Good news, My "Baby Blu" painting is part of this years 28th annual juried art exhibit, Art Show at the Dog Show! http://www.artshowatthedogshow.com/   This painting depicting my favorite frenchie monster puppy, with his curious intense gaze was painted in india and sepia ink washes with hints of white watercolor on hand selected artisan paper. It is available for purchase. Please direct inquiries to colleen@colleenlodge.com

"Henry" the tall and regal Park Ave pup was painted in india and sepia ink washes with hints of white watercolor on hand selected artisan paper. I warmly accepted this private commission.

"Tinker Bell" the poodle is an aging beauty featured in her signature red sweater.  Painted in india and sepia ink wash with hints of white watercolor on hand selected artisan paper.  Private commission.

Norwegian Fjord Horse

Sepia Suite No.4 – Norwegian Fjord Horse has been juried into the American Academy of Equine Art’s, "2008 Fall Open Juried Exhibition” in Lexington, Kentucky. The show runs from September 20 through November 2, 2008 at the William G. Kenton Gallery located at the International Museum of the Horse at the Kentucky Horse Park.

http://www.aaea.net/2008fallshow/default.htm

The painting is part of the "Sepia Suite" series. Please read the Zebra Plains Foal post to find out more about the "Sepia Suite" series!

Balto Sculpture in Central Park, NYC

Everyday in central park dogs are allowed to run off leash before 9 am. This is a sight to behold, as the park becomes their backyard. I took Ashby, a seven-month-old Bernese Mountain Dog and in return he introduced me to a monument of his hero, Balto.

Balto, a Siberian Husky, was the lead sled dog during the 1925 diphtheria antitoxin serum run to Nome Alaska. On December 17, 1925 Balto attended, the unveiling of Frederick Roth’s sculpture in New York City. The bronze statue is perched on top of a rock. A low relief plaque on the stone depicts Balto's sled team, and bears the following inscription: “Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome in the Winter of 1925.” Endurance · Fidelity · Intelligence

The monument is located next to the Willowdell Arch in Central Park. From East Drive and 67th street park entrance follow the path leading north from the Central Park Zoo.

Przewalski Horse

Two artworks, Przewalski Horse and Giraffe, have been juried into the Fourth Annual Juried Art Show, "Drawn from Nature" in Audubon, PA. The show will be on display during April 2008 at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove's, site of Audubon's first home, 240-year old stone barn's upper level.

Both paintings are part of the "Sepia Suite" series. Please read the Zebra Plains Foal post to find out more about the "Sepia Suite" series!

The Maritime Hotel, La Bottega, NYC

Today I present a special “His and Hers” installment of Love letter to NYC.

“Hers” … Exactly three years ago today two of my friends, Sonya and Scott, went on their very first date. They choose to meet at the glamorous Chelsea hotel’s bar and trattoria, La Bottega. Sonya remembers getting to know Scott while patio dining under the warm light of the Chinese lanterns.

The Maritime Hotel is located in Chelsea at 16th street and 9th Ave. Once the headquarters for the National Maritime Union, the redesign of the building included nautical architectural elements, namely the unique round porthole-style windows.

The nautical aesthetic comes full circle, because today the happy couple is getting married at Stage 6, located within the historic Brooklyn Navy Yard. I’m looking forward to the celebration and sharing in their happiness!

New Side - Necked Turtle, Mali Skull Fossil

I was delighted to receive in my inbox a copy of the publication, American Museum Novitates (2007), Acleistochelys, a New Side – Necked Turtle (Pelomedusoides: Bothremydidae) from the Paleocene of Mali. I had rendered figures 2 – 5 for this project two years ago. Fig 5 is shown above and the tonal; drawing of the partially restored ventral view of the skull can be viewed on my webpage. This project was a unique experience because I closely interacted with Senior Scientific Staff Illustrators at the American Museum of Natural History, a welcomed change from the normal solitary lab environment!

Rhino

Thank you to the Canadian who recently purchased "Rhino," part of the "Sepia Suite" series. I am delighted that it's found an honored place in your private art collection. Please read the Zebra Plains Foal post to find out more about the "Sepia Suite" series!

Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NYC

Yesterday I met some friends for brunch at Landmarc in the time warner building. Afterwards we took a stroll in the rain over to the Lincoln Center. I couldn’t resist walking past the lobby of the Metropolitan Opera House to glimpse the Marc Chagall paintings, and the Austrian crystal chandeliers. While reminiscing about my experiences at the Ballet and Opera it occurred to me that amid performances I have also frequented this area to view the Christmas tree lights, and attend swing dancing, jazz and street fair events. This truly is one of my favorite spots in Manhattan. The complex is located at Columbus Avenue between 62nd and 65th Streets.

The Dakota, NYC

The last few days were spent cat sitting, Theo, for friends. I relished waking up in their Upper West Side flat and then walking to work! On the way I passed by the Dakota Apartment building located on Central Park West and 72nd Street. Crowned with a steeply pitched slate and copper roof,  this terracotta beauty stood apart as a wintertime jewel.

Sugar Sweet Sunshine, NYC

Tomorrow is Leap Day! This calls for a trip to my favorite bakery, Sugar Sweet Sunshine. I’ll purchase a few cupcakes and give them to friends, haven’t done this since my birthday! The super cozy bakery and cafe is located on 126 Rivington Street between Essex and Norfolk. One bite of their Sassy Red Velvet cup cake is defiantly worth the trek to the Bowery/LES.

Radio City Music Hall, NYC

My Christmas leftover! Every year I make a pilgrimage to view the Holiday decorations at the Rockefeller Center Complex. I was surprised to see that the Radio City Music Hall wasn’t adorned with her toy soldiers. Instead gold numbers announcing the 75th anniversary of its signature show, the Christmas Spectacular, was in its place! In celebration of this achievement I rendered this years garnishes and added some of the soldiers from years past! The Hall is located on Sixth Avenue between 50th and 51st streets.

Zorro

“Zorro,” pet portrait of a Yorkie drawn in pen and ink, private collection. Zorro was adopted from the ASPCA over a year ago. This sweet loving Yorkie now enjoys walking in Central Park and snuggling with his human subjects. His dainty movements when walking and resting gave him a royal air. I just adored the way he crosses his legs while lying down and in my opinion the pose exemplifies his nobleness. 

The Zoo Giraffe

The painting "Giraffe" in sepia ink wash was posted for this week's Illustration Friday theme, "the zoo". It is also part of the "Sepia Suite" series. Please read the Zebra Plains Foal post to find out more about the "Sepia Suite" series!

Mikie

“Mikie,” pet portrait of a poodle drawn in pen and ink, private collection. This latest commission was fun because of those fluffy ears!

Flatiron Building, NYC

When the sun starts to set in Manhattan I enjoy going to Madison Square to glimpse the yellow light rays illuminating the west face of the Fuller Building or, the Flatiron Building, while the east face slides into shadow. Plus I can't help but admire what once was one of the tallest buildings in NYC. The building sits on a triangular island block at Broadway, Fifth Avenue and 23rd Street.

"Grow" Corgi Puppy

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi puppy illustration was created for this week's Illustration Friday theme, "grow". I've been fussing over the style of my Children's Book art lately and this was a perfect way to play a little and have fun!

Gray's Papaya, UWS NYC

In celebration of my dearest friend’s birthday I have illustrated his favorite hotdog joint. He is not a huge fan of hot dogs, so I’m not sure whether it’s the taste, the fact that they are dirt cheap or the value of the recession special that has captured his fancy. His favorite Gray's Papaya is on Broadway and 72nd street!

The Dairy in Central Park, NYC

Temperatures in NYC hovered in the 80’s this week. I took advantage of summer’s come back by strolling through Central Park. Nestled in the park is one of my favorite buildings, a visitor center called The Dairy. The Victorian Gothic structure has an open loggia which provided ample shade and benches, perfect for this artist to sit and view the gardens and Wollman Rink.