Matryoshka Sketches

These are preliminary sketches I did for my recent Bahia Brazilian (top color image), Korean (middle left), Pakistani (middle right), and Japanese Geisha (bottom two) Matryoshka. I never intended to share these really, they are just sketches I do before I go to the computer. I don't usually scan them into the computer (and I didn't in these instances until today). The sketches just help me work out the design and then I look at them for reference when I begin my computer illustration. I always enjoy seeing other artist's sketches so I hope you enjoy seeing my process. :)

Japanese Geisha Matryoshka

Hi! Today I've been working on my Japanese Geisha Matryoshka! I can't wait to show her to my Mom. My Mom and her family lived in Japan when she was a little girl (my Grandpa was in the military and they lived in many different countries). From their house they had a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. My Mother has very fond memories of living in Japan. She tells me and my daughter stories about her very kind neighbors and her girl friend Miyako.

Polly, I hope you like her too! :)

Korean Girl Matryoshka

I hope you like my latest drawing, a Korean Girl Matryoshka! My last two drawings, the Cambodian and Pakistani drawings, were so detailed with all the gold that I was really looking forward to doing this one with it's simple lines. I think there is a calm serenity in the traditional hanbok dress, and they are so pretty. I hope I did it justice.

My head is swirling with matryoshka ideas these days but next, the plan is to draw a Japanese matryoshka, and then a ballerina. Please keep the suggestions coming! :)

Set of 4 Pakistani Matryoshka Proof prints

When working on an illustration I have gotten much better at not wasting paper and ink by usually only printing 1 or 2 proofs (to proof color) near the end of my creative process. The differences between color on the screen versus printed color, being what they are. The Pakistani Matryoshka was an exception to this rule. I experimented with different skin tones, dress color etc. before coming up with the final piece. I don't want these prints to go to waste though so I am offering them as a set of 4 one of a kind prints at a discounted price! I hope someone would want to frame them and group them together or give them to friends as gifts. If this is a success I will offer more of my proofing prints in my shop in the future. :)

More Matryoshka Magnets!

I have updated my shop to include the 3 most recent matryoshka drawings as magnets. So now my Bahia Brazilian, Cambodian and Pakistani illustrations are magnets too! :)

Also today, I created new header banners for the blog and my shop. I've gone totally matryoshka! In the banners that is. I figure since I'm becoming, "the artist who draws those matryoshkas" I might as well embrace it. :)

Pakistani Girl Matryoshka

This is my latest drawing, a Pakistani Girl Matryoshka! I was so pleased with the Cambodian Matryoshka and all its gold detail that it inspired me to draw from another culture that has beautiful jewelry. Also inspirational was my cousin who wore a gold bridal ensemble that was quite beautiful and I've been getting allot of requests for pink or purple. So, I went somewhere in the middle with a magenta/fuchsia color and lots of gold. I also continued with the white jasmine flowers in her hair to further tie it together with the Cambodian Matryoshka drawing. I hope you like her! :)

Cambodian Girl Matryoshka

This is my latest illustration, a Cambodian Girl Matryoshka! Cambodian women's clothing and gold adornments are so ornate and beautiful. This was a super fun one to draw! My process these days goes pretty much like this— Eureka, good idea! Research, pencil sketch, wait a couple days (noodle time). More research, draw on computer, hopefully sleep on it. Make some adjustments, print out a proof, make any additional adjustments. Then, reveal to you! I hope you like her! :)

Bahia Brazilian Matryoshka print

This is my latest drawing a Bahia, Brazilian Matryoshka. I have had requests for a Brazilian Matryoshka. I found the Bahia traditional dress very inspiring. I may do more Brazilian matryoshkas. If you have any particular culture or style of traditional dress you would like me to draw please let me know. Your suggestions are very welcome. :)

Skunk with Flower Illustration

"Skunk with Flower" is the second in my new black and white animal series. The first is a "Panda with Bamboo" that I wrote about in my last post. This series of drawings is inspired by infants and their liking high contrast black and white. I hope these animals will grace the walls of some newborns and make them very happy. Not that I'm being picky. I hope people enjoy them regardless of their age. :)

Panda Bamboo Illustration

I was thinking about infants and how they see things and decided a black and white animal series would be fun. My Mother has always told me that she had a wall art piece that was white seashells in the shape of flowers on a black background when I was a baby. She said I loved to stare at it as she rocked me. I hope some little babies will enjoy looking at this panda and its high contrast. Love to the babies and all the panda lovers. :)

Orca Girl!

As I said in my last post, I'm taking part in a collective Etsy shop named "HelpTheGulfCoast". I am donating my Orca Girl 4"x6" print to the shop (along with the Owl Jack in the box I posted about earlier). Also, Kate of FlapperDoodle has a Fab illustration entitled Eloise loves pelicans - 4"x6" art print

Please visit the shop. Also, if you would like to donate an item to be sold in the shop you can contact Kate here.

Help The Gulf Coast

I'm taking part in a collective Etsy shop named "HelpTheGulfCoast". I am donating my Owl in the Box Pop Up DIY PDF toy to the shop. Kate of FlapperDoodle opened the shop and you can read about how the BP oil spill in the Gulf inspired her ( her blog ) to want to help out. I was eager to contribute to the shop when I read Kate's blog post . We believe in conservation and my daughter LOVES animals so much I knew if nothing else I should do it for her.

Please visit the shop. Also, if you would like to donate an item to be sold in the shop you can contact Kate here.

Working on Inventory for the Holiday Season

For the past couple of weeks I've been working, making up lots of items to have in inventory for the 2010 holiday season. This is a picture of all the items I've been stocking up on. I've printed and assembled Russian Doll and Snowman Coloring/Activity Books. Printed, cut out, and packaged Matryoshka Magnets. Also, printed and cut out free promo beehive/cat eyeglasses magnets. And lastly, printed and cutout hearts and pinned my Wolves in Love Pinback Buttons to them. I'll take a break for a week or so (give my hands a rest from scissor cutting) and make up more every couple of weeks throughout the summer. That is the plan anyway. :)

Next I've started sketches on a new series of animal drawings I will preview here as I complete each one.

Thank you for your support of my work. I really appreciate it! :)

Gnomette

How do you like my Gnomette? Okay, so I couldn't resist drawing a female version of a gnome. She was really fun to draw! :) I kept with the same color scheme as the male gnome so they can be paired together. If you are familiar with my work you may also notice I gave her a Portuguese inspired embroidered apron. Again, I just couldn't resist! So this isn't true to any particular culture but a mix of some favorite elements from different ones.

Happy weekend to you all and happy long weekend to those of us in the US.

Why Gnot Gnomes?

If you are familiar with my work you have probably noticed that it is somewhat devoid of male images. I don't know why women are so beautiful and the muses of artists throughout history. I'm not the first to be guilty. But occasionally I think, "Well, maybe I should draw a male."

So where to go for inspiration is the next question. I don't know about you, but I feel like I have been several different people at this point of my life. A much younger me was more into fantasy than I am now. One of my favorites were gnomes, and I have to admit still is. And yes, I've loved lots of classic kitsch: mushrooms, ladybugs, frogs (ladybugs and frogs are kitschy too right??). But gnomes. . . Hey! those are male!

So, if you were wondering, "Why gnomes?" I say, "Why gnot gnomes?!" ;)

Exciting Textiles Announcement!

I am very excited to announce that I've joined the Globalweave Textiles open design community! The first design they will be offering is my Aqua Indian Girl Matryoshka. I hope it is a successful design and they ask me for more designs in the future. Learn about Global Weave Textiles, their personalized textiles, and rugs, at global-weave.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr.

Sweet!

I've been dying to see this sign hanging at Etsy Headquarters in Brooklyn but have not had the opportunity to visit there myself. Danielle (super duper sweet, Etsy Seller Education Coordinator) was so kind to take some photos and send to me. Etsy has named their conference rooms after musician's names mixed with foods. They liked my "Sweet Escape" illustration and asked me to make one based on it but instead of saying, "Sweet Escape" they wanted, "Depeche a la Mode". I thought it was too cute and clever, and an honor, so this is what I came up with.

Happy Mother's Day

Let's celebrate women today! Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Grandmothers, Aunts, Cousins, Wives, Lovers, Friends, All the beautiful women of our lives.

Jack in the Box Tutorial!

Liz of Pirate Bob Sells Your Stuff is at it again! This time promoting my Jack in the Box PDF Craft! You can purchase the Jack in the Box PDF in my store here and watch Liz do her step by step tutorial above. These are fun and convenient toy crafts! You can print as many as you want, as often as you want! Happy crafting!

Pirate Bob Sells My Stuff

Photo courtesy of Liz at gopiratebob.blogspot.com

Yesterday my Babushka Tent Card Dolls spent an exciting day with Pirate Bob and Liz at Pirate Bob Sells Your Stuff, gopiratebob.blogspot.com. Liz is a promo genius and I believe she found her genie when she found Pirate Bob! I like to think I know a good thing when I see it so I was so excited to sign on for some great Pirate Bob promo.

Pirate Bob made many promo tweets and posts for my shop on Twitter and facebook. My favorite part of the promo is a photo shoot of their dating adventures (I can't believe I allowed the Babushkas to go on a date with a pirate!) captured and displayed on Pirate Bob's blog. They even made a super fun video with Liz really getting into the babushka theme with a scarf on her head. It was a fun day for all and I look forward to doing it again soon. Be sure to check out all the fun on Pirate Bob Sells Your Stuff!

Mother's Day, Showers, Festive Parties

Hello, I want to share a fun idea with you that one of my customers recently shared with me! She is having a party and is going to use my Babushka tent card dolls as place cards on her table and my Russian doll magnets as party favors. Since I too love a theme it inspired me to take this photo and include my Sunny Russian doll gift set. They are all so colorful and make a festive party theme don't you think? Pass the salsa!

Matryoshkas (Russian Nesting Dolls) as a theme are a wonderful way to celebrate women and femininity for Mother's Day, a bridal shower or a baby shower. Here are some more items that could be grouped together to make a pretty Matryoshka theme celebration: Spring Breeze Russian Doll pinback buttons, Spring Petals Russian Doll pocket mirrors, and A, B, and C of my Russian Doll Magnets.

Happy party giving! :) Amy

Lots of New Goodies!

Introducing my latest greatest shop items (drum roll please): Sheri the Diner Waitress pinback button, Owl pinback button (back by popular demand), and Spring Breeze pinback button (taken from the drawings for my spring blog and shop banners). Do you think maybe I've turned a corner in photography? These and my last post with the Spring pocket mirrors seem to be turning out better than my older product photos. Whew! I sure hope so. ;)

Spring Petals Russian Doll Pocket Mirrors

I'm so excited about these new pocket mirrors featuring my Spring Petals Russian Doll illustration! Don't they look pretty in the organza pouches? I think they would make great bridesmaids gifts or party favors too. I hope you like. :)

Four Seasons Russian Dolls Complete!

Happy Friday to you all! I hope you have had a good week. I need to catch up on my blog reading. I have been busy drawing and creating new items for my shop this week. I completed my Seasons Russian Doll series. Fall, Winter and The Four Seasons are now listed in my shop. :)

New-Russian Doll Magnets!

I've been working on some new item ideas for the illustrations in my shop!! This is the first idea - Russian Doll Magnets! They are printed with my inkjet printer on magnet sheets. I've also printed out some beehive hairdo promo magnets in hopes they will attract more customers! he he :)

❀ Summer Butterfly Russian Doll

This is the second in my Russian Doll Seasons Series- "Summer Butterfly"! I've been toying with the idea of doing a set of the 4 seasons for a while now. Last year I did the Little Red Riding Hood drawings. This year I wanted to do just girls or women. They turned out to be matryoshka. Who knew? Ha ha. I hope you like her! I have a thing for the color combo light blue and yellow. I love it whenever I see it! Peace to you all. :)

❀ New Spring Petals Russian Doll Print!

In celebration of Spring I have drawn this sweet Russian Doll in a rain of pink petals! Happy Spring my friends!

Embroidered Kitchen Towel

Hi! Kim Baise did a fabulous job hand embroidering my Sweet Escape embroidery pattern on this kitchen towel!! You can read her blog post about it here. Kim is a fabulous artist and a very sweet person. Also, I am now the proud owner of one of her gorgeous prints. This is the one I have Partridges in a Pear Bee-Hive. I LOVE it!!! Check out her fabulous shop and blog Jikits! :)

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Happy Easter, Happy Spring and Love to You and Your Families! :)

Matryoshkas Families

In celebration of the maternal bonds between mothers and daughters I have created these 3 families of matryoshka- Indian, classic Russian doll, and Tuareg family. Paying homage to these beautiful women and their cultures from around the world. They are now available in my shop! :)

Matryoshkas

This series of matryoshkas (which also includes the HanFu Chinese doll from my last post) was inspired by these culture's ultra feminine costumes and their wrapping and draping of luxurious fabrics.

Is there anything more feminine than the traditional sari silks of India? The beautiful fabrics and colors rich with the spices of their culture. Truly intoxicating. Indian cuisine is one of our family's favorites too!

I first learned about the Tuareg people in an article years ago. The women's fingers were stained with indigo from dyeing their fabrics. I have always found them fascinating. When researching I found many beautiful indigo blues, purples and reds in their clothing.

All 3 matyoshkas are now available in my shop! :)

HanFu Chinese Girl Matryoshka Print

Hi Everybody! This Pink Sweetie is modeled after my sweet daughter who loves pink! Pink and purple are her favorite colors. So she has a room painted lavender and a playhouse painted light pink. I don't know what it is about lavender rooms but I had one when I was little too. Anyway I digress, back to the point this HanFu style matryoshka doll is modeled after my daughter (who whenever she sees it says, "Look! That's me." which makes me smile), and in honor of her origins. Our daughter is a Chinese American born in China and adopted by Eric and me at 11 months old. She is the Sun and the Moon and her Chinese name is Yun which means "Cloud". It's all celestial which is as it should be because she was sent from heaven.

Also, if you are interested in sponsoring an orphan in China Half the Sky Foundation is such a wonderful organization. They see to it that every orphaned child they care for is loved and nurtured. In honor of our daughter we have been sponsoring for years and I can tell you it is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done second only to adopting our daughter. Love to you all, Amy :)

Available Now! Portuguese Girl Matryoshka

As promised in my earlier posts my Portuguese Girl Matryoshka is now available in my shop!

This illustration was inspired by these beautifully embroidered aprons and table cloth that my Grandmother brought back with her when she and my Grandfather returned home from being stationed in Portugal in the late 1960s. She gave the black one to me and the red one is my Mother's. The mint Green table cloth is small but quite lovely and even has matching embroidered napkins. I am uncertain of the origin of the orange, black and white table cloth underneath. They also lived in Ethiopia during the 1960's so it may be from there. I really treasure these and they have always stirred a great curiosity in me about embroidery.

The Tibetan, Peruvian and Portuguese matryoshkas were all inspired by the similar colors used in their elaborate traditional costumes.