Inspiration: Artist Ed Pien


Ed's studio

Ed's drawing table
I love that Ed uses every scrap of paper. Even the bottom work paper with all the black ink splotches on it will eventually be turned into a painting.

Today I visited my neighbour Ed Pien who also lives in the building. Ed does these amazing drawings + paintings that have a wonderful sense of spontaneity + freshness. Seeing his work reminded me to loosen up and not overplan. Allowing for the element of chance in a piece is what often gives it it's life.

ps. Ed has exhibited at The Drawing Centre in New York, La Biennale de Montreal, W139 In Amsterdam and the Goethe Institute in Berlin amongst many other places. Impressive no?

End of Year Give Away!



To end the year on a high note I am giving away two of my new prints: dress judy and small iron.

In 2011 I'd like to expand my company and make more products so to be eligible for the draw please add a comment to this posting suggesting something you'd like to see me produce next year. Tshirts? Tea towels? Rugs?
Lemme know! I'm looking forward to your comments.

Two winners will be chosen at random on January 10th.
Please provide an email address so that I contact you if your name is chosen.
Good luck!

Dorothy Draper: Brash + Bold



Because Draper's furniture is full of swirls + curves it is extremely fun to sketch.

Reproductions of these pieces are now available through Kindel furniture.

I'm continuing to work on my project for the IDS in January.
The client requested some illustrations with a 'Dorothy Draper' sensibility.
A quick trip to wikipedia filled me in that Dorothy Draper was the most famous decorator in America from the 1930s to 1960s. Her style was big, brash, + bold, and bordered on what some would consider gaudy. She used her trademark cabbage-rose chintz and neo-baroque plasterwork to create innovative + dramatic interiors for hotels, restaurants, department stores and private homes.
It's fun when illustration assignments connect up with my interest in design history.