Are you familiar with the children’s books, If you give a Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, by Laura Numeroff? They were some of my favorites of my daughter’s picture and illustrated books. Charming stories of one thing leads to the next, and all the craziness that ensues.

It reminded me of a recent sketchbook piece I did that started as a warm up sketch as I was working out how to represent 1960’s mod raincoats. I wanted to capture the boldness, the mid century color palette, the facelessness so it can be anyone. It went through myriad of stages, sizes and variations. And, a friend saw one of the sketchbook pieces I did, fell in love - and bought it right out of my sketchbook!

She framed it in a cute square frame (I love square frames) and it found a home on her bookshelf.

A month or so later I met a friend of hers at their holiday party and she asked what kind of art I made - I explained I work mostly in watercolor and ink, and I pointed to the shelves to show her an example.

She loved it, showed her husband - and they asked to commission one inspired by their daughter. She had an adorable photo of her on the phone with a pink umbrella, a fluffy tutu over leggings, a flower on her hat - and boots. A bright spot of pinks, peaches and purples brightening the rainy day she was standing in!

I was really happy with the result of the commission - and so were they! This is a 10x10 frame which they will display on bookshelves too.

It was great fun to make these and to follow this unexpected path. But I will go where the boots, the raincoats - and the moose - take me!!

All these colorful illustrations are helping to distract me from the ongoing grey dreary weather in New Jersey. But I am immersing myself in color as I am currently preparing for a new 3 woman art exhibit that is set to open the first weekend in March. Stay tuned for more information…

All the best,

Erin