Ink Print Repeat by Andrea Lauren: 2012

Goodbye 2012

As the sun sets on 2012 I find myself looking back on an amazing year. More than ever, I am excited about what has happened and what's to come in 2013. Reflection is a part of the growing process that I don't spend nearly enough time on, so I am excited to take it all in and start 2013 with a renewed sense of adventure. Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013.

Painting Studio

My painting class wrapped up on Wednesday night with a lovely open studio get together. It was fun to see all the works up on the walls but bittersweet that it was our last meeting. I finished up these two paintings in the previous week and they were the ones that people told me they liked best, which seems fitting. I'm really excited about the direction my painting has gone throughout this class and can't wait to make more art next year.

Lithography Class by Andrea Lauren

I've been taking a Lithography class for the past few months. The class wraps up next week and I've been trying to squeeze as much time in the studio as I can before the end. It's been an interesting and sometimes trying experience, but a valuable one nonetheless. I'll be scanning my pieces soon, but until then, here are a few snapshots of the studio space.

Painting

I shared a few of my new paintings a while back and have been experimenting further with colors and designs. Here a few pieces that I've finished up in painting class. The first was an assignment to paint a portrait of a chair. The second is an abstract landscape inspired by an aerial photograph of Dover and the third is for an assignment to find 10 colors on a leaf.

Arctic Fox

Despite the tropical weather we've had lately in NYC, I've been looking forward to winter and created this Arctic Fox piece last week. Arctic landscapes are always synonymous with the works of Sibelius. Like many others, Symphony No. 2 is one of my favorite Sibelius works.

Geometric Patterns - Hip Fabric Design by Andrea Lauren

Some new patterns I designed around my geometric fox that are now available in my Spoonflower shop.

Painting

I love painting. I've been following along with a class, trying out new techniques and painting things I wouldn't normally do without direction. I'm loving the freeing feeling of being outside my comfort zone.

Here are two large format paintings I've done for that class.

La Mer

Debussy's La Mer, and any piece of music written in the 'Impressionistic' style of composition, creates many possibilities for visual imagery to accompany the wonderful tonal colors. This piece has been on the top of my favorites list for a long time and I continue to hear new things at each listening. Currently available in my shop as an 11x17 poster and on my Society6!

Here's the 3rd movement of La Mer.

Purchase prints here.

Adventure Awaits

This new 'Adventure Awaits' piece is a remake of an illustration 'Stump Camp' I did a long time ago and the very beginning of this whole journey. Currently available in my shop as an 11x17 poster and Society6.

Here's a great piece 'John Henry,' composer as a radio score, by Aaron Copland which is new to me as a listener. I thought this composer's music might fit well with an outdoor sort of theme since it is often delving into the genres of nature and Americana; there is something about camping in tents that seems so quintessentially 'American.'

The Sound of Music: The Hills are Alive

The final piece in this collection of four is based on 'The Hills are Alive.' I've used an acoustic guitar design to create the musical hills. Available here in my shop as an 11x17 poster and on Society6

From the film version with Julie Andrews . . .

Purchase prints here.

The Sound of Music: My Favorite Things

The next poster in The Sound the Music inspired series of four is based on 'My Favorite Things.' This one was a lot of fun to make and the imagery from the lyrics fit so perfectly into a great visual collection. Check it out here at my shop as an 11x17 poster and on Society6

Coltrane's version of 'My Favorite Things' has become iconic in its own right. I can't get enough of his playing and this performance has great energy and drive; the set is great, too!

Purchase prints here.

The Sound of Music: Climb Every Mountain

I've got a new set of four posters inspired by one of all-time favorite movies--The Sound of Music. First up is inspired by 'Climb Every Mountain.' This one is now available in my shop as an 11x17 poster and on Society6.

Here's a cool version by Coleman Hawkins. There are many other jazz greats who have used these Rodgers and Hammerstein songs as inspiration.

Purchase prints here.

Violin

A companion piece for yesterday's 'Piano' design. In my time teaching classroom music I would often play violin. The instrument is incredibly beautiful when played correctly, but I could not say that was the case when it was under my chin. Available in my shop as an 8.5 x 11 poster and three print sizes on Society6.

The Turtle Island String Quartet has been around for some time now and they just keep sounding great even with new members. Here's their new take on Coltrane's version of 'My Favorite Things.'

Purchase prints here.

ARTNOIS art and music magazine

Exciting news . . . ARTNOIS has selected me as their Louis Armstrong contest winner! This great magazine features lots of the local art and music scene of Southern California. It is an absolute honor to be included and I cannot be more thankful. Here is the complete edition and the pages from my interview are shown below. Thanks so much to the people of ARTNOIS!

'The Foresters' - Music and Animal Illustration by Andrea Lauren

Here's a new piece I've been putting together: 'The Foresters.' I am liking the color gradient from dark to light and these bears are particularly jolly.

I am also a huge sucker for Piazzolla's music. Check out this great ensemble piece.

Work in progress

Works in Progress on my Desk.

Smoky Mountain Gypsy Jazz - Illustration by Andrea Lauren

I've got another piece to share! This one combines two of my favorite themes: musicians and nature. I recently saw a gorgeous photo of the Smoky Mountains at sunset and had to take inspiration from the rolling hills for this animal duo. I can imagine them playing some Gypsy Jazz in the evening.