CHICK LIT

My artist/blogger friend, the talented Jamie Shelman and her fashion illustrator husband, Tom Meyer, have kindly featured my favorite children's book in their series "Chick Lit". It's on a new project blog they have started called "Chick Likes Meatball" that incorporates both their great sense of humor and Jamie's witty illustrations. Thanks Jamie and Tom!

Hope that everybody has an enjoyable weekend!

THIS IS ME.....AS A CAT

Fellow artist, friend and blogger, Jamie Shelman is constantly churning out witty and adorable sketches and sometimes they just make my day. I loved this one, so asked her if I could share it with you - it's available for sale here. I could totally relate as I have a small fridge in my studio that houses Pellegrino, Dasani and chocolate chips. Jamie and her artist husband Tom recently relocated to Baltimore, Maryland from Martha's Vineyard and are quite the creative duo. Check out this online class she is teaching!

HAVE A TERRIFIC DAY!!

A MINI MEOW

I am so loving this illustration by my Martha's Vineyard-based artist friend, Jamie Shelman. The Mini Cooper, the color, the fact that a CAT is driving it.....vaguely reminiscient of my days as a kid reading Richard Scarry's books. Utterly charming. Snap it up here and have a really good weekend!!

THE CAT'S MEOW

Special thanks to my friend, fellow artist and blogger, Jamie Shelman, for her kind mention yesterday on her delightful blog, Small Expectations. She is a witty artist living on Martha's Vineyard with her illustrator husband. She's also a very nice person (which is something that is WAY too underated, btw) and created this illustration for me last week - which I totally loved. Thank you, Jamie!

ARTIST'S PORTRAIT * JAMIE SHELMAN

I couldn't resist this, "Aretha's Hat". How apropos after her unforgettable headgear at the Inauguration last week?

Jamie and her cat in "Cat Hugs"

Recently, a visitor with the blogger identity "HamstrJam" kept visiting me and leaving comments, so I was intrigued and followed the link to her blog. I couldn't help but notice these charmingly simple cats she sketches. However, they really aren't as simple as they seem - they are drawn with a true wit and brilliant sense of humor in a style that is somewhat reminiscient of illustrations in "The New Yorker". I found myself quite frequently laughing out loud here in my workspace (good thing no one was around - they would've thought I'd really lost my mind for good...) I left a few comments on Small Expectations (a terrific name for a blog) and then wrote the author/artist Jamie Shelman and asked if I could feature her work here on Annechovie. She has obliged me most graciously and also favored me with some answers to a few of my nosy questions.

Where were you born?
I grew up in Tucson, Arizona and currently live on Martha's Vineyard.

What is your artistic background /schooling ?
I received a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2006 yet also attended Bucknell University, University of Arizona, Sydney College of the Arts and RISD's summer abroad program in Rome.
Burberry

What are your earliest memories of being involved making art or wanting to be an artist?
My earliest memory of making art or wanting to be an artist is from second grade when my drawing of flowers won a competition to be put on display at the mall! Also, when I was at Bucknell, I had an inspiring art professor and was first exposed to paintings at the Met and I was completely blown away, I could relate so well to all the abstract expressionists.

Opera

Candy Cane

What inspired you most as your subject matter? Does living near/on the Coast influence your work a lot?

Travel, landscapes, patterns, quilts all inspire my abstract paintings and my cats are inspired by all the cats I have known and loved!. They have become a voice for my own thoughts, feelings, and personal reflections.

Family?

My family is from Arizona and my husband is from Baltimore Maryland- he's also a RISD grad and artist of beautiful fashion inspired portraits!

What are some of your favorite things or things that are essential to your success/well-being as a person and artist?

Good coffee (cafe au laits and croissants in the morning!), the New York Times, good reads, good food, long walks, bike riding, freedom!

Where would you live if you could live anywhere?

Switzerland is looking pretty nice, altough I do love Martha's Vineyard and NYC!

What are the most challenging things for you about being an artist?

Income that allows me the freedom to continue to create!

Thank you Jamie, for taking the time to share more about yourself and your art. I encourage you to visit Jamie's charming blog Small Expectations - it's sure to cheer you and bring a smile to your face! She also runs an Etsy Shop - Jamie's Cats.