Plan B Magazine

I'm working on my first editorial piece for the UK! This means after it's done I can say I am an internationally published illustrator. Only takes one, right?

The assignment is for Plan B Magazine, which is a youthful culture magazine (not the emergency birth control like so many people are quick to notice). I get to do their music section which has been a job I've always wanted. In this issue they're covering female vocalists, and I have to admit I haven't heard of ANY of the bands/artists in the article (but they are all pretty cool). Here are the sketches.

Singer Lia Ices as a songbird.

Hilde Marie Kjersern and her "spooky voice".

Andrew, the art director, gave me permission to do whatever I wanted and in the end he liked the songbird one (so did I). It's due Nov 5th. I'll post the final next week!

Mass Art

a quick 30 minute sketch I whipped up tonight for a demo I'm doing at Mass Art (yes, that's me). I've done lectures but not really a demo, so that should be interesting. And by "interesting" I mean "boring". :)

Taurus Girl

I'll have to get a proper scan of this later, but as of right now my new painting is done and I absolutely love it. It's one of the few times I've thought of an idea and have been able to say, "ok brain, get that painting out of your electric noodle-ness and onto paper!" ...and it worked! I really like the colors and some of the new patterns I'm trying out. Also, I got some teeny weeny brushes and they really did some nice things for the face and hair of the girl.

If you're wondering, this is actually a redo of a previous painting from my Senior year at RISD. It was a self portrait inspired by my zodiac sign, Taurus. In the old version she actually just has a bull head- it's not a mask of any sort. For the update I wanted the duality to be there so it could appeal on different conceptual levels. In the end, I also think the image is more interesting having the girl and such a strong vertical presence with her holding the bull head.

Success!

Oh joy oh joy! The RISD sale was a HUGE success! Thanks to everyone who bought something, especially the doctor who made a BIG purchase for his new office. My friend, Ana, who sells beautiful jewelry also did well, especially since there are many jewelry makers around. I was next to her booth for the first time and was simply amazed how crowded and active her area was for the whole day.  I know many people are thinking about art sales right now, and if it's worth it because of the economy, so here is my two cents on why we did well...

* This is "Art & Craft Sale for dummies", but both of us have a very distinct look to our products. Ana and I use very distinctive colors in our lines which helps with branding and making us look professional.

*There are many sales, but do your research and find out what kind of buyers will be there. For instance, the sale Ana and I were in brings in many upper middle class buyers, people who have not been hit as hard economically (or in some cases, at all!). If you are in a smaller area, newer sale (that maybe isn't as on the radar like other seasonal events) or know that the sale attracts a certain audience who doesn't have as much income (college kids, young families, etc) than that's good to know.

*Ana and I make sure our prices cover our overhead and are fair to us, but we also know not to mark up too much just for the sake of marking up. Ana's jewelry is beautiful (and not what I would call cheap) but compared to her competition she was a bargain. Pick a number that feels right for both you AND your customer.

*Don't waste money and you'll rake in more profit! I was tickled to see that Ana's expensive-looking suede displays were actually cardboard structures she had hot glued fabric over. So much cheaper! I have to be cost effective and cheap at this stage of my life. Having something vertical at my table helps to get attention, so I have a table easel holding a large painting of mine. That's all I need, and it's way cheaper than buying display walls. All these things reduce your investment and allow you to enjoy more profit.  

Okkie dokkie. Good luck to everyone doing Art& Craft Sales!

RISD ART SALE 10/11

Whew! All that late night painting has paid off as I get ready for the RISD Art Sale on Benefit Street in Providence! This is just a peek at all my small paintings ready to go (yes, they're originals, not prints). I hear the weather is going to be great, and I hope even though the economy is doing...not-so-peachy, we'll say, that folks will still be looking to score some fun artwork for themselves or others (Christmas shopping HAS started for some, you know).  It's this coming Saturday (10/11) from 10am-4pm if you're in the area!

Mission: Impossible

I am so honored to be featured at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, a blog about books and illustrators! These ladies mean business- check out their awesome blog!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!, originally uploaded by lauren minco.

Yes, I'm a little early with the Halloween business, but everyone can enjoy my spunky witch until the 31st!

On another note, when did postage go up again? Not only do I have to get more postcard stamps because I didn't exactly REALIZE how many clients I have (I just sent out a stack that's seriously at least 5 inches thick. REALLY), but now I have to get those one cent stamps, too. Soon I will send out the second half- magazine clients have been mailed, now I'm working on publishers, licensing, ad firms, etc. My neck is killing me typing all those addresses into label sheets. Ugh!

Little Vampirella

Little Vampirella, originally uploaded by lauren minco.

There's this site called Project:Rooftop that has artists and illustrators redesign superheroes' costumes... and I love it!! They actually have real judges (the artists, writers, or other people involved with the comic world) and they give their two cents, plus some people really do bring their A game art-wise. The latest challenge was to "revamp" scantly-clad Vampirella, who I remember from my Wizard-reading days. I missed the deadline but was still inspired to try my own version (obviously it's a far reach from the original with her being five and all). I was in a Halloweeny mood so it kinda came out all on its own.