Heidi Younger Illustration

Go Higher Man! (or bird)

2012-01-23T13:03:00.003-05:00

NY Times Practical Traveler 1/8/12

This illustration is about climbing higher- going further to get those travel deals. Read more here click.
© Heidi Younger

San Francisco in January

2012-01-13T13:53:00.013-05:00

Heidi Younger and Inga Poslitur take on San Fran

In January I often escape NYC as many northern climate prisoners do. To a sunny, warm place if anything to indulge my vitamin D supply of course, helps get through the winter. This year I visited my good friend Inga Poslitur who recently moved to San Francisco.

That's me on the prison island of Alcatraz looking off at the distant Golden Gate Bridge

I love SF and visited many times, while in college (many years ago) I even tried to find a job there to move. Okay, this winter back east is a mild one with temperatures pretty comparable with San Fran, but it’s that golden light that seems to only exist on the west coast that I was absorbing.

My hostess was awesome, she enlighten me on the quality of breakfast, afterwards we would spend mornings painting from Inga’s sun room studio, often baking.

Green Tea and Mochi at the Japanese tea garden.

Then I would wander using the local buses, which was easy and fun. You can learn a lot by a city’s bus goers. Golden Gate Park was close by and such a large park, I’d equate it with Central Park in NY.

more from the tea garden

Inside there was an area The Japanese Tea Garden. Totally worth a stop. I had a snack while enjoying the gardens.

We need to search out new landscapes, drink different coffees, and eat new foods. Make art, sit on a bench and soak in the winter sun. This all goes into the database to immerge in a piece of art or an illustration.

I want to especially thank Rivkah and Nik for also being awesome hosts. You guys rock! And of course Inga for her awesome friendship and for teaching me how to make Turkish style coffee.

What a treat for me to stumble into this WPA mural by Lucien Labaudt. One of my favorite periods is the art from the WPA. This was painted using the fresco technique.

Photos © Heidi Younger

Mission Linocut: Reunite meet

2012-01-11T13:39:00.000-05:00

Alas the BQ (Brooklyn Queens) Print club reunites to the occasion of the return of Inga Poslitur, who had moved across country last summer. For her visit we met to eat chocolate, drink tea and coffee and make a linocut, and of course trade with each other.

It was a cold day in the very early part of this New Year, the place: my studio.
The crew: Me, David Klein, Charles Basman and of course Inga Poslitur. Each of the members received a 6 inch square piece of linoleum, they were told to bring a sketch.
This is what we did in one afternoon.

We did eat, catch up, drink warm beverages and delighted in each other’s company. *I miss you all!
Not only that, I think we all learned a bit from each other, particularly working side by side with Klein who is an extremely experienced printmaker.
With my tearful, cheerful request to reconvene our club on a regular basis, Inga will skype in with us.

Okay, the fun is done, time to get back to life. Until we meet up again.
All Images ©

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T13:34:00.001-05:00

Seasons Greetings 2011

2011-12-18T10:41:00.005-05:00

This year's card was the result of a commission from Cricket Magazine, for their January 2012 issue.
The wrap around cover forms a type of visual pun, easier to get with the hard copy.
Season Greeting and cheers fellow bloggers!

© Heidi Younger

The printed cover January 2012 issue

More location sketches

2011-12-12T16:40:00.011-05:00

Illustration created based on location drawings to Rubin Museum and Natural HIstory

Here you go..

I loved teaching my Documentary classes this semester, I too got to sneak a drawing in here and there...
But what's the point of all these sketches? To play around with for even more imagery? Yes?
This past week we visited The Natural History Museum and the Rubin Museum of Tibetan Art. I was in a "loose sketchy" mood.
I used a chisel point marker for some, I enjoy the ease of mark making with the thick and thin lines you can make with a chisel point.

I have to say, The Natural History Museum is like heaven for a sketcher. Those animals/bones don't move. Lol. It's good to draw the people around too. Above is a quick sketch of my friend Charles Basman.

© Heidi Younger

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

2011-12-03T10:29:00.009-05:00

Green waters 2011

The other weekend I visited The Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn.
It was post season, so much of the foliage was depleted, however the coy fishes were still hustling about.
The experience inspired the illustration.
It was a warm beautiful day in November, less crowds and more coy.

I heard somewhere that coy can live as long as 250 years!

If they could talk what would they say? " FEED ME !!!

me and my friend's shadow

© Heidi Younger

Location Drawing Fall 2011

2011-11-12T12:45:00.008-05:00

St Patricks Cathedral NYC

St John Devine

The Natural History Museum

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Highline Park NYC

Highline Park NYC

Cookie

Dogs

Chelsea Market NYC

Bryant Park NYC

Japan Rocks @ Q POP Gallery

2011-10-25T09:00:00.001-04:00

Karmen Rider Vs. Super Sental

If you happen to find yourself in Los Angeles November 5 by all means go to the Opening at the Q pop gallery.

Q POP
128 Astronaut E S Onizuka St Los Angeles CA 90012
call: 213-687-7767

Exhibition Run : November 05 - November 13, 2011.
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 05 from 7-11PM.
Closing Party: November 12, 2011

Episode X- The Gods Agree: acrylic on wood panel 2011

© Heidi Younger

FIT Lecture Series Presents Dan Yaccarino

2011-10-09T09:11:00.006-04:00

Once again, another Illustration Department Lecture starring special guest Dan Yaccarino, famed illustrator and writer of many children's books and creator of Oswald animated series for kids on Nick Jr. also Willa's Wild Life now on NBC.
Please join us October 24th room D211 at 6:30-8PM.
See you there!

NY Times Travel Section Today

2011-10-08T15:19:00.003-04:00

Fall deals

Here's a recent spot I did for the Travel Section of the NY Times. It was about how all those tourist attractions in New England are offering deals to encourage Fall travel to those parts especially after the havoc left after Hurricane Irene.
© Heidi Younger

more rubbing and pressing

2011-10-02T12:14:00.000-04:00

element 8 17x 12 on mulberry paper

Element 8 is one of 2 prints exhibited last month at the Grace Institute. Again its a rubbing and pressing print (roller and linocut). With "elements" my small linocuts that seemingly flutter between all of the Element Series.

© Heidi Younger

I like to rub and press

2011-09-13T16:28:00.017-04:00

tree series 15 x 19 each

I can only classify my latest print works as mono-types, as I've been combining many forms of printmaking. They are mainly done without a press, but alas my dreams are headed to a press one day soon. I've used "roller" prints, that is where you create and image using, in my case, poster and card boards then glue them down and then use a brayer (roller) over a sheet of rice paper to pick up the image, like a rubbing. I've also employed my first love, linocuts.

hand cake 9x12

hands 15x 6

the pets 18x 8

After exploring more traditional mono-prints with a press, i've realized my limitations,
or lack therefore and compensated. I can't leave well enough alone: I've got to combine.
I've been calling these series the Elements Series but now I think I've reached another part with the tree ones.

lizzard face 11x 14

worried 17x 12

Also I''ve finally started to explore larger surface areas and better quality papers, after a suggestion from an instructor.
The larger paper size and better quality rice papers give me the psychology experience of taking this a little more seriously.
Prints are art too.

earth home 9x 12

© Heidi Younger

Jesus

2011-08-18T09:00:00.001-04:00

Finish of Jesus, but alas he was killed

I was a bit shocked and delighted when I was commissioned to illustrate Jesus. Mainly because I barely do portraits and heck, a portrait of one such elusive person, or should I say God? Anyway like I said I was delighted. It was for a kids religious magazine, so Jesus needed to be approachable, joyful, happy, "kid-like" even. I tried my best to depict those elements, but in the end the job was killed. Alas, Jesus was rejected and then the job was killed. I went on to do the finish anyway. I thought it would have made a neat illustration. What do you think? I also think I should attempt more portraits.
© Heidi Younger

The sketch

Visions- Opening August 11

2011-07-26T14:26:00.007-04:00

Thanks everyone for coming!!!! Cheers!

Ithaca NY

2011-07-18T13:56:00.004-04:00

Beautiful Ithaca was a great mini-vacation. I loved the architecture of the small city and it's proximity to nature. The dogs loved the trip, they were so well behaved- I'm so proud. Some highlights, Moosewood Restaurant, Cayuga Lake, Finger Lake wine, Taughannock Falls and some of the greatest coffee I've had.
There were a few challenges traveling with 2 dogs, but for the most part it worked out fine.

Monotype and Monoprints

2011-07-09T15:00:00.001-04:00

Lower East Side Print Shop: actually and ironically located 36th Street and Eight Ave

Summer is a time for FUN and what could be funner than making ART ??? !!! So I enrolled in a Monotype course taught by Sarah Nicole Phillips at the Lower East Side Print Shop. I'm having a blast with the presses and learning new techniques.
Monotype is a form of printmaking that only creates ONE original print, as opposed to an edition. Monotypes like layering and different thicknesses of inks and even collage.

Here are a few examples of what I made:

© Heidi Younger

Cricket Magazine

2011-06-20T13:28:00.000-04:00

Opener page- type goes in that space indicated.

A while back I was commissioned to illustrate a wonderful little story called "The Mist of San Martin" the story is set in a small village in Mexico.
The village has a mysterious hero who hides in the caves that the mist surrounds. The story goes on, where a young girl helps fight against the larger economic and political machine to stop the construction of a dam, which will ultimately destroy the landscape of their beloved village. The girl also elicits the help of the village mythical hero San Martin. Mist is an important element in the story as the village always had mist surround it, both daytime and night.
It was a pure narrative, something every illustrator LOVES to sink their teeth into. I certainly did.

My favorite of the series. The girl sneaks an herb to the mean Mayor to knock him out so she can get to work. Note the rifle.

Let's meet San Martin!

Most of the story takes place at night with exception to the opener piece where the girl and her grandfather are out collecting herbs in the daytime. It was fun to do both times.

Working out the girl with sketches, right was used.

My neck!

Last week I had minor surgery to remove a cyst on the base of my neck. It was a real surgery in an operation room with all the fan fair that goes with that.
Now I feel like I need a cone like that which dogs get, to stop my scratching at the itchy stitching. I am relieved the cyst is out as it was growing and getting quite noticeable. I've been focusing on healing.

© Heidi Younger

Water, Wind and Sky

2011-06-16T16:01:00.000-04:00

Acrylic on board 2011

'Ive been working an a bunch of new painting in preparation for an upcoming show in August. Black Swan has been an image I've been toying around with. While looking through an older sketchbook of mine, I've noticed that I've drew a bunch of street signs, they were part of the scene but still they took an importance. I added a "no parking" sign to this piece, it just seem appropriate for this piece, almost ironic even. The brayer has been an important tool for my under paintings lately.

Stencil print 2011

Reminiscent of vintage posters, minus the type.

Cookie meets a giant, yet sweet, labradoodle in Sag Harbor

Me and Annie

© Heidi Younger

Bits and pieces from May 2011

2011-05-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

I really like how the designer handled the type.

Common Ground- Keeping a common garden May 2011

I am not a gardener (poor lower back) but I do appreciate a nice garden. Plants are too cool, we plant them, they grow. We eat them, they shade us. They take our waste of carbon dioxide and give us oxygen, symbiotic all the way.
This piece is for a magazine geared for Home Owner Associations about sharing space for a common garden.
I tip my hat to all you gardeners, and Kelly and Jon, I look forward to summer's tomato harvest.

sketches

The girls relax together.

The Torah

2011-05-18T06:12:00.003-04:00

12 of the 23 sketches

I was commissioned to illustrate the Torah for an Educational Children's text book. What a fun! I had nearly complete freedom, just a tight deadline for 23 illustrations. But I made the deadline! Here are 12 of my favorite pieces from the series.

The Garden : Cain and Able

The Land of Canaan : Sarah Laughed

Hagar & Ishmael are banished : Rebekkah at the well

The Wrestling Match (Jacob struggles with insomnia) : The New King ( Genocide!)

Meet Moses: The Reed Sea

Spies : Talking Donkey "Don't hit me!"

I've been concentrating on this job for the last 2 months- when I wasn't in school I was working on this project. The project allowed me some room for experimenting by combining traditional printmaking techniques with digital-photoshop. I started using a stencil roller technique which gave me a lot of texture results. It was like painting with a roller. This is something I am up to exploring more.
This summer I am planning on taking a monotype class at Lower East Side Printshop. I've been itching to take this class for a while now. Monotypes are a form of printmaking using the press and paint on a "plate" usually a piece of plexiglass that runs through the press giving just ONE print, hence the name Mono-print. In either case I liked combining what became an assemblage.

Almost the Promised Land, Moses dies. This ended up being my most favorite piece of the entire collection.

23 sketches 2 months, client Torah Aura Publications. The sketch wall, helps with organization

© Heidi Younger

Chris Buzelli Lectures at FIT -Spring 2011

2011-04-24T01:05:00.004-04:00

Please join us for a night with Chris Buzelli, an award wining, amazing illustrator. This Wednesday April 27, 2011 in the "A" building Alcove. This event is free and open to the public.

----- A M M E N D E D ---------

Chris Buzelli made a wonderful impression during his lecture. His work is amazing and I speak for everyone here when I say seeing his originals was such an added plus.
Thanks Chris and Soojin!
Also thanks everyone who came out, all you amazing FIT students, faculty and friends!

This Friday- Draw-a-thon

2011-04-12T09:15:00.007-04:00

Join the masses, bring pencils! And lots of paper!

______A M M E N D E D _____________________

I successfully completed the 12 hours of drawing at Pratt's Draw-a-thon. Congratulations to me and to everyone else. It was again an awesome experience. I only wish I hadn't woke up at 6:30 am the day of. I did drink a gallon of coffee and my hands only shook a little lol.
And a BIG calls out to my friends and all my former and current students who came. You're awesome!

© Heidi Younger

I love sumi ink and bamboo pens

The models were amazing. So dedicated and they all worked so hard. Cheers to you models!

I spent most of the night in the 20 minute pose room. For those who don't know the draw-a-thon is made up of about 7 rooms, each a different time period and some had themes, like Adam and Eve.

Again, I prefer ink and watercolor over any dry media.

Next year I am going to bring more watercolor paper, I've been liking Aquarius Starthmore. Also used a monoprint technique for this, above.

And those acrylic inks rock too.

Black dog Gray squirrel

2011-03-17T10:23:00.000-04:00

© Heidi Younger Mixed media

The day my dog caught a squirrel was the best dog day of her life. Both she and the squirrel were shocked. I broke it up before she came to her senses. The squirrel jumped away and leached on to a nearby tree. Only 3 feet from the ground. I grabbed my dog, that's when all her hunting instinct took over. She pulled and wiggled, cried and howled, trying to get back to her prize. Poor squirrel hung on the tree for 40 minutes in the same spot, shocked. Years later my dog sleeps at my side, while she sleep barks and runs, I wonder if she's dreaming of that day. The best dog day of her life.

Hot Wheels, Indeed

2011-03-14T06:51:00.000-04:00

The caption reads: " Cookie, a 12-year old long-haired miniature Dachshund, gets a petting from owner Heidi Younger during a walk along Yellowstone Boulevard in Forest Hills. Cookie had a herniated disk and is partially paralyzed, so the pup now uses a blinged-out set of wheels to walk and run."

Last month a reporter found Cookie and I while we were taking our daily walk. I just received the paper and was elated to see that she made the front cover. My famous local dachshund strikes again. Thanks Christina Santucci of the Forest Hills Ledger.

Winter spend hanging out on the couch.

Birthday Bone- Cookie is now 13!

Let That Sleeping Dog Lie

2011-02-21T13:58:00.005-05:00

Cookie loves her fame, can't you tell?

Moleskine sketchbook drawing

Cameron Woo, art director from The Bark magazine, a hip dog publication, contacted me about using some of my drawings of Cookie that he found right here on my blog. Cool! I thought, these 5 minute quick sketches of my dog laying with me on the couch in the evening getting published in a dog fancier mag. I thought it was really cool how he let the sketchbook fold, gutter show. Not disguising the fact it's in a sketchbook. Something new for me, a more casual approach.
Check out the Feb/March 2011 Issue of The Bark.

More from the moleskine

The muse in all her glory

© Heidi Younger

Ted and Pinky

2011-02-10T16:30:00.002-05:00

For ages 4-6

Pinky is a common house cat, however she is pink with red tones. She is quick, and clever. She can talk but uses her identity as a cat to remain clever. She’s the brain of the team. Often it is up to her to rescue Ted who because of his daftness and fixation with flowers has gotten in a fix and needs help.
Together they travel around and meet the other creatures of the landscape.

Ted is a silent tiny boy-man, youthful or rather ageless in appearance, who has beautiful designed butterfly wings, he’s half insect. Because of his tiny size sometimes he gets mistaken as an insect, especially when he’s flying. He wears a mask to conceal his identity, but really he’s like a ‘Peter Pan’ character except he’s a bit daft. Because he’s half butterfly, he is mesmerized by flowers and can’t help but to gaze into a flower for long periods of time. He can fly but rather spend his time riding on the back of a Pinky.

They first met when Pinky rescued Ted after he got caught in a spider’s web and was about to become Lunch. Since that time Ted has been riding on Pinky’s shoulders ever since. Pinky is amused by Ted, as he is a unique creature, she also likes that he’s not a gabber. She views him as her own little treasure. We don’t know what motivates Ted, he realizes Pinky has been saving his skin and he just stays, except when there’s a flower.

Spiders make many appearances as antagonists in the story as Ted is a delicious meal to them and Pink likes to play and eventually eat them.
There is one spider in particular that has proven to be menacing. Her name is Jane. She is as clever, or just plain lucky, as pinky and was able to elude her but her focus is to catch Ted, not just because he’ll make a tasty snack, but also because it will bother Pinky. She is large, black and ugly with small hairs on her 8 legs. She often lurks near pretty flowers because she knows there’s a chance to catch Ted.

The story seems to revolve around Jane's obsession with Ted. She stalks him, waiting for the moment Pinky isn't paying attention.

But alas, Pinky always comes to Ted's rescue.

The proposed strip

Pinky has been making her way around the studio

Alas Pinky has broken away from the 2-D world, like I said, she's clever...
© Heidi Younger

Box Card Set- FIT Alumni Association

2011-01-24T14:55:00.014-05:00

FIT Alumni Card Set Arrived January 2011

It was so cool to get my copy of the Alumni Card set, where along with my fellow Alumnus our images are used on these greeting cards.To purchase please contact the
FIT ALUMNI ASSOCIATION at 212-217-4110.
or click this LINK.

Artist include: Center Heidi Younger, on left John Jay Cabuay, back Bil Donovan and on right, back Jillian Leedy.

------------ Sketchbook updates---------------

Whisky and Rotwielers
Sketches from my winter break

Ink on hot surface bristle board

It's easier to draw sleeping dogs then anything else that moves..
I've spent my winter break doing this very thing.

Brown and Orange marker sketches

Ink and markers, watercolor on bristle- this bottle is very interesting with the melted red wax dripping down. Each bottle is different because of this.

Black sumi ink with silver pencil, in sketchbook

Cookie the sleeping Doxie

Next month one of my Cookie sketches from my sketchbook will be published in The Bark Magazine... Check back soon!

All Images © Heidi Younger Illustration

Radio Interview

2011-01-07T13:21:00.005-05:00

For all those up in the Catskills NY listen to my radio interview on WIOX 91.3 FM On Monday 1 pm by Simona David and her Arts Program.
For everyone else listen via internet. Here's the link
http://wroxradio.blogspot.com/
Cheers!

----- A M E N D E D ------

Listen to my 30 minute interview CLICK HERE

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-04T19:25:00.003-05:00

I'm back from 2 weeks down in Flordia's Port San Lucie where the temperatures in the day time were in the 70s.
Yeah, I cheated the first major snow storm and feel grateful at that. Vacation was amazing, I didn't think I could sleep till 11:30 am without being sick...
Proving time and again that travel always allows you to learn something about yourself.

In short, it was GREAT to be lazy.

Seasons Greetings

2010-12-16T10:10:00.000-05:00

And a Happy New Year!

© Heidi Younger

Lecture Series at FIT

2010-12-02T09:23:00.005-05:00

Once again, The FIT Illustration Dept is hosting another lecture. Mark this date!

DECEMBER 8th Wednesday
6:30 to 8 pm

7th Ave at 27th Street NYC

This event is FREE and open to the Public.
Join Us !
____________________________________________________
A M E N D E D

November Days

2010-11-22T13:26:00.010-05:00

North Fork Long Island

Long Island's North Fork- Pumpkins

Figure Drawing Mondays Continued....

November seemed to have slipped by without me posting anything. So here's a bit of something- a mis mash of November.
© Heidi Younger

Figure Drawing

2010-10-21T19:40:00.004-04:00

Ink, bambo pen, brush... sumi inks
Monday nights at ASL
© heidi younger

Remembering the Oil Spill

2010-10-04T17:02:00.000-04:00

Bits & Pieces of September 2010

2010-09-21T11:37:00.005-04:00

SVA Gallery- Where's my Vote Sept 16, 2010

Where's my Vote Show concluded with a show at SVA Gallery. This show invited designers and illustrators to create posters that address the "election" held in Iran in June 09 where over a million votes disappeared begging the question "Where's MY Vote?". Read more.

A day spent at Inga Poslitur's studio

I was invited to Inga Poslitur's studio where she did an ink wash portrait of me. I was delighted. Thanks Inga!
We drew and ate a delicious lunch, tea and smoothies with bee pollen. (healthy!)

Driving Without Destination

2010-08-27T10:21:00.000-04:00

Miles of Uniformity acrylic on wood panel 20 x 36 2010

My piece "Miles of Uniformity" will be exhibited at Seton University for a show titled "Driving without Destination."
The opening reception will be Thursday September 16th from 6-9 pm.
You can find directions at their site Seton University.
The show will run till October 2th with a closing symposium featuring guest speakers Father Ian Boyd, C.S.B., editor of the Chesterton Review and President of the G.K. Chesterton Institute for Faith and Culture and Dermot Quinn, Ph.D, Professor of History at Seton Hall University. 2pm to 4pm.
Please join us.

Artist Statement:
As I stepped off the airplane into the terminal, I was excited and egar to see what lies before me, after traveling into a new hemisphere waiting to experience a different culture. What I was immediately assaulted with was a familiar “golden arches” along with more logo recognizing.
Unique cultures have been overtaken by large corporations who’ve created a homogeneous visual landscape. There seems to be nothing unique anymore.
My piece addresses this very landscape, with familiar logos running throughout the piece. The figures are flipped to graphically depict distance and “far away places.” One can never know what was lost if one never seen otherwise.

© Heidi Younger

Catskills and Poconos Mountains

2010-08-06T10:00:00.000-04:00

Wendy's house in the woods

Last week I drove up to Phoenicia NY located in the lovely Catskill Mountains, to visit my friend Wendy Grossman.
Wendy owns and operates her own hand painted furniture business. It was amazing to watch her work, the confidence, artistry and skill she demonstrates.
You can view and purchase her work at The Artful Home.
The town also sports Illustrator Laura Levine's antique shop, The Mystery Spot.
I went tubbing- sorry no photos of that.

Wendy's hand ; detail of the beautiful table

The kitties are Wendy's the others were at a farm I visited in the poconos. The donkeys were snotty.

Then I headed to the Pocono Mountains to visit family. We picked blueberries and ate, and ate!!! Saw happy farm animals and again ate and ate.
It was also a week of Cats, Wendy has two kittens who kept each other occupied while providing me with entertainment. My Cousins both have many cats. I was taken with Willie. He's a handsome boy.

Handsome boy Willie

Xerox Transfer

2010-07-18T18:41:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I took a workshop class in Xerox Transfer at The Lower East Side Print Shop.
It was fascinating, I learned tons of new techniques. It was the first time I went to this studio and I was very impressed with the high quality of the shop, the array of presses and the classes they offer, not to mention the studio that is available at an affordable rate.
Xerox transfer is a form of printmaking, like a monotype. A vast spectrum of techniques were explored and taught. The class was a 6 hour workshop class.
I created the above image with color laser prints on collage paper, multiple passes with acetone and a press.

© Heidi Younger

Migratory birds

2010-07-12T11:39:00.005-04:00

Over a billion migratory birds will be dangerously effected by the Gulf's oil mess. These birds are innocent victims by our lust for oil. Their populations are sharply decreasing.

Birds know no boundaries. They know only freedom and the pathways their species has journeyed for many generations. Migratory birds passing through the gulf from Canada to central South America will be facing this oil spill. Just a stop for a fish meal can result in their death.
I've been a huge bird lover and this pains me. Living so far from the effected area, we tend not to really think about it, but when we stop seeing coastal birds we'll know why. Roughly a decade ago West Nile Fever ravaged the crow population in the NYC, Long Island area. Their presence was gone, until very recently when slowly some have come back. I know nature some how survive, but there can be huge gaps without a species.

Read more and give, thanks.

Central Park Zoo

2010-06-23T15:51:00.009-04:00

Sea Lions

Victoria Crowned Pigeon

A friend of mine, Joan Scheier, volunteers at the Central Park Zoo, she asked me to come down and what a treat it was.
All the volunteers and keepers truly love their jobs, and their animals. A small zoo, but right in the middle of New York City, it offers a lovely hideaway and a nice place to sketch. The day was a scorner, one of the keepers dropped Ice cubes in the animal's enclosures. The snow monkeys immediately grabbed the ice. I started craving ice cream. Happy Summer.

Snow Leopard

Fancy girls

These guys love to show off

© Heidi Younger

Boston Trip

2010-06-14T18:46:00.017-04:00

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MFA

Exploring all the historic sites in downtown Boston, awesome grave yard, Granary Burial Ground, where Samuel Adams is buried, John Hancock and Paul Revere.
The next day lunch with Illustrator Elizabeth Traynor.

Illustrator Rob Dunlavey being creative with a coster at a pub where the gypsy jazz band Sinti Rhythm was playing, amazing music. The tree I found on one of my walks, it looked like a monster with a giant mouth with teeth. The above photo features Robert Saunders, illustrator and musician, Me Heidi Younger, Scott Bakal, Rob Dunlavey and Alan Witschonke.

Enjoy Sinti Rhythm

© Heidi Younger

On Location Drawing at Fort Tryon Park NYC

2010-06-07T21:32:00.011-04:00

Charles Basman, Inga Poslitur and Heidi Younger

A beautiful day to spend outside with my creative buddies. We set off early to draw/paint at Fort Tryon Park, NYC at 190 Street. The Cloisters is located here. The air was clear, the humidity was down and the sun was bright. I think it was safe to say that we all were over come by nature.

An abstract

The gardens were amazing, Inga started a watercolor about the poppies, Charles set off to do an oil painting of the landscape. And I just sketched and took photos.

click image to see a larger image- trust me it's worth it!

Mr Bee was busy in the mid-day sun, his back legs were covered with "pollen" see all that yellow. He didn't mind me hanging out with him.

© Heidi Younger

3x3 Pro Show

2010-06-04T12:49:00.002-04:00

My last Season's Greetings card made it into the self promotion category in 3x3 Professional show. Yay!

© Heidi Younger

Summer Vacations starts with a trip to the Met to draw

2010-06-01T13:45:00.006-04:00

Finally a bit of down time during the Memorial Day Weekend and what better way to spend it, with two friends drawing at the Met. While other people spent the day outdoors soaking up the incoming summer warmth, we dove to the inside, with the labyrinth that the Met offers we wandered the wings and corridors to settle in to draw in the Greek-Roman sculpture wing. When you really look at these sculptures you sense the ancient's amazement to the human form. They appreciated the idealized form as most of us do.

Wandering still we found ourself in the Eastern Civilizations wing, the funky Mesopotamians with their writing the laws down and all. Funny I've been in a wild cyber conversation about the song Mesopotamian by one of my favorite bands of all times, the B-52's.
We marveled at the hands and the long detail patterned beards. We came upon a strange little bronze of what looked to be an "elf" right out of a fairy tale but it was not to be mistaken it belonged to the civilizations of the Near East, Persia. Inga expressed her amazement at the little guy.

We concluded the day on the roof of the met with the interactive bamboo sculpture by Doug + Mike Starn called Big Bambu. We drank wine and soaked in the pink orange colors of the fading sun.

Thanks art playmates, Inga Poslitur and Charles Basman. Let's plan for another day of fun.

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028-0198
212-535-7710

© Heidi Younger

iphone drawings

2010-05-16T19:30:00.004-04:00

iphone app Paintbook

It's been a year since I got my iphone, and since November when I got the app Paintbook. I've been a big chicken about drawing on the train, this app makes me much less fearful. I appear as I am playing a game, or sending a text, but I'm drawing. Mainly subway train drawings, I take the E train mostly. These sketches are very fast, I just want to captsure the jester of the figure. The screen is fairly tiny and you MUST use your finger. As for the banana....?
© Heidi Younger

IF: Fearless

2010-05-07T13:29:00.001-04:00

fearless

© Heidi Younger

Landscape

2010-05-05T17:48:00.002-04:00

commissioned by CVS

I think I've become a landscape artist. I've long painted garden landscapes inspired by my love of nature. This piece was commissioned by CVS, the drug store chain, to be used for their human resources dept. material for their employees.
They liked my "garden" scapes, but they wanted more "architecture." Originally the people were more prominence, they wanted the people smaller, with less presence but still existing. Over all the client wanted it to be a positive piece.

© Heidi Younger

Draw-a-thon at Pratt

2010-04-10T17:04:00.023-04:00

Pratt Institute's campus

This weekend Pratt Institute held it's 22th Annual Draw-a-thon an event that lasts from Friday 7 pm to Saturday 7 am, and I was there! Along with hundreds of other artists, students and others.
It was my first time so I didn't know what to expect, I didn't even know if I can stay conscious all night let along draw? But I did.
The event hosted several rooms with different timed model poses, some with more than one model. The models were all good sports and all very professional to stay so focused all night. At midnight a band of african drummers began to play, all night till nearly 7am. It was a good way to stay awake.

middle of the night drawings

First I was struck by Pratt Institute's lovely campus with the fresh scent of blooming trees and clean air. (Yes even in Brooklyn the air can, at times, be fresh smelling). I brought too many mediums to play with, and feared running out of my beloved ink in my pen. I didn't do any masterpieces, really nothing I even want to keep.
All members of the BQ Print Club were represented (Inga Poslitur, Charles Basman and David Klein), floating from room to room, as were several of my students and former students from FIT. They made it worth it to me. There was such limited amount of room that I often found myself sitting on the floor and when I went to use the ladies room upon return I'd find my spot gone, even with all my stuff there. Yes, crowded, all enthusiastic drawers.
My favorite room, although high trafficked, was the 2 minute pose with 3 nudes. My former student Vitaly Umansky and I were sharing supplies and enjoying pleasant conversation. All that abruptly ended at midnight with the arrival of the free pizza.

At 11 pm I accidentally slammed my right middle finger in the bathroom door between the misplaced toilet paper dispenser. Pretty painful, it was swelling and throbbing. Luckily I am lefty so my drawing paw was fine. I did get a cup full of ice to soak it. Even now my finger is sore to the touch and a bit purple.

Inga Poslitur drew the African drummers magnificently. I conserved paper and drew on my iphone using paint box during the gestures. I eventually found a spot on a table around 2 am in the 20 minute pose room. Again, I didn't do any great drawings, but was thrilled that I even participated. At the end we all went to the 5th floor, all the models and what was left of the crowed, which was still sizable. The sun was rising and in the distance you can see the empire state building. It was like surviving something that started in the dark and seeing the light was very significant. Prizes were raffeled off, the biggest was a 150$ gift card to a local art store. I won a pencil kit with all anyone would need to draw with dry media.

Early in the morning watching the sunrise

After it was all said and done we had breakfast at Mike's dinner near the south eastern corner of Pratt's campus. In case you're wondering, NO photography was allowed. So I could document the event that way.

Would I do it again? Maybe, however the next day is completely lost and I fear my sleep pattern effected. At my age these little comforts mean a lot. But who knows?

© Heidi Younger

More March Madness Printmaking Fun

2010-03-30T12:47:00.010-04:00

David Klein, Charles Basman, Inga Poslitur and Heidi Younger

With darkened gunk under my fingernails and a creative exhilaration guiding my spirit the 3rd meeting of the "BQ" (Brooklyn-Queens) Print Club* (*name subject to change) met and exchanged ideas on the monotype printing process. With new member s David Klein and Charles Basman each added their unique expression to the process. We drank tea and ate cheese and chocolate while rolling out oil paints. The studio was filled with loud music, the scent of oil paint and a happy bionic dachshund.
Although we've been limited to monotype our next meeting we will add to the mix a printing press as each member expressed glee. The day was grey and rainy but we didn't mind.
Also each member has confirmed to attend the Pratt Draw-a-thon friday April 9th! Check it out.

Down the road we will be posting our online gallery.

© Heidi Younger

Woman's History Month Award

2010-03-28T09:09:00.003-04:00

Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld District Councilman, Dr. Denise Uettwiller-Geiger Award in Science, and little old, Heidi Younger Award Art

March 25th 2010

Something for the wall.

Last Thursday Evening I was humbled and honored to receive by the Town of Brookhaven a Woman's Recognition Award in the area of Visual & Preforming Arts. Other awardees received awards in areas of Education, Community Service, Volunteer, Government, Business Science, etc. I was humbled to hear their stories and what they have contributed to the community. The only artist, I was deeply honored to be considered. My illustrations decorated the poster and the program, after I spoke the audience made that connection. Afterward many business cards were exchanged. It was a thrilling night and I was extremely grateful.
Thanks friends and family for supporting me.
Cheers!

* Thanks Cheryl for the peeps

All of the Awardees received a pack filled with all of these Awards from nearly every government agency in Brookhaven, I was surprised.

shinny!

Right afterwards

Cookie Dog and Heidi

FIT Lecture Series Part II

2010-03-13T17:55:00.007-05:00

"How I got my First Job" join us to hear today's top working illustrators talk about their first job and much more.
Wednesday March 24th 6:30-8 pm
This event is free and open to the public

--- A M M E N D E D ----

Thanks to all who attended last night, and especially to the wonderful lecturers who created inspiration and filled the room with excitement with their early tales that lead to such successful careers.

Yuko Shimizu, Fernanda Cohen, Marcos Chin

Fred Harper

Zina Saunders with the microphone

Fernanda Cohen

Yuko Shimizu

Attendees

Printmaking Part II "Play Date"

2010-03-01T10:12:00.001-05:00

Fabulous artist Inga Poslitur, again spends the day having a "creative play date" - such fun. © Inga Poslitur

Continuations with experimental printmaking, each month Inga Poslitur and I have agreed to get together to experiment. This month we continued with the mono-print technique but with a few different variations. Instead of allowing the paper to lie on the rolled out ink, we switched it, and the inked acetate now sandwiched between a sketch and the paper. After reading the CMYK article about Edel Rodriguez's technique we noticed that is how he does it. This keeps a positive image, there is not flipping, no reversal of the image.

Next month we are pulling more Printmakers into the mix, and possibly a press. Yippy!

Heidi fiddling during the play date

Dealing with gold leaf, which is difficult as it tends to dissolve when handled.

The next day I continued with my Elements theme, with is also a bit experimental but using linocuts and varying the "elements" paper, collage, plates, colors, etc.
I've also been quite fascinated with gold leaf lately and wanted to also incorporate it into this "mono- linocuts" for some shimmer and interest. Handling gold leaf is arderious as it seems to dissolved when handled. It's tricky. I've created "masks" and used craft glue to adhere the gold. Peeling the masks away is tricky also as sometimes it picks up the dissolvable gold.
In the end each print is different, just like a mono-print.

life and death

In my Elements series I've been exploring relationships between different symbols and images as well as, elements of a design. The pieces of the series will relate to each other by using the same elements. Example, skull, bird, angles, these are symbols I've been exploring for 15 years now.

blue bird

black skull with gold 2

black skull with gold 1

These prints are offered for sale at my on-line store, at very affordable prices.

© Heidi Younger

Lecture Series at FIT

2010-02-18T12:30:00.004-05:00

Join us February 24th 6:30 PM at the Haft Auditorium: Seventh Ave at 27th Street C building, Second Floor

See more from my visit at Deep 6 where Act-i-vate members share a studio.

-----------A M M E N D E D -------------

Mike Cavallaro (feet), Tim Hamilton, Leland Purvis, Simon Fraser, Joe Infurnari and Dean Haspiel

Such an amazing lecture, I want to Thank those who attended. Also the extremely talented and interesting guests, Mike Cavallaro, Tim Hamilton, Leland Purvis, Simon Fraser, Joe Infurnari and Dean Haspiel. Act-i-vate is a webcomix collective solely created by artists to give a platform for their unique stories.
The evening was filled with vital information, funny stories, and a unique perspective. I was charmed as was the audience.
Thanks again!

My Oh My Mono- Prints

2010-02-02T18:20:00.000-05:00

experimental printmaking continues

Lots on the burner lately, a few new projects but this post is about my continuing with the experimental printmaking.
I've been experimenting for a few years now, mainly using a relief print and mono-print technique, combining them.

no editions here, all the plates vary in color and position

During this journey I've used collage and various plates and colors for combinations that are each different, alas a mono-print. Ripping paper, overlapping, using papers of various values, all contribute to a print that is unique, a mono-print. I've also been trying out the new softer plates.. unlike the harder-to-cut linoleum. I was surprised to find that art shops such as Blick are offering so many of these softer plates. Some are like larger rubber stamps, soft and pink but so easy to cut. I've been combining both the traditional linoleum with the soft ones.

I am liking the results, the overlap and texture with papers

My theme is "Elements" which is a project I've been toying with; images made up of various elements that inter relate to each other based on the elements. I've been painting skulls and birds for 15 years now, and now I've been translating them into prints. This is just the beginning as I hope to expand greatly, even in relative size and more colors.

My linocuts are offered for sale, check out my store for very affordable original art.

© Heidi Younger

Deep 6 - Studio Visit

2010-01-23T14:13:00.015-05:00

Gowanus Brooklyn, land-of-lofts for rent for the creatives; Gowanus Canal.

The other day I visited Deep 6 in Gowanus Brooklyn. This industrial area is home to many artists who occupy the studios in old warehouses. Deep 6 is home to a few of the members of Act-i-vate, an independent comic book collective who champions independent web comics. My friend Mike Cavallaro is one of the founding members with his noted titles such as Parade which was nominated for an Eisner Award, and Loviathan a story that plunges readers to the depths of Atlantis and my favorite 66 KMPH, and many others.

Other Deep 6 studio mates, also members of Act-i-vate, where there include: Dean Haspiel aka Dino, Leland Puvis and Simon Fraser, all working on their various projects.
Their camaraderie made such a working environment so attractive. Tim Hamilton was away but his amazing work was there for me to lust for.

Simon Fraser with his dinosour collection

The best decaf I ever had at Bar Tano 457 3rd Ave @ 9th St Brooklyn NY

The artists inhabiting Deep 6 are welcoming and love visitors who have an interest and passion for comic art, or art in general. Together they do lectures and aid in education of young hopeful comic artists.
I had a great day ending at Bar Tano with views of the suspended F train racing by every 10 minutes.

The day before my visit the studio hosted Scott McCloud, yes that's his work.

Also not to be missed the amazing dancer Lisa Natoli will be preforming Friday Feb 5th at The Brooklyn Lyceum where she preforms arial dance titled: "Things I Have Borrowed, Stolen, and Forgotten to Give Back."
"An arial evening navigating the dissolution of spectacle through place and time."

© Heidi Younger

Childhood Memory

2010-01-19T19:32:00.002-05:00

the canoe

I finished this piece last month. I wanted to use a limited palette, but create a narrative with such a limited pallet.
It's the closest image to a childhood memory involving a canoe, an alligator and a bull. I have often tired to recapture this memory with an image, but just couldn't. This is the only thing that came close.
The year was 1979 my Dad and I were canoeing on a waterway during a trip to Florida. The tropical foliage covered the waterway, but we continued down, the water was black when I notice that we weren't alone. We were surrounded by alligators. I started to panic and "screamed get to the ground" ... my Dad quickly paddled toward some land that wasn't covered with Jungle. When suddenly a massive black bull appeared and started doing that thing with the front hoof that bulls do. He seemed to hum "I'm waiting for you, come on land so I can...."
The bull was massive and mean looking. I couldn't really see the alligators, only felt their swirling about in the water, very long and surrounding. My Dad turned us around and paddled the HECK out of there. He did tell me to stay calm, maybe I was shaking?
But we got back safe and sound and decided to stay were the tourists go only, like sea world and disney. I love that memory. My hero, my Dad.
© Heidi Younger

A gray day, a good friend and Rice paper...

2010-01-16T09:56:00.002-05:00

Inga demonstrates

Mono print time

Artist and great Illustrator Inga Poslitur came to my studio in Queens today for an art "play date."

Heidi and red angel printed in a sketchbook

Our objective was to experiment with printmaking techniques, mono-prints specifically. Another objective was not to be too attached to the art, just let it happen. We taped acetate down and rolled out some water based oil paints. Than placed a sheet of rice paper onto the surface making sure not to touch it or press down.

A cut linoleum with acetate over pressed

Inga's sumo wrestler, very nice!

Then take a pencil and draw! Using your finger you can achieve a tone and texture. Going back and forth with the lines, sometimes lifting the paper to create an "white" line by drawing in to the "plate."

Brilliant !

Cookie loved hanging out

Heidi's disembodied red head

I enjoyed the day

Tea, chocolate and the smell of oil paint thanks Inga for the fun, I really needed this.

All Works © Inga Poslitur and Heidi Younger 2010

Departing Decade

2009-12-27T18:49:00.012-05:00

The New Year

The swirl of the chilled air
Pushes past my hair into my eyes
I don’t care perhaps is unwise
As I ponder the year
I wander the past
Thought it would last
The parade of the last decade
The price I paid
Those thoughts that stayed with me
I smile there for a while
Standing in line
Watching the wind as it curled a loose plastic bag

Happy New Year 2010
© Heidi Younger

Season's Wishes for Peace

2009-12-13T08:31:00.000-05:00

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season! Peace

© Heidi Younger

Where is MY VOTE ??

2009-12-01T17:17:00.012-05:00

Iran's Reform Movement protested last June after the election held yield Mahmoud Almadinejad "won" again. After an investigation it was found that 14 million votes were missing.

Photographer Morteza Majidi supported the reform movement with his photographs, but also he reached out to Illustrators and Graphic Designers worldwide to create posters about the election protests, titled "Where is My Vote?"
The Reform Movement uses the color green and the fingers of their hand to make a "V" for victory.

To see Morteza Majidi's site click here

Check out more posters click here

A M M E N D E D September 1, 2010

Where's My Vote - exhibit at SVA Gallery till 9/25/10 See SVA Poster

Unbalance vs Balance - IF

2009-11-13T10:36:00.004-05:00

This gouache sketch features my dachshund Cookie. It was created back in 2000. Cookie is still now 11.
It may represent balance rather than unbalance, what do you think?

© 2000 Heidi Younger

Explorium • A Nature Classroom

2009-10-30T18:09:00.001-04:00

The finished map. it will be used as posters and brochures

The sketch

This is my first job for a public Library. Middle Country Library is building an "Explorium" which is a nature activity, educational area. Ground breaking is this fall. The Explorium will feature 13 stations designed to allow kids to interact with nature. Basically a "hands-on" outdoor nature classroom.

Detail • formal reading area

The features include Buddha boards, A nature art center, a water feature, a stage, an activity center, a willow tunnel, a building center, a formal reading garden, a vegetable growing area, a gathering area, a climbing area, a messy mulch area, an abc log balance walk... all along a red brick pathway. The client wanted an informative map that was illustrated.
I was given architectural plans and photos of the featured items and visited the site and took photos of the building and the existing trees. The project took 2 months to complete.

Detail • water feature

Middle Country Library has very special architecture

I was very impressed with the grounds of the library. These photos were taken in August when I started the project

The future entry door to the Explorium - a red circle above will be added

The entry with the buddha boards- kids draw with water

The Library has unique windows and siding that resembles fish scales

The larger circular window will have a flowering tree in front

I loved working on this project, combining my love of nature with my love of Libraries plus the challenge of happy nature loving kids. I hope that more institutions realize the importance of having kids interact directly with nature. The Explorium will be complete Spring of 2010.

Middle Country Public Library is located at : 101 Eastwood Blvd. Centereach, NY 11720 (631) 585-9393

© Heidi Younger

Back to Drawing

2009-10-15T12:35:00.002-04:00

Cookie relaxing

Great model
I've been in the middle of 2 large projects- and nowhere near finished enough to post anything. To unwind at the end of the day I like to relax with my dog and draw her (obviously). Returning to my love of just pen and ink. Keeping it simple.
© Heidi Younger

Go Little Mouse

2009-09-17T08:06:00.004-04:00

Washington Post- September 17

Have you ever found yourself endeared to a mouse? At first you're appalled at the discovery that your personal space has been invaded, your food stocks violated. But after awhile you notice how smart the little pest can be. You may even admire the little guy's tenacity. Many years ago I was forced to purchase a 20 pound bag of dog food for my 10 lb. dog. I usually only get 5 lb. bags, but I was desperate and bought the huge bag. After a few weeks I realized a little bugger was eating my dog's food!
No holes, the mouse always entered from the top. I screamed as I witnessed a half brown-n-white plumb mouse jump from the bag (roughly a 3 story building for him). He was cute, well sort of? For a mouse stealing my dog's food. Well I got to illustrate a similar story, I won't even bother to tell you about it, as you can plainly see what the little guy did. Well sketch 2 gives it away completely. I had a fun time with it.

rejected sketch : the little guy succeeded in getting his "Lunch."

© Heidi Younger

And Another Thingy ...

The High Line Chelsea NYC is open and I can personally attest, a delight go check it out! It starts at 20th Street and ends at Gansevoort Street (12th St).

Milton Glaser "A Legacy of Graphic Design" At the SVA Gallery

Yes that's me with one of my idols, Milton Glaser

Since 1960 Milton Glaser, an icon of Graphic Design, Illustration, the co-creator of the famous PushPin Studio, has donated his wonderful vision to SVA. This show is dedicated to those works, posters and the actual sketches, which I loved the most.
SVA Gallery is located at 601 West 26th Street -15th floor. In the heart of Chelsea's gallery district.

The views were amazing, combined with the great weather, it was a spectacular evening.

© Heidi Younger

Ms Cooker Pup

2009-09-01T21:33:00.004-04:00

From my moleskine

I imagine an entire playing deck of cards, all with Cookie's image drawn on the back. A lucky deck. Corny okay.
She's the famous pup dog who is an inspiration to others because of her condition and her attitude. See my facebook album dedicated to my beloved dog.

A typical way for me to work

relaxing pup

© Heidi Younger

Gio's Restaurant

2009-08-14T16:16:00.009-04:00

Wine, fondue, Pizza and Community

Gio's is located at 343 Route 25a in Miller Place NY 11764
631-928-GIOS (4467)

Visit Gio's for a very delightful meal, visit their website to see specials and their menu.
More future locations as well.
Cheers!

Illustration © Heidi Younger

IF- Modify

2009-07-31T12:30:00.004-04:00

Let's all modify our carbon output.

© Heidi Younger

Soaking up the Nature...

2009-07-21T20:47:00.005-04:00

Summer 2009

I've been spending as much time as possible outside this summer. Hiking trails and visiting parks. All photos were taken with my iphone which gave it a sorta weird blueish tint. Another age, nostalgic in a way.
© Heidi Younger

Silent Retreat at Springwater Center

2009-07-05T14:00:00.000-04:00

Springwater Center

I spent 15 days living in silence surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes up in Springwater NY, about an hour south of Rochester NY. It took me 6.5 hours to drive up there, but the long drive added to the spiritual experience.

The peacefulness can't be put into words. Woodpeckers and song birds consisted of the only noise. I had daily deer encounters and created many little sketches about it.

I ate vegetarian meals and drank herbal tea all day, I hiked steep hills (mountains) and meditated for hours, the first time in my life. I found meditation amazing and want to incorporate it more into my daily life.

By observing and becoming aware of my conditioned mind's repetitive patterned thinking I finally understood what Eckhart Tolle says about paying attention to the spaces in-between, words, thoughts even musical notes. I admit that I got a glimpse of that JOY behind it all that keeps you coming back.

Sitting room

I told the nice folks up at Springwater that I need to make some art they provided my room with a lovely desk.

I wrote pages in my journal, as well as, drew and painted in watercolors and other mediums.

I wrote and wrote and wrote in my journal and drew and did little watercolors... I even harped upon a new sudo printmaking technique involving a small pad of watercolor paper and pressing a painted wet piece (or the opposite page) into the page.. it created relief textures that I further painted on. I did forget to bring a tube of opaque white watercolor, oh well.

Springwater Center is derived from Rochester Zen Center by Toni Packer, who in 1981 dropped all the dogmas of Zen and just kept what she thought was the most important part, the silence and meditation.

See many more pix click H E R E (Relax, you don't have to be a FB member to see).

© Heidi Younger

Sketchbook Exhibition

2009-06-09T15:52:00.003-04:00

For those who can’t help themselves when they see a sketchbook, to ask “may I look?” there is an upcoming show for you called Little Black Book at Mills Pond House. This exhibit deals with the sketch phase before the “main” art is created. The show displays the translation of sketch/ idea/ concept to the finished art piece. I am very excited to be participating in the show, as keeping a sketchbook is nourishment for me as an artist. My The Tree painting will be among those exhibited, however I will not be going to the opening, which is June 13th 2-4pm.
I’ve decided to take a “sabbatical” of sorts and follow my soul to a very rural place far away for a silent retreat. I’ve always wanted to do one of these type retreats and I’ve finally got the opportunity to have the experience.
To be silent for a few weeks, not plugged in, no Internet or e-mail, no telephone no TV, no talking… and no blog.
I hope to do journaling, for me that means visual journal with my sketchbooks. Many years ago I religiously kept a visual journal and only this past December I blog about it, SEE. So much inspiration came from that experience and many paintings.
The last few years have been topsy-turvy for me, as those close to me have witnessed. Healing is my ultimate goal, and reconnecting with my creativity. I don’t know what to expect really, I sort of think of it as an adventure. I’ve long been an introspective person, seeking answers within myself rather then the outside world. I don’t know which is right or wrong if any, it just is. And with that said I will certainly blog when I get back about my experience and perhaps show some art from the experience.
In the meantime go to the show, enjoy your life. Watch the sunset this evening. See you in July.

"To draw a great deal and not to reflect too much." Henri Matisse

-------AMENDED JUNE 30 ------------------------

Back from my "Sabbatical" I managed to go see the show and was moved by some of the personal vulnerabilities of what the artists were saying in their sketchbooks. I thought it was a pretty good show. FYI the show is up till July 10th.

© Heidi Younger

IF -Adjust

2009-05-29T15:45:00.004-04:00

After the metamorphous, Emily was able to adjust to the flying part, but found it hard to deal with people.

Detail

© Heidi Younger

Post Surtex

2009-05-21T13:57:00.006-04:00

Surtex 2009, thanks everyone!

Well Sheree and I survived our first exhibit at Surtex and I do say "survived" as I think I speak for both of us when I say truly exhausting but really great too. In the next few weeks there will be more details and pix about the show and our booth more specifically. Meanwhile there are lots of follow ups and resting. PS- the bees had a ball. Check out more on my facebook link.
© heidi younger

May Update

2009-05-09T11:02:00.005-04:00

Just a quick post. I updated my illustration page on my website. New current work. Go check it out.

Meanwhile Sheree and I prepare for our booth at this year's Surtex show at Javits Center. Working hard on those finishing touches.

On my desk this week is foam core and sobo glue and some pretty sharp knifes.

My crazy birds are following me to Javits next weekend.

Alas, she stands.

Surtex begins May 17, a Sunday and runs till Tuesday the 19th. From 9 am to 6 pm. Please stop by, it will be wonderful to meet everyone.
Cheers!
heidi

Fine Art vs. Illustration

2009-05-02T19:57:00.004-04:00

Fine Art vs. Illustration runs April 21 to May 8 2009 with the opening on April 23rd.
Thanks to the wonderful organizers who made this evening possible. (and the wonderful artists, both illustrators and Fine Artists).

220 on West 16th Street New York City

Read more, see more on my facebook page- cheers-

I eat worms

2009-04-21T19:51:00.006-04:00

Jamacia Bay Wildlife Perserve

2009-04-19T09:56:00.005-04:00

Gravel pathway, JFK airport right around the corner

Who knew in the heart of the city exists these small patches of nature. The bird sanctuary featured many charming bird species such as the Osprey and Tree Swallows as well as those Canadian Geese which seem to have adapted to every environment. The season is unique, on the verge of change and the birds were in their phases of nesting and mating.

Osprey nest with a chick in it.

Osprey parent going fishing.

Over head birds of prey flew by, didn't know what species but it was exhilarating to see. The day was warm, the season is about to change.
Some excitement at that in both humans and birds.

Jamaica Bay Varrazano-Narrow Bridge in the distance.

Nesting Boxes with various Tree Swallows getting busy.

Canadian Goose on her nest, I was taken with her big brown eyes.
© Heidi Younger

Windy Website

2009-04-05T14:50:00.001-04:00

Web art showing the different aspects of design.

Illustrations and website design for an Engineering Firm. E Windward LLC.
The challenge was not to depict something too technical but something that is comprehendible to a larger population. The general market was aimed for the small inventor and their lawyers. The site was set up to be simple, the art was created to show the different aspects of the firm.
Product development, having an idea or having an existing product and to engineer or reverse engineer it into the language of design. CAD, 3-D, blue-prints, to prototypes then to production. The firm has many contacts in New York to China. Anything can be created and produced.
I wanted to limited the colors to create a high-end feel. In the end the client was pleased.

Engineering and Production

© Heidi Younger

Dirt is Neat

2009-03-29T07:00:00.001-04:00

detail

Pencil sketch

New York Times March 29, 2009

To illustrate dirt, that was a first for me. I've had many unique topics over the last 20 + years to create illustrations about. This was the first piece about dirt. It was a color challenge for me as dirt is brown. I had fun, none the less. It was fun to put in robin birds and worms and sprouts. For those gardeners out there your time is near. For me, I'll be happy painting gardens.

Gouache and pastel, more gardening...

Simply the neatest veggie one can illustrate. A bit of a challenge to prepare and eat though.

© Heidi Younger

Okay Catcus

2009-03-24T18:47:00.001-04:00

Today's Little Walk

2009-03-14T20:21:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Beloved pup

2009-03-07T18:21:00.006-05:00

Cookie power

Friday was my Dachshund Cookie's 11th Birthday. Although all gray in front, she still plays like a puppy. New toys, fun walks and another younger dog friend Coop, a long haired chihuahua, she's a happy pup. Two years ago she suffered through back surgery which left her rear legs paralyzed. She has a customized Doggy wheelchair and gets by with it very amazingly. She runs and plays and even takes a little nap all in her little chair. Wherever she goes she makes friends and has inspired many people.
Here's to my little muse, Happy 11th Cooker.
© Heidi Younger

This past summer at the park

An older dogs naps- my moleskine part II

Throw it out, Please!!

2009-03-01T11:29:00.001-05:00

NY Times Regional March 1, 2009

Sketch for Rags

As irony will have it, I've been undergoing a possession purge when this assignment came my way. It's about a woman who adores her "rag" collection. (yes you read right, Rag collection). Her rags came from old cloths, cloths that contained memories they belonged to family members. She wouldn't throw any of these unwearable cloths away, instead she cut them up for her rag collection. She was a decedent from a frugal woman who utilized everything. Commendable really, but I started thinking about the 20/80% factor- we only use 20% of our belongings while 80% remain unused. I've had to ask myself what is my 20% and make those decisions as to what I should save and what to give away, or to throw out. Personally I would throw that bloody shirt out.

I loved this plate, but it broke so I photographed it and chucked it.

It amazes me as to what things I want to keep and why, while releasing belongings that have no use anymore.
© Heidi Younger

Garden Dreams in Bleak Winter

2009-02-04T09:35:00.005-05:00

Originally there was the word "Seeds" on the book, but they wanted that removed

This piece was all about color

What an appropriate illustration assignment to get in this vast lengthy winter. The story is about a woman who reads seed catalogs in the winter and dreams of her summer vegetable garden. I don't garden personally, but after reading this article I nearly wanted to. Having fresh produce right on hand, free.... well basically. This ran in last Sunday's NY Times Regional section.
© Heidi Younger

IF Flawed . . . ?

2009-01-30T10:28:00.000-05:00

Cookie

2009-01-27T13:58:00.003-05:00

from my moleskine sketchbook

Doggie in diapers. It's amazing what pet owners will do for their beloved pet.

Cookie snuggles on a chilly winter morning

Figure Drawing Sundays

2009-01-20T15:57:00.007-05:00

Sable 1-18-09
With my winter break came the Sunday figure drawing sessions again. For the past 3 sundays I've gone to Jeff Fisher's Drawing Studio to draw.
Here are a handful of my studies- it was fun to draw all day. Just for fun...

be naked except the giant bracelets

working on that perspective

maria 1-11-09

my notes on top: draw through the figure, lose the tendency to stylize and close off shapes.

maria with mask

Open The Book To Find Inspiration

2009-01-12T12:00:00.001-05:00

from sketchbook 2006

Again the clues come from the sketchbook. Works done with spontaneity become paintings, why should it be any different?
Sketchbooks and drawings contained within always hold some key for me, this piece was from a sketchbook from 2006. I was experimenting with lines as texture with hidden forms and the heart bird that has been reoccurring in my works for a few years now.

The Tree-acrylic on canvas 15x18 - 2009* painted over a dreadful oil painting I had done in Grad school- thank God for Gesso!

from sketchbook fall - 2008

From this past Fall's sketchbook "him" more spontaneous sketches now realized on canvas. I dedicate this piece to 'him,' who opened me up to myself, where I found a real life and deeper meaning. I also return to my black sketchbook period a tad here with a bit of collage.

Him- acrylic on canvas 11x14 - 2009

I've been going through boxes and boxes of old illustrations and sketches and things that had made up my life for the last 20 years, I stumbled across these photos of me. 1982-3 I was 17 year old. I did have that hair thing going on. I like to refer to it as my "fro" days. Big hair and proud.

1982-83

I have to laugh at the whole Picasso book pix, at 14 I was a huge fan and even went to the retrospect at the MOMA in 1980 at age 14, thanks Dad for seeing that in me and taking me.

Going through boxes I've found jobs I've done that I don't even remember doing. 25 apox. boxes of this stuff, and still counting. Maybe it's a good thing that I went completely digital 8 years ago. I would have had even more boxes.

I recommend the book Clear the Cutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston.
By opening up space you can allow the life force to heal and bless you. Pretty awesome.

© Heidi Younger

Reminiscences

2009-01-05T12:01:00.011-05:00

IF- imagination contained within

Detail from below

Western Union April 1994

More pieces from the "black" sketchbook phase, I find myself inspired by the quick spontaneous images that I remember creating and that sense of adventure and freedom that went into image making. Digging through the past to perhaps find the future - that thought has been echoing in my mind. I think about getting more liberal in my commercial work, less regimented. Illustration seemed to force a strictness over me, by following the sketch completely to always please the client. I think that I should let go that type of thinking and method. Maybe view creating art in a whole new manner, for the New Year (sorry I just couldn't help that).

1997- The "Win Fax Pro" was one of my illustrations for a software package.

ancient grave

I have been learning to let go of things from the past, both emotional and physical. I've been sorting out all my art works, sketchbooks and paintings, illustrations from the past 20 years. So many memories come attached to these works. I ponder letting go of all this accumulated stuff. Why did I save something and when is it time to throw it out?
I 've been preparing to move to a much smaller space, it's necessary to let go of old art stuff as well as those old pair of sneakers that I don't know why I didn't chuck years ago? I am usually a good purger. Making judgment calls, what is worthy to keep and why? And the same for why should something go as well.

May 10, 1994 The Solar Eclipse

I remember that day, it was May the trees were in bloom, pink and white. It was the middle of the day and the eclipse took place. It was amazing, my apartment had 14 windows and a little roof deck, I went out and watched the sky become dark. It really was a surreal-type moment. I felt strangely apart of the big picture. I went inside and did this in the sketchbook, which was a visual diary.

© Heidi Younger

In Between Time

2008-12-26T13:35:00.002-05:00

My black sketchbook period 1994-2003

It's the week between Christmas and New Years. For me, this has always been a sort of magical week. As a child, it was vacation week. No school and time to play with all the new Christmas toys.

December 1996

As an adult it retained that wonderment, it has become a time for reflection. I think about the past.

April 1994 Loyal Black (wanting a dog)

In late 1993 I moved to a quiet tourist town by the water in an apartment above a store front on the Main Street. Leaving a rough urban environment for a tranquil one. There were trees and the sea, boats, ships and a rich history in nautical subjects. I chose to leave the city to "quiet" down.

Specks of pollen fall gently on my face- April 1994

My apartment was the top floor, It had 14 windows and saw the sky during all phases of the day. Each afternoon I took lengthy walks, exploring and getting fresh air. I read a lot.

1998 Cookie my dachshund, a puppy at the time

I didn't watch TV and this was pre-internet days. Just reflecting on that is something, do you remember the days when there was no relentless checking of e-mail and updating web sites and yes blogs.

Moving to the "country" I briefly thought about taking horse riding lessons

I went within myself. I wanted to focus on art. I painted more, I experimented more, but one of the most productive things from those days was I kept a visual diary- sketchbook. Today I reflect on that work from that period.

Garden works 1996

At that time in the art shops sold these black and tan papered sketchbooks, they were novel back then. I bought them up, small ones, only 6 " x 6" - At that time I was a busy illustrator working in gouache. I would use the extra paint from a left over jobs to relatively go nuts in these black books. The gouache was so bright against the black paper. I experimented with collage, found objects, paint. I allowed myself to have freedom.

I reflect back from that time and become nostalgic. I've always kept a sketchbook, work books, job books, but those books were special.

Sometime in 1999

Around 2002 I stopped painting in gouache and made the leap to create all commercial work digitally. I would use acrylic paint to do my "fine art" my more personal works. But the gouache was left out, as well as those black sketchbooks.

Winter 2000 must have been a cold day

These days I carry a moleskine or a handbook sketchbook. Mainly for sketching on the train as I travel to my teaching job in the city. The "black sketchbook" days lasted about 10 years, with over 25 books and hundreds of pages.
I worked out various ways to express my daily experience as they were intend to be a visual diary.

a sampling

Since that period I've retained the adventurer spirit, one of experimentation with printmaking specifically linocuts and even digitally. Reflecting on the past year, I've been taking chances within my work and gaining newer ways to express the world the way I see it.

Christopher's birth (my nephew) August 1999

I am still excited daily to be an artist. People who meet me sometimes don't understand that passion, or they are very taken in by it.

experimentation 1994- cut-outs dangling on string

Reflecting on the New Year I hope to leap into the next level, but if I find a period much like my "black sketchbook" period I'll be thrilled, and happy to explore that next realm of possibilities.

I seem to recall that was some party August 1997

© Heidi Younger

Seasons Greetings

2008-12-05T19:16:00.001-05:00

IF - Opinion

2008-11-21T13:51:00.003-05:00

Drawings to Paintings

2008-11-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

In my Hand • Book from last spring

Using sketches from my sketchbooks and incorporating them into my paintings.

Acrylic on canvas - man and bird

My paintings are usually long time in the making. Usually starting in one direction, and with many paint overs transform into something that finally works. I can't use a white canvas, not even a toned one. It always has to be an evolution. But always drawing inspiration from my carry-a-long sketchbooks.

Two are better than one, sometimes...

I've been interested in form, shapes and especially overlap with line thick and thins utilizing drawings all the while using color graphically.

My beloved dog Cookie relaxing on her back, the ziplock bag of pens next to her on the left.

I've finished my first moleskine and am back to a more absorbent paper book - Quattro by Hand • Book. Making the switch was hard, by the time I really finally understood how to use the moleskines unique surface it was finished. I nearly wanted to run out and get another one, but alas I already had these other books. I guess a good exercise in surface flexibility.

I still like straight pen and ink drawings, especially with this subject (beloved dog).

© Heidi Younger

Bits & Pieces from Fall 2008

2008-11-09T14:58:00.011-05:00

A few small exhibits here and there. I can finally say that I had a piece hang at the Society of Illustrators NY for the Educators Symposium October 2008. It was the "cutting the traditional hair" piece from the NY Times.

Heidi -October 11 Society of Illustrators

I've been working small and showing small, I don't know why? Just easier to transport, I am such a weakling. So much for the gym, lol.
My linoleum "Street Performer" is currently displayed in the members show at the Mills Pond House STAC (Smithtown Township Arts Council) in St James NY.

Nov 9

My piece made the local paper too. This happened last summer also with the Ecological show.

Smithtown News - November 6, 2008

I have been an illustrator for 20 years and have seen my work reproduced in many venues including murals and TV etc. and yet these fine art pieces that make it into the local paper really get me.

Oh yes as long as I'm blowing my own horn, I am one of the Showcased illustrators in the latest 3x3 magazine # 11. On sale at newsstands and magazine shops now!

3x3 issue 11

Fall 2008

2008-11-06T10:47:00.004-05:00

This piece is a modified version of an illustration for Wall St Journal. It really fits the current season, although soon (in a week) our Peak color will be over and a winter landscape will surround us.

© Heidi Younger

YAY !

2008-11-05T10:12:00.004-05:00

OBAMA !

IF - Vacant

2008-10-31T15:52:00.002-04:00

IF - Repair

2008-10-23T14:45:00.005-04:00

A warm cup of tea can repair all that needs it.

In the words of Thich Nhat Hanh
You must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea. Only in the awareness of the present can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup. Only the present can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, appreciate the delicacy. If you are ruminating about the past or worrying about the future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea.
You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.

Illustration © Heidi Younger

Hoot of Halloween

2008-10-15T10:14:00.002-04:00

I admit I've been going crazy with owl imagery. Just they're so magical and are an excellent symbol of wisdom and other nocturnal glories.

relief print with paint

An actual owl at the Queens NY Zoo

linocut assemblage

© Heidi Younger

Red bag studies and various drawings aka moleskin madness

2008-10-02T16:07:00.001-04:00

Admittedly, It's my down time. I attempt to watch TV (I'd rather draw) I see my red bags on the green chair and draw them.
And of course the Doggy, great to noodle as she holds her pose well while in dreamland.
Tea and moleskin, TV on as background noise.... my verdict is out on the moleskin. It's okay, I guess? I just bought a few new other types of books, other brands, ones that I am eager to use.
Moleskin is great for the inks- I don't know if I like that yellowish cast the paper has, it's hot pressed "oak tag" feel.
Anyone out there agrees?
© Heidi Younger