reelin’ it in!

It’s official - the entire apartment has once again become my studio. That’s just the way I roll. I start off on one end and make my way over the west end of the apartment. Good thing the boy is glued into lots of freelance web design work! He hardly notices.

You’re a Reel Catch, 4bar card on Mr. French Paper - letterpressed with beautiful, ancient lead type and screened printed image.

Happy Friday to all!

Why am I…

progress of Paper Parasol’s website.. the past 2 days.
always working toward something because it is fun and in turn losing lots of sleep? I guess that is the great thing about being creative. You don’t set dates. You’re not like, “It’s going to happen tonight, I am going to finish an art piece.” It’s all so organic and it just sort-of flows. This is exactly the case with the design layout to Paper Parasol. I am also hoping this is the case as I create new pieces for upcoming art shows/fairs. I hate remaining idle, so it’s a blessing in itself that I can function in everyday society without becoming a coffee fiend.

Happy weekend.

Depression-era Chicago

I totally have huge interest in Depression-era criminals. Yesterday my friend Erin and I went over to the Biography theater were they are filming Public Enemies with Johnny Depp + Christian Bale. I absolutely loved the attention to detail- especially in the signage and package design of the product. In one store front they even had old fashioned shopping carts! It also really made me wish I worked in the movie industry. Sure, the work is probably hard, but how rewarding! Here are some photos:

the new set up and the crowd outside when Dillinger was shot.

storefront

those little shopping carts!

Look at those prices in the bakery!

beautiful designs. The bird one is my favorite.

NRA rocked.
I love living in Chicago. There is always something going on.

taking a break…

from some screen printing and realizing it’s Sunday night already!

Yesterday was fun sharing a table with my lovely friend Meredith. Her vanilla bacon cupcakes raised a lot of eyebrows, but they were truly an amazing concoction of baked heaven posed as a cupcake. We even got some sun - imagine that!

Congrats to my friend Tristan, who is making the move to Brooklyn! I absolutely adore Brooklyn- where there is always a comfortable couch to crash on. And those Brooklyn rooftops have a spectacular view of Manhattan - oh, I need a trip to one of the coasts soon! Last time I was in Brooklyn was with Miss Meredith (above) and we road tripped it there. That has almost been 4 years, far too long for this girl to be away from the city that never sleeps.

Spring Show Wrap Up!

Overall, the Spring Show went very well! Thanks to Drew for helping a girl out and spending some time with me and for all my friends who came out!

my booth set-up, you can see a beautiful, old stained glass window behind it.

My friend Tim. had a great set up right behind me and he was selling his paintings.

I was lucky enough to be across from Nancy and Andy from Circa Ceramics. I love their stuff and have been seeing them around for years now, so it was finally good to meet them. They are both incredibly nice and helpful. Also there:
Dollybird Designs and Orangy Porangy. Dollybird’s jewelry is just so ravishing and I have a skirt all picked out to from Orangy Porangy that will be around my waist in no time!

Bye Bye 2007! Hello ‘08!

{2008 resolutions}
• launch a project I’ve been entertaining for quite some time now. I just need to jump in with both feet
• organize clients list, send out another round of mailers.
• carry that lovely sketch book friend with me more - and when I go to Paris/London this year - sketch, sketch, sketch!
• perhaps get back into photography more - not so much the digital world, but Polaroids and holga experiments
• knit something other than a scarf
• pay off a chunk of those student loans

(My old studio space before my show is a constant reminder for me to regain my focus)
It was a pretty good year. Got some new clients, a few shows, no health issues, and survived the daily grinds of taking on more than I can handle. I also moved in with Drew. It’s good dating another illustrator (web design/oil paint extraordinaire). It’s nice to have a person to come home to who supports you and challenges you creatively. Plus it’s good to have constructive criticism! Drew wants to apply and attend UIC’s grad program for Medical Illustration in a year and a half. With his art school background, eye for detail, and draftsmanship abilities, I think he will have no problem getting in and doing well.

Portrait © Andrew Lee

I’m looking forward to 2008.

Vintage Lamps

New gocco prints on my Etsy .

Vintage Lamps Single color gocco print with gold ink on Mr. French Paper bright white. I did a run of 54: 1-29 are gold on white and 30-54 are gold on a light blue paper called Avalanche. (see below image.) It is a very subtle difference in the color paper.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Preparing for DEPART-ment next weekend! Florida was a wonderful break from reality. Drew and I had a great time.

Happy Thanksgiving - peace and safe travels to all!

a little slice of the sketchbook

Lately, my doodles in my sketchbook have been very gestural and a little sloppy. Probably because I usually find the time to sketch on the buses or the trains - not the smoothest ride.

Well, time to pack for the road trip! Au revoir!

Happy Friday!

I’ve been busy as of late. Last night I hung 18 pieces at The Grind Cafe in Lincoln Square. The show will be up until December 1st, so swing by grab a coffee or a tea and stay a while.

In a week Drew and I will be hitting the open road on a trip to St. Pete, Florida. Looking forward to a much needed escape from the city.