Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Paper Dolls




I loved paper dolls as a kid, so it was really fun to do a grown up version while creating concepts in an ad agency. The art director needed different outfits to present to his client, and this was the barbecue outfit. The final version, which I don't have, was in full color.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Sketches for the Retro Fair


Here's a sketchbook page for another fabric pattern. The theme was that of a country fair with the roller coaster, big slides, cotton candy, fortune teller and "Guess your Weight" scale. Sometimes the sketches have a loose lively look to them that compensates for the lack of color.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Farmer's Breakfast Print









This was a fun novelty pattern to make for fabric, entitled "Farmer's Breakfast". I don't know what I like painting more, animals or food. Both are so comforting!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Retro Gloves & Purse




Why wait until you are crowned Queen of Everything to to put on your long white gloves? You will need them to carry around your cute little beaded purse when you go to pick up your dog from the groomers, etc.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Illustration Friday - "Stir"



Oh, those 50's ladies, they could bake a cake in pearls and high heels!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

50's Fashionista - Mop Girl



Yes, home-owning is an endless round of chores, but nowadays it's a lot easier to mop a floor without wearing high heels! This illustration is available as a card - come visit my Etsy Shop!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

50's Fashionista - Jello Girl



There's always room for JELL-O. Some things never change...

This illustration is available as a card - come visit my Etsy Shop!

Monday, March 7, 2011

50's Fashionista - Dusting Girl



Joan Rivers once said, "I hate housework. You make the beds, you do the dishes and six months later you have to start all over again." This Fashionista looks like she is thinking the same thing!

This illustration is available as a card - come visit my Etsy Shop!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

50's Fashionista - Pie Girl



I've been expanding my Fashionista line, thinking these retro ladies would look great on cards as well as prints. Here is Miss Pie Lover, the first of my new creations. I'll be listing them soon in my Etsy Shop.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

TAKE ME HOME!


Alfie


Sidney

I met an angel at a dinner party last week, and she was trying to pretend she was just a normal human being. But I could tell she was special, especially when she got to the part in her story about the seven dogs sleeping on her bed at home while we were having this lively dinner conversation. It turns out that St. Cheryl is a volunteer for Second Chance, an animal rescue organization here in Minneapolis. Second Chance was recognized by City Pages Magazine as the Best 2010 Charity (you can read the article here). Cheryl, like other foster moms, provides a home for dogs who have been abandoned or rescued until they find their "forever home" through the organization.

This is a special cause for me, since I am an animal lover, and now that the economy has forced so many people into tight situations, their pets are suffering, too, being abandoned or put up for adoption. The equally sad situation is that due to budget cuts, many shelters are closing their doors, and the need for private home foster care is so desperately needed.

Alfie and Sidney, above, need a home. You need a dog or cat. Who can't benefit from a little unconditional love and a nice warm hairy greeting committee when you walk in the door? So check out the list of adorable little creatures who need homes on SECOND CHANCE's website.

The next adoption date is March 12th - go for a visit and take your friends! - It will be the Petco in Roseville between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. For more information, see the website.

I adopted my Suzi years ago and you can see what a difference a little TLC can make with the following photos - her face went from worry lines to snotty confidence. Her TLC made a big difference in my face too, but that's another story:



DAY 1


Several months later

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Ice Skater



Ice skating always looks like so much fun, until I get on the ice and realize that my brain and my feet have lost communication! This is another illustration for Pretty Girl Designs.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Night Fall with Snow Fall






This is my front porch at 10:00 o'clock last night. I had to push the door open against the snow piled in front of it to take this photo. (I forgot to adjust the camera, the night and the snow were not this yellow!) Somewhere there are steps winding down to the street. Maybe by spring I will find them. The snow is almost to the top of the porch railing!

I would complain, but aside from the hassle factor, it is a beautiful sight.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

50's Fashionista - Laundry



Today is laundry day. But I am not going to do my laundry, I'm going to my studio to paint. Who needs clean clothes to paint?
P.S. This glamor girl, along with more just like her, is available as a print in my Etsy shop, so if you have a moment, check it out! www.graphitegirl.etsy.com

Monday, January 31, 2011

Illustration Friday - "Surrender"




DETAIL

Sometimes it's best to just surrender to love. From my Modern Aphrodite series....

Friday, January 14, 2011

Back from Vacation



It's a new year, and I'm running to catch up already! It's great to take a vacation as I just did, but coming back to reality is a challenge.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Monday, December 13, 2010

Gift Wrap Angel



Sometimes wrapping the present is more fun than purchasing it.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Here Come the Holidays



Time to start baking shopping writing cards buying travel tickets cleaning - WHOAAAAAA! I'm exhausted just thinking about it. Let's just have a few homemade cookies first.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Bunny Skater



This talented bunny was part of a fabric design I illustrated for cozy flannel pajamas.