Sassy Silhouettes

While shopping with my mom yesterday I spotted these funky silhouettes and I had to snap a picture for you. I love a great silhouette. Be it fashionable, countrified or even traditional, I love them all. These silhouette collections were part of the store merchandising display within the Kensie clothing department of Macys.

I've been a fan of silhouette's since long before they were trendy. Anyone who has placed an order from my shop (here) may have noticed that their order comes with a custom stamp on the package of "my girls" in silhouette with the shop web address beneath it. They were based off project I made back in college. (My BYW mood board from a previous post, had some pretty fabulous silos you could check out here too.)

New to my shop: Marie Antoinettes

I've added new illustrations to my shop inspired by the young and fashionable French queen. Because my "Marie Loves Fashion" print has been popular (you can see her here) and customers have consistently emailed me asking for more costume and period inspired prints, I've decided to turn Marie into a little series. Here you have Marie II and Marie III.

So much of my freelance work is illustrating bridal gowns, which obviously lack pattern and color. Whenever I illustrate something like this with bold patterns in saturated colors, it reminds me of how much I enjoy fabric rendering in the illustration process. (Actually back in college I was hired to tutor other students in fabric rendering.) I hope you like these fancy new additions to my shop.

Audreys Long Lost Twin

While wandering through Etsy I stumbled upon this dress that reminded me of my Audrey II print. They're not identical but definitely related, wouldn't you say. ;) Although I wasn't inspired by this dress, I'm only now seeing it, I often look through the vintage clothing shops on Etsy to bookmark fun finds that could inspire an illustration. I've not only spotted great outfits this way, but poses, hair and styling too.

To check out the dress click here. And if you'd like to know more about my Audrey II illustration click here for an older post or here to purchase her from my shop.

Brunette Brides

I haven't shared any of my bridal commissions with you since Sarah, so I've pulled a few to feature today. In order to give the post a bit of theme I chose some beautiful brunette brides. This first up is a childhood friend of mine, Lee (above). Her gorgeous dress was a full length white lace gown with a slight champagne underlay and satin cocoa colored sash, designed by none other than Monique Ihuillier. I remember watching Lee walk down the isle looking so happy and beautiful that I decided to illustrate her in walking pose, which also compliments the dress silhouette.

The next beautiful bride is Jenn (above). She was given a gift certificate for a custom illustration from one of her bridesmaids (ironically also named Jen!) as a wedding gift. After the wedding Jenn sent me her online album and told me that one of her favorite details of her wedding dress was the laced corseted back. So I came up with this fun flirty pose to feature her favorite feature.

Last but not least is Jade, another bridal illustration wedding gift. This one was purchased by her sister and maid of honor, Yana. She preferred to work with me and give the final illustration to her sister as a surprise! Yana said it was important to have the dramatic long bouquet and hip embellishments featured in the illustration, so I accomplished that with a profile pose.

Holiday Girls

Last summer I was hired to create illustrations for holiday cards (here's my Christmas in July post) and now that spring is just around the corner what better time to make some more, right? (hehe) The same company hired me again to draw a few more holiday themed illustrations to complete the set.

This time I not only created the illustrations but came up with the concepts as well. The idea behind the first one (top of post) was a girl posing with her fashionable snowman, and the second one (above) is a girl tangled in vintage lights. With a big skirt and star on her headband her silhouette is meant to mimic a tree.

The third (above) is a girl excitedly showing off her craft skills while preparing for her guests to arrive. My festive ladies are being presented to a few major department stores but nothing is set yet. I'll be sure and let you know where and when they land.

Laura Linney

Sunday night I attended another fabulous event at the 92nd Street Y; a Conversation with Laura Linney. (Whom ever since seeing in Love Actually, I love!) Laura has three Oscar noms, a successful career on stage, film and television, and is the kind of girl you just want to spend a day with gabbing over brunch or strolling through the Met.

I've been a to few events at the famous Y but have never before submitted a question for the guest of honor. The theater fits 902 people and only a handful of questions are chosen, so skeptical me never thought my question would make it to the stage. For Laura though, I decided to give it a shot. My two part question was not only chosen, but was the first one asked of only four audience questions picked!

My question was "of the character's you've played, which one was your favorite due to their wardrobe?" After a brief pause of thought Laura answered Abigail Adams, in the John Adams miniseries. (My friends and I were so excited to hear my name and my question that I almost missed her answer! I'm also embraced to admit that I missed the series, but now need to schedule a marathon asap.) I followed with "which outfit from your personal life has been a favorite?" I was thinking she would name a fabulous couture gown she's graced the red carpet in, but I was wrong. Laura said that she doesn't think that one's come along yet. Interesting right.