It has been two months since I opened my Etsy shop, TheMadKitchenShop  and so far, the project has been a blast. While big successes, such as sales and attention take time, I’ve considered the knowledge gained to be a success. I’ve learned quite a bit about

• Etsy as an artist’s platform
• How to safely ship delicate pieces internationally and at a cost-effective rate
• How much work can go into a simple project
• How rewarding it is to have control over the sale of your own work
• And what (to my surprise), people want – and don’t want – in terms of handmade artwork

With that being said, I am continuing the The Mad Kitchen as an Etsy shop while living in Spain. I have been enjoying the subtle, yet meaningful response from friends and family. It has been more than enough to keep me attached to my sketchpad and watercolor set each day. Thus, I am offering a fresh round of illustrations in The Mad Kitchen Shop.

As a secondary showcase, you’ll find bubbly and colorful food-themed illustrations (and a few unrelated to food) that I imagine brightening up a creative space or kitchen. From words of wisdom about progress and dedication to recipe illustrations and quotes from Julia Child, Parks and Rec, The Office – these are my most down to earth and inspiring food themes to date.

Each product below includes a direct link to the listing on Etsy, but you can view my entire shop by clicking here.

If you have any questions about the descriptions or logistics of mailing, feel free to comment below or email me at inthemadkitchen@gmail.com – I would love to answer any concerns and get my artwork out there. As stated in my last showcase post, I am available for commission and I enjoy creating custom artwork! If you would like to work on a project together or have me create a personalized gift or piece for your home, you can also email me and comment below.

To view the full scope of my artwork beyond The Mad Kitchen, visit my artist site, www.madisonpollard.com. Any shares and constructive responses are welcome! Happy browsing!

 12 Bubbly Illustrations to Brighten Your Kitchen in 2019

1. Find Something You’re Passionate About Wall Art Illustration

This is one of my favorite Julia Child quotes, “Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it”. It’s one of those pastry perfect quotes that I laid down on a chalkboard at Shyndigz at least once. It wasn’t until I started pushing my artwork with new projects like Etsy that I started to feel the weight of what Julia was saying. I suddenly felt compelled to illustrate the words with pen instead of chalk. This one is definitely perfect for a pastry cook or Julia Child fan. With the quote being perfectly functional when removed from the culinary context, it could truly fit for anyone.

The full quote is completed in ink pen, framing a baby blue doodle-style Kitchen Aid stand mixer with a whisk.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

2. Know When to Give Up & Have a Margarita Wall Art Illustration

Straightforward and to the point – like a good margarita – is this bright green ink pen and watercolor illustration. As much as I am all about pushing things and yourself to achieve what you want, you’ve gotta know when it’s that time of day or that point in the project to put down the pen, whisk or whatever and fire up the blender.

The lettering is completed in ink pen, complemented by a watercolor green cactus, two limes with leaves, and a strand of festive Christmas lights. Who doesn’t love giving into a margarita? Sometimes we just need a little reminder!

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

3. Routine Does Not Allow Us to Progress Wall Art Illustration

As much as I consider myself a creature of habit, I know that routine simply does not allow us to progress. When we’re in the thick of a challenge or obstacle, it’s easy to get down about it (and ourselves). I try to remind myself that life, and defining who I am, is not about the obstacle, rather, how I overcome it and what comes of surpassing challenges. How can we grow if we’re not being tested and proving to ourselves just how capable we are?

This illustration was done with watercolors and fountain pen. The flowers are my favorite complement to the lettering and are complete with a background of tiny, delicate polka dots.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

4. Treat Yo’self Wall Art Illustration

Alright, tell me this doesn’t speak for itself! One of my favorite small quotes from Parks and Rec is when Donna and Tom choose to treat themselves. Nothing wrong with it! We all need to treat ourselves. For me, the treat is cheese! Thus, this simple, yet fun and lighthearted quote, whose lettering is completed with fountain pen, is paired with a wedge of dreamy aged cheese. Completed with my favorite polka dot background, it’s available on my Etsy!

I think think this would be an excellent piece in a white frame in a more serious kitchen or home that needs a handmade touch of lighthearted humor.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

5. Guacamole Recipe Illustration Wall Art

I absolutely love visual recipes, so I thought I’d make my own with watercolors and fountain pen lettering for America’s current favorite – guacamole. Something about the colors of Mexican ingredients just pop out to me and add a personal touch to my kitchen that I love – given Mexican cuisine is easily my favorite.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

6.  Brunch Wall Art Illustration

This might be my favorite added to the new Etsy batch. I get serious when I draw food, guys! Something about crowded words and images that wrap around each other to occupy each nook of a design is simply pleasing to the eye. It’s also pleasing to me as an artist to do.

I think posters like these are the most appealing when consisting of varied elements as specific as chicken and waffles or shrimp and grits, because we can all find something in there that we personally favor.

This one took a bit longer than most to create, so it’s about five USD more than I would typically charge. As usual, I am selling the one of a kind, original handmade illustration.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

7. The Day You Plant the Seed Wall Art Illustration

Yet another small reminder I think we all need when taking on a new project or facing a new, daunting obstacle. The weight of this little saying started to take root when when I looked back on the progress I made with a ‘silly little food blog’ and with all of the small skills I had gained through it. I think we all struggle to simply begin something because we can’t see what fruit it will bear. You won’t know until you begin.

I love that this quote speaks to me and ties into my favorite theme of food. It was a joy to illustrate this, so I chose to pair the lettering with a pinkish-red watercolor watermelon slice!

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

8. When in Doubt, Eat Ramen Wall Art Illustration

Ramen, one of my favorite things to eat – and draw! When in doubt, when you’re staring at the fridge mindlessly, what you likely need is a big, beautiful bowl of nourishing ramen. And of course, a lightning bolt background!

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

9. If You Think You Can, You Can Wall Art Illustration

I have spent a ton of my life doubting myself. After just figuring, ‘what have I got to lose?’ before starting new endeavors, like moving to Spain or selling my artwork on my own, it worked. But it’s more than having nothing to lose – we all need to recognize how capable we are when we put our ideas out into the world.

It reads ‘If you think you can’ in script lettering and ‘you can’ in larger, bold font. Complemented with my new favorite symbol, an Edison bulb illustrated with fountain pen and watercolor.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here 

10. Stanley’s Cake Wall Art Illustration

This is a great quote from The Office’s season 4. Stanley Hudson says ‘If I don’t have some cake soon, I might die’ which is how many of us feel too often when we get sweet tooth cravings. I thought this would be another lighthearted piece to add some humor and color to a kitchen, especially for cult fans of The Office.

It also includes a speech bubble with a separate, yet infamous Stanley quote ‘Did I stutter?’ All framing a doodle-style water color cake slice!

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here

11. Essential Herbs Wall Art Illustration

I have a major appreciation for fresh herbs, and I imagine anyone with the green thumb does as well. While they’re so dainty and delicate looking, they can be so powerful in a dish. So this simple illustration pays homage to my favorite herbs and acts as a visual guide to cooks.

The primary color is green, but with a hint of purple offered from the chive blossoms. The herbs included are rosemary, chives, basil, mint, lemon balm and cilantro. All are painted with watercolor and titled with my script-style hand lettering. To complete it all is a polka dot background.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here

12. All We Have is Now Wall Art Illustration

One of my favorite floral forms is the Japanese cherry blossom. While I’m nothing of an expert in Japanese art, I love the style and wanted to try my hand at it. The imperfect blossoms are painted with rose-y watercolor and completed with fountain pen lining. The text reads ‘all we have is now’ and is intended to be a simple as you see in order to emphasize the power of the words.

The illustration is completed on an 11.7″ x 8.3″ piece of acid-free watercolor paper. It ships within 3-5 business days and should arrive to United States destinations within 8 days.

Buy it here