Goodness Gracious - Joanna Concejo

wow, i just found the blog of this amazing illustrator named Joanna Concejo. none of her websites come up when you do a regular search of her name, but i was looking at some google images and clicked on one to find her blog! it appears that she is french, (correction: she is polish! but currently resides in france. thanks M.!) and it is hard to find her books translated into english *there are none of her books translated into english!* but i will have to find one just for the illustrations. i'm not sure if she has a formal website or just her blog, but either way i'm glad that i found it. i hope you've been inspired.

Olivia Kim

My sister Olivia is also an artist who makes beautiful figurative sculpture. Here is a link to a really great interview highlighting her thought process and art. Please check it out!

Zines PikaPackage Giveaway!

hey everyone!

head on over to Pikaland, a blog featuring up-and-coming artists and illustrators, and read the post on the Zines PikaPackage Giveaway. Every so often, Pikaland organizes a group of artists to contribute art and crafts based on a particular theme. These goodies are bundled into packages that people can purchase in the shop, and a couple of the packages are included in a free giveaway to anyone who leaves a comment. you could win your own!

for the zines pack, i contributed a variety of zines and each comes with 1 zine, a notecard+envelope, and a little screenprinted art card. I have looked at the other contributors and it is a really exciting collection of talented artists. luckily, being a contributor I get one free package for myself :) i can't wait for mine to arrive in the mail!

The Greedy Bird

This is my newest print, based on a doodle I made in my sketchbook a year ago. I really think he belongs in his own story somehow. he is greedy, yet loveable, in my opinion.

someone at a craft show asked me if i read a lot of Edward Gorey. i admit that the look and feel of this piece did remind me of Gorey while i was making it, though I never purposely try to emulate him. i can't help it if i love words and intricate little pictures within borders!

here's another artist named Daria Tessler whose work is awesome! i first found her work and bought some of her beautiful little illustrated booklets (which you can find on her website). her prints are so amazing. i love how she incorporates the borders into her screenprints, and how she layers so many colors and patterns. she inspires me to push my artwork into a more intricate and involved direction. i only hope i have more time to work on some kick-ass work this new year. see more of Daria's work here. and she also has an Etsy shop called Animal Sleep.

"Prehistoric Journey" - 5-color screenprint by Daria Tessler

Art 180 Calendar!

 

 

I made the drawings for the new 2011 Art 180 calendar illustrating quotes by youth in Art 180 programs. Erin Potter of Punch Design did the graphic design and color selection. It is a very handy calendar that folds out to sit on your desktop, adding a bit of brightness and inspiration to your day. We are all very proud of having donated our efforts to support Art 180, an organization that provides art programs to youth facing challenging circumstances. Once this product is listed, you can buy your very own calendar for $12 at their online shop, and if you live in Richmond you can find it at craft events where Art 180 and I will be vending! By the way, I've heard rave reviews about the Art 180 cookbook. Someone told me about a recipe for black bean burgers that is simply amazing. May have to pick that up for myself soon...

One Kind Word - Love

This is a poster and postcard set I illustrated and hand-lettered for One Kind Word Project, run by Hartwood Press in Richmond, VA. Please submit writing, art, or a combination of both! There is a chance your submission will be selected for inclusion in a print anthology of One Kind Word. Please pass this along to friends who may be interested.

New Prints and Black Friday Sale on Sprout Head

These are what I've been working on madly for the last few weeks. More new art to come. They are all linocuts, which is my new (old) favorite printmaking medium. I say that because I hadn't done much since high school, but I love them now. All are for sale in my Etsy shop, Sprout Head.Which reminds me, I'm having a BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALE at my shop from Friday, Nov 26 through Sunday, Nov 28th. Get 10% off your entire purchase when you enter coupon code BLACKFRIDAY10.

 "Horse Constellation"

 

"Gathering"

 

"Gathering (Autumn) 

"I Went Hunting" - inspired by a song of the same name by Alasdair Roberts:

I went hunting in the morning, Polly,
When the geese were in the field.
I went hunting in the morning, Polly,
The geese were in the field.

Then I saw a woman changing
From a woman to a gosling.
Then I saw a woman changing
Before my eyes.

And the larks sang melodious, Polly,
At the dawning of the day.
And they only know the one song, Polly,
But they sing it wondrously.

And the beauty of the singing,
All along the valley ringing,
And the beauty of the singing
Stayed my hand. 

One print in this edition is being donated to the charity auction at Gallery 5 on Friday December 3rd, benefiting Art 180. I'll also be vending at RVyAy! (Records, Vintage, and Art Fest) on that night. Stop by and do some shopping if you're in town!