My Travelling Scroll (Mix Media) Paintings

Maria Madonna Angeles-Davidoff

© 2011 Maria Madonna Angeles-Davidoff

Being a multi cultural artist who has lived and traveled in 3 different continents in the world definitely affected my work. Thus, my paintings and prints are based on personal as well as universal icons. The word icon may mean an image, a representation, a simile or symbol. Icons are very much a part of our present world. It has been used since pre-historic time and we are still being influenced by it.


In my latest mix media “Scroll” series, I try to develop art that is both lyrical and portable, a reflection of the nomadic nature of one who is constantly on the move. Recognizing this sense of displacement, I never really belong anywhere, and so I try to create my own cultural space wherever I find myself. It is a way for me as an artist to make sense of things around me. Thus, creating the scrolls make perfect sense since these banner-like images are "transportable" just like myself. The scrolls can easily be rolled up and carried around and like myself, could be reinvented, able to adapt and survive.

My motivation in creating works of art stems from my enjoyment in expressing myself and exposure to different cultures continues to inspire me in so many ways, I have acquired a more global perspective on the symbols and images in art. I've also come to realize that symbols and icons all over the world speak of the universal themes of fear, joy, hope, pain, and celebration. I believe that we are one collective eye sharing a single planet.

Hurricane Irene

A Rainy Day Illustration

by Madonna Davidoff 

Childrens' Book Illustrators Group 2011 Promo postcard:

Well , it's that time of the year again: I just finished designing the CBIG

Childrens Book  Illustrators Group  2011 Promo postcard:

designed by: Maria Madonna Davidoff

As a member of CBIG and one of its officer, I am designing once again the official
CBIG ( Children's Book Illustrators Group) postcard 2011.

I used Indesign in creating the postcard ( front and back side)
It's in a big format of 8.5" x 5.5"

Formed since 1987, CBIG is a Children's Book Illustrator Group based in New York City.
More information on membership and meetings may be found here.

I'ts a great group to network and meet other children's book writers, illustrators and publishers.

Asia Trip 2011

Well, I'm all packed up and ready to go.

Japan--Philippines--Singapore---Cambodia

Looking forward to be with my Papa again!

For Mothers Day

An Illustration I made for Mothers Day:

included at the CBIG Blog

Childrens Book Illustrators Group ( CBIG) based in New York City.

© Maria Madonna Davidoff

Another Book I Illustrated

This is the latest children's book I Illustrated:

Momsie's Book  written by Bart Davidoff

Available here 

It was a different world in the 1920’s. Deli’s with real pickle barrels and gas-lit candy stores.
This is the world , Muriel Shutan-Davidoff, grew up in and
this is her story about a book she wrote and illustrated in 1947.

My creative Process: Creating Valentine Card

First, I try to get some inspirations from some of my vintage greeting card collection :

I just love the way these greeting cards look.  I try to imagine the sender and the receiver of these cards, what their relationships were with each other, where do they live? What are their favorite food, what do they wear? What books do they like, etc. My imagination takes me far and different characters start to build up in my mind until finally, I start to draw them. And from there, other images appear until I choose one that I will finally work on.

For my Valentine Card, I chose this vintage card as my source of inspiration:

Step 1. Using the image of the tree I made a rough sketch :

Step 2. I finalize the sketch, ink it and scan it in Photoshop .

I also position the text. Here is the scanned image:

Step 3. I color the line art in photoshop

It's easier to change the color combination and

correct mistakes when you work digitally.

Step 4. I decided to create a collage of hand sewn skirt,

ribbons and laces for the girl's outfit. Here are the hand-sewn skirt

and ribbons I made which I then scanned in the card:

Step 5. Here's the final Version of my Valentine Card .

Now I am ready to have it printed.

I use a professional printer for this

and send them off to various publishers

as a promo piece.

© 2011 Madonna Davidoff

Goodbye 2010, Hello 2011!!

Happy New Year to Everyone!

A Few highlights of the year 2010 for me:

1.A children's book which I've illustrated, entitled Barack, the Anointed written by Sam Chekwas,

 was published by Seaburn Publishing 

2. I participated at the following art exhibits in NYC: 

    a) May 23, 2010 - "One of Us" Illustrators exhibit At the Book Culture,
                                 sponsored by Tilbury House, Publishers.

    b) May 21, 2010 -  " Art Eon Art Festival" at LaMama Galleria

    c) July 3, 2010 - "The Pearl Project" at The Theatre Row Lounge Gallery

    d) Aug. 24, 2010 - " CBIG Magic & Dragons " at The Jefferson Market Library

3.I was included in a featured article in the New York Times, June 2010.

4.I illustrated  TCNJ's Center for Academic Success college academic planner and booklets.

5. Illustrated a website banner for " Milk & Coffee" about travel and cooking

6.I Designed the 2010 annual CBIG (Childrens Book Illustrators Group) postcard

7. My 2010 artist promotional postcard was out.

8.I sold three original paintings to European collectors from  France and The UK.

9.Traveled to London and Paris where I visited my daughter who was studying at the University there.

10. Started my " Little Boracay Beach kid Series" for a Beach resort in the Philippines.

11. Worked on a children's book on Yoga which will be published in 2011.

    

Barack the Anointed One: Children's Book I Illustrated

Just in time for Kwanza, Christmas and the Holiday Season,

 the childrens book I illustrated is finally published and available at the Publishers site.

It will also be available at Amazons soon and I will post it here in my blog as
well at My Facebook Artist page.

The book, entitled Barack the Anointed One is about the birth of an African boy that will change history.

I illustrated and also designed the book cover below:

CBIG(Childrens Book Illstrators Group) Postcard I designed

Here is the CBIG(Childrens Book Illstrators Group) Postcard I designed this year:

I just signed up again this year as an officer of the

Childrens Book Illustartors Group ( CBIG) based in New York City.

This is our official CBIG 2010 Promo postcard sent to several publishing houses this year.

Here is my Illustration Portfolio at the CBIG website