Little Friends!

I was in the Wells area the other day, so I decided to stop by the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farms, a recent client of mine. I illustrated a three part children's educational workbook series for the Reserve, that leads kids on nature trails to learn about the animals, the environment, weather, habitats, all kinds of fun stuff. As part of the program, each trail/booklet has an animal "mascot" to lead the way. Trails are marked with the mascot image to correspond with the appropriate workbook for each trail. Here are my illustrated characters on a couple of the paths!

unofficially named "Doug" the Mummichog!

and "Penny" the Porcupine!

There's also a turkey hiding somewhere, but it was about 92° that afternoon and I had to end my search for him early, because I wasn't prepared for a 45 minute walk along the trail! I've got the mosquito bites to prove it...!

All images copyright Nicole Fazio 2009

"Ginny, Too"

This painted lettering done on a wood board was a commission for an elderly man, who mounted this in his sailboat in honor of his wife (fiance´ at the start of project), who is fighting cancer. It was a lovely project and I was quite honored to be able to lend my arts to such a touching love story and sweet person.

Wave embellishment detail

Another "My Maine" Page

"The rocky coastline, nothing beats it!

Kayaking and puffin watches are a guaranteed hit."

We all know how much I love puffins and how much I love painting puffins, so this one is clearly one of my favorites from the book! As my possible favorite, I definitely wanted to share it with you all.

Also, note a cameo by the Lucky Catch...got to support my favorite local businesses!

 + Detail of the tiny work

Book paintings!

These are a couple of illustrations from the book that I'm wrapping up right now! My first book My Maine will be published and available for purchase this November, be sure to check it out and buy a copy!

Above: "...And for shooting stars streaking across summer skies."

Above: "Our rainy days are surprisingly fine, 

Filled with card games, puzzles, and family time."

"Downeast in the Ocean" cover!

Hello! I haven't had a moment to post anything lately, as I've been super busy wrapping up my first book, My Maine, and working on the cover illustration of my next book, Downeast in the Ocean! It's been a crazy month or two to say the least, but all in the best possible way, so I really can't complain.

Here is the cover for Downeast in the Ocean, a counting book that will be out early next year!

Background done in watercolor with pen & ink, seals stippled in pen & ink

Good on the Go

If you're at the Children's Museum of Maine, look for the new "Good on the Go" snack machine! The children's museum has installed one of these healthy snacks/drinks vending machines from Life's Healthy Pleasures...which I designed and created the branding for last year! :) I'm thrilled to see that the company is doing well, and that the children's museum is introducing it (and promoting healthy eating) to the little kiddos visiting Portland.

New Book!

Haven't had a chance to add any recent posts, been busy working on the final paintings for my first children's book, My Maine. Will try to post a sneak peek soon!

In the meantime, I received a call from an editor at DownEast Publishing and have signed on to illustrate my second book! It'll be called Downeast in the Ocean, a counting book 1-10 featuring all kinds of fun creatures who live in the ocean. I'm so excited to get started I think it'll be a great book. Plus working with DownEast is a pretty amazing opportunity.

Stay tuned for more news!

Flowers for Susie

This was a Christmas gift, a watercolor painting for my boyfriend's mother, Susie. Woven into her name are her favorite flowers, including a field of Lupines below. This photo isn't 100% for color, but pretty close. Definitely one of my favorite custom name/initial paintings so far. It was a hit!

Detail:

Keep these in mind for commissioned gifts! ; )

Grr

Sketch; copyright Nicole Fazio Illustration for use of Wells Reserve only.

2010...!?!

When did this happen? Holidays are over, it's a new year! Haven't posted in a while, you know how things go this time of year. Hope to post more often in the next couple of months. Finishing up a project for the Wells Reserve, so I'll have lots of new illustrations to share from those booklets...like this one:

copyright Nicole Fazio Illustration for use of Wells Reserve only.

And this guy...

copyright Nicole Fazio Illustration for use of Wells Reserve only.