Blipadee

It's a New Year!

2012-01-01T01:10:00.000-05:00

Farewell 2011

Here is a tiny glimpse at some of my favorite moments, people & things...

Zexter's show in Hudson, NY was terrific. It's a shame that the photography offshoot of Carrie Haddad Gallery had to close this summer. On the bright side, Anne McGinnis moved her wonderful antique shop, 12 into it's space :)

Murals murals murals, more more more...

I'm not a beer drinker, but liked this odd drawing on a Heineken bus ad.

It was great to see Wendy, an old college friend, and catch up this year.

Below, she tastes treats at Dylan's Candy Bar.

I love the US Open, especially seeing my very favorite, David Ferrer of Spain play :)

I can't take credit for this particular photo, it's courtesy of his Facebook page

You may have seen my post, Silver Cup East Kitty this summer.

No longer a stray, he now rests comfortably in his home.

Birthday celebrations! The River Cafe cocktails are hands down the Best :)

Star Wars

It was a thrill to meet my friend, Kelly's two adorable sons for the 1st time. She'd made a promise to them, which is how we ended up in the Lego store at Rockefeller Center.

Legos sure have advanced since I was a kid!

Above, Melissa S and Freddy, who was quite specific about his Gorilla costume.

I later learned he was so exhausted by the time they reached their destination,

that very little trick or treating ensued.

The Alexander McQueen Exhibit at The Met this year was mesmerizing, dark and beautiful.

It felt more like an all encompassing art installation than fashion design,

although everything was tailored to perfection. *A huge Thank You to Rika for giving my mom and me a semi-private viewing!!

My good friend, Kristine's beloved 19 year old cat, Miss Freckles passed away last month.

She was a beauty and will be greatly missed and loved forever!

Yes, Local 829 got out there to Occupy Wall Street!

Ironically, we had very few hand painted signs made up :-/

This little drawing was a winner in a Read Your Dog contest and

it was published in the Nov/Dec issue of the SCBWI bulletin.

Unfortunately, SCBWI cropped it, leaving only the artist dog. Still, it was fun to see him in there :)

First time apple picking, unseasonably warm, pretty and apples for months!

Doug Moe, walking with Bryon above, created and performs

Doug Moe is a Bad Dad at the Upright Citizens Brigade.

It's very funny, even if you don't have kids.

The Brooklyn Paper just did a nice piece on him, too!

Lena the cat :x)

Thom, Kristine & I appreciate the Christmas lawn displays :D

I love these girls, Odille & Mirabelle!

Here, posing with my toy store doors.

My friends, Margaret and Scott recently moved back to NYC, one of the best things

to happen this year, or any! I couldn't be happier about it.

Margaret, Melissa Z and I went to the Blue Bar at The Algonquin for holiday drinks before Christmas. They're about to renovate all the rooms and we were shown a finished one. It's clean and modern, but lacks the charm of the old days. Of course, I wasn't around during the Round Table glory days, but my mom and I did stay there during my teen and college years. She continued to stay there, once I moved here, until about 8 years ago. We've made nice friends there over the years. Most have retired, but a few are still around and a holiday card my mom sent last year with a photograph still hangs in their coat room.

I shared this with my mom when I went home at Christmas hoping to raise her spirits. She's one of the most generous and fun people I know. I'm sure we'd be friends even if we weren't related! She's been having serious health problems this year and it breaks my heart. The only thing I wish and pray for in 2012 is that she recovers and lives a very long healthy life!!

***

Cheers to 2012!

I hope we all experience a year with more ups than downs, full of love, success & joy.

Live it people, live it!!!!

xo, A

Season's Greetings and Thanks :)

2011-12-21T15:52:00.001-05:00

Not in the mood to paint another snow scene, here's my holiday greeting set in Australia where Christmas comes in the summer :)

I'm not sure if raccoons live in Australia,

this one may just be visiting!

Hannukah has begun and Christmas is just a few days away!

It's hard to express just how much I appreciate my friends and Blipadee readers who support and even encourage me to keep painting these little animals and scenes. I hope I am as supportive as you always are!!

I'd also like to send a Big Thank You & Cheers out to the lovely families who have let me into their homes to create wall murals and to new found customers & friends on Etsy who have purchased my work, added me to their treasury lists, circle or simply favorited an item or two.

It makes my day, and year really, knowing that some of my work has found a home outside of my little studio!

I hope you all have a Wonderful Holiday and Year ahead!

xo, Allyn

A Gifted Dog

2011-12-16T15:47:00.000-05:00

Sophie has a little gift for Sam. Stew, Charles, and Squiggy would love something from their favorite shop, Blip Blop and Bark, too!

Christmas is only a week away!

It's not too late to order cards, prints or tees from me :)

Visit my My Shop here or my Etsy Shop

and feel free to ask about original work available to purchase

or customizing a card or print.

Have a Fun Weekend!

xo, A

My Etsy Christmas, Birthday, Everyday

2011-12-07T12:30:00.001-05:00

I've added some new and revised designs to BlipBlopShop on Etsy

In addition to Christmas & Holiday cards, you'll find original paintings, prints and tees.

Twig Cat Santa Hat & Snow Deer cards

now available in vertical format, as well as square.

Here's Taco Cat and birdie!

Twiggy Cat, her sister has had her own birthday card for some time, so it's Taco's turn.

I recently revised this for Jane's birthday since she has a cute orange cat named Taco :x)

I love Space Mouse.

Scooter Dog has been around for years and he's still a favorite!

Here are two matted Yoga Bun Prints (in set of 4).

Yoga Bun is getting in shape and in touch with the Infinite Universe, just like me ;)

Jazz Cats is a new little painting inspired by the Beat Jazz Movement and the animals who keep it thriving underground ;) I'll be adding prints of this to my shop today.

Hope your holiday shopping is fun and not drudgery!

It is the thought that counts. Plus, buying from independent designers

and small companies adds that special touch, not everyone has original artwork.

and

If you're in NYC, stop by the Grand Central Holiday Fair. One of my favorite jewelry designers is there- Christina Stankard with her splendid line of true gems :')

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!

xo, A

Santa Dog Reads his List

2011-12-02T10:52:00.001-05:00

It's December!

Time to paint the holiday door for If I Were A Toy store here in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

I was happy with the one I painted last year, but I think this is pretty cute, too. I kept some skaters in the scene, but gave the spotlight to a dog playing Santa Claus :')

Overheard in Santa Land Park this year-

I stayed out of trash cans, I'd like a sled! I stopped scratching the couch, can I have a barrel of catnip and more long strings? I stopped tackling strangers, I'd like a bean bag chair and delicious cold cuts. I stayed away from the cat and I need a teeny reading lamp. I wiggled my cute nose for endless YouTube videos, I'd like more cardboard and bananas please!

Timothy Hay! Skates! Raw Hide! and so on and so on ...

Little penguin is unsure of how to move his skates.

You can find my holiday cards and gift items on Etsy and browse everything else, including more greeting cards, on my site :)

***The Carroll Park Tree Lighting Ceremony is tonight at 6pm***

Thanks for stopping by today.

Have a Swell Weekend!

xo, A

Happy Thanksgiving! xo, Thomasina & friends!

2011-11-26T13:18:00.001-05:00

Okay, it's a couple days late...

I am especially thankful this year for wonderful supportive friends who make all the difference when life isn't so perfect. You know who you are and you're great. Thank You! I'm lucky :)

Hope you enjoyed a lovely time with your family and friends!

xo, A

Margaret, the early years...

2011-11-13T10:15:00.001-05:00

My good friend, Margaret Heidenry wrote this fascinating article for the Sunday New York Times Magazine. On newsstands and online now-
My Parents Were Educational (Home-Schooling) Anarchists

The Heidenry family in Mexico 1975 (Margaret on railing at 4 years old)

"Tired of the constraints of the 40-hour workweek, my father, in 1972, quit his job in publishing. My parents were in their early 30s, and they had four children under 7. “But we still wanted to explore the world,” my father recalled recently. They bought six one-way tickets to Europe, leaving only a laughable $3,000 to subsist on. Young and idealistic, they thought they could easily educate us along the way. “Life itself would become a portable classroom.” Read more ...

One of my favorite pictures of Margaret with her dad, Jack walking her down the aisle.

It's a great read, whether you are for or against (any amount of) home-schooling. I've enjoyed reading comments after the piece online, some of the conversation gets quite heated! I had to add my two cents about one of my favorite families-

I've been a friend of Margaret's for over 20 years and know her family fairly well, too. Over the years I've heard bits and pieces about their unorthodox upbringing, but this was eye opening. The transition from home school to public school sounds rough, but the early years of travel and a curriculum that included yoga, tea time & Spanish sounds great. Maybe that combination of experiences with a formal education paid off, because Pat and Jack raised four unusually charming, intelligent and well rounded people! They're an enviably close knit family which must have contributed a great deal to their success as adults. It's inspiring to read about people willing to break from the norm and also recognize when it's time to try something else.

It was a thrill to see this in print this morning. I love looking at the old photos with Mary, James and John as kids & of course the anarchists themselves, Pat & Jack Heidenry ;)

Nice job Margaret! No wonder you're such an interesting fun lady.

If you don't have a copy of this Sunday's New York Times, you can read it online here.

Have a great Sunday!

xo, A

For the Love of Etsy!

2011-11-09T14:52:00.000-05:00

I have a renewed, refreshed, revived love of Etsy, the world's most vibrant handmade marketplace :)

Not sure why I was gone so long as a seller. As a consumer, Etsy is often on my mind. After purchasing jewelry from favorite shops, Nest Pretty Things and Sora Designs a lovely carved elephant from Sandra Healy and plenty of fabric, trim and craft books from This & That from Japan (despite my lack of sewing ability) I decided I should give my shop another go. Up top you can see my new header and here is a sampling of the cards and prints I recently added.

See more at my store and check out a few of my talented friends' new shops too- Jordan Spilman, JaneKirby and Kristin Brenneman Eno's Halflight

Below are just some of my latest faves--

Doberman Print by Jordan Spilman

Earrings by Nest Pretty Things

Art Print by Little Brown Pen

Toddler Fox dress by Wild Things Dresses

Woodland Bear by Sleepy King

Painting- Nautical Menagerie by Lisa Congdon

Crochet Small Monkey by Millie Fern

Click to see more of My Favorites :) Trust me, you'll see some really cute, pretty and fabulous decor, jewelry, toys, art & photography! I love that you can easily bookmark faves, just in case you can't afford to buy it all at once.

*and don't wait til it's too late to order your Christmas & Holiday Cards!!

xo, A

Hello November!

2011-11-04T17:03:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I painted my monthly door for If I Were A Toy store here in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. Some of you will remember last November's door, Thomasina Blows Outta Brooklyn! She made it out in the nick of time. This year, she enjoys a vegetarian Thanksgiving with her friends in the forest :)

Dinner was my mom's lovely idea, I just knew I'd like to show Thomasina again. Somehow her feathers this year are blue, not red. hmmm

I love lanterns and dogs in hats :)

Cat trying to get in on the action!

I hate being in the way of people walking into the store, but everyone is so nice and I love hearing what kids think.Yesterday, a little boy asked me if I was painting the wind. I'm glad he could tell, since this sky is pretty active looking.

This is my sketch.

Hope your November is off to a nice start!

Don't forget to turn back your clocks Saturday night.

Have a swell weekend!! xo, A

Taco Loves Halloween!

2011-10-29T11:20:00.000-04:00

Have a safe and fun-filled Halloween weekend!

Taco is in disguise as a black cat while bird friend dressed up as a bat.

So Scary!

Central Park Nursery Mural

2011-10-20T16:43:00.000-04:00

I recently had the pleasure of painting a nursery mural with a Central Park theme. It's a little different for me. My client wanted a loose feel overall with some actual landmarks and a nod to the famous mural by Ludwig Bemelmans, in the aptly named, Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel.

We chose to paint two walls in the room. The longer wall includes the Carousel, Bethesda Fountain and Terrace Arch Bridge, skyline and of course, snack tables. The celebrated zoo is painted behind the crib, across from a nice large window.

I like the mix of clothed cartoon-like animals at work or play with the more natural ones resting and roaming the grounds :)

Safety first! guess the babies should be in helmets, too. hmmm

Here, a sweet tiger talks to a blue bird. Placed just above the crib, he's an important element, because their young son was born Year of the Tiger :)

Taxi ?!

Badgers have to stay fit, too.

Cat-itude. Why is it so hard just to buy a treat?

Looking for mom...

Thinking squirrel.

I like walking!

Thanks for taking a look at my latest custom mural. I'm happy with the way it turned out and I couldn't have asked for a nicer couple with whom to work. They have one of the cutest baby boys I've ever seen, plus they printed out some of my reference for me. Can't beat that :)

It's almost the weekend... have a fun one!! xo, Allyn

Baby Onesies

2011-10-18T15:05:00.001-04:00

Psst, my baby onesie designs and select toddler tees are specially priced through October on Etsy. I just added some new & old favorites to my shop, Blip Blop

Go on, take a peek! xo, A

Halloween Art Prints

2011-10-08T14:29:00.000-04:00

My Halloween painting is now available as wall art. A friend on my Artwork by Allyn Facebook page said she'd love one as a print, so here it is! Hers is in the mail and I have two others ready to go, 8x10 image in a 11x14 beveled mat. Visit BlipBlop on Etsy to purchase one or just take a peek :)

Inspired by animals in costume, this print, Animal Parade is from an original watercolor. This is also available to purchase on Etsy. Same size and mat as above.

xo, A

Hello October!

2011-10-04T10:52:00.000-04:00

Trick or Treat Brooklyn

I painted my Halloween themed door for If I Were A Toy store yesterday. It's definitely one of my favorites. I love seeing my friends' kids and those from the neighborhood walking Carroll Gardens for treats.

There are plenty of fun parades, too :) The Brooklyn Eagle and BococaLand do a nice job of listing them each year.

and Don't forget the annual Howl-O-Ween Doggie Costume parade! Presented by Perfect Paws, it runs along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade.

This was my original sketch-

Below, was my September door. I made the somewhat obvious choice of a Back to School theme. Here, the bunny races to catch his bus!

Bunny Chase Bus

Summer sure raced by, but I'm enjoying the cooler weather.
Thanks for stopping by :) Happy October! -A

Artwork by Allyn Update

2011-09-06T12:05:00.000-04:00

I always enjoy that Back to School feeling that fall brings with it, especially since I no longer have to go and haven't for many years! It is a time when I become more serious about setting and reaching goals. I know most of us feel this way at summer's end, must be a force of habit. Mine include illustrating a children's book (or several), licensing my art to manufacturing companies and creating custom murals for as many nurseries, kids' rooms & commercial spaces as I can reach :')

Today, I'm sharing some of the artwork I made over the summer...

Hey, That's my bus!

I've been a fan of Britain's iconic double deckers since I was a 4 year old.

Rain or Shine, I love my yellow umbrella

I adore the products and packaging by the company Blue Q and lately can't stop thinking about bag, coin purse and tea box design. Atop, is Sugi Pug Wonder (or Brooklyn Pug) and Taco & Twiggy coin purse designs. I have many more that I will share soon and some of my own tote bags to give away :) Below are a couple sketches for tea boxes.

Here is my Sleepy Time box face and elements that would be included...

This summer, I had a bit of an obsession with S'mores and the idea of animals everywhere camping together...

This is a fake ad for G Force Graham crackers presented by G Force the Cat & Fat Fox

Monkey Graham

Below is Jumpin' for Joy, a design for gift wrap, cards, napkins, etc. I recently had a fabric sample printed by Spoonflower They do great work!

I'm currently working on some birthday cards and invitations, this one for a pool party!

Above is a little sketch I made for Peter Caine's facebook page, Read Your Dog. Peter is a dog trainer and he'll answer your questions (not only about dogs) in a well informed, uniquely entertaining way. *Extras include funny videos starring his dogs, Ike & Mango, plus a glimpse at his imaginative subversive installation & video art. He has many animals including a crow and a squirrel :')

This is Pico, the worried cat.

Pogo sits at attention below.

while Lou has seen better days, things will perk up soon ;D

and finally, a bit of advice...

Don't miss your bus

Hope your fall is off to a solid start.

*If you like my work, please go ahead and "like" my page, Artwork by Allyn

Thanks for stopping by today!

xo, A

Silver Cup East Kitty

2011-09-01T20:50:00.001-04:00

September is here and I'd like to reflect on one of my favorite stories of the summer. While painting sets for a TV show in July, this sweet kitten was spotted wandering around the middle of Silver Cup East Studios' parking lot in LI City, Queens during morning break. Apparently, he was almost struck by a car several times. He's a bold little guy and he kept returning to the center of activity in a very busy and dangerous lot. Fortunately, he was also a friendly loving kitty who just needed some care and attention. Fellow scenic painters and all around great guys, Will and Jeff helped me lure him away from the giant trucks.

Above, Jake and Will pose with our rag-tag sign and hamper.

We knew we couldn't leave him outside, so Will found a small box and we decided to keep him nearby on our stage. It didn't take long for this kitty to squeeze out of one of the holes! Other kind crew members located an empty hamper and secured a better lid for him and I rolled him into my set. I have to add, we were winding down, so the work was more about finishing touches at this point. Otherwise, it would have been impossible to keep an eye on him. We are professionals, regardless of how this may appear :D

Here, Jordan poses (don't judge our signage skills by this ;)

SCE kitty had food and water at this point and then meowed his funny little meow for some time, making it hard to resist taking him out. Within a half hour or so, he fell fast asleep for about 8 hours straight in a fake doctor's office with AC.

Timing is everything. The best news was that Will has a friend who was considering adoption of a kitten, since her cat had passed a couple of years ago.

Grace to the rescue! Will and I waited after work to give kitty to his new owner and friend. It was a thrill to help rescue such a nice gentle kitten who was determined to be noticed no matter how risky.

Here you can see how much life has changed for, wait for it... Howdy :)

His life is now full of music, art, napping and some TV, not bad!

Grace shared a couple of stories with me-- "The first night he was at my house he wasn't too acquainted with the purpose of a litter box. Despite showing it to him, he decided instead that a cloth purse that had fallen from a doorknob onto the bedroom floor was a better option. He promptly sat-ish on it and started to look very focused. It took me a moment to realize he was actually piddling on the purse!" uh oh.

A bit camera shy here, he quickly became the life of the party. Grace told me "A few days after he first came to live with me I had a birthday party. He was a total attention whore. I put his food and water bowls in my bedroom and placed him with them. He sat there happily eating and drinking for about 20 minutes and then scampered out lickety split into the arms of the first accommodating stranger. He was basically passed around and each time happily perched and conked out on each person's neck and shoulder. Howdy got more attention at that party than I did, and it was my birthday!"

"He is the best buddy a girl could ask for, though! Love him to bits!"

I love this photo of Howdy looking at the Geico Gecko! What must he be thinking?

You may be able to see some black spots in his ears above. It turned out to be motor oil, poor little guy. Unfortunately, there are plenty of feral cats around Silver Cup and all of New York and beyond. This one captured our attention and was one of the few who instead of scurrying away, came forward to be found. I can't express just how lovable he is, you'll have to trust me. He's a special one :)

Thank You Grace for your cute photos!! I'm so glad you have Howdy.

Thanks for stopping by. Have a fabulous Labor Day weekend!

xo, A

I love Breezy Shores!

2011-07-29T17:33:00.001-04:00

Wow! my 1st post for July. I can't believe I've been away from blogger so long. Along with some nice weekend get-aways, I've been working on a TV show airing this fall called A Gifted Man. Before you laugh at the title, there are some impressive people involved, including Jonathan Demme, Susannah Grant and actors, Patrick Wilson and Jennifer Ehle.

But enough about that... Today I decided to share some of my (many) photos of Breezy Shores on Greenport, LI. My very good friends, Margaret & Scott own a cottage there with two other couples. It's one of my favorite places to visit.

I enjoyed a relaxing and fun 4th of July there with other friends, friends of friends and family of friends.

Elena Colombo of Colombo Construction Corp specializes in site specific work and Firebowls (see above). Elena's Breezy cottage is chock full of charm! Click here to view a delightful slideshow on Martha Stewart's site.

~Below, are some pics from my 4th of July visit~

Love the parade that marches down the main street in Greenport.

Graham and Jon film & cheer on their little cyclists!

This miniature horse is known to veer off course each year and this one was no exception :)

I adore Margaret and Scott's place, which they share with Kip & Lena and Eric & Lucy. All parties have a wonderful design sense! Of course, I can't show everything, they deserve some privacy, but trust me every room is special :) I'll share more of the artwork in a future post.

Below is outside of Machi's cottage. She created a beautiful setting for Margaret's bridal shower/dinner several years ago. This is one of my favorite pics and it was a fun-filled night.

In September of 2007, Margaret and Scott married on Shelter Island and everyone celebrated back at Breezy (across the water). It was a spectacular wedding and night. I was thrilled to be a bridesmaid and incredibly honored to speak as maid of honor :D I'll never forget that day.

Back to the present...

This was a beautiful weekend.

The little bunny below was one of three who had been abandoned. Local house painters found and relocated them. Here he's given some water by a caring young girl. In the following days a rescue group came to take and care for the babies.

I realize the 4th is practically a distant memory at this point, but I wanted to share :)

Hope you're having a splendid summer and it's not going as fast as mine seems to be!

xo, A

Sugi Pug Wonder

2011-06-25T12:37:00.000-04:00

Celebrating Sugi! This beloved pug belongs to Leslie Wolf & Michael Thibodeau. I decided to try my hand at a pet portrait for Leslie's birthday this year.

Above, he enjoys a room with a view :)

This was a total joy to paint! I'll be adding more of my favorite pets here as the summer progresses.

Have a nice weekend

~ A

Father's Day 2011!

2011-06-19T00:10:00.001-04:00

Happy Father's Day to my dad, R. Henderson Howard!

Der, as mom and I like to call him, has been a great father to me! The older I get, the more I appreciate having grown up with a dad who has always taken an interest in everything I do. He's funny and smart with a unique take on the world. Plus, he has a love of animals that I've inherited. Below, best buddy, BW ;)

Love the drole expression here

Here we are at grandma Howard's above and below in Baltimore

I posted a more in depth piece about my dad last year that includes some terrific old photos with family, college friends and one with Jazz great, Les McCann!
*Click here if you'd like to see more.

Below, my dad's sketch, "Triple Threat". I may have better luck licensing his work than my own :D

Happy Father's Day Dad! I love you :)

Have a wonderful day all you fathers out there!! You deserve it.

xo, A

Hello Sunshine!

2011-06-05T09:21:00.001-04:00

Here's my June door painting for If I Were A Toy store, Fun at Sea! It includes some usuals like Yoga Bun and Bitty, the owners' tiny dog, who is actually much smaller than this painted version. I enjoy painting on the smooth surface of glass and it's cool to see how the other side looks when you're done.

Snorkel Dog loves turtles and clown fish!

I've added Maraca Mouse and Yoga Bun onesies to my shop on Cafepress and I hope to have some small runs printed to sell on my site soon.

Yoga Bun prints can be purchased from my website, AllynHoward.com :')

((5x7 image with 8x10 cream mat))

The opening reception for my friend, Melissa Zexter's work was last weekend at Carrie Haddad Photographs in Hudson, NY. It was great to see her pieces displayed in the front gallery. I had a terrific time meeting new people, dining on Mexican twice in one night and roasting marshmallows for breakfast the next day :)

The gallery is located on charming Warren Street. Here, the artist poses with her work.

Odille is following in her mom's footsteps, taking more pictures than any of us. This dog made quite an impression on her.

I should have taken some photos earlier when the gallery was abuzz with activity. I took mine as most of us were winding down, though Mirabelle was just getting revved up ;)
Below, Zexter poses with her kids and Anne McInnis next to a piece with their mutual friend, Alice as the model. Anne owns a wonderful shop called 12 specializing in modern antiquities at 345 Warren Street. We enjoyed a little more wine and chatted in her shop after the show. She's one of those people you feel like you've known for years. Her store also carries some beautiful gold jewelry designed by Rosanne Pugliese :)

Leslie's friend from college, Peter Aaron currently lives around the corner from the gallery. Here he poses with her and Zex outside. Peter is the music editor for Hudson Valley's Chronogram Magazine and was in the band The Chrome Cranks :D

Lance had to get down to business at their place in Tannersville. Sawing down ferns is a man's job ;D
Melissa's show will be up until July 3rd.
Have a lovely Sunday! ~A

Daydreaming

2011-05-24T20:57:00.002-04:00

Lena loves her cozy new bedroom, but she's not sure about this painting of mine.

I had to move it in from the hallway. It's a favorite, but a bit snug in these surroundings. If anyone out there has some extra wall space ~ Big Beach Octy is one from my dimensional Blip Blop series. It's 6' x 9' / (3) 3' x 6' panels. In the open areas you can see the little gesturally drawn people out on their beach towels :)

The full title is Big Beach Octy Looms Large Over Tiny People Tanning. Just contact me if you'd like to make a studio visit, see more pics on my site.

I wasn't able to cover the National Stationery Show 2011 last week, but I've been able to catch up with some of my favorite designers on Oh So Beautiful Paper Take a look to see Nole Garey's thorough overview (9 parts, so far) and beautiful detailed photographs :)
Happy midweek ~Allyn

Walking Down Washington Avenue

2011-05-21T19:59:00.002-04:00

I recently had the opportunity to work on the 2nd season of HBO's Boardwalk Empire filmed at Steiner Studios (part of it, that is). The sets are fantastic, unfortunately I can't share those photos with you (just yet). Besides being a civilized and fun work environment, I get to walk the lovely Washington Avenue in Fort Greene, Brooklyn on my way to and from the Navy Yard. It's quite a hike from the Clinton/Washington stop in the winter, but in the spring it's a delight! Fort Greene is filled with beautiful old brownstones and it's been experiencing a vibrant revitalization as of late.

Love these two window balconies :)

This large home has one of my favorite rooftop styles, plus I appreciate a nice porch.

Talk about a nice porch! Adore these unique places below, not your typical city homes.

Doors and Details ...

Fun to see the renovation of older buildings.

Of course, revitalization means more & more people moving to the area. Some Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods are glutted with new glass structures. This is the only one I've seen over here. I'm more of a townhouse type myself, but this looks very clean and must get some great light :D

As you near Steiner, quite a few places are in disrepair patiently awaiting their facelifts!

Kinda love this strip and the building below could be fabulous as a theater or as live/work spaces :)

Alas, enter ...One of the coolest aspects of living in New York is being surrounded by water. I continue to be fascinated by these cranes and I try to imagine this place when it was building ships in full swing.

The photo above is from the The Brooklyn Historical Society blog. Long long time ago.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard is continually expanding and I'm sure many of these empty warehouses nearby will eventually be occupied by thriving businesses.

Here, some useful reference for aging surfaces and signs :)

Re Pop looks like a swell vintage furniture shop, but I haven't ventured in yet.

Another super rooftop :')

windows!

This garden is across form the G train I take home, so time to bid adieu until the next day.

This is only one small trip down one avenue in Fort Greene. There's so much more to explore, including Pratt Institute, BAM and a slew of restaurants and bars!

Lena wishes you one heck of a Sunday! She will likely be poised on a window sill or in her red chair much of the day :x)
Thanks for stopping by! ~A

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

2011-05-15T23:25:00.001-04:00

My mom was in town last weekend and I had not been to the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden in many years. Mother's Day seemed like the perfect time to visit. I'll just say, I wasn't the only one with that idea!

Love Peonies!

Melissa came with us after a lovely group brunch at Frankies :D

Not everyone would pose, you know who you are ;)

These beautiful grounds were transformed from a city ash heap 100 years ago this summer! Read more about it's fascinating history, research and educational programs or simply go and relax and appreciate :)

We did not cover the full 52 acres on this trip, opting to stay on a path that lead the way to a women's room and then onto the Japanese Gardens ;) Not a bad plan really.

Bit of a feeding frenzy above.

Sadly, upon exiting this oasis, a Wendy's awaits.

I missed the Cherry Blossom Festival but I treasure this tree that blossoms each year right outside my front window :')

*To support victims of the Japanese earthquake just click here to learn more on BBG's website.

Thanks for stopping by today. I look forward to updating you on my studio to apt move, it is improving bit by bit! -A

Happy Mother's Day 2011!

2011-05-08T01:25:00.003-04:00

To all you great moms out there~ May you have a Lovely Day to Celebrate your Fabulosity!

Click here to learn about my mom Anne Howard and view thank you notes some of my friends wrote to their moms last year. Today we'll celebrate at Frankies with some delicious French Toast, thick cut Bacon and a refreshing Bellini :)

Enjoy your day!
love,
Allyn

Charming bright home

2011-05-02T14:52:00.002-04:00

What timing! just when I've been fantasizing about what I'd like my home and studio to look like in a perfect world, Apartment Therapy presents a lovely tour of Amy & David Butler's home in Ohio. I have her book "Midwest Modern" and it inspires me a great deal.

I love all the light that pours into each room, the wood floors, high ceilings, colorful touches and wonderful & extensive gardens they've planted! Click here for the tour :)
Ok, back to clean up...
Have a great week! -A

Sunday, a day to appreciate, complain and vice versa

2011-05-01T16:11:00.002-04:00

"Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you may still exist, but you have ceased to live." ~ Mark Twain

I mentioned in my post last week that I am moving everything out of my studio and into my apartment downstairs. I have to admit that it feels great to purge myself of outdated books like "Personal Finance in your 20s" and business books for artists, including the "Handbook on Pricing & Ethical Guidelines" from 1999. I feel confident that I could write a guide book. Unfortunately, the title would be "How to Turn your Business into a Hobby". I will not part with some of my old Art Forums, Vogue and Vanity Fair mags. I will toss some of the hideous paintings I made in the early 90s, but some I still like very much! I'm lucky to have a fair amount of storage space in my apartment and I liked waking up in the smaller cozy side room, once occupied by my bunny rabbits, this morning :) It took a lot more work than I expected to make that tiny room livable. Currently, I'm confounded by furniture in my studio that no longer fits through the door. I've tried every angle for one table and even after removing the door, it just won't budge? I wondered earlier if Kate Middleton ever removed door hinges. maybe.

It's a beautiful day and the Court Street Fair is going on outside. I usually venture out to socialize and take pictures for my blog, but with so much left to do and in desperate need of a shower, I may sit this one out. I've never gone this long without hot water. After several visits from the gas company then repairs and a chimney cleaning, all was well on Friday. By Saturday, the pleasure of a hot shower was just out of reach again. Damn me for not taking one as soon as it was back! There's some issue with the pilot light that's too dull to go into here. It's been a week and a half and I was looking at it as a blessing in disguise. It motivated me to finally start running again, in part, to sweat enough to enjoy a cold shower. Still it's not that enjoyable to go from hot, straight to cold without any stretching (lest I cool off too much ;)

I like to keep a healthy perspective on things, but sometimes it just feels good to bitch. It's more fun to do at work or having drinks with friends, but today I am by myself. I love my neighborhood, but as rents continue to rise I wonder how long I'll hang on here. I am very lucky to work in a Union, have benefits and enough free days to work on my own business. Whether painting custom murals or pursuing licensing contracts for my art & characters, I love what I do. I dream of making my living solely from my artwork, but the cost of maintaining a separate studio here in Brooklyn has become very expensive. I hope that my new live/work layout will be conducive to creativity and that I will become more organized. I regret the lack of space I'll have to work on larger projects, but I believe I will eventually find another perfect work studio to do everything I dream of doing.

Easter Day!

2011-04-24T13:52:00.004-04:00

I'm spending some time today packing up my studio for the move (of everything!) down into my apt. It's a daunting task and I decided I needed to take a break and write a post for Easter. Here, a tiny bit of my bunny artwork, my two wonderful pet rabbits, Rocky and Lilo (rip) and some photos that inspire in general.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard has some of the most beautiful sunsets!

Picture perfect Venice, Italy. Above, Jesus looks down on a walkway in colorful Burano.

Below, a giant chocolate bunny greets shoppers and candy lovers at Dylan's Candy Bar ...

May you have a lovely Easter Day and a springtime full of bright surprises! xo, Allyn

Votes are in!

2011-04-23T15:20:00.001-04:00

Let's Play! is my 2011 ad for Total Art Licensing magazine.

My fabulous facebook friends and fans voted for their fave and this one was the winner. The two designs were quite similar, but my logo and Scooter Dog made the difference.

TAL is a global art licensing magazine. Based in the UK, they reach all the top trade shows and offer a very reasonable rate for independent artists & designers who wish to advertise in the "Art Gallery" section of the magazine.

If you haven't done so already, I recommend setting up a Facebook Page for your business. I greatly appreciate the feedback from my regularly returning relatively small, but savvy group of "fans" who either boost my confidence or shed light on what's not up to par. Thank You FB Fans! You Rock!!

If you haven't "liked" Artwork by Allyn yet, just give it a try :D

*Yoga Bun Wishes you a Happy Easter*

Hippity Hoppity

2011-04-07T19:58:00.000-04:00

Easter's on it's way! Above, my monthly door for If I Were A Toy store. Below, a few of my cards...

Some of you may recognize these bunnies and birds. They're currently available to purchase on my website and at Papel NY in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn. Yoga Bun is also back in stock :)

Thanks for taking a look today! Still waiting for that sunny spring weather here in Brooklyn!!

Snoopy You were Loved!

2011-03-28T21:27:00.001-04:00

My good friend's beloved dog, Snoopy, passed away this weekend. Melissa and her husband Mike saved him from a sad and lonely situation many years ago. He since enjoyed a wonderful life complete with delicious treats, plenty of play and full of love! Above, Snoopy meets his new friend, Freddie, who is now 6 years old.

He was one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met. My thoughts go out to Melissa, Mike & Freddie. I know how difficult it is to say goodbye to such a good friend.
Rest in Peace Snoopy. You will be missed. You were very much loved!!!

A Random Thursday Art Update

2011-03-24T20:09:00.007-04:00

What would You do? is my book idea where kids follow two dogs, Ruben and Cooper, as they make decisions day to day. A variety of situations are set up for kids to view (with a dog's point of view) then choose from a selection of possibilities. Turn the page and find out what Ruben & Cooper did. Whether they encounter a UFO, spot a bank robber, or simply choose from their favorite ice cream flavors, count on surprises ahead :D

I asked fans on my Facebook page, Artwork by Allyn, to guess what they are looking at and enjoyed reading answers like "Me", an "Ice Cream truck", "New Puppies", "My Hat!" and "Floats in the Macy's Day Parade". Below, a couple of sketches where they find themselves having to wash a boat.

This is Proud Ma Hedgehog strolling her baby through NYC's Central Park. I took advantage of my facebook page again to ask people to vote on the best shoes for her. A friend suggested she needed some stylish low pumps for walking on the cobblestones.

Red Boots were the overwhelming favorite!

Can't get enough of birds. I love 'em!

Think this unusual squirrel below may have been knocked on the head ;)

Bunnies need grooming, too.

Sharing Lakeside Bunny again, Easter is only a month away! I enjoy working in charcoal and I'm trying to do some pieces in black & white and with limited or muted color palettes as an exercise.

Painting on unprimed wood seems to be gaining in popularity, so just thought I'd try it for myself :)

A friend in need is a friend indeed!
Thanks for stopping by today! I'd love to hear your feedback, whether you have fun ideas for Ruben & Coop, have fashion tips for Ma H or simply want to share your faves or not so much comments ;D
More work @ AllynHoward.com ~ Happy almost weekend!! -A

My Year of Painting One Door

2011-03-14T15:47:00.000-04:00

St. Patrick's Day is on the way and here is my latest door at If I Were A Toy to celebrate! This March marks one full year of painting the toy store's door each month. I decided to share them all with you here. After painting murals in the shop and adjoining kids' hair salon, Joanna came up with the idea to change the lower section each month to suit the season or holiday. They've become much easier to paint and a bit more complex since my first one last March 2010.

This month is Hip Hip Hooray We're Rich Irish Animals!
It takes some time to feel natural painting on one side knowing it will be seen more often from the other. It always looks much smoother from the outside.

Above, painting the Valentine door, Skunk Luv Dance Party, my friend happened to walk by and take a couple photos. Kids often stop to watch and ask questions, which makes it more enjoyable for me. It's also fun to hear conversations in the shop, especially children explaining to parents or a nanny why they need a particular toy or activity/game :)

Holiday Paradise on Ice, this Christmas door was one of my favorites. I only recently started creating some distance and making the scenes more full. You may have noticed we skipped January, this was just too good for only one month ;D

Below, I like a lot, too. Thomasina blows outta Brooklyn. Gotta be tough for the poor turkeys when it dawns on them they won't be at the table, but on it!

The color looks warmer on the inside, below. Chase bank's bright sign on the street, often makes it's way into my photos.

At Halloween, I was still keeping them pretty simple.

September had to be a Back to School theme. This was the 1st time I tried to indicate space/background with some shelves, an easel and chalkboard.

I like the shot below because it leads into store with my Space Mouse painting :)

Celebrating Independence Day, Bear Family Enjoys Fireworks from their boat. I love these two blues together, think I could have gone more nuts with fireworks, but it's a sweet scene.

Below, was last year's Father's Day door. Dad rooster is impressed by the flying pig and his chicks are impressed by him! as is the other little piggie :)

Mother's Day door ~ these ducklings have a special gift and flowers for their mom!

Surprise! chickie pops out of fresh painted egg ~ Easter door :)

And finally, my first painted door ~ a Pot of Gold at the end of the rainbow. It is very simple and a lone little mouse finds this big treasure.

I made a few sketches before I went to paint, but the one below is on a tiny piece of notebook paper and it holds a sentimental spot in my heart...

Happy Anniversary to Me! Happy Saint Patrick's Day to You!
Thanks for taking a look today :') -A

NYIGF 2011 Faves Part Two

2011-03-08T13:33:00.002-05:00

I am finally posting part two of my favorites from the 2011 New York International Gift Fair. I began this post on February 17th. I am grateful to have been busy, but still I'm sorry it took me this long to share these wonderful companies with you!

Art Thingys is a brand new company founded in the fall of 2010 by industrious industrial designer, Paul Ocepek. I was immediately struck by how fun, clever and well crafted his wall art is! Paul is also incredibly nice and easy to chat with. I learned that he not only designs and constructs each piece himself, but that he uses sustainably harvested baltic birch plywood and non-toxic water based paints. *No chemical coatings are used :)

There are plenty of great pieces to choose from for a boy or a girl's room or anywhere in the house really.

Visit artThingys.com to learn more and see much much better pictures of his work! His style of writing is as charming and humorous as his artwork, too.

Loved this fireplace display :D

Ecojot is always a must-see for me. Pretty sure I've been purchasing Carolyn Gavin's whimsical eco-friendly paper products since she and her brother, Mark started the company in 2007 :)

All products are100% post consumer recycled and the inks and glues are vegetable based. Ecojot started The Give Program last year and has partnered with The Jane Goodall Institute.

I very much enjoyed meeting this brother and sister team at last year's Stationery Show.

Click here to learn more about Ecojot's products and programs, plus read a nice interview with Carolyn .

Sisters, Vivian and Tiffany Leung are the designers and creative minds behind 9 Spot Monk. Established in 2001 with a focus on minimalist design, they blend their colorful street chic sensibility with a clean modern aesthetic. They began printing their lines using a letterpress in 2004 and never looked back!

I love these day-glow Pop-Out greeting cards! I'm also a big fan of their humorous Recession Line with lines like "I've always found you vaguely attractive" and "Dad wishes you were good at something" :D

Here are their new hot off the press 2011 color-in notebooks and clocks for kids!

I love sushi and I love coloring!! Let's eat sushi placemat is perfect for me :)

I couldn't pass up all these animal faces staring at me from the shelves!

These cute alarm clocks by Streamline make the sound of each animal represented.

Whoo whoooo ... time to wake up!

In the early '90s, Streamline began it's focus on junior markets and designed the "Bubble Watch". It was a huge hit! Below, a Monkey Flip-Top Bubble watch.

Whether you're looking for something cute and useful or want to indulge in pure whimsy, Streamline creates fabulous items for the home, office, school... wherever you need a pick-me-up!

Colorful kitsch salt & pepper set :)

These Mini First Aid Kits by Kabalab, LLC are perfection! 1st of all, can't go wrong with a bear face, 2nd- the clean design adds just the right amount of sophistication and 3rd You Are OK! Everything you need when you're out on-the-go :D

Kabalab was founded by Karl Schempp and Barbara Kohler and they've received the IDEA (Industrial Design Excellence Award) for these designs.

Princesses and Pirates, too!

Cupcakes and Cartwheels is a division of Two's Company. They were one of my 1st stops at the show. Their website is currently under construction, but check back with them later to see more sweet and playful items for the home.

I didn't have a chance to speak with Cupcakes & Cartwheels' reps, but I had to take photos of these water coolers saturated with color, funny tea cozy and adorable aprons for kids :)

Cat Studio was founded by husband and wife design team, Terrell and Carmel Swan. With a shared love of travel and inspired by vintage souvenir pillows of the 30s and 40s, they began hand embroidering maps. What started as a pet project quickly turned into a full fledged business! Read the full story here.

Here's a shout out to those of you who abandoned gritty NYC for sunny California :( You know who you are, Margaret. It's a really cute pillow, but lacks depth I think ;)

Ahhhhhh, Brooklyn :)

All 50 states are covered, as well as many cities, regions, resorts, national parks and countries. In addition, you can purchase glassware, dish towels, totes and trays :)

I thought these bags by Graf & Lantz were very elegant.

This LA based design studio was founded by Holger Graf and Daniel Lantz. Constructed in the US, the highest quality Merino wool felt, imported from Germany and Switzerland, is combined with other natural materials. I appreciate the mix of luxury with practicality. These are very well made with convenient pockets inside and out.

I can't take credit for this photograph above. I'm sharing it from their website. This is one lovely duffel bag! Of course, these little dog key rings caught my fancy, too!

Below is Ryan McGibben, also known as RPhonic, a West Coast DJ and product designer at Wolf Designs. He released his RPhonic branded accessories and home decor at the gift fair this year.

It was fun to round the corner and hear some music at the show! His urban inspired designs look great on bags, lap top sleeves and as wall art.

Do you love a particular album cover or covers enough to display? I do! Play and Display flip frames allow easy hanging and displaying of your favorite cover art. Designed by Art Vinyl Ltd, there is no complex assembly. Once mounted, a simple one-finger touch flips the front frame open to slide in your album :)

Visit their site for more info and see the winners of Best Art Vinyl 2010!

I've always been a fan of the Vespa design, so I was happy to receive a nice fat catalog. I had no idea they sold so many great accessories and bags, too!

My 1st Vespa Dog painting, called Dudley Scooter Dog for legal reasons, in my mind he's on a Vespa!

Lovely lighting by Artecnica :')

This is Modern Twist a San Francisco/Oakland based eco conscious company founded by Kat Nouri. These are food-grade hand silkscreened silicone placemats that can be colored and cleaned for a fresh start. Check them out on Growing Your Baby blog, too.

Modern Twist collaborates with an array of independent artists. You can see the work is all quite charming!

Cute silicone doilies :)

Crash Candles creates natural soy wax candles. Their clean and quirky designs are created by celebrated designers like Lotta Jansdotter, Binth, Zuz Design, Crash and Susan Mac Connell.

I was drawn to the playful and sophisticated designs on tableware by Ink Dish. You can read more about each artist they work with here.

Above designed by David Palmer

Dana Oldfather

Alyson Fox adds a narrative touch with her designs. Above, a girl balances a book on her head as small birds swirl around:)

I've included Sukie in several posts and always enjoy seeing their designs :)

Have to wonder if Charlie Sheen carries this notebook. Winning ;)

Thanks for taking a look at my faves from the Gift Fair this year. There is always so much to see, hope I shed some light on a few artists and companies for which you may have been unaware!

Ruby in South Brooklyn Post

2011-03-01T17:35:00.000-05:00

Ruby Moriarty, Jessica Dineen's cool and funky clothing store was just featured in the South Brooklyn Post. I sell some of my t-shirts at Ruby and wrote about it here a couple of years ago. Jessica has since added countless new designs and dresses to her collection. Written by Alexandra Glorioso, below is a bit from the article...

*Photo courtesy South Brooklyn Post taken by Joshua Kristal

"Ruby Moriarty is a dress shop with a sense of humor. Jessica Dineen, the owner and designer of skirts, ties, swimsuits, tunics, and most of the clothes sold at Ruby Moriarty, including a line of neckties for children, offers to meet me on a Monday..." Read More...

what up?

2011-02-21T22:02:00.000-05:00

You may be asking yourself where that promised 2nd part to my NYIGF Faves post is?
or you may be wondering what day it is, is your pension under attack, will another Mid East dictator fall, is more snow on the way, will that diet work...? Whatever the case, do not fret, my Faves part 2 post is on the way!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T17:26:00.000-05:00

My Valentine's Day Dance Party door for If I Were A Toy Store, Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.
***Peace and Love***

Blipadee

It's a New Year!

Season's Greetings and Thanks :)

A Gifted Dog

My Etsy Christmas, Birthday, Everyday

Santa Dog Reads his List

Happy Thanksgiving! xo, Thomasina & friends!

Margaret, the early years...

For the Love of Etsy!

Hello November!

Taco Loves Halloween!

Central Park Nursery Mural

Baby Onesies

Halloween Art Prints

Hello October!

Artwork by Allyn Update

Silver Cup East Kitty

I love Breezy Shores!

Sugi *Pug Wonder*

Father's Day 2011!

Hello Sunshine!

Daydreaming

Walking Down Washington Avenue

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Happy Mother's Day 2011!

Charming bright home

Sunday, a day to appreciate, complain and vice versa

Easter Day!

Votes are in!

Hippity Hoppity

Snoopy You were Loved!

A Random Thursday Art Update

My Year of Painting One Door

NYIGF 2011 *Faves* Part Two

Ruby in South Brooklyn Post

what up?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sugi Pug Wonder

NYIGF 2011 Faves Part Two