It's so hard to say goodbye...

...which is why I'll say "I'm moving!" instead. I have enjoyed using Blogger for many years, but the hot new thing the kids are using is Tumblr, so I've decided to switch all of my blogging activity to my Tumblr site. I will keep this blog up, so that anyone who wishes to can see the previous posts, but it will no longer be updated. (not that I've been doing enough of that, anyway)

Also, I am creating a new website, so my Erin Illustration site will be temporarily shut down for a while, while I furiously add all the recent work I've been making to a shiny, happy new site.

You can find me at the following interweb locations:

Thanks! See you around the internets!

Bike Lanes Rule!

I was recently contacted by the lovely folks at BQT Shirts, a tee shirt company specializing in Brooklyn, Queens and NYC themed shirts. They asked if I'd like to create some designs that would fit with their theme and aesthetic. Of course, I was thrilled they asked!

BQT Shirts already has some very cool bike tees, but with the "Great Bike Lane Wars of Brooklyn" this past summer I thought it would be cool to create a tee celebrating the urban cyclists roadways. The lanes in my design create the letters BQT, and the little cyclist is merrily on his or her way. Pick up your Bike Lane Tee here.

I'm currently working on my next designs for BQT Shirts, which should be "yummy".

Lotus & Pearl Wedding Invitations

I recently completed a suite of custom designed, hand screen printed wedding invitations for a good friend of mine. Check out the full post at Lotus & Pearl!

Father's Day Cards

Yesterday was Father's Day, and I was fortunate enough to spend time with my dad, my step-dad-in-law, and my brother-in-law, who's a brand new papa (his beautiful girl is just over a week old. I made greeting cards for each of them. They were printed digitally, but next year I hope to have them available for purchase as screen printed cards. 

The top one was for my dad, and is inspired by the fact that he likes to refer to himself as "the King", even though in my house the Queen was really the one in charge. The second one was for Kenny, who is a fun-loving guy. And the final card is for Glen, who is over the moon about his brand new baby girl, Ella. Unfortunately I couldn't make a card for Richie, my father-in-law, who isn't with us but is in our thoughts.

I'm glad you're having a baby...

...and I'm not! I am very happy to be awaiting the birth of a new niece or nephew very soon! My lovely sister-in-law Vanessa and her husband Glen are expecting a baby in June. Myself, Vanessa's sister Caitlin, and some of Vanessa's close friends had been planning a surprise baby shower for a few months. We decided on a baby animal theme. Since I didn't want it to be too "pastel" or saccharine, I thought baby jungle animals would be a fun way to go, and then we all realized that was perfect, since Glen and Vanessa played Guns 'n' Roses "Welcome to the Jungle" at their wedding. The jungle colors also worked well since the baby's nursery will be green.                                                                                                                       

I had so much fun looking up the photo reference for this project– I mean, just look at a Francois Langur baby monkey– they're ridiculously cute! I also created Thank You tags for the favors (little foot cookie cutters) with three different variations, and a game for guests to play, which was actually kind of difficult. Vanessa's very talented friend Jenny made a gorgeous and delicious red velvet cake based on the theme as well– if you're in the NYC/Long Island area and you want an amazing cake check out Little Mrs. Cupcake!

All in all I think it was a really wonderful baby shower and an indication that this baby is going to have a ton of love, including from the crazy aunt. ;)

I Heart Brooklyn

Well I've been a bad blogger again– but also again, I've been working on some exciting secret projects. In between projects I was working on this I Heart Brooklyn design. I recently found out about the CitID Project, and thought it was a really cool idea that I wanted to be a part of. The concept is to create a logo for your city or town, so that designers (and others) can learn about each other and the world. 

Obviously, since I'm from New York City, I can't create a logo that would ever come remotely close to being a fraction as awesome as the world-renowned Milton Glaser "I Love NY" design. So I decided to do the next best thing and pay homage to Glaser's logo and represent the city-within-a-city of Brooklyn, where I've lived for almost a decade. 

Plus, I really do heart Brooklyn!

Drum roll, please!

Announcing the new, improved, spectacular Erin Gallagher Illustration website! The new site features all of my recent illustrations, comics, graphic design and sketches– plus it will be updated frequently. Feel free to browse around and please let me know what you think!

I owe this fantastic example of modern technological wizardry to my friend, Rob Harrigan, who knows his way around code but also happens to love vinyl records, old fashioned cocktails and typography of the 60's. Rob [aka Undercard Productions] has done an awesome job and I highly recommend his services for all your website and design needs. Thanks again, Rob!

Paris Chic

I haven't been posting too much lately, because I've been working hard at a nice, big freelance project, which I'll post about in a few weeks. But recently I was able to do a really fun piece promoting La Vie Parisienne Nouveau and Deco-inspired jewelry for Whole Body at Whole Foods Market Chelsea. This jewelry is amazing– so elegant and interesting– and I wanted to create some really stand-out signage for it.

As much as I enjoy doing full-color work, I would often find that there would be a little nuance from the original sketch that was missing from the finished product, so I've been experimenting with layering some of my sketches into the finished paintings/color work, and so far I like the results. I am also continuing to use vector art in my illustrations, which I enjoy doing, to switch it up.

So, if you know a girl who loves shiny, sparkly things (that's most of us), get some of La Vie Parisienne's gorgeous jewelry for her, at Whole Body at Whole Foods Market, Chelsea. I may have to get a pair (or two) of the earrings myself to get me all set for my trip to Paris this Fall!

Business Card Design

I recently created a business card for my friend Chris Fox, a personal trainer and fitness coach in Brooklyn. While it can sometimes be difficult working with friends, I think Chris & I are both very happy with the result– which is what really counts. Plus, the best part for me is that in exchange for my graphic design skills, I am getting some complimentary consultations with the talented fitness coach. It's a win-win!

MY NEW WEBSITE HAS LAUNCHED!!!

Please stop by and take a look at erinillustration.com! I am working on new pieces and continue to update here on the blog for now.

FEED the kids, and look cool doing it!

At the Chelsea Whole Foods Market, located on Fashion Avenue, Heather, in charge of the Marketing Team, put together a "Project Runway"-esque challenge for students at FIT. The idea was to create outfits out of FEED 100 bags, and other Whole Foods Market reuseable bags. And the results were stunning! I created the window clings and designer info signage, while my co-artist Graham got his skinny butt down in the windows to set up the dress forms.
The FEED 100 bag is special, because if you use it not only does it cut down on paper & plastic bag waste– a huge problem, but it also provides 100 meals to hungry kids in Rwanda. I know times are tough here right now, but people in places like Rwanda have had it way worse for a lot longer, and these kids just want some square meals.
So come check out the window display along Seventh Avenue and 24th Street, get a FEED 100 bag for you or someone you love, save some trees and look cute– although probably not as cute these awesome outfits. (To see them all click here!)

Loser....I haven't posted in a while, because it's just been too crazy with the holidays. This is a tee shirt design I did for a contest at work. I didn't win, but neither did anyone else, actually. They scrapped the contest. Well, it doesn't really make me feel any better to not be the only loser.

Use Your NoodleThis is a design I did for work, but it's for the employees only, not customers, so I got to be a little more crazy with it than a lot of other projects. Now doesn't that make you want to eat your noodles?