Meet the local illustrator capturing the Cap City.
The City of Oaks is ripe for creative expression—and has become both a canvas and inspo for actual canvases. Putting this sentiment to work is local illustrator and creative Lindsay Uckar Boone—the mastermind behind Lindsay’s Paperworks, raising Raleigh up through illustrations of local landmarks on greeting cards, postcards and prints.
“Whenever you’re in places like New York City, there are so many illustrations you can find,” notes the Jersey native-turned-Raleighite of her many depicted landmarks. Think those ever-present prints and postcards donning the Empire State Building or Christmas-decked Rockefeller Center snagged by locals, wannabe locals and visitors eager to take home a slice of the city. “They have this certain look to them—and that is what I’m trying to mimic. I want to show we have a city here too.”
Uckar Boone’s portrayal of Red Hat Amp’s ice rink framed by the surrounding skyline, the Krispy Kreme sign aglow, and Oakwood Pizza Box’s storefront strike a similar chord here—and, to boot, start conversations about what it means for artists to draw inspiration from a city and for a city. To cover our vast local landmarks, the illustrator turns to her followers for what inspires them most about or in Raleigh—and then puts it on paper.
Alongside capturing an intimate understanding of the Cap City, Uckar Boone—who has been creating cards since she first learned to work a computer as a child—also captures the essence of local living via doodles of lipstick-stained cocktails, Miller Lite boxes on porches and backyard cookouts. Each sketch, whether of a local landmark or a quiet moment, reflects a unique perspective of the city’s soul that will forever be an art form. Hartwell; etsy.com/shop/lindsayspaperworks; @lindsayspaperworks
This rant has been lightly edited for style and space and is not endorsed by Raleigh Magazine.
If you live in DTR and complain about noise, grow up. Or don’t live Downtown—period. I am tired of constantly reading about new noise ordinances among all the chatter of breathing new life into Downtown. Clearly some locals are all about revitalizing our city’s core until they are minorly inconvenienced. And it’s getting old.
We should want our city to grow and flourish. And living in a bustling city means not every neighborhood is going to cater to your exact sleep schedule. Stop whining and let Glenwood South stay fun. It’s an *entertainment* district—and no one is forcing you to live there.
A little extra noise means people are buying drinks, tipping our bartenders and getting food from vendors at night—and enjoying our restaurants, streets and small businesses during the day. We should be welcoming them with open arms and encouraging this support for our service and retail industries. And the “noise” under scrutiny is, most of the time, from our local bands, DJs and musicians. If we want to be taken seriously as a great city to live in and visit—on par with New Orleans and Nashville—then why are we threatening businesses and smothering culture? Glenwood South is nowhere close to Bourbon Street or Broadway—yet here we are silencing it.
Reviving Downtown and ensuring the area thrives means supporting all businesses and ventures, not just ones you feel cater to your individual lifestyle. Keep complaining and DTR will go back to being a ghost town—and then you killjoys will probably complain about that too.
So, to City Council: It’s time to stop pandering to a select few at the peril of many. Just let them be mad—or, better, let them leave. Noise is part of living in a cool city. If you want to “keep Raleigh boring,” please go to a neighborhood that is already boring and keep your complaints to yourselves.
Summer is the perfect time to get your plant on—here’s where to shop green in Raleigh.
Looking to cultivate your green thumb this summer? There’s no better time to spruce up your space or get dirty in the garden—and, luckily, Raleigh is home to tons of killer plant shops. Whether you’re looking for something edible to spice up your cooking or just simply want to add some color to your abode, these green outposts have got you covered.
Calling all beginners! In addition to housing a great selection of plants and plant accessories, Copperline hosts tons of workshops and classes on all sorts of plant topics, making the shop ideal for those looking to sharpen their skills. And if you’ve got a plant that’s not doing so hot, bring it in and their plant experts can help diagnose, repot, and provide some encouragement and reassurance. Think of it like your very own plant doc!
Raleigh’s trusted garden center and plant nursery—nee 1965—is a mecca for anyone looking to flex their green thumb, from beginners to veterans. You’ll find everything from annuals and perennials to veggies to potting services and outdoor furniture. Plus, the plant haven puts on regular events and sales to get the most out of your wallet. Read: Double the green!
There’s no shortage of great produce and flora/fauna at the State Farmers Market (snake plants, cacti and peace lilies oh, my!)—but where the market really shines is its herb selection. Shop from classics like rosemary and sage to more unique ops like pineapple mint. Paired with the ample produce, you’ve got yourself a fresh summer meal in no time.
A garden center with a bar? Say less. Atlantic Gardening isn’t just home to tons of amazing shrubs, flowers and houseplants, it also boasts the Garden Bar, aka the first bar to open in any local plant center (!). Pull up a barstool and sip on local brews, a variety of mimosa flavors, or a glass of vino. It’s the perfect liquid encouragement to help you choose your newest plant baby! Bonus: Your furry friends are also welcome to join in on the fun.
For someone who wants to support the LGBTQ+ community: Urban Pothos
Welcome to the jungle! Score a new plant while supporting the local LGBTQ+ community at Raleigh’s only queer- and Latino-owned plant boutique. NTM it’s a vibrant go-to spot for a variety of houseplants in fun and funky pots. Talk about an instant serotonin boost!
*Rooted* in Raleigh since 1967, Homewood is one of Raleigh’s oldest plant outposts. Boasting over four acres of greenhouses, a garden center and an outdoor nursery, there’s no shortage of greenery to choose from—whether you’re in search of shrubs, trees, perennials, houseplants or anything in between. Don’t sleep on the ever-evolving gift and home shop either.
Catch spring fever via new Raleigh-based flower arranging + sipping class.
Sip. Snip. Bloom. Consider recently bowed Bubbles & Blooms’ tagline your late spring/summer MO. The local flower-arranging biz meant to be enjoyed while sipping on your favorite bev—boozy or not—hosts designer-led step-by-step classes either at your home or at an event venue. All supplies are provided—just grab your petal-loving pals and drink(s) of choice and *rose* (rosé?!) to the occasion.
“Arrangements can be curated to fit any event or location,” says owner and interior designer Leah Filomena. “Whether it’s a centerpiece for a dinner party or a welcoming bouquet in the foyer, flowers have a personality that can set the tone for the room. I love learning how people are going to display their arrangement and helping them customize the flowers accordingly.” Bloom, baby, bloom! bubblesandbloomsnc.com
