lindsay lohan's dress of innocence...

©2011, Monika Roe

...by designer Kimberly Ovitz. This "Glavis" design is from Ovitz' pre-fall collection and retails for $575. Good luck getting one, they sold out once Lindsay wore it to her arraignment on Wednesday. Seriously. Lindsay chose this dress to symbolize her innocence and purity. Not kidding!

naomi campbell's diamonds

©2011, Monika Roe

Yesterday I saw yet another story about Naomi Campbell's alleged acceptance of blood diamonds from former Liberian President Charles Taylor and this illo idea popped into my head. 

If you haven't heard of this, it was a big story last year, I'm surprised it's still being talked about in the news. According to testimony during Charles Taylor's trial for crimes against humanity, several men came to Naomi's door in the middle of the night and gave her a bag of blood diamonds from CT. This was following a dinner given by Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

She said she received the stones but didn't know what they were. Other witnesses dispute her claim, saying she bragged to them about receiving the diamonds the following day.

Here I wanted to illustrate the late night event of some anonymous man dropping the bag of stones in her hand and the possibility that she may be a complicit thief. When an idea pops into my head like this I can see it very clearly and when bringing it to life if I have any questions I can refer back to the clear picture I have in my mind. Usually if I don't take the time to put the idea down on paper (or the computer) it will haunt me until I do!

look-a-like cloche

©2011, Monika Roe

What could be better than a cute, cozy hat to ward off winter doldrums? I saw this hat in an Anthropologie catalog awhile ago and decided to take on the challenge of recreating it for myself.

It's made from raspberry colored yarn and edged in fuzzy white. I made the flower embellishments from odds and ends of yarn and each one has sequins, beads or buttons sewn to it. It has a great vintage feel... I still love it! If you're feeling adventurous and have the urge to create your own, check out my pattern after the jump!

inca silver photoshoot

I had a great time over the weekend assisting photographer Loren David at a shoot for the band Inca Silver! They are an electro/indie/pop band from the Bay Area and they're getting ready to launch their new album, and music video. You can get their current album "Electric Summer" on Amazon.

This is a behind the scenes shot of Evan and Chris while Thia was in wardrobe. I can't wait until they launch their new material so I can share the final pix with you! If you ever have a chance to catch one of their live shows I guarantee you will be rocked by their talent! Their sound and showmanship is infectious...

the werewolf upstairs...

©2011, Monika Roe

...by author Ashlyn Chase was released this past Tuesday! If you like werewolves, ghosts, witches and shapeshifters mixed together with a ton of romance, this novel is for you! I also illustrated the cover for the first book in this series called "Strange Neighbors". The art director I worked with did an outstanding job on the type and layout, I love the end result!

©2011, Monika Roe

year of the rabbit

©2011, Monika Roe

Happy Chinese New Year! Don't clean for at least a few days, you don't want to wash away your good luck, fortune and money. Now that's a tradition I can uphold!

february love

©2011, Monika Roe

Don't wait until February 14th to show someone you love them. Make it a part of your daily practice! Practice makes perfect!