April in Paris

I was able to do a series of these circular compositions but they are of course highly personalized !

I tried to convey a sense of joy and coziness to announce the school party for the big poster. Below was one of the many teasers that was sent by email. 

This was a change of address card. I had fun drawing the members of their family. 

I am reviewing some of my past work. Here are some things that I have done over the past 2 years.

This is a vignette that I did for  a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator’ children’s book writer and former director of SCBWI France who is returning to live in the states. I used to host the  Show and Tell evenings and so this is a reference to that. 

I wanted this card to be special. It is not for a car salesman, lawyer or accountant. It is for an individual who happens to be a classical French theatre actress. 

She needed a card that can be used for both professional and personal relationships. 

It will be engraved with a raised black ink on traditional paper with rounded edges. I may hand color each card individually to make it even more alive. 

I like the idea of handing out a card that feels like a gift. 

Looking towards Holiday Cards I am in search of high end printers in Ile de France. I have made two appointments with local engravers. I am looking to print out some of my finer drawings on Arches Paper and raised black ink. Then I will hand color them. Oh how I wish I still had skills and access to an old fashioned etching studio but I suppose it is best to leave it to the experts.

Here is a drawing from the archives drawer.  It is entitled THE HUSHED BATTLE OF THE GOOGLE PROOF and belongs in my April in Paris cartoon strip series. It would be interesting to do a bunch of my April In Paris collection engraved and bound in a book. But then, what? Who would want that art book cluttering their space? … sigh… tribulations of an artist continue… 

True that a good critique is even better  for my long term development but who wants broccoli when you can have  cherry pie? 

I can not imagine what it must be like for theatre performers to read the newspaper reviews the morning after. There is nothing one can do once the performance is over. At least in illustration, I can use my eraser.

   

A woman who has helped me sift through the ins and outs of the luxury market has  a Weimerener dog named Bella. This is a quick little sketch that I whipped up as a thank you gift for her. 

I was only slightly surprised to learn that dogs have a solid role in the luxury market and thinking back to my art history slides, I guess they alway have! I don’t recall seeing many cats immortalized on canvas; perhaps it is time to fix that. In the meantime here is an hommage to Bella.