kitten lamp $165 / 5-hey there cupcake by steph says hello / 6-no place like home bedding $129 / 7-tapestry heart cushion cover $153 / 8-mini-rose the cat $42 / 9-patterned babydoll top $13

---

I just found out one of my best friends will be having a little girl come summer and it is making the girly girl inside of me do happy cart-wheels. Babydoll tops with tiny leggings, with tiny chubby legs inside? Yes please!

(PS: What do you think of the new blog makeover?)

Updates, Updates

2012-01-15T17:51:00.001-06:00

Hey ya'll, I just updated my etsy shop with some more of my thesis prints at a discounted price of $25 each. Be there or be square.

And, because I don't recall posting pictures from the senior show this past spring, here are a few...

Ten Paces & Draw, Part II

2012-01-13T10:41:00.004-06:00

...and for my own contribution to the website, I finalized Paul Sargent's sketch of the stereotypical drive-in theater... sort of.

Ten Paces & Draw

2012-01-13T10:29:00.000-06:00

Here's to blogging again--I'm gonna do it, really! My big life update from my summer absence is that I am now a totally employed graphic artist, designing in Kohl's kid's department. In just a few months my first pieces will be rolling out in stores... more on that come summer.

This week, however, was Teen Movies week on the kick ass blog Ten Paces and Draw. If you're not familiar with the site, it's a blog where illustrators sketch on a specific theme each week, swap sketches, and then finalize another artist's sketch. Quite brilliant.

I had a big 'ol list of teen movies I wanted to pay tribute to (or rather, I wanted some other illustrator to pay tribute to) but I ended up sketching the Maitlands from Beetleguise, because they're just sexy like that.

And here's the final piece, finished by the awesome-sauce illustrator Victor Melendez. I am in love with the final. In love!

Paul Thurlby

2011-06-02T22:27:00.000-05:00

So. I'm thinking I'll be doing a bit more featuring of other cool people while I'm in the process of getting settled with my new schedule. (Who's got an internship in the kid's art department at Kohls? This girl!) Here's Paul Thurlby, who not only has a really awesome last name but does absolutely awesome art. He works with old books and found objects, and his work has a great mid-century feel to it. Check out more at his website!

Thanks!

2011-05-18T02:00:00.000-05:00

Finished up the piece for my graduation thank you cards. Not sure why I decided to paint on black board (actually, it's because I have so damn much of it--I couldn't bear to toss it all out after cleaning out my studio!) but I think next time around when I try it on a lighter surface I'll be able to try some different effects. Still can't get over the lovely matte finish of gouache!

Free Time?

2011-05-17T12:00:00.001-05:00

It's bizarre to do projects that aren't school related. I'm working on a little piece for my graduation thank yous, and I've been in the mood to work traditionally lately, so I thought I'd try out some of the gouache paints I bought a year or two ago but never had the time to dabble with. I think I'll really like them when I get the hang of it--I'm loving the matte finish.

Here's a quick preview/horrid photo before I scan it in and clean things up a bit:

Mike Lowery

2011-05-16T12:57:00.000-05:00

I think I'm in love. Mike Lowery is a professor at the Savannah College of Art & Design, and his work does nothing but inspire me. Three of the seven art interns at Kohl's will be coming from SCAD--maybe some will know him! Don't forget to check out more goodness at his website, here.

(And he does pattern work! Le-swoon.)

Movin' On Up

2011-05-14T23:12:00.001-05:00

I'm officially a college graduate! Two weeks of freedom before I start my internship in the art department at Kohl's. I'll be in the kid's department and I can't wait! Here are some pictures from behind the scenes, including Marisa and mine's bright tights and my awesome cake featuring a taste of my thesis work (har har, see what I did there?).

(Sorry, I couldn't find a source for the kitty cat picture, I've had it saved on my desktop for ages waiting for today!)

Movin' On Out

2011-05-13T20:45:00.000-05:00

College graduation is tomorrow and I still can't wrap my head around it. I suspect it'll hit me in August when I realize I'm not going back. Anyway, I always find pictures of artist's studios interesting, so here are a few of my old space at school where I've been working this past year.

One of my exquisite corpse prints from last semester communicated our feelings quite well.

The Roaming Gnome

2011-05-08T00:14:00.001-05:00

Here it is; my final MIAD assignment. :( We were to choose a mascot and backdate it (prior to its invention) into two calendar pages. I chose the Travelocity gnome and created a sort of travel brochure calendar. First is the gnome climbing Mount Everest circa the 1950's, taking you "to the ends of the earth", and second is the little guy leading a wagon train across the wild west in the late 1880's. The phrase for that one was originally going to be "to the final frontier" but Star Trek kind of killed that one for me, haha.

(click to enlarge)

Nine 'o Hearts

2011-05-03T18:52:00.001-05:00

Here's my other card for our final illo project. It was originally going to be full of details but I liked the way the flat colors looked, so it stayed that way. It's basically everything I like/enjoy.

A+ Gold Star

2011-04-29T07:55:00.000-05:00

For one of our final assignments :( the senior illustration class at MIAD has been working on an illustrated deck of playing cards. We each picked two random cards, with the extras given to some of the illustration staff and our honorary illo-major, Kaycie.

Here's my first one- I'm still finishing up details on numero dos so you'll see that in a day or two. I give you, the ace of diamonds (and a tiny testament to the "yay we're done with school!" feeling:

Sell Sell Sell

2011-04-25T01:14:00.001-05:00

Guess what? All ten of my thesis prints are up for sale on my etsy shop, Abithegail! There are two available sizes, small (8x10 and 8x8) and large (16x20 and 16x16). It's so exciting to see them all up in my shop. :) Don't forget, I still have cup cozies for sale in my class's etsy shop, The Rodent Burrow!

True Love

2011-04-22T08:00:00.001-05:00

Here's a little promotional postcard for next February! I tried doing a piece with plenty of details and no linework; I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, give me a couple weeks. However, the subject matter is purrfect. I tossed in some process shots just because it's been a while since I've shown some.

The Rodent Burrow

2011-04-21T15:07:00.000-05:00

Not nearly as cool as The Burrow (Potter-Dorks unite!) but still pretty freakin' cool, my class's pop-up Etsy shop has arrived! There has been a lot of slaving over the needle and thread recently in my household, all to bring to you these little guys. Their shining faces turned out cuter than I could have ever hoped for!

The shop also features some kick-butt stuff from my fellow classmates- stamps, wallets, wall decor, jewelry, and more. Act quick, the shop will only be up for a month!

Photo Booth

2011-04-20T21:03:00.001-05:00

Today my school had something of a school-wide series of talks among students they called MIAD Define, where seniors could volunteer to talk to any interested underclassman about their thesis work and the entire "end of school" experience. We had a sort of fancy photo booth set up near the elevator, taking a slice of art school life one by one. The camera was controlled via smart phone and while still standing in front of the lens, we could glance down at the phone in our hand and see the photo we'd just taken. The set up was great- I'd love to have an entire school sort of yearbook taken that way. Here are some of my favorites from the day, but you can see all of them here.

(Pictured: Me, Jasmine Barmore, Jake Otto, Mariah Holterman, Calvin Whitehurst, Leah Sablich, Courtney Allison, and the MIAD River Rat.)

A Little Somethin' Somethin'

2011-04-18T12:18:00.000-05:00

Just a kitty I drew last semester that I found while cleaning up some files. Hope your week is starting out on a good note! Mine hasn't been too bad- a couple episodes of Carnivále, sewing so much that I might have nerve damage in my fingertips, and doodling up a Valentine's Day postcard filled to the brim with kitties! Meow.

It's Official

2011-04-16T17:24:00.000-05:00

With the help of some of irreplaceable friends (the saint-like Liz Nugent and the splendid Marisa Seguin) my website is now up and running! There are still some more pieces I need to add, but right now I'm sewing up a storm and making some super adorable cup cozies--more on that later!

In other news, Gallery Night at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design was last night and it was a blast. I met some great people and got excellent reactions to my work. There was a mini-crisis when the drywall my shelves were mounted to began to fall apart, but a young usher man saved the day by running into the 3-D lab and grabbing a screwdriver so I could quick make some new holes and reattach my shelf. I wish the night would have lasted longer, I love when people start reading my work and grin at a joke or hold their kids up so they can appreciate it closer.

Food for Dorks

2011-04-08T22:21:00.002-05:00

It isn't often you'll see me posting recipes on here; there are plenty of food blogs out there who know what they're doing, so I'll leave that to them. I'm just here to gush about this recipe I found for Butterbeer cupcakes. Since senior thesis will be up and ready in a few days and I just had my final internship interview today, I'm hoping I'll soon have time to whip these babies out!

A cream soda-esque cake filled with butterscotch ganache topped with butterscotch buttercream and drizzled with even more ganache? It sounds like overkill in the best sort of way. Go big or go home, my fellow Potter dorks.

Happy Halloween!

2011-04-06T02:28:00.000-05:00

I'm only six months early, right? Here are some little guys I made to base a collection of home goods off of. There will be some coordinating patterns, of course... I just have yet to make them. Do you have a favorite? I think mine might be either the vampire or mister ghostie.

Lucy Knisley and the Awesome HP Summaries

2011-04-04T22:13:00.002-05:00

My bud Alexis linked me Lucy Knisley's works the other day and I am (im)patiently waiting until she finishes up posters for the last three Harry Potter books so I can buy them all together and save monies. They're hilarious, adorable, and accurate. You can see one through four here, and purchase them here.

(Note: That kitty next to Hermione when she first shows up is not Crookshanks. Would I really link you something Harry-related if it weren't accurate? Come on.)

Sylvia the Silky-Faced Wonder

2011-04-04T02:55:00.002-05:00

This weekend I gave away shifts at Starbucks so I could do more homework. Yes, I am that cool. In lieu of paycheck, I have received the comfort of knowing not all hope is lost when it comes to thesis. After working my tush off, there are only three out of the ten pieces left to finish, and all of those are about half done. The end is nigh!

Meet Sylvia (and click to enlarge, for heaven's sake). There were all sorts of goodies I managed to hide in this one, stuff for a lot of my friends, names, my birth date, and then just some silly snake-tattoo-humor like the dead mongoose. The idea of putting "Jesus Sssssaves" somewhere was tossed around but ultimately discarded (sorry Thad!).

Man Ties

2011-03-31T17:40:00.000-05:00

Or tie, rather. In case you've been living under a rock, thesis time is looming. Thankfully, my pattern & licensing class has been busy doing in class only assignments, so that's one less thing I have to give me ulcers. Here's what this week's project was: a floral tie for a investment banker in his 40's to 50's using the specific flower you were assigned. I got dogwood.

It gives me a kind of modern Americana vibe (the red, white, & blue) but Marisa thought it looked Japanese, maybe kind of like cherry blossoms? A little bit of both?

Things I Want To Spend Monies On

2011-03-30T00:29:00.000-05:00

My senior thesis show is right around the bend and it seems everyone and their cat is shopping for dresses and shoes. So... I wanted to waste time and do it, too. I think I'll just be wearing something out of my closet, but it's fun to window shop.

Social Diary Dress & Nantucket Clam Bake Dress from Modcloth

Spotted Scallop Collar Dress & Mustard Crochet Collar Jersey Dress from Topshop

Humming Soon Dress from Modcloth

(Check out the amazing detailing in the back that would totally prevent me from

wearing a normal bra! Love the front, though.)

Georgia the Giantess

2011-03-27T23:46:00.001-05:00

Here's one of the pieces that will be going on my postcards for my senior show. Which I should do the back type for, since I kind of need to order them asap. She's my favorite so far- she puts on makeup not only on her eyelids but on her chest so she can look dashing. (How come only male birds get to look pretty? Not fair, says Georgie.)

Bonus fact: My mom was born in '54.

Sven the Sword Swallower

2011-03-23T21:45:00.000-05:00

Look guys! I'm done! (Or at least, almost done, there will probably be color tweakage.) It feels weird. Nine to go. Heh.

The Rodents

2011-03-22T15:41:00.000-05:00

One of my classes will be putting up a pop-up Etsy shop called The Rodent Burrow in late April, and we're all designing banners and icons to vote on today. Here's a quick rat-pattern I whipped up for my entry. If you're wondering how on earth we ended up calling the shop that, it's because our school mascot is the River Rat. Also, I totally came up with the name. :)

Bug Bed

2011-03-14T20:03:00.000-05:00

Here's the finished bedding design! (Original here.) I changed the bugs into simpler silhouettes, which helped tone down the busy-factor and helped bring the audience age a tiny big older.

Sketchy People

2011-03-13T19:33:00.001-05:00

Just a few really rough sketches I doodled for my writing assignment.

From l to r: Allie, Carrie, and Karen.

American Hoarders

2011-03-11T13:07:00.001-06:00

All finished! There are lots of Easter eggs in this one (but not nearly as many as I've managed to shove into Sylvia the Silky-Faced Wonder's tattoos!). I love stashing little details into pieces; for instance, Gene, the fellow, is collecting model tractors and cars because that was something my grandpa did. Can you find some of the other treats? Look for: a tiny pitchfork, the actual American Gothic painting, some lollipop-esque Grant Wood trees, and a sled (Rosebud, as per the instructor's request). (Click the image for a bit of a leg up in your quest.)

(PS: Can you find the two kitties?)

Hus & Hem

2011-03-08T13:06:00.000-06:00

I am in absolute love with these geo patterns at Hus & Hem. How can something so simple be so spectacular? I especially love that last green one, it reminds me of some sort of modern Zelda fabric.

(Also, I just updated the look of my blog- what do you think?)

Georgia and Sal Sketches

2011-03-07T20:26:00.000-06:00

Here are a couple more sketches from my senior thesis. Next week is my vacation to Minnesota (yippee!) so this week I'm really determined to nail out a few of these guys so I don't have to think about homework once while I'm on spring break.

I Heart: Carnivals

2011-03-04T14:57:00.000-06:00

My senior thesis is based on carnival banners, so I have a enormous collection of inspiration files stashed all over the place with related images. Since I haven't done an "I Heart..." in a while, I thought I'd upload some of the things I've been looking at.

This great glass from Fishs Eddy, my favorite housewares website. Their glasses are really thick and sturdy. I'm pretty sure you'd have to really drop this fellow to break him.

Super sweet Barn Buster wines. They're actually based off the designs seen around race houses, but I think the colors and designs could work either way.

This cute little piece by Charmaine Olivia. I like a lot of her looser work, but I find a lot of her portraits have identical faces. Lately I've really been obsessed with geometric patterns like the one used for the ground here, which is one of the main reasons it stood out to me.

American Hoarders Sketch

2011-03-03T12:32:00.000-06:00

My freshest seminar project is to do a piece inspired by Grant Wood's American Gothic. These are a couple of my sketches--as much as I love kitties the hoarders piece works better. And I'm not too worried about a lack of felines in my portfolio springing up anytime soon, anyway.

Bugs Bugs Bugs

2011-03-03T00:51:00.000-06:00

I just spent all evening finishing up these designs for some guy-sheets. It's not due for another week or so, but I need it for an interview tomorrow. Feels good to have it done! (Or almost done... it feels a bit busy to me, I might need to futz with some things. I'm wondering what it would look like if the bugs were just colored silhouettes?)

Dress-Gasms

2011-02-28T22:40:00.001-06:00

On March 13th Target is re-releasing 34 dresses from its Go International collection. I've worked there all five years that the collection has been going on, so there are a lot of dresses I've seen come and go and a lot of cravings I had to (sort of) resist. Here are some of the ones that I'm really stoked to see come back in--there is no way I'm letting that color blocked dress get past me this time!

(l to r: Tara Jarmon colorblock dress, Erin Fetherston chiffon dress with a bunny print [I shelled out for the matching long underwear when it was originally in stores], and Zac Posen polka-dot dress)

However, I really wish this gorgeous Zac Posen floral brocade dress was coming back. I put off even trying it on when it was in stores because I loved it too much and it was around eighty bucks, if I remember correctly. When it was on about 75% clearance I finally let myself try it on and it was hot stuff, if I do say so myself. Of course, at that point it was also impossible to find my size. (Of course.) Ah well. A girl can dream.

See all 34 dresses here!

Ben Kweller & Pete Yorn

2011-02-27T21:07:00.000-06:00

On Friday my Canadian Marisa and I bussed over to the Pabst theater to see two boys that I have wanted to see in concert ever since I was fourteen--Ben Kweller and Pete Yorn. Poor Ben was incredibly sick, but he still came up on stage in his parka and played six songs or so, all which sounded great. He was flanked by two barf buckets, and I kind of wish he'd used them. It would have been enough to make me buy the recording afterward.

(source)

Seeing Pete was like a dream come true for me. I've been a fan of his music ever since his first album, musicforthemorningafter came out in 2001. Along with the two albums that followed to make up his little musical "triology", I listened to Pete all while reading the kick ass Abarat series by Clive Barker, and during the concert the vivid images from those books kept flashing through my mind. He played (almost) all of my old favorites. It was an ah-mazing night. Even the part where I fell in a snowbank while trying to brush the snow off my car.

(source)

Scribble Hearts

2011-02-26T20:56:00.003-06:00

Here's a batch of patterns I whipped up for Valentine's Day gift wrap the other week. I want to go back in and rework them a bit, but that will have to wait for later because the homework monster is rearing it's ugly head this weekend!

Sven and Sylvia Sketches

2011-02-25T17:08:00.003-06:00

Here are a couple more sketches from my senior thesis. First up is Sylvia the snake (who also happens to sport a lovely beard). Drawing just her tattoos alone took me well over an hour, and there are some special things hidden in there if you look close enough. Below Syl is Sven the flamingo sword swallower, complete with a cocktail sword and shrimp.

I also helped with the Friday Favorites over on my friend Marisa's super-duper blog Good Good, so go and take a look!

Mallory and Ivan Sketches

2011-02-24T00:12:00.003-06:00

My senior thesis is a series of pieces featuring animals as carnival sideshow acts. (I like animals, I like hand-lettering, and I like weird stuff.) I just finished tight sketches for all ten pieces, including detailing where every tattoo goes on Sylvia the tattooed (and bearded) snake, so I thought I'd share a couple. Also--my assigned space for the big show is right in the entrance hallway to our school... so now I have to be even more kick-butt than usual. ;)

(credit for Mal's catchphrase totally goes to Marister)

I'm A Weiner!

2011-02-22T22:51:00.003-06:00

I just got my package from Amy from A is for Ampersand including the cutest wonky kitty (who I have named Vivi) and a matching little journal. I was lucky enough to win a giveaway from her last week and it was a great surprise to see the package waiting for me when I came home tonight. Yay!

Jared Schorr

2011-02-17T16:11:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day might be gone, but it's still February! I just ran into these great cut paper valentines by Jared Schorr that feature some amazing puns that really remind me of the stuff they'd stick on vintage valentines. I'm already inspired for next year!

More great stuff here.

Thanks, Kitty

2011-02-16T16:30:00.002-06:00

I'd like to thank my pretty kitty for getting me into the Society of Illustrators student show in New York! The show is in May--a superb graduation gift.

Manly Valentine

2011-02-14T23:54:00.002-06:00

Or well, that's what I like to think of this pattern as. Odd, since everything I touch usually turns into kittens and ruffles, this one got infused with the darker side of my humor. There are two other patterns that go with it (that I'm still working on) that involve an acid sort of green. Only a few more minutes to say Happy Valentine's Day!

Mrrow! (That's "I Luff You" in cat-speak.)

2011-02-14T10:03:00.000-06:00

This picture makes me so so so happy. :) Have a cuddly V-day!

Mrrow! Source!

Cozy Sketchies

2011-02-08T11:36:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a very cool class about patterns & licensing and we've been given a semester-long project to manufacture an item (and its packaging) to sell in a pop-up Etsy site our class will be making together toward the end of the year. I'll be making cup cozies (I'm a barista, what else would I make?) and am presenting the idea to the class later today. Here are a few of the patterns I sketched out; there will be three total in the end. I want to keep them simple- they'll be two-color patterns, with only a slight difference in colors.

What do you kids think?

Sketchbook, Round 3

2011-02-07T17:15:00.004-06:00

Since I've been spending most of the day working out price points and designs on an upcoming project (as well as trying to psyche myself out of the sore throat I can feel coming on...) I decided to share a few more pages from my 2011 Sketchbook Project.

My Newest Collection

2011-02-05T22:09:00.004-06:00

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that collects these! I've recently (accidentally) started collecting Lucite napkin holders from the '60s and '70s. So far my collection is just in it's infancy--four total. But look at this beautiful collection! I'd really love to find a mushroom one like the one in the upper right (or left, it's kind of hiding) corners.

Source-sauce!

I also spotted this one on Etsy a couple days ago. All the different colors are like candy; I've never seen one like that before.

From seller Vinca Vintage.

Cook with Claudia Cat

2011-02-03T02:28:00.002-06:00

I definitely did not think I'd be pulling an all nighter this early in the semester! Here's what I've been working on, but I like it. Claudia is a '50s housewife, so I was going for a little bit of a retro vibe on the packaging. This is the back.

Valentine Lovlies

2011-02-01T01:15:00.000-06:00

Single or not, I still love Valentine's Day. Not for mushy reasons, but simply because of the merchandising. Hearts, bright pinks and purples, naked little chubby people, chocolate, and sex jokes? Of course I'm celebrating! Lately a lot of my art has been heart-themed, but more on that later. Here's some sweet-ass stuff from other people.

These great printed valentines by Clio Chlang.

I told you there would be sex jokes. By J. Shim. Check out the back!

I love skunks. :) By Handwork Chonricles.

Shop Vac

2011-01-30T12:00:00.000-06:00

My friend Alexis showed this to me the other day and I just had to share it, it's some really brilliant typographic work by Jarrett Heather. It's also a very catchy song.

Shop Vac from Jarrett Heather on Vimeo.

Sketchbook, Round 2

2011-01-29T00:03:00.004-06:00

Here are a few more pages from my sketchbook.

a girl without a man is like (a) fish without a bicycle

Sketchbook, Round 1

2011-01-26T21:18:00.002-06:00

Here are some spreads from my submission to the Sketchbook Project, which I just mailed out this week. It was really hard to let it go, my sketchbooks are like my babies!

Dancing Squirrel

2011-01-25T23:52:00.004-06:00

It's just what the title says it is. I just ran across it and something about a little ballerina trapped within a giant poofy squirrel costume cracks me up.

Nada Hayek

2011-01-23T22:57:00.003-06:00

Nada Hayek's sketchbook illustrations make me smile; her animals also remind me a bit of how I draw. Tomorrow I'll be uploading some pictures of my most recently finished sketchbook, so keep an eye out for an upcoming post with some of my favorites.

Look at the kitties, how could I deny it?

I love that bear in the headdress, especially since those are the two mascots everyone always debates over in my little town.

Bubblegum

2011-01-19T00:04:00.009-06:00

I fell in love with Alasdair Brotherston & Jock Mooney's video for Clinic's song Bubblegum. Oddly enough, when I went to look at more of their stuff on Vimeo, I found they were also the directors behind this video I posted a couple years ago.

Found on Drawn! blog.

I wish all the snow outside was popcorn.

We Say Meow

2011-01-11T15:37:00.003-06:00

I just ran across this phenomenal blog where two crafty ladies, Mary Kilvert and Anke Weckmann, feature artists who have kitties in their art (and the kitty helpers that help them make their art). I don't know how I didn't come across it earlier... especially since both their etsy shops are in my favorites! Here's some of the stuff you can find there:

The great shapes illustrator Matte Stephens creates,

this spectacular kitty pattern by Jessica Swift,

and these upcycled crayons made by KittyBabyLove, whose cute faces my cousin Tamie actually just introduced me to last week. :)

House

2011-01-09T23:02:00.003-06:00

Still going strong drawing every day, still working my fingers to the bone trying to fill up my Sketchbook Project sketchbook. :) I'm not sticking to my theme of "jackets, blankets, and sheets" as closely as I had hoped, but ah well, I'd rather fill it with work I'm happy with than lame stuff that follows the theme. Here's a bad webcam photo of today's sketch, a doodle of a gorgeous house we found while in Marinette for Jamie and Chris's wedding this past September.

Aurore Damant

2011-01-07T20:13:00.004-06:00

I'm totally in love with the French illustrator Aurore Damant. She create spectacular characters--plus she draws a lot of kitties. Check out her version of Matilda and the Wormwoods! More at her blog.

Potter You Rotter

2011-01-05T00:16:00.004-06:00

One of my goals this 2011 is to draw something everyday, and so far so good. Lately, everything I've been doing is in my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project but I recently stumbled upon the illustrator Dan Hipp, who did his version of the Harry Potter characters and was inspired, remembering the mental images I had of Harry & co. before Dan Radcliffe got his scar make-up'ed on.

Merry Christmas :)

2010-12-25T08:00:00.001-06:00

I know there are a few people that probably haven't gotten their cards yet because of the distance/me cutting things a little too close for comfort... but it's Christmas, so I had to share! Here's the 2010 card I made for my family to send out, featuring our two cats tossing toys out of Santa's sleigh. Happy holidays, everyone!

Re: Barney and Ben and Janice and Jen

2010-12-19T22:39:00.004-06:00

I just finished the 2010 Christmas card for my family featuring Eileen and Norman, but I can't show it yet because many of you will be receiving one shortly! This is just a snippet of it. Bonus points if you know where the post title comes from.

CongRATulations!

2010-12-18T01:03:00.003-06:00

Only one more semester of school left! Ever!

I thought I'd save this last greeting card for the end of the semester, since we all deserve a party right about now. Plus they're rats, and my school mascot is the river rat. :)

It's A Party in Your Mouth

2010-12-16T02:54:00.004-06:00

A magazine ad for Pop Rocks- I never though lights glaring off a disco ball would help an illustration of mine... but they totally did. When my mom looked at it she commented, "I think he's going to choke with all that going on in his mouth."

Ernie Snippet

2010-12-10T15:54:00.003-06:00

Here's a preview of the print I'm nearly done with. His name is Ernie. Hopefully I'll have the finished version scanned in by the end of next week for your viewing pleasure. :)

You're Purrrrty

2010-12-06T22:12:00.003-06:00

Just thought I'd let y'all know. :)

Look What St. Nick Brought!

2010-12-06T19:00:00.000-06:00

(No, not another three-legged kitty. Long-johns!)
(Haha, I love how angry Eileen looks.)

You're Cool

2010-12-01T18:16:00.002-06:00

Just working on some greeting cards for class. :)

Promo Preview

2010-11-23T16:43:00.003-06:00

Here's a little preview of the project that has been killing me the past week or so, a promotional mailer on rummage sales.

Unfortunately, I got hit by illness Sunday night while standing in line to meet Amy Sedaris (!!) so I haven't been able to print and bind it yet, but I'm anxious to see it all finished.

The Beginning of the End

2010-11-19T01:00:00.002-06:00

(found all over tumbler, so I have no idea who originally put it out there)
ps: The movie was wonderful, and even though there is no way I can wait for July 15th, part of me wishes it would never come.

Marquette Map

2010-11-11T02:06:00.003-06:00

Our latest Seminar I assignment was to create a sort of guide to Milwaukee's highlights for a Marquette pamphlet. I have two final versions that I'm still debating between- shadows and no shadows. It looks a lot happier and lighter without the shadows (...er, obviously) but the shadows give it a little something extra. All in all, there isn't a huge difference, but I thought I'd put it out there. What do you kids think?

no shadows

shadows

Is the square shape in the bottom left corner bugging anyone else? It made more sense when there was a full square behind the piece, but I got rid of it on the top.

String Bean

2010-11-09T00:34:00.004-06:00

Here's part of my entry for Design*Sponge's alphabet contest.

And I had to try it in pink, too, just for kicks.

Check out the holiday cards my friend Marisa made out of her entry, too!

Croquet Ornaments

2010-11-06T23:45:00.003-05:00

Alright, so I lied yesterday-- I just can't contain my pride at the little tweak that made my croquet-playing raccoon from my Penfield Poster into my tree-decorating raccoon for these holiday cards! It was a really nifty last-minute adaptation if I do say so myself (and I do, so check it out).

Before...

...and after!

Can you spot the changes?

The Ambition of Crazies

2010-11-05T23:06:00.005-05:00

...Or maybe just crazy ambition (that's me trying to look on the bright side of things). Coming up next week on Saturday, November 13th, from 10-5pm (*cough*plug*cough*) MIAD is having a student and alum art sale, and my friends and I all wished we could have participated, but what with homework and work-work... and then a certain teacher convinced us it was a good idea. So here we are, approaching one in the morning and printing cards up the bum. I tweaked my Terrestrial Critters to adapt them into Christmas cards- I'll show you those later when it's not November. I also adapted a little guy from my Penfield Croquet Poster that, if I may say so myself, was pretty clever... again, you'll have to wait until after Thanksgiving.

Stressed!

Stressed x3!

Oh, how I wish I didn't have to work at 7:30 tomorrow morning. This is going to be a long couple of days...

Costume Collections

2010-11-03T14:21:00.008-05:00

On Halloween this year a little boy, probably three or four years old, came to our door trick-or-treating dressed as Woody from Toy Story. As he held out his bag, we asked him "What are the magic words?" expecting a "trick-or-treat!" in return, but he stood there for a moment, clearly thinking 'Well I know it's not 'thank you'... maybe it's 'please'...' and then he finally squeaked out "French... fry?"

I didn't get a chance to dress up this year, but here are some of the things my awesome friends did.

Joey and Mark made me squeal with glee- they're Harry and Draco! They're dressing up for the premiere on November 19th, too. I can't wait!

Jaclyn was Keyboard Cat... geeky costumes are the best, are they not?

Chelsey, Kyle, Marisa, and Jamie all participated in the Waukesha Zombie Walk. They all looked so great, if there is another walk next year I'm definitely taking off work!

(HP pic via Mary Cate Raynor. Zombie pics by Cory Albrechtson. I can't find where I got Jaclyn's pic from, but it's not mine!)

Bow Master Murru

2010-10-26T13:00:00.000-05:00

Having been taken by a bit of insanity, I volunteered to pair up with a communication design major to illustrate an article for a magazine they create every year. It's a project usually reserved for illustration juniors, but we have less illustrators than we do designers, so they recruit some seniors. I had a pretty stressful time with the project last year, so I wanted to prove that it could go down easier this time around. I'll post the whole article once I get a copy of the finished product, but for now here's a spot that ended up getting cut.

Metropolis

2010-10-25T22:53:00.004-05:00

We had a project to create some illustrations for coffee bags while still keeping with Metropolis' existing identity. I had some big ups and downs while making these, but I'm happy with the outcome. Granted, I'm still considering a couple things... bumping my Thai girl over to the right more, and tweaking one so Argentina and Thailand don't have quite that same yellow... maybe.

I Heart: The Circus

2010-10-19T20:29:00.005-05:00

I've always loved the design aspects of the circus- the fancy type, the bright colors with a tinge of dirty and hay, and the ability to pack and move from place to place all nomad style (if only I were so organized). Check out this cool stuff, boys and girls:

I love how the kitty looks so petrified. (from etsy seller busterandboo)

Dark Cycle Clothing does a bunch of neat biking animal designs. Until I see a cute kitty, though, this fly on a unicycle is at the top of my list.

I originally saw this kick ass circus tent ring on the blog Greedy Girl. Unfortunately, it only comes in size 6 1/2 (what nonsense!) and I don't think I'd want to wear such a chunkerific ring on my pinky.

(In case you don't have kitten tail fingers like I do and are looking to drop fifty-two buckeroos, it also comes in red.) (by Old Gold Boutique)

Kitty Freaks

2010-10-13T19:40:00.007-05:00

As many of you know, my kitty Eileen is a tripod-kitty (she is sans one front leg). When I told my parents about my plan for my senior thesis (animals as sideshow freaks) my mom suggested I go look at pictures of four-eared kitties. Eileen (and Norm) are cute and all, but man, if I ever see a kitty at the shelter with four ears, it is so coming home with me. Here are some of my new friends; aren't they awesome?

Here's Lilly, she's so cute, all black and white!

Yoda, probably the most famous four eared fellow.

And Luntik, from Russia.

(Photos from here, here, and here.)

Decadent Dex

2010-10-11T19:47:00.004-05:00

I cannot get enough of these Dexter posters from Ty Mattson. One for each season. They're reminding me of my love for Saul Bass, hardcore.

The Unfastened Heart

2010-10-04T22:24:00.003-05:00

I finished the book cover design... I don't mind it that much, I guess. But it's definitely not my usual cup of tea. Cross your fingers for tomorrow's critique.

Get Your Quilt On

2010-10-01T08:02:00.004-05:00

I don't think I've ever wanted to quilt more in my life than after seeing this ah-mazing piece on Sherri Wood's blog. I can't wait to see it finished!

I'm Faster Than A Bear

2010-09-27T23:54:00.003-05:00

I'm suddenly wishing I lived in Cleveland, just so I could watch this news team in action. Hardcore.

The Unfastened Fart

2010-09-23T21:48:00.003-05:00

You know how sometimes you get an assignment and you just aren't feeling it? I'm working through a "meh" phase right now. I think it'll be okay in the end... but man, it's a book cover for a depressing book that's all dainty and shit, and... well, meh!

This was my first work up of what "the elders" liked... blah blah blah. It's too froo froo.

This little workup was of what I guess I'll be doing the final of... maybe I can make some cute patterns on the teacups or something? But in all honesty... THIS is the ONLY thing I feel like drawing right now. (I guess the girl in the book ends up in a wheelchair? Woo.)

Calling Doctor Craze

2010-09-22T21:40:00.005-05:00

I've been a total sickie the last couple of days, so between watching episodes of American Pickers, napping, and wiping snot, I've been ogling Etsy. It's all related to the healing process, right? Check out these gorgeous pieces of jewelry made from concrete, glass, and metal, all from DrCraze- I love how they turn rougher elements into solid, sturdy, well-crafted pieces. They're cool and feminine without being lame and dainty.

Drunk and Drew

2010-09-18T23:52:00.003-05:00

On Friday I attended my first (and hopefully not last) Drink & Draw event in Milwaukee with some friends from school. If you're wondering what exactly a Drink & Draw event is... well, it's pretty much what it sounds like. We sit around and draw according to a few chosen themes and then hang them on a wall, all while consuming alcohol. September's themes were Old School, Fall, and what I'm pretty sure was everyone's favorite: Underwear!

Um, of course I drew a cat.

Pants party! Bonus points if you can identify all the topless ladies.

You can see all the drawings from that night in Milwaukee's Drink & Draw Facebook Album. :)

More Logo Funness

2010-09-17T07:58:00.002-05:00

Just messing around with more logos- now roughs with type. I'm going with Juice Kitty as my final one (woo! a decision!) but the type isn't settled at all, nor have I started the final art for it. >.>

This last one is pretty darn adorable though, if I do say so myself. It's definitely going to stick around, I'll find a use for it somewhere.

Hear Piggy Piggy

2010-09-16T16:09:00.004-05:00

I was browsing the interwebs for piggy pictures (I'm working on some awesome tapeworm life cycle illustrations) and discovered these cute-butt pig earbuds! My ears would be so happy to wear these, especially since the earbuds I'm using right now have the gummy soft bit scraped off because it melted in my backpack over the summer.

Pics from here and here.

Swim Away, Swim Away!

2010-09-16T01:26:00.003-05:00

We had a project designing a fictional spread for Ranger Rick illustrating fourteen specific animals in Monterey Bay, California. It was fun, like a puzzle we had to figure out- everything had to fit in and be accurate, not to mention look pretty.

The full spread. (To those that care, that side tentacle right on the edge is not going to stay that way, that's just the way the screen cap came out. Promise!)

One of my favorite faces on the spread- Duane the California Sheephead. (Yes, I named them all. Officially.)

My California Sea Lion looks a little snooty to me... but mostly I just want to draw in a little ball for him to be balancing on his nose.

Cats, Cats, Cats, Cats, Snake.

2010-09-14T00:50:00.005-05:00

Here are some of the rough color work ups I was playing with for my logos. At this stage I was still pretty torn between a few of them (juice box kitty, keyhole/tie kitty, and ice cream cat) but now that I've been dinking around with type I think I have a winner. You'll get to see those later.

This one earned points for its graphic nature- the dark vs. light really stuck out as a clear image, but it doesn't look a ton like my typical work.

Juice box kitteh! And look, I can even add undies and nipples if I want!

My fear with this one is that it would end up looking too much like San-x food-kitties. The dots on the fur/ice cream are supposed to be sprinkle markings-- on a later version I took the outlines off and they became a lot clearer (if you look closely now you can see there are actually a few colored jimmies under there!)

Herding Cats

2010-09-11T23:59:00.003-05:00

100 cats left to roam free in IKEA overnight for an ad campaign? Um, why wasn't I invited?!

Logo Kitties

2010-09-08T22:59:00.002-05:00

We've been working toward creating "identities" for ourselves in my professional practice class, aka making logos for our business cards, mailers, stationary, etc. So, basically, make something that you like or suffer for the rest of the semester. It's nerve-wracking, to say the least. Here are the five I have it down to. As for now, the book snake is just in there because I couldn't have all five involving kitties.

Crowded House for Crowded House

2010-09-08T16:45:00.003-05:00

Last Sunday night I was lucky enough to see the New Zealand band Crowded House at the House of Blues in Chicago with the aunts & Chuck. I really wish I had some pictures of what the inside looked like before the lights dimmed- each location is filled with folk arty goodness and hand painted wonders... had I known I would be hard stretched to find a single good photograph of the decor online I would have brought my camera!

(Pictures from Crowded House's website.)

A Happy Belated Birthday To Me

2010-09-08T00:25:00.005-05:00

This is the second to last batch of pictures I'm posting before we get to the fun stuff: the wedding! Of course, I still have to upload and edit those pictures, but I'm hoping to get around to that tomorrow. These are some of the highlights from my birthday celebration with the fam, including my birthday loot (not pictured are me going to see Crowded House last Sunday at the House of Blues in Chicago :) ).

My mom always makes the best cakes- this one was frilly (get it? tu-tu, two-two?) and the inside was pink and strawberry flavored. I just finished the last piece last night.

The side read "HIP HIP HEERAY!"

Mom telling Dad that he is going to ruin the blender if he fills it full with ice and frozen strawberries and then expects it to blend.

Twenty-two candles... on a cake... on a Lazy Susan... we're lucky we didn't burn the house down.

A jewelry box from the 1920's from my parents. Look at the tiny deer!

All sorts of goodies from the aunts (and Chuck). An old letter A for my name wall, an Avon bottle in the shape of a cupcake, a few different editions of Alice in Wonderland, and the thing I'm most excited to complete and put up in my room: a Home Sweet Home embroidery kit from the '70s. (It's under the sewing magazine with the kitties.)

Steampunkerella

2010-09-07T11:37:00.004-05:00

If I thought I had a lot of photos to post last week... I was sadly mistaken. Chris and Jamie (or Chris [backwards ampersand] Jaime, if you're Best Western) got married on Saturday! I have a bazillion pictures of them... as well as a bazillion pictures of barns and clouds and birds and stuff, because Marisa hijacked my camera. Here are some from a week or two ago, when we headed off to a "Victorian Steampunk Ball" at Club Hyde in Milwaukee.

I absolutely love Chelsey's hair with those goggles.

Marisa and me, with her earlier "Do I look too much like a pirate?" costume.

Dirty Liz. :)

A small taste of the awesomeness that was there- mechanical wings. (Photo from here.)

The club itself was very neat with lots of wood and leather furnishings, as well as a neat birch tree set up behind one of the bars- perfect for a steampunk ball. Not quite as perfect for the Lady Gaga event they were hosting there a couple days later... (Photo from here.)

Summer Foray with the Gang

2010-09-01T00:03:00.003-05:00

Well, not a foray exactly... but whatever, it sounded good. A couple weeks ago we had a fun little get together at my place involving the impossible to track-down Tracey! (I hadn't seen her in two years, can you believe it?) Not to mention Kat drove all the way from her new home in Illinois and... well, Ashley drove from the other side of Mukwonago! Yay!

It's really hard to fit all of us in the frame! And, well, we're too giggly to stand still long enough for my self timer to work, haha.

Dress Shopping/Bus Waiting

2010-08-31T15:56:00.001-05:00

After an entire day of searching for a wedding dress for Marisa (not a wedding dress wedding dress, just something she can wear to the wedding) we got bored waiting for the bus to take Marisa back to Milwaukee. She ended up finding a cute dress the next day.
(Oh, and so far it's 3 votes for the flowered dress and 1 for polka dots.)

Halp!

2010-08-30T22:36:00.004-05:00

There are a bunch of pictures here, but I'm torn between which of these two dresses will be coming up with me to Jamie and Chris's wedding this SATURDAY! I can't believe they're getting married... expect a lot of pictures! So- here's the question: Blue polka dot or navy floral print? And then, do you have a cardigan preference? Don't be shy.

Purple...

...or red?

Alright, I doubt anyone can tell the difference between these two red cardigans but me... but what the heck. (If you're wondering, the top cardi is darker. And softer aka much better quality.)

I wasn't able to find a yellow cardigan that I liked (even though it was my first color choice with this dress) so this is just a zippy I own... if this is the winner then I have some last minute searching to do!

Not that it really matters, but I thought I'd throw it in- the bags to go with each dress.

Also, Happy 22nd Birthday to me! :)