10 December, 2009

Illustrator To The Bloggeratti

Of all the goodies I've discovered through reading other's blogs, my hands down best find ever is Patricia van Essche...

It was love at first sight when Mel posted her custom illustrated Christmas card in December 2007...

And, by 2008's debut I had made a mental commitment to hire the illustrious PVE as soon as I could find an excuse...

Top of the list for 2009's New Year's resolutions? Create a blog and first thing on the to do list was hire my illustrator. Excuse found!

As soon as Patricia's work arrived it was whisked off to the framer (who also ooo'd and ahhh'd over her talent) and immediately displayed where I could admire from my queenly perch on the bed...

Not only did her packaging rival any Polo.com parcel but, also included a small likeness of my beloved Templeton on the envelope of her note. Flawless taste and a generous spirit?

Beyond generous. Patricia held my hand through the launch of my blog, is nine times out of ten the first to leave a daily comment annnd, has even sent my nieces gifts at college. She's the matriarch of the blogging world in a if a matriarch looked like a Ralph Lauren model kind of way...

She's Hilary Knight...

Meets Cecil Beaton...

Meets illustrator to the bloggeratti...

No wonder J. McLaughlin snatched her up. And, no wonder my dear friend Lauren Seppi hired her this morning for a commissioned piece. She's fantastic! And, oh so lovely to boot...

Kindness of Patricia van Essche for taste and talent as big as her heart. I truly appreciate all that you've done. And, once again, Monty's mum, for giving me an illustrator for life...XXOO
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25 comments:

  1. DebraDecember 10, 2009 at 6:51 AM

    What a delightful tribute to Patricia. I have a file that reads- All Things PvE! Her envelopes are almost as special as their contents. She has been an enormous help with blogging and with my illustrating. My hope is to have the opportunity to meet in person soon. This was just delightful.

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  2. MarthaDecember 10, 2009 at 7:02 AM

    I, too, love PVE. She's great!

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  3. The Uppity PuppyDecember 10, 2009 at 7:19 AM

    Aww it is so wonderful to make lifetime friendships with such talented, generous, and glorious people like Patricia. I am clicking the proverbial "like" button on this post :)

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  4. Let The Tide Pull Your Dreams AshoreDecember 10, 2009 at 7:49 AM

    Her work is incredible! I Love the way you have the illustrations framed! xx

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  5. Beth DunnDecember 10, 2009 at 8:09 AM

    Amazing! I've always loved JM's ads but her cards are divine. xoxo

    SC

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  6. AnonymousDecember 10, 2009 at 8:39 AM

    Kimba says...Another great Alli "find". Patricia, your work is delightful...so beautiful. I also always enjoy your witty, clever comments on the posts here at Summer is a Verb.
    Hope to commision my own little slice of art greatness someday soon! Thank you for sharing your gifts with us Alli and Patricia.

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  7. Belle on HeelsDecember 10, 2009 at 8:47 AM

    i adore PVE and have admired her work all over the blogosphere! i especially love the drawing she did for eddie and jaithan at eddie ross of the sheep at their new home. soooooooo fabulous!

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  8. Suburban PrincessDecember 10, 2009 at 8:55 AM

    I love her work! I have been thinking I need a header image so I am going to check out her site!

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  9. pve designDecember 10, 2009 at 9:04 AM

    Good thing that the linen hanky was nearby, you made me cry. Just when I was feeling the Holiday rush, I realized that what better to give than my art!
    So thrilled to leave a comment here and see my art first thing.
    What an honor to illustrate for such a wonderful bunch!
    pve

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  10. BisbeeDecember 10, 2009 at 9:35 AM

    Thanks so much for introducing me to pve! I love that she makes her artwork available to all of us via her cards on Etsy.

    I will be purchasing!

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  11. JMWDecember 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM

    I adore her work - wish I could commission her for my blog as well as a portrait for my home. Perhaps that will come in 2010!

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  12. PatsyDecember 10, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    such a lovely tribute to the artist and the lady!

    Patricia, your work is simply wonderful. I hope to experience it first hand.

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  13. ToadDecember 10, 2009 at 11:12 AM

    I've always enjoyed her distinctive look. Mrs. Blandings was an early adopter also.

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  14. KarenaDecember 10, 2009 at 11:35 AM

    Patricia is the best. her illustrations are really magical, and have that special magic! Thank you for featuring such a super woman!

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  15. Kathie TruittDecember 10, 2009 at 1:56 PM

    I've always wanted to do this since I saw what she did with your blog. Maybe this can be my goal in 2010. I am looking for a major change because my writing/posting has gone way down hill.

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  16. BethanyDecember 10, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    Hi! I love your blog and just left something for you on my blog!

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  17. Tickled Pink And GreenDecember 10, 2009 at 2:41 PM

    LOVE her work and also think she looks like a Ralph Lauren model. For a long time I thought she had a long ponytail going down her back (ala India Hicks) but now I see it's just a tres chic short "do" (ala Alice Richardson)..

    ;-)

    P.S. Did you see The Middle last night? Halfway through it occured to me that Brick was channeling Woody Allen most of the show. Also, here at Chez TP&G we're all doing the chin drop and whispering thing. We all crack up afterwards.

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  18. Purple FlowersDecember 10, 2009 at 2:54 PM

    Patricia has also created two banners for me. She is a delight and an extremely generous person.

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  19. Headbands and Hand BagsDecember 10, 2009 at 3:08 PM

    I have always admired your header, and so glad to know where I might procure one for myself! She is a true talent!

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  20. ArchitectDesign™December 10, 2009 at 3:42 PM

    She's just as sweet in person as one would expect too! I was thrilled with her surprise to me of my blog header - unexpected and generous! PVE is one of my 'must reads' everyday!

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  21. Tickled Pink And GreenDecember 10, 2009 at 5:39 PM

    I envy your jet setting lifestyle. I'd love to be going to NYC. First stop would be Ralph's place for sensory overload of tartan. You should have one of those playstation things on your blog that plays music. Just have Fergie's The Glamourous Life" playing on a continual loop...

    ;-)

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  22. AnonymousDecember 10, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    Such a wonderful post about an amazing talent, we love Patricia's work, she really is amazing. The way your framed your pieces looks outstanding, everyone should have such a lovely view from their 'queenly perch,' too fun.

    Hope your weekend is delightful,
    tp

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  23. MarnieDecember 11, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    i agree wholeheartedly - love, love, love patricia's work - her illustration for my blog makes me smile all the time - patricia did some notecards for me and i had to get more -I also did tags with the same illustration - can't get enough of her work - in fact, i had been collecting the j mclaughlin cards for a few years and lo and behold i came across patricia herself in the blogging world...and a friendship was born.

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  24. sophie dahy designsDecember 14, 2009 at 9:24 AM

    I am running behind reading my favorite blogs (I've been just a little busy!), and what a surprise to see the painting that Patricia did of my home on your blog! we were very pleased with her work! She is wonderful!

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  25. Christy WaltersJanuary 1, 2010 at 8:30 PM

    I am new to blogging and I absolutely love your site! You're so kind with your words and these illustrations truly deserve kind words, they're beautiful! Thanks for sharing :) Can't wait to read more

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