Neon Colored Gypsy

Hello Loves,

As promised here is another painting I've done in tribute to the brilliant James Meakin. From the moment I saw this photograph I felt an immediate connection to it. I love the spirit, the warmth, the optimism. I like that I could actually escape into it. It reminded me of trying on these beautiful Afghani caftans in Istanbul and feeling so fortunate to witness such beauty. I've been on winter break now for the past five weeks, sifting through my anxieties about the future. At present everything is uncertain about my life and it has me thinking a lot about destiny.

I was reading Seventeen magazine today lol with Leighton Meester on the cover and she was talking about the power of visualization. She described how she literally conceived her dreams into reality. It got me thinking about the reason I started this blog, that I literally titled it after my dream job. Is it so far stretched to think that I could travel, write, and draw for a living? Being in New York makes you realize that anything is possible, that the homeless man in the park could be the next youtube sensation. Is that destiny or the power of believing? Why couldn't that be you or me?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, what do you believe? For fear of ending this post in an existential crisis I would like to close with two must-see exhibits in New York right now.

'Fashion Illustration: Visual Poetry' at Gallery Hanahou curated by my professor and renowned artist Bil Donovan. It will feature the likes of Stina Persson, Sara Singh, and John Jay Cabuay opening tomorrow Jan 20th, 2011.

'Balenciaga: Spanish Master' at Queen Sofia Spanish Institute which showcases the work and impact of Cristobal Balenciaga's visionary designs ending Feb 19th, 2011.

Lots of love,

Meag xx

Seven Things You Don't Know About Me

Stylish Blogger Award

Firstly, I apologize tremendously for taking so long to prepare this post. I'm so touched that both Vanilla Jarvis and Maya Beus nominated me as the recipient of their Stylish Blogger Award. The award requires you to indicate your nominator, share seven facts about yourself, and propose an additional 15 recently discovered blogs of your choice. I decided it would be really fun to illustrate and collage images of the seven facts you don't know about me. This is also why it took so long to prepare. After all, seven facts is really just the beginning.

The List is as follows:

• When I was 20 I studied Italian Renaissance Art History abroad in Florence, Italy. I lived with 12 females in a beautiful apartment that boasted the most incredible patio overlooking a church. I would meet for group lectures at the Uffizi or Duomo and on weekends travel to Venice, Rome, and Cinque Terre. I devoured gorgeous meals on candle lit rooftops, danced the night away at Central Park, bought out San Lorenzo market, and fell in love...with life.

• Whenever I travel I purchase a piece of jewelry that embodies the culture, spirit, or flavor of the city. Each purchase has a story, some more incredible than the item. I like that the experience, much like the jewelry, lasts forever. Unless of course the ring is opal and it shatters in a Roman nunnery.

Illustrators Drawing Illustrators: The Portrait!!

Ana Simonovic of ShoeRA

Parisian Hair Clip

Dubai's Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa

Istanbul's Blue Mosque, Baklava, and Turkish Coffee

Paris' Eiffel Tower, Macaroons, and London Bridge

I can't believe it's finally here, the day of the 'Illustrators Drawing Illustrators' portrait post. For those of you who are just tuning in, on Dec 22nd 2010 I asked my fellow artist bloggers to submit their name to me in order to be assigned another illustrator's portrait to draw. I pulled each name from a hat which resulted in the following list. Today is the day we post, link, and marvel at the incredible talent on the portrait blog crawl. The recipient of my portrait is the beautiful Ana Simonovic of ShoeRA. She's an architect and blogger based primarily in Dubai.

Not only is Ana a style maven, but a true world traveler. I was determined to illustrate her worldliness, architectural background, as well as her appreciation for all things glamorous. I resolved to design a structured dress that encompassed snapshots of her trips through London, Paris, Istanbul, and Dubai. I used her very own photos as references from the hair clip, to the turkish coffee cup. I had a blast drawing from my own experiences in each city too. Ana, I truly hope you like what I've done and that I managed to capture even a fraction of your essence.

Now begin the portrait blog crawl here!!

I Dream of 'Genie'

I can't pinpoint exactly when my absolute obsession with the Sahara Desert began. Although, come to think of it, Aladdin was always my favorite Disney movie so I guess it makes sense. Something about the exoticism of the location, the heat, the desolate isolation has always drawn me in. That, and the fact that every fashion spread I've seen shot in the desert uses the most radiant colored clothing under the sun. Just the other day my friend Jill made me count the number of times I referenced the desert for inspiration. More specifically, the number of times I've drawn women in turbans on this blog lol.

A few months ago while visiting the lovely Lana's blog Woman-W, I stumbled across her post on fashion photographer James Meakin. Within seconds of opening the post I had a 'ureka moment' looking at his works. Sand dunes juxtaposed with splashes of neon color, ornately designed fabrics, amazing oppositions, contrasting compositions, ureka, ureka, ureka!! It was an artistic match made in heaven type moment. I promised myself that come winter break I would pay tribute to his work by painting a series of these photos. I've stayed true to my word and here is the first one of many to come. Enjoy!!

P.S. How is everyone making out with the 'Illustrators Drawing Illustrators' project? Less than a week to go woohoo!!

The Thing About Tradition

Illustrators Drawing Illustrators: The List!!

My Video Message

Drum Roll Please...

It's Dec 29th which means the day has finally arrived to reveal the list for the 'Illustrators Drawing Illustrators' project. I apologize for not getting this post up sooner!! The little video I took of me pulling the names from the jar was too big to be uploaded. I feel awful about that so I'm going to see if I can edit it down. I still included my greeting video though just to say hello.

Paper Bag Princess

Season's Greetings From Daria

Happy Holidays From Kate

Illustrators Drawing Illustrators!!

Carmen Kass

Winona Ryder

Lucy Liu

Hello My Lovely Readers and Fellow Bloggers,

I have a very special announcement to make. I will be hosting the first ever Illustrators Drawing Illustrators project here on Travel Write Draw!! Now before I get into the specifics of how this project will play out, and how all you amazing readers will participate, I would like to explain how this very idea came into fruition. I've been drawing famous people since the tender age of 16 (possibly even younger). The above portraits of Carmen Kass, Winona Ryder, and Lucy Liu stand as a testimony to this statement. In the three months that I've had my blog, I've also come across a lot of brilliant illustrators drawing public figures as well. It sort of occurred to me that illustrators never draw each other and why should we be excluded from all the fun?!