Veronica Fish Illustration

Making edible things

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:07:00 +0000

top to bottom

cucumber raita with cilantro
banana bream cupcakes with cream cheese coconut glaze
baked apples with cranberries, golden raisins and walnuts
eggs for breakfast
key lime marmalade
banana bread with left over coconut glaze

I've been baking like a fiend this month! And I guess, cooking things in general.

I'll spare you the many, many mistakes and missteps that inevitable in learning something new.

But visualize if you can, a grapefruit marmalade gone horribly wrong: left just a bit too long on the oven, past the point of caramelization into full on black-char-burnt mess.

Frankenstein Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:47:00 +0000

Hey friends,

Here is a recent page from my Frankenstein graphic novel

No lettering on this one yet - but maybe you can deduce what is happening.

HINT: Frankenstein doesn't assemble the body from cadavers as in the original text...

Peacocks + Paper cranes

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

You can find some of my design work for Seltzer Goods on their website this week.

Spotted the pen at the Brookline Booksmith in Coolidge Corner!

Other bits from the week

"Okay, I'm just gonna take a look here...
EEEh?? Th-this is ME?"
[heart is thumping NON-STOP!]

cute make up bag Ami gave me many years ago

More proof Superman is lame and Batman pwns him

Ate at Lucky's twice this week! Lunch both times:

feta spinach wrap and their amazing turkey burger with Russian dressing

Made chicken satay with akmak and thai tossed salad with Billee

I wish I was 13 so I could take classes with Haruo Shiga.

Here he is instructing the kids at the art museum to make a giant paper crane :

Work in progress

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Mon, 21 May 2012 16:42:00 +0000

latest project for a client

We realized the cropped image works better, since space is infinite it should extend to the edge of the page. But I think I'll use the floating vignette in another project, since I like the look of the frayed edges.

Why is little space-kid holding a spoon?

More on that later!

Colors from the week

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Fri, 18 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Ephemera at the paper auction

I tried making Tom Ka Gai soup but it wasn't like the ones I've had at restaurants :(

Al + Tomoko sent us some okashi...

Our new neighbor

Billee and I made strawberry cobbler this Tuesday

Rexy, Ted + Lisa's dog

All the mini sketches I did for Free Comic Book Day at Friendly Neighborhood Comics May 2nd!

Things from Brimfield

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Wed, 16 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

This exact toy was my client's inspiration for a project with me last year!!

Vintage Japanese tin toy by Mark's

Apple cider donuts - absolutely amazing - hot and fresh and sugary

ephemera from Red Door (all the way from Kentucky)

Found some wonderful things at Brimfield this weekend! We went twice, once on Thursday and again on Sunday. I think we clocked a total of 11 hours of walking, whoa! No wonder I'm exhausted and sunburnt.

Two beautiful Norwegian dishes and a Smilin' Anderson's Milk jar!

And this lovely bracelet for $3 that looks exactly like a Madewell one I almost bought. [true blue Cara bracelet]

I also picked up some Ball mason jars for making jam and jelly this summer, and that bunny tin toy up there for my client.

Hope you guys are all doing well!

Working on new projects, will report Frankenstein pages and new sketches soon!

Brimfield Antique Market Part II

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Mon, 14 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

So so many creepy, creepy clowns...

Lots of wonderful food at Brimfield, my favorites are the apple cider donut-guy, the perogie guy, and the cinnamon-bun lady...

This is the bag I reaaaalllly came close to buying - it was really awesome. I know just by posting this picture I'm going to make myself nuts thinking about it, but I just don't need it, to be honest.

Speaking of fashionable things --

I also saw a Madewell/J. Crew model!

Actually, my favorite one (left), I think she's so lovely. She was buying a small wooden step stool. She said it was for her closet, to make a mini shelf for her shoes.

Little did she know I was just looking at her face last night while visiting the Madewell website...

I drew what she was wearing from memory, since her fish-tail plait hair and bad-ass leather jacket with Doc Martens was too cool for school

I didn't take a picture of her, I thought that would be rude...

Brimfield Antique Market Part I

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Fri, 11 May 2012 22:48:00 +0000

Had an amazing time today at Brimfield!

Andy found a really cool Wolfman Soakie from Wex Rex, and I came really reallllllly close to buying a super cool leather travel bag but decided to pass at the last minute. I have enough bags, haha.

Saw lots of amazing things, as well as my fill of creepy clown motifs. (more on that next post)

We left at 9am to get there for 10, and by that time the traffic to get off at the Brimfield exit was SO backed up, it was better to go to the next exit and back track 8 miles. Seriously, if you live in New England, do that instead of waiting for 45 minutes to go .5 miles.

I usually go immediately for the mid-century modern furniture, the vintage leather bags and unique jewelry, and possibly for art prints and vintage posters.

This year I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I really want to save for some traveling this fall.

So sacrificed my love of impulse buying in favor of the practical.

Drawing at the cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

doodling at the cafe

Speaking of lunch ...

This Tuesday Billee and I made baked ziti with ricotta and a pear salad! It was heavenly. The smell of cheese and pasta congealing in an oven makes me nostalgic of holidays at my grandparents house in Connecticut. (They are Italian - very very Italian)

Cooking on Tuesdays is my new favorite tradition. It makes me slow down and just enjoy living!

Listening to a lot of Louie Armstrong lately while working in the studio. Picked some lilacs from the backyard, too. If I don't do little things to make the studio feel more inviting, it starts to feel like work again.

This song makes me feel like swinging on a hammock in June ...

A Kiss to Build a Dream On by Louis Armstrong on Grooveshark

Got these sandals at Zara last week - of course it was rainy and cold for 7 days, so couldn't wear them - but it will warm up soon ´◡` ♡ I love the black bow - feels very 40s! (with which I am obsessed)

Speaking of vintage ...

Going to the Brimfield Antique Market this week! Woohoo! It's one of my favorite things about living in New England! Miles and miles of great stuff, can't wait to check out the vintage clothes, posters and general oddities. Anybody else going?

Speaking of purple ...

Deedee and Billee picked some more purple flowers for me!

Does anyone know what the ones in the middle are called? They smell amazing!

and randomly ...

selling Japanese magazines this week if anyone is interested :)

What to Wear Spring 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Sun, 06 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

On Mondays I go to a cafe to work - (it's nice to get out of the studio) - and while I try to work out problems in my head I doodle things.

Here is a collection of doodles I did, of what I wore this month:

Tracked down pics of what's in my closet:

Left to right:

J.Crew oxford shirt (thrifted); ASOS cobalt blue perforated loafers; Big Buddha clutch wallet; Zara green tab sleeve shirt; ASOS orange sherbet belt; Comme des Garcons pin; Zara coffee cardigan; Mulberry for Target bag; Madewell denim shorts; Madewell red skimmers; pink woven bracelet (thrifted); ASOS leopard flats; UO cable knit sweater

Everything else is from various thrift stores / consignment shops. Except the Shibuya 109 "Welcome" tote bag was a gift many years ago, and I've worn it out by now!

Sketching menswear

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

I've been doodling a lot of girls in men's clothes lately...

Got this lovely silk stripe shirt at Grime thrift store last week

GyuuKaku: my favorite dip for meat, but lately I haven't been eating much red meat, so it's been a great marinade for steamed veggies...

I've been doing really great this spring keeping my stress-eating down, now it only happens once at month. But when it happens it still makes me feel pretty sick and disappointed in myself. But just hafta keep a positive outlook and get back on track the next day!

I hurt my right hamstring really badly, not sure how or when it happened. But for about 4 months now, it's been slowly getting tighter and tighter, until I can't do basic yoga on one side anymore.

I'm extremely flexible from a life-time of gymnastics and swimming as a teenager, so it's really difficult for me not being able to lift one leg past hip level!

I think it's making me antsy, not being able to run or workout, and since it's been ridiculously cold again, I can't even go for walks outside. Rgh! Need the sun!

Oh well, summer will be here soon! And then I can complain about the heat.

Mowgli Surfwear

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

I was so happy Mowgli Surfwear asked me back again to design another tee shirt for them. I love working with these guys, check out the envelope they sent me

We went with a really fun, slightly bonkers idea: all the characters stacked up like an animal tower.

(click for larger image)

(original art SOLD)

images (c) Veronica Fish / Philip Seastrom Mowgli Surfwear

I think Allie Oop would hate it if I tried to make her balance a bear, tiger and cobra on her back.

Happy May

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:27:00 +0000

Happy May Day!

OK, tomorrow is May, but it's May already somewhere,
so here's a nibbling rabbit illustration for you

This weather is seriously crazy. For a while it was super hot, like in the 80s, then suddenly an icy breeze set in, and now it's a super chilly 40 degrees with a harsh wind!

It's making my eyeballs hurt! Serious! I don't know why, but my eyes feel sore from the temperature change. Weird.

Andy and I went out to the Book Bear in West Brookfield and stopped at Dippin' Donuts for breakfast. I noticed they are doing "Cherry Blossom" donuts - whoa ho ho! How's that for being international.

Boston is the last major city to get a direct flight service to Tokyo, so the state has been really celebrating Japanese culture this month.

We taught a cartooning workshop in Wakefield this week, which was exceedingly awesome because the librarian Emily is extremely cool and stocks the library with great comics and how-to drawing books.

Check out these awesome drawings they did!

The Shadow

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:59:00 +0000

illustration for JusticeBulletin.com for the Alec Baldwin film version

You can read the full article here

Thanks, Jason!

Andy loves The Shadow, and gets the pulp reprints and comics regularly. I don't have any attachment to the character myself, but I love the cover art and the atmosphere.

But my favorite version of The Shadow has to be when Orson Welles voiced the character for the radio show in 1938. Because Welles has the best voice ever.

Maybe someone can explain to me the difference between Lamont Cranston and Bruce Wayne ...? Two super rich guys with no powers but clean up the streets and night and strike fear into the hearts of evil doers... and love to brood.

THIS is a hilarious (albeit extremely explicit) article on why The Shadow is better than Batman.

(though I will always love Batman more)

Lots of other completed projects coming soon! Stay tuned!

Sunday in Brookline

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Andy and I are teaching a short series of art workshops in Boston this month, and while in town we stopped by Coolidge Corner in Brookline.

Andy got us tickets to see Morgan Spurlock appear at the Coolidge Theater to introduce his newest film, a documentary about the San Diego COMICON and do a short Q&A after.

The film was pretty good over all, following different people who were all at ComiCon for different reasons. But I have to say, the film lacked a "Morgan Spurlock-ness", meaning his great narration, animated statistics and personal connection to the source material.

My new favorite Brookline eatery, MJ International Bistro. This place IS AMAZING. YOU MUST GO. Inside the old school arcade.

MJ International Bistro was SO GOOD, we ate there TWICE in 5 hours!

made mini ricotta cheesecakes the next day

Teen Titans

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

some fun Teen Titans mini sketches up on eBay ending tonight...

as well as a Silver Surfer up this week

We made Wonder Woman cookies for Steve!

The most fabulous sauteed mussels I've ever tasted from Daedalus

I don't understand this - does Rite Aid want to kill my family?

In progress

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Lots of paintings in progress! So much to do, not enough hours in the day!

Also - apologies for the bad cell pic quality

Here are some things I was working on yesterday - they are actually done today! Wow, usually I don't work so fast, but really hit a good grove in the studio.

I love using these crazy Acryla gouaches, they are so neon, taking a picture can't capture how they glow in real life. It's Da-Glo!

But colors are everywhere lately, as they should be being spring, and I love finding little things like this pile of streamers in the Museum storage closet.

And the flowers at Trader Joe's are looking amazing! I was thinking of planting dahlias out in the yard, but I'm afraid to try - they seem too delicate for my inexperience?

I love the blue hydrangeas, they remind me of Cape Cod!

And even my summer salad and portabello mushroom sandwich at Nu is colorful!

made orange cranberry mini scones with Billee

See you at the Boston ComiCon

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Hey friends,

I'll be appearing at the Boston ComiCon this weekend (April 21 + 22) sharing a table with my pal Brit Snyder.

I'll be selling copies of the Frankenstein mini + Pirates of Mars Vol. 1

Also, I'm offering a Con special -

Free sketch inside either book when you buy!

and I'm talking like, a real sketch, not this doodle business

Pirates of Mars has also been discounted from ~~$15~~ to $10

◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥

Also! The Harvard Book store asked to restock more copies of Pirates!

◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥◥

Anyway, I am so psyched for Boston ComiCon - Andy and I were guests for the first 4 seasons of this amazing event and it has just exploded from a little corner of a hotel meeting room to a HUGE convention center! Whoa!

And as always, Colin Solan and everybody on the management side of things have lined up spectacular guests like Bernie Wrightson, Alex Maleev, Jill Thompson - so many more - you should come!

When someone special dies

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

So this is actually a Frankenstein update, believe it or not

Some people have been asking me

"Hey, Frankenstein was supposed to be out Winter 2012, - any news?"

and to that I say

"Thank you for being incredibly patient,

but now it's going to be summer."

..............................⚘...............................

The entire first volume of Frankenstein was completed this Fall/Winter during my artist residency at Eagle Hill. Working at an insane rate of 3 pages per day, I was able to complete the full 104 pages of volume 1 in great time.

And then Antoine passed away.

While working on my own project, the artist residency tied into teaching a storytelling/comic class a few times a week with a small group of students.

All of whom became near and dear to me.

Three days a week we met, talked technique and story ideas, and they were more than generous with their kind words of my personal work. Especially Antoine.

"I'll be the first one to buy it when it comes out, Veronica"

Extraordinarily attentive and exacting, he jotted down everything I suggested to him - artists, fonts, compositional ideas. We exchanged books like Asterix, discussed Moebius, (Antoine is also French) and how exactly to pronounce "Gotye".

I had just finished writing a recommendation letter for him when we got the call that he had died.

Suddenly, I couldn't look at Frankenstein pages anymore. I could only hear:

"Salut, es-tu occupé? Do you need to use this book for reference?"

I couldn't even go into my studio. I'd see the pages on my desk and think "What's the point?"

When someone you have a connection with is suddenly gone, you try to rationalize why. But you can't. You can't waste your life away living in sadness.

You can't let sadness overtake you

What happened has happened, affected people much closer to him than I, and we have to stay strong for the family.

..............................⚘...............................

It took a long time, and the support of many wonderful people, the sadness has past, and now it's time to finish what was started.

So thank you all for being incredibly patient, but happily the first volume is in the capable hands of my editor - getting ready for the final prep and printing this summer.

..............................⚘...............................

Other people's memories

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Seen at the auction last week ...

The auctioneer's puppy.

PUPPY.

It's BIGGER THEN ME

Fred Astaire style

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Found this amazing book for my mom at the Book Bear this weekend.

She always had on a Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire movie on, when I was growing up, so I have an affinity for old musicals.

Maybe that's why I love menswear so much? Could be subliminal?

from Swing Time

from Royal Wedding {1956}

from Royal Wedding (The Upside-Down Room Scene)

The Alfred Hitchcock Tribute Show @ G1988

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

GALLERY 1988: VENICE

"Suspense &

Gallows Humor"

a tribute to the all-time greatest

Opening Reception:

Friday, April 13th, 7-10PM

214 Pier Ave Santa Monica, CA 90405

my contribution: Shadow of a Doubt

BUY IT HERE

Thank you to Flavorwire for mentioning this piece in their article :)

Some fab pieces also in the show :

by Joe Spiotto

Joshua Budich

Shadow of a Doubt

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 21:54:00 +0000

Shadow of a Doubt | mixed media on paper | 11x14" | $250

available via Gallery 1988 LA starting April 13

When Gallery 1988 emailed me their 2012 group show line-up, and an Alfred Hitchcock Tribute show was on it - I screamed a little.

I knew I had to do an illustration of my favorite Hitchcock movie ever

"Shadow of a Doubt"

I love Hitch movies, so so much! It was hard to pick which to do, my favs are: Rear Window, Rebecca, and Rope (Hey look at that, all "R" movies)

Joseph Cotten is one scary dude

Making a digital composite for reference

Working in the studio

On the left, my sketchbook is open to ball-point pen sketches I had done of abstract paintings from the Carrie Moyer show. Moyer's work was so inspiring, even if I don't do abstract work, there was a way to incorporate certain aspects like smoke.

Wish I could see the show in person! So much amazing material to be inspired by!

Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:56:00 +0000

Took a walk around Worcester this Saturday. It's finally sunny after a long cloudy spell, so had to take advantage of it. Found some nice bits ...

Got this lovely shirt from the thrift shop GRIME on Grove St.

More stripey things in my closet...

apparently I like stripes.

Made some tomato soup for me and Andy, with white mushrooms, chives and some sauteed onions. Pretty good!

Working on an awesome commissioned project. This is the first image I had kicking around my head when the client described his idea.

Lucky's homemade pineapple carrot cake - stellar

Had an amazing dinner at Lucky's this weekend. We were the first ones there, and immediately after taking these pictures, the entire room filled up!

Using all the colors

noreply@blogger.com (Veronica Fish) — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

working

I have many palettes for different kinds of paint, and lately I'm terrible about washing them out thoroughly.

If I didn't cook so much I'd probably have to start using dinner plates, but thankfully it hasn't gotten to that point.

Are you guys enjoying the spring weather?

It kind of plummeted to freezing again here in New England after a streak of amazingness. It's sunny but still kind of frigid.

I think my mood is really tied to the weather. If it's cloudy and rainy for more than a couple days straight I feel like death. Weird!