November News

I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by. Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and the studio will be closed next week for the holiday break. I've been busy working on a bunch of different projects and I wanted to share with you some of the stuff that is finished before I close up shop and head to the mountains.

A little while back I was approached to work on an advertising campaign for American Express. The project was a nationwide POP/POS campaign for use in large cites and the metropolitan areas surrounding them. Illustrators from different cities across the country were picked to represent the city that they are from. The client felt that my vibrant watercolor, pen and ink illustration style and my close ties to the area were perfect to represent the city of Philadelphia. I was delighted to be picked to represent our fine city. People have been sending me photos of the window clings and tote bags that the artwork has been printed on. Fun stuff! Check it out.

The Original art:

A few photos of the window cling spotted at a Starbucks and the tote bag at a local mall that some folks have sent me - sorry if they are a little hard to see:

Now, on to other things. I'm TOTALLY switching gears from talking about illustration to fine art. I have a great client who is an American Railroad enthusiast. He's commissioned me several times to do paintings of different northeastern railroads of past and present, some which have been used on small runs of holiday greeting cards. I just finished this painting of the L&H Railroad which will be used on another small run of cards this year.

My illustration style allows for me to draw and paint quick, loose and free but when I switch over to my fine art style which is border line photo realistic, its a slow process. There is a lot of back and forth with close examination of the reference. Lots of tiny brushes, holding my breath and tearing out my hair. All good stuff. Locomotives are super complicated things to draw, let alone paint if you don't know anything about them. And I don't know anything about them! And this one is in a blizzard!  But my client keeps coming back so I suppose I'm doing something right! ;) I really do have to slow down, step back and look at what I am painting, otherwise I'll end up with a bunch of shapes that don't make any sense. I do think the end result turned out great and I'm really happy with it. I love the contrast of the cold steel train and the blowing wind in contrast with the headlights lighting up the snow and the cozy little station with the holiday wreath. Can't you just imagine going in there after being outside in the freezing wet cold and warming your hands over the radiator? I can actually feel my fingers thawing out as I type this. I can't wait to see the cards. MAYBE I'll even get one in the mail!
Click for a larger view.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Cheers,
M