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Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the guest room that I slept in at my parents' house had several artworks that I created while I was growing up. Our family has moved many times over the years and it is interesting how looking at these images stirs up memories from the times that I was working on them. It's good to know that my skills have improved since, but I feel confident enough to share these, and a little bit about them....

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It is almost Halloween, my favorite holiday, and I was initially inspired to blog about my disappointment in the way that certain neighbors are improperly using spiderweb decorations around my neighborhood in Park Slope. I took a walk around this week to observe and shoot photos. I'm here to offer constructive criticism as well as kudos for what I discovered.

So, let's start off with those spiderwebs. Most people seem to think that the synthetic spiderweb is the easiest way to create that "Halloweeny look" to the outside of their homes. When applied correctly, this is very true, as long as you don't mind some stray leaves stuck in them. The problem is that most people don't know how to use them. Since I'm really into Halloween I learned how to work with this stuff when I began helping my mom decorate our home when I was in middle school, so by now I know what I'm doing.

Above is a good example of "You Don't Have to Use the Whole Bag." Just because you buy a bag of "spiderwebs" for $3.99 at CVS doesn't mean the entire contents has to end up on your stoop. Less is more and you can save what is leftover for next year, what a bargain!

This is an appropriate use of spiderwebs; nice, very "Grey Gardens." They are  stretched out across a large area and partially obscure the plants and gate.


OK... if you don't have the kind of architecture that the synthetic webs will adhere to, like smooth, rounded railings, then you really shouldn't force it. The use of painter's tape to secure the webs subtracts from the creepy effects that they can potentially create. How about a couple of nice pumpkins instead? I've also seen some fun "candy corn" fairy lights that could work well here.

Sadly, the Halloween cotton candy machine has exploded, no sweet treats for the kiddies at this house! But seriously, I think some people don't understand the concept of how the webs are supposed to work... or they just can't commit the time to install them properly. It does take patience! Again, Halloween garlands or some gourds may be a better choice if this is your situation.

Let's end the spiderwebs chapter on a high note! Thanks to Dayna Bealy for sharing this picture with me. This is probably the best use of the webs I've seen this year. Compared to the first example, they are really stretching their webs for a realistic and creepy effect. I like how they surround visitors to this building, changing the experience of entering and exiting.

Now we can move on to more general decorations. I wanted to clear the spiderwebs, so to speak, before posting the rest of my findings, which are pretty great!

Who doesn't love the traditional Halloween Jack-o-Lantern? This trio will be a welcoming sight for the Trick-or-Treaters next week.

Here's a scary Halloween surprise! This rabid bat was hanging on its own from a long string tied to a tree in front of a decorated home.

I love how the Zombie Death Gnome contrasts with the "Welcome Fall" sign and the happier, frolicking gnomes around him.

Did Martha Stewart move to Park Slope?! This classy and spooky set up screams "Martha!" to me, who is a fellow Halloweenagin. I especially admire the use of the crows. High marks!

I like this, simple yet spooky. You don't need much to enhance an already scary entryway. Bonus points for the real, live guard dog inside the door on the lower right. I am sorry that it is so hard to see the pup, it was a very dark hallway.


Here are my neighbor's decorations, they always do a great job with making a 3-story spiderweb out of ropes, plus a cocooned "body," gargoyles, big spider, and more. I love it!

Finally, here's what I've done this year. Beneath the eyes are pumpkin lights which look great at night, but I can't get a clear picture when it's dark. I cut the teeth out of an old foam camping mat, attached them to some twine with wire and secured the strand inside my windows. Et voilá, a scary monster face! It isn't very visible, but I also have a large spider cut-out in the far left window.

So Happy Halloween, everyone, and let me know if you see any great decorations I should check out or if you need help hanging some spiderwebs!

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A shared post from Pikaland: What does being an artist mean to you?

The organizer/instructor of the online class that I'm taking, Amy Ng, is very active on her blog, Pikaland, which is how I found out about the class in the first place. This week she asks readers, "What does being an artist mean to you?" and I thought I'd share my thoughts on the question here, but make sure you also read her post at the link above.

In the Pikaland post, Amy included a quote from Edgar Degas:


Degas truly sums up my feelings about being an artist. My thought process and visual interpretation of the world are a big part of my creativity. Without the ideas or quirky observations about life my drawings, photos, and collages would not have much meaning to myself or to others, they'd just fall flat. I know that my way of thinking and observing has effected my daily life in the way that I witness particular moments happening around me and then I'm able craft them into a visual treats to share.

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A small selection of my illustrations from over the years...

... and more on this wall. I also looked at my online work.

Recently I began an online class called Work / Art / Play via an illustration blog I'm a fan of, Pikaland. Discussing my work for the class is right in line with the main subject of my blog, finding inspiration and my artistic process. The first assignment was to look at several examples of my work from over the years and try to find common patterns and then the elements of my art that are the strongest.

So far I've noticed that I mainly use graphic, flat shapes to compose my illustrations; my work often depicts daily life mixed with subtle humor; I like to incorporate words and multimedia (collage, photography, embroidery, watercolor, pencil, and ink).

Another step was see if there are similarities between our work and the artists we admire. I was surprised to find that all of the aspects I mentioned above are present in some way for my list of favorite artists! Roz Chast, Henrí Matisse, Hanoch Piven, Romare Bearden, Maira Kalman, Alexander Calder, and Claes Oldenberg. (To name a few.)

Parts 2 & 3 of last week's module were more challenging. Since I only had about a day to evaluate my work and write out my thoughts and analysis, I know I will need some more time to consider these answers. Part 2 was about considering what matters in our lives, not just our artwork, and what we are good at in addition to our creativity. And Part 3 is about bringing the observations from Parts 1 & 2 together to figure out how to create the strongest and most self-satisfying artwork based on these discoveries.

I think blogging about it helps the process! The first week was a very interesting start to what I feel will be a valuable experience. Some great topics came up in the Q&A session as well... such as one of my questions! I asked if I should make the effort to unearth some of my college work, which I have in slide form in my apartment... the originals are a couple hundred miles away at my parents house... if they haven't sold them. ;)

As it turned out it wasn't completely necessary to include the college work but I was able to notice some interesting similarities between what I was doing then and a new style that I've recently begun working with. I was really into combining watercolors, drawings, and colored pencil back in the day, and after many years of working in a digital style I've decided to experiment with the watercolors, drawings, and colored pencils again. I shouldn't be that surprised, I chose watercolors since I'm familiar with them, but I can see how my skills and sensibilities have matured, while the essence has remained the same.

I will keep working on this and post more discoveries.... meanwhile a new module was released today. I guess I will be a little bit behind on my classwork.

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I made a deal with myself tonight that I'd write a blog post or do some work related to my illustration business before I ate dinner. This is usually my game plan on the evenings that I come home from my day job in magazine publishing and don't have any set social plans. Luckily tonight I'm making my Mom's classic pasta salad which does not need to be eaten hot, so I made it first and sat down to write this, so it will be ready for me when I'm done writing.

I always love a tasty, healthy and fresh meal to feed my body and this meal will be a soul-feeder too, I was just on a family vacation a couple of weeks ago and a recipe from Mom's collection is a comfort for the times I miss being with my family in person.

Working toward my goals and dreams is the ultimate soul-feeder, of course. I never seem to have as much time as I want for pursuing those goals but my thoughts on that lately have been to make the most of what time I do have.

My current project is the creation of original art to sell in The Nancydraws Shop... I won't give it all away but it has to do with living in New York City as an artist and appreciator of the beauty and unique situations that are part of that experience.

I began some experimental sketches and tests earlier this summer (see the image below), so far I'm happy with the way they are coming along, and feel hopeful that I'll get a good response. But the process of creating something in a new way is also important, and its helping to bring the fun back into my artistic technique. I am looking forward to seeing where that will lead me down the road.

Now, back to feeding my body, be well until my next post!

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Here's another finished illustration from my Plus France, Sil Vous Plait: Ways to be More French book idea.

Accordion-playing street musicians are definitely part of the fabric of Paris. I've heard their music playing at least once on each of my glorious trips to the City of Light. And any cliched or even sincere movie set in Paris just does not feel complete without accordion music played by a street musician wafting through a scene, or even for the entire soundtrack. (ex: Amelié; Midnight in Paris; Paris, Je T'aime; Charade ... I could go on all night ... please comment if you can recommend more!)

In honor of this fact, which I should find out the history of, I decided that if I was to hire a musician to play for me on my way to the market, while I'm eating dinner, or doing mundane tasks, it could bring me back to my fun times in France and it would add a Frenchie feeling to my Americane life. I've depicted this concept with Adele and Henrí in their kitchen and the accordion player that Adele has hired. Unfortunately Henrí doesn't seem to be enjoying it so well since the accordion isn't a very cat-friendly instrument.

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I always get a kick out of a good play on words, idioms, and double-meanings.

I saw a Facebook post by a friend on her son's birthday about her memory of the day she found out that she was pregnant with him. My comment was, "Urine Luck!" The phrase got stuck in my head and I came up with this visual to illustrate the word play.

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I just filled out this survey on the Art-Fix blog, you should, too! Watch the video at the link and see if you are inspired to comment.

Art-Fix: Friday POP Quiz: If MONEY was no object...: What would you do with your life if money was no object? What kind of artist would you be?   What kind of work would you ... Read the rest of this post

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Last week I received a special order for my Hanukkah card, "Percival's Noodles," via The Nancydraws Shop on Etsy. The customer wanted 12 of them, saying that they were perfect for her Chinese-Jewish family!

I definitely hadn't had this scenerio in mind when I created the card, but that's one of the great things about Etsy, there are so many special and unique items for sale, you're likely to find a one-of-a-kind gift (or card!) for someone on your list.

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Well, It's been some time since I've posted something new, so here it is.... an image from a booklet about Adele and Henrí that I intend on self-publishing in print and tablet forms. I'll share more details once I am closer to being finished. If you scroll down you'll see the first finished illustration and a sketch for another that I will begin soon.

Are you on Twitter? Adele is now twittering, as is my pigeon friend, Percival Featherington III. You can find them under these Twitter handles: @Adele_18th and @Percival_F3

Ta-ta for now, thanks for checking in!

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Here's the finished portrait of every one's favorite Bird-About-Town, Percival Featherington III, framed by lovely scroll-work and Brooklyn-baked bagels. For the frame, I transferred my original drawing onto fabric and embroidered the design, then enlarged it when I scanned it in to work the collage aspect in Photoshop.

Ms. Holly Moser-Ross is the winner of a framed print of this artwork, but I will also offer it as a print and blank greeting card in The Nancydraws Shop... soon!

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I had one of those days where every chore I took on seemed to take forever to finish, then when I had time to work on something creative I just couldn't seem to focus. Instead, I ended up cleaning up my work space since my drawing table often becomes a "dumping ground" for things that I'm not sure what to do with, or am too lazy to put away immediately.

I decided that since I have some time set aside for my artwork next week, I might as well take the opportunity to clear things up and make it a pleasant place to work. The clutter was part of what was distracting me; all that stuff kept getting in my way! I had left sketches and supplies out for my Christmas and Valentine's cards, so I filed the papers, put away things that didn't belong there, and even shredded a pile of papers sitting in the shredder which lives under the desk. Now my desk is an open runway for new projects: Clear for take-off!

Recently, on another organizing binge, I discovered a birthday card illustration from some years back that I had forgotten about, so I made time yesterday to post it in The Nancydraws Shop. Pictured above, the card features Adele and her feline pal, Henrí, on their way to a birthday celebration.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/95606066/scooter-birthday

I hope you are inspired by Spring to create, clean-up, or both!

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In January, I asked people to suggest and then vote on what my pigeon character's name should be. Holly Moser suggested the name that ended up getting the most votes, so she wins a portrait of: Percival Featherington III!

I have begun working on the prize... and decided to show off some of the preliminary sketches. Above are sketches of Percival in his signature Santa hat, and below is the frame drawing, transferred onto fabric and ready for stitching. The final product will be a digital file with these 2 elements and others combined with my Photoshop collage-ing technique.

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Earlier this month, Etsy.com HQ sent out a call for members and friends to contribute handmade or vintage Valentine greeting cards to be distributed to Citymeals-on-Wheels clients on Valentine's Day. What fun it would be, I thought, to invite friends to join me on Saturday night for dinner and crafting... and it was!

Elaine, Elle, Kat, Holly, and Janet came over to my place last weekend. I served Penne Alla Vodka and my favorite salad. After dinner and some wine, we spread out ourselves and our craft supplies on the living room floor to start creating. There was some trepidation at first, but once we began putting things together, inspiration took hold. Listening to our favorite tunes from the 80s helped, too! In the end, we had 18 Valentine's cards to contribute to Etsy's cause! I would have been happy if we had 1 or 2 cards per person, so I'm bowled over by everyone's efforts. Links and results follow:

http://www.citymeals.org/
http://www.etsy.com

Craft Central!

Janet working on one of her cards.

Holly's delicious chocolate-cherry cupcakes for dessert!

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I have three new Valentines on offer in The Nancydraws Shop. I knew I wanted to feature Percival Featherington III, Brooklyn pigeon extraordinaire, but I also wanted cards for pigeons... I mean... persons of every persuasion. To keep things simple, I've swapped in same-sex pigeons where applicable. Did you know that pigeons are excellent actors? A Happy Valentine's Day to all!

The Nancydraws Shop

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"Holiday Shoppers," available at The Nancydraws Shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/61807091/christmas-card-city-shoppers

Well, its the last week before Christmas, and not even a week before Hanukkah begins. I'm sure there are still cards to write, cookies to bake, parties to attend, and gifts buy and wrap, so thanks for taking a look at my blog post today. I want to share some pictures to show what inspired a greeting card that I created last year, which is pictured above, "Holiday Shoppers."

If you spend much time in Manhattan at this time of year, you'll see people wandering around the city with all kinds of colorful and festive shopping bags. Since this week is the height of the holiday shopping season, I've taken a bunch of photos of these bags, which you'll see when you scroll down.

This illustration also reminds me of a story a friend of mine told me from when she was in high school. She went to midtown after school in December with a friend to see the store window decorations along Fifth Avenue. Both of them were raised in a blue-collar Queens neighborhood and had their backpacks with them as they walked around and enjoyed the sites. They both felt a little out of place, walking past others in fur coats, carrying their purchases from the ritzy stores along the avenue in festive shopping bags.

The friend suggested going into Saks Fifth Avenue and requested 2 shopping bags from one of the sales clerks. The two then placed their backpacks in the bags and felt better about "blending in" with the rest of the well-to-do shopping crowd. So, you never know what's in those bags you see people carrying down the street!





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It's the beginning of holiday time again, and as much as I love the parties, decorations, and the fun that comes along with it, sometimes it can be overwhelming, can't it?

There are extra shopping trips and errands to add in to our usual schedule; card and gift buying, wrapping, and sometimes shipping; special dishes to cook and bring with us to the holiday parties or events we attend. If you're the host/hostess of such an event, your home must be decorated and cleaned up and down.

Amongst all of the usual holiday preparations I am gearing up for orders from The Nancydraws Shop, stocking up on my supplies, finishing the artwork that appears on the cards and tags, and thinking of ways to spread the word out about my shop to potential buyers. Since I print the cards from my home printer, I wait until a new order comes in and then get to work printing them out, trimming to size, and wrapping them up for shipment.

So, aside from hiring a personal assistant, what are your tips for staying sane during this exciting but busy time of year?

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Last night I cooked up a delicious pot of Red Lentil Thai Chili for dinner. It was for nourishment as well as doing my part of a guest blogging swap that I'm participating in with Jean Ciemniecki Mead. I made sketches of some of the ingredients to go along with my post for Jean's blog, Eat Your Beans: A Vegan Mom Challenge. We'll each be taking a turn on each others blogs in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes and your sweet potatoes peeled!

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Great news! The Graphic Artists Guild iPad app is now available, and five of my illustrations are featured. It is F-R-E-E so I hope any of you who have iPads will download it and let me know what you think... especially if you're an art director! ; )

Here's the link:
Graphic Artists Guild on the iTunes App Store

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This page is part of Adele's trip to the market where she buys a lot of her food. In an earlier post, I showed you the luscious strawberries that she picked up on the same shopping trip, and this page drawing faces that page.

Adele's story is set during the springtime, but shopping at an open-air market always makes me think of summer here on the east coast, since that is when our farmers' markets are overflowing with a large variety of my favorite produce... tomatoes, corn, peaches, blueberries, and so much more! I really love the smell of all of that fresh food. Go local!!!

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Above is a sketch I did as a tribute to the famous Brassai photo of the Montmatre steps from the early 1930s.
http://www.amazon.com/Escaliers-Montmartre-Paris-Poster-Brassa%C3%AF/dp/B0000WJIPQ

It is going to be a very small part of the Adele book I'm working on, and I wanted to include it since I have been an admirer of his work for a long time. I haven't worked on the page that it appears on yet, so you'll be seeing it again in its smaller form, as part of Adele's blog. The story is partly told in the present tense along with important excerpts from Adele's blog/journal.

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