A Week in Pictures

Handmade ornament greeting cards - because I ran out of my printed greetings!

After thinking about it this morning, I realized a lot of little things, yet very special things happened in just one tiny week... Here are some pictures & captions to accompany them below. I hope you enjoy! 

The first snow day of the year. It was beautiful.

Adding tinsel to the windows.

I bought this magazine based solely on the cover!

Beautiful and vintage decorations at South House in Jersey City. My husband and I visited here on the snow day.

The Top 9 images people liked on my Instagram account during the year 2017.

A handmade gift for my niece who turned six years old this week.

Nature in the city.

Beautiful artwork by one of my new private art lesson students.

Our holiday meal at Hudson Hall - a giant pretzel, mushroom fries & a hummus platter. 

My favorite advent gift (so far!)

I hope you all are having a very special week!

xo Lady Lucas

Newest Whimsy City Revealed!

I had such a fun time creating whimsical artwork for two of my favorite cities - Jersey City & New York this fall, I was super happy to get the opportunity to recently create another skyline illustration. 

During the Jersey City studio tour I met a fellow picture book artist named Patricia Keeler, who offered to display some of my work during her Open House this coming weekend. Since Patricia's studio is in Hoboken, I thought it would be the perfect time to continue creating artwork for a city I've always loved: Hoboken, NJ.

Just like in my past 'Whimsy City Illustrations', every building and character has some sort of significance to my life.

This brownstone building is a rendition of one of my favorite homes on Hudson Street. I pass it every time I walk down that street to teach private art lessons.

Nothing says 'Hoboken' to me more than the clock tower, and my husband and I stayed at the W hotel after our engagement in 2012. It is a beautiful hotel and adds so much to the skyline.

My favorite new store in Hoboken is 'Little City Books'. They offer books for kids and adults and sell lots of cute things like cards and gifts as well.

Zinnie holding a cake from Carlo's Bakery - it is based on the one my husband ordered when I turned 30.

'Hoboken' and character art prints will be available for sale at Patricia's Open House on November 5. The 4" x 6" size is only $10 for a framed print- so stock up for Christmas! 

Additionally, you can purchase the art online here.

 

Can you spot Iggie Sinatra? ;)

Here's the info for Patricia's Open House this weekend - come on out and see her great books and art!

xo Lady Lucas

Linzer Lane's Whimsy City Collection

Iggie as a New Yorker ;)

I have really enjoyed creating some new watercolor artwork during the last few weeks. While walking to the train in Hoboken after teaching last week - I realized it would be even cooler to combine lots of different watercolor elements into landscape illustrations depicting cities I've lived and worked in or traveled to - thus the new 'Whimsy City Collection'.

I'm starting with Jersey City and New York City - but I'd also like to create a works of art for Hoboken, Lancaster, PA and Miami. All cities that I know quite well and love.

Putting some ideas together while sitting in Newport, Jersey City

Of course the common thread in each piece will be special appearances by my alpine Linzer Lane Characters: Iggie, Zinnie & Zoë. As you can see, I had fun turning Iggie into a fashionable New Yorker above :)

Newport Light House

Zoe as the Statue of Liberty!

The fountain in Van Vorst Park, Jersey City

NYC art lovers will recognize this building!

An ode to my family's grocery and lunch business from the 1930's in Jersey City- but modernized with a food truck theme. My mom has been telling me stories about Victoria's Lunch since I was a little girl.

I plan to finish my Jersey City cityscape first - and it will feature some of my favorite elements of the city. One entire half of my family is from Jersey City (my mom was born here and her parents as well) so it's great fun sticking in some references to them and their past businesses and endeavors.

Stay Tuned!

xo Lady Lucas

New Watercolor Collection

I've been starting a new practice of creating artwork before 'computer work' and 'teaching work' every day. I know it sounds like a no-brainer for an artist - but this is new for me!

 All of my new work is inspired by my Linzer Lane characters. Of course I can visualize Zoe as a sassy fashionista - and Zinnie as a calm and happy gardener.

I was inspired this month after visiting New York City gift and card stores, to create something new, colorful and fresh. All of these designs are available as 'print on demand' items and I hope to add them to my greeting card range too.

Shop the New Watercolor Collection

Is there a certain subject you'd love to see me paint? Comment below! I'm happy to give it a go during my next painting session...

xo Lady Lucas

Spring Cleaning

I thought it was high time to do a little blog 'spring cleaning' this week, so I hope you enjoy the new:

ABOUT PAGE

&

GIFT SHOP

xo Lady Lucas

Japan Day Poster Artwork

A few months ago I entered a poster contest for Japan Day in Central Park. I wanted to share my entry with you because I honestly had a lot of fun coming up with a concept and painting the little sailor squirrel on the boat. I think he might make a cute nursery wall print or something of the like... hmmm ;) Anywho - the poster design was supposed to incorporate New York, Central Park and Japanese culture. I figured it should also highlight cherry blossoms.

If  you're curious to see who won the poster contest, you can check out Japan Day's website here!

xo Lady Lucas

How to Draw Iggie - The Video

Click me to watch!

This week, the Linzer Lane experts are taking a little break so I can share with you this short video featuring my drawing process for Iggie the Hedgehog. Iggie appears in my upcoming picture book, Iggie's Gingerbread. He's a jolly little fellow who loves to bake and eat cookies daily.

Like all of my artwork, Iggie starts with a light pencil sketch, followed by a thin tipped Sharpie outline, then colored with either regular or watercolor colored pencils.

So, enjoy the video and don't forget to join my e-list, so you don't miss out on a lovely Iggie inspired free printable this September!

xo Ashley

PS - A big thank you to SCBWI's Eastern Penn Points blog & As the Eraser Burns for inspiring this special picture book themed post today! If you are a visiting SCBWI blogger, please leave your info below so we can check out your work!