Watercolor and burlesque … a dreamy combination! This is the work of American artist Jacqui Morgan. Does her name sound familiar? It might, as she was one of the first women to work as a full time illustrator in the early 1960s… in fact, one of her claims to fame was a poster for New York’s iconic nightclub, Electric Circus! I received an email from her cousin, Barbara, submitting on behalf of Jacqui. She passed away in 2013 and Barbara is lucky enough to have some of these sassy ladies in her home {a significant remainder of Jacqui’s work went to the Norman Rockwell Museum.} Thanks so much to Barbara for reaching out – I love this work, and I love Jacqui’s inspiring story … Read Jacqui’s very full / interesting bio.

Oh, I am so doing this. In fact, my little sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project just arrived in the mail from the Brooklyn Art Library yesterday! Wanna do it too? Yes! We just missed the 2017 cut off, but I’m all in for 2018. Here are the ins and outs of this very cool project (est. 2006):

Gasp! “Antoinette // Flowerheads” is a mixed media series by Berlin based artist/illustrator Olaf Hajek. Now, I’ll admit that I’m a little late to the party … I believe he started this series in 2010, but when you find women covered in birds and flowers with mismatched eye color, you drop everything and share them immediately.

So, if you listen to my podcast, you know I’ve got a soft spot for funny art… combine that with hand-lettering, gouache, and some tacky cats and I’m all IN. I discovered the wonderfully kitschy work of Melbourne based artist Anna Hoyle last spring. Her paintings of book covers are hilarious and beautiful and I had to find out how and why she makes them. There also appeared to be a major detour in style and career around 2005 so I wanted to ask about that too, and I did. Listen right up there under that little hound with bad hair, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

First up, a few of my faves:

So much LOVE!

Now, here are her ink drawings from 2000-2005 that she was showing quite a lot. Gorgeous but so different than her work now:

She mentioned adding a bit of color when she started getting tired of black and white only, but it wasn’t enough for her. Enter her stacks of books painted in bright, beautiful gouache:

Oh, those little legs! And yes, this work finally allowed her to bring her sign painting skills into her fine art work. A few “sluggish frumps”, “Painting à la mode”, and of course, “Painting is for Pussies”.

Here are a few of her totally fictional, totally fabulous book covers … price tags and all:

Gah! I love everything, especially that last one! We talked a bit about why she loves books, but she sent me a follow-up email to explain it further, so I’ve included that here:

“I chose to paint books because they are gorgeous objects, but more importantly, they have this threatened and precarious quality in the digital age. I like to paint ‘how to’ and ‘why’ research kinda books because they are the very books that no one really turns to in the age of youtube/google … but, the whole point of my books are that they are about ridiculous, absurd subjects to research anyway.” 

Speaking of which…

Ha! Yes! Anna says she has plans for this jailed kale, so we’ll have to keep an eye on her shop!

During the Not-So-Speedy Speed Round™, I asked her if she was a “cat person” or a “dog person”… she answered “dog person”, but you can see why I wouldn’t be certain either way:

Kitschy cats and lots o’ hounds… her birds are fantastic too!

And finally, I asked if she could send me a few images from her childhood drawings, and what she dug up was hilarious! Turns out, Anna’s been “taking the piss” out of old advertisements, playing with funny text, and using bright colors longer than she realized:

“Beauty without the Beast” … HAHAHA! Sigh. Such a perfect way to wrap up this episode. Thank you so much to Anna for sharing her story {and seriously, how is she not already a full time illustrator!? Agencies, brands, etc… CALL. HER.} Thank you as always to Saatchi Art for supporting this episode, and BIG thanks to you for listening. There will be more art for your ear next weekend.

Other links:

1. Anna’s Print Shop
2. Maira Kalman
3. “Middlesex” by Jeffery Eugenides
4. Thea Astley, Australian writer

“Bounce Bounce” … the accidental epic adventure of a super cute bug. This is the work of Irish artist / illustrator Brian Fitzgerald. I love his illustration style, but what I love even more is this email he sent me a few days ago:

… I’d like to share a little on the inner critic. In 2013 it was at its worst and I was about to give up on illustration having been one for forever. I spotted a Competition called the Silent Book Contest in Italy and decided to give illustrating one last go. I did however make some rules for myself before starting and stuck by them all the way. One of them was that Brian the child should write the story and Brian the adult wasn’t allowed to make any changes no matter what. I wrote the story that day and in the evening Brian the adult started to pick flaws in the story. Thanks to the rule, I never allowed Brian the adult to impose and I went ahead and won the Silent Book 2014 in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. I guess my bully is Brian the adult and my creative is Brian the child. They get along thanks to the success and teamwork. Thanks for reading … Brian (the child)

I’m so glad that “Brian the adult” figured that out… and ended up on his very own epic adventure!

{And in case you’re wondering, “Can I buy this beautiful book!?” … yes, yes you can: buy it right here}

Seriously, I cannot handle how much I love these. Geometric coats, pompom skirts and, obviously I’m going to need that red bear … thing. These cozy folks are from a series, titled “Stay Warm”, by Budapest based artist/illustrator Ilka Mészely. Her Instagram feed is full of them, and there are a few very affordable prints available in her shop … go get one!

{via Artistic Moods}

If you are not experiencing this episode from Paris, brace yourself because you’re gonna wanna go! Artist, designer, author, shop owner, traveler, and mother (phewf) Cat Seto is my guest today. She owns the lovely shop & studio, Ferme à Papier, in San Francisco. However, as much as she loves the city by the bay, I am quite certain her heart belongs to Paris … and its pastries. You can listen to this episode right under that lovely little collection of all things Parisian, or you can subscribe on iTunes.

First, Instagram proof of a Cat in Paris:

Are you booking your flight? Yep, me too. (See, that was the photo on the balcony I mentioned… she looks very at home if you ask me!)

Next, a tiny peek at just a few of the gorgeous things (art prints, cards, planners etc) at her shop in San Francisco, Ferme à Papier:

Those shoes. I need this print maintenant!

So, along with everything else she does, Cat is also a mama… so how perfect was this collaboration?! Mom Inc., the inspiring, advice-filled book she co-authored with Meg Ilasco in 2012:

… and, the “Joie du Jour” line of loveliness that she also created with Chronicle Books, with of course, just a petite touch of Paris.

Well, clearly a petite touch wasn’t enough for Cat! Enter her new book (on shelves April 4, 2017 released by Harper Design), Impressions of Paris – An Artist’s Sketchbook:

Oh mon Dieu, so lovely. The book is broken up into four sections: color, pattern, perspective and rhythm … and it captures Paris beautifully. Well, not only does her book do that, so does her dreamy little shop & studio! Here’s a little look into Ferme à Papier’s HQ in San Francisco:

Ahhh… a bike in the window, navy walls, wood accents. Now, I wonder if she has any pastries in there? My money is on ‘YES’.

During the Not-So-Speedy Speed Round™ I asked Cat for her favorite dessert in Paris. She couldn’t name just one. Who’s surprised? Me either. Here are a few that she mentioned… illustrated!

Oui, oui, oui to all of that scrumptiousness! And, if those rainbow-hued macarons aren’t sweet enough for you, how ’bout this:

Aw, come on! The cutest! ♥ Thanks so much to Cat for taking time out of her insanely busy life to do this with me; thanks to Saatchi Art for supporting this episode, and big high-fives to you for listening! There will be more art for your ear next weekend.

Other links:

1. Ferme à Papier on Instagram
2. ParisToSF on Instagram
3. University of Michigan (Go Wolverines!) 
4. National Stationery Show, New York
5. Anthropologie
6. Alt Summit
7. Mom Inc. Book
8. Sylvia Weinstock Cakes
9. Kate Woodrow (book agent!) + her episode
10. Lisa Congdon LIVE episode
11. Japanese Paper Place
12. Saving Faces 

Underpants, tropical house plants, and a couple of tigers. Perfection. I don’t think I could choose a favorite from these mixed media pieces by Seoul-born, Brooklyn based artist Dan-ah Kim… BUT, if I had to pick, I’d go with “Fighting Stance” at the top of the post – because if you’re going to fight, you should always fight like a girl. #ShePersisted

{Some of these pieces are available in Dan-ah’s shop.}

Ah, unicorns and flowery boots bookended by cats on fancy chairs {ps. I have that IKEA lamp in my living room … for real.} This is the charming, pattern-filled work of Russian born, New York based artist/illustrator Yelena Bryksenkova. I love how she describes her work:

“My small pen and acryla gouache paintings are inspired by my love of home and the comfort of everyday objects, as well as more magical, mysterious and melancholy themes.”

Sigh. Lovely. You can find more of her work on her site, and in her shop.

{found via Lisa Congdon on Pinterest}

Ahhh… relaxing, gouachie goodness. This is the work of Australian artist, illustrator, and textile designer Sarah Strickland. Oh, so many lovely patterns, gorgeous botanicals, and bright pops of color living happily beside dreamy ice cream pastels. Sigh. Happy Monday.