Big News!

**Hi All! Just wanted to share with you all my current plan to re-brand my online shop - with the name of this blog! Stay tuned for the new website coming soon**

Dear Loyal Baby Lucas Followers, I have a big announcement to share with you! I've decided, after much thought and soul searching, that going forward the name of my online shop and kids art brand will (soon be!) Linzer Lane. I began Baby Lucas a little over a year ago, while pregnant with our son Leon. The goal was twofold - to offer adorable baby gifts and artwork to families, while working at home so I could care for our new little one full time. This past year I have used every single nap and hour of spare time to create, print, ship and market Baby Lucas. It has been a wonderful experience that has allowed me to continue my career as an artist, all while being assisted daily by my mini co-worker. My initial vision for Baby Lucas was to offer a wide array of gifts for baby (clothing, plush toys, books), but slowly I started in realize that you were mostly looking for something quite simple - darling art prints for your child's space. Not only that, but out of all the many things I was creating, you were most taken with the world of my of my Linzer Lane animal characters. 

*About Linzer Lane* In 2014 I moved abroad for two years with my husband to Salzburg, Austria. During that time I was enchanted with the lovely way of life there. The beautiful storefronts, immaculate cafes, alpine animals, and ornate holiday rituals. We lived on a street called 'die Linzergasse' - and I started to create characters that lived in an imaginary world inspired by our neighborhood. Ever since we moved back to the US in 2016, I have held and nurtured that experience within my artwork. I have grown to really love this little cast of animals, each with their own unique personality and story, and I hope their adventures will entertain and delight you throughout the year.

Can't wait for this new chapter to begin, and to continue offering you adorable artwork for little ones!

Much Much Love, Ashley (aka Lady Lucas ) & Leon (aka Moose)

The apple of my eye - 'Moose'

Jersey City Artist Studio Tour - NEXT WEEKEND!

Dear Friends of the Blog,

Come visit our open studio during the Jersey City Artist Studio next weekend!

Oct 5 & 6 | 12 - 5pm

150 Bay Street, Jersey City (9th Floor)

I’ll be offering my Baby Lucas line of artwork for sale, as well as other goodies!

Hope to see you there!

xox

Ashley

Zoe's Dream House featured in DollsHouse & Miniature Scene!

It was just about a year ago that this blog was featured in the magazine DollsHouse & Miniature Scene. Now, this March Zoe's Dream House is featured prominently under 'Reader Projects'! I'm so happy to welcome any new readers that are visiting here from this publication - please do leave a comment below and say hi :)

Here are a few pages from the feature... but to read more and purchase this awesome UK magazine visit their web store here.

I really appreciate all those that have followed my dollhouse makeover journey. I am still seeking a publisher for a book about this project, so feel free to share with anyone that may be interested!

xo Lady Lucas

New Logo for a New Year

For the new year I thought my art brand logo could use a little freshening up! I created the little character of myself a few months back, but thought it was missing something.

I've been very inspired by old vintage signs this year. Ever since we moved into the warehouse district in Jersey City, I've been noticing old worn lettering on buildings pretty much everywhere I look. It's something I've never noticed before... but now I see them everywhere - those lovely hand lettered signs from a bygone era that announce stationary, produce, clothing or pretty much anything you can think of. I thought it would be fun to come up with my own lettering that has a little old fashioned twist to it...

While teaching an art class this fall, one of my students asked how my 'art company' was doing. At first I just thought it just a cute comment to remember. Then I realized, even though I'm a "one girl band", my business really is like a small company churning out new art, products, lessons and content daily. It just felt right to add those words to my artist name - so there you have it!

I also wanted to share that starting in January I'll be posting a new blog every other week, to devote more time to art making (and selling!)

If you enjoy my blog, please share it with a friend this season. It would mean the world to me!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS + A JOYOUS 2018!

xox

Lady Lucas

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

The Picture Door Lady

Ever since we moved into our apartment this past March, I've added a new handmade wreath or watercolor to our door every four weeks. At first, I thought no one noticed, but then people in the building started referring to me as the 'the picture door lady'.

Therefore, now I really feel under the gun to create something cute each month... especially considering it's the holiday season!

So for December I've gone with a cut paper forest theme featuring a snowman, fox and owl. No other neighbors have decorations out yet, so I hope this inspires some other families to get out the glue, paper and scissors!

Have a holly, jolly week and stay tuned for more holiday crafts and cheer right here every Wednesday!

xo Lady Lucas

Happy Thanksgiving from Linzer Lane!

This is the first year ever my husband and I are hosting Thanksgiving. As usual, I'm most excited about the crafting!

I noticed a blog post online featuring the Macy's Day Parade as inspiration for Thanksgiving decor, and couldn't wait to try the concept out my own way.

I cut out seasonal balloons using card stock and just had to feature Iggie the Hedgehog. One of my lifelong dreams would be to see his image floating above NYC one day!

For the dining table I made mini 'balloons' fashioned after ones that will be in this year's parade.

I found this cutie at our local grocery store this week.

Recycled Halloween pumpkins look great painted with regular acrylic paint...

My cousin gave us this paint palette plate which is perfect for pumpkin display.

Now... let's see how mom and dad enjoy everything! Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends.

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

Open House This Weekend! JCAST 2017

My blog post is a few days late this week - because I've been busy as an autumn squirrel getting ready to participate with the Jersey City Artist Studio Tour 2017. 

I must admit, it's taken me two months to get my home studio prepped for this weekend! Not only has it been physically involved, but emotionally too. I have to give a special thank you to my husband and parents who really had my back this week as I pushed through the final last details.

David and I moved into our home only months ago, so it really was like working with a blank slate with lots of walls to cover and decorate, including this movable wall that I painted Iggie the hedgehog on ;)

Upon entering our space this weekend, you'll be greeted with lots of happy bats, a wall sized spider webs, happy ghosts, and a whole host of new artwork I've been furiously working on to get finished for the tour.

There's art and gifts available from $2 - $200 - so there's a little something for everyone's budget. PSST -  It's the perfect time to stock up on holiday gifts!

I can't believe the start of the tour starts in less than 24 hours! EEK!

If you have kids - bring them too! There's a fun Lady Lucas art table waiting for them to enjoy.

If you live in Jersey City, Hoboken or NYC - I'd love to cordially invite you the first ever Lady Lucas Open House during the Jersey City Artist Studio Tour.

October 14 + 15, 2017 | 12pm-5pm

150 Bay Street Lofts (near the Grove Street PATH)

xo Lady Lucas