first grade flashback

Yesterday was bring-your-friend-to-work day (as well as pajama day) for Mrs. Dangelo, and I had the honor of teaching her first graders how to draw pet portraits! It was so much fun and the kids did SUCH a great job.  They watched me draw Bunky (Nicole's cat) on the smart board and then they went around the room and told us what animal they were going to draw.  They were just so excited!  It was also really cool to see my friend in action.  The way she runs her classroom and interacts with the kids was so inspiring to watch.  Below is some of the artwork (my favorite is the Elf on the Shelf).  Too cute! 

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!  I hope everyone has somewhere to be and people to see.

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!

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!

pet portraits: stella monstarr

I watched this little kitty grow from the tiniest kitten who woke me up by snapping the hair elastics on my wrist to the most spoiled pampered cat I know.  Here is the completed illustration of the one and only Stella MonStarr.  Stella lives in Sea Bright, NJ where she sun baths by day and curls up in a bean bag by night.  

the crab + the moon is now doing custom pet portraits!  Please email us for pricing!

pet portraits: olive angelina benicula who

Olive Angelina Benicula Who, also known as Olive the Cute, is a rescue who lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Her birth name was Betty in her days of biting rope and mild gingivitis.  She loves sports radio and her lamby.  Her mother spoils her with all organic goodies and lots of hugs.  She is a hipster pup and I am also her auntie. Who loves her very much.  You can follow her on Instagram at @olivethecute.