Giraffes and other Wonders

"Graphitegirl"


"Paper Acorn"

My "Air Show" print (available in my Etsy shop, Graphitegirl, ahem ahem) was included in Paper Acorn's post today, featuring handmade works involving that lovable creature, the giraffe. Check out the blog for the many fascinating artistic interpretations at paper acorn. And if you'd like to visit the the Paper Acorn Etsy shop, you will find some amazing handcrafted paper designs such as wedding decorations and luminaries.

Thanks, Jessica!

The Buckley Sisters

I just LOVE these ladies! Look at them, smiling (well, sort of) in their fancy scarves and ties. I've been saving this postcard until now, when I am finally ready to make a painting/collage to honor them. Their names were Mabel, May and Myrtle. They were known throughout Montana as the "Red Yearlings" because of their red-blond hair and horsemanship. They were so accomplished that they were sought for hire by the Wild West shows, which they declined. I wanna be a cowgirl.

YEE HAW!

Spring finally

I know I know, yet another photo of flowers on the internet. I can't help it - my crab apple trees knock my socks off every spring, and every spring I take the same photograph! It only lasts a week, so it makes the viewing even more special.

Having My Cake

My assignment was canceled, the one I just posted with all the sketches. This happens sometimes, the direction changed at the last moment and a photo was more appropriate than an illustration. So this gave me a chance to catch up on other projects.

But here's the dilemma - the projects are fun and I enjoy them, but they are not profitable enough to pay the rent. Do I continue with them and not spend time marketing for the more profitable jobs that I enjoy less and risk falling behind with my finances?

In other words, can I have my cake and eat it, too? My brain seems to have taken off somewhere, on vacation?, out to lunch?, ...and is not at all helpful in this matter.

More Sketches

Here are three more sketches that I submitted for my current job for Minnestota Medicine Magazine using a template background for the magazine. The one that was favored was the vintage clip art doctor holding the vintage encyclopedia brain - but I will be substituting the photo of an actual neurologist mentioned in the article as a key figure in the history of neurology within the state of Minnesota. This will be Photoshop fun!

P.S. In the second sketch, I utilized two preliminary comps (the metallic head and the very cute neurons) I downloaded from iStockphoto, a great source for photo and illustration stock at very reasonable prices.

Brainy Assignment

I'm on a brainy assignment, a cover for Minnesota Medicine that features an article about neurology and it's history relating to Minnesota. Here's one of the sketches I came up with, using the idea of the sense organs that neurology encompasses and an antique brain illustration. It's difficult to submit pencil sketches for a collage idea, so I sometimes just use the collage material in a loose fashion, if I can find it.

Get up and get going

Lately, I'm having a hard time just getting out of bed. Is it spring yet? Well, I'll just have to get up, put my hat on, and get going. Today I'm going to see Avatar. I'm the only person in the universe who hasn't seen it. That ought to wake me up!

Feeling SAD?

Feeling that ole Seasonal Affective Disorder? No energy to shovel all that continually falling snow under a dismal gray sky? Feeling blah? Sigh. I know the feeling. So if you live in Minneapolis, pick up the February edition of Vita.mn, the Star Tribune's supplement, (or check it out online here) and read the feature article about foods that can help you combat this common winter ailment in the northern hemisphere. Or move to South America, your choice.

Here's the cover above - it's my latest assignment under the astute art direction of Leslie Plesser. Don't you just love that retro guy? Thanks Leslie for your great resources and guidance!

Illustration Friday - "Wilderness"

Space - the ultimate wilderness!

The Cold

I HAVE A COLD AND I AM NOT IN MY HAPPY PLACE! Should I take Tylenol? Aspirin? Where's the chicken soup? My head is going to blow! Excuse me while I look for the Kleenex...

The Happy Chef Resolutions

Tis the New Year, and I have resolved to cook healthier foods, eat smaller portions, exercise more, watch TV less, give money to charities, find more work so I can give money to charities, and save the world.

According to the newspaper this morning, resolutions made for the new year only last on the average, 6 weeks.

Well, FINE THEN, I guess I'll just forget about it all, saves me a lot of trouble.

Peace on Earth

Detail

Here's my Christmas card, which I created too late to send to my friends. Ah well, there's always next year. I just love these guys!

Happiest of Holidays!

I came across this old photo where I am watching my brother's glee as he discovers that Santa has granted his wish for a real space helmet, and my mother is enjoying the home-made Christmas card that I had labored over the previous day.

May your holidays be filled with the joys of family and friends and a granted wish or two!

It's Here!

As the weatherman said last night, it's here. Everyone has gotten a big blizzard and now we have our share, too. It looks so beautiful, like a holiday card. I had to stop shoveling to take some pics. It was overcast and snowing so the photos are on the gray side.... I decided to shovel half way through the storm, since I will never be able to manage the 20 inches we're supposed to get if I wait until the end!



The birdbath is there somewhere.



My neighbor's house seen through my old crab apple tree.




Snowy treetops over my lawn.



Sorel boots are synonymous with Minnesota. They are warm, tall and rugged (no, this is not an online dating ad) and built to last. When I moved here 19 years ago, the first thing everyone told me was, "Buy a pair of Sorels". So I did and here they are. (there's another one tagging along)

Illustration Friday - "Hatch"

Was her thinking grandiose? Could she not see her goals clearly? Was it a case of mistaken identity? Whatever.....her best laid plans never hatched.

Mushroom Princess

DETAIL

She's royalty and her court is the backyard, with very flighty attendants! I must say, pink is the sweetest color to use, and the most difficult of all colors to reproduce accurately on a computer monitor. Very frustrating! This collage is available in my shop, along with additional collages and prints. Don't forget - those holidays are just around the corner!

Thanksgiving Countdown

It's two days before Thanksgiving, and I have wild turkeys asking to come into my backyard. I was told that turkeys are very smart birds. This is not smart! They might as well just ask if they can hop into my oven. Go away you crazy birds, play hard to get, will ya?



I look out to the garden, and there are three more!



And a final glance shows me the whole gang is here. How can I eat these beautiful big guys? I'm changing the menu to macaroni and cheese. Perhaps that was their plan. Perhaps they're not as dumb as I thought!

And the Winner Is....

Minnesota Medicine Magazine Cover, July 2008


DETAIL

I can't resist posting this, although I posted it last year after completing the collage. I was just notified that this cover that I did for the publication Minnesota Medicine Magazine won a Silver Award for Best Single Cover for Associations in the Minnesota Magazine & Publication Awards ceremony last week. Yee haw! Am I happy? Yes, I am happy!

P.S. The doctor's bag is painted and the physician is a compilation of various magazine and vintage photo fragments all pieced together to form one figure. The theme was an announcement of the winners of the annual writing contest for physicians, hence all those words flying out of the bag.

How I Survived My Open Studio Event-Part 2

I pulled into the parking lot, and who should I see but Heinz Brummel photographing his latest creations. Yurts. If you don't know what a yurt is, that is understandable, but if you don't know who Heinz Brummel is, where have you been? Heinz is a legend in Minneapolis for just being Heinz (too many zany stories for here) and his extraordinary contemporary jewelry is not only sought after by collectors but exhibited internationally in galleries and museums. But now Heinz is into yurts, and you should be too. You don't have to go to Mongolia to appreciate the yurt, you can go camping on the weekend or have a cozy place ready your mother-in-law's next visit. Really - with a wood-burning stove in the center, these well-crafted portable structures are very cozy! You can find the whole story of Heinz's new passion here: www.harlankhanyurts.com. And if you want to be bowled over by beautiful jewelry, step this way: www.heinzbrummel.com.



Next I spied Cathy and Steve in the Magic Bus Cafe. This is the first year that the purple bus (a 1978 ex-school bus) has joined the art festival, and what a great addition it proved to be. It was parked by the entrance to the building, and was busy the entire three days reviving weary art buyers who needed a cup of coffee or a bite to eat.



It is the brainchild of Chrissy and Cathy Lockyear, two sisters (can ya tell???) and Cathy's husband Chris, all who who share a love of cooking and catering. Their experience and enthusiasm were evident in the delicious healthy food - hot dogs with no nitrates, vegetarian & organic choices, and a menu with enticing names: "psychedelic relish", "magic chili dog" and "grateful dog" to name a few. Wouldn't this entertaining bus complete with charming hostesses be a great addition for your next family reunion? Check out their website: www.magicbuscafe.com.



Here's where Cathy treated me to a steaming hot French Roast Coffee.




Here's where Cathy spilled the entire cup of steaming hot French Roast Coffee.



We're almost to the door, you can see my paintings on the hallway walls....



We're in! And here is Cathy (guest artist for this year, I forgot to mention this but I thought you knew) taking one last look before we officially open. Her intricate mosaics are witty and poignant and filled with soul. I kept finding new details all weekend long, as did our visitors. Check out her website: www.mambo2mosaic.com for a closer look at an ancient art form gone contemporary.



Renee is doing some last minute arrangements here, she arrived only minutes before we did. Her business, bettyscagnetti, features one of a kind clothing and accessories, some of which are her original creations, some she refashions, and all of it has been adopted by a huge fan base that grows every year. You can see more of her playful fashions at www.bettyscagnetti.com.

The three days were filled with visitors, sales and sunny days, an extraordinary combination for a November weekend! Thank you to all who came, you made it all worthwhile!

How I Survived My Open Studio Event

I was driving to my studio on Saturday morning, heading for the annual Art Attack Open Studios event, in which I was participating. I was late of course, eating my lunch because I knew I wouldn't have time once I got there, when I had the idea that it would be fun to document the event. So I took out my camera and began shooting "landmarks" along the way to the studio. I became one of those idiots that I loath, mindless jerks who text and apply mascara and search for a book in the back seat while driving their car. Only I was holding a camera in one hand, a chicken sandwich in my other hand, and the steering wheel in my third hand. (?) Hold onto your hats, I'm exiting the freeway.




I drove over the Mississipi River, which contrary to a non-resident's usual assumption, does not divide Minneapolis from St. Paul. It actually snakes around and through the town of Minneapolis. Look at this gorgeous brewery sign - it's for sale. It's been a fixture here for over 60 years, and used to light up the night skyline until its owner went bankrupt and couldn't pay the light bill. It can be yours for few 100 thousand dollars. If I had the money I'd install it in my picture window, even though it must be 10 stories high. An article about it is here.




After I crossed the river, I drove by Nye's Polonaise Room. Oh, how we all adore Nye's - it's the first place we take our visitors. It's been entertaining locals since 1949, and several years ago, Esquire magazine named it Best Bar in America. The piano bar is the domain of Sweet Lou Snider who has been filling requests with undiminished good humor for over 40 years. When asked when was she going to retire, she replied, "When I'm dead". The side room hosts The Most Dangerous Polka Band every Friday and Saturday night, and the large banquet room is always filled with every day diners as well as large parties who are recuperating from every event from weddings to funerals. Even their website is entertaining (be forewarned, it opens with music): Nyespolonaise.com.
And the Esquire article is here: here




OK, so now I'm turning the corner to pull into the parking lot of the building, and what do I see but this classy oh so professional sign. It says, "BARGAINS GALORE".




Here's the main entrance, and I see that the place is already hopping with visitors! Yay!



Here I am. So tomorrow, Part 2, with some very interesting folks I'd like you to meet!

Art Attack

Yes, it's that time of year. My glorious studio building, filled with over 200 crazy talented artists (we're one BIG family), will be open this weekend with everyone sharing their wares with the public. It's Fall and Northrup King Complex celebrates with Art Attack!

Potters, tile makers, painters, sculptors, musicians, photographers, jewelers, print makers, and textile designers - you'll have lots of eye candy and inspiration to brighten your day, complete with lots of free parking!

I'm in Studio 350, which I share with bettyscagnetti, a unique shop of re-fashioned garments and accessories all embellished with playful finishing touches.

This year our guest artist is Cathy Young, who will be showcasing her gorgeous and well, quite frankly, mind-boggling mosaic pieces. Carefully crafted from broken tiles, pottery bits, beads and paper, these complex constructions have to be seen to be believed, and you can get a sneak preview here.

Hey, c'mon down!!!!

Friday, November 6 – 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 7 – Noon to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 – Noon to 5:00 p.m.

P.S. If you'd like directions, or more information about the event, visit the building's website: NorthrupKingBuilding.com

Happy Halloween!

There's nothing scarier than a mad squirrel! So feed those little guys some extra peanuts tonight, so we don't have them roaming the city with their trick or treat bags!

IF - Patterns

Do you find yourself thinking the same thoughts over and over again? I do. What's worse, I didn't even know I was doing this until I read an article that stated that 90% of people's thoughts are repetitious. So that means only 10% of our daily thinking is original. Talk about a rut! The first observation is close up and everything seems new and swirly and fascinating and original. Until you step back and look at the whole picture, and see then you see the pattern.

First Day of Fall

First day of fall? Today? Wait a minute! I'm not through with summer yet! I haven't had that vacation to some far away national park, I haven't cleaned out the garage from last winter's collection of debris (well, now I won't have to, since winter is nipping at our heels), I haven't been to a picnic...I'm just not ready to say goodbye to summer yet. So I won't. The first day of fall is now officially November 1, please mark your calendars accordingly.