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!

The Hillwood Museum...

If you're in the D.C. area and love French Rococo interiors, you must visit the Hillwood Museum. It's an estate formerly owned by the late heiress and avid art collector Marjorie Merriweather Post. This place is full of treasures, I could spend a whole week there. It's such a feast for the eyes, I have to go back. A couple years ago I went with my mom on a guided tour while I was home and fell in love with Majorie's vast collection of French and Russian decorative art. Just being there made me want to spend my days in a fancy gown sipping tea and admiring Faberge eggs. Alas, I have to work for a living but I can still watch the mini documentary now posted of the Hillwood Museum website. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens

Paper Fashion...

While flipping through the most recent online issue of Lonny Magazine this morning, I came across an advertisement for a costume exhibition and had to know more. I love all things relating to the 16th and 18th centuries, specifically the royal families of Queen Elizabeth and Marie Antoinette. After following the link to the Legion of Honor website, a fine arts museum in San Francisco (darn!) I learned that each piece is made entirely of paper. Amazing! It's too bad the exhibit isn't here, in NYC. I'd be there in a heartbeat!

Image Credit: Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco