San Diego Comic-Con 2011!!!

If you’re attending San Diego Comic-Con 2011, come by Girls Drawin Girls Booth #5628 (same place as last year) and come say hi!! I'll be busy working the GDG booth selling our latest book of collected pin-up work (with a NEW piece by me!!), as well as a selection of over 20 new prints and 30 necklaces by yours truly! And, if I'm lucky, I might have some new sketchbooks to give out. Whoo hoo!

I will be working the booth Saturday AM, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday afternoon! Come by Saturday to check out my latest cosplay outfit, Mad Men PowerGirl!

I will (hopefully!) be also drawing over at the Sketch Theatre booth over by Gnomon at some point during the weekend.... will keep you updated! : D

Inle

Inspired by the G1988 show of the same name and Camilla D'Errico's AMAZINGLY gorgeous piece!

Emerald City Comic-Con 2011 Wrap-Up

A huge thanks to everybody who swung by Seattle this weekend and say to me and Damon as we headed up our first ever individual table over in Artist Alley!!

The weekend was a huge success; met many new fans, met up with old friends, and hung out with some wonderfully talented artists!

Friday Damon and I got interviewed for an awesome podcast called Air Raid, and talked about working in the industry and how we met. Go check out the podcast here!

http://air-raid.net/podcast.php?podcast_id=64

That evening, we got to go hang out with the ifanboy people and Molly McIsaac and do some live painting with some really great artists. Damon and I got to work on a painting side by side (and with!!!) Camilla D'Errico, Scott C and Jim Mahfood. The paintings were later auctioned off for charity Saturday night.

Painting by me, Damon and Jim Mahfood!

Saturday and Sunday, we got to meet and hang out with other artists at the con. There were a bunch of Girls Drawin Girls ladies around the exhibit hall, including Laurie B, Brittney Lee, Liana Hee, Megan Levens, and Amy Mebberson.

Brittney, Me and Liana; some AMAZINGLY talented ladies!

More awesome artists who I got to run into and who you should TOTALLY check out their works are Echo Chernik, Alberto Ruiz, Drake Brodahl, Dean Trippe, Kevin Dart, and too many more to mention!

Chillin' with Scott C and Jim Mahfood

I have two remaining necklaces for sale, and a few sketchbooks and prints that I'll put be putting up on my Etsy store, so if you missed out, don't worry- there's still a few goodies left!

Here are a few commissions and sketch cards I did for folks!

All in all, a great time was had by all, and Damon and I are already signed up for ECCC 2012! 

Also, a HUGE thanks out to Jim Demonakos of Kirby Krackle for his amazing hospitality and for running an amazing show!!!

Pieces from "Is This Thing On?" at Gallery 1988

Thank you to everybody who came out last night- WOW! The place was so packed! I got some great pics tho!

Here are my two pieces for the show! To see the rest of the amazing line-up of art, check out G1988's website. Many thanks to G1988 and Chris for including me in this show! It was tons of fun!

Inspired by Lisa Lamapanelli

$200

to purchase, click here

Inspired by Amy Sedaris

SOLD!

"Is This Thing On?" at Gallery 1988

THIS friday, January 7th, Gallery 1988 will have a huge art opening of a comedian-themed group show, which I had the honor and pleasure of being part of!

Is This Thing On?

at Gallery 1988

7020 Melrose Ave,

Los Angeles, CA 90038

please contact the gallery for inquiry/purchase/preview.

+ see the full list of "show bill" (who's painting whom) here!+

I was asked to paint Lisa Lampanelli and Amy Sedaris, which I had a lot of fun going back and watching their respective routines. Two raunchy ladies! My type of gals! ; D 

Both their paintings were influenced by an over-arching "alice in wonderland" theme, which you'll understand when you see them!

Anyway, I can't WAIT to show you my two pieces! I will post pics after the opening tomorrow night! Hope to see you all there!

That thou canst never once reflect, on Old Long Syne

First off, let me say that I have not (I repeat, not!) forgotten about you, lovely blog readers! December 2010 came and went in it's usual whirlwind of holiday-ness, and between work, paintings, and life in general (including jury duty, full time work, freelance, moving Ghost, being sick, and traveling), it's been tough keeping up with uploading scans of everything!

I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of you for reading my blog, checking out my artwork, and being so amazingly supportive! It's been a huge year full of art shows for me, and I'm so excited to see my work and style evolving and starting to come into its own.

Here is a quick photo of me and Damon at our New Years Party last night; I am planning on continuing drawing every day in 2011, and here's to many more art shows, paintings, and wonderful adventures together!

Wishing you all the best in 2011! (new scans/drawings to come soon, plus info on my two upcoming shows next weekend at Gallery 1988 and Cactus!)

Unicornitopia

Another great show this weekend for those in the SoCal area!

Unicornucopia
noun /yoo-ni-kawrn-uh-koh-pee-uh/
Def:An Abundant, Bountiful Supply of Mono-Horned Mystical Beasts

Opening Reception: Saturday, December 11th, 7-11pm
Runs: December 11 - January 2, 2011
Closed December 25, 26, Jan 1

A group show featuring:
Frank Kozik, Liz McGrath, Kukula, Becca, Jeremy Fish, Bwana Spoons, Melissa Contreras, Michael C. Hsiung, Sherry Delorme, Laurie Hassold, Cheryl Cambras, Kelly Castillo, Glenn Arthur, Joey Syta, Aileen Holmes, Michael White, Jesse La Tour, Daisy Church, Alex Chiu, Crayon Fawn, Ryan Clemens, Amber B. Dianda, Hi-Tree, Mustachio, TD Flynn, Jennie Cotterill, Industry Giant, Kitty Brown, JoshR, Craig Roccanova, Bradlee Cooper, Sara Haase, and more

Live Entertainment & Unicorn-Themed Refreshments including Einhorn Beer
Sponsored by IZZE Sparkling Juice
Free parking available in the lot or parking structure at the corner of Clementine and Center Street Promenade

Check out the blog for viewing hours during the run and more info:
www.unicornucopiaartshow.blogspot.com

Curated by Tracey Taylor 

Mermaid Sketches

I recently did a slew of tiny colored mermaid illustrations for Cactus Gallery's Small Works show.

Each mermaid is around 2.5"x3", framed, and embellished with glitter and swarovski crystals.  That's right. Mermaids. And sparkleys. COMBINED.

No better gift out there, folks. They're perfect for lil' stocking stuffers!!! (and I'll do commissions, if you want a personalized one! ; D

$25 each, contact Sandra ( semastroianni70 at yahoo dot com) )at Cactus for purchase details! : D

Three New pieces at Bear & Bird Gallery

So many apologies for the lack up updates! I've been SWAMPED with tons of projects and art this month, I've been making art every day, but not having too much time to scan/post pics!

I wanted to do a quick post about my three pieces at the Bear & Bird Gallery in Lauderhill, FL:

Bear and Bird Gallery

inside / upstairs at TATE'S 4566 N University Drive

Lauderhill, FL

All the artwork is 8x10 or smaller and priced for gift giving. Local, national and international artists with a wide range of styles!
...
Top three Reasons you don't want to miss the Small Stuff 4!

#1: Awesome art for great prices, really great!
#2: It is cash and carry, so you get to take the artwork home as soon as you buy it!
#3: Start your holiday shopping right BEFORE Thanksgiving, that way you can feel like you're ahead of the game. Art=awesome gifts.

Show runs January 6th though and open Mon-Thurs 11-8pm Fri & Sat 11-9pm & Sun 12noon-6pm

My three pieces!

$70 each

Contact Bear & Bird Gallery
amanda at bearandbird dot com
for purchase details

Upcoming Group show @ Compound Gallery

"The End" at Compound Gallery
107 NW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209


Opening November 4th, 2010
7pm


Show runs through Nov 28th

Themed "The End," this show at Portland's Compound Gallery features artwork by seven artists, curated by Matt Wagner.

Daisy Church:
Axelhoney:;
Daniel St. George:
chris Pastras:
Angel Davis:
Kalina Torino:
Wishcandy:

My three pieces highlight mythological figures representing different deities somehow relating to destruction.

$80

Ix Chel is the Mayan goddess who brings about the destruction of the third creation by causing a great flood.
She is actually one diety who takes shape in three different forms: her other forms are Chak Chel and Young Moon Goddess.

$80

Sekhmet is an Egyptian lioness-headed goddess of war and destruction.

$80

Kali is the Hindu goddess of time and change, and associated with death and black energy.

All three pieces are 8.5" round in diameter, and are acrylic on found mahogany wood.

For purchasing information, please contact matt at compoundgallery dot com

Compound Gallery
107 NW 5th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
map/ directions

Open 7 days a week
Mon-Sat 12:00-8:00pm
Sunday 12:00-6:00pm
Phone 503.796.2733

Impressions of NYCC

Here are a few drawings from New York Comic-Con this past weekend!

First night in NYC!

Since NYCC was paired with Anime Fest, we saw lots of Anime-type things. Including Harajuku inspired Lolita dogs outside. Yup. You heard me.

On Saturday, Paigey and her friend Fenny dressed up as Vegas showgirls to booth babe it up. It was a day of "PAIGEY'S BOOBS, oh, and girls drawin girls." HA! I'm a straight lady, and even I couldn't take my eyes off that rack! ; D

clockwise: Maria Danalakis, Erica Hesse, Paigey!, Melody Severns and Me

I drew things on Sunday, but I drew them on little art cards, and they sold right away, so I have no proof of them. But I did draw a few things! : D

ALSO, I have to give an awesome shout-out to all the amazing new and old artists I met and discovered this past weekend:

Echo Chernik, an amazingly talented artist from Florida who makes beautiful art nouveau inspired girls
Devin Clark, co-creator of Ugly Americans
Dan Goodsell of Mr Toast (who I already know, but had the pleasure of being next to at the GDG booth!)
Kirby Krackle, of the same music video Damon and I worked on
John Lustig of the hilarious Last Kiss comics
Ben Templesmith of 30 days of night fame
My Plastic Heart, where I'll be part of a group shows, "Ladies Night" in NYC in December

Go check out these amazing people! DO IT! NOW!

6th Annual Día de los Muertos Exhibit

6th Annual Día de los muertos Exhibit and Celebration at Cactus Gallery
Show runs October 9 - November 7, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, October 9th * 7p-10p

Come check out one of my favorite annual shows this weekend! I have two new finished pieces and a selection of framed sketches available for sale!

Email semastroianni70@yahoo.com for purchasing details!

$65

$65

$35

$25

$25

$25

Day of the Dead (Dia de los muertos) is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It is a time to remember deceased loved ones and honor them. Day of the Dead is a festive and colorful occasion; a time to celebrate life!

The belief behind Day of the Dead practices is that spirits return to the Earth for one day of the year to be with their families. The spirits are greeted with offerings of food and things that the person enjoyed in life. These are laid out on altars in the family home. It is believed that the spirits consume the essence and the aroma of the foods that are offered.

The exhibition this year includes over 40 artists who have created original acrylic. oil and watercolor paintings, assemblage, paper mache, etching, sculpture, mosaic, printmaking and mixed media works on canvas and wood.

The reception for our 6th Annual Dia de los muertos exhibit and celebration coincides with our area's artwalk. NELAart Second Saturday Gallery Night is a self-guided tour of the galleries, non-profits and artist run project spaces located in Northeast Los Angeles (NELA). We are dedicated to increase the visibility of the thriving arts community in the area.

Click here for a map: www.nelaart.com

Cactus Gallery and Gifts
4534 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock, California 90041

323.256.6117

www.eclecticcactus.com
www.cactusgallery.blogspot.com
Email: semastroianni70@yahoo.com

REMINDER!!! 3G show opens tonight!!!

Here are my pieces for the Autumn Society's 3G show at Gallery 1988 opening TONIGHT!!

The 3 Gs of 3G are Ghostbusters, Gremlins, and Goonies, so each artist had to interpret all three movies in three separate pieces.

THE 3G SHOW
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles:
7020 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Friday, September 3rd, 2010 (7pm-10pm), with special guests!

For more preview images and for purchasing details, please contact Gallery 1988 directly:

http://www.nineteeneightyeight.com/contacts

Check out all the amazing press this show's been getting, too!!

More 3G Show coverage HERE

Check out my stuff over on Sketch Theatre!

ha ha! It's so weird to see me draw in super fast time- Sketch Theatre has some AMAZING videos of super talented artists drawing stuff and being filmed in time lapse.

Much thanks to Lily and the other Sketch Theatre folks for allowing me to draw for them!! : D

http://www.sketchtheatre.com/?p=5254

3G Show with Autumn Society at G1988

Here are my pieces for the Autumn Society's upcoming 3G show at Gallery 1988.

The 3 Gs of 3G are Ghostbusters, Gremlins, and Goonies, so each artist had to interpret all three movies in three separate pieces.

These were super fun to make; I was very inspired by old Victorian portraits of children with their pets & dolls, and was thinking about the iconic elements of all three movies that would pair well with children/young adults. And people who know my art know I love drawing/painting ladies and animals, so this was a way to marry the theme with my style.

I wanted to also make them very somber and ornate, like small Victorian cameos, hence the framing technique.

Here are the show details:

THE 3G SHOW
Gallery 1988 Los Angeles:
7020 Melrose Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90038

Friday, September 3rd, 2010 (7pm-10pm), with special guests!

For more preview images and for purchasing details, please contact Gallery 1988 directly:

http://www.nineteeneightyeight.com/contacts

AMOS Showtime

I saw over on my friend Eliza's blog that she had done this amazing piece for a group show being organized by the German musician, Amos, and dropped them an email asking if they were still looking for artists.

Here's a link to the project

I was -just- under the deadline- they shipped me a blank album cover, and I got to create a design for it! I sent it off today; a day late, but then again, I just got the cover on Saturday!

It was a pretty fun project- the album covers will tour around different galleries across Europe and be available for sale in person and online.

I'll definitely post more details once they receive it and post it on their site! : D

Here are some Work In Progress shots:

Two for one!

Because you're all so great, you get two drawings today! yay!