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.