Friday, March 30, 2012

bachelorette bashes

©2012, Monika Roe

This illo I created for Philadelphia Weddings Magazine was for an article entitled "Bachelorette Bashes for Every Bride-to-be".

From left to right each set of legs represents a different bride's personality, sporty, romantic, girly and domestic. I thought ALL of the suggestions for party themes were great! Bowling party, private lingerie party, spa-ahh day and personalized cooking lesson all sound fun to me!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

summer is coming!

(click for a closer look!) ©2012, Monika Roe

Since it's my birthday week I wanted to share something new with you every day of this week!

Here's a recent illustration I did for a client that wasn't picked up. The theme was summer outdoor parties. I just love the carefree vibe in this illo! Reminds me of getting together with my best friends from college, laughing and catching up poolside...

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

swamp

©2012, Monika Roe

Here's a swampy recipe for this week's Illustration Friday topic of "swamp"!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

'gardens' art opening


At last I can finally reveal the project I've been working on for the last month! It's a paper sculpture I made for the Paso Robles Art Association's upcoming show entitled "Gardens". If you remember, I created the poster in February to promote this show.

Originally I was planning on doing a painting along the lines of the artwork I did for the poster, but since I am teaching paper sculpting workshops, I thought it made sense to change direction and create something out of paper. Inspired by the bright orange California poppies blooming in my back yard, I decided to create a poppy 'garden'. This paper sculpture is approximately 30" x 40"and every single part of it is hand cut!

Yesterday I was notified that it was juried into the show and I'm really excited! When I dropped it off at the gallery it looked so beautiful hung and lit. The opening reception is this Thursday, March 29th, at Studios on the Park from 4 pm to 6 pm. If you are in town, please stop by and join us for complimentary wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres! Mmmmm... art and local Paso Robles wine...

If you can't make it to the opening reception, the show runs until April 29th so there is plenty of time to visit and see my paper poppy garden! I'll also post more pix of it installed in the gallery later in the week for all of my out of state friends!

Monday, March 26, 2012

kids paper sculpting workshop


Today is the last day to register for my Paper Sculpting Kids Camp at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles. The camp will be next week, April 2, 3, 4 & 5 for ages 10-12. We're going to make some amazing dimensional scenes and a big ol' mess! Register through the Paso Robles Art Association today!

Can't make that class? My next Paper Sculpting Kids Camp is June 18, 19, 20, & 21. The registration deadline for that one is June 3rd. There's limited space so register early to make sure your child doesn't miss out!

Friday, March 23, 2012

kraft maui luau sandwich

(click for a closer look) ©2012, Monika Roe

The folks over at TheyDrawandCook.com are having a recipe illustrating contest sponsored by Kraft. The deadline is March 25th, so you'd better get crackin' if you want to participate! Even if you don't want to enter, go take a look at all the entries, there is some beautiful work!

Shown above is my entry, the Maui Luau Sandwich! This sandwich sounds so good to me! The flavors of sweet Hawaiian bread, pineapple, ham and mellow swiss are given a zing with red onion, cilantro and hot & spicy mayo. Yum!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

tea for two


Tea. My favorite is Sweet & Spicy from Good Earth. It really changed my mind about tea being boring!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

shades

©2012, Monika Roe

This week's Illustration Friday topic is "shades". The artwork I just completed for an upcoming show of the International Society of Acrylic Painters seems perfect for this subject! My concept shows that this organization of phenomenal artists represents many shades of color/nationalities.

Here's a look at the full poster:

©2012, Monika Roe

This show is made possible by the Paso Robles Art Association and will be held July 12th through August 12, 2012 at Studios on the Park in beautiful Paso Robles, California. I can't wait!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

as seen in 'where women cook'


Take a look at this month's issue of Where Women Cook Magazine and you will see me featured along with one of my newest recipe illustrations!

(click for a closer look!)

I illustrated this Lemon Tart recipe specifically for this feature. Last year in the dead of winter I was thinking "What kind of recipe would I want to see in March?" And I think I nailed it because I could totally go for a lemon tart about now!

I was also asked to write a story about my take on illustration and food. Here's what I had to say:

"Illustration and cooking are both things that I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. The difference is that when I was a child, illustration was simply “drawing,” and cooking was more along the lines of messy experimentation than a demonstration of culinary talent.

My first successful food illustration was for a national contest held by Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes when I was a little girl. My mom gave me some paper and crayons and told me to draw a picture of Tony the Tiger. I set up my “studio” in the grass of our backyard and got to work. My drawing featured Tony eating his breakfast on a table in the forest. The legs of the table were made of growing trees, so he was miles up in the sky as he ate and looked down over his domain. I’m not sure if I even realized that it was for a contest, but soon we received word that I had won! First prize was a brand new bike. I had that bike for many years; it symbolized my early lesson as an artist that something wonderful can happen when you mix the subject of food with the right creative concept!

Cooking didn’t really become a passion until my grandma passed away. Every Christmas Eve she would make a traditional Danish dessert called Risalamande; it’s rice pudding folded with whipped cream and a single almond is tucked into the mixture. My grandma made it her own by serving it with a strawberry sauce instead of the traditional cherry sauce. She passed away right before Christmas, so that year I decided to make it in her honor even though she didn’t leave a recipe to follow.

Figuring out the recipe was a labor of love. I like to think that she was there guiding me through it. Every year when I make this dessert, the measuring, stirring, simmering, and familiar smells bring my grandma back to me. I know she would be proud that I am carrying on her tradition because she always cooked for us with love, and that’s the part of cooking that has become so addicting for me.

I’m very detail oriented and when I cook, and I like to know where I’m going — what the dish will look and taste like when I’m done. When illustrating a recipe, it doesn’t always work like that. Many times an idea will pop into my head and all I have to do is put it to paper. But sometimes, like with this Lemon Tart illustration, I just start with a color palette in mind and everything works itself out as I draw.

Most of my recipe illustrations are favorites that I’ve made over and over again for friends and family. If I can delight them with the tastes of the recipe, I hope I can delight you with the illustration of it and inspire you to make it for someone special in your life. With love of course!"

Thursday, March 1, 2012

march already?!

©2012, Monika Roe

It's my birthday month so let the celebration begin!

To kick it all off here's an illo I did of Ideal Home Magazine's technology editor Amy. She's a sassy femme fatale with a fun, retro sense of style. Amy is in the know about ALL the latest must-have gadgets! See her latest picks on her blog girlabouttech.com.