1 February

The Nutcracker that Wasn’t

The Nutcracker that Wasn’t

Although it didn’t make the final cut (sigh), here is a spec illustration piece that I created for Millbrook Press, a division of Lerner Publishing House. The painting, in oils, is a scene from the Nutcracker ballet as it was first introduced to an early Americana audience.

21 June

Art Mag Cover

Art Mag Cover

Thrilled to have my Charleston Lady illustration featured on the cover of Art Mag! My painting was one of nine images chosen to represent “Why I Love Charleston” in the summer issue. An excerpt from my artist statement: “Charleston awakens my inner artist. I love being surrounded by narrative. Cobblestone streets, hidden gardens, quirky rainbow-colored […]

15 April

Vintage Mother and Baby

Vintage Mother and Baby

As I continue to create illustrative pieces for gallery shows, I’ve been looking for more archival alternatives to my standard oil-on-illustration-board method. In this experiment, I’ve sampled water soluble oils on board. Still uncertain whether I like this surface, but glad to have this option. Next challenge: painting larger pieces!

12 February

Freelancing with New Baby

Freelancing with New Baby

Just gave birth to our lovely second baby, Magnolia Wren! A few days after my hospital release and it’s time to jump back into my latest freelance project, an educational reader for Triumph LLC. Thankfully prepared with my Moby wrap and baby-safe water soluble (read non-toxic) oils. Hooray for multitasking!

28 October

Paris Lady Joins the Art Nouveau Collection

Paris Lady Joins the Art Nouveau Collection

After several years of dormancy, I finally completed my “Paris Lady” painting. The original sketch was part of a series developed for an art licensing company in 2008. Somehow the sketch survived five moves, from Atlanta suburb to midtown, then to Charleston where it migrated three more times to our current studio. A good lesson […]

14 June

Pug Portrait

Pug Portrait

As part of my Art Nouveau portrait series, I adapted an sketch study of our pugs, Fiona and Grace. Purposely asymmetrical, I included a vintage wallpaper backdrop with tiny pug silhouettes as part of the motif. Painted in oils, this is the first of hopefully more dog-centric portraits! Luckily I have two very natural models […]

7 May

North Charleston Arts Festival Illustration Exhibit

North Charleston Arts Festival Illustration Exhibit

As part of the annual North Charleston Arts Festival, I was invited to participate in an illustration exhibit at 10 Storehouse Row. The renovated warehouse gallery was a rustic alternative to typical gallery venues. Tim also showcased a wall of illustrations, along with local artists Steve Stegelin and Melanie Florencio. I used this opportunity to […]

6 January

Tiny Illustrations Art Show

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Tiny Illustrations Art Show

To kick-0ff the new year, I participated in a collaborative show themed as the “Tiny Illustrations” art show at Rick Rhodes Gallery in West Ashley. Local artists Baird Hoffmire, Farrah Hoffmire and Marcus Amaker were also featured, in addition to myself and co-illustrator husband Tim. This also happened to be baby’s first art show… Images from […]

5 January

Charleston Scene: Artist of the Week

Charleston Scene: Artist of the Week

My series of small oil portraits (“Tiny Illustrations”) were created for a collaborative art show in Charleston, SC. The work was also featured in an article in the Charleston Post and Courier, as follows: The Post and Courier “Artist of the week: Erin Bennett Banks” January 5, 2012 written by Vikki Matsis Inspired by the […]