I'm Sick (by Mama Cass, your ILLustrator)

Last year, when I was thinking about illustration, the word ill just wouldn't get out of my head. 

The word ill has a few different meanings, most generally it is used when one is feeling "sick" or "under the weather," "flu-like," or when you find yourself on the toilet for most of the day. 

Ill (as well as Sick), also means that something is awesome, cool, sweet, badass, etc. (please refer to Urban Dictionary) 

So, I, Mama Cass, being the sickest ILLustrator comin out of the Southwest, am happy to present to you my latest painting, "I'm Sick"

And as Dre puts it, "Baby girl, you only as funky as your last cut." 

Enjoy the funk: 

Some metallic silver and gold, yeah this is my sort of bling.

I had done this original drawing in 2011, experimenting with some spray paint and collage to make this first version which hung at Trenton's Art All Night show last summer. 

Process: 

It wasn't until my dear friend Paul came to visit from Germany and requested this piece specifically for his bathroom that I painted the original drawing. Hope this makes your toilet time the illest! 

Love, Mama Cass 

Good Morning, Dreamer

What do you do when you get a commission to do "whatever you want" when the client exclaims they "like everything!"

First, you stalk them on Facebook.

Then, you spend a couple months pondering what the heck you're going to paint.

Then you just decide What the Hell Here We Go!

And you come up with this:

My friend Cynthia, a curly haired, rambunctious, smart, hilarious, genuine, lovely woman asked me to paint her something. I had free reign over my canvas domain, and thats exactly how I like it. I knew I was going to paint her hair, and then once I got into that, I just kept flowing. The texture in the skin was at first an accident, but what is life without some happy mistakes? Here are some process photos:

It begins with a sketch.

Then a watercolor base.

Then some gouache tendrils.

Then some spray paint application.

Next we get the acrylic ink flowing.

Acrylic clouds to rest her head.

Blue eyes applied in layers of gouache.

Micron for fine outline.

At the end of the day we make some tiny rainbows and some silver ink rain,

so when you wake up you can say

Good Morning, Dreamer.

Love, Mama Cass

Cath(art)sis

I have been studying art therapy and the techniques to use

to help sustain myself in times of inner turmoil.

You can always rely on art to be there at your specific

level of need at the precise moment you need it the most.

All you have to do is pick up your pen.

Love,

Mama Cass

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy birthday Dad, you are wonderful.

Here you taught me how to fly.

"Flying Lessons"

Enjoy.

Love, Cassie

Letters by Hand

I always loved digital typography, though I seem to be inclined to do everything by hand. Here are few pieces I did:

Thank you cards to my friends and family for a great weekend in Washington D.C.:

I designed these wedding invitations for our dear friends' beautiful wedding this past summer:

the guests had a fun Mad-Lib to fill out for the RSVP!

I even hand-lettered my resume and cover letter (with 100% positive results!)

I often hand-letter compliments or things people I love say or write to me in my sketchbook, cuz it makes me feel good. Here is a quote that a friend of mine texted me after he received a painting from me in the mail:

If you have a favorite quote, I could hand-letter it for you!

<3- Mama Cass