"Boston: 2000s": Sketch

Sketch for "Boston: 2000s".  Graphite on drawing paper.  14" x 17"

My instructor liked the outcome of my "San Francisco" project so much, he asked me to do the last pieces of the semester in the same style (Art Nouveau), but with different eras and cities.  This is the first of the series.  I wanted to show a girl from the first decade of the 21st century.  I represented my state capital by putting the Prudential Center and the Citgo sign (a popular landmark around the Fenway Park area) in the background and by having the girl wear a Red Sox cap.

"Seattle: 1990s": Sketch

Sketch for "Seattle: 1990s".  Graphite on drawing paper.  14" x 17".

For this one, I wanted to showcase the grunge musicians that came from the area and give the girl a guitar (instead of just a beauty shot like I did with the others).  When it's painted, she'll be wearing a flannel shirt as well.  In the background is the city skyline and the Space Needle. 

"New York: 1970-80s": Sketch

Sketch of "New York: 1970-80s".  Graphite on drawing paper.  14" x 17"

For this one, I wanted to capture the punk rock era of the city, but still make it beautiful.  Since the Chrysler Building is Art Deco-style (the next step from Art Nouveau), I decided to incorporate it into the background of this piece.  I also included the front of the famous rock club, CBGB, to compliment the punk girl.  Because it's depicting New York City, I included an apple in the upper part of the border (which I created to look like wrought iron) and the NY state flower, the rose in the bottom part of the border.

"San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)": Finished

Final painting of "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie.  Acrylic and ink on illustration board. 14" x 17".

"San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)": Sketch 1

Sketch for "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)" by Scott McKenzie.  Pencil on drawing paper. 14" x 17".


Still in progress.  This is my love letter to The City, one of the most amazing places I've ever been to.  Can't wait to go back again!

"F***in' Perfect" Final

"F***in' Perfect" by P!nk.  Acrylic, colored pencil, & ink on illustration board.  14" x 14"

"F***in' Perfect" In Progress

In progress work on "F***in' Perfect" by P!nk.  Acrylic, colored pencil, pencil, & ink on illustration board.  14" x 14"

This piece was inspired by a My So-Called Life episode called "The Zit".  In it, the main character, Angela, sees her crush, Jordan, talking with Casey, the prettiest sophomore girl.  In the show, Angela just sees them and walks away, with no tears but plenty of insecurities.  I wanted to get down to what Angela was really thinking and feeling; her hurt at seeing Jordan laughing with another girl, her self-loathing because she has a pimple on her chin and feels downright ugly about it, and her thoughts that she's not pretty enough to be with Jordan.  P!nk's lyrics ring true with everyone, fictional or real, and I wanted to emphasize it in this piece.

"Ana's Song (Open Fire)" Final

"Ana's Song (Open Fire)" final.  Acrylic, colored pencil, and ink on illustration board. 8.5" x 11".


"In my head, the flesh seems thicker..."

"Ana's Song (Open Fire)" Sketch #1

Preliminary sketch for "Ana's Song (Open Fire)" by Silverchair.  Pencil on bond paper.  8.5" x 11".  


The song deals with lead singer Daniel Johns' struggle with anorexia.  It's very common to hear about anorexia in women but it's a mental disease that knows no gender boundaries.  I wanted to put it from a guy's perspective since the song is Daniel's story.

Self-Portrait: Sketch #1

This is my self-portrait for the Illustration Senior Show.  Instead of adding in things that I love (such as something related to Harry Potter, the Boston Red Sox, or the Boston Bruins), I chose to keep it simple and only add the Gerbera daisy in my hair.  I'm still deciding on how it'll look when it's finished, but I definitely have some things I want to try.    Pencil on bond paper, 8.5" x 11".

"Great Indoors" Part 2: Acrylic Underpainting

Final phase of "Great Indoors".   Payne's Grey watercolor and ink on Bristol combined with acrylic on illustration board.  8.5"x11".

"Great Indoors" Part 1: Watercolor

Preliminary watercolor.  Inspired by "Great Indoors" by John Mayer.  Payne's Grey watercolor and ink on Bristol.  8.5"x11"


Thanks to my husband, Josh, for being a great photo model and letting me make him a lazy mess.  :)

"Summer Skin"

Inspired by "Summer Skin" by Death Cab For Cutie.   Acrylic on Illustration board 14"x17"