Illustration Friday: Jump

Squirrel Jump, gouache & graphite on watercolor paper, 7.5 x 11", 2012.

Here's a quick one for Illustration Friday.

Squirrels are crazy this time of year!

Butterfly Scarf

You know those butterfly drawings I posted a few weeks ago? Well, I made a bunch more, and got them printed on fabric (with some Photoshop help from Zack). I made this scarf for my mom's birthday; it turned out well, so I'll being selling them in my Etsy shop. There's only one available now... until I order more fabric.

I think this is the first time I've put photos of myself on this blog. Drawings, yes.. but photos are weird. I felt very silly taking them. Next time I design a scarf I'm going to recruit someone to be the model. I guess they'd have to be willing to take a scarf as payment :)

Here's a look at the whole design and a close-up of the fabric. I printed it on cotton voile because it's nice and light. It will make it more wearable for the spring and summer.

What do you think? Should I design some others??

Illustration Friday: Vocal

Ciao, watercolor & graphite on Rives BFK, 8 x 5.5", 2012.

I haven't done Illustration Friday for a little while, so I drew a little toad for this week's theme. The weather's getting warmer, and it's almost time to hear the little frogs and toads peeping at night. This one doesn't peep or ribbit though... it's a sophisticated Italian toad.

Hive Notecards

I liked the little bee drawing I completed for the 4 x 6 Exchange, so I made it a friend! I hope bees start to make a big comeback... we really do need them.

I also printed them onto notecards. If you'd like one and you live in Philly, you can purchase it at Betty's Speakeasy (along with bunny notecards!). If you don't live in Philly, I've also listed them in my Etsy shop.

The notecards are blank inside. It's a good thing too... If I put something inside a bee card it would either be something cheesy like "BEE Happy!" or a really bad bee joke. I love bad jokes!

Who was the bee's favorite singer??
Sting!!

See? It's better they're blank.

5 Blogs You Should Be Reading

I reached 75 posts... woohoo!!

When I wrote my 50th post I featured 5 bloggers I found since starting my blog, I'm doing the same for 75! If you'd like to read about the first 5 fantastic bloggers go here.

Here are some great art and design blogs Ive found through Flickr, Illustration Friday, and the Sketchbook Project:

1. Concertina Press

Ruth Bleakley is a bookbinder and stationary designer from Massachusetts. I was automatically drawn to her stationary design; it combines two of my favorite things: vintage illustration and the ocean. If you have a Pinterest account you'll drool over the beautiful nautically themed boards she puts together! Check out her other blog on her website for even more inspiration.
Links! Website * Blog * Etsy * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest

 2. Mat Pringle

Mat Pringle is an illustrator from London. I think his 'Spirit Bears of California' series is fantastic, lately he's been balancing his colorful, quirky bears with somber black and white illustrations of musicians, writers, and other notable faces. He's had work printed on Threadless... I own several Threadless shirts, so I think this is beyond awesome!
Links! Website * Blog * Etsy * Twitter * Flickr * Threadless

 3. Rubin Pingk

Rubin Pingk's illustrations are detailed, fantastic, and sometimes just plain strange... so of course I'm a fan. I especially like any of his illustrations with bug and beetle elements. If you look through his blog you'll probably notice another reason why I'm an obvious fan: Batman illustrations! If you know me, then you'll know that I've read soooo many Batman comics. He's also got a great sense of humor!
Links! Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Art House Co-op * Skine Art

4. Helena Perez Garcia

 Helena Perez Garcia is a designer and illustrator from Spain. I love her modern day fairy tale illustrations, and started following her blog as soon as I saw them. Her balance of color and black and white makes her illustrations unique and striking... she has a one-of-a-kind style that I'd be able to spot from across the room. She recently started printing her illustrations on shirts available here.
Links! Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Flickr * Big Cartel

5. Rob Jelinski

Last, but definitely not least is New Jersey designer, Rob Jelinski. This guy's done so much work to promote The Sketchbook Project. On his blog you'll find profiles of artists from around the world and their sketchbooks along with other cool Sketchbook Project videos, events and inspiration. His own sketchbooks are crazy impressive (this is his second year with the project). On top of all of that goodness you'll find quality graphic design work on his website; next time you need design work keep him in mind!
Links! Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Art House Co-op * YouTube

There you have it! Go to their blogs and hit the follow button, or subscribe to their RSS feeds... you won't be sorry! While you're at it go ahead and visit all of the other links. It's Friday! You deserve to spend some time looking at beautiful things on the internet :)

I had such a hard time deciding who to feature for this post. I read so many great blogs by so many talented people! I'm toying with the idea of having features like this every 10 posts instead of 25.

What do you think? Do you enjoy these as much as me? Should I post these more often?

4 x 6 Exchange!

Hive I, acrylic ink & micron pen on watercolor paper, 4 x 6", 2012.

I signed up to participate in Art-House Co-op's 4x6 Exchange. Artists from all over the world will be trading 4x6" artwork. For such a small work area this took a long time!

I'm excited to see what I'll get in the mail in return!

On a completely unrelated note, I was featured in two wonderful blogs this week. Check out an interview on Jess Buckley's blog, and a sweet French inspired collection on the Concertina Press blog.

Check back tomorrow for my 75th post where I'll be featuring some great art, design and illustration blogs :)

Illustration Friday: Shades

I've been drawing and painting tiny butterflies in all shades of yellow and orange. Each is drawn with Prismacolor pencils and painted with acrylic ink.

I'm practicing drawing small for Art House Co-op's 4x6 Exchange.

Happy First Day of Spring!!