©Lesley Breen Withrow
I’ve been illustrating a lot of Christmas/Holiday cards lately. Here’s a pattern I used on part of a card. ‘Tis the time of year to make holiday art, so it can be printed and on the shelves in time! ho, ho, ho!

I did the recipe art for January’s Highlight’s High Five magazine.
I feel certain that you will never think of Mac and Cheese Muffins the same way, ever again.

AND, then… for February, here’s Banana Dippers!
I say dip it. Dip it good.

©Gartner Greetings

I illustrated and planned the subject matter for this religious greeting card collection called ‘Sharing the Faith’ from Gartner Greetings (an imprint of Gartner Studios ). It’s a beautiful collection that has a soft natural look, lots of textures and patterns and art that ties in nicely with its up-lifting verses. It’s a 40 card collection that I shared with another fabulous illustrator and was a joy to work on.

I’m revisiting some soft tree ornaments I made years ago when I was a full tine doll artist. They’re hand painted, then sewn and embroidiered–even machine quilted a little. Take a peek and leave a comment. You might win a signed book or a giclee print from Tex and Sugar!

http://johansennewman.typepad.com/designrocket/2009/11/holiday-blog-hop-crafting-and-holiday-giveaway-.html

I went in to a salon yesterday and they were putting up a Christmas tree! OMI! Is it that close?Thanksgiving is not even on my radar screen! I have been creating Christmas art since July so I have no real sense of time (holiday wise). This sassy girl was originally an ink stamp and I created several years ago and I have played with her using her in all sorts of forms. I thought this would be cute on a holiday shopping bag! (maybe for a lingerie store!)

So I got a Boden catalog yesterday and I saw that they have a few (only these 3 actually) illustrations. I was thrilled! Hooray! I feel like more and more advertisers are returning to illustration as a way to set themselves apart.  I don’t know who did these fashion illustrations, if you recognize this artists style, let me know. I am a Boden shopper, I am really into the “reviews” section on their website. It cracks me up to read the reviews from England….”My hubby loved this on me so much I bought another in a different color.” Funny, not sure I could get away with that…

The RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) student and alumni craft show last weekend was the BEST I have ever attended. It spanned 3 blocks and was packed with amazing art. Here are the beautiful objects that I acquired at the show.  Fellow Licensing Nook artists Laura Fry and Liz Dubois were also in attendance.

Here are some more of the cards that I designed for Expressionery.com. I got to create baby, engagement and birthday cards…some friendship cards too! It was fun because I got to round up some art that I had wanted to work with that I was “sitting on” for lack of a better term. I find that I have done that quite a bit. I have art that I like that is just waiting to be used but I don’t necessarily have an entire collection for…they are perfect for projects like this!

Every art studio should have at least one cool chair, preferably bought at an antique store or flee market. Check out this beauty I purchased last week on Wickenden St. in Providence, RI. I love that my studio furniture now inspires me.

The pattern and cat are from my “Meow” collection and are available for licensing.

©Lesley Breen Withrow

What a beautiful day it is again here in New England! Here’s some art I created for a greeting card that reminds me of the wonderful weather we are having. I hope it stays like this for a little while longer.