They Draw and Travel-100 maps & a brand new book!

"In 2011, the brother-and-sister design duo of Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell founded the website They Draw & Travel (www.theydrawandtravel.com). Today, it is the internet’s largest collection of illustrated maps created by artists from around the world.

This book contains 100 illustrated maps of places in the United States that were drawn by the fine artists, professional illustrators and amateur doodlers who make up the very creative community on They Draw & Travel. The illustrated maps in this book provide inspiration on many levels.

From a purely artistic standpoint, the variety of illustration styles is amazing. From the cool linework of James Gulliver Hancock and the painterly style of Abbie Zuidema to the sharp graphics of Nate Padavick and the cuteness of Aunyarat Watanabe, the illustrations in this book are a great reference for exceptional style and talent.

As a travelogue, these maps provide a fresh way to look at and learn about a particular place: through the eyes of an artist. Do you know where to go for a really great bike ride in Vermont? Did you know there are 36 places to eat cashew chicken in the town of Springfield, Missouri? Or, how about all the great things to do with kids in Los Angeles? This book takes armchair travel to a whole new artistic level!"

(thank you Nate Padavick, I couldn't have said it better myself!)

Get your copy on Amazon.com!  Perfect for a holiday gift!

Neil Young-Flash back Friday

Back in 2005, I was asked by Williamsburg Diner regular Justin Lowe to contribute a painting to a group show at Printed Matter in Manhattan. The inspiration was Neil Young's patterned liner notes from the album "On the Beach". I took the pattern of the liner notes, and overlaid a portrait of cream being poured into the baked eggs. The "baked eggs" were a play on words and reference to the time the albums was made, 1974. It was the 70's and lots of people were getting "baked". Eggs are just plain wholesome & part of the fabric of our diet, as is the cream being poured into the dish. So it created a visual juxtapose of that moment of time in history. And I listened to a lot of Neal Young which is always good.  I still love this painting.

"Baked Eggs", 12x12", Watercolor, English Breakfast Tea, Gesso, India Ink on Fabriano Paper, 2005

New Prints up @Bibber & Bell Wine and Spirits!

Yehaw! Happy September! New prints are up at Bibber & Bell Wine and Spirit!  What a treat to be able to hang more work! A big thank you to Damien & Robyn for extending my artistic stay.

Art should be accessible to everyone, to be lived with & shared.  With that philosophy in mind, I have made some of my favorite watercolor paintings into prints.  Pieces from my collections of watercolor Maps, and Knickers & things, are available framed or individual. Unframed prints are $35 & framed prints are $70, priced for those of us with budget in mind.

If you haven’t had the chance to check out the Bibber & Bell you should.  Stop in & say hello. Peruse their fabulous wine selection. There are some delicious things to be sipped & had.

P.s. All the wine labels denoting region are made by yours truly.

P.p.s. Prints are available in my Etsy shop-just added New Mexico to the mix!