merry christmas!

Wishing you and yours a comfy, cozy, Merry Christmas! (This illo can be seen in this month's issue of Ideal Home Magazine.)

charms and chocolate chips

Charms and Chocolate Chips is the latest book cover I illustrated in the Magical Bakery Mystery Series by author Bailey Cates! Decadent baked goods and magic... a fabulous combination!

baby it's cold outside

A warm and toasty illustration for a cold, cold Monday morning!

christmas crackers

Some Christmas dinner fun! (Appearing in this month's issue of Ideal Home Magazine.)

a light holiday breakfast

Wishing this was my breakfast this morning... (this illo appears in this month's issue of Ideal Home Magazine.)

gingerbread fun

These are the gingerbread fantasy houses I illustrated for American Girl Magazine's holiday issue. When you take their quiz you find out which house suits your personality!

christmas baking

I hope there's a whole lotta this happening in your kitchen this December! (This illo appears in this month's issue of Ideal Home Magazine.)

hallmark

A Hallmark Chanukah card using my illustration of a menorah!

sweet anticipation

Another Hallmark Christmas card I illustrated!

fixing to die

The latest novel in the Josie Marcus Mystery Shopper series is out! It's called Fixing to Die and I illustrated the cover. While fixing up their house, Josie and her husband get drawn into a murder who-dun-it. It's a cozy mystery that's been getting very high reviews. To order go to Amazon.

texting and icy pavement don't mix!

Here is this month's embarrassing moments illo I did for M Magazine. A girl was texting her best friend about a conversation she just had with her crush when she slipped on a patch of black ice. It turned out that her crush was right behind her and saw the whole thing, when he helped her up he picked up her phone and saw what she had typed!

friend of mine

This is the painting I did to replace my sold piece in the Small Treasures gallery show. It's called "Friend of Mine" and it was sold before it even made it to the wall! Thanks to Nancy (shown) for giving it a good home!

bookplates!

My painted plate will be up for auction this Saturday at the Paso Robles Library Foundation's BookPlates! event (it's the red one right above the logo on this flyer). If you donate a new or gently used coat or sweater to Coats for Kids at the event, you'll get a coupon for a free treat from Coldstone Creamery.

Preview all of the plates at www.facebook.com/PasoRoblesLibraryFoundation.

medical illustrations

Did you know I also do medical illustrations? I do! These are some of the medical illos I've done for KidsHealth by Nemours.

depths

Here's a look at the painting I did for the "Small Treasures" show that opened this past Wednesday night in Paso Robles. It's called "Depths" and was sold on Thursday! This was a fun departure from my usual broken color painting style.

Her hair holds a secret underneath the water...

red's apple roadhouse

It's opening day for Red's Apple Roadhouse in Sebastopol, California and here's their logo designed by yours truly! If an apple cider doughnut with bacon topped glaze, or fresh, piping hot fried chicken tickles your fancy, you MUST visit Red's! They are located at 4550 Gravenstein Hwy North, Sebastopol, California. Road trip!

holiday deliciousness

THREE of my illustrated recipes have been included in the new holiday cookbooks published by They Draw & Cook. My recipes for Risalamande & Ultimate Peppermint Bark in in Holiday Sweet and my recipe for Cranberry Sauce is in Holiday Savory!

These books contain a super fun and festive collection of Christmas-y recipes — everything from peppermint bark (my recipe!) and gingerbread houses to cranberry molds and sweet potatoes. See more images, start planning your holiday menus and get some of your holiday shopping done early here: http://bit.ly/19AgbIK!

american girl apple snacks

Follow my illustrated steps to make delicious apple recipes for fall in this month's issue of American Girl magazine! (I also did the caramel drizzle lettering!)

october nightmare

This is the illo I did for the October issue of M Magazine. It's another embarrassing moment. In this one a girl dresses as Belle for her school's costume contest. She is totally confident that she will win but as she is standing with the other finalists in front of the entire school, her dress starts itching her, she breaks out in hives and sweat starts to drench her costume. She not only loses the contest but her mom has to come and deliver a change of clothes! A perfect Halloween nightmare for a tween girl!

2013 bookplates!

©2013, Monika Roe

The Paso Robles Library Foundation asked me to paint a plate for their upcoming "BookPlates!" charity gala. Here it is all ready to be fired! The pink color will turn red after the firing. It will be auctioned at the event on November 16th.

12south, nashville

I illustrated this map of the hip 12South area of Nashville, Tennessee for Atlanta Magazine. It shows the best shops and restaurants to visit all underneath the iconic Nashville skyline!

scribe

This is the poster art I designed for the Paso Robles Art Association's "Scribe" themed gallery show that opened on September 5th!

m magazine

Here's a look at this month's embarrassing moment illo for M Magazine. "I spit all over my boyfriend in band practice!" Enough said! :)

2013 pugsgiving

This is the 2013 Pugsgiving logo I designed for Central Coast Pug Rescue! This year's November fundraising event is going to be Hawaiian Luau themed so I couldn't wait to design a pug tiki to incorporate into the lush tropical design!

embarrassed in august

This month's embarrassing moment as seen in the current issue of M Magazine. A girl is over at her boyfriend's house and she's laughing so hard at the movie they're watching, she accidentally pees on the couch next to him! OMG, embarrassing!!!

coffee set

This illo I did for Ideal Home magazine this month reminds me of having coffee with my family in Denmark!

coastal kitchen

Another illo from this month's Ideal Home magazine, it's their coastal themed issue!

august

Ahhhh, to spend time at your cottage by the sea... this illo can be found in this month's issue of Ideal Home magazine!

m magazine

My illo of an embarrassing moment featured in this month's issue of M Magazine: "My shorts ripped in half! I was taking a shortcut with my friends through the park on our way back from the 711 one day. There's a short wall around it, but we always just climb over instead of walking down to the opening. I was holding a bag of chips I'd opened in my teeth so I could climb but they started to slip. As they fell out the other side, I lunged for them and heard this ripping sound. My shorts were completely torn down the middle and everyone saw my underwear! The worst part was I still had to walk two blocks to get home. I was so embarrassed!"

lemonade

Is it hot enough for some lemonade? I think so! This illo was for Ideal Home Magazine's June issue.

sunbursts and best friends

In the July/August issue of American Girl magazine, my step-by-step illustrations show you how to make paper sunbursts to decorate a summer party, and friendship bracelets for your BFF!

hanging book sculpture class

Tomorrow is the last art class I'm teaching until July 29th. We'll be creating hanging paper "book" sculptures! Fun to make with dramatic results! Pre-register on the Paso Robles Art Association's website, OR just show up for class at Studios on the Park at 1pm on Wednesday. Class size is limited!

folded paper flower class

The summer art camp class I'm teaching tomorrow (Wednesday) is focused on making a variety of flowers from folded paper. It's amazing what you can do with a few simple folds! Pre-register on the Paso Robles Art Association's website, OR just show up for class at Studios on the Park at 1pm on Wednesday. Class size is limited!

owl paper sculpture class

My summer art camp classes started today! Tomorrow we will be creating owl paper sculptures. A great exercise in 3D creative thought! Pre-register on the Paso Robles Art Association's website, OR just show up for class at Studios on the Park at 1pm on Tuesday! Class size is limited!

travel

Using a travel app to pack for her trip to Crete! As seen in this month's issue of Ideal Home Magazine...

whatever

This is the poster art I designed for the current Paso Robles Art Association's exhibit titled "Whatever". The show runs until July 21st...

op art doodle class

My summer art camp classes start on Monday! Monday's class will focus on Op Art Doodling. Pre-register on the Paso Robles Art Association's website, OR just show up for class at Studios on the Park at 1pm on Monday! Class size is limited!

deadly forecast

Deadly Forecast, the latest Psychic Eye Mystery by Victoria Laurie featuring my illustration on the cover, was released yesterday! "Wedding bells are ringing for psychic Abigail Cooper, but her senses are tingling that fiancé Dutch is in danger..." Get your copy today!

water is life

"Water Is Life, All Life Is Sacred" is the message of the shirt design I created for this year's 35th Annual 500 Mile American Indian Spiritual Marathon. This is the second year that I have run this event and it's such an honor to have my design on this year's shirt! Read more about this event on Native News Network.

barn mural

This is the mural I designed for my friend Sheldon Rosenberg, owner of Rotten Apple Ranch in Sebastopol, California. He wanted a mural for the side of one of the barns on his property. It had to be modern and in a somewhat paint-by-number style to make it easier to paint. Included in the design is the family's old Ford pickup, a fixture in the history of the property. The mural will be painted sometime this summer!

lol stories

The LOL story I illustrated for M Magazine this month is about a girl getting in trouble with her mom in front of the whole school! When she got caught having a spitball fight with her best friend, instead of being sent to the principal's office, she was taken straight to her mom who was volunteering that day at the school. Wow, that's embarrassing!

summer art classes!

I'm teaching youth art classes at the Paso Robles Art Association this summer!!! Here's my class schedule, there are projects designed for ages 11-13 and some geared toward ages 14-17. Each class is different and will complete their project from start to finish. Sign up is à la carte, pick and choose which class(es) you'd like. We are going to have so much fun! You can find more info and registration information on the PRAA website.

death, taxes and pink legwarmers

Released today! Death, Taxes, and Hot Pink Leg Warmers by Diane Kelly, the latest in the Tara Holloway series featuring my illustrations on the cover!

pretty paper dolls

(click for larger view)

One of my favorite projects lately was for M Magazine's June issue. Creating paper dolls of Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato and Ariana Grande! So fun to draw these famous girls from their signature hairstyles to their unique fashion! The issue is available at newsstands right now!

vive le pug!

This is the logo I designed for an upcoming Central Coast Pug Rescue fundraiser! The event falls on Bastille Day, hence the theme "Vive Le Pug!". Dogpatch Winery in San Francisco is hosting the event on July 14th at 3 pm. Fun!

new painting

This is an acrylic painting of a border collie that I was commissioned to paint a couple months ago. It was a birthday gift for the client's sister. This collie was a beloved pet and I'm so glad that the recipient was pleased with it!

Kathy with her new painting!

logo design

This is the new logo I designed for El Gato Veterinary Hospital in Los Gatos, California! The owner's name is Aurora and she wanted a logo that incorporated an aurora borealis somehow. I love a design challenge!

nailpro magazine

Here are some new illos I did for NailPro Magazine. This month's issue has a feature article on the art of upselling for salon owners and they wanted a main illustration along with three spots that supported the story. I loved coming up with the packaging for the tropical pedicure treatment and changing the scent to "money" on the spot illo!