faboolosity

Local Primitive Wall Art

2012-02-01T01:48:00.000-05:00

Secret New Project

2012-01-31T08:10:00.001-05:00

It's a MAGAZINE.

It will be printed on PAPER.

I am beyond EXCITED.

(so is my stapler.)

House for Sale

2012-01-22T16:51:00.000-05:00

It has been 3 years since I blogged this house tour...

The comments and the love that this house inspired were overflowing.

And now my dear friend Magpie is ready to sell her mother's house.

As much as it breaks my heart, it must be sold.

So if you know of anyone interested in living
in this beautiful work of art home, in a fairytale haven community,
please let us know.

In the end, I truly believe the house will choose who lives there next.

xoh

Broker listing

About our town

Mom's Art

2011-12-29T09:02:00.001-05:00

My Mom was always talented.

When we were growing up, she sewed every curtain,
bedspread and throw-pillow.

She sewed my jumpers and knit my sweaters.

There were needlepoint tapestries that took her 2 years to do...

And the wallpaper in the playroom! She drew the entire thing herself.

Now that she is in her 80's and has Dementia, she has taken up painting.

I wish she knew how beautiful these are...

Me. In 25 years.

2011-12-27T15:07:00.002-05:00

Shooting from The Hip.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T17:16:00.001-05:00

Hope Floats

2011-11-19T11:02:00.001-05:00

Mist

2011-11-10T11:10:00.001-05:00

Happy Fall, You All.

2011-11-05T17:25:00.003-04:00

Fame.

2011-11-04T07:08:00.001-04:00

This week, my Halloween photo was selected for the front page
of our local paper.

It thrilled me beyond belief. Which is funny,
because there were a couple of decades in my life,
where my design work was on newsstands all over the world.

I'm excited for the kids :-)

Some Shop Window Pics

2011-10-22T09:16:00.000-04:00

This was the shadow of the type from the window,
on the painting in the window.

Alphabet Series: T

2011-10-21T11:37:00.003-04:00

Angry Bird Cucumber

2011-10-14T14:25:00.001-04:00

Shooting from The Hip: 1/2 lb. of Light Liverwurst

2011-10-06T14:33:00.001-04:00

Goodbye, Summer

2011-09-26T20:24:00.005-04:00

Montauk, New York

2011

Healthy Dinner for The Work-At-Home Mom Graphic Designer

2011-09-21T08:14:00.001-04:00

Salad. Because you sit on your buttocks for hours
in front of your Mac.

Edamame. It's cool just saying *edamame* and it reminds you of
when you lived in the village.

Yellow Pepper. Always have contrasting colors in your food.

Almonds. Crunchy. Chew them carefully and your salad
will last longer.

Baked & Breaded Fishies. Protein. (you know you love 'em!)

Design Post: Barter with Belle Jewelry

2011-09-07T15:10:00.004-04:00

When Claudine asked me if I would consider bartering with her, I screamed YES!!!!

Here are some of the logo sketches I did for her jewelry company:

(Click to enlarge.)

If the color palette looks familiar, it's because
I swiped it from her HOUSE.

I'm sneaky like that.

She went with this as the final design.

It had the right amount of beadiness & whimsy.
(Here it is on the business cards I made for her.)

Locals: Claudine will have a table
at the Women's Expo on October 6, 2011.

And in return, she gave me these gorgeous, glittery necklaces!

This one was inspired by PBS's "Downton Abbey."

It makes my bodice snap & my heart flutter just thinking about it.
I'm working on a swap for matching earrings....

Many thanks to Vicki, (my Bus Stop Alliance) for modeling.

Inspiration

2011-08-18T22:19:00.002-04:00

This is my friend. I am in awe of her strength and her will.

I took this portrait of her head, because she thought losing her hair

would be the hardest part. She has given away so much of herself,

but it hasn't left her empty.

Instead, it keeps her alive and laughing. Fighting. Writing.

This is my Hub's head.

I study heads more now, than ever before.

Spot Color

2011-08-09T18:35:00.002-04:00

My friend lives here, in this beautiful house,
where she makes beautiful things by hand.

As an artist, I understand the importance of choosing
the right color...

and how it can change the mood of a room.

She has carefully blocked out her experiments

all over the house...

and in the yard.

This is a source of embarrassment for her, but I loved seeing it.

I love the process of it,
I love seeing how she thinks it through,
with color swatches in the light, AND in the shadows.

and I'd love her to come to my house and do it to my walls.

But not as a color experiment. As art itself.

Shooting from the Hip: Fishing with Grandma

2011-08-07T16:25:00.002-04:00

Alphabet Series: Y on the Line

2011-08-05T10:58:00.000-04:00

Alphabet Series: Lowercase t. Ital.

2011-07-30T07:38:00.002-04:00

Summer Daze

2011-07-18T11:21:00.004-04:00

SO many people ask me (a mother of 3 little kids)
what do you DO all day, now that the kids are in camp?

The truth is, as soon as the kids get on that bus,
I break out the Mad Men Barbies.

And then Roger & Joan get it on like it's 1963.

With attitude.

(thank you, Annie!!!!)

Avant Guarde A...

2011-07-15T11:20:00.002-04:00

In the shadow of the summer sun on the back screen door.
(For my Alphabet Series.)

On the Fence with a Cap E

2011-07-12T13:35:00.002-04:00

Shooting from the Hip: The 4th in Pictures

2011-07-05T21:09:00.006-04:00

(the following pics were all shot with my Samsung Fascinate android phone.)

When Tweeters Lunch...

2011-06-25T08:18:00.000-04:00

...they race to tweet the fruit.

I See Things.

2011-06-23T02:16:00.000-04:00

Mom Blogger

2011-06-16T21:28:00.021-04:00

(from my pancake series, 2007-2008)

I'm designing some event graphics for an upcoming NYC tech show,
and one of the conferences caught my eye:

10:00 am-10:30 am: How to Work with Mom Bloggers
This panel of three influential mom bloggers will tell you how they like to work with CE brands. What works, what doesn’t work, and how they approach covering technology.

At first sight I took offense to the title.
It implies that we are a mysterious and persnickety bunch...
Difficult to work with. Need to be handled.

Is this true??!!
Certainly we're no mystery. The whole world has seen our
rants and raves, laughed at our poo stories
and kept us company through the
Long Winter of Too Many Snow Days.

I have spent 4 years being a woman + artist + mom + blogger,
and there are so many things I learned...

How being a blogger changed the way I mother.
How being a Mom forced me to slow. the. frig. down.
How it changed the way I see as an artist.
How I share what I see with my kids. And the world.
How I connected to other like-minded artists and moms,
and how having these people in my life make it richer on a daily basis.

I'm curious how the panel will say we approach technology.
If they ask me, it's simple:
Is it easy to use?
Can I click & send?
Is it durable?
Does it fit in my pocket?
Do I have to charge it more than once a day?

I'll be there, this thursday.
It's free.
Join me?
There might be goody bags.

It starts at 10:00 am.
Register on-site @ 7 West 34th Street.

Signs of Rapture. Or Zombies.

2011-05-25T16:38:00.003-04:00

Seen on the side of the road...

and then upon closer inspection...

(click image to enlarge.)

Crack Plants In the Siding

2011-05-20T19:50:00.002-04:00

A Crooked Little House...

2011-05-15T19:48:00.002-04:00

I am drawn to this little house with the
crooked window, satellite dishes, and pigeon brothel.

Mineola, New York.

"Woman Dances Alone in the Kitchen"

2011-05-13T14:01:00.001-04:00

Teabag Art.
Medium: Teabag. Paper plate. Pop-tart crumbs.

Slow Start Today...

2011-05-09T10:36:00.000-04:00

Shrooms.

2011-05-04T16:28:00.000-04:00

Is Tom's Car Trying to Tell Him Something?

2011-04-29T12:07:00.001-04:00

Alpha T (for Spring)

2011-04-26T15:15:00.001-04:00

Leaf Skeleton

2011-04-21T11:34:00.003-04:00

I am obsessed with leaf skeletons...
Maybe because the tough winter that nearly slayed me,
made them more beautiful.
You can see more here.
and here.

Chai Moon

2011-04-20T09:25:00.001-04:00

A Chair. Tied to a Tree. In the Fog. By the Sea.

2011-04-12T10:49:00.000-04:00

Pyrex Study

2011-04-05T14:16:00.003-04:00

I was emptying the dishwasher,

and the silver sky worked it's magic on this old set of pyrex.
Makes me miss the darkroom.

Dear Anonymous:

2011-04-04T15:54:00.002-04:00

Sorry about the delay in announcing the winner of the "Free Book Cover Design" contest.
The winner was chosen, but did not respond to 3 emails.
We were working on choosing a runner-up, and life got in the way. (family, work... life.)
We'll get on it when we can,
Thanks for understanding!
xoh

Flirty Red Lamp

2011-04-03T12:29:00.003-04:00

For Scotty, my Brother-in-Law.
(a kindred soul.)

Monitor Well

2011-04-01T13:55:00.001-04:00

Oh, The Indignity of the Shop Cat...

2011-03-29T11:06:00.000-04:00

... yet again.

Don't Look Up...

2011-03-27T11:53:00.001-04:00

Look down.

Spring Snow

2011-03-24T07:17:00.000-04:00

Back.

2011-03-19T06:52:00.002-04:00

Sorry for my unexplained absence...

My elderly parents were ill and needed some help.
This vary large painting hung in the lobby of the hospital.
Would it be a comfort to you?

Or would you stare at it & think...wtf?

Alphabet Series: J

2011-03-06T18:34:00.002-05:00

From Jean & Sam's wedding.

Rules for a Happy Marriage

2011-03-05T08:19:00.003-05:00

We're off to see two of my friends get married today.

While they seem so perfect for each other in their
own quirky, bizarre and hysterical way,
I know that there will be rough spots,
and I want to make sure they get through them ok.
Which brings me to the instructions that
came in the envelope with OUR marriage license,
11 years ago.
They are dog-earred from hanging on
several refrigerators too long,
but they need to be seen, because these rules are ALL true.
And while the Hubs and I would argue over
who does or doesn't follow which rule,
we are still together going strong,
as I hope that these friends will be in the next decade
& several decades to come:

Face in The Floor

2011-02-21T16:34:00.000-05:00

"Finish Your Homework, We're Going to the Beach."

2011-02-17T21:24:00.005-05:00

I had always admired this beach from a distance.

So when it appeared before me in all it's gigantic-ness,
It completely blew me away.

Here it was, on the morning of this very same day...
taunting me through a keyhole.
See that tiny tree?

Not so tiny when you stand in front of it.

"Mama, is this a REAL rock wall?"
and "Can we climb it?"

Yes.

There were messages in the sand...

Ruins...

Footsteps.

and promises made that we would come back.

Thaw.

2011-02-17T11:07:00.003-05:00

Name this Fruit

2011-02-16T10:01:00.003-05:00

The varmints picked these out at the store.
The Hubs brought them home.
I shot this for his Valentine's Day card.
Then the varmints ate them. All.

Alpabet Series: Script e

2011-02-10T14:05:00.001-05:00

Georges Briard Obsession continued....

2011-02-09T11:55:00.005-05:00

That first time I saw this cutie at the local thrift shop, it was labeled:
"George Bernard Glass Dish, $30"
I was torn... do I correct their spelling of his name? Nah.
Today I went back, and it was marked: " Butter Fly Plate, $3."
I snatched it.

Shooting from The Hip: Classic Pizza Joint

2011-02-03T02:49:00.001-05:00

Local Postman, sitting at the counter of Frank's Pizza.

(shot with my cell phone.)

Bunny Bunny

2011-02-01T02:43:00.004-05:00

For the past few decades, Gretchen and I have been saying
"Bunny Bunny" on the first of every month.
It's an old New England Tradition.
Also, this month marks the celebration of the Chinese New Year,
Year of The Rabbit.
Both of us being extremely visual people,
our Bunny Bunny has morphed into
more of a photo contest, then a greeting.
My eyes are tuned to find the bunnies in everything.
Even window shutters.

Car windows,

In January, I drew her a bunny around
the freckle on my hand, and sent that to her.

One year, a baby bunz came to stay in my front yard,
and I sent updates daily:

(baby bunny lick-bath)

She has sent me bunny hand towels, chopstick rests,
links to a million things bunny, and SO much more.

So, please help me make this a lucky month,
and go say "Bunny Bunny" to Gretch on twitter.
Tell her I sent you.

@G_Roll

Mwah!

Shooting From the Couch: Elena

2011-01-24T19:45:00.008-05:00

This is my friend Elena.

Everything good that is here,
began with her.
The varmints must sense that, because they adore her.

Her superpower is martial arts.
She also enjoys the NY Mets & Latin Dance.

(I shot these with my cell phone.)

I Want to Design Your Book Cover for Free.

2011-01-11T03:12:00.006-05:00

Why?

Because lately, I've been waxing poetic about print.

I like the smell of new books and old books.
I love how magazines sound when I flip through them.
I still read the Sunday New York Times ON PAPER.

Although I have
designed at least 200 magazines, and many brochures,
logos and promotional materials,

I have only designed one Book Cover:

Take a chance.
Save your budget.
Help a friend round out her portfolio.
Get something for FREE.
Enter now...

Giveaway Rules:
Leave me a comment below, describing the book you need a cover for.
If only one person responds, YOU WIN.
If more than one person responds,
Jean will help me choose the winner.
(THANKS, JEAN.)

The *winner will receive no less than 3 original sketches,
and upon approval, one final print-ready, book cover file.

*The winner will need to have to have the authority from a
legitimate publisher to hire me, of course.

A Clue! A Clue!

2011-01-06T15:10:00.001-05:00

My Laughing Manhole

2011-01-04T09:55:00.002-05:00

New Year's Day

2011-01-02T08:19:00.003-05:00

Happy Old Year

2010-12-31T11:33:00.004-05:00

As I closed out my books for the year, I started thinking:
What a Happy Old Year it was!
For so many reasons...

My varmints are flourishing.
We've been lucky, and I really appreciate that.

My business is doing better than ever.

I got to enjoy good food, good friends and family...
Including all the new friends and family I have
made through blogging and twitter.
(You know who you are.)

Walking almost every day has made me healthier.

I take some of my best pics during my walks.

And by my side, as always, supporting my work, my art,
my blogging, my tweeting... is THIS guy.
I couldn't do it without him.
Plus, look at those arms.

I wish you folks out there the happiest of New Years.
May this next year be filled with more joy than the last.
xoh

Graphic Design Advice in Tough Times

2010-12-28T16:34:00.008-05:00

Every once in awhile, I like to post
about Graphic Design.
This blog is supposed to be about Graphic Design.

I realize that these are hard times for designers
(and anyone freelancing, writing, etc.)
Here's some advice.

If you are working on NOTHING, for no one,
work for FREE for SOMEONE.

Two summers ago, I had a slow work week,
and decided to host a "Win a FREE Logo Giveaway."
Katherine won.
This is how it came out.
Katherine took her logo and ran with it.
The work we did together, has now grown into
paid business for both of us.

Try it once, for someone worthy of your talent.
It's good karma.

Recent email from Katherine:

Hello Dear Heidi!
Happy Holidays!
I had a great time at the craft fair
and it was really exciting to get me and my stuff out there as an herbalist.
I NEVER would have done it without your
gorgeous graphics AND your inspirational generous support.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you!

Even the products I sold were created
because you requested a price list
Editor's Note: (I couldn't help it... crows were following me everywhere.
When I shot them, I imagined them on a price list, so I designed one.)
so I had to make up what I would sell.
And now I made it and people seem to like it.
So fun!
I sent along a little package of stuff to you yesterday with no time for a note.
I hope you like the crow lady products you helped create!

The tinctures are tasty and fun to take.
They are safe for kids and the kids really seem to like them!
Hope they work some magic in your house.
The vanilla needs a few more weeks of soaking,
shake it up and it will be great for baking in the new year!
Blessings,
Katherine

Bathroom Reno: Dot Floor

2010-12-22T14:56:00.002-05:00

The tub & the dot floor are in.

Shooting from The Hip: Pic Inside a Pic

2010-12-21T02:24:00.001-05:00

Was so enamored of this funky bathroom wall,

that I didn't realize the perfect portrait I took of friend Vicki,
who is 7 months pregnant, and looking faboo.

The Problem with Being Me...

2010-12-20T03:42:00.001-05:00

... is that I could be on my way up the stairs to get X,

and suddenly see something magical.

Like this reflection on the wall.

So I run to get my camera before the magic light fades...

and then I completely forget what I was going up the stairs for.
But I remember to blog about it.

Oh, The Indignity

2010-12-18T13:48:00.001-05:00

Shooting from the Hip: 12/12/10....

2010-12-12T08:25:00.004-05:00

Or: House of The Spirits, Revisited

We went back to my favorite house last night for a holiday party.
This time, I only had my phone camera to shoot with.

The slight blur caught even more spirit, I think.
(I spy Pinky in the ball!)

Here's Magpie's bro looking very JT at the piano.
He & his friend played an impromptu concert in the library.
You can tell the books are listening.

I imagine that these same decorations appear in their places,
year after year, decade after decade.

The house was bursting with friends, family and neighbors.
There were children racing up and down the staircase,
belly-laughing in the kitchen, cats hiding in closets,
cookies in the dining room,
and whispering in the corners.

Thanks for having us, Magpie Family!

Shooting From The Hip: 12/10/10

2010-12-11T02:43:00.002-05:00

My friend/client Tim, at a local networking lunch.

The postcard on the table is the same color palette as his beer.

Out of Office Response

2010-12-10T09:09:00.004-05:00

The Hubs sent me this pic yesterday, of a cubicle at his office.

The guy who sits here went on vacation,
and doesn't want anyone touching his stuff.
I worry what the sales guys will do, before he gets back...

Goodbye Old Pink

2010-12-07T03:42:00.001-05:00

We're renovating the original bathroom that came with our house.

I'm nervous, but excited.
I'll keep everyone posted...

The only thing I'll miss about this bathroom is the secret drawer.
It came with 2 old bobby pins.

Alpha M.

2010-12-05T13:09:00.003-05:00

Is this a tiny yoke for a butt ox?

Kinky séx toy?
Leave me your guesses in the comments section.

Alpha T Leaves

2010-11-30T02:22:00.000-05:00

Same font as yesterday's P, here is a T...

Alpha P/Cracked

2010-11-29T03:12:00.000-05:00

Boca Face

2010-11-28T08:42:00.003-05:00

Shooting From The Hip House

2010-11-18T12:58:00.001-05:00

Script A

2010-11-16T11:04:00.003-05:00

I don't find these letters, they find me.

Serious.

This one stopped me on my walk yesterday.

It stood in my path until I agreed to shoot it.

Are you happy now, A?

Moody Monday: 11/15/10

2010-11-15T11:05:00.001-05:00

Socks that Channel Marty Feldman

2010-11-11T08:52:00.001-05:00

Moody Thursday

2010-11-04T21:36:00.000-04:00

I Fell In.

2010-11-03T13:29:00.002-04:00

And I can't get out.

It Just Is.

2010-10-31T11:14:00.001-04:00

Can't explain how this happens.

An Eye

2010-10-27T11:24:00.005-04:00

I went to visit Magpie last weekend.

She's been posting quite a bit to her other blog

about beauty in things that decay.

Ironically, she has posted about everything BUT her kitchen sink.

Isn't it beautiful??

It looks like an eye.

[click pic to see detail]

Random Fall

2010-10-25T07:26:00.003-04:00

Art Studio Sink

2010-10-18T04:58:00.001-04:00

I never thought I'd miss this...

Crack O' The Day

2010-10-17T11:41:00.001-04:00

I love me some crack plants.

Alpha Script N

2010-10-06T16:22:00.000-04:00

Moody Friday

2010-10-01T20:40:00.002-04:00

Cold front moving through...

Blame Magpie

2010-09-27T15:47:00.004-04:00

She posted a pic on her blog last week...

about a giraffe shape hidden in a tree.

All I saw was a headless, dancing woman in a dress.

Either way,

Her post gave me the courage to post this view from my bed:

It's me, in profile, resting with my hands folded on my chest.

I even have a scrunchee in my hair, and I 'm quite relaxed.

Reflection

2010-09-22T16:10:00.002-04:00

Hi Peeps...

I'm still here.

I'm busy working hard, trying to be a good Mom, and doing my thing.

I seriously hope to have more time for blogging & blog-reading soon.

I also had a birthday last week, that was celebrated with a tornado.

What the frig!

In NY. Can you imagine? It was crazy!

The morning after looked like this:

Jackson Heights, Queens

2010-09-14T11:21:00.000-04:00

The History of E. By Me.

2010-09-08T14:48:00.004-04:00

School Street

2010-09-07T07:29:00.001-04:00

Shooting from The Hip 8/29/10

2010-08-30T16:45:00.004-04:00

Picking wild flowers for grandma.

Oh, The Indignity of The Shop Cat

2010-08-26T11:07:00.000-04:00

Days like today...

2010-08-23T21:03:00.004-04:00

I think about becoming a wedding photographer.

Street Fashion: Jackson Heights, New York

2010-08-20T07:20:00.005-04:00

The type of person who dyes their dog,

is almost always willing to help it pose for your camera.

Also... you can get really good Indian food in Jackson Heights.

Shooting from The Train 8/19/10

2010-08-19T07:18:00.002-04:00

Last night, I took the train home,

after a yummy dinner with EJ.

My iPod was reading my mind, and my lids were halfway closed.

In the reflection of the night train window, I saw an apparition.

I perked-up in my seat. It was NOT an apparition.

It was the Great Gods of Twitter sending me a gift!

People...

you cannot make this shit up.

Reaching our final destination,

she walked off to find her robe & slippers.