Meeting Martha

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting another one of my favorites: Martha Stewart!! She was visiting San Francisco to conduct a cooking demo and book signing @ Macy's in Union Square. If you haven't seen it yet, her latest book "Martha's Entertaining: A Year of Celebrations" is a spin-off from her classic 1982 "Entertaining" and is a textbook-sized, must-have beauty. 

I was ecstatic to be able to see Martha in person again. She is a great teacher, has a very warm and enthusiastic charm, and is a master at cooking in Manolos! In 2009, I had the opportunity to attend a taping of Martha in NYC the day before Thanksgiving. The episode featured how-tos on holiday dinner table decor and cracking open chestnuts, while Kanye and Jay-Z tunes kept the show bopping in between TV segments. At the end of the show, the audience went home with a Gel Pro mat and an assorted supply of Ziploc bags!

I knew the SF event would be a great opportunity to show Martha the paper faces I created of her and her two French Bulldogs. After an hour of waiting in line and dodging security guards, I finally had the chance to present my artwork to Ms. Martha. At first sight she lit up: "Oh my, soooo cute!" and I was just beaming (this perfectly captured moment can be seen in the 4th pic below). Martha immediately halted the book signing and instructed her team to get a picture of us with the piece. Unbelievable! A stream of cameras went flashing all around as Martha and I posed for a photo op. In a fit of excitement, I accidentally stepped right into her signature Birkin bag, almost crushing her brown crocodile iPad! Martha didn't notice and affectionately autographed my piece, even signing the names of her two beloved dogs while saying "Francesca and Sharkey are at home missing me right now! I then offered to create Martha a piece of her own and she immediately accepted! The domestic diva now has my business card and I will soon be busy creating her paper faces. I have never been more honored and thrilled in my life!

You can view official photos from Martha's SF Macy's event on Jenna Beth Photography's stunning blog: http://www.jennabeth.com/blog/martha-stewart-comes-to-macys-san-francisco-san-francisco-event-photographer/

Jenna, thank you for capturing such perfect moments from the event!

PIA MOOK: Pixar 25 Years of Animation Edition

This year's Pixar PIA MOOK Japanese magazine is now available exclusively in Japan! This special issue highlights the 25th anniversary of Pixar and features custom drawings from Hayao Miyazaki and my close friend John Lasseter, special interviews from Pixar filmmakers Dice Tsutsumi and Sonoko Konishi, custom artwork from Pixar animators, as well as a special art piece from Kelly B!

To my friends at PIA, I have enjoyed working with you over the years on these beautiful magazines and thank you for the exciting opportunity to be part of this special edition!

Mad Tea Party

I am honored to be a participating artist in the upcoming benefit exhibit for the CAAF: Children Affected By AIDS Foundation. Creative artists and designers from Mattel, Disney, Pixar and other entertainment companies are coming together to create and donate art to raise funds for children affected by AIDS. The theme of the show is "Inspired by Kids!". The show runs one weekend only Dec. 2nd thru 4th, 2011 @ R*W Creative Group, 1118 Abbot Kinney Blvd. Venice, CA 90291. If you are in the Venice neighborhood, come check it out!

On a recent trip to Disneyland, I went on the Mad Tea Party tea cups for the very first time. Not because I'm afraid of motion sickness, but because I rarely go to amusement parks (I'm highly phobic of most rides). But this experience was different: I was instantly taken in by the colors, designs, and shapes of the spinning spectacle. The busy blur of kids whirling by and the dizzy daze of the ride were all elements that inspired me to create this colorful paper piece. 

My Geisha

In honor of Cars 2, my little geisha car sends her love.

She can be seen in Japan's upcoming fall issue of PIA MOOK: Pixar 25 Years of Animation Edition!

happy print

monotype, Sharpie, crayon

city blocks

with no vacation in sight, I've arranged a series of "city blocks" of the cities I've recently traveled. 

it's been a trip down memory lane and a fun jigsaw puzzle. Enjoy!

Meatpacking District, NYC

Paris, France

Bologna, Italy

Malibu, CA

Terry Terrier

Terry is actress Shirley MacLaine's beloved Rat Terrier. I recently went to Shirley's film retrospective in LA and brought her a paper face of her pooch. She adored it, hugged it even! Shirley promised to put it in Terry's room as soon as they got back home to New Mexico. I am beyond thrilled that my paper creation is now at home with Shirley & Terry!

Toy Story 3 Oscar!

Toy Story 3 = Perfection

Me + Lee Unkrich + Oscar = Golden

photo vault

a collection of photos from my college photography days...all 35mm.

Proust Questionnaire

For anyone who has ever read the last page of Vanity Fair...

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being creative.

2. What is your greatest fear?

The unknown.

3. Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Martha Stewart. We both have a shy / serious streak. We adore cleaning & organizing. We're super crafty and perfectionist.

4. Which living person do you most admire?

Shirley MacLaine. She's multi-talented and has endless knowledge and curiosity. She tells it like it is and doesn't care what people think of her.

5. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Over-thinking everything.

6. What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Cattiness.

7. What is your greatest extravagance?

Shoes.

8. On what occasion do you lie?

I'm the world's worst liar.

9. What do you dislike most about your appearance?

My hair. It's always an awkward frizz mess.

10. When and where are you happiest?

On vacation in NYC.

11. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

My anxiety issues and procrastination habits.

12. If you could change one thing about your family what would it be?

The constant negativity.

13. What do you consider your greatest achievement(s)?

My strong artistic eye and passion for learning.

14. Which talent would you most like to have?

Athlete or dancer.

15. What is your most treasured possession.

My vivid memories. 

16. Where would you like to live?

I would like to dabble in NYC, LA, and Europe.

17. Who are your heroes in real life?

Martha Stewart and Shirley MacLaine, of course :)

18. What is it that you most dislike?

Olives.

19. How would you like to die?

In my sleep, like my grandmother.

20. What is your motto?

"Everything happens for a reason".