I apologize in advance for the repetition (hardy har har!!) of the multiple posts of birds. and patterns. and of course my favorite... patterns filled with rows of birds.  Seriously, it's all I've been drawing in my sketchbook and I just love experimenting with the zillions of possibilites I have once I scan in these itty bitty birds. The colors, shapes, and negative space (which then creates brand  new shapes) is just endless.

This bird was probably my favorite out of the page I doodled on. I love the zig-zaggy feel of these pink and green birdies. 

This one has a retro 70s-ish feel to me. I think it's a combination of the bird shape, the repeating pattern, and the bold colors. I love it.

PS I'm starting a new sketchbook soon. Maybe I'll force myself not to draw birds. I can't make any promises though. 

wacky birds

This wacky bird pattern originated from a recent page of doodled birds in my sketchbook. I couldn't resist scanning it in and creating a fun image. I would love to see this on a journal, or even some bed sheets!

Below is another little sketchbook doodle. Needless to say I was feeling pretty tired and when I'm tired I get goofy, so the outcome is bird versions of Matt and myself. enjoy!

sneak peak

just a peak of some 5x5 prints that will be featured in my etsy shop... these are part of a seasonal series idea I'm playing around with.

No date is set for the re-opening, but it's in the works!

Art Out Loud

wow, it's been a week since the weekend trip to New York!

It was an unbelievably amazing time filled with art, walking, food, and people. Seriously one could spend a whole week there and still not see everything on their to-do list.

I took about 250 pictures and oddly enough I felt like I should've taken more... I feel like I missed a lot of what we saw!

Anyways, here is a miniscule selection of photos from the Art Out Loud event at the Society of Illustrators. Simply stated, it was mind blowing. 5 major illustrators just worked at their easels/drawing tables and painted away like they were in their own studio (with 100 guests walking around them, touching their paint supplies, asking them a zillion questions). It was truly incredible to watch them work away so effortlessly... I felt like was back in my studio painting classes.

Here is a pile of Gregory Manchess' work just sitting on a table... it eventually got spread out to the floor!

awesome find + NYC

I'm quite excited about this awesome find today- ultra fine point Bic colored markers!! I've been on the hunt for some colored pens... I have some microns, they seem to work well but I have very limited color options. I only own the typical black,  blue and red. A week or so ago I picked up some Prismacolor pens- the colors were fantastic (a fun seafoam green and a lovely tangerine-ish orange)!! but when I got home, the pens felt like they were already dried up. Needless to say I was pretty disappointed and ended up returning them.

But finally (!!!) an awesome set of beautiful Bic markers. I'm anxious to use them. Look at the wonderful array of  colors!

In other news I gave my website a little update. I took out the new handwritten section and replaced it was a pattern page! Right now there are only 4 patterns but I promise to update is again soon with more. I love making these patterns and feel that it's definitely something I want to pursue/keep on creating.

And more BIG news this weekend September 12th and 13th I'll be spending in New York. I am beyond excited to be there! Its going to be an art-filled weekend. First on Saturday we will be attending the sold out Art Out Loud event at the society of illustrators where top illustrators will be demonstrating their skills and techniques. Then Sunday is the long awaited trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art !!! It's going to be a fantastic time. Stay tuned for some pictures!

playing with pattern

It's amazing how different both of these are even though it's the same leaf image repeating, same size and even color palette.

The opportunities are endless and I love that.

patterns galore!

Hello september!!! I can't believe its almost fall.

the past week I've been toying around with some ink drawings I've been doodling and turning them into patterns. it is so. much. fun and easy! just scan, edit, copy, repeat, and color.

I know I know... I just said it's almost fall (it certainly feels like it with these super awesome cool temperatures we've been having) and my patterns are summer related (starfish, barnacles, and schools of fish!) so please forgive me.

These are just a few of the patterns I've been creating.