Gooseberry Falls , Minnesota

One of my pet projects is to create illustrations of some of my favorite places in Minnesota. Gooseberry Falls is one of the studies. It feeds into Lake Superior about an hour north of Duluth.  I hope to eventually do enough illustrations so I can create a calendar and a series of postcards.

This particular illustration was a test study. I wanted it to be both vintage in style and crafty. The paint-by-number-style was inspired by the decor of one of my favorite breakfast spots in Minneapolis; Hot Plate. It's over by Lake Nakomis and is definitely the kitchiest place in the Twin Cities, decorated in hundreds of paint-by-numbers paintings and 1970's trinkets and treasures.  (See pics below.)

If you're in Minneapolis, down by the airport, visit this wonderful dive for brunch (only open till 2pm). It's at 5204 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis, MN, 55417. Be sure to check out all of the neighboring vintage shops on the same block.

Greetings From Paris

Years ago I illustrated a series of vintage travel postcards. I'm posting the Paris postcard for my son, Shane, who has been living in this wonderful city since December. This coming Wednesday he's off to Ireland to work at a bed and breakfast while he awaits to begin a certificate program for teaching overseas at Oxford University in England. Ah, le belle vie!!!

Hawaii Dreaming

Illustration ©2015 Steven Duncan, Lake House Studio

Today I'm feeling like I need a little tropical inspiration. February in Minnesota is the beginning of the "I gotta get out of here to defrost" mindset. Luckily, this winter hasn't been all that bad (or maybe I've finally acclimated?)...

I studied art at the University of Hawaii, Manoa, which is just mauka (Hawaiian for "toward the mountains") from Waikiki Beach. I worked at the Royal Hawaiian during my studies and was surrounded by some of the most beautiful and historic Vintage Hawaiiana in public display.

This is a poster that I illustrated and designed a few years ago celebrating all the fun of vintage Waikiki. Whenever I get cold or need a mind vacation I pull out artwork from "Aloha State", a line of Hawaiian stationery products, and I imagine being back home walking down Kalakaua Ave heading for Waikiki Beach.

"A Hui Ho, Waikiki" (Hawaiian for "Until next time, Waikiki").

Art Deco Patterns

Illustrations ©Steven Duncan, Lake House Studio

I created several repeat pattern papers for Putnam & England Co. that were part of a line celebrating NYC. The top illustration is a series of Chrysler Buildings that are strategically scattered throughout the paper.