Make a Wish!

Birthday Bash
Illustration for 5"x7" printed card
Gouache and Acrylic
© Laura DeDonato

Here it is...fun and colorful, pretty much a birthday explosion. How could you not smile if you got this card in the mail on your birthday? Especially from an unexpected source, your local transportation company.

As I mentioned in my original posting about my sketches for SCM Transportation's birthday card illustration, I love cake! But, this was my first time painting cake as the focal point in a piece. Staring at it every day calmed quite a few cravings, though not all of them.

Surprisingly, it was the frosting that presented the largest challenge in this piece. The intricate lines and ripples of the frosting were interesting, but they were drawing too much attention. I had to simplify them. Once this happened, the candles got the attention they needed and a new star emerged, the oreos!

I can't wait to see it in print!!!

Confession: I have a weakness for frosting!

I just got the go ahead for my SCM Transportation birthday card illustration! I am very excited about painting cake, or at least a van that looks like cake. I might just have to bake some reference and late night inspiration :-)

This is the concept thumbnail they chose:

Here are some of the other submitted thumbnails:



P.S. I am anxiously waiting to post my most recent portrait piece, but I have to wait until the newlywed couple receives it! I can't wait!!

Happy Holidays!!

Winter Wonderland
5"x7" Folded Holiday Card

© Laura DeDonato

(Version with a wreath on the barn)

There's nothing like a winter wonderland painting to get me in the holiday spirit! This is the second year that I have done SCM Transportation's Holiday Card (last year was a Santa, you can find it in the archived posts), and I had a great time. The client, based in Somerville, wanted their logo on a snowflake so I came up with a few sketches and we decided on this concept. It just so happened to be the first one that popped into my head.

Here's the sketch/thumbnail:

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!