"All Good Things"

Boys with Stories - Blog Post Series!

2012-01-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

So in my busy life of illustrating, writing my stories, working for Pinwheel and animating apps, I'm also teaching art classes at Brookline Arts Center. It's a unique bunch of kids - 8 BOYS (and 2 girls) to be exact, so I'm posting all about this interesting experience inspiring boys to read, write, and illustrate their own stories.

Check it all out on the blog I write for Pinwheel Books called Kidslit Musings. I'll try and post the updates on this blog too, but for now, check out the article here (and every Wednesday!):

http://pinwheelbooks.com/2012/01/boys-with-stories-series-week-1/

Will you be my co-pilot?

2012-01-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

An idea came to me at the beginning of 2012 that began with the phrase:

Will you be my co-pilot?

I love old fashioned airplanes, aviator caps, and thought I needed a story that focuses on kids and animals living together. And I'm seeing my storytelling taking a more poetic route - embracing telling a story that inspires and motivates the reader while depicting wondrous imagery.

So this concept of finding your confidante, your second-in-command, your best pal, inspired this piece:

with background:

without background:

Have a Holly Jolly . . .

2011-12-19T17:51:00.000-08:00

. . . Christmas (Hannukah, Kwanza, Holiday) ! ! !

Here are some little Mud Pup sketches for the holidays:

merry merry!

My wish this year was to spend the holidays with my hunny, and I am. I hope you all have christmas miracles!

Muddy Fall

2011-11-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

It's been a 'mud pup' inspired fall. Recently, I've been blogging away at "Kidslit Musings", the blog from Pinwheel Books. I talk about everything from publishing to animation, illustration, and write a column for Tuesdays called "Twin Tuesday".

I'm also animated Sam and Ben for the iPad, and it's been tough learning how to animate my images and create an app. We are luckily using a very user-friendly program to drag and drop our frames in. It should be completed by December, so stay tuned!

In my spare time, mud pup's been on my mind. Here are some of the sketches I've created of the little guy these past two months:

Vines:

Pup Pup Meeting:

Mud Pup Checks the Post:

Mud Pup at the Dog Park:

And finally, the most wonderful little mud pup there could be:

Arf!

Evenbrite - Calling all Boston MA illustrators!

2011-10-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

Interested in Turning Children's Books into Animated Apps? Pinwheel Books, local children's book publisher in Brookline, MA is having an info session Nov. 8th!

Here's the info from our Evenbrite Invitation:

Pinwheel Books would like to invite artists, illustrators, authors, publishers and all fans of children's books to attend a demonstration on how to turn a children's book into an animated app.

We have been busy turning our books into beautiful apps that bring out the magic in every page. Tap on one character and he plays the xylophone! Drag trucks and cars into a basket. Make bubbles move around the screen. The best part is: if we can do it so can you.

Come for an evening of engaging discussion about the future of children's book publishing and a brief demonstration of how we work our magic on the iPad screen. Our animation expert Nicole Gsell and our Publisher Sylvia Pagán Westphal will lead the presentation.

link

Proclamation to all in Picture Books!

2011-10-21T15:14:00.000-07:00

I found this picture over at one of my favorite inspiring blogs showcasing Vintage Children's Books: http://www.vintagechildrensbooksmykidloves.com/ and just thought I'd share it with you all - this is going to be my manifesto in publishing going forward!

In the meantime, I've been animating my Sam and Ben book (pretty much a full time employee for Pinwheel Books), blogging all about publishing for Pinwheel (pinwheelbooks.com/?page_id=304) and teaching art classes!

Look for new work soon, I promise. All good things!

Art Teaching with What's Your Story

2011-09-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

This fall I'm really pushing my art teaching career, starting small at local art centers in the Boston area. Here's the ad that I'm sending around to push my class! If you know anyone who lives near the Arlington Center for the Arts, or Brookline Arts Center, spread the word!

I'm glad to finally be using a new/old illustration that I never finished or knew what to do with.
Hard to realize fall is coming so soon! Enjoy the seasons..

Literary Lights for Children Tea Party Invitations

2011-08-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

I got a special treat in the mail yesterday!

The Literary Lights for Children Event postcards from the Associates of the Boston Public Library is finally printed and circulating! Aside from Sam and Ben, this is the most prestigious freelance project I've completed thus far in my career and I'm so excited to finally share it!

It was a complicated design project, as I needed to design for the interior and exterior of the postcard, and design an image that could be split down the middle. I'm really happy with the turnout though!

Here are the individual images:

Invitation - opening piece:

Interior "main image" for the invitation:

Vignette for exterior of postcard:

bookplate:

Here's the website to purchase tickets- http://www.bpl.org/general/associates/literarylightschildren.htm

my favorite spread

2011-08-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

Sam and Ben was such an accomplishment for me, I've been sharing it with everyone and getting great reviews and feedback.

If you haven't seen it yet, the book's website is www.sambenbook.com. You can also buy the book through pinwheelbooks.com OR amazon (just type in my name people!)

Looking back though, this spread is definitely a contender for a favorite of mine:

This was my favorite spread to lay out and illustrate. It showcases what I love to do - draw and paint kids in whimsical poses - and the short phrase allowed me ample space to play with the imagery and really let it shine.

Let me know which spread is your favorite!

two new team members!

2011-08-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

Two Boston moms with a passion for children's publishing have joined our team at Pinwheel Books!

Here are my 'doodles'

Kate, aka '@bostonblogmom', a writer (her blog - adventuresinparenting.me) and Brenna, an illustrator. Welcome!

new design

2011-08-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

I've recently updated my portfolio, website, and blog design! Since my portfolio has definitely grown this year...

I'm hoping to get back into my collage and other fine art endeavors as I can finally relax for a few more weeks, just in time to enjoy the rest of the summer!!

Enjoy and all good things...

Oh, and it's coming to an e-bookstore near you!

2011-07-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Sam and Ben is about to make its debut to the online market! You can buy a copy of the hardcover or paperback online (to start), and for the iphone, ipad, nook, and kindle starting this weekend! I've been marketing the heck out of my company this past month and loving every minute of it.

Doodles of My Publishing Team

2011-07-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

My publisher recently asked me to create some illustrations of everyone at Pinwheel Books (www.pinwheelbooks.com). Here are the doodles I came up with!

(from left to right- Sylvia Westphal, publisher, Taco Matthews, writer/illustrator, and ME!)

It was really great to illustrate "big people" again, as opposed to the toddler boys. Mud pup, you're gonna make a comeback next....

publications!

2011-07-04T06:13:00.000-07:00

Boston, here I come! It looks like I'm all over the city - in terms of my art, that is.

First, it's my save-the-date card: I can't wait until the invitations are done later this month!

And now, it looks like Pippa in the leaves has made the COVER of the Brookline Arts Center Fall Catalog. And I'll be teaching there this fall - What's Your Story, and Collage for Tots and Parents.

ideas for my back pocket

2011-07-03T14:19:00.001-07:00

these sketches were nixed for a recent job because the kids look too young. so when i feel less than inspired (with summer here, i doubt i will be!) i have some fun images i can dress up and play with...

i imagine this one very playful, with kids in costumes and lots of fantasy...

big major update

2011-07-03T14:07:00.001-07:00

I spent June completing my first.published.book!

Sam and Ben are nearly print-ready, just down to some minor font changes and text edits by my publisher. I've also taken on a new role as Pinwheel Books Marketing/Sales/Creative Consultant and have been sending out all that is great about our local publishing house into the social media web.

For now, a teaser! Be on the lookout for Pinwheel Books posts soon.

II: ...bring may flowers

2011-05-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

flowers must follow april (and may) showers, and this is what's on the horizon for a sunnier kickoff to summer:

an unfinished mud pup, but the garden will follow!

sam and ben and ben and sam

2011-05-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

This month I've been busily applying for new jobs, finishing up my internship at the Boston Children's Museum (tear tear!!) and most importantly, painting the spreads for SAM AND BEN!

I'm going to save the color for the final product, but here's a cover idea/sketch:

Enjoy and love the twins!

I: rain showers......

2011-05-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here's a sneek peak of what i was up to in the rainy days of early May:

Sam in his rain gear, from Sam and Ben

what follows showers? stay tuned...

a lil' marmalade

2011-04-27T21:51:00.000-07:00

the sun is shining, and giving me lots of inspiration! i'm working on many new spring themed ventures, including Sam and Ben, and flower power watercolors...

in the midst of many new springtime watercolors, marmalade popped up in the tulips!

new pups and paintings are on the way. april showers bring new art from nicole!

It's Magnetic!

2011-04-18T19:25:00.000-07:00

These past few months have been JAMPACKED...but spring has sprung, and I'm back!

To name a few of my activities:
- deadlines for my first full book Sam and Ben (PINWHEEL BOOKS),
- application for the Boston Public Library Writer's-In-Residence Program,
- a trip to ICELAND (a link to a tumblr of my adventure will be published soon),
- graphics and illustrations for Boston Children's Museum

My internship in the Teaching Kits Department at BCM could not be more fun, more fascinating, and more exciting. Now that the summer season is approaching, it's time to finish up a few projects and gear up for a presentation of the intern's work, as well as other intern events such as a tour of the Collections and a field trip to the Chihuly Exhibit at the MFA.

I just finished these fun and quick digital illustrations for a graphic panel for the Electromagnetism Kit. They illustrate types of circuit wiring, and how to make a magnet!

My Grandmas are Both Italian

2011-04-18T18:13:00.000-07:00

I recently submitted my portfolio and several children's book story proposals to a competition through the Boston Public Library, which is why I have been M.I.A for a month!

My story proposal images are for My Grandmas are Both Italian, a story of my Northern and Southern Italian Grandmothers.

It began with a sketch of Nonna Anita:

And then created these three sequential images:

Papa Joe, Nonna Anita, Nanny, me, and my pup Lady G!

All the images are collage with watercolor and handmade papers, approximately 12X18 in size.

Here's to having my finger's crossed! Let me know what you think.

previews

2011-03-08T21:59:00.000-08:00

Lady always makes an appearance in my new works. She's part of a submission series where I'm illustration my story "My Grandmas are Both Italian.

This children's story celebrates my lovable, yet completely opposite, Italian grandmothers from the north and the south of Italy. They are always at odds, but family always comes first.

Of course, the RISD bicycle came to mind when I painted this little section too:

can't WAIT to show you the new direction of these works!!!!

birthday month

2011-03-02T15:26:00.000-08:00

it's finally march...it's birthday month! here's a new friend of Mud Pup, inspired by my *real* pup Lady:

she needs a name!!

springy updates

2011-03-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

i realized this image never got published/scanned right, so here it is again. in the light of a new month...and 3 WEEKS TIL SPRING(!!) i'm steering away from snowy scenes for a little while, although my ice skating characters are still searching for their background.

here's a spring-y inspiration:

i have several deadlines before my trip to Iceland for my 23rd birthday, so postings will be a little light for a little while....be patient, friends!!

until soon,
nicole

in the family!

2011-02-17T21:33:00.000-08:00

I've been working on capturing specific people again, this week - its my sister.

Here are two takes on our sisterhood:

cheers, and enjoy the springlike weather!

panda boy!

2011-02-15T22:20:00.001-08:00

It's my panda baby...TUM! In a backpack, at the zoo, with my favorite boy.

Limited palette, straight to paint (no pencil underneath, although sketches are below). While I'm playing around with teens, I like the simple shapes of the panda, and hope to start writing their story soon!

only pup for me...

2011-02-14T05:53:00.000-08:00

happy valentines day! xo, nicole and mudpup

mud pup playing with his brother:

lovelies

2011-02-08T21:34:00.000-08:00

when i'm not sketching ice skaters, i'm dreaming of spring and mud pup!
a valentine's day teaser:

and some spring-y characters that make me yearn to see the green grass again:

gotta wait til monday for the full valentine's post though!!

love, until then....

teenage dream

2011-02-03T19:13:00.000-08:00

inspiration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E46BhMIRujI

result: teenage dream!

winter warmers

2011-01-26T22:18:00.000-08:00

a little bit of this:
a warm mud pup...

a little bit of that:

westies at play...

with the snow, my palette is going a little cooler, and more purple,
and for now, i'm going with it!

inspiration: i promise...

2011-01-26T22:07:00.000-08:00

i'll always wait up for you. inspired by the new cesar ad...love them back!

snow days and pup days...

2011-01-25T21:16:00.000-08:00

in the bitter cold...happiness is a warm puppy.

or, in my case, a mud pup and a cast of friends in the works.
i have lots and lots of images to clean up, but for now, here's some winter warmers:

mixed media snow girl sketch

watercolor of dinsmore court awaiting the snow

Pinwheel Books has gone LIVE!

2011-01-11T18:05:00.000-08:00

Pinwheel Books has gone LIVE!!!!!

Okay everyone, here is my first freelance project, up for all of you to see:

http://www.pinwheelbooks.com/Pinwheel_Books/home.html

I'll be working here part time as a designer and creative assistant to the founder of the company, and as an illustrator for one of the first books entitled "Sam and Ben".

It's real! And coming all together. In the meantime, this was my first taste at freelance work, doing a little graphic design, a bunch of character sketches, and simple web design using iWeb. Not too shabby, eh???
It's 2011 and I feel like a real illustrator for the first time. What a great way to kick off the year!

Be sure to read Pinwheel's mission page, because it's really sweet.

belated happy! and news

2011-01-05T16:32:00.001-08:00

a bit late, but happy happy 2011!

this week i'll be unveiling my newest endeavor, starting with the logo designs for an up-and-coming children's publishing company "Pinwheel Books":

I'll be the Creative Consultant for the founder of the company - basically assisting in all aspsects of putting together children's books, from design, to marketing, and everything in between!

Additionally, I'll be illustrating the first series to be published - the "Sam and Ben" adventures.

Here's a sneak peak of Sam and Ben sketches!

it must've been ol' santa...

2010-12-17T22:21:00.000-08:00

on the third day of christmas, i keep drawing pippa and nellie,

sketch:

with digital color:

me and my sister were just like pippa and nellie,
waiting by the window, with wonder (and a little impatience) for santa.

we'd have sleepovers in our sleeping bags on my bedroom floor,
and i swore,
every year,
i heard reindeer hooves on the roof above me.

the more the merrier

2010-12-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

These are two cards that I fixed up digitally, but they essentially were done by hand. I'm loving the freshness of putting together my sketches lately:
Pippa in Polka Dots:

original:

digital :

happy happy from pippa!

getting crafty

2010-12-15T22:17:00.000-08:00

on the second day of christmas, sugar plums are dancing over my head. i'm collecting christmas recipes, and getting quite crafty:

if you'd like an itty bitty treat from me, just let me know! the stack will just grow and grow....

Good Tidings!

2010-12-13T22:45:00.000-08:00

Good Tidings to you,
from Mud Pup!

I have been quite busy with watercolors and have big news to come,
but in the wee hours of the night I've been playing with the tablet.

Merry Two Weeks til Christmas!

autumn's end

2010-11-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

autumn is ending,

things are changing.

i am finally feeling my creative work is taking precedence, and have exciting projects on the horizon.

this is when i feel like kicking up some leaves, you know?

{light collage, watercolor}

i feel like drawing lots of trees and leaves right now, so this piece is an ode to that, and my inner playful five-year-old self.

sketch bulk

2010-11-23T22:15:00.000-08:00

my new assignment is to create a team of middle grade characters.
here is the start:

and otherwise,
here's the bulk of the november sketchbook:

a big pile

2010-11-23T22:14:00.000-08:00

hand turkey? hand turkey!

2010-11-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

happy thanks giving,

my hand turkey centerpiece,
courtesy of
toy store job
+
craft day at the store (makedo craft - basically, tools to re-invent the cardboard box)
+
playing and creating with kids

love,
n

moment of autumn

2010-11-23T07:27:00.001-08:00

yellows and greens, along the charles. sketch and watercolor painting.

happy late autumn.

happy thanksgiving.

happiness.

love
n

co-pandas

2010-11-23T07:16:00.001-08:00

yum and tum are my co-pandas, my adventurous little bears in the big city.
here are some color sketches i've been playing around with:

and finally, here are the cubs having tea:

the little cap just seems savvy enough for a young female panda, don't you think?
stylish!

love,
n

finally...a glimspe of mud pup!

2010-11-23T07:09:00.000-08:00

starting from most recent to oldest, here are some sketches of mud pup I've been experimenting with:

this is a digital sketch, very rough still..

this is a watercolor, probably also my favorite!

and finally, a watercolor, pup in the puddle

i still have mud pup's plans to explore all of boston. stay tuned!

love,
n

preview of november

2010-11-22T22:15:00.000-08:00

i got back into the sketchbook this month! yay! i have lots of little new tidbits to show.
think of it as an early thanksgiving present.
all good things!

books i love, #2

2010-10-27T08:11:00.001-07:00

ROUND 2....

since i haven't had a spare second to scan my latest sketches, ideas, or doodles, i thought i'd share another installment of favorite books - old and new, from all over the place. most of them were scouted during my 'round robin' book filing at candlewick, where we get lots of new books from other publishers to inspire new books for us or just spark our interests...

1. Komoko Sakai

I saw this book at Curious George bookstore in Harvard Square, and instantly fell in love with the texture and the color. The story is simple, and cleverly done. The little boy rabbit is so convincing with his quips, especially since he's mad that momma "won't ever marry me". That's just something so innocent to say, it made me smile.

2. Salley Mavor

I've known of Salley's work since my days in school, when a professor said Salleey would knit and sew in the back of class instead of paying attention during critique. Little did we know that would become Sally's media of fame. I especially love looking at something I want to touch, that I can feel in my head, you know? Salley's newest book just came into the office as part of our Round Robin acquisitions, and I just had to flip through it. I love the faces of these characters.
But what I love about Salley too is that she has such an unmistakable style, she chooses to *re-invent* the classics we all know and love in her own way. I feel like this is a case of style versus substance, and letting style dictate what you choose to illustrate. This is how I approach illustration situations - take a subject everyone knows, and create an image in your way of working. In my case, some sort of collage/painterly mixed media thing.

3. Marianne Dubuc

In Front of My House is purely here because 1) the design is really creative, 2) the story twists and turns and evolves in charming ways, and 3) I just love HOUSES. Houses are such a provocative, simple, unexplainable icon of society and person that can be illustrated for a child, an adult, as a painting, as a book, as a story, anything....It was a Round Robin find as well.

4. Scott Magoon - Mostly Monsterly

I love Scott's pallette in this book, and with halloween right around the corner, I'm feeling kind of monsterly these days.

On a monsterly tangent, Kelly Murphy's new Monster book is a sure hit (to be released by Candlewick!!), for sheer genius of cute and quirky monsters. And they have awesome monster backpacks. Baby Blues is another book she did recently with Candlewick. I like her faces.

5. Hyewon Yum - There Are No Scary Wolves
Great shapes, great color, and I love the use of pattern. A quick seal of approval here.

pumpkin month

2010-10-09T19:09:00.001-07:00

books i'm loving #1

2010-10-07T19:17:00.001-07:00

"a girl once lay dreaming, dreams of saving the moon"

these words are from LILY'S MOON, but I found inspiration in Maurice Sendak's MOON JUMPERS to get the right feel for the book:

I'm all about process, and lately, i've been feeling the pull to rediscover my favorite children's book illustrators/books. Working at candlewick has me surrounded by pictures books, good and (gasp) not so good. But nonetheless, I've made some discoveries old and new that I'd like to share:

1. Hiroe Nakata

I heard of this illustrator last summer from a friend actually, but rediscovered the ducklings while perusing the children's book section at Curious George in Harvard Square. I adore the characters, and the palette. Hiroe is a new addition to my book inspiration and I'm excited to explore more.

2. Mary Blair
She's obviously, a color genius, character guru, and universal icon in the illustration world. But I'd love to highlight her Golden Book work with Ruth Krauss that I was looking at today (Oh, and Krauss is another guru of her time). The stories are simple, true, and embody this kind of americana in their positive message and sing-song quaintness. Mary Blair is the comfort-food of picture books, the Americana comfort that kids and adults alike need in the current topsy-turvy US.

3. Ezra Jack Keats
Keats was the first to show me that illustrators are artists first. To paint a picture as an artist, when you've had enough practice, means you will design well. And Keats' pictures are crazy mixed media creations with depth, composition, and simple sophistication that brings children's books to a higher level.
Plus, when you have a boy and his pup, what more do you need?

4. Jamie Harper
http://jamieharperstudio.blogspot.com/

My interests peeked in this Candlewick illustrator find, when I got a peek at her newest work for Miles to Go. Her characters here look more confidently drawn, and experimenting with cut paper, pattern, and collage has given her books new life! I love Miles' map shirt, his little car, and the house endpaper the mostest.

That's all for now. I must return to the redesigns for my website. The new blog header is a good inclination of what the portfolio will look like!

As always,
all good things

beans and things

2010-10-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

rain and humidity be gone, it's finally autumn!

so i have a new job at magic beans in cambridge. to make some moolah (which is actually the rewards program at the store, so puns galore!) on the side.
plus, i get to see my buddy susanne, whose work is also awesome and you should go look at.

but in the midst of craziness i wanted to post a few sketches and announce a new website is coming!

i have a lot of things cooking on my cambridge stove for you all to share soon!

all good things,
n

summer

2010-09-24T07:16:00.001-07:00

oh yeah, remember those moleskine watercolors i did this summer? here they are:

mud pup?!

2010-09-18T13:24:00.000-07:00

this is mud pup. he's my sketching challenge while i figure out new stories, new jobs, and my new life in boston. so, look forward to daily-weekly updates of mud pup's adventures of new england!

mud pup based on a dog spotted one lovely day in longfellow park, as well as the other little scruffy dogs in cambridge.

drawing on photoshop, just so i could easily play with getting his colors down. it's quite an autumn palette!

love, n

international dot day

2010-09-14T21:08:00.001-07:00

Hi All!

I have been up to a lot, job-hunting and all
since this is the first September not starting school
(sad face)
so, things have changed:

I am the new design intern at Candlewick Press, located in Boston, MA! I just started this week and am learning SO much!
I thusly have moved to Cambridge,

which....isn't such a bad thing.

and am looking for part time work
to supplement the intern time.

So, if you're hiring, I'm interested and ready!

So I've been having an awesome time getting settled in New England,
enjoying running along the Charles River,
my growing plant collection,
my red door and my little porch.

In honor of my new start, I'm honoring my new chapter with a nod to Peter Reynolds
and drew my dot for "International Dot Day" -
celebrating his story "The Dot"
with a whole day devoted to the love of the mark!
And my art certainly celebrates the mark.

So here's Sam and his dots, and an extra, itty friend.

Enjoy the crisp fall and the start of changing colors.

I BELIEVE IT'S ALMOST PUMPKIN TIME!

sunny thoughts,
nicole

i've been busy

2010-08-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

i've been busy

(my cousins documenting my watercolor wonder kit)

exploring lake winnepesauke with my cousins,

eating wild blueberries,
(picked from Mt. Major's Fall Summit)

picking wildflowers,

(this one was a milkweed seedpod)

and painting.

(a sunset painted at sunset)

i'm filled with dreams and paint all over,
and will have lots to show real soon.

enjoy summer, everyone.

(our kitchen filled with fruit,
our table filled with flowers,
and a feverish young girl painting
through the late afternoon with family)

new ideas

2010-07-22T04:08:00.000-07:00

hello, my name is tum.

i have a big sister named Yum.

look out for a new story featuring us soon!

love,
nicole

watercolor love

2010-07-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

continued, some colorful images from my trips in Malaysia and Thailand:

a lot of inspiration for a lack of postings

2010-07-22T03:58:00.000-07:00

update!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry for the lack of updates. i was not online, which was a blessing actually.
I've been traveling extensively, in and around Southeast Asia. I'm based in Singapore with my honey, where there has been lots to see and do. And eat! But we've made several trips out of the country: Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan. Malaysia and Thailand are very close to Singapore, and Taiwan is north, in between the coast of China and Japan. All these countries have provdied their own unique inspiration to my art, life, and well being.

I'm back in Singapore for the rest of my time in Southeast Asia, so here's a peek at some of my sketches and collages. They are ideas more than finishes, but they are what I've been up to nonetheless!

lots of the work is sketchy, but some paintings will follow in my next post.

until then,
happy travels!

love,
n

asian papers #1

2010-06-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

there's so much to say about how much i've seen so far.
i'll start with the creative stuff. people watching at the markets has begun and sketches will come, but paper stores have also caught my attention. from sophisticated to cute-cute, the patterns are everywhere and will be integrated into collage i'm sure.
sketch pages and my collages-on-the-go will be updated soon!

mushroom paper!

<3 nicole

last taste of americana

2010-06-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

i love diners. in particular,
henry's on long island.

and loved this illustration in the
boston children's museum au bon pain

au bon pain milk station outside
the museum too!

ready, set, go

2010-06-16T22:01:00.000-07:00

i am about to leave for a six-week inspiring holiday to southeast asia.
to immerse myself in the culture, the food, the art,
and unwind after being in school since i was just
five years old

then and now!

let the transformation begin.

<3, n

lily and sam in the night

2010-06-13T13:24:00.001-07:00

"Moon, come home!" Lily and Sam called out.

Below is a sample image for the above line from my newest story Lily's Moon

This is the first version. I have a tendency to paint in warm colors, even when I know a scene should be done in cooler tones.

So here's the second version where I cooled down the reds:

better eh?

And here's the final version where I laid a cool blue over the whole image in Photoshop:

let me know which is better - 1, 2, or 3?

on a side note, I'm looking to purchase a scanner or printer. I don't know which to print because RISD prints was so good to me!! oy vey!

on another side note, vacation is beginning THURSDAY to SINGAPORE and beyond, so stay tuned!!!
<3, n

sketch sketch

2010-05-23T18:09:00.000-07:00

Here are some recent sketchbook pages of some characters I've been thinking about recently:

I've been really inspired by the Up Movie Soundtrack too. I just love these lyrics:

Adventure is out there, it's heading our way
So grab your scarf and goggles, lets fly!
I've mapped out our journey, were up here to stay,
A sunset is our home,
A moonbeam we will own,
My Spirit of Adventure is you!

recent collages

2010-05-23T06:28:00.001-07:00

I have developed a cut paper-collage style of working in the last two years at RISD. I paint into xerox copied images and assemble them into full page illustrations - some full color, some limited pallete playing with the white of the page. Recently though, I've fallen back in love with my diner series, and here's the latest one:

I also started playing with farmstands and farmer's markets. In today's Green Movement, it only seems appropriate:

I can't wait to build up this portfolio!

Until then,

N

tease

2010-05-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

Also, I'm really REALLY excited by these kiddies:

stay tuned for the rest!

apples to apples

2010-05-18T21:07:00.000-07:00

When I put together my Senior Show, I came across a fun little piece I made in the Fall, and forgot how much fun I had with apples!

I made these apple sketches in the fall as part of an 88 Series Project. It was really inspiring, and I'm feeling nostalgic in my final weeks of RISD.....

this one is kinda different, just me playing with my watercolors and a liner brush. it was so loose and free to draw with paint.

the rest are some character based sketches:

love, n

i think the sun is coming back out!

2010-05-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

**bea and bop play hip-i-tee-hop at the sun flower stop**

So, I'll be posting very shortly with new work, new directions, and sketches! For now, here are my bunnies. I have characterized them in vests and overalls, as I think they would live in a little farm story or series.

I'm really excited to get all my sketches up though because I have so many, and they are inspired by all my friends and family!

love, n

me!

2010-04-30T06:56:00.003-07:00

just, me i guess. collage and watercolor! <3 N

fresh from the patch...

2010-04-30T06:55:00.001-07:00

Pippa and Nellie
sip ciders and giggle.

This is one of my favorite images I've ever done. It will be on full, wonderful display NEXT WEEK for my senior show, "Tres Jolie"!

See Pumpkins for Pippa, Half Moon Bay, and the wonderful work of seven artists at the ISB May 6th through 11th.

<3 N

hello!

2010-04-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. I've always kept up my website, but now I'm jumping on board with the blog-world.

I don't consider myself an illustrator. I don't let the labels define who I am - I am a fine artist.
I play with paper and paint, watercolor and gloss medium, and see what happens.
And I do this with all types of characters. Kids, animals, photographic elements, it's all there.

I'm learning every day, and letting the inspiration come. Whether it's in a song, a walk down the street at my home in Long Island, or from a deviled egg experiment in my college dorm kitchen, it all comes back through my art.

Enjoy my recipes, art, ideas, and all the random bits and pieces of opinion I have to offer.

Love, Nic