Kristina Carroll - Jeanine Henderson

oil

Jeanine is the awesome talent behind our beautiful Month of Love header and background pattern. Her work is full of color and fun and after looking at her pictures (especially those from the Mermaid Parade) I realized her personality comes across much the same. So I had to paint her full of color, smiles and hearts. Thank you for making us look so beautiful Jeanine, I only hope I did you the same courtesy!

And thank you all so much for joining me on this crazy ride. it was inspiring, exhausting and educational. I seriously love you all and hope we can most of us meet up in NYC next week.

Carly Janine Mazur - Scott Murphy

I first met Scott at the IMC, and to make the analogy, he was sitting at the cool kids' table. I yearned to sit at the cool kids' table, so I secretly looked up to him and the rest of the group. I was always too shy to approach many people (still am, as Cynthia had said) so I never said anything more to him than a curt "hey I like your stuff it's really cool okay I'm gonna go over there now bye." From this point on I should break out of my shell and be conversational!

So, Scott, the most definitive things about you I have presented here quite simply, yet powerfully. I hope you dig it!

Kristina Carroll - Love Song Shuffle

The first love song that came on was "Ruby Tuesday" by the Rolling Stones. All I could think about was this  woman with flaming red hair  half seen in a dream. You know, that sort of dream that leaves you with a very distinct emotion that sticks with you for days. Ruby Tuesday is that sort of dream.

There's no time to lose, I heard her say
Catch your dreams before they slip away
Dying all the time
Lose your dreams
And you will lose your mind.
Aint life unkind? 

Goodbye, ruby tuesday
Who could hang a name on you? 
When you change with every new day
Still Im gonna miss you...

Kristina Carroll - catching up on some food love

watercolor

This week was super busy and I got behind. But I won't be knocked down! Here's some food love for Monday and Wednesday. My favorite bakery and my favorite mug with sweet caffeinated nectar.

oil

Kate Feirtag- Sarah Gay

Here is my portrait of Sarah!  I did this pretty quickly because I'm in Texas for a wedding.  I've never met Sarah so I asked her to send me some photos and fell in love with her beautiful flowing hair!  I would like to take this to color in the future just so I can paint her locks!

Narciso Espiritu - Kyle Smart

Kyle Smart being smart.

Kyle Smart being dark.

So, Kyle noted in an email that he doesn't usually have anyone take pictures of him, resorting to cropping his head from friends' photos. I thought I'd draw him as accurately as I could. Then again, I do that for almost every portrait I do. And y'know, negatives always look cool. I had fun with this, and I had fun this whole month will all of you!

(I realize I never finished the third part of "My Love"; it's sitting here in front of me. I'll probably finish it tonight. Just because.)

Looking forward to seeing everyone's beautiful work in the future!

.Narciso

Sarah Gay - Portrait of Kate Feirtag

The gorgeous Kate Feirtag.
Her beautiful, dreamy eyes really pulled me into this drawing. 

:)

Scott Murphy - Tim Paul Love

I met Tim about 3 years ago while he was helping Marc out at a booth at Gencon. Ever since, I've had the pleasure of many a good conversation whenever I get to see him at a random event or party around town. Thanks Tim, and Thanks Kristina!

Tim Paul - Ricardo Lopez Ortiz

I give you Ricardo Lopez Ortiz, done two ways! 

Marc Scheff - Jaime Zollars

I met Jaime at ICON7 where her smile was only outshone by her incredible illustration work. For this final challenge, I did a take of Jaime as a member of her own Society of Seekers.

Big huge thanks to Kristina Carroll for pulling this month together. It was an honor to work alongside this talented group.

Jeffrey Alan Love - Kristina Carroll

A portrait of fellow artist and Month of Love founder Kristina Carroll.  Thanks Kristina, and everyone else, for having me be a part of this - it was very inspiring to spend a month making art with all of you.   I hope our paths cross again!

Scott Brundage- Jeffrey Alan ...Love

This guy had some of my favorite pics this month, and he was probably the most consistent contributor. So I drew his face (based off an awesome and intense photo) at various speeds.

Also, his name is Love. So there's that.


Super fun challenge this month. Looking forward to not being as romantic in the following weeks.
-S

Jeanine Henderson—Cynthia Sheppard

I have to be honest, likenesses aren't my strongest point, so I was a teeny bit nervous about this challenge. But I really lucked out getting to draw Cynthia–someone who I've only "met" through this blog, so had no clue what she looks like! Turns out, she's stunning! I drew from a pic on her facebook page that was just so inspiring & beautiful—I can only hope I did her at least a little justice! :)

It's been such a fun month and a pleasure getting to know you all! You're all so amazing & inspiring. Thanks, Kristina, for putting this all together and letting me be part of it!

Jeanine Henderson—Love is a Magician

This is my drawing from yesterday—just didn't have a chance last night to scan & post it up!

Kyle Smart - I love you guys! ( but Marc Scheff specifically)

So I got to draw Marc for the last challenge! I've had the pleasure of working with Marc on a couple of things and he's been great. Very open to ideas and he know how to get things done! Really baffles me how he manages to keep these big projects organised. Anyway for this one I tried to get it down in one pass with a sharpie marker, as its been a while since I've had to get a likeness. Marc's work is so technically spot on too, so heres me trying to be a bit more observational.

Ha also, apologies for the lax second half of the month, its been my busiest freelance month ever!

Ricardo Lopez Ortiz- Chris O'neill

Hey guys, here's 2 drawings of Chris O'neill. Better late than never, right? I've never met Chris but all I can say is that his work is superb!

I had a lot of fun this month trying to come up with different ideas everyday. Though my schedule got thrown out of whack towards the end and I wasn't able to keep up. I really enjoyed this project and every ones work. Some fantastic stuff was posted by everyone!

Cheers!

Cynthia Sheppard - Carly Mazur

Portrait of Carly Janine Mazur

2-28-2013, The Final Challenge.

I first met Carly at the Illustration Master Class in 2011. I never told her then, but when I happened to walk by her easel I became enamored with (and maybe a little jealous of) the color studies she was working on for her painting- they were gorgeous, and made me think I should do more of those kinds of studies. She was otherwise mysterious and quiet, so we didn't get a chance to talk until the next IMC and IlluXCon, where I got to know her a little better as a passionate and determined artist.

I used Carly's own Web of Love piece from this blog as inspiration and went a bit outside my usual approach to sketches and portraits. I hope you like it (especially you, Carly!), and I hope everyone had an amazing experience this month.

The <3 doesn't end today,

-Cynthia