NYC Comic Con 2011

Dear Friends, In the eve of a nearing mini art show of my illustrations and paintings, I had the sublime pleasure of meeting one of my artistic Heroines; Olivia de Berardinis. Me( left) and Olivia (right)

I never had any formal drawing classes, ( until college!) but taught myself from 2 figure drawing books my Mom bought me at Michaels arts and crafts. Those books were excepts from Andrew Loomis' famous Figure Drawing book(s).In high school I spent most of my time drawing elaborately costumed people, and situations. I will always consider it my first love....

Growing up in the 90's, Olivia's Bettie Page illustrations were gorgeous, and elusive! I remember seeing them at alternative record stores and boutiques around the west coast. My complaint.. they were so SMALL. Only greeting card size...I wanted a full poster!
I received one of her first books, "Let them eat Cheesecake" as a gift. It has served as my biblical reference for fantastical figurative drawing, along with books by Andrew Loomis. Both are masters of the female form, and represent an unparelled reality that is more beautiful than anything you can imagine. I adore how both these artists have an intuitive sense of beauty, grace, and harmony that is absolutely flawless. They exaggerate reality, and make it even more beautiful and sublime/

NYC has Comic Con every year.. this is first year I have gone. I had a lovely time! I even bought the re-issued "Drawing the head and Hands" by Loomis, and ( of course) Olivia's new book "Malibu Cheesecake" as souvenirs! I've enclosed some highlights...Keep in mind, I don't watch TV, so some of this is totally alien to me. #1- The best couple is: This sweet girl and her Prince Charming. They were so cute.

#2- The Haz Mat team. Pretty awesome to see this. They look serious. Seriously.

#3-Just Dance. There were a few of these sound stages. And all sorts of folks dancing on them whilst watching a screen that tells you what to do. ( like simon says, sort of.) It made me laugh hysterically! I saw the Joker bust a MC Hammer move, which blew my mind. Thank you Thank you Thank you Mr. Inventor of this. I couldn't stop smiling. Everyone was having a great time making an ass out of themselves. ( ps Alice-in-Wonderland-blue-long-dress girl did a fab job too!)

#4 WTF. Not sure. Creepy. Gargantuan yellow inflatable with no pupils. Wierd 2 year old toddler in a bunny suit with fangs bursting out of it's head ala Alien style. Strange unicorn shape morphing out of its side. Really really wierd. And a large line waiting for it, by it, near it....