Francesca / Martha / Sharkey

My latest paper creation! Martha Stewart and her two French Bulldogs Francesca (black) and Sharkey (white).

I was first in line for a taping of Martha in NYC last week...it was AWESOME! I got seated ON THE STAGE, about 3 ft. in front of Martha! I witnessed firsthand how the domestic diva does business. Surprisingly, Martha is slightly reserved and shy. She also lives up to her mega-perfectionist ways both on and off the air. When cameras weren't rolling she was cleaning countertops, doing dishes, and instructing her crew, all while head-bopping to rap music. 

Love you, Martha!

Forever MJ...A Visit to Los Olivos

The death of Michael Jackson is still so unbelievable to me. I have never mourned the death of an entertainer so heavily. His music carried me through my childhood and adolescence...and still inspires me today. What MJ shared with the world with his ENOURMOUS talent and love is something that we will never see duplicated.

The girls in my family decided to head south on the 101 to the quaint town of Los Olivos, CA, in search of Neverland, to pay our respects to MJ. The outpouring of fans and mementos at the Neverland gates was magical. The locals in town were sweet too...all dressed up for the 4th of July. It's no wonder Michael made this darling community his home. 

Oh, Ed!

in the backyard with Wheezy

a Pixarian sandwich with Lou Grant

Last week my friend Susan and I visited the great TV legend Ed Asner at his home in North Hollywood. We sat and chatted about his experiences on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, his voice talent in Up, his cats...an incredible visit.

I recently did a paper piece of Ed's character Carl from Up and decided it would be cool for him to autograph my artwork. He loved it and left me quite the colorful note!

Ed is sweet, hilarious, genuine, and humble. An awesome new friend. Lou Grant forever!

more lipsticks

More of my lipstick monotypes. The first and third print I sold...one to a college friend and the other to Michele Spane and Jonas Rivera of Pixar! The rest have been in various art shows around the Bay Area. My goal this summer is to get back into the print studio and work on a new series in a smaller scale (these pieces are all 22" x 30") to see what new ideas come about. 

lipstick studies

a couple 22" x 30" monotype prints inspired by the lipstick. I'm really enjoying experimenting with yellow and playing with more white space!

monotype, Sharpie, crayon, and graphite

Luxo Lamp!

My cute lil' Luxo lamp story: I have an actual real working Luxo lamp, modeled after the Pixar character (I work in the Consumer Products dept, so I had a hook-up). A colleague @ Pixar was looking for a lamp to borrow as a good luck charm for Michael Giacchino, the lead composer for the 81st Academy Awards. Michael is a mega-talent and an amazingly sweet guy. He has composed some of my favorite Pixar films such as The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and Up. 

What better lamp than Luxo to join him at the Oscars! 

As I was watching the Oscars on TV a few weeks ago, I spotted my lamp on stage with Michael as he directed the orchestra! This week, the lamp arrived safely back home...autographed and personalized by Michael! What wonderful energy this lamp now has. I feel like I now have my own "Oscar" thanks to the great Michael G.