tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21063460504797900792024-02-19T01:59:30.796-08:00xo2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-4850786679736686392010-04-11T18:19:00.000-07:002010-04-11T18:24:34.422-07:00Fashion a la Ralph Lauren<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSLcKO-PplIKEw-JSjMX4-k-Spo1Dcq9XKCUc_gWrTCwnws8bet0C8IXzB3DcbxNO9etQAhjXJaKqvLt_x3oqVNFnBme7A_dGv2o0LGCsGEcNIhUw7OFDo-qdorawmYFRGLJFYa3Wic4/s1600/STPRLillwebo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 90px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSLcKO-PplIKEw-JSjMX4-k-Spo1Dcq9XKCUc_gWrTCwnws8bet0C8IXzB3DcbxNO9etQAhjXJaKqvLt_x3oqVNFnBme7A_dGv2o0LGCsGEcNIhUw7OFDo-qdorawmYFRGLJFYa3Wic4/s200/STPRLillwebo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459055767230860290" /></a><br />I've done detailed, realistic, blackline illustration for many years and this illustration is more closely related than the quick sketchy pieces I created in the past couple of months. Inspired by fashion week, and, of course, by Ralph Lauren ( I mean, I did a term paper on him in college!) this digital fashion piece is the first of a series.2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-63088200582436316682010-03-24T07:08:00.000-07:002010-03-24T07:13:18.568-07:00Fashion Illustration 7<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdQdafM0FlICMMI2KALS3AC-ZSwhDXHgDG2fnCCe9lVrmxPhXalGI-QyXuHCYXgRg5CEe7ClL0TGu_8JGCHAZTOTkQJIntEQ1-sHdnjQ3b51s4cfmZpIAaTwWqMmMjqw7DR-O7mKQeU0/s1600/PSillos9small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 97px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdQdafM0FlICMMI2KALS3AC-ZSwhDXHgDG2fnCCe9lVrmxPhXalGI-QyXuHCYXgRg5CEe7ClL0TGu_8JGCHAZTOTkQJIntEQ1-sHdnjQ3b51s4cfmZpIAaTwWqMmMjqw7DR-O7mKQeU0/s200/PSillos9small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452202324335260722" /></a><br />Come on; get happy! I think it was raining for a week when I drew this one! Thoughts of warmer weather and a vacation (even in my mind) inspired this illustration. I imagined turquoise and coral stones on the top piece, with orange to warm up the cool tones here and there.<br />Although the only "vacation" I will have this year will be at cub scout camp, or traveling the globe via google maps, a girl can live vicariously through her creations!2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-14704974568183979592010-03-16T06:49:00.000-07:002010-03-16T07:00:45.382-07:00Fashion Illustration 6<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0PpSBGiPicrxjxwknbWgtPGjNF6S3CtnPsNNMOK1solOCTOEBsJM8dXj4P-JfqMNYoTLyIfHU_DV6FmdK4KAEAg5wtiTqbelYujzIj66Ig7FvCqdD_lavi3RgM-ICKX247iMjnrrFTk/s1600-h/PSillos7small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0PpSBGiPicrxjxwknbWgtPGjNF6S3CtnPsNNMOK1solOCTOEBsJM8dXj4P-JfqMNYoTLyIfHU_DV6FmdK4KAEAg5wtiTqbelYujzIj66Ig7FvCqdD_lavi3RgM-ICKX247iMjnrrFTk/s200/PSillos7small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5449228691602919186" /></a><br />Still inspired by the Oscars and Fashion Week(s) I designed a gown that I would wear; if I had a place to wear it to! The hair was inspired by a fashion house - don't ask me which, they've all run together now. Love the smoky blue and palest pink as an accent. It's very pretty as a monochromatic palette, but, if you have pale features, it will wash you out.2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-74345727110856633552010-03-09T09:58:00.000-08:002010-03-09T10:04:03.864-08:00Fashion Illustration 5<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn9dvm-32Ytd_JUzApTnnE7ZaTgfW1sw8ZwVXfj4y4WnBlH6gHbpvWnZoHp3GFO-q-V2zr82yBZFlN6xgZAFOu-4xS8sDcDRnbf_O6aYeFDRY9tAkQTXp3GZgk8up3esJ4ftEHDuUuYU/s1600-h/PSillos8small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 73px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghn9dvm-32Ytd_JUzApTnnE7ZaTgfW1sw8ZwVXfj4y4WnBlH6gHbpvWnZoHp3GFO-q-V2zr82yBZFlN6xgZAFOu-4xS8sDcDRnbf_O6aYeFDRY9tAkQTXp3GZgk8up3esJ4ftEHDuUuYU/s200/PSillos8small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446696366663417202" /></a><br />If I was an equestrian type of person, I think this is what I would be wearing. Animal print definitely would wend it's way somewhere in my wardrobe. This print is tricky; if you overdo it, you look like a hooker. Worn tastefully, it adds a lot of fun. Animal prints themselves are terrific from a graphic standpoint and there's that certain wild mystique about them which translates into..."maybe i'm just a little bit wild myself" ;)2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-84315952510776510592010-03-05T12:17:00.000-08:002010-03-05T12:21:01.566-08:00Fashion Illustration 4<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL5KQSVR4folcSUyVL_qYcUqGKQMxnTMFi8Dp4gEg1hBtjC7VZBglFg0KjR58dLlejZi8eAxhKZZn-T_wpXBW4484OY9e5d_I2He7fTe-yhU_sfNEQT9VbJcB4yFrHLt1kR19INCmeCY/s1600-h/PSillos6small.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 92px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQL5KQSVR4folcSUyVL_qYcUqGKQMxnTMFi8Dp4gEg1hBtjC7VZBglFg0KjR58dLlejZi8eAxhKZZn-T_wpXBW4484OY9e5d_I2He7fTe-yhU_sfNEQT9VbJcB4yFrHLt1kR19INCmeCY/s200/PSillos6small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445247062622644098" /></a><br />I think this one is my favorite so far - love the stance and the colors, purple and olive are a great combination. Lots of citrusy olives and mustard colors in the Fashion Week shows. Fashion "Week" is actually several weeks; one in New York, then London, Milan and, finally, Paris. I'll get to one of them someday! :)2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-74734455947292028652010-03-04T06:43:00.000-08:002010-03-04T06:47:01.282-08:00Fashion Illustration 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZOsyRJaS-szFwSMFTc4ZUpaiGCZac11Bydnz8_1lEfpTI8KvIPeH9R_uswKmi2qGQeAppHDp0uCZyyMtfO3_UlFm6fCsKK9l5Xjhyphenhyphengt1ar2BIYXWupwhAyNSqykdVZQAw7w9J-smUr8/s1600-h/PSillos4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 94px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfZOsyRJaS-szFwSMFTc4ZUpaiGCZac11Bydnz8_1lEfpTI8KvIPeH9R_uswKmi2qGQeAppHDp0uCZyyMtfO3_UlFm6fCsKK9l5Xjhyphenhyphengt1ar2BIYXWupwhAyNSqykdVZQAw7w9J-smUr8/s200/PSillos4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444790236034937554" /></a><br />One of the reasons these are so much fun to do is that they are so fast! I can whip them up in minutes! It's a far cry from the painstakingly detailed work I do in colored pencil...and that's ok! It's all good.<br />The clothing are all my own concepts, although I am certainly influenced by current designers.2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-13070094511251578152010-03-03T06:21:00.000-08:002010-03-03T06:24:02.703-08:00Fashion Illustration 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy7ZzH8A2vTmyhq1r2t8Ya0yaGRL75w8LhIQXOnCDHZxItBdWrgn4V_FrrD2RaEaGZSvV_ieD9VDJ4kxbjC7EgWQklxpMfBulfILrhRkp51SUJ2b5THVj0TNA-aAsgOwZzZGQkJ75a7g/s1600-h/PSillos2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 176px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLy7ZzH8A2vTmyhq1r2t8Ya0yaGRL75w8LhIQXOnCDHZxItBdWrgn4V_FrrD2RaEaGZSvV_ieD9VDJ4kxbjC7EgWQklxpMfBulfILrhRkp51SUJ2b5THVj0TNA-aAsgOwZzZGQkJ75a7g/s200/PSillos2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444413229804865938" /></a><br />I think Fashion Week in New York, then London, really inspired me. Each design house featured some wonderful pieces, then some that weren't so great, but, isn't that always the way? There was lots of black and grey, cobalt blue and some citrus greens and purples were some dominant color schemes.2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-3447943552111364692010-03-02T13:13:00.000-08:002010-03-02T13:22:10.618-08:00Having fun with Fashion...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD30QkQyTTA_EMn3kUWVKnvpT_EuyP4SOjGKqMVQQZRU_7l74TCh9OTTSC8bk5ZKWE2po1Ocqf9F4dHK1Npu50GHX4CAtndiVeMm_mUt7hkenwHSsqVlJYYeZNx0Ca4GS5vKZLQofKsM/s1600-h/PSillos1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 72px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXD30QkQyTTA_EMn3kUWVKnvpT_EuyP4SOjGKqMVQQZRU_7l74TCh9OTTSC8bk5ZKWE2po1Ocqf9F4dHK1Npu50GHX4CAtndiVeMm_mUt7hkenwHSsqVlJYYeZNx0Ca4GS5vKZLQofKsM/s200/PSillos1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444149861268850642" /></a><br />Now, I love all the art I create, but, fashion illustration holds a special place in my heart. Every since I've done that Red Dress last year, I've been reinventing my fashion art. I love doodling in Photoshop - first I sketch with pencil on trace, then scan in and let the layers flow! These quick illustrations are so much fun and these are out of my head. The realistic graphite pieces I've done in the past are great (a la Stavrinos) but, I think it's important to show I can create other styles. This is one of the first ones I did last week.2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-36171493396001250572010-01-22T11:26:00.000-08:002010-01-22T11:36:04.249-08:00I found "The Firefighter"!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPW8ApEoJ8QemhhkXlnxZ2cCJHofbcyvrDaCvEetpL2AZyXHVF4lGGQFlE7W2O9oH8wGARZqmpVzRD0ObcLfjKvci6gfhjQEUQfluEkjAgsiOX6zqdBrfX1wGGsVcXLE0AD7rbQikPlM/s1600-h/Firefighterlsmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429650203442880866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPW8ApEoJ8QemhhkXlnxZ2cCJHofbcyvrDaCvEetpL2AZyXHVF4lGGQFlE7W2O9oH8wGARZqmpVzRD0ObcLfjKvci6gfhjQEUQfluEkjAgsiOX6zqdBrfX1wGGsVcXLE0AD7rbQikPlM/s200/Firefighterlsmall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am really thrilled to say I found the firefighter whose portrait I did after 9/11.</div><br /><div>The photograph sent to me by the Chicago Tribune had his name wrong, so for several years I was looking for Brian Buck. Couldn't find him anywhere...</div><br /><div>Last September I was at my computer and this little voice (I don't listen to nearly enough) said "look again". So I dug up the photo, saw he was with Ladder 28 in Harlem and sent them an email. A week later I got an email from Brian Burik asking me if I was looking for him; that he'd received a message from his old firehouse that they thought I meant him.</div><br /><div>It was too much to hope for - I introduced myself and explained I'd done a portrait of a firefighter with a flag and sent him a small jpeg. It was HIM! He told me the story of the photo, how they'd found 3 flags and he was taking one out to look at it when the photographer came up to him.</div><br /><div>He seemed very pleased about the picture and I promised him a giclee print of it. It took a while to find a large enough mailing tube but, I finally sent it out to him after Christmas 2009. The other day he called me and we had a really great conversation. He loves the print and said HE was honored..well, folks, I sit at a drawing table and don't really get into much trouble during a normal day. They run towards danger every single day - I am the one who is honored.</div><br /><div>I hope to connect in person some time in the future when I am next in NYC. Will post it if I do!</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-75970854722900926172010-01-07T07:41:00.000-08:002010-01-07T07:50:19.703-08:00A Rose by any other name...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNOcSC7dyAm6d1zOdGo9a4roia3K3ZDAS514IH9qf1gOcQ5ycawmhJ2uNole4E7P1wghwDLyEWKNVVOliZMRbnMcQmnfbsCYie-BYe3oEfwYkz8Qa65jnUpx8lgqw7ZQ7WowyeVvOx64/s1600-h/ElizabethParkRosesmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 186px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424025730643902066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNOcSC7dyAm6d1zOdGo9a4roia3K3ZDAS514IH9qf1gOcQ5ycawmhJ2uNole4E7P1wghwDLyEWKNVVOliZMRbnMcQmnfbsCYie-BYe3oEfwYkz8Qa65jnUpx8lgqw7ZQ7WowyeVvOx64/s200/ElizabethParkRosesmall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Flora... mysterious little worlds unto themselves and I never tire of them. I didn't set out to draw them, in fact, I will draw whatever catches my eye. I live a few miles from Elizabeth Park in Hartford, CT, <a href="http://www.elizabethpark.org/">http://www.elizabethpark.org/</a> and have been wanting to photograph the roses for a while, but, never seem to get there. Last summer there was an article in the paper about it being the height of rose season and I grabbed my camera and family and was off!</div><br /><div>Of course, my timing being impeccable as always, we'd had an inordinately rainy spring/summer and it was a partly sunny day. The roses were beaten by the rains; many hanging sodden and weathered. Undetered, I walked up and down each row snapping away. I did get quite a few good shots and this was from one of them.</div><br /><div>Hopefully, I'll get there THIS summer on a sunnier day, when all the plants are less traumatized.</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-39287784471414858752009-11-19T13:19:00.000-08:002009-11-19T13:28:44.315-08:00Artwork for Alex's Lemonade Stand auction<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjcXzx_uM1CnEuoE-3g8iMutJd88qQ5BjefYVQiZo6I8GNlAsb1r174wxQAeVSXwzZ8rVv3CDfFZk9RS0YtcqyaZBx3nLY1Tg0j3k2j0U7Kmtyugnn2rx0Z9euxRH3JGNvCzEQM7Wbvw/s1600/alexlemon+004.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 153px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405929776287333426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjcXzx_uM1CnEuoE-3g8iMutJd88qQ5BjefYVQiZo6I8GNlAsb1r174wxQAeVSXwzZ8rVv3CDfFZk9RS0YtcqyaZBx3nLY1Tg0j3k2j0U7Kmtyugnn2rx0Z9euxRH3JGNvCzEQM7Wbvw/s200/alexlemon+004.jpg" /></a><br /><div>There are a few people in this world for whom I would do just about anything. One of these lovely people happens to be Ann Walsh, a Windsor resident and good-deed-doer who asked me if I might create something in the art realm for an Alex's Lemonade Stand "Lemon Ball" in Philadelphia this coming January 2010. This framed piece will be auctioned at the ball.</div><br /><div>I envisioned some lemons, sliced with the light coming through the sections so they appear to be their own light source. My colors would be yellow, blue with green and white...</div><br /><div>This is a small piece, about 9"w x 7"h, but it was fun to do and I am honored to have been asked to create it for such a cause. I am bringing it to my giclee printer, so it will have a life beyond the original as several people have asked about prints. I plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from the prints to Alex's Lemonade.</div><br /><div>The photo here is from my digital camera, so it's not perfect, but, you get the idea.</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-90712095127225566812009-11-18T13:01:00.000-08:002009-11-18T13:36:28.300-08:00Page 15 in International Artist Magazine issue 69<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ndek6ZC-7S6gMksiZLqsCRz0bF-G5fMAp-n8sQ_r9pKDPKl9R3JrMZFE9bIBt7Jx398VeCrUnqg-V24swoPpM0rIW8xxWdYS9hM_fY4ClzUO2tNtXBdxfUfQFxaX_6i8vo0fb3tji6c/s1600/GrandmothersGiftssmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405560587272489186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ndek6ZC-7S6gMksiZLqsCRz0bF-G5fMAp-n8sQ_r9pKDPKl9R3JrMZFE9bIBt7Jx398VeCrUnqg-V24swoPpM0rIW8xxWdYS9hM_fY4ClzUO2tNtXBdxfUfQFxaX_6i8vo0fb3tji6c/s200/GrandmothersGiftssmall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I entered "Grandmothers' Gifts" in the Still Life challenge a few months back and was pleased to find I had been selected as a finalist. This gives the artist an entire page with their work and contact information, as well as work method and inspiration.</div><br /><div>For this particular piece, I chose one of the photos I took for the "My father's Light" shoot. This was one of the last photos; I'd pulled off rose petals and placed them in the crystal bowl and on the tablecloth, which was a gift from Steve's grandmother, Esta Kriegsman. The gold sugar bowl came from my paternal grandmother, Maude Irma Richardson, whom I never knew. The sunlight passing through the crystal and glass creating spiked abstract shadows captured my eye. Created in 2004.</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-8638141356646733702009-11-17T05:53:00.000-08:002009-11-17T05:59:46.750-08:00Winner of Lillian Ciaravino Award at Catherine Lorillard Wolfe exhibit in NYC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF3H0mBi9esd_DOBXrXXYN24DuAfkubxLMhmsoFkJWjDd-_lxpTSXTwKl9D7JrkDtnoWYVq3-NNh_7RESbrdWOF5ayD9SEqGaTnYoeTT_qoGDinRAoF3TP9RJPOHSatWoB0xiIQXjQQQ/s1600/Red&Green2small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 153px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405071925472371522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF3H0mBi9esd_DOBXrXXYN24DuAfkubxLMhmsoFkJWjDd-_lxpTSXTwKl9D7JrkDtnoWYVq3-NNh_7RESbrdWOF5ayD9SEqGaTnYoeTT_qoGDinRAoF3TP9RJPOHSatWoB0xiIQXjQQQ/s200/Red&Green2small.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I was pleased to discover I'd won an award for drawing (for Red & Green Series 2) at this exhibit which held it's awards' ceremony on October 23, 2009 at the National Art Club in New York. Steve and I drove in for this dinner, hitting little traffic going into the city on a rainy Friday and found a great parking spot right outside the club.<br />The National Art Club is a fabulous members-only club that organizations are able to utilize as a venue and it is gorgeous inside. Dinner was great and we sat at a table where 5 of us had won awards for various artworks. I met so many wonderful people that night and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. A power point presentation of all the winning artwork ran concurrently with the presenting of awards.<br />We got home around midnight, which wasn't too bad!</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-55750665884718425752009-11-16T07:57:00.000-08:002009-11-16T08:02:11.765-08:00I found the firefighter I drew!!It has been so busy since September I am going to catch up little by little. I'm going to start in September with "my" firefighter.<br />I have been "looking" for him on the internet for several years, wanting to contact him and send him a print of the original. The name I was given was incorrect, although I didn't know that while searching. Some time in September I decided to try again and found the original photo I used with the Ladder company he was in. I found their website and sent an email. A week later I received an email from a firefighter who used to work there. After sending him my story and a small photo of the artwork, he wrote back - it was him!!<br />I have had a full size giclee made and as soon as I pick it up, I am sending to him!! Can't tell you how thrilled I was to find him.2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-56847708862128214142009-09-10T12:18:00.001-07:002009-09-10T12:24:42.546-07:00September 11, 2001<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UwMKL4uYtFEy6yHXwrC4NiQWrfu2ynAgf3mIrLUEDiaFsXGW3EVfP7UstE19Foo9V2xZ5DMnMHVwMQPb5pMZNwVEFttNV7RomfOF_gl0baQBRxOILGf4unqzgTg0soP8pwkcOwbZMsc/s1600-h/Firefighterlsmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 154px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379921830124419458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UwMKL4uYtFEy6yHXwrC4NiQWrfu2ynAgf3mIrLUEDiaFsXGW3EVfP7UstE19Foo9V2xZ5DMnMHVwMQPb5pMZNwVEFttNV7RomfOF_gl0baQBRxOILGf4unqzgTg0soP8pwkcOwbZMsc/s200/Firefighterlsmall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>After the tragic events of that day, many artists felt a need to express their emotions with their art. I work from photos and there were so many to choose from - I wanted to draw something that said it all to me. As I flipped through the December issue of Reader's Digest, this photo of a NY firefighter caught my eye. Young, exhausted, walking towards the viewer with tears in his eyes, holding up the American flag found in the rubble of Ground Zero; this is what I had been looking for. I found the photographer was Pete Souza and through the generosity of the Chicago Tribune, obtained an 8 x 10 of this image. I thank both Mr. Souza and the Tribune for allowing me to use this. Now if only I could find the firefighter - I would love to give him a copy as I have giclee prints of this.</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-89897370099012897702009-08-17T11:33:00.000-07:002009-08-17T11:41:48.726-07:00Dog Days of Summer!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionyddt_MRJ6A9sSKs5hBDORAjaguF6JmRUG9d1ta6HpVY8QQZwvnsB4eqSd6CF3BrZf2GMk6GaxRztMfX_QQSuPsgmkLurT62YlPg-VCYYSgR00MyHHSQwg8qeMNmBfdO7_6pDR5Ofsw/s1600-h/summer+023.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371004772161604066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionyddt_MRJ6A9sSKs5hBDORAjaguF6JmRUG9d1ta6HpVY8QQZwvnsB4eqSd6CF3BrZf2GMk6GaxRztMfX_QQSuPsgmkLurT62YlPg-VCYYSgR00MyHHSQwg8qeMNmBfdO7_6pDR5Ofsw/s200/summer+023.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I'm sitting here in my studio and the fan isn't cutting it. It's been hot and muggy for days, now, and summer has finally hit us. I find myself heading out to the patio in my swimsuit and sarong to work at the table under the umbrella. It also allows me to watch the kids in the pool and jump in when the sweat gets in my eyes. But, I can't bring my PC outside for this, so I try to get just paperwork done outside. I hope I don't have to go anywhere that requires makeup and a hairstyle, because right now, it ain't happening! :)</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-39931848190935635072009-07-30T18:03:00.000-07:002009-07-30T18:05:51.070-07:00A Rose by any other name...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Rbs2UGkwkc-srdsDCE3UDw_J9wfVbmdpXFLZH-QfPcHXDUX1DZrC5GWsUKvOYHU2foiH7tXbtQPLjM3ISX7i4XhahnJTE4ptFfM4xsDJPWcdxKtKBB6qHqCeHC5wmlor9taHAhtpTY8/s1600-h/ChurchRosesmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364424152518308482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Rbs2UGkwkc-srdsDCE3UDw_J9wfVbmdpXFLZH-QfPcHXDUX1DZrC5GWsUKvOYHU2foiH7tXbtQPLjM3ISX7i4XhahnJTE4ptFfM4xsDJPWcdxKtKBB6qHqCeHC5wmlor9taHAhtpTY8/s200/ChurchRosesmall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I took the reference photo of this rose at the side of Nelson Hall, at the First Church in Windsor a couple of years ago, while the Boy Scouts were unloading their camping gear. I try to bring my camera on all trips and this rose was calling to me. :)</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-4408506091690523982009-07-20T06:32:00.001-07:002009-07-20T06:39:16.215-07:00My painting in the Guild of Boston Artists Show coming up Aug.6<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj04xJNqGFZ_DYOXEvqZGlUSciMRtdkj5wsfIWwoRGjyQlXHNC4jkbysr1G4Myk8Kx7tnqwytpvyhqIo-N1d4jdyaJEp6S3Fn8Bu0cOxtVkqJIUx9L-mZb5eNKRk3ciuXiaDlnx18yKo/s1600-h/STPRedGreensmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 231px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360535565440512898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWj04xJNqGFZ_DYOXEvqZGlUSciMRtdkj5wsfIWwoRGjyQlXHNC4jkbysr1G4Myk8Kx7tnqwytpvyhqIo-N1d4jdyaJEp6S3Fn8Bu0cOxtVkqJIUx9L-mZb5eNKRk3ciuXiaDlnx18yKo/s320/STPRedGreensmall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Guild of Boston Artists is at 162 Newbury Street in Boston, the very street where I first went to college (the now defunct Chamberlayne Junior College). I am so pleased to be in this show and once I finish framing the piece I've entered, I'll be heading up to Boston to drop it off. The opening reception is August 6th. For more info, check out - <a href="http://www.guildofbostonartists.org/">http://www.guildofbostonartists.org/</a></div><div> </div><div>This piece is called "Red & Green #2" which is a companion piece to #1, the first still life I did in 2002. Last fall I was flipping through the photos I took for this series and pulled out the one for this. It's good to go back and take another look as things catch our eye differently. I love the dramatic lighting and drapery. This is done entirely in colored pencil on white Stonehenge paper. I use no black; instead, I create a warm black with layers of my darkest colors. It makes a big difference.</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-64339158311148804692009-07-03T12:07:00.000-07:002009-07-15T12:09:09.984-07:00My shop on Cafepress is open for business!I opened this shop a while back with a few fashion designs, but, have now expanded to include my fine art, with a separate section for my Christmas ornament drawings. I also changed the design of the shop, so it's a bit easier to navigate! So go shopping at:<br /><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/2LipsArtDesign">http://www.cafepress.com/2LipsArtDesign</a>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-84646843331222442912009-07-01T10:26:00.000-07:002009-07-20T06:41:23.646-07:00Real Simple Magazine July issue!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpcr3V3rEUNZYqt6dj9KzwgEvXKJkBy-2OhyphenhyphenCgt514iei8yT1vDAY0lIlIisN05B3EZeds0w7e0HVwCmY3HCAvHdB1cVh8du2Ige4bYgzPOQZUoLgLDiZcjOW-A2MiS46TPpqetsyZfg/s1600-h/Concept1a.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 213px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360536981272032546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpcr3V3rEUNZYqt6dj9KzwgEvXKJkBy-2OhyphenhyphenCgt514iei8yT1vDAY0lIlIisN05B3EZeds0w7e0HVwCmY3HCAvHdB1cVh8du2Ige4bYgzPOQZUoLgLDiZcjOW-A2MiS46TPpqetsyZfg/s320/Concept1a.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I was pleased to be commissioned by Real Simple magazine a couple of months ago to do a small illustration of a busy woman, running with a purse, tote bag, cell phone, keys, etc and I enjoyed it so much I did about 6-7 different concepts for it! They chose one and I was eager for the July issue to come out. You never know if an article or piece of artwork will get "killed" until the last minute. I ran to Target and found my illustration on page 204. It was a good feeling to see it in print!</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-59263742158603032552009-06-06T05:29:00.000-07:002009-06-06T10:31:37.930-07:00My method of framing - keeping costs down and appearance up!I have been doing portraiture since I was 16 and always found that framing can be incredibly expensive. When I first moved to Connecticut in 1988 I began working at Koenig's Art Emporium in downtown Hartford and learned a lot about the hows/whys of framing. I had scars on my fingers from cutting sheets of glass, dry-mounted prints on foam core and cut mats in a rush for customers who needed one done in a hurry. I also tallied up the cost of an ornate wooden frame, mat, glass, to the dismay of customers who said, "But, this picture cost me only $10" - it didn't matter - the larger the picture, the more money it cost.<br />When I complete a portrait on commission, the client frames them. But, when I started creating my own fine art, I ran into these cost issues.<br />After years of spending a fortune on framing this is what I do: I buy Pleine Aire frames when they are at least 50% off. These are the wooden pieces, or chops, only. No glass or mat. I then purchase plexiglass and an 8-ply mat from The Framer's Edge in Orange, CT. I order over the phone and they deliver to my door. I don't think their prices can be beat. I purchased a Fletcher driver which shoots metal points into the wood in the back, securing the artwork within the frame. So, I put it together myself and at the end, what would have cost me $200 and up to frame one piece, finishes at about $60. There may be even less expensive ways to do it, if I bought the chops and put them together, cut my own mats, but, I am not about to attempt cutting an 8-ply mat and I just don't have the time!2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-67941172434695315912009-06-03T06:41:00.000-07:002009-07-20T06:51:05.753-07:00The value of finishing your profile!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6cd9ALvmxc03KhF7Uam_LOhDsB5ZgXRj0fBxf9MqgVaKfbxMnDUB1dl1H1yRR8wl5YKwYMstI-j9Ma6hNWRr9trF-ztI7UaArk2f_t__XI4D-htjKqzpAk5353awEaxL83jAzPy0MQY/s1600-h/FromWithin72.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360539490378927202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji6cd9ALvmxc03KhF7Uam_LOhDsB5ZgXRj0fBxf9MqgVaKfbxMnDUB1dl1H1yRR8wl5YKwYMstI-j9Ma6hNWRr9trF-ztI7UaArk2f_t__XI4D-htjKqzpAk5353awEaxL83jAzPy0MQY/s200/FromWithin72.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfT1uzQSU3a7KYWyqyaLxpMLY3sJ7TGseAmrH0GmAMZcc7ldRkTXGBWpPZtIT6NAo97TojXQ5Zl1Ct83JKpGzR3ly3bOAV1viohsOc-UOAl5wSIKWOD-vTg_oG6NpMZRgTYRNCvZ0vfE/s1600-h/FromWithin72.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>I had joined <a href="http://www.noenga.com/">http://www.noenga.com/</a> (a global art website) a little while ago, and was having a hard time navigating the site, so, in frustration, I gave up and walked away. As I constantly need to be reminded to ask for help when I need it (just ask my husband) I discovered this week that one of my colored pencil pieces, "From Within" was the gold cup winner for the month of May and I was listed as stp, an anonymous artist. Embarrassed, I quickly finished my profile, uploaded a photo of myself and added a few more pieces of art to the portfolio. So, another new lesson learned!</div></div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-32094708910504174152009-05-15T05:13:00.000-07:002009-07-20T06:47:52.269-07:00Cambridge Art Association Northeast Prize Show - 2nd prize!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mc9SO5vaRRPHReDxjgCsvTMoT4cMC-9nOulp2fZjEB16NUzuJSWEYdoQM5ZjkxgpmdNgiOfraCM_m4GjK4IQF2iE3nB0f-LXhgiA0nYuhyphenhyphenkAyYBMrDCNLG99vVc_AtVM_y4s4XRNCsg/s1600-h/Gracesmll.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 224px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360538648719805330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mc9SO5vaRRPHReDxjgCsvTMoT4cMC-9nOulp2fZjEB16NUzuJSWEYdoQM5ZjkxgpmdNgiOfraCM_m4GjK4IQF2iE3nB0f-LXhgiA0nYuhyphenhyphenkAyYBMrDCNLG99vVc_AtVM_y4s4XRNCsg/s320/Gracesmll.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHYVtcV2sjKhOXiDI43H8XBT0te1wiOIPG9R8kanyEy9rDj-1a1bTVvzvsFiRK7o-ijjciwPoNGHywUMaI85adVDTbBsaGT-c3HB0W2vzp_jY8EhHFEUnCT_Dw6IMIiiRDCjs-9qiRkw/s1600-h/ForBarbara72.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div>I was in my studio early this week and received a call that I'd won 2nd prize in the Cambridge Art Association's Northeast Prize show, but I'd missed the dropoff date and had to scoot up to Cambridge, Mass. on Wednesday to drop off the piece. "Grace", peonies done in colored pencil, was my entry and I am so pleased to be in the show, let alone win a prize.<br />The opening reception and awards ceremony is Friday, May 29, 6-8pm at University Place, which is right down the road from the Assoc. building home, seconds from Harvard Square.</div></div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-18474585287143643992009-05-12T07:54:00.000-07:002009-07-20T06:44:44.385-07:00This week is chock full!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaYyMQltaRfdHCHZtqR4bOxEgwrOP9AzQkuFql20_9KNsWGIfTAXD3zjJwOUl5zgI4p0XbWLRnqQR8FUKqlvUBzD0O0X0b-sVSRa2LfF5YPPshkoZbCLX6QuQ62hGooNnV_Gqx0a6EWg/s1600-h/Concept1Asmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 222px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360537857514769074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfaYyMQltaRfdHCHZtqR4bOxEgwrOP9AzQkuFql20_9KNsWGIfTAXD3zjJwOUl5zgI4p0XbWLRnqQR8FUKqlvUBzD0O0X0b-sVSRa2LfF5YPPshkoZbCLX6QuQ62hGooNnV_Gqx0a6EWg/s320/Concept1Asmall.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I am finishing up painting a dog statue for Paws for the Cause, to benefit Windsor Education Foundation. We have a Cub Scout pack meeting Friday night, then I am face painting at our Scout Booth at the Shad Derby - we have a big carnival for a fish - parade and all.<br />On Saturday night I get to put my ball gown on and attend the CT Heart Ball Gala with my husband down at Mohegan Sun Casino. I am really looking forward to dressing up - let's hope we don't have any wardrobe malfunctions! The red dress fashion piece I created is an auciton item at this ball. I hope everyone likes it :)</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2106346050479790079.post-77679552673047306452009-05-05T12:48:00.000-07:002009-07-20T06:49:04.540-07:00Colored Pencil Society of America 17 National Exhibit<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrtVqSGLlo99IM3-WPu3WufEwarUHc9gSA0xLJ0NaB8aCd2H44DyTTpAr3gZL7sSDi6PpW4T_a07UwHchnkj1E6wUEZ_SpMRfTYgt_TAMo0UmFEhBOjr80YBySUlhPaq9Hb6irhCQJsE/s1600-h/ForBarbarahalf.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 278px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5360538969317989554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijrtVqSGLlo99IM3-WPu3WufEwarUHc9gSA0xLJ0NaB8aCd2H44DyTTpAr3gZL7sSDi6PpW4T_a07UwHchnkj1E6wUEZ_SpMRfTYgt_TAMo0UmFEhBOjr80YBySUlhPaq9Hb6irhCQJsE/s320/ForBarbarahalf.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Today the long awaited for posting of selected artists for the CPSA 17th exhibit came and I was very pleased to see they had chosen one of my pieces - "For Barbara", completed during 2 months of lunch hours at work.<br />I was staying at the home of artist Barbara Van Winkelen, in June 2006 and was walking out of an incredible Nantucket basket shop, when I saw this particular basket in the doorway, filled with cranberries and all sorts of wildflowers. I snapped a couple of shots with my digital camera and this one said, "Draw me!"<br />I completed the flowers & berries first, starting in the small space under the handle - it just seemed more manageable at the time. The basket weave intimidated me just a little, I don't know why, yet it ended up being the easiest part of the whole piece!</div>2 Lips Art and Designhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05641160269830363687noreply@blogger.com0