The Box Clutch

(1. Kotur, 2. Kotur, 3. Bottega Veneta, 4. Givenchy, 5. Diane Von Furstenberg, 6. Nina Ricci, 7. Devi Kroell, 8. Alexander McQueen, 9. Alexander McQueen, 10. Devi Kroell, 11. Leiber, 12. Roberto Cavalli)

Hello Darlings,

It's another beautiful sunny day here in the countryside and I'm finally feeling like myself again. It's amazing what a restful four nights sleep can do for you. Anyways, before I go any further I just wanted to thank you, my beautiful readers, for the incredibly heartfelt comments you left on my last post. I've said this before, and I will say it again, just how truly mind-blowing it is to connect with complete strangers throughout the blogosphere. There is nothing more rewarding than feeling like you are helping others and yourself by being honest; opening up to the world.

Moving on, today's post has been in the works for a few weeks now and I've finally found the time to do it justice. You have no idea just how much working for a trend forecasting company has influenced me. I feel empowered in the sense that I believe in my eye for trend spotting and that my opinion is as informed as the next street-style blogger or editor. After months of walking the streets of the garment district in Manhattan, and scouring through one luxury department store after another, I have concluded that the box clutch is and will be the must-have purse of SS12.

The 12 SS12 box clutches I've collaged above are only a select fraction of what currently exists on style.com right now. I have numerous pictures collecting in my iPhone (from BCBG to Henri Bendel) of gorgeous holiday box clutches, in shimmering metallics and embellished beads, to support this call-out. I for one have not yet settled on my box clutch of choice. How could a girl possibly choose from so many choices? Naturally I just had to paint one instead.

What bag are you lusting to own this Spring?

Much love,

Meag xx

New Year, New Direction?

Merry Merry My Loves,

Can you believe Christmas has already come and gone?! I worked right up until Christmas Eve and have been unwinding ever since from the whirlwind that is my life. It's amazing how disconnected you can become from yourself when you spend months racing against a ticking clock; aka my authorized working status in America. Somewhere in the eye of the storm you lose all sense of perspective, why I even went to New York in the first place, and your life is reduced to getting from one day to the next without a nervous breakdown. Finally now that I'm home, the clouds are beginning to part for the first time since June 2011.

It's been months since I last sat down at my computer and wrote a truly honest confessional on my blog. I realized this yesterday when I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Final Fashion, authored by Danielle Meder (a fellow fashion illustrator from Toronto now living in London). I was drawn to her remarkably raw posts documenting her move to the UK, something that I have and still dream of doing. She talked candidly about the difficulties of moving to one of the most expensive cities in the world, being plagued with loneliness and bouts of poverty, while working in an extremely competitive and volatile profession.

She writes:

"Is it a risk if it is not a choice? It feels like if I were a sensible person, I would not choose to be a fashion person. I am drawn towards the fear, the flux, the fantasy, against better judgement. Everyone I talk to in fashion envies the people with steady jobs and simple pleasures, with a sigh and a sense of fatalism. Because, at this point, what else could we possibly do? We are in too deep to give it up."

Holiday Heroine

Happy Holidays Lovelies!!

I'm blogging from Toronto now, cozy in my parent's new kitchen, and the sun is pouring through the windows. I couldn't be happier being in my family's company and regrouping after an extremely stressful last six months. I'm still working away at the swimwear sketches I've been contracted to do for Fashion Snoops and hoping to get it all wrapped up before Saturday. That said, I've taken a day or two to catch up with myself, friends, and family. Perhaps the best part of all is that I'm back to blonde lol. A four month hair hiatus can make a girl go crazy!!

So today's post is titled Holiday Heroine because the attitude Tomo was exuding this past Sunday just screamed X'mas Diva. Somehow through the twinkling lights, and layers of fur, she managed to model with all her fierceness. I've coined the term Holiday Heroine for all the girls (and boys) out there who are dominating the insanity of the Holiday Season right now with such grace and poise. Sadly, I'm not one of them. I fall somewhere in the category of hot mess, emotionally distressed, and total procrastinator. But I have until early January to work on that ;)

Anyways, I wanted to end this post with a very exciting announcement!!!! I've decided to start a new segment on my blog for 2012 titled TWD Darlings. There are just so many individuals out there who are trailblazing in their careers, and inspiring me everyday, that I want to illustrate and promote them right here on my blog. Could you be the next TWD Darling?!! I guess you will have to wait and see.

Season's Greetings Everyone!!

Much love,

Meag xx

Absolute Altuzarra

Altuzarra SS12

Hello Friends,

How are you all? Once again it's been far too long since I've written on my blog. The sketchwork I've been doing for Fashion Snoops has really taken over my life and suddenly I find that Christmas is only a few days away. This week was truly wonderful though. I had the honor of exhibiting my baby goat piece in the Foolsgold show this past Tuesday evening, and Wednesday I got to celebrate with the whole Fashion Snoops team at their holiday dinner party.

Somewhere in between I managed to squeeze in time to paint this Altuzarra SS12 pointed-toe pump as a gift for the Accessories Editor at work. After all, she was the reason I was contracted to start working for Fashion Snoops and I'm incredibly grateful for that. I did a little research and found that she absolutely adored this pair of shoes so naturally I couldn't help but paint her one. Great news is she loved it. Now if only I could personally get my hands on the real pair ;).

Anyways my loves, I have family in town, a drawing session tomorrow, and a flight to catch Monday afternoon. I will be back blogging soon from my parent's new home in Toronto.

Until then, ciao darlings!

Much love,

Meag xx

Foolsgold Sanctuary NYC Submission

Hello My Loves,

I promised you I would be back on my blog soon and here I am only a few days later yay!! I wanted to share with you my submission for the upcoming Foolsgold Sanctuary NYC show being held next Tuesday Dec 13th from 6-9 at Noe Space in Soho. Foolsgold Arts curates exhibitions to raise funds for various charitable organizations centered around helping the environment and its inhabitants. This particular show is being held to benefit the Catskills Animal Sanctuary in Saugerties, NY.

I was so compelled reading the artist brief for the show, organized by my beautiful mentor and friend Shanan Campanaro, I simply had to contribute. We were asked to create a work inspired by the following quote by John Berger:

Man has always had a complex relationship with animals. They have been at once sacrificed, worshipped, hunted, bred, used as raw materials, metaphors and companions.

Couture Cookies

Moschino and Balenciaga SS12 Couture Gingerbread Cookies

Gaga's Workshop at Barneys New York

Hello My Sweets,

My goodness it has been FAR too long since I've been on my blog. I can't even believe it. I've missed you all so much. Unfortunately, I've been so busy with work that I haven't been able to focus at all on my personal illustrations. Finally I was able to sit down this afternoon and paint for a few hours of peace. I had been thinking for a while now about doing something relating to the impending Christmas Holidays, and having seen Gaga's Workshop last weekend at Barneys, I knew exactly what to paint today. Couture cookies are the new fad you see...

Even though you might not be able to eat my Moschino or Balenciaga Couture Gingerbread Girls, you can definitely devour those crazy Gaga heels and the like here.

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead and I promise to be back on my blog very soon!!

Much love,

Meag xx

Accessory Sketches for Fashion Snoops

Yves Saint Laurent SS12

Hello Darlings,

Finally I'm able to get back on my blog!! I've had such a wonderful week thus far. Full workdays and great evening events have kept me so busy. Anyways, I've wanted to share for a while now what has been occupying my time during the day these past few months. For those of you who follow my blog regularly you may have picked up on the fact that I've been working with a trend forecasting company since early September. Fortunately that has led to commissioned illustration work with them whereby I'm sketching the entire Accessory SS13 Analysis.

What does this mean exactly you ask?! Well, basically the lovely and talented Accessories Editor calls out key silhouettes for Women and Men. The callouts range from shoes to handbags, belts to headwear, sunglasses to earrings etc. I take the images of the identified styles and sketch the items using Adobe Illustrator. Our design clients intern take the sketches and input their own colors, patterns, textures etc. It has been such good fun and oh so fulfilling, although a little hard on the eyes. Might be time for a new MacBook Santa Clause ;)

Alright my loves, cheers to the weekend. I'm signing off to watch a new Modern Family...

Much love,

Meag xx

Cool Happenings + My Guest Blog Post

Hello My Loves,

I hope you've had an incredible week so far. I can't even believe how fast time has flown. Days turn into nights and I find myself forgetting where we are in the week morning after morning. Anyways, I wanted to use this post as an opportunity to announce some fun things. Firstly, my uber talented friend and mentor Shanan Campanaro of Eskayel, has teamed up with Doris Leslie Blau for an exquisite rug collection which uses her customized prints and patterns.

I interned for Shanan back in May and learnt the ropes of turning her fine art into Eskayel's signature wallpaper, pillows, baskets, scarves and so much more. She will be hosting a Cocktail and Cupcake Party to celebrate the launch of the collection this Tuesday November 15th from 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM on NY's UES. Shanan's awesome and equally talented bf Nick Chacona will be djing too. Be sure to RSVP at rsvp@eskayel.com and join me in the big time fun.

Secondly, I wanted to announce the guest blog post I did for Je ne sais quoi...lifestyle this week. I had been asked by the lovely author and founder Nita a little while ago whether I was interested in contributing a post to her pages. After browsing through her blog it was clear that I had to jump right on that opportunity. Nita, much like myself, believes in a life of fashion or a fashionable life...er, why don't you just read the post to find out exactly what I mean.

Check out my contribution post here titled Living the Fashionable Life.

Stay tuned for more fun updates friends and enjoy your Friday everyone.

Much love,

Meag xx

Fresh Faced Feminine

Hello Friends,

I hope you had a wonderful, restful first weekend of November. I spent the greater part trying to catch up on my sleep. Working 7 days a week is proving to be...as exhausting as I thought it would be :) You know how they say, New York is the city that never sleeps?! Well, I can officially say with absolute certainty that I finally know why; everyone here is fighting to be at the top of their game, so there is never a moment to lose. It definitely helps that I happen to be in love with what I do. I would probably draw in my sleep if I could.

I had the great pleasure of revisiting my Alma Mater on Friday when my darling friend, and former professor, Joe Denaro invited me to his 6 hr drawing class. The gesture drawings you see above were produced in his class. Sadly I'm slowing down so much in my ability to render a whole figure in 5 minutes or less. But in a way I'm sort of happy because I produced these little vignettes which felt so fresh, effervescent, and feminine. I felt right at home being in FIT's hallways again and got to see so many familiar faces in the process.

Anyways darlings, I wish you a great start to your week and thank-you to all the new followers!! So happy to have you on board.

Much love,

Meag xx

I Love Pamela Love NYC

Pamela Love A/W 2011 Spectrum Crystal and Bronze Cuff

Hello My Sweets,

I assure you I did not make an error with this post's title. I truly do love Pamela Love and I will tell you why. Her jewelry is killer; in that perfect bohemian meets heavy artillery, punch you in the face if you cross me on the streets of New York, kind of way. There is something totally mythical, gothic, feminine, and unusual about her design aesthetic.

When I stumbled across her otherworldly cuff in the November issue of Lucky Magazine, naturally I couldn't wait to paint it. Oh and I just have to mention that she started out as an artist's assistant and eventually became an art director/stylist. When she couldn't find the perfect jewelry she started making it...and that's how it can all begin :)

If you haven't yet, browse through Pamela's beautiful A/W 2011 Lookbook over at her website!!

Much love,

Meag xx

No Trick, Only Treat

Alexander Wang FW11 Clutch

Happy Halloween Weekend Darlings,

Finally I was able to paint something new today. I thought about doing a Halloween themed painting, or turning it into a surface pattern design. However, in true Meagan Morrison fashion I resolved to painting an Alexander Wang clutch instead. After all, who wouldn't want to carry this little luxe item as their trick-or-treat bag?! Frankly I would any day. On a less humorous note, the true back story behind this purse is that for the past two months I've been working in a trend forecasting environment, and I've especially loved working with the Accessories Editor.

Truth be told, my biggest debate attending FIT two years ago was whether to study accessories design or fashion illustration. Now I'm sketching accessories for a trend forecasting company. Funny how life comes full circle like that. Back to the point; I wanted to paint this purse because one of the biggest trends I've picked-up on for fall is pale pink as one of the major color stories. Kate Spade did a flat pointed Mary-Jane in pink and black, Calypso St. Barth did a whole collection of soft pastel pink, and accessories by Anya Hindmarch used the pale pink too.

I just think the way a trend works is truly amazing, how it goes on to dictate or characterize a season, and get reworked years later. I for one fully support FW11's use of pink. Harsh cool weather could always use a touch of softening brought on by a soothing pastel.

Much love,

Meag xx

Introducing TWD's New Facebook Page

Check out the new page here

Hello My Loves,

I hope you've all had a wonderful start to your week. I apologize for the lack of posting on my blog. I've been working around the clock trying to foster illustration opportunities for myself at the trend-forecasting company I'm interning at and my editorial career. So far, so good :). I'm disappointed to not be posting new work this evening but instead I thought I would take a minute to formally introduce the new addition to Travel Write Draw; the official TWD Facebook Page.

Slowly but surely I became aware of my need for an intermediary between my actual blog and twitter. I wanted a more organic space where I could post photos of inspiration straight from my phone as I walk the streets of New York; someplace I could write more than 140 characters. I wanted to directly respond to each comment left behind by one of you incredible readers. That said, I would love to hear your thoughts on the page. What would you like to see more of from me?

This journey has been as much about you as it has been about me so feel free to tweet, like, comment here, or on facebook, and let me know what you think.

Much love,

Meag xx

Dainty Drinks

Hello, Hello All!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I finally had some time today to catch up on my painting agenda and produce my cocktail series that I've been thinking about for a while now. It really all started back in the summer when I was looking through so many food and travel magazines. Then when I started interning in the design department at BlackBook, I became obsessed with the Stoli Vodka app, and all the pretty cocktail recipe suggestions. So here you have it, four visually and surely tastefully appealing dainty drinks concocted by Stoli Vodka.

Pretty sure this post is the true epitome of fashion lifestyle illustration. It isn't just about shoes or handbags; it's what we drink, eat, where we sit for a coffee, or take our dog for a walk ;)

Have a great week loves!

Much love,

Meag xx

Illustration Commission for FLARE Magazine November 2011

My illustration of Julia Restoin-Roitfeld for FLARE

Gorgeous November cover star Kirsten Dunst below

Hello My Loves,

Happy Monday and Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canadians!! I'm SO thrilled to finally be able to share this illustration commission I did for Canada's leading Fashion Magazine (and my not-so guilty pleasure) FLARE. You have no idea how much of an honor and absolute dream come true it was to work for them. I grew up reading FLARE and never in a million years would I have guessed that I would one day contribute an original piece of artwork to their pages.

Every issue they have an illustrated It-Girl adorning their Horoscope page. My challenge was to render the sultry and French style goddess, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, with all the sass and sensuality she possesses. For those of you who don't know, Julia is the daughter of former Vogue Paris Editor-in-Chief, Carine Roitfeld. Somehow my hobby of scanning through images of the Roitfelds for inspiration became an absolute necessity for a job (a definite pinch-me moment).

Thank-you again Tanya, Michelle, Ryan, and the whole FLARE team for this incredible opportunity. And can we all just take a moment to acknowledge how unbelievably gorgeous their cover is for November?!! Hello Kirsten and swoon worthy Giambattista Valli, can I magically transform myself into this cover with you?!! Go and grab a copy on newsstands now.

Much love,

Meag xx

Sissy x Mary Meyer

Illustration Commission for Mary Meyer

Hello Lovelies,

I hope you've had a wonderful start to your week! I've been meaning to post this illustration commission for a while now, but got so caught up with Fashion Week(s), that I haven't had the time to...until now :) Back in August my dearest and most beautiful best friend Emma Kp, asked if she could commission an illustration for our friend Mary Meyer's birthday. The brief was simply to illustrate Mary's beloved kitty Sissy in her Halloween costume of pink bunny ears. Just to be clear, Sissy, much like her owner, is one fierce feline with impeccable style.

Mary just so happens to be a killer clothing designer and sells her coveted namesake line all over the world. Her garments have been featured in Nylon, New York Magazine, New York Times Style Section, Timeout, Refinery 29, and the list goes on and on. One could only dream to mirror this girl's stellar career and it's really just the beginning. Fun fact: I referenced one of Mary's patterns from her tote bag collection with Cook & Gates for the fabric Sissy is lying on.

Check out Mary's website here to browse through the new collection Which Witch.

Lastly BIG shout out to Emma Kp for being a constant source of inspiration to both Mary and I, and for always showing your unconditional support and encouragement. Friends like you are hard to find, so happy you're one of mine. Enjoy the rest of your week sweets.

Much love,

Meag xx

Masha Ma for Amelia's Magazine

Click here for Masha Ma review by Georgia Takacs

Hello Darlings,

I hope you've had a wonderful start to your weekend. I'm so excited to reveal my collaboration with Amelia's Magazine for her London Fashion Week coverage. I've wanted to do something with Amelia for a while now and finally caught one of her tweets calling out for illustrators to cover some of the LFW shows. I jumped at the opportunity and immediately put ink to paper when I saw the looks available to illustrate. As Georgia Takacs describes, the Masha Ma show was both delicate and bold. And frankly, who doesn't love a nice balance of tough femininity?!

Above are the two looks I illustrated from the collection but please be sure to read the whole coverage of the show at Amelia's Magazine here. My illustrations are accompanied by another two from the brilliantly talented (actually jaw drop lust worthy) Marta Spendowska. I only just discovered her work but I think (scratch that - know) I have a new illustration crush.

Stay tuned for a new illo post soon.

Much love,

Meag xx

Thank-You Blogs of Note and New Followers

Nicholas Kirkwood Autumn/Winter 2011

Click here for Blogs of Note

Hello, Hello Everyone!!

It has been such an exciting past couple of days between celebrating my birthday and my feature on Blogs of Note. If I may be completely honest, I had no idea such a blog existed until I woke up one morning, discovered a lot of new followers, and traced the traffic source to my own blog. What an incredible honor to have Travel Write Draw spotlighted like this and furthermore to have all of you wonderful (and extremely sweet) followers now onboard the journey. Welcome and thank-you from the bottom of my heart to each and everyone of you.

May I just add the biggest, warmest thank-you to the Blogs of Note team (wherever you are) for this amazing gesture. I'm incredibly grateful and I feel so lucky to have all of you viewers to come along with me for the ride. Have a great start to your week.

Much love,

Meag xx

Illustrating at Urban Outfitters: Around the World Fall 2011 Preview

Featured on Urban Outfitters - Blog!!

Check out the post here

Hello Darlings,

I have some VERY exciting news to share with you all!! I just discovered (as in literally stumbled upon minutes ago) my illustrations being featured on Urban Outfitters - Blog!! They are being used in promotion of tonight's event - Urban Outfitters Around the World Fall 2011 Preview. My peers at Fashion Art NYC and I will be illustrating at the event. If you are in New York and would like the chance to dance to some tunes, shop, and or have the chance to purchase a fresh illustration drawn on location, then come to Urban Outfitters at 43rd and 5th Ave between 6-8 PM tonight. Hope to see you there.

Photos and illustrations from the event will be posted here soon so stay tuned!!

All my love,

Meag xx

FNO at Lord & Taylor + Fall Fashion Week Fun

Interview with Patrick McMullan's PMc Magazine

Read the full interview here

Hello Loves,

I'm so excited to reveal the interview I did with Patrick McMullan's PMc Magazine for their section titled "Who Am I?". The questions were so clever and insightful it made answering them such a joy. I really feel like my voice came through on this one. I owe the BIGGEST thank-you to my darling friend and former classmate Devon Pentz for arranging this interview. Without her this never would have happened. Just goes to show you that the friendships you develop with peers in your field, can be totally positive and supportive, without being at all competitive.

To read the full interview please click here!!

Also, thank-you to the incredible Joanna Baker and Sherry, Shirley, and Rachel of Trois Femmes for coming to see me at Lord & Taylor for Fashion's Night Out. I will be posting a photo recap next :)

Lots of love,

Meag xx

Happy 1st Birthday Travel Write Draw

Hello My Loves,

I'm so excited to announce the celebration of Travel Write Draw's first birthday yay!! What an incredible coincidence that it falls on the same day as this year's Fashion's Night Out in New York. Really this post is for all of you incredible readers, my fellow bloggers, friends, family, and the many uber talented illustrators out there. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you from the bottom of my heart for all the genuine support and encouraging feedback you've given me along the way. I had no idea what to expect when I started this blog. All I can say is I'm SO glad I did. Oh and Happy Birthday Travel Write Draw!!

I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us.

All my love,

Meag xx

Illustrating at Lord & Taylor for Fashion's Night Out

Hello Friends!!

I feel like it's been forever since I last posted on my blog. I'm so relieved because this week I finally resolved the long search for a daytime design internship(s). That means I can put the resume writing and portfolio maintenance to rest for a while. More importantly, now that I have a routine set for the Fall I can return my focus to my raison d'etre - my illustration career yay!! Thank goodness because it's about to be Fashion Week in New York and my schedule is exploding with exciting adventures that I'm dying to share with you all here.

A few weeks ago, the brilliant Karen Santry informed my former classmates and I, that we were being asked by Lord & Taylor to illustrate personalized sketches at this year's Fashion's Night Out on Sept 8th. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the event, it's the kick off to Fashion Week and one ENORMOUS shopping extravaganza. So if any of you readers live in New York and would like the chance to be illustrated by me or one of my talented peers, stop by the third floor of LT this thursday between 6-11 PM. I would love, love, LOVE to meet you.

To check out the event listing click here.

Lord & Taylor is located on the corner of 38th and 5th Ave.

Come Thursday Sept 8th between 6-11 PM on the third floor.

Hope to see you there!!

Meag xx

Goddess

Goddess, oh how far I feel from being one right now. For the past four weeks my life has been absolutely positively consumed with career grooming and overhauling. No one said it would be easy, certainly not for the second time around, but boy did I not see this coming. Updating my resume, making over my blog, preparing my portfolio (for illustration, design, and various other career pursuits), going to interviews, interning, working on new illustration commissions, attending meetings for upcoming projects, and maybe sneaking in a few social events too :), I really never saw summer. Now suddenly my former classmates are heading back to school and I'm wondering when it's time for the beach.

Periods of transition like this always induce such anxiety. It's the instability of not knowing what's coming next, what opportunity will strike, but it also makes for possibly one of the most exciting times in one's life. I spent the last two years in school wanting to get out so I could do exactly what I'm doing now. I'm finally here and I'm wanting to be settled in a job and my career pursuits. When does the wanting stop and the enjoying begin? Maybe it's just me? I don't really know. But what I do know is that without struggle there can be no progress. Thank goodness I was born with a lot of fight in me because New York is not for the faint of heart. My hunger for success has never been more strong.

As my friend Jenny and I say, the time is now, so what are you waiting for?

Lots of love,

Meag xx