The Brokechella Project

What a thrill it was to be asked to contribute original artwork to Brokechella 2015! In addition to the four pieces I made last year for Elizabeth Birnbaum's exhibit on corn, I created four new original pieces centered on the theme of water. The drought in California, to be more specific: a San Francisco fountain, an Oakland waste bin, a pitcher of water on a restaurant table, and rows of dry farmed crops in San Juan Bautista. Each of these images illuminates one facet of the complex and devastating shortage of water facing this state and country. I am very pleased with how they've turned out, and look forward to listing them for sale on Etsy in the near future. In the meantime, enjoy these process photos!

The beginning stages = lots of measuring

test-driving the placement of hillside and crop

This design ended up being discarded in favor of another.

I place some elements while I figure out the rest...

This one is my favorite! from the Conservatory of Flowers, SF

The red backgrounds match the "severe" color on California's drought monitor map

See that blue spray bottle? Eyeglass cleaner helps me keep everything lint-free!

Have to be careful not to use too much glue

The finished "San Francisco" piece

"San Juan Bautista" in its final format

"Berkeley" features a table from downtown favorite La Note restaurant

The street structures of "Oakland"

Baby Shower Guest Book

This adorable piece was requested by a friend to use as a guest book for her sister's upcoming baby shower. It was inspired by the work of Stacy and Mark of Etsy's www.sayanythingdesign.com, though by the end ended up looking quite different as I put my own spin on it.

The finished product. I can't wait to see this in a frame!

This was the initial sketch.

I estimated the space needed for the balloons, to gauge placement of baby.

Here's a closeup of the sleeping baby illustration. Completely original Lauren drawing.

I used these tiny egg carton squares to elevate the baby from the page.

My friend punched these colorful dots from paint samples! Baby shower guests will sign these.

Hand lettered baby name

I am so happy with the final product! What a great way to welcome a tiny new human :-)

Oakland Layers: Process

After a lifetime in the Bay Area a dear high school friend of mine relocated to New York to pursue his calling at the New School's Graduate School of Journalism. His gentle charisma and inquiring mind leave the world changed in his wake, in both large and subtle ways, and I am proud to know him and support him as he moves toward making even bigger waves. He commissioned me to make an Oakland-centered art piece to take with him to his new (hopefully temporary) home.

Here are some of the process photos... Stay tuned for final product photos.

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Preliminary design sketches

More preliminary design sketches

Cutting a window for color wash

Hmm.... how does the Fox theatre look against red?

How about green?

And the winner is BLUE!

Then I added the Oakland tree, as requested.

All internal elements together

"Dress rehearsal" of internal elements before final touches, glass cleaning, and frame closure.

Layering Images: Anne Marie

The bride grew up in Hawaii, and the groom, in Colorado; hence the aspen and palm trees. This image came to me during their wedding weekend last year, and for their one-year anniversary I wanted to combine it with one of my favorite Rumi love poems. Here's how a preliminary sketch in 2012 became this one-year anniversary present in 2013... Special shout-out to the frame maker Kathleen of El Cerrito, for her one-of-a-kind gilded treasures. Thanks!

It all started when I drew this last year, on the way to their wedding...

Project surface = chaos

Cutting the original drawing = yikes!

For some reason the linework on this piece reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes (AMK!)

Adding the Third Dimension

 

... and stars, because they're my favorite...

Framed!

All wrapped up to send. Thank you, USPS, for being gentle.

See how small 'tis?

Poppies, Part Deux

Remember this piece I created for the art show at Tara's Organic Ice Cream last May? 

Poppies I

 A friend in Italy saw the photos on Facebook and wanted to buy it. Unfortunately, the piece had been acquired by the time my show closed. So I made another one.

Poppies II

More cut-outs on the branch

Slightly different placement of flowers

 I love making things.