Rochester, NY Trip

It's been quite a while since my last post! I've just returned from a trip to Rochester, NY for the Mayday Underground Craft Show and a mini vacation with my college friends! 

In preparation for the show I created a painting of the Rochester skyline and 490 bridge. Prints are now available on Etsy.

This painting was done in a technique I have not used in a while: oil pastel, oil paint and colored pencil. I think I'll be experimenting with this a little more, since I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it. 

Heres some photos from the weekend: 

Caricature Logos for Businesses

I've recently gotten into doing some caricature logos for local businesses. Here's a few! 

This first piece was done for Christine's Cookie Shoppe and Sugarbabe's Gourmet Cupcakes in New Hartford, NY. This is a collaborative business between the two girls in one space, and I can tell you from experience, they have some amazing sweets! My Friend Kim over at Creative Designs supplied the logos in the girls hands and the type surrounding. 

This second piece is was done for Suzi's Place, a family style diner opening in Bouckville, NY! Bouckville has some great antique shops, which gave me a little inspiration for the logo. 

Marilyn Monroe Completed

She's Finished! Colored pencil. Prints available here.

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, colored pencil.

New Crochet Earrings!

Some new crochet earrings:

I had fun with these colors. Hope you like :) 

Love. 

Too many ideas.

Some things I've been working on getting ready for the Holiday sales season:

This piece was not dry when photographed, but pretty cool either way:

And a greeting card in progress:

Some experimentation. This piece is going to be slightly dimensional, in the style of kitsch 70's wall hangings!

Sketch:

Beginnings of a colored pencil piece:

Finished!

So I kind of obsessed over this one, and I am SO happy with it.


I also wanted to mention the point of this project, which was a reflection on myself as an artist. I twisted and turned my brain in all different directions until I realized the answer was right in front of me: My artwork is a saturated representation of a place or personality, with retro-vintage color schemes. Right now at least.

More updates to the website: mariavallese.com

"We were both hitchhikers but you had your ear tuned to the roar "

I just want to paint, but very little time, all this typing and organizing is making me a little crazy.

I finally got my suitcase in that I will be using for my portfolio. It needs a few minor repairs, and it's not the exact color I thought it was, but I think it suits me well:



It even has a nice little pocket for resume's and business cards! Nice!

So now I have done some edits on the color I want to use for my portfolio page, and I would still really appreciate some feedback (the typography is better positioned on the second one, and I think I like that color better too):



My goal is for the page to match the case, but not distract from the artwork.

Other than the portfolio, I've been working on these 3 paintings, which I am hoping to have done by the end of the week:




And some digital work:


This one is in progress:

VW Love.

Work in progress, obviously. This will be the main page of my website, and will be shrunk down and placed above the menu buttons on the other pages. Loving it!