City Dogs...

There are so many dog lovers in New York City! It's always a treat to spot a pug on my way to work in the morning. I'm more a cat person, but I think if I ever got a dog, it would be a pug... or a french bulldog. There's something about those face wrinkles!

I fully plan on having a productive week and drawing as much as possible. I'm super excited for vacation over July 4th weekend. I'll be getting in some much needed family time. But until then... back to the drawing board. Have a good week, everyone!

Flower Girl...

Yesterday I finally went to the Met and saw the much talked about Alexander McQueen exhibit. It was incredibly inspiring and worth the long wait in line that seemed to wrap around the whole second floor of the museum! There were so many things to look at it was hard to take it all in but I absorbed as much as possible. What really struck a chord -- the fantastical headwear. Here is my own version... it was fun to create and I'm really happy with how it turned out. I guess I just needed to get out of my apartment and take in a dose of New York City to get inspired. 

Face Study...

I've been drawing most of the afternoon and evening. I would show you what I was working on the majority of my day except that I went too far and ruined it. So frustrating. I think that's one of the hardest things to learn as an artist: when to stop. I took a moment and went back to the drawing board, literally. Here's a quick 'face' study I drew to make myself feel better. I hope you like! Tomorrow's a new day, I'll rummage through my inspiration images and pick something fun to work on. 

P.S. Does any one use Pinterest? It's like Etsy treasuries only with any image on the web. So addicting!

Birthday Surprise...

Our new intern at work has a birthday tomorrow and we're going to celebrate. Here's a fun party shoe I drew for her card. I hope she likes it!

This weekend I promise to share more sketches (and make up for the past two days without posts). I've decided that a sketch a day is pretty ambitious-- especially when I don't plan ahead and come home scrambling to draw something. Until I'm good enough to whip up something fabulous in a hot minute, I'll stick to taking my time. Have a happy friday!

Image Copyright © 2011 by Joanna Baker

White Hot...

There's something undeniably cool about aviators. I bought my first pair the weekend before last. I have to admit I was a little intimidated, do I look ridiculous? The BF always looks so cool in his. In keeping with my sketch a day, here is my post at 11:54 pm. I'm exhausted and ready for bed but I had to draw something today or I couldn't live with myself. We'll see how long this lasts...

Image Copyright © 2011 by Joanna Baker

Beach Bound...

I'm looking forward to this 4th of July because I'm taking five days and going with the BF to visit my family in Ophelia, VA. We're making a point of it to go to the beach at least for the day and I can't wait to sit in the sunshine. I've been looking for a new suit and this one from J.Crew makes me happy.

Image Copyright © 2011 by Joanna Baker

A Sketch a Day...

I finally sat down today and drew. It was nice and frustrating at the same time... it takes me awhile to get back into the groove. I've been meaning to freshen up my website for awhile now and decided to feature my newest girl on my home page. She's sporting a sparkly dress and retro shades! The site isn't exactly how I want it yet (it never is) but this at least reflects the idea of where I want to go with it. 

I've been longing for my school days in fashion drawing class where two and a half hours of my day were devoted to sketching. I miss being challenged-- by my classmates, my professor, and myself, really. I know I can't get better if I don't keep drawing but it's so hard to come home after a nine hour day at work and sketch. Maybe if I make it a point to draw something - anything - every day I'll catch the 'bug' again and take off with it. So here's to a sketch a day...

Street Fair Illustration Finds...

I love a good street fair... but after going to a few of them you start to notice they all have the same stuff. Not this one! I was in Soho awhile back after visiting the John Derian store and decided to detour and check out some of the vendors. I got really excited when I saw old advertisements from The New Yorker for sale from the 40's, 50's and 60's. Before photography was deemed a more effective advertising tool, illustration reigned. 

I bought two and have yet to find the perfect spot for them on my wall. When I finally decide where to put them, I'll post a pic!