ASK Magazine

Guess what? I can finally show you something! Recently I was published in ASK magazine for kids. I illustrated an article about archeologists using the internet and local citizens to help them find the long lost burial site of Genghis Khan. I'm currently working on a new article for them, this one about a new discovery in space.

BIG NEWS!

Well! I have been very MIA lately because the last several weeks have been dedicated to a big development in both my artistic career and life. I am now a designer at CR Gibson, a company in the gift industry focusing on paper goods and products such as stationary, photo albums, and gift wrap, although we also tackle everything from decorative ipod cases and melamine dish ware to purses and aprons. My first week has been a wonderful learning experience when it comes to art licensing and the gift industry. I've had to move from Rhode Island to Nashville, Tennessee (spent some of my childhood in Nashville), and so far the area has been beautiful and full of wonderful experiences, plus family and old childhood friends.

In other news, I am working on a CD cover for children's music and a new children's product which I am not at liberty to talk about. It's wonderful that I can still pursue these freelance interests on the side when time allows.

Still settling into my room, which is pretty much boxes and more boxes. The two cats that share my house like to hang with me, which I think is funny since I'm more of a dog person (don't get me wrong, they're cool and I love them). They have proved to be everything from breakfast companions to fuzzy alarm clocks.

Looking forward to week number two! FYI, CR GIbson is still looking for about 3 new designers, so if you have some digital savvy and a love for Illustration and/or design, send in your resume!

I promise there is new work!

Whoooooa, summer has gone by so fast, mainly because the 6 week RISD Pre-College program takes over my life (in a good way). I haven't really shared anything lately, but I promise new work exists! In the last few weeks I've done some fun holiday stationary for Paper Culture, as well as a children's editorial about Genghis Khan (insert Kirk's famous "KHHHHAAAAAN!!") for ASK Magazine and a book cover for girls in the YA market.

The truth is, a lot of stuff I just can't show because it hasn't been printed yet. The sneak preview above is all you're gonna get for now, but I promise I will post things as they become available.

In other news, Williams-Sonoma bought five illustrations from me that may be used for spatulas this Halloween season (I say "may" because those companies buy tons of work and just throw it in their "art vault". They may use one of my illos this year, all of them, or none of them. Not sure). I'm hoping at least one got printed this season, because using something that you've illustrated is an awesome feeling.

July 4th

Happy 4th of July!

I'm busy working with two new clients- the wonderful Paper Culture and ASK Magazine through Carus Publishing. Hotdogs and fireworks for all.

Catch Up...Ketchup...

Looking back at older posts, I realized there is a lot of art I've been meaning to show but wasn't able to at the time due to publishing dates, etc.

So let's do some catch up, shall we?

The first one is a piece I did for a client based on the premise of solar energy and going green. Hopefully you could tell those are solar panels on the plant mixed in with the leaves. When I was looking up reference I wondered what the average person thinks of when they hear "solar panel" and if it's anything like the real thing. On a side note, I have to put more beehive hair do's in my work.

And next is a piece that was in my solo show at Gulu-Gulu Cafe back in November. I'm happy to say that it sold and is now in a permanent home!

The Giant Fox

I'm so happy to announce that I have received my copy of Oh, Comely that includes my Lost & Found piece. The UK magazine is beautifully published, and I love the overall look and feel of it (online mags will never have that satisfying weight to them, ya know?). The current issue of Utne Reader also has an editorial piece from me (Nelson Mandela is on the cover!), so take a peek if you come across it. I produced a spot illustration for them, but I hope in the future to do a nice, meaty big one-page illustration or spread and give them a big dose of Minco.

For now, please enjoy a new piece I have done called The Giant Fox. It s based off of an inside joke/story between my boyfriend and I. At night, The Giant Fox come down from Boston and pokes his head in our apartment window. He has a giant basket which is full of treats (sometimes beer, pizza, or tea depending) and we enjoy the goodies until he returns. We're huge dorks.

It's Cocoa Season

I'm so happy I can show something new! Lately I have had several projects finished, but I can't show anything because they haven't been published by the clients, etc. So while I'm waiting for those illustrations to come out to the world, I will treat you to this piece. It is based on an Inuit Creation Story about Sedna, a giantess who grows so large and hungry that her parents are forced to throw her into the sea. According to the myth, she now provides the people with food during the fishing season.

The future projects I hope to post soon include an illo for UK's Oh, Comely Magazine, a piece for a solar energy convention, and a spot illustration for Utne Reader.

On another note, I will be present at the RISD Alumni Art Sale this Saturday, October 9th. It's held in Providence along Benefit Street. If you are in the area please stop by!

Fall is sneaking up on me...

I have been BUSY this past month, but only have one thing to show right now. At least he's peppy (and already has his puffy vest and long sleeves for Fall!).

Just finished an illustration for Utne Reader. I got to work with their awesome Art Director Stephanie Glaros. I will be able to post the image when it comes out (Novemberish).

Today I am finishing up an image for a new magazine in the UK called Oh Comely. I have a lot of freedom with this one, so it should be interesting. The theme is "found things" and is about discovery. Oooooo...

When It Rains It Pours

I've been absent during the past month, but for good reason. I JUST finished up a freelance job for SOWA Open Market in Boston and am starting to collaborate with a company that works with artwork used for retail. This would include illustrations for storefronts as well as ready-to-hang stretched high end prints like you see in Target or Urban Outfitters. Clients working with this company include some of my favorite stores, so I'm very excited. Details right now are on the down low.

In the meantime, I am working on some personal projects as well as my website and an upcoming mailer (is it mailer time already?). However, my last two big jobs I got were via email submissions through company websites, so don't be shy about contacting Art Directors that way! Just make sure you read the submission policy and follow their rules. Anyway, below are two different possibilities for the back of my May mailer. The front will most likely be my newest painting of my cat hoodie girl in front of the row of houses (see post below). What do you think??

New clients!

I'm finally posting some new work! A lot of news (some I can talk about some I can't), but I've been contacted by two new and exciting clients: Boston's SoWa Open Market for website illustrations and another hush hush client interested in illustration and surface design. I've also set up a summer gallery show in East Boston at Cafe 303 with a good friend of mine.

So much to do!

Princess Sticker Book for Galison/Mudpuppy.

I was pleasantly surprised the other day to see that Galison/Mudpuppy has my Princess Sticker book listed online at their site. This was a project I worked on January 2009 for their Fall line- it's full of quirky princesses, royal pets (you know animals always think they rule the house), dragons, castles, plus lots of accessories including tiaras, flowers, and shooting stars. I had a great experience making it and I'm so excited to see it in person. You can see the full listing on Galison's website.

Ed2010: "Digital Age"

This was a piece for Ed2010.com about editors transitioning into the digital age and abandoning the ways of print. Ironically, the topic also effects myself along with the entire illustration field as more magazines and publications are tying to move content online (for some it is a modern choice while for others a financial move). As I was working on this, I couldn't help but chuckle because my illustration students had recently worked on a very "businessy" illustration for an editorial assignment. You know, suits and ties...people in offices....it's hard to think of something not obvious and still very much artistically "you" when working with some of these topics. It was my turn! In the end I was very happy to have my editor out of the office and still very much in my world. I will say if there is one difference doing online illustration, it's that the images are usually TINY, although this one ended up looking good (and clear) in its small format. Love the color, and those are my cowboy boots.

Updates for Fall

Hello, hello. I'm happy to say that I am plugging away on new work and opportunities. Here is what is happening...

* Three shows coming up in Rhode Island, Florida, and New Hampshire. Details on those dates as they get closer.

* Another job for Ed2010 that will be posted soon. I'm rather happy with how it's coming out- I think it has mailer potential.

* The Fall RISD sale is October 10th and I'm working on small 5"x7" originals to sell. They are very quick and fun, and I usually get to experiment with some new things. You can see one below that turned out cute.

* My website is updated!

* Star Trek waffles rock. They are egos with a flat middle where illustrations are printed in edible ink. Currently I am eating Earth and Kirk, but I'm waiting for Spock one of these mornings. C'mon, Spock waffle!

Slow Down!

I painted and painted until all 12 illustrations were done for GL magazine! I'm guessing these are suppose to be reprinted pretty small (The AD said simple illos, but not icons). My estimate is little 3"x3" or 4"x4" spots. I need to start painting for a show in CT, and Bitch Magazine has contacted me for another illustration...one about nannies on TV. I haven't painted a nanny before! Sweet.

Hello Summer

For anyone working in the tween/teen market, I feel like Girl's Life Magazine is one of those clients you should cross at least once. I was happy to speak with their AD today about a Back To School article they're doing on first day jitters and such. The assignment calls for 12 images dealing with the usual school drama (which hasn't really changed much) such as making friends, dealing with upperclassmen, and lordy lordy, WHAT to wear????? The assignment is due next week, so hopefully I'll have some sneak peek images up soon.



Meanwhile, in LA I just had a painting go up at The Hive Gallery. It's my first West Coast appearance!

Beauty Counter for Providence Monthly

Beauty Counter, originally uploaded by lauren minco.

Yikes, I haven't been around much! Thanks to AD Allison Cole for another whack at illustrating for Providence Monthly (it's so nice to see my artwork locally since it's sometimes published far far away from my stomping grounds). This time around it was for an article about shopping at department store cosmetic counters. I'm pretty happy with the with it turned out because:

a) I wanted to try a horizontal composition in a pulled out "scene" with an environment- this was a perfect opportunity.

b) Wanted to try this bluish palette!

c) I have done a lot of different markets so far, but beauty & fashion is something newish that I would like to try with my fun characters. My portfolio needed a piece like this if I ever want to get hired for those jobs in the future. Mexican wrestlers and beheaded girls don't scream COSMO, ya' know.

FYI, May 2nd is not only my birthday (the big 25 that brings in the Quarter Life Crisis I've been told-all the rage), but also the Spring RISD Alumni Sale. I'll be there ALL DAY for once, a rare sight since I'm usually teaching. If you're in Providence that day please swing by Benefit Street!

Das Wanderlust for Plan B magazine

My latest illustration was another for the UK's Plan B Magazine about the band Das Wanderlust. The article was going to focus on them "fighting the good fight" and remaining strong while being a small indie band in a scary corporate world. I concentrated on this phrase for two of the sketches, one that led to the final. As for the last one (a sort of deity or patron saint of indie bands), both the Art Director and I thought it was really cool but figured it was less appropriate for the article. Maybe next time!

New Notebooks!

For drawings, grocery lists, and history notes, I now have my new notebooks in the store! They have a 100 blank pages and measure 5.5'' wide x 8.5'' tall. Best of all, they're only $10.

 Today is BEAUTIFUL, and I'm planning to take a walk around the neighborhood before I have to chain myself to my desk and work on an illustration for Plan B magazine. I will post those sketches and the final soon.

Providence Monthly

 I have been gone a loooooong time, but thankfully the stickers are done! I'm hoping to post a couple of them soon for a sneak preview. I've been told the sticker book will be at the gift shows in August and will be officially available January 2010. So, I definitely won't have them for a while, but I can be patient.

On another note, I'm doing a piece for Providence Monthly Magazine. It's a spot for mineral make up, and the AD was nice enough just to let me do pretty much whatever I wanted. I've been curious to try a more monochromatic sketchy look. The sketches are below- I think I'm leaning towards the one with just the brush and no container (less bulky).

Upcoming Events

Man, if 2008 proved to be sluggish, then 2009 is starting with a bang! I'm lucky to report a string of exciting events and happenings, including....

I am making a Princess Sticker Book for a NY based product company (I think I have to keep some details hush hush until it's out). I'm very excited to know that something I've made will be out  in stores (plus, who DOESN'T want to stick miniature versions of their art all over themselves?).

I have a few show appearances coming up...

FEBRUARY 15th, "Tunnel of Love", Genuine Artikle Gallery & Boutique in Ronkonkoma, NY

FEBRUARY 21st, "V-Day",  West Side Arts gallery in Providence, RI

MARCH 1st, Grand Re-opening of Cranky Yellow in St. Louis, MO (my art will be                  available permanently after the show in their new awesome space!)

In the meantime I will be making an appearance this Thursday on a licensing Panel for RISD's Art of Business lecture series. I'm happy to say some of my Arts in RI friends will be there to witness me in business-mode!