Bee buzzes into SURTEX 2015!

This week, I am counting down the (6!) days until SURTEX by featuring sneak peeks of each artist's work.

We start with Bee, her delightful wit and innate design sense. Clients are eating up her yummy color palettes., with licenses and commissions for wall art, stationery, books, little girl's dresses and *maybe* even fabrics! Once again, I am counting my lucky stars! This girl is on fire! I am thinking product development is next! Here's some eye candy for you! Visit Bee's updated portfolio today!  - Jennifer

My interview with the bright and charming Monica Lee

Monica and I met for several lunches and a great few hours of consignment shopping! I felt a kinship with her from the moment we met. She 100% delightful, insightful and one Smart Creative Woman!

BIG THANKS to Monica for having me! Here is a link to the interview! Enjoy! 

Ready, Set, SURTEX!

I can hardly wait - just 1 month from today! Come find us, we are just about covering the whole floor! SO completely excited!!! I am looking forward to meeting YOU!

Read Victoria's sage advice here.

Read Lauren's smart advice on how to prepare (and stay calm) here.

Read Jennifer's super smart reflections on preparing for SURTEX here.

Read Bee's perspective here!

I am 100% happy to make an appointment with you to take you around and introduce you to the artists! Send me an email to schedule an appointment. Our dance card is filling up! 

For more information on the show, click here!

See you there! - Jennifer

GUEST BLOGGER: Kathy Bean shares her embroidery of Lauren's work!

What a thrill to hear from embroidery artist Kathy Bean! Kathy liked a piece of art by our own Lauren Lowen so much, she rendered it with needle and thread. So cool! Here's the story in Kathy's own words: "I learned the basics of embroidery as a child but only picked it back up again recently after seeing so many beautiful things others were making on Instagram. When I began teaching myself some specialty stitches, I wanted to challenge myself further than the samplers and patterns that were already available on the Internet. Last summer I began following Lauren Lowen's Instagram feed. I don't remember exactly how I stumbled upon her work but I fell in love with the whimsy and playful colors right away. 

So when I decided to try my hand at a more intricate embroidery pattern, I thought of Lauren’s artwork. I chose the girl because of the movement in the composition and the color palette. Plus, she makes me smile! I messaged Lauren to ask if it would be okay if I used elements from her images as a template and she agreed!

In the photos you'll see my process, which I think is fairly standard. I chose selected elements from Lauren's painting and transferred them onto tracing paper. Then I cut them out and rearranged them into a somewhat smaller composition. I used the window as a light box to trace the images onto my fabric with an embroidery marker. The fabric I used is from Cotton & Steel basics.

Then I selected a color palette in DMC floss that complemented Lauren's original work as well as the fabric I chose. Since I was using this project as a way to practice certain specialty stitches, I tried to repeat the same motifs throughout the piece. Some of the specialty stitches I used are burden stitch, blanket stitch, satin stitch, leaf stitch, double chain stitch and French knots.

I quite enjoyed making this delightful little piece! I appreciate Lauren's enthusiasm about the project as well. Now I have to decide just how to finish it so I can hang it up!”

- Kathy Bean (you can follow Kathy on instagram as: emi.roos

Pin to Win!

We are doing something a little different this week on the blog! We are celebrating our very first product out on the shelves with a giveaway! Enter for a chance to win Audrey Shulman's tasty book, Sitting in Bars with Cakes - beautifully illustrated by our very own, Jennifer Orkin Lewis. I am calling it "Pin to Win" - so do just that, add this image to your Pinterest and link back to us and I will randomly select a winner on April 21st!

You can have even more chances to win if you share this with others on your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! The more I see, the happier I'll be! So, happy birthday to me - you CAN have your cake and eat it too! - Jennifer

Folky Fish

A few weekends ago we visited an exhibition of British folk art at a gallery not too far from where we live, and happened upon some amazing pieces of incredible folk art. I just LOVE folk art. There was so much to see and enjoy. I would have loved to have been able to show you some of the things we saw in more detail but sadly we weren't allowed to take photos. I was really inspired by some 3D wooden carvings of fish that used to hang over shop doors (before proper signage was invented) to let passers by know that particular establishment was the fishmonger's. There were huge boots for the cobblers, an enormous padlock and keys for the locksmiths and a beautiful golden teapot for the tea shop. Here's a quick sketch of some of my fish... watch this space because I'm sure they'll be featured in a pattern pretty soon! Enjoy - Bee

Although the exhibition is closed now, you can still find out more here. 

I scream, you scream, we all for scream ICE CREAM

I was working in a coffee shop in the summer trying to make the perfect latte. I think the boss of that little shop wouldn't mind being called insane. He really was. It was like being in a surreal sitcom. I loved it. And the people that bought the coffee became little gems in my world. 

At the same time as I worked there I got commissioned by the amazing eeBoo to make an ice cream game. Today I the finished product was delivered. The quality is fantastic and both my kids immediately bagsied the strawberry ice cream one whilst I really favour the lime one. I feel truly lucky to work with such lovely people. Will do a lucky dip giveaway soon, so keep your eyes peeled! -Monika

Going with my Gut

I started this years sketchbook with the grand plan to use a much bigger sketchbook. 9x11".  I thought it would give me the chance to experiment with new techniques and I would have to loosen up more to fit a painting in more space in 30 minutes. It did do those things.. But I felt stressed and that isn't the point of this project at all. After a month and a half I finally gave myself permission to go back to a smaller book, 5x8". 

I could have increased my time limit, it is my project after all. But I have lots of other work,  paid work, other personal projects, getting ready for Surtex, living my life. It's hard to admit I can't handle what I set out to do but life is about making the compromises that make me happy. I am so much happier painting the sketchbook at this size. I can do larger paintings at other times. My moral is to go with your gut and do what makes you happy! - Jennifer

Yancy's Taste and See: Cover & Alternatives!

One project I’m really excited to see is my second illustrated album for children’s singer/ songwriter Yancy, who is based in my city of Nashville. This is the second project we’ve collaborated on, and I thought it would be great to show you some of the cover sketches that didn’t make the cut.

The album was titled “Taste & See”, so we wanted to work with a lot of sight and taste imagery, PLUS work in some great animal characters (of course). Below is the finished cover, and you can scroll down to see other versions that we worked through.

 In the end, I liked this crazy rabbit so much I decided I HAD to finish him. Think of him as a “deleted scene”. Enjoy! - Lauren

Read lots more about this project and Lauren's family trip to Disney here!

Stepping away from the computer - for a little while.

I've been using a sketchbook recently.  For many years I've worked straight onto the screen rather than sketching before hand.  And that's great - it's fast, efficient, good for flat, vector designs in Illustrator and also painterly, loose work in PS.  I'm very much looking forward to investing in a huge Cintiq tablet to continue doing just that.  But I've been DYING to get back to painting and drawing in REAL life too. 

So I bought myself a massive pile of sketchbooks and pens and started.  There's something different about the way your brain works when you're drawing on screen versus when you're creating something in the 'real' world.  A different bit is being used.  

I can chat, watch telly, be simultaneously engaged in something else when I'm drawing, painting or sewing.  When I'm at the computer I need to be almost silent.  I think it's a right brain/left brain phenomenon.  I love the fact that I can be present with my children while fiddling around with bits of paper, scissors and pens during the evening.

I started my career before computers were in general use for design and now I'm remembering the problem-solving aspect of not being able to edit everything.  If a blob of paint accidentally landed in the center of something, it became a flower!  And suddenly the picture became something else.  With sketching and doodling this can be particularly interesting because no-one needs to see what goes into a sketchbook and mistakes can lead you down an unexpected path.  

Now that I can design digitally, I'm finding that combining these spontaneous, flawed, 'real' life experiments with the possibility of limitless editing is making exploring particularly exciting!!!  I'm definitely enjoying heading down a new route.  Here's a pic of a very casually-slung-together collage I did - while watching telly (might have been Italian X-factor - very inspiring!!!).  Lots of elements from it (and others) have since found their way into my work!! - Victoria

Inspiring Tiles

Hi There!...I came across these beautiful tiles on a trip to our local art centre over the weekend. I love how they have all been placed side by side to create this stunning mural...the colours and the geometric shapes really inspiring. Enjoy! - Bee

The Snow Queen

Back in the summer I received an email from a woman in Copenhagen who works for the Denmark based magazine ENFANTS TERRIBLE  MAGAZINE and throughout the summer Inger Marie and I emailed back and forth and eventually our email conversations turned into an interview. Read all about it in ISSUE#6, beginning on page 152!  

We had so much fun together and I was asked to contribute and do a banner for the November/December issue with the theme HC Andersen's "The Snow Queen" in mind. Here is what I came up with.
Enjoy! - Monika

Reflections on PRINTSOURCE (January 2015)

Jennifer Orkin Lewis and I met at PRINTSOURCE in NYC just before we announced the launch of the studio. This was my 6th time and every year I learn so much! The artwork pulls your eyes in all directions. It was good to see familiar faces and meet some new friends too! Hearing what trends and subject matter clients are looking for is truly invaluable. We walked and walked and stopped for a yummy lunch!

Many say fashion sets the surface design trends, and I have to say that point of view is definitely worth considering. We saw emerging trends such as: animal skins and spots, REALLY big plaids, folk (and boho), patchwork and blurry florals. We saw subject matter ranging from kitchen, animals (the perennial woodland creatures + zoo), nautical, floral, baby to winter holiday and even a few zebras!

So, now I am making my lists of where we are currently working and where we will be soon!

And who knows, maybe we will score a license on some fancy PJs one day!?! You think so too!?! Call me, 781-643-2002 and let's make it happen! - Jennifer

You can find information about the PRINTSOURCE shows here (also in April and August each year). If you are interested in learning more about trends, see the wonderful PRINTSOURCE trend blog here.

A Native Gal's Thoughts on the Atlanta Gift Show!

Although I grew up in Atlanta, I never worked there professionally (went straight to NYC for school and then kept moving my way up the east coast until I landed in Boston!). This was my first time visiting the Atlanta Gift Show. Wow! Wow and truly, WOW!

I met, our own brilliant, Lauren Lowen and we walked the miles and miles of the show until we could take in no more! We chatted all the while about all the things we can do together!

Lauren Lowen for Department 56!

Lauren Lowen for Demdaco!

We saw thousands of products representing 100s of 1000s of hours of illustration work. The GREAT news is that art licensing business is alive and well in the gift market (and it means I see my parents more often)! We even had a quick sighting of Monika's work amazing work!

I can already imagine the artists' work on such products as:  aprons, stationery, guided (or not so guided) journals, beach blankets, ornaments, sweet little girl's dresses, candy tins, bolt fabric, lunch boxes. You too? Call me, 781-643-2002 and let's make it happen! - Jennifer

Monika Forsberg for eeBoo!

FOR MORE SEASONED RESOURCES: Read Joan Beiriger's blog post here, where you'll find her smart take on themes and trends; Tara Reed's very personal impressions here and Alex Columbo's press perspective (with loads more photos) here. Each has a unique take on the show.

Thank you!

What can I say except “thank you”?  The response to our launch has been overwhelming. It has only been a week since we opened for business and already we’ve had more than 10,000 visits to this site, 1081 new Instagram followers, 770 Facebook followers, and 182 Twitter-ers! Plus, our first three inquiries from the press(!?!). It’s really gratifying to see so much enthusiasm for what we’re doing here.

Lauren Lowen

On top of that we’ve had requests from 187 artists seeking representation. Thanks for your confidence! We’re keeping things small for now but I really appreciate hearing from illustrators and I LOVE seeing your amazing work. There’s a lot of talent out there and we’ll add to our roster before too long.

Victoria Johnson

The biggest and best news is that we have already assigned 9 illustration jobs. Considering that our official grand opening was last Sunday (and there was a major US holiday last week) that’s a truly amazing accomplishment. Thanks especially to our new clients for awarding us these projects. We are working our hardest to make you happy and keep you coming back. Making great art is what we love best!

Jennifer Orkin Lewis (August Wren)

Monika Forsberg

That’s all for now. It’s really busy here and it’s time to get back to work! - Jennifer

Cakebarring

It was so much fun to read about the book I illustrated last summer on HuffPost today. Audrey Shulman @sittinginbarswithcake writes about her adventures of a year of baking cakes and bringing them to bars to get a boyfriend. Her writing is much better than mine so read it here, It's fun. Its way cooler than just a regular cookbook as some friends have mentioned! I can show the final cover and it's on Amazon for preorder, due out April 7th. I can't wait to show the 75 other interior illustrations! It's super colorful, pretty and cool. Enjoy! - Jennifer

Welcome! We are so glad to be here!

Welcome! I’m so happy to be here and even happier that you’re visiting.  Although this is a new business, illustration is something I’ve been involved in for years. Yes, we’re small, but it’s exciting to bring my passion and experience to this new venture and watch it grow. 

I want to get to know you and your tastes. And I want you to get to know these artists. I’m proud of each and every one and confident that you’ll want to work with them. 

Look around and please feel free to ask questions. The sky is the limit here, so ask anything you like! On my contact page you can request general information about my talented roster or ask me to get in touch with you. On the custom gallery page, you can request an online gallery based on your licensing criteria, subject matter and style of artwork. I will pull it all together for you just as fast as I can. Oh, and one more thing, please add yourself to my newsletter – don't worry, we won't share your name or spam you!

Thanks for coming! Jennifer