Gobble Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Copyright: Nicole Fazio for the Wells Reserve

Speaking of shows...

The current MEIC show on display during the month of November is The Classics Reimagined Art Show, in which members of the Maine Illustrators Collective created illustrations based on classic stories, novels, and tales. The show is on display at the Freeport Public Library. More pics and info at mecollective.blogspot.com/.

Unfortunately, I didn't end up having the time to produce a new piece specifically for this occasion, but I did put up a painting from a couple of years ago, based on The Princess and the Pea!

Pen & Ink with watercolor

 

MEIC Spoooooky Show

As a member of the Maine Illustrator's Collective, we occasionally present art shows as a group. During the month of October, the Spooky Show was displayed at Kennebooks, a small bookstore in Kennebunk, ME. Each piece was displayed with it's corresponding "spooky" children's book. I chose The Nightmare Before Christmas, because of Tim Burton's crazy unique style that we all know and love. I'm sure I hardly did the characters justice, but I borrowed them for my own little spin.

"Nice Costume!" Pen & Ink pointillism with watercolor.

(For more pics and other artists from the MEIC and shows, check out mecollective.blogspot.com)

Blue Sally

This Blue Spotted Salamander was a commissioned piece, used as an appreciation gift by the White Pine Programs in York, Maine. The client was very pleased with the result, and so was I! It was presented to the recipient at a banquet, where it received a wonderful response. Always great to hear.

Pen & ink pointillism with watercolor.

Cheese!

I did this quick camera illustration for a business card idea for a photographer friend. Not sure if anything will happen with it, but it was fun to do!


Pen & Ink

Mini Paintings

To keep myself busy during my down time between freelance jobs, I've been doing some mini artwork. I plan on framing them and hopefully selling them. So if you see something you like, let me know!

These are all watercolor on cold press watercolor paper, sizes vary but most are about 2" x 3"

"My Maine" Children's Book

I'm not very good about keeping this bliggity blog up to date, but I'm going to try harder, I swear.

Some exciting news to share is that I recently signed on to illustrate my first children's book! I'm absolutely thrilled, it's something that I've been wanting to do for quite a while, and couldn't be happier with the project that will hopefully help me break into the biz.

The book is "My Maine", written by a local author named Suzanne Buzby-Hersey. This is also her first book, so we are both excited about the process and anxious to see how it will all come together. She will be self publishing this book, due for a late summer/early fall 2010 publication. It's been a wonderful process so far! Here's a sneak peek:

 This is the main character for the book, more to come soon.



















I also designed the logo for the author's self publishing company, Little Beach Books. Below is the logo that was chosen. Very happy with it!:

For a friend

My very wonderful friend, who designed my website, and saved it's life not too long ago, deserved a great big THANK YOU. This was for him! It was fun to do, and I was happy with how it came out, especially the shiny gold trophy.

L is for Lily!

This is an example of my custom letter paintings that you can have made with any letter and artwork! I'm hoping to produce lots of these soon, great personalized gifts. This one I did for my boyfriend's niece, named Lily.

Originals For Sale!

These three small oil paintings are currently on display and for sale at Maine Cottage Furniture, on Rt.88 Yarmouth, ME. Contact me directly for prices!

(Oil on Canvas, 2008)

More animals

Also, for the Wells Reserve Book: Wood Frog, Muskrat, Wood Duck.

Copyright Nicole Fazio/Wells Reserve.

"WORKING ARTISTS SHOW"

I'd like to invite you to an upcoming illustration show, in which I'll be showing two pieces, organized by the Maine Illustrators Collective. The "WORKING ARTISTS SHOW" will feature about 12 artists, including myself, and will be showing July 2nd - July 31st. The opening reception is on Wednesday, July 8th 4:30-7:30, in the Hank's Room Gallery at the Kennebunk Free Library. We will have light refreshments, and lots of different styles of illustration, please stop by!

For more information about the Maine Illustrators Collective, visit:

http://www.maineillustratorscollective.org/

B&W Spot Illustrations

A couple more spot illustrations, pen inks, for the Wells Reserve Booklets!

Copyright Nicole Fazio/Wells Reserve.

mmmBlueberries

This is one small spot illustration of many, for a current job that I'm working on.

More coming soon!

At bit about my illustration style & methods

I work primarily with pen & ink and watercolor. I'm a fan of pointillism and cross hatching, and I use stippling (pointillism) most often. I've quit using Rapidographs cold turkey, after years of struggling with them at art school! The leaking, the clogging, the heart stopping feeling of watching that massive blob of black ink miss your almost complete piece by an eighth of an inch. No thank you. I've moved on to the good ol' fashion crow quill pen dipped in ink, which I'm happy with, even though it's much more time consuming.

My general style is realistically rendering, but not to the extent of photo realism. I like to split the difference between accuracy, and personality. I'm open to any field of illustration. A common question is "What kind of illustration do you do?".  Simply put, anything I can get! I enjoy editorial illustrations, advertising, educational, children's book. It's all fun to me. So let me know what you need, and I'll probably be up for tackling it.

New Blogger

I'm new to the blogging scene, but I thought it was about that time! To view a more complete portfolio of my work, please visit my website www.NicoleFazioIllustration.com . Check back here at the blog for new projects, info, shows, and anything else exciting that I get the urge to share. I'll do my best to keep it fresh and current!

Thanks, I hope you enjoy what I have to share, and please pass along if you do!

-Nicki-