Updates from my desk
An ode to ignored emails…
Does anyone else get emails on a daily that they do not unsubscribe to because they think they’ll get to them at some point but actually rarely do?
For me, one of these is Word Daily. I want to have better vocabulary. I thought I would play with some lettering and spot illustrations/doodles from my sketchbooks for a bit. The lettering is not fussy, just helps me learn the word.
I have had requests for several years to do a wall calendar and I thought the latest Bugs and Botanicals series would be a perfect opportunity to satisfy my customers. The twelve-month calendar features:
New card! "Wishing you a sweet New Year! inside. click image to see in my shop.
I love September! The temperature is a mixed bag and allows for the occasional heavier layer: a favorite cardigan and jeans. It's also one of the most nostalgic times of year, don't you think? I'm headed back to school to get a certificate in Graphic Design to help round out my skills! Don't you just love the smell of new books and pencils!?
First day of First grade. That's me in the middle wearing polka dots - of course!
Oy! Best laid plans... yep. This summer hasn't gone as planned. My seasonal allergies have really dampened my energy and reserve. I was on steroids for a few weeks to try and get on top of them and those were the best two weeks of my summer! I haven't been able to do any of my new series, other than the 100 Days of Botanicals and Bugs which has been really helpful and enlightening. So, let me catch you up on some of those pieces I was able to squeeze out of my hands. I also had some client work this summer which has been great as well.
I will be at Holden Days Community fest this Saturday with some new works like the ones below, "Love Thy Neighbor" series. I will have afordable originals as well as prints of soem fo the botanical and bugs. COme say hello! I'd love to see you.
I've been wanting to do circus-themed illustrations for years. I've been collecting imagery and dreaming about the sort of characters and environment I wanted to create. Lately, with the closing of Barnum and Bailey and the changing circus mission, it's been on my mind even more. I'm putting together a promo packet to send to art directors and agents and creating a few personal pieces to include in my port folio. I took this opportunity to have some fun with the circus theme. If you are an art director or agent and are interested in recieing my promotional packet when it is ready please email me or comment here with your email and I will be sure to include you on my short list!
Normally, summer is not my favorite season. I don't do well in the heat and my allergies leave me feeling itchy, tired and a bit foggy most of the time. This year, however, I have a reason to welcome it with open arms! I can already feel the schedule of the school year fading away and I'm starting to adjust to the new, more consistent work schedule in the studio. I will still be navigating the work schedules of my two teenage sons who are not yet driving and the very phrenetic schedule of my new(ish), high energy puppy but this is all an improvement!
Looking forward to sinking my teeth into my emerging "Caged" series. This series gets its imagery inspiration from vintage botanical and biological illustrations. The energy for this series is fueled by my own angst and thoughts about being a woman in her fifties as I consider all the choices I've made along the way and the things that cage me in one way or another. I will be incorporating hand embroidery into the works, as I have in the previous two series. This time I plan on working on hand dyed fabrics as well as the tissue paper layers I've used in the past. I have been doing research on the history of embroidery and it's parallel to woman's roles in the family and community. This history will play its own role in the series and what I hope to express in these works.
work in progress
Because most artists these days have to keep many irons in the fire to keep the bills paid, I will also be putting together a marketing package to send out to art agents and directors in the direction of illustration and licensing work. Work on the Gracie Brave book is ongoing and I will be doing some illustration work for the authors this summer as well.
Happy Summer to all who have teken the time to visit my "desk" today. Be well and stay in touch!
I am now offering some of the 100 Days of Botanicals and Bugs as giclee prints in my shop here on my site! Please email me with inquiries or requests for specific images or sizes.
29-37
38-46
The 100 Days Project Continues and is going well ... I've loosened up and have played with new color palettes and am finding pure joy in the process! I've started doing research on the history of botanical illustrations as well as the history of embroidery and it's reflection of society and culture. This search and the daily practice of playing with the themes will inform my next series which I hope to really dig in to this summer. Finally, I am researching fellowships and artist residencies to commit a focused block of time to this series, if anyone has any leads - I'd welcome the resource!
Days 1-9
Days 10-19
Days 20-29
I'm taking part in the 100 Days Project by producing sketches and studies of bugs (mostly moths) and botanicals. They can be found on my instagram feed as well as on my Facebook studio page .
These studies and sketches will inform my next wall art series. This new series will explore the mixture of hand embroidery, used in a more free-form/intuitive way than I have used it in my first Beasts series. I've begun to explore the use of embroidering on tea-dyed fabric as well as water soluble substrate material for hand work. My intention is to bring an updated and deeper exploration of the traditional botanical/natural history illustration.
I continue to work on my children's book illustration portfolio and hope to pull a pitch together for the Gigantic Turnip book.
Finally, I am researching the possibility of pursuing a Masters in Social Work to support my goals of bringing creativity as a means to healing to audiences that have experienced loss and or trauma.
Day 2 of the 100 Days Project
Day 1 of the 100 Day Project
An experimental piece using recycled bed sheet material stretched over wood panel and prepared for waterbed gouache and ink. Embroidery on tea-dyed bed sheet material and water soluble embroidery fabric.
Day 7
Character development of the Sailor's wife for my take on The Gigantic Turnip folktale
I've been going back in to the illustrations I worked on for the Make Art That Sells Children's Book Illustration class I took this past fall. These are some character development attempts for the Sailor's wife for The Gigantic Turnip folktale that I have set by the sea.
She has been challenging to portray. It's not too often you see a mermaid, never mind even a illustration of an aging woman who is endearing and full of personality.