The Christmas Surprise

About a year and a half ago I bought my mom a picture frame with an I-O-U for a painting.  Finally this holiday season a light bulb of inspiration went off and I decided to paint a family tree for her.  I know she misses her mom so much and there has been a lot of growing pains in my family the past few years, so I figured what better way to remind her of her roots and who matters most in her life than painting a family tree.  This piece took a while to create.  I would say a solid 20-25 hours of sketching and painting, which is why I stopped with the cousins.  That, and it was hard to fit everyone on the page!! Hopefully later I can expand the tree a bit more to include the littlest kiddies!   

I made prints of the piece and gave it to my family for a little Christmas surprise.  I also documented the moment with this little video above! 

mother's day gifts

Mother's Day is coming up and I reworked some pieces for the special day!  There are prints, iPhone cases, and my personal favorite, mugs! You can check them out on Society 6.  Click the "SHOP" button above!

I have such a great weekend planned for Mother's Day.  My mom is coming to visit me in New York and her big gift is going to see Kelly & Michael Live.  She has been planning her outfit ever since I told her the big news.  We are SO excited.  May 10th is just around the corner!!  

one whole year

Our little babes turns 1 year young today! 

Everette Mica has such a personality. She giggles, she runs around, she's fearless, she loves guacamole, she claps her hands, she has literally traveled the world (yes, in a year), and she can say "I love Auntie Tay". It's the craziest thing (wink wink)!

Everette's mother, one of my besties, asked me to paint Evers as a mermaid.  I think that's a pretty perfect first birthday gift.  When we gave her the painting to hold she couldn't stop staring at it. We wanted her to hold it and show the camera but she had her own agenda. 

I just love her so much. She's so warm and loving and beautiful. I was sitting next to her in her adult size crib and she just started patting my shoulder and looking at me.  My heart could have exploded.   

I took her 1 year old photo shoot on my friend's dock.  She was a champ and was absolutely loving the camera.  She loves the water, just like her parents!  She's such a little sweetie.

Whatever my friends are doing, they're doing it right! 

Happy First Birthday Everette Mica Rhee!

day 23: freedom + forgiveness

The painting above was originally a tattoo design for a little yogi friend of mine, Joanna.  Last summer when I was back home visiting I took one of her classes (which kicked my ass in the best way) and then after we spent the afternoon in the North End catching up on life, talking about my illustrations, her yoga, and what it was like for her moving out of NYC and back to Boston.  She has really built a beautiful life for herself in back home.   She teaches yoga and lives in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Boston.  I think she was the first person to help me see that you don't HAVE to stay in NY to find this "career fulfillment."  I know that seems a little obvious but when you're in it you feel it's the only option.  She definitely opened my eyes a bit.

If you are in the Boston area and want to take a class from my friend Joanna, she teaches at North End Yoga + South Boston Yoga.  Her classes are fantastic.  I sweat so much she needed to bring me a towel in the middle of teaching.  I really loved her class.  When I go to visit I'll have to make a pit stop in the city.  Her website is joannabenevides.com

So I think the wild flowers above are a nice little symbol of freedom for this practice. I really love this watercolor.. especially with the piles of snow outside, it's a reminder of spring.  As always, Adriene leads a relaxing and empowering practice in day 23.  I don't want it to end!  I have a feeling this yoga challenge will quickly become my new "series on Netflix that I just watch on repeat." BUT she does have other videos that I am very excited to dive into.  

Take care, be well, and happy Sunday!

day 14: hovering cat

In honor of the hovering cat poses in day 14 here are the kitties I've been working on!  Phoebe on the left is almost done!  I have to paint in her wallpaper and then she is complete.  Cali on the right is pretty much done. I love her pet portrait because her wallpaper was inspired by the restaurant Indochine in NYC.  Ever since I took some friends from home to Indochine I have been obsessed with that wall paper.  I love it!  And from what her owner tells me, the vibe of the restaurant really fits her personality.  Perfection! (Perrrfection... NO! that's cheesy, jk jk)

Day 14 of the 30 Days of Yoga challenge was both relaxing and challenging.  I'm finding that I really need to work on core and wrist strength.  This session touched on both. I'm excited for day 15!  It's the mid point and I want to reflect on the reasons why I started the challenge as well as my new year's resolution.

Till then!  Namaste.

pet portraits: for the plant owners

There's a gift, an illustration, and a pet for everyone!  Every Christmas for the past 2 years my assistant and I have exchanged some epic gifts (his gifts were more epic than mine).  This Christmas I decided to make it super personal.  Plants, art, and tattoos are a few of his favorite things, so I decided to hand paint his most recent tattoos on a wall hanging pot for a new cactus pet!  A friend then gave me the witty idea to paint a "pet portrait" of the little guy.  

A big thank you to Baked in Brooklyn for making my personalized gifting dreams come true!

gift giving: lovewild design

A few months ago I met Sierra of Lovewild Design at the Artists & Fleas in Brooklyn. Her shop just jumped out at me. She really created her own little world down to every last detail. Everything from her products to the dress she was wearing to the milkmaid braid in her hair, she fully embodied her brand. It's people like Sierra who inspire me the most when trying to build my own brand.

That day I purchased a gift for a friend and a gift for myself. The tea vial gift set got the butterflies flapping in my stomach. Had to have them! They're almost too pretty to use, but as you can see from our Instagram I've cracked into them a few times!

Almost all of her products are made of sustainable materials. My favorite items are her plantables, the confetti or letterpress coins that can be planted and turned into wild flowers! Every piece has so much thought put into it. Please check out their website lovewilddesign.com. With the holidays right around the corner these are perfect stocking stuffers or hostess gifts!

the scorpion, the eagle + the phoenix

Happy Birthday Month Scorpios!  

I am surrounded by Scorpios.  My mom, dad, best childhood friend, assistant, etc. are all Scorpios.  This sign is an interesting one because it has three symbols.  Most immediately think of the scorpion.  The scorpion is their dark, earth-bound side that is protective and ready to strike whenever they feel threatened.  The second symbol is the eagle, also ready to strike at any moment however can fly and is free and aware of its surroundings.   Lastly is the Phoenix.  The mythical creature that encompasses rebirth, resurrection and transformation.  When Scorpios fall to their lowest point is when they can fully transform themselves.  This sign is certainly a powerful one. Never underestimate the power of Scorpio.  They will cut you. 

Kidding! (sort of)

Happy Birthday to my best girl and my best assistant!!  

This Scorpio illustration can be purchased on Society6! We have mugs and iPhone cases available as well! View it, share it, shop it.

pet portraits: duke weiner

This little guy is the most loving pug I've ever met.  While babysitting him one time I noticed he kept hopping up on the back of my couch, perched up like a cat.  Any chance he got he would crawl up on my lap and put his little chin on my knee.  When his dad came home from his travels I told him all about his quirky little behaviors and his response was "Haha! Ya, he was raised with a cat."  I couldn't control my laughter when I heard that.  Duke is definitely a special little guy. He's been by my best gay's side for 8 years.  I was so excited when his partner asked me to do this piece for him.  And yes.... that's a Gucci paisley print in the background.  

Below is my process of building up this little piggy.  The first layer of paint and shadows always look a bit scary.  If you are interested in getting your own pet portrait feel free to email me at thecrabandthemoon@gmail.com!

happy supermoon sunday

If you're up at 2am tonight you'll be able to catch the lovely moon maiden.

Since I have an early eeeeearly morning flight tomorrow I will unfortunately be up at 2am.  So at least I have something to look forward to when my alarm goes off.  For the next week and a half I will be doing window installations across the country.  California I'm coming your way!

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baby's first painting

Everette Mica Rhee was who inspired my horoscope series.  My little Aries inspiration. She is the brand new daughter of one of my closest friends.  I knew I wanted to paint her something and I wanted it to be a subject that would be relevant throughout her life.  When I showed her the painting she could not stop scanning it side to side and then smiling.  Aries was officially baby approved. That moment made my stomach drop.

From meeting Evers yesterday, I get it.  I totally and completely get it. She is perfect in every way and all you want to do is stare at her and hold her.  It was a cool and strange realization when I was holding her last night.  This age is pretty cool.  You get to see the people you love the most having mini versions of themselves that you can hold and cuddle.  It's pretty amazing in every sense of the word.  

Evers and Jess were just too photogenic to not include photos of them.

The illustration was done in pen, ink and watercolor.  The frame is an authentic vintage frame I found at an antique store back in Massachusetts (that kind if vintage look can't be replicated).  I have been holding on to the frame for a while now and it was always the odd man out when it came to my wall decor.  Now I know why... it wasn't meant for me it was meant for Evers. I adhered paper flowers onto the frame to give it a softer look.  I really think it came out quite nice!

Happy Sunday!

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