Happy Halloween!

In the case of a zombie apocolypse please remember these tips:
A shotgun works best,
A chainsaw is ideal,
A bat or a crowbar will do in a pinch.
if all else fails, use a shovel.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Pet Peeve

A pet peeve of mine is people who don't update their blogs. I mean, you gotta update it at least a couple of times a month (if not more) or it gets boring. I hate checking back and seeing the same post that was there 3 weeks before. LAME! I'm afraid that I've become quite lame the past month because I've been slammed busy. I'm not complaining though...a working illustrator is a happy illustrator.

Next time, I'll have some cool new projects to post, as well as photos and tales from a much needed vacay excursion with B for our 5th wedding anniversary. See you when I get back!

Dia De Los Muertos

I stopped by Proximity Gallery yesterday so that my visiting inlaws could see Stomping Grounds while the show is still up. I was talking to the owner of the Gallery about the next month's show, Dia De Los Muertos, a group show that is being put on by the Autumn Society of Philadelphia. I'm an Autumn Society member, but have not yet participated in any of their shows. She told me that I should put something in the show and as I was bellyaching that I have not had the time to do a piece for it Brian reminded me of a Day of the Dead themed piece that I did a couple of years ago titled, "One Man Band".



I can't believe that I forgot about this piece. It's PERFECT for the event! So I'm happy to announce that I am the 49th artist participating in the show. I don't know if I will be able to make it down to opening night on Friday, October 2nd because PRIMER Microstudio is having an opening of the super talented
Tom Whalen the same night which I am helping out with...but I will try and make it to both! If not, I'll be sure to check it the next Saturday. Yippe!

Mind the Gap

Here's a spot that I did for the September issue of North Shore Magazine. The article was titled, "Mind the Gap" and it was about high school seniors making the choice to go to college right after graduation or taking a year off to volunteer, travel, work, (otherwise known as a "gap year") before continuing their education.

The Art Director wanted me to depict the recent high school graduate on top of moving trains - both going in different directions (college, year off). Sorry about the not so great photo, I had to shoot the magazine with my iPhone as I seem to have left the battery and charger for my camera where I stayed when while I was on vacation last week. Ah well. Below, is a jpeg of the spot.

The Illustrated Poe

As you might recall, this past February, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction put on a juried art exhibition called "The Great Lincoln! Memorial Tableaux" to celebrate Lincoln's 2ooth birthday. I created the well received "Lincoln's Ghost" illustration for that show, that went on to be a part of the Lincoln 200 exhibition at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia in July.

AITA now has an open call for entries for their 200th birthday celebration of writer and past Philly resident, the one and only, Edgar Allen Poe. Here is my submission. I have titled it, "The Illustrated Poe". Click on the image for a larger view. Wish me luck!
Enjoy,
M

UPDATE: He made it in! Come see him in person along with other artist's Poe interpretations at the opening of the Tell-Tale Heart Exhbition at Art In The Age Gallery October 7th!

Opening night pix plus show pieces

Ahoy mateys!
I'm happy to say that the opening night of Stomping Grounds was a phenomenal success! I am super thankful to everyone who came out to see the show. It is a great feeling knowing that I have such a big community supporting my work. Knowing that my art is going to be up on somebody's wall in their home to make them happy for years to come is what it's all about. One of the sold pieces is going to have a new home in Switzerland! If you did not get a chance to make it to opening night, but would still like to see the show it will be up until the end of September. And if you are interested in any of the work or prints, please contact the gallery. Proximity Gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 1 until 4 PM and Wed, Thurs and Sundays by appt. The Gallery's number is 267.825.2949

As promised, here are pix from opening night & the work for all to see. There are many photos, so I'll post them in two parts: opening night and individual works. I hope that you don't mind scrolling.

Opening night Photos:

Brian and I before the show.
Proximity Gallery
My name up in "lights".
Party in full swing!

The work:
PLACES

Standard Tap
The Franklin Fountain
Pat's King of Steaks
Genos
Kung Fu Necktie
The Philadelphia Zoo
700 Club
Johnny Brendas (View One)
Johnny Brendas (View Two)
Monks
The Abbaye
Eulogy
Liberties Walk
The Khyber
Rocket Cat
Girard Ave. Trolley
The Memphis Tap

PEOPLE

Carefully Careless Mess
Hipster Girl with Mustache
Hipster Abe Lincoln
Swallows
Shoegazer
The Well Dressed Punk

Enjoy the show!

Stomping Grounds

Stomping Grounds at Proximity Gallery
Opening Fri, Sept 4th 6-9 PM
2434 East Dauphin Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125
267.825.2949



Well, I did it. I cannot believe that the the show opens tomorrow. Many an early morning and late night's work has finally come to fruition. 23 pieces. 6 months of studio time, the last 3 months having little contact with the outside world - at least it felt that way! (Summer? What summer?)

I went down to help Janel, the owner of Proximity Gallery, hang the show last nig I cannot wait to share it with you all. Thanks to my wonderful husband,Brian, who is always a great supporter of my work. Thanks putting up with all of my late nights and weekend working and for your feedback, suggestions and help. Thanks to Russell Underwood Photography for shooting the work! You did a bang up job! Thanks to PRIMER for helping me out with the printing. Thanks to my family for their support and thanks to City Paper and the Philadephia Weekly for the great write ups!

After Friday, I will be posting photos on the blog from the opening, as well as jpegs of each piece so that all of my friends in far away places can enjoy. And the rest of you? I hope to see you all tomorrow!