My Second Job: FULLCIRCLE Sales Rep

My desk in the FULLCIRCLE Showroom

The Men's Collection

FULLCIRCLE Accessories

Editing the Men's Collection

My Sales Meeting Opus Hotel Room

Me in FULLCIRCLE

Hello Darlings,

I apologize for leaving you with such a 'cliffhanger' in the first installment of my series on how I came to find fashion illustration. Although I have to admit, your reactions were so delicious to read, secretly I'm not too sorry. For those of you who are just tuning in, you can start reading at the beginning here. Now as I recall I left you all at the Nicholas Metivier Gallery where I was approached by a model with a prospect. I was standing in front of Close's gigantic Kate Moss print being pestered by a bit of a lush, who apparently was quite a regular at their openings. Suddenly this beautiful, sympathetic girl approached me and ushered me aside.

She saved me in that moment in more ways than one. We started talking a little about what we did for a living and I explained that I had just completed my internship at FASHION a few mere hours before this opening. I also explained that I was looking to find work in a gallery. I remember her disappointment when I told her I was moving away from fashion because according to her she knew of the perfect position for me. Toronto's leading sales agency was looking for a new rep for a UK clothing line called FULLCIRCLE. She herself had once occupied the position but had since moved to ad sales at Jeanne Beker's FQ Magazine.

I remember thinking that this could be a really great start for me. This encounter had to be a 'sign'. By the next morning the model had emailed me, put me in contact with the agency, and set-up my interview date. I met with the owners on a Saturday, three days after the opening, and was offered the job on the spot. It was a fast paced turnover because they needed me to attend meetings in Montreal that same week to view the new Men's and Women's collection. I was offered a clothing allowance so that I would literally be selling the brand wherever I went. Suddenly I was responsible for selling this collection to all Ontario retail accounts.

It wouldn't be a stretch to say that I was in WAY over my head. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for challenges, but I was really working against A LOT. I would rather not divulge the specifics because at the end of the day I'm tremendously grateful for the opportunity to have worked with this agency. Furthermore, sometimes discovering what you don't want to do pushes you even closer to what you do. I just didn't want to sell, plain and simple. After making a close friendship with one of the other reps there, I told her of my longing to combine both fashion and art. She suggested I research illustration. Shortly after I called a meeting with my boss.

To be continued...

My Favorite Things

Giuseppe Zanotti Design 2009

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favorite things...

Today my incredible Mom is celebrating her birthday and since I can't be with her this post is devoted to her. An eternal Julie Andrews, my Mom is one of the most endearing, charming, gracious, and loving women alive. She is the driving force behind my family and my dearest confidant. My sister and I started a tradition when we were children of drawing the gifts we could not afford, but would like to give to our parents, for Christmas or Easter. Since I'm still a student unfortunately I've had to return to this tradition for her birthday.

I've drawn for her a 2009 Giuseppe Zanotti Design platform. My Mom has the most incredible taste in shoes. Though I know she would never wear these, 'too high' she would say, I'm certain she would appreciate it as art. For months now she's been telling me to post my illustrations of shoes that I've been doing over the past 6 or 7 years. Her birthday is the perfect opportunity to start. Mom I wish you the most wonderful birthday today and know that I'm with you always. Thank-you for being so much more than I ever could have wished for.

All my love,

Meag xx

My First Job: FASHION Magazine Editorial Intern

Gorgeous Julia Dunstall

Neon Colored Gypsy

Hello Loves,

As promised here is another painting I've done in tribute to the brilliant James Meakin. From the moment I saw this photograph I felt an immediate connection to it. I love the spirit, the warmth, the optimism. I like that I could actually escape into it. It reminded me of trying on these beautiful Afghani caftans in Istanbul and feeling so fortunate to witness such beauty. I've been on winter break now for the past five weeks, sifting through my anxieties about the future. At present everything is uncertain about my life and it has me thinking a lot about destiny.

I was reading Seventeen magazine today lol with Leighton Meester on the cover and she was talking about the power of visualization. She described how she literally conceived her dreams into reality. It got me thinking about the reason I started this blog, that I literally titled it after my dream job. Is it so far stretched to think that I could travel, write, and draw for a living? Being in New York makes you realize that anything is possible, that the homeless man in the park could be the next youtube sensation. Is that destiny or the power of believing? Why couldn't that be you or me?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this, what do you believe? For fear of ending this post in an existential crisis I would like to close with two must-see exhibits in New York right now.

'Fashion Illustration: Visual Poetry' at Gallery Hanahou curated by my professor and renowned artist Bil Donovan. It will feature the likes of Stina Persson, Sara Singh, and John Jay Cabuay opening tomorrow Jan 20th, 2011.

'Balenciaga: Spanish Master' at Queen Sofia Spanish Institute which showcases the work and impact of Cristobal Balenciaga's visionary designs ending Feb 19th, 2011.

Lots of love,

Meag xx

Seven Things You Don't Know About Me

Stylish Blogger Award

Firstly, I apologize tremendously for taking so long to prepare this post. I'm so touched that both Vanilla Jarvis and Maya Beus nominated me as the recipient of their Stylish Blogger Award. The award requires you to indicate your nominator, share seven facts about yourself, and propose an additional 15 recently discovered blogs of your choice. I decided it would be really fun to illustrate and collage images of the seven facts you don't know about me. This is also why it took so long to prepare. After all, seven facts is really just the beginning.

The List is as follows:

• When I was 20 I studied Italian Renaissance Art History abroad in Florence, Italy. I lived with 12 females in a beautiful apartment that boasted the most incredible patio overlooking a church. I would meet for group lectures at the Uffizi or Duomo and on weekends travel to Venice, Rome, and Cinque Terre. I devoured gorgeous meals on candle lit rooftops, danced the night away at Central Park, bought out San Lorenzo market, and fell in love...with life.

• Whenever I travel I purchase a piece of jewelry that embodies the culture, spirit, or flavor of the city. Each purchase has a story, some more incredible than the item. I like that the experience, much like the jewelry, lasts forever. Unless of course the ring is opal and it shatters in a Roman nunnery.

• I'm desperately allergic to nuts, which means I've never actually tasted one of those charming colored macaroon treats. Every time I go to Paris, and stare at them through the Laduree glass windows, my mouth waters. Why are they so delicious looking and how have they not created a nut free version yet?

• By far the wildest place I've ever visited was Ibiza, Spain. So wild in fact, I visited twice in the same summer. By day I ate olives and danced to house music at Sa Trinxa on Las Salinas beach. By night I was transfixed with the dry ice and gorgeous dancers at Pacha, Space, and El Divino. I guess that explains why 'It's All Gone Pete Tong' is one of my favorite movies.

• My signature lip color is Parisian Pink by CoverGirl. They should actually make me a spokesperson for the product. I've been wearing it for nearly five years now and have turned countless women onto it.

• My favorite thing to do in New York above all else is wander. In a city so overpopulated and cramped you would be surprised how easy it is to lose yourself. I sort of think it's imperative for my sanity that I walk aimlessly. Fortunately, there is no better city than New York to do it in.

• Lastly, my greatest goal in life is to be the next Vera Neumann, Virginia Johnson, Leanne Shapton, or Garance Dore. All are incredibly successful female illustrators, innovative entrepreneurs, world travelers, and mini moguls. I hope to achieve even a fraction of what they have in their careers.

My Nominees

Ania. B

Art by Caitlin Shearer

BelleBlush

Changing Waves...Treading Water

FiveFiveFabulous

Haute Couturista

Illustration by Katie

Illustrate Kate

Indigo

Le Grand Lapin Illustration by Katie

Priscella Manon

The Jersey Gem

Trois Femmes

Violetta E.

Wanderlust

Thank-you again for the wonderful nomination. Hopefully you feel you know me just a little bit better now. I like to think that this is just the beginning. Enjoy!!

Illustrators Drawing Illustrators: The Portrait!!

Ana Simonovic of ShoeRA

Parisian Hair Clip

Dubai's Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa

Istanbul's Blue Mosque, Baklava, and Turkish Coffee

Paris' Eiffel Tower, Macaroons, and London Bridge

I can't believe it's finally here, the day of the 'Illustrators Drawing Illustrators' portrait post. For those of you who are just tuning in, on Dec 22nd 2010 I asked my fellow artist bloggers to submit their name to me in order to be assigned another illustrator's portrait to draw. I pulled each name from a hat which resulted in the following list. Today is the day we post, link, and marvel at the incredible talent on the portrait blog crawl. The recipient of my portrait is the beautiful Ana Simonovic of ShoeRA. She's an architect and blogger based primarily in Dubai.

Not only is Ana a style maven, but a true world traveler. I was determined to illustrate her worldliness, architectural background, as well as her appreciation for all things glamorous. I resolved to design a structured dress that encompassed snapshots of her trips through London, Paris, Istanbul, and Dubai. I used her very own photos as references from the hair clip, to the turkish coffee cup. I had a blast drawing from my own experiences in each city too. Ana, I truly hope you like what I've done and that I managed to capture even a fraction of your essence.

Now begin the portrait blog crawl here!!

I Dream of 'Genie'

I can't pinpoint exactly when my absolute obsession with the Sahara Desert began. Although, come to think of it, Aladdin was always my favorite Disney movie so I guess it makes sense. Something about the exoticism of the location, the heat, the desolate isolation has always drawn me in. That, and the fact that every fashion spread I've seen shot in the desert uses the most radiant colored clothing under the sun. Just the other day my friend Jill made me count the number of times I referenced the desert for inspiration. More specifically, the number of times I've drawn women in turbans on this blog lol.

A few months ago while visiting the lovely Lana's blog Woman-W, I stumbled across her post on fashion photographer James Meakin. Within seconds of opening the post I had a 'ureka moment' looking at his works. Sand dunes juxtaposed with splashes of neon color, ornately designed fabrics, amazing oppositions, contrasting compositions, ureka, ureka, ureka!! It was an artistic match made in heaven type moment. I promised myself that come winter break I would pay tribute to his work by painting a series of these photos. I've stayed true to my word and here is the first one of many to come. Enjoy!!

P.S. How is everyone making out with the 'Illustrators Drawing Illustrators' project? Less than a week to go woohoo!!

The Thing About Tradition