Ice cream

Loving Match Man Ice Cream & Taiyaki in Georgetown, and so much fun drawing this in Procreate!

Bánh mì (and more!)

Recently, I gathered up some of my favorite food illustrations from over the years and put them all in one spot! Here’s bánh mì as a teaser. You can find the rest here. Enjoy!

Macarons

I never would have thought to draw this with a pink pencil, but I got a mechanical pencil with different colored leads in my SketchBox this month. I love the pink! And I love these little macarons.

Alexander Calder's Eagle at Olympic Sculpture Park

I love this sculpture. I’ve done this one in pen and watercolor (2008) and soft pastel (2011), so I guess it was time for another approach! This time digital—drawing and painting with Procreate on an Ipad. Below is the photo I used to trace over with the drawing, then hid the layer to add all the color. After using traditional media my whole life, it’s fun to challenge myself to do something new!

summer/fall

A box of peaches and limes from my mom. Read more here.

Absence

Today marks 1 year of the pandemic. Covid-19 has brought incalculable losses around the world.

This painting is titled “Absence.”

The flower meaning for zinnias is “thoughts of absent friends” or “I mourn your absence.” And verbena’s meaning is “pray for me.” The red background is for one meaning of the dark crimson rose — sadness, mourning, and death.

Lives lost and people separated from loved ones have created voids that can’t be filled. But, just like these bright flowers, I pray for bright spots of hope to make their way into the absence.

Prints will be available soon on my Etsy shop.

Side note: For March 11 — 3 zinnias for the 3rd month, and 11 verbena flowers for the 11th day.

Research and sketching pictured below with more info here. Idea started with this post from December 14, 2020.

Grief

I won’t be meeting my goal to have my March 11 (1 year of pandemic) painting done. In the meantime, here’s one for grief—the flower meaning for aloe vera. The purple is for hyacinth—sorrow. Sending my love to everyone who’s experienced loss. View on Instagram.

Remind America

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speaking at a civil rights rally in central L.A. in 1963 {photo reference by Julian Wasser} paired with the March on Washington 2020 — attendees wading in the reflecting pool on the National Mall, August 28, 2020 {photo reference by @jasoncandrew for @nytimes}.

Highlighted in painting are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s words from his “I Have a Dream” speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963.

More info here

We Want to Live // Black Lives Matter

My friend Zana, her nephew Jamil (my friend Jamalia’s son), and my daughter Hannah Mae at the We Want to Live March on Rainier Ave S. in June, 2020. Watercolor and pen on paper. {more info here}

Thank our healthcare workers with a card!

Thank our healthcare workers with a card! 💌 5 x 7 cards are blank inside and come with a white envelope.

Watercolor and pen art inspired by the courage and sacrifice of our healthcare workers fighting Covid-19 — and all the other vital work they are doing. Send some encouragement and show your gratitude!

1 card :: $5 / Set of 6 :: $24 / Set of 12 :: $36 {plus shipping} Venmo: Naomi-Cox-4

Email me to place your order! Cards are being printed and will be ready to ship to you in 10-14 days. Thank you! 💙