Jeff’s Album Cover

Blue Black & Gray

Illustration Album Art by Donna Massa  2017

This was a very exciting project because I had the opportunity to collaborate with another artist, musician and singer songwriter.  He wanted me to illustrate is album cover and I was delighted to do this project with him.  

The only way I can truly understand how to approach this was to first know about the musician.  This would be a meeting or an interview with the musician talking about the genre of his music, what was his message to his fans, did each song have a different message that told a story or were they all uniquely different from one another.  His style, quality of his voice, instruments he plays, history of what the album was about even to the name of the album and did it have some significance to him personally or the music.  The second important part the project is to hear his music and the lyrics to his songs.  At the time the album was not completed, however I listened to the some of his songs he had recorded.  The third and final part of the project is to watch the artist play, sing and perform at a gig.  this would give me an understanding of the emotional feelings he portrays while he is playing and singing.  

The title of the album Blue, Black & Gray are the colors seen having a near death experience.  He told me about a horrific motorcycle accident he suffered in 1984 at only nineteen years old.  How he was pronounced dead at the scene.  He traveled out of his body and slowly floated into space and the start of the vast universe. These three colors are what he encountered with the exceptional pleasure of peace and tranquility.  He was perfectly happy accepting his journey until he turned to look back and saw his mother running towards his body with the medics trying to get a heart beat.  He said to himself  “If my mother sees this it will kill her.”  As soon as he said this to himself he was transported instantly back to his body in horrific pain.  He sustained serious injuries to his head, left hand, and whole left leg.  The prognosis was immediate amputation to the lower leg below the knee.  Fortunately an incredible semi retired surgeon Kathleen Roberson who used to work in the mash units in Korea was contacted and she was interested in the case.  She would not accept amputation as an option rather, she was determined to save the leg and she miraculously did.  

This musician is a multi talented and highly gifted artist who’s heritage is Native American and English.  The Native American tribe of his ancestors is the Iroquois and in the inner round part of the disc is a ribbon pattern that is distinctly Iroquois Native American.

In the center of the disc is the artist musician Jeff Hayford with a heart symbolizing his passion and joy playing his G&L Blues Boy electric guitar.  The blue surrounding him is the color of the sky, and the inner part of the disc is black and gray.  This is the journey of his soul as it was leaving the earth.  

The outer rim of the disc is a rainbow of colors, this is a reflection of light when you turn a disc on certain angles.  The outside of the disc is the blue, black and gray colors bleeding into each other symbolizing his journey through space heading towards a portal.  He chose not to go through that portal and return to Earth.  

Jeff Hayford is a unique and compassionate individual who is sensitive to the human condition.  He is an advocate for Chronic Pain as he has suffered all his life battling with it.  His humanitarian efforts-have been many throughout his life holding events by bringing other musicians together for worldly causes.  He is the founder of a not for profit social enterprise  A4H  Arts4Humanity “For The Benefit Of All.”  

Jeff Hayford is a talented musician, graphic artist, writer and music producer.  He has performed up and down the east coast from the Florida Keys to Portland Maine.  He has spent time playing in Nashville TN, New York City, Boston, MA, The Mt Washington Valley of NH and many other popular places in New England.  He has been the front man for a few of his own bands, opened for many big bands as a solo artist and has met and hung out with professional well known musicians.  If you want to hear Jeff Hayford sing please go to

N1M.co/Jeff Hayford.  If you interested in his writing pleas go to   a4hpros.blogspot.com.

Jamison

 

Jamison

Illustration By Donna Massa  2014

This illustration was created for a customer who wanted a design for her new little grandson Jamison.  This is the finished illustration that the customer later framed for his room.  The questions I asked in order to create this illustration after the child was born was his name, date of birth, exact time of birth, and place of birth.  This enabled me to calculate his Astrological Solar Chart, a blue print of this little man’s character, personality and many other aspects of his nature.  His astrological Sun sign that governs his character was in the sign of Pisces, planetary ruler Neptune, element water.  His Rising or Ascendant was in the sign of Aries planetary ruler Mars element fire, and his Moon that governs his personality was in the sign of Taurus planetary ruler Venus element earth.  This information set up the entire concept of this composition when using the letters of his name.  

Some letters of his name illustrates something about this little man’s birth sign Pisces.  This is a water sign baby and the symbol are two fish side by side going in opposite directions.  One fish going upstream and the other downstream.  Like the symbol of the fish these water-babies love to swim and feel most comfortable living near water especially the ocean and they love everything the ocean represents.  This is an emotional sign, sensitive, compassionate, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical, artistic, loves nature and animals, and has a happy playful disposition.  These traits are illustrated in the letters J & S.  

His Rising or Ascendant is in the sign of Aries.  This is a strong fire sign that is ambitious, determined, aggressive, innovative, energetic and honest.  Most of these traits are illustrated in the letter M.

The Moon that governs his personality is in the sign of Taurus.  This being an earth element represents being firmly grounded in the sand, practical and logical thinking, likes gardening, working with his hands and an affectionate lover-boy.  This is illustrated in the letters S,O, & N.

In the center is the letter I.  This letter represents the astrological symbol of the Planet Neptune ruler of Pisces.  This Planet ruler is known for its inspiration, a higher level of spirituality, dreams, illusions, fantasies and all things magical and enchanting are illustrated in the letter A.  This little man’s name takes on his own individual identity one that will support him for the rest of his life…

 

Irises

Illustration: Vignette

By Donna  Massa  2005

Irises are one of my favorite late Spring early Summer perennial flowers.  Irises like Orchids another one of my favorites are intricately designed to perfection.  For me, everything about the Iris is a magical wonder of nature.  The Iris takes its name from Greek Mythology the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow and messenger to Zeus & Hera.  Many believe the Iris is named after Hera who carries messages from heaven to earth on the arc of the rainbow and was the companion to female souls on the way to heaven.  In Greek culture purple Irises are planted on women’s graves so that this valor flower will safely guide their souls to their final resting place in paradise.  In Indian and Egypt cultures Irises were used to ornate the palaces also having a connection to heaven.  When the Iris has fully matured and is in full bloom they are so uniquely structured not one flower is ever the same design.  The Iris flower symbolizes royalty, wisdom, hope, optimism, trust and bravery and thrives in temperate zones around the world.  

They come in a wide spectrum of colors and the colors also symbolize special meanings.  A variety of purples present gratitude and respect.  Blue Irises represents hope, faith and devotion.  White, represents purity, innocence, and divinity.  And yellow, breaks from tradition and represents passion!  Irises is the birth flower of February the color is purple, stone is Amethyst, zodiac sign Aquarius, and Planetary ruler Uranus.  

Irises are used for perfumes and aerosol sprays.  There are over 200 known species and countless cultivars, and are classified by two distinct types one being a bulb, the other rhizome.  The Dutch Iris is one of my favorites they are smaller flowers that grow in a bunch with long slender green leaves, and are deep rich purple in color.  

I illustrated this flower because it proposed a challenge to me due to its intrinsic and intriguing beauty.  I also created this for my daughter who loves Irises.  The original illustration is mounted, double matted and framed, and hangs on the bedroom wall in my daughters home in Madrid, Spain… 

 

The Toyger Cat

 

Mr Mo Tibbs

Illustration By Donna Massa   2006

I am a true cat lover.  I’ve had many cats in my life and they have brought me sorrow and given me great joy!  Mr Mo Tibbs is a name I gave to this Toyger cat.  This is not one of my cats I chose this Toyger cat to be in this illustration.  Toyger cats have their own identity in the cat world.  These affectionate cats are intelligent, loving, and have a wild tiger like personality.  Owners of these cats say they can be occasionally aloof, often mysterious, whimsical and even a little magical.  They are relatively active, playful, and friendly.  Their body has the base color of pumpkin, with its trademark stripes of black or dark brown.  The markings across the body hold a completely unique pattern to each cat, no other cat has the same identical markings even from the same litter, I find this aspect amazing.  

The Toyger has an excellent disposition and can get along with any other cat or cats you may have at home.  But, like most cats the owners need to keep them occupied if they don’t want them to become too mischievous or curious which can lead them into trouble.  

If your thinking of getting one of these cats it’s important to work a breeder.  Search the TICA database by name for the right breeders.  This way you know the history of the parents, and that they have been screened for any of the possible feline disorders.   

In closing, all cats are special they are wonderful company, loyal companions and respond to love, affection and attention.  They say when having a pet people in life usually live longer…

The Great Blue Heron

Illustration By Donna Massa   2005

I love the tropics and within this heavenly environment comes an abundance of the most beautiful and unusual birds.  One of my favorites is the blue Heron.  This bird symbolizes self-reliance and self-determination.  The Native American interpretation is the ability to evolve and progress.  Those with the blue Heron Spirit Animal in the Native American tradition posses innate wisdom and strength that helps them maneuver an co-create their achievements in life.  In the Christian community this bird is associated with good luck and a long life.  The Heron also serves as an inspiration in the Christian community as a guide to contentment and great fullness with one’s lot in life.

The Herons stillness and patience while in waite of its pray, all centers around their instinctive ability of tolerance and restraint.  This innate practice is symbolic of receiving great blessings in life. In other words, (Good things come to those who wait…)

His Heron is surrounded but a variety of tropical plants on a paradise Island.  He is a male blue Heron because of his size and his longer bill.  Blue Herons don’t mate for life however their courtship and mating habits are elaborate.  Once the female is impregnated the male helps her in fulfilling all the shared responsibility by preparing the nest that is 3feet X 3feet.  They share in incubating the eggs for twenty eight days.  Once hatched, they share in the upbringing however it takes a young Heron three years to reach full maturity.  The Great Blue Heron stands almost 4 feet tall and has a 6 foot long wingspan.  If your lucky enough to see these striking birds fly closely above your head, I doubt if you would ever forget how magnificent they are…

Prismacolor I

 

Surrender

Illustration By Donna Massa  2007 

The World of Prismacolor!                             

This illustration is personal, it was an enlightening breakthrough in my life.  I was going through physical issues that required extensive physical therapy in a few different areas of my life.  It was a journey in healing my mind, body and soul. 

TRUST was the biggest issue to overcome.  Trust involves letting go of ego, a guarded heart and closed mind.  Much of everyday life is built on trust.   

The illustration shows a woman in the middle of an ocean floating.  Just imagine all the things lurking in the ocean waters, fish & birds of pray, a storm at sea, extreme sunburn, no water or food, the darkness of the night sky,  and being totally alone with no one in sight no life line or support.  There is nothing but the element of water symbolizing the emotions, the element of air symbolizing the mind & intellect and the element of fire from the sun symbolizing ambition, determination and the will to either live or die. The element missing is Earth symbolizing the solid stable ground under your feet like living in a home without a ceiling or a floor.

If you notice her limbs are becoming submerged within the water connecting to the push and pull of the swirling waves then disappearing into the depths of the sea.  The mid section of her body is afloat almost sitting on top of the water.  Her hair like seaweed flowing in a direction away from her skull.  Her head is turned towards the horizon of the sun’s entrance into the sky, bringing light, warmth and hope to the dawning of a new day.  She is at total peace, one with self and everything that surrounds her.  There is no need to panic, stress out or feel overwhelming anxiety, the process has begun she has no choice but to trust letting go of all her fears. 

She has surrendered opening her mind to trust, heart to love and soul to accept.  She finally has peace of mind, she is one with the three elements, appreciative of Mother Earth and trusts unconditionally the Universe the ultimate provider… 

Mother & Child IV

 

Mother & Child

Illustration by Donna Massa

This Illustration is actually a Christmas card.  I decided to use this Series in a different way.  I wanted to take it one step further by introducing two young girls with another child on the way.  This was to symbolize the best gifts of all, having two children and a new born child.  However you can interpret this illustration in a few different  ways depending on the circumstances.  The little girl hugging up to her mother shows a close bond however the youngest little girl may belong to her husband to be along with the new baby she is carrying.  Perhaps, both children are hers and the baby she is carrying is her third child.  The last scenario, neither of the two girls are her children and they belong to her husband to be and she is having her first new born child.  Either way you choose to interpret this illustration being blessed with two angel girls was just not enough, and there is always magic with the number 3!

The bride on this special day is wearing an all white rayon velvet long cape over her wedding gown with a draped hood trimmed in white fox, the same fox used in the muff the youngest Flower Girl is holding.   The brides gown is a white strapless embroidered French Alenson lace, umpire body line, full A-line skirt with small pleats starting at the princess bodice seam, flat over tummy with an 

Embroidered scalloped trim.  The skirt has multiple layers of pure silk chiffon flowing down outlining her body.

The oldest Flower Girl is gazing up at this beautiful bride with much love and excitement.  This Flower Girl is wearing a basic light pink pure silk satin dress with a cap sleeve, princess seam waistline bodice with a wide gathered waistline sash.  At the center back there is a bow, and long streamers ruffling down her back.  Her beautiful full skirt is slightly exaggerated in length as this affect was done on purpose.  

The second Flower Girl is also wearing a basic light pink pure silk satin dress with a Sabrina neckline, long fitted sleeves with white lace trim, a princess seem waistline bodice with a wide gathered waistline sash.  The skirt also has box pleats starting at the princess seam flat over tummy.  The skirt is full and floor length.  Both Children are wearing wreaths with baby pink roses, holly berries, and baby’s breath.

There is a small gift lying on top of the fox muff from the girls to the bride this is their gift to her on this beautiful Christmas Wedding Day…🖤

 

Mother & Daughter III

Mother & Child

Illustration by Donna Massa

This illustration makes a strong statement in style. The emotional bond between these two souls is unconditional their hearts beat as one.  When I created this two piece gown I wanted to design the pattern, and have it made up just to see it live!  This is beadwork on Pique a hard fabric, luxurious volume, with a beautiful finish in white.  The beads are a combination of white pearls and clear beads in different sizes and shapes  The heavy part of the beading begins at the boarder of the hemline and grows up the dress in leaf like patterns. The darker the pattern the heavier the beads.  The boarder of the hemline is an all beaded tub-trim to match.  The top of the gown is white Fortuny pleated chiffon. This French style pleating is smaller than normal pleating and closer together. This is an over-lay blouse that has bell sleeves, a high beaded collar, a Swing design that is shorter in the front and gradually dips to the back.  The brides head piece is a beaded Cloche with beaded fringe and small white feathers inserted around the brim. There is a Pique bow at the center back of the Cloche with an elastic to gather her long thick hair. 

Her daughter is wearing the same Pique fabric with a slightly different beadwork pattern that compliments her mothers full skirt that bellows out to a long flounce towards the back.  Flounce is a gradual dip in the back resembling a train.  Her beaded round neckline has an Umpire style bodice meaning rising above her waistline, with an insert of smocked Fortuny pleating.  She has a three quarter Bishops full sleeve with beaded gathered ruffles at her forearm.  Her Cloche head piece is like her mothers, plain Pique with a beaded trim to match around the brim.  

They are sitting in a garden on a bench with a white padded, matte satin cushion.  They are gazing into each other eyes with adoration and love in celebrating together this special day…🖤

Mother & Child II

Mother & Child

Illustration by Donna Massa 

This is the second fashion Illustration in the Mother & Child Series.  In this illustration I wanted to show their close bond in a slightly different way.  The bride is wearing a two piece wedding gown.  The top is a strapless bodice with a box pleated peplum in ivory Venetian Lace, and an ivory silk-satin ribbon at the waistline.  The shirt is in a hard fabric.  What I mean by a hard fabric is, it maintains body and fullness.  In this case her skirt is in ivory pure silk taffeta with wide box pleats at the waistline.  The skirt is full and bellows out with a gental sweep at the back of her skirt.  A sweep is when the back of the gown dips slightly in the back.  

Her little girl is in ivory Venetian lace with a more simpler lace pattern.  She has a sleeveless bodice, a wide pure silk ribbon sash around her waist, and a full shirt evenly gathered at the waistline.  This little girl is looking straight out while her mother kisses her cheek.  She knows she is loved and comforted, content in her mothers arms…🖤

Mother & Child I

 

The Mother & Child Series

Illustration by Donna Massa

Medium Pen & Ink

My former occupation for many years was a Model and Fashion Designer for the prestigious well known Bridal Manufacturer, The House of Bianchi Inc. in Boston, MA. USA.  And, because of this I created this special Series with a few special artifacts in mind.  First, I wanted to design the gown the bride was wearing, and second the Flower Girl’s dress that her young daughter would be wearing.  Mothers and daughters share a wonderful bond and I wanted to show this through Fashion Illustration.  

Working with pen & ink is a Medium I have always felt comfortable using.  I love to pay close attention to detail, and there are different techniques you can explore while having fun with the concept of black & white.  Along with this Medium I’ve used a No. 2 soft pencil for shading and adding dimension.  

Working with different bridal fabrics, beadwork on fabric, laces and trims is what starts the creative juices flowing in creating a bridal gown.  Once you know the fabric your using whether hard as in silk taffeta or soft as in chiffon, you then begin the creative process of designing the style of the gown, its silhouette or body line in a visual way starting with a sketch.  In this case the fabric chosen is an all over embroidered white Cotton Eyelet.  This fabric has dimensional self fabric flowers also called motifs on the base of the skirt.  There are a wide range of Cotton Eyelet trims to choose from to match perfectly around the hemline of the dress.

The bodice or top part of the dress is a Cotton Eyelet medallion halter neckline, sleeveless, in white Jersey knit.  This fabric gathers, stretches, and molds to the body and is quite close fitting, this is the look I wanted to achieve for the top.  The skirt is a dropped Baskue waistline, two teared symmetrical ruffle rap over a full A-line skirt.  The embroidered Cotton Eyelet skirt, is a whimsical all over flower pattern growing up the fabric transforming into scattered small hearts.  The teared ruffled skirt has a Cotton Eyelet English style trim at the hemline.  The full A-line skirt is the same Eyelet pattern with larger dimensional flowers and a wide rope affect Eyelet trim around the hemline.

Her daughter is also in the same embroidered white Cotton Eyelet fabric only in a different all over pattern that is simple due to her age.  This Flower Girl dress has a scoop neckline, a waistline with self fabric chording, and a three quarter puff sleeve with chording trim.  The skirt is an all over Cotton Eyelet print gathered at the top with an embroidered Eyelet ribbon boarder at the hemline of the skirt.  The soft taffeta lining skirt that is under the top skirt has embroidered Eyelet ruffles to complete the hemline of the dress.  The trick here is the top skirt hangs well over the ruffles attached to the lining skirt, this adds a nice affect to the styling of the dress and makes it much lighter to wear.  The love, adoration and emotional bond they share together is why I chose to name these illustrations the “Mother & Child Series.” There is nothing like having a daughter or daughters.  Mothers are blessed as they remain close, and are so special to us throughout our lives…🖤