Working Woman

This image is part of the faculty exhibition, Lightness, at the Museum at FIT. It is derivative of a series of drawings that I made of the beautiful Haitian fruitseller on the beaches of the Dominican Republic. You can see that here. Should any of the work be sold, a portion will be donated to the ongoing, but often now forgotten, relief efforts in Haiti.

Sky High

A few nights ago, I had the honor of speaking about my experience as an Air Force artist on a panel at the Society of Illustrators in New York. This is one of those unexpected perks of drawing that I could have never imagined. It is a proud, humbling, and often sobering experience to be included on a mission. These drawings are from a re-fueling mission that I was on- extremely cool trip that I will never forget!

It's Fashion Week in NYC

Swingin' through summer

The sweet sounds of outdoor music and cool jazz are coming to an end. Capturing all the freebie get-downs is one of my favorite parts of living in the city. There's still a night or two left-let me go so I don't miss a beat!

A little luau

Shakin' it up with the hula girls and boys, umbrella drinks and the roast...

She Got The Beat

I am shamelessly flaunting this pic from my fabulous shoot with the fabulous Marty Umans. (photo © Marty Umans) What a day! Creation, collaboration, good lunch, conversation, drop-ins by cool artists and the shoot to boot! My fantasy of being a conga player comes to life with my life size cutouts of the peeps from my sketchbooks and travels. Thank you, Marty!

Mahalo, Hawaii

Some nights I still imagine that I am hearing the waves gently crash just steps away from my hale on the Big Island. The sweet smell of the flowers, the strains of the ukelele, the power of the stories under the lava all made for an amazing experience. More to come.....

Modern Family

This image was just selected to be part of a show on "The Modern Family."
I was especially asked to submit drawings from my sketchbooks of the Haitian workers of the sugar cane fields.
Even as I look back on this drawing, I remember the sound of the cane rustling- it was hypnotic in the warm air of the fields.

Flyin' High On Seventh Avenue

Never dreamed that, when I drew the runway at the FIT Fashion Show that I would see this drawing on Fashion Ave!
FIT asked me if they could use the drawing for the invite for this year's fashion show- and look what happened! At first, I was not sure that I liked the knock-out, but when I saw the banner, I decided that I could live with it. Here is the original as well. Draw what you love and good things will come!

Still At The Beach

Though our weather has been glorious, it's not the same as turquoise waters and merengue.... oh, and the cat that I was staying with, Leila.
Being able to draw so freely all day long for days at a time is heaven for me- and the best exercise for my craft that I can think of. It really reminds me of who I am and what I love to do.

One Last Working Woman

Though we are now in April, I bring you one last nod to WHM, recorded in March while I was in the Dominican Republic.
Though my days were languorous and beautiful on the beach, the life of selling fruit on the beach is not quite the same. This lanky, beautiful, quietly elegant woman, strolls bucket atop her head all day, every day, with the rich tropical fruits of the island, hoping to sell enough to make her day. Her body language speaks of humility and when she makes a sale, her smile is as bright as the Dominican sky.

Women Fashioning Women

With not too many days left in March to honor Womens' History Month, another personal nod. This drawing took me to Shanghai, to the silk market. I arrived with only 20 minutes to closing, and did not know where to look first, enveloped by flowing fabrics and tailors beckoning, seeking to outfit this Westerner. Never realizing that I would be putting to blog a series like this, I suppose that I was attracted to one of the only female tailors there..Who knew?

Another Working Woman

Continuing my own nod to Womens' History Month, another amazing working woman that I met in my travels.This spice woman is a staple of the Moroccan market in her small sea-side town. It would be easy to overlook her amongst the brightly colored aromatic bags of spices that surround her. Her eyes glisten like the color of fresh mint, and her skin is deepened by the hours of walking to and from the market in the West African sun. She is beautiful, inside and out.

In Honor Of...

Womens' History Month, I choose to think of working women around the world. This was recorded during a trip to South Africa last summer. I visited a Zulu village. The women are strong and beautiful. Along with the telltale signs of technology, cellphones and computers, there still exists old world traditions.

To The Dogs

On Monday, I will be heading to the dog show again- sketches to come, but in the meanwhile, I have a piece in this invitational show!

Call To Action

As part of the collective voice of Urban Sketchers, I am very proud to have lent my images to promote the need to help. Marc Holmes designed a strong, striking poster that is not only elegant, it is important. Here it is, please follow the link above to download and post. The news has been immediate and ever-present, but as that fades from the headlines, the need for help will not.

A Tug at My Heart

Along with the rest of the world, I am so distraught and distracted by the horrific images and stories out of Haiti. I never have been to Haiti, but a piece of my heart is in the country that shares its island, the Dominican Republic. It was over 10 years ago that the DR and a very special group of people welcomed me into their family and their lives. My world was forever changed for the better- not only with the joy and the love that I experienced, but also by the window that I gained into the lives and cultures of those who I would never have had the opportunity to meet. Part of that experience for me has been to have the rare opportunity to wind in and through the majesty of the sugar cane fields and the communities of workers and families that are largely, Haitian. Speaking through fractured Spanish, French, Creole and English, the stories were born, and the days of hard work alongside the big bulls and their handlers, fell away to nights around fires and ceremony. My curiosity was born out of a sheltered naivety and I would say, so was theirs. There is a pride and dignity and smiles that light up the skies. I have been working on a book of my drawings and have now decided, that, once I publish, a portion will go to the relief effort. For now, please look for information coming soon about how to support in a collaborative effort with Urban Sketchers.

Another Drive By (Brrr-rrr) Drawing

It's COLD in NYC, but oh! so pretty as the light snow kisses and swirls about the skyscrapers and parks. Another bus trip for me, taking in the beauty and inspired to drive-by and draw.