I love when I get the chance to collaborate with Paige Boersma of Bicyclette Boutique! Last month, Paige approached me to create these fashion illustrations to help launch Bicyclette’s new in-house brand, Bespoke. These four gorgeous Spring dresses are designed around four distinct characters: Lola, Alice, Pheonix, and Chloe. It was so much fun illustrating those personalities and creating a companion piece for the line.

Stay tuned for a look at the process work. For now, here are a few shots from the Bespoke launch/ Bicyclette anniversary party. For more info on Bicyclette and their new collection visit shopbicyclette.ca or drop by the store at 880 Queen St. West in Toronto.

Cameron Diaz looked absolutely stunning in her Gucci Premiere dress at the 2012 Oscars. When I saw her I instantly thought of how much fun it would be to illustrate. I love all of the layering, the soft peach colour and of course the glitter. There were so many beautiful gowns at the Oscars this year that I’m tempted to paint some others. Which dress was your favourite?

For some people, Valentine’s day means roses and candy; for others it means Harlequin romances, dart boards and voodoo dolls.

While I was in school, we were given an illustration assignment to design a mock cover for the New Yorker. “Cry Day the 14th” was on the list of concepts that we could choose to illustrate from. I was never really happy with the painting that I made, but I loved this idea. So I decided to revisit it for this year’s Valentine’s Day post.

Thanks to my friend Derek, who kindly lent his photo for the dart board. This illustration will be available as a custom print where you can have your ex’s face put on the dart board! Or as a friend suggested of her own boyfriend, you could use a photo of your current partner if he proves to be a disappointing Valentine.

Hope you have a lovely afternoon and a very happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s hard to believe that these little sweetheart candies have been around since the 1840s. Some of the original sayings included “Married in pink, he will take a drink” and “Married in white, you have chosen right”. I love how Necco, the company who produces the hearts, is constantly updating the phrases and even apply suggestions from customers. I’ve included some of my favourites in this illustration. Hope you enjoy and have a great day!

There’s nothing that makes me feel more in touch with a “typical” Canadian experience than meeting people from other parts of the world. On a recent trip, I introduced some new friends to the old campfire classic, (and the only song that I can play on guitar and ukulele), “Land of the Silver Birch”. I love how Candiana has come into fashion in recent years. It was that combination of fashion and kitsch that inspired this illustration. The painting draws from the folk song’s lyrics and some the most common Canadian stereotypes. This piece was so much fun to make… I think that I may need to make it a series. What do you think?

I’ve just wrapped up a couple of busy weeks, catching up after vacation and taking a short buying/research trip to New York City for the NYIGF with Paige Boersma. Since I’ve been away from my desk, pencils and paints, I haven’t had a chance to do much illustrating. So instead of an illustration, I thought that I’d share some Instagram shots from the trip. It was my first visit to the city and I went on a bit of an Instagram binge.

One of the highlights was getting last minute tickets to a live taping of the Martha Stewart Show. It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan and the whole experience was pretty surreal. I’m lucky enough to have a chance to go back to New York next week, so there will be more photos and illustrations to come.

Happy Chinese New Year! To celebrate the Year of the Dragon, I put together this illustration inspired by a beautiful friend of mine. I love all of the symbolism of the Chinese Lunar New Year and the palette of gold and red is one of my favourites. Here too are some of my favourite articles about the celebrations:

Read what’s in store for you in 2012 thestar.com.

Take a look at these gorgeous shots of New Year celebrations at Mail Online.

See how some of the world’s search engines marked the occasion at the Washington Post.

Finally, Warren Buffet welcomes the Chinese New Year on a ukulele on YouTube.

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is just a day away! One of my favourite new holiday traditions is making deliveries for last minute orders of cards, calendars and agendas on Christmas Eve. It gives me a chance to see old friends and their families in my hometown. And with the streets still clear of snow and ice, I’m going to be traveling by bike!

This year, I decided to thank my Kingston customers by giving away some fabulous prizes from local businesses in Kingston. The prizes in my “Home for the Holidays Giveaway” include: A copy of my 2012 Illustrated Agenda, a Gift Certificate for Dinner for 2 at Curry Original and a Gift Certificate to Bellagio Hair and Skin Care.
I entered everyone on my Kingston mailing list and used a random number generator to select the winners.

And the winners are…

A copy of my 2012 Illustrated Agenda: Sharon N.

Gift Certificate to Bellagio Hair and Skin Care: Suzy L.

Gift Certificate to Curry Original: Sarah S.

Winners will be contacted by email. Thank you for reading and best wishes for a very happy holiday!

Last Thursday, House of Angelis hosted my Art & Eggnog Event at Catwalk Boutique. The event was so much fun. Thank you to everyone who came out! Also thanks to Tiffany Brick, who took these lovely photos of the evening.

I hope that you are enjoying the holiday season! I just wrapped up a busy week that included my Art and Eggnog Show at Catwalk Boutique. The show was fantastic and I can’t wait to share the photos with you. But first, I’d like to introduce my 2012 Weekly Agenda. Here are the images that you will find in this year’s addition.

After receiving so many requests for a new addition of my Weekly Agenda, I decided to produce a limited run of them for 2012. The weekly agenda features 52 pages of weekly calendars, 12 full-colour illustrations, a monthly calendar, and note pages at the back. The agenda is bound with a thin, metal, coil binding and is printed on FSC certified paper.

If you are interested in ordering one, visit my Etsy Shop.

I will be raffling off a copy for members of my Kingston mailing list in a “Home for the Holidays Giveaway”. In addition to the agenda I will also be giving away a Gift Certificate for dinner for 2 at Curry Original and a hair cut with a senior stylist at Bellagio Hair and Skin Care. The winners will be announced on Saturday!