Happy New Year

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas. Now that the 25th has passed, it is time to prepare for one last hurrah before 2011 comes to a close. I hope you have fabulous plans and that you ring in the new year in style. I am not quite sure what I will be wearing, but it will hopefully be fun and fancy free, just like I hope 2012 will be.

xoxo

More Emmy Fashion

So, Gwyneth Paltrow has been showing up on a lot of Worst Dressed lists from this past weekend's Emmy Awards, and I have to admit that I don't necessarily agree. I am sort of loving this look. I mean, I hate say it because Gwyneth is flawless, but I think this top and skirt combo would have been a hit if it was worn by a starlet 10 to 15 years younger at one of the after parties rather than the red carpet and the awards show.

The dress is by Pucci, and it is an intricate black sheer overlay dress with a great deal of detail. I created the illustration in my typical medium of linocut, which I think lends well to the style of the dress. I hope you like it, and I will hopefully be sharing more of my favorite looks from the Emmys in the next few days!

xoxo

Best Dressed

Some people live tweet or live blog. Well, I live carve. Last night while I was watching the Emmy Awards, I was busy carving this linocut illustration of the dress I felt should land on the Best Dressed List. The second Lea Michele stepped onto the red carpet in this gorgeous red Marchesa number, I was sold. It fit her like a glove and was simple yet chic.

Red was definitely the color of the evening, and I have to give an honorable mention to Nina Dobrev who looked stunning in a red Donna Karan dress. I also loved Julia Stiles look, and I thought Martha Plimpton looked stunning in her sequined gown.

July Wrap-up

Happy August everyone! Can you believe summer is almost over? Where does the time go?

Anyway, above is a compilation of all on this past month's "My Best Look" outfits. Here's hoping that August is even more stylish than the previous month!

My Best Look: Week 3

This week I chose a casual outfit from my closet rather than another "work" look. I am starting to notice that this season I am clearly obsessed with navy, turquoise, and orange!

Shirt: J.Crew Factory

Shorts: Anthropologie

Earrings: Jeweler in Assisi, Italy

Cuff: Sara Campbell

Shoes: Globe Shoe Co.

Bag:Satchel

I Miss Nantucket

Recently, I have been missing summers on Nantucket like crazy. I suppose that's part of growing up. You can't spend every summer carefree without any responsibility! But, even though I am living all the way in Savannah, I hope to get back to the magical island full of beautiful places, and incredibly preppy people soon! I guess this reductive linocut print of my first pair of Jack Rogers is a reflection of my admiration for Nantucket and all the wonderful memories I have associated with it.

xoxo

www.jackrogersusa.com

My Best Look

Last summer I gave myself the task of creating an illustration a week based on the summer's Top 40 Hits. I have decided to take on a similar project this year; however it is going to be based on one of my favorite things, MY CLOSET! 

Each week I will illustrate "my best look" from that week. All of the items will come from my wardrobe and will chronicle the outfit I wore that week that I liked the best. Last week I shared my favorite 4th of July weekend look, and this week, I am sharing with you a look I wore to work! 

Blazer: J.Crew

Dress: J.Crew Factory

Espadrilles: J.Crew

Earrings: Sara Campbell

Handbag: Kate Spade

Happy 4th of July!

 Happy 235th Birthday USA!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July full of fun, family, friends, and fireworks. I enjoyed some amazing barbeque with friends and also worked on an illustration of my patriotic attire. The image is a linocut print of my favorite white jeans, navy striped sweater and new sandals and Kate Spade purse.

Stay Cool

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Stay cool y'all...

(I know all the hipsters won't have a problem with that)

Repeat Patterns

A few months ago I attended an Open Studio at SCAD's FIbers department. On display were a variety of different students works, and I instantly fell in love with all of the illustrative repeat patterns that some of the students had created. It made me really sad that I wasn't able to squeeze in a fibers class prior to graduating, but it did prompt me to do some post-grad experimentation and research. 

I found this really great post on the popular blog Design Sponge that gave a great tutorial on how to create a repeat pattern. It is a lot easier than I thought! My first attempt was the image above, and I can't wait to experiment some more this summer, so keep your eyes out for more!

http://www.designsponge.com/2008/05/welcome-julia-and-how-to-make-a-repeat-pattern.html

My Last Project as a Student

For my thesis, I created a business plan for a design firm that specializes in customized, illustrated invitations. I created numerous samples, which are visible below. I had so much fun working on this project and can't wait to get this business up and running! If you are in need of customized invitations and are looking for something truly unique, please contact me (lis@lissartori.com)!

Bicycle Built for Two: Can be used as an engagement announcement, save the date, anniversary invitation, or wedding invitation.

Classic Cake: This invitation has a front and back side. It can be used as a bridal shower, wedding, or engagement party invitation.

Parisian Carousel: This invitation has a front and back side, and can be used for a baby shower or child's birthday party invitation.

Fall Foliage: This invitation has a front and back side and can be used as an engagement party invitation or wedding invitation.

Colonial Spring: This invitation has a front and back side and can be used as a wedding invitation.

Pinwheels: This invitation is perfect for a baby shower or birthday party invitation.

Rings of Time: This invitation is an anniversary design and can be customized based on the number of years being celebrated.

Preview

I am less than a week away from graduation, which is so surreal and has yet to hit me. During the next 5 days I have to turn in my written thesis and finish a line of invitations for the big show on Friday! I have been working diligently on details of the event down to booking the venue, planning the food, and making the decorations. I feel like a wedding planner! Which, in a way is kind of fitting seeing as I am creating invitations, the majority of which are wedding invitations. The irony!

I don't want to give too much away, but I thought I would show you some of the basics for the invitations. Some of them are pretty rough iPhone photos of the linocut prints, but you'll get the drift!

Girl Scouts

I've been working on an illustration of Girl Scouts visiting Savannah. Because Savannah is the birthplace of the Girl Scouts founder, Juliette Gordon Low, this small little city is a mecca of sorts for Girl Scouts.

When I made the Savannah print that I posted a week ago, I knew that I wanted to color it and use it as an illustration and naturally, Girl Scouts came to mind. All of the elements of the piece are done in linocut and then colored digitally.

Final Savannah Print

I recently finished the print of some houses on Pulaski Square here in Savannah and thought I'd share it with y'all. The print is a linocut (surprise, surprise) and it is 18" x 24". Originals (black & white) will be available at my Etsy shop later next week, and expect to see this image popping up in the background of an illustration I am working on!