Not too long ago I bought a BEAUTIFUL book of photographs by Edward S. Curtis called Visions of the First Americans. It's filled with page after page of sepia toned portraits from the 1800's of men and women from tribes all over North America. One image of a Crow medicine man wearing a headdress made from a gutted bird really caught my attention. I have a few portrait commissions on the docket and thought that working from some of this powerful reference would help get my chops up.

I was given a dreamy new Raphael Kolinsky sable watercolor brush for my birthday (thanks Aunt Patty!) and I was SO thrilled to try it out on this painting. I'm tempted to toss every other brush i own. Putting down a wash with this #12 round is so effortless, it has changed everything!

I've had the pleasure of working with Craig Savoye on a few other projects and was excited to get a call from him last week with a design project for me. He is striking out into the world of online publishing and needed a "cover" for his new book. Cowboys, Ranchers, and Assorted Characters is available for purchase as an eBook through Barnes and Noble. Savoye's writing is heartfelt, fun, and sure to entertain!

    I've been out of school for a year and a half now. So far, my favorite part of being a RISD alumna has been keeping up with friends from school and hearing about their new adventures in the world of art, design, publishing, and beyond. I love cheering them and it's pretty great to be on the receiving end of that support too. My friend Nicole Gsell is a devoted and talented illustrator and designer and has been instrumental in launching Pinwheel Books. I was thrilled when she asked if I'd like to be featured on her blog as part of Pinwheel's Artist Spotlight Series.  Here is the glowing write up she put together: http://pinwheelbooks.com Thanks so much, Nicole! And thank you for stopping by.

It is far from peony season, in fact it couldn't be gloomier outside. I thought this watercolor remembrance of my favorite flower might bring some cheer to a chilly December. Enjoy!

    I was so excited to work with a dear friend of mine on a Christmas card/wedding announcement last month. She got married in August and called on my help to make something special to send out to friends and family to share the good news of her wedding, and spread some seasonal cheer. Turtle doves sitting lovingly together in a wreath of holly seemed a perfect fit. I carved the design into rubber to make this festive print. Working on this sweet project definitely put me in the holiday spirit! So grateful to have friends who appreciate lovely hand made things.

I was thrilled to receive an email last week with the news that I have some artwork up in a Vermont public library! Back in March, I was asked, by my dear friend and art director, Greg Kozatek, if I would be interested in contributing to a year long poster series. I jumped at the chance! The project, 1200 Posters, invites a different artist each month to design a poster based on a quote related to creativity and community. My poster came out in April and ever since its release, I have been delighted and surprised to hear where the limited edition prints have ended up.

Hope you take a moment to check out the 1200 Posters website. There are some very talented artists represented and I feel pretty hip to be one of them!

    I will be teaching a book binding workshop for high school freshmen next week. Fun! With my guidance, students will be constructing their own books and starting to fill the pages. 58 14-year-olds armed with binder's needles and bonefolders...a thought both exciting and terrifying.  I haven't always been the best at keeping a sketchbook, but I see tremendous value in having a place to collect observations, thoughts, and notes on the everyday and the extraordinary (which are often one and the same).

    I've been looking through some of my old sketchbooks in preparation for the class and thought I'd share a few pages that caught my eye. A couple are from time I spent in Italy in 2008(when I was drawing in my sketchbook every day) and some are from my Missouri life. Next time, I'll make sure I have something current to share!

I recently had the opportunity to ride the train up and down the coast of southern California. I was traveling with a dear friend of mine who had never been to the golden state before...an added bonus. I felt like I was seeing it all for the first time too. We rode round trip from LA to San Luis Obispo. The sight of the sweeping shoreline meeting chaparral covered mountainsides brings back memories for me as a Topanga Canyon native. Boogie boards and sandcastles, sandy hair and knees; what a way to spend a childhood. The hum of cicadas in the Midwest sure can't compare to the deep and constant melody of breaking waves. Maybe California will be home again one day. Here are a few pictures i took from the Amtrak.

It has been a couple weeks since my visit out to Colorado. There is something always bittersweet about coming back to Missouri, driving east with my back to the mountains, toward the high prairie, into the vast flatness of Kansas. But those crisp blue Rocky Mountain skies and dusty gray green piñon pines croon sweet songs of summer that always call me back somehow. Until then, here are a few watercolor sketches from my trip.

I'm so happy to be spending some time in Colorado. Nothing beats alpine wildflowers and good company on a beautiful summer afternoon. Thanks to my wonderful brother and his pup, Buddy, for the terrific photos.