Next to the trash, under the sink.

It has been over a month since my last post, so, apologies! I left my last blog post reflecting on the change of moving to a non-snowy climate. This "winter" has been temperate, and I've really enjoyed being able to be outside. It has also been unseasonably dry, so I suppose I got lucky on that end too. Last weekend I got snowed in! I cursed myself for leaving my XC Skis back East, and learned all about what happens when it snows in cities that don't have fleets of plows and road salt. In other words, 4" shuts down a city.

I do love skiing, and I'm trying to get out downhill skiing in March or April this year in Bend, OR. This was a commissioned piece for a client that I wrapped up right after the holidays.

I saw Inside Llewyn Davis right after the holidays. I really liked the cat in the movie.

I went on some great hikes in the past few months. I can't believe it has already been four months that I've lived in Portland. I'm still in love with Mt. Hood.

I even painted Mt. Hood! This painting sold in one of my January art shows.

I've been sketching some architectural studies to challenge myself...

I started a new job at a fabulous, locally owned art supply store! It fits so perfectly into my life, I'm super lucky. This is one of the fun things I do at work.

I'm not a big Super Bowl gal... I can't really sit still and watch football. I made a silly drawing about it anyways.

Instead of watching the Super Bowl, I took a bookbinding class. The art store that I work for has at least 6 classes weekly, and one of my perks is that I get to take classes for free! I'm so excited to learn new skills expand my creative world.

I had my first art opening! It was a lot of fun.

I'm working on some really cool freelance work this month. Here are some singing sparrows that didn't quite make the cut.

I went to my first dog show! It was crazy fun. My favorites were probably the Newfoundlands.

We lost Pete Seeger, the first concert I remember my parents going to when I was a kid. What a wonderful life he had, and a great legacy to have left behind.

I'll close with this recent drawing of Charles Lindbergh.. kind of a sketchbook color study for one of my upcoming freelance projects.

She's a never-ending story.

2013 has passed us by, and here we are looking at a new change, a new beginning. It has been a busy month for me! Moving to Portland changed my winters, as I've seen maybe an inch of snow since I've gotten here. To cope with the change, I'm drawing snow quite a bit! I drew this up for the winter solstice, and just printed some for my etsy. I'm not very well-versed (get it?) on poetry, but I really love this one.

This is a shot of just the first layer, which I was really pleased with.

It was such a pleasure to work with Take Berlin on this tour poster.

I had some fun with this "tea rex". I gave one to my mom and she didn't get it, and asked why a lizard was pouring tea. You can't win them all!

I love cooking, and Julia Child, so I made some limited edition printed aprons. I'd love to do more of these in the future.

I did my first show poster for a Portland show that my friend organized! It was really fun to work on, and the show was for a great cause.

I have had this elephant image shifting around in my mind for awhile now, so I finally made a final project with it, that relates to my yoga practice.

I made a print of it too! Prints for everything :)

I finished up this Neverland illustration for a tattoo design that my friend is getting. I really can't wait to see it inked on flesh.

It was a real pleasure to finally work with the guys from 28 North on this tee shirt design! It makes me want to draw more space themed illustrations.

These dog paintings were a commission for a Christmas present. I love drawing animals, and I know both of these dogs, so that was an added bonus.

Finally, a fun little painting on wood. I'm getting ready to hang two shows in January, and this will go in one of them!

Portlandia style

Hello! I moved to Portland, Oregon from Rochester, New York. WOW! I drove across the country with an old friend, got stuck on the way, and had a great American adventure. The past month and a half here have been a happy blur of yoga, cycling, art, running, beer, and making new friends. Change is the ultimate tonic. I've neglected this blog in favor of microblogging; my instagram and facebook illustrator page. But, here's a short recap for you;
When I landed, I had a sublet for a month and a half. There was a time of not feeling totally grounded. At the start of this month, I moved into the most wonderful house. I have three awesome roommates, two cats in residence, and TWO CHICKENS! I eat fresh eggs every day (I freaking love eggs), and visit them in the backyard quite a bit. Our seven month old kitty likes to chase them, it's really funny. So, my first project in my permanent house was a chicken print! It's also available on my etsy.

I'm currently working on this really fun "Neverland" themed illustration. I re-watched the old Mary Martin version of Peter Pan as research for this illustration. it was a lot of fun!

This past weekend I worked with The Art of Shaving's Seattle store, doing live window painting. This was a sketch that I did to prepare myself for the project.

I've been doing a series of drawings on the days of famous musicians' birthdays, just for fun. Neil Young's birthday was November 12.

My first project when I landed in Portland was AMAZING. When I first started doing show posters, I had no idea what to do with type. A friend showed me the old Fillmore posters, and my life, and art, was changed forever. It was such an honor to work with them! Even better, I got to draw my cat, Madeye. When I moved across the country, I surrendered her to my parents. It was hard to say goodbye, and this tribute helped the transition.

I wanted to make a holiday card this year, because moving really made me want to stay in touch with friends all over the country on a more intimate level. I'll be printing these bad boys up soon, and sending them out.

Here are some of the window paintings that I got to do at The Art of Shaving this past weekend in Seattle. This was also my first time visiting Seattle in 12 years! It's really great to be so close, and I got to see old friends as well, which is an added bonus.

Here's Joni Mitchell! Her birthday was November 7.

This is another warm up drawing that I did for The Art of Shaving. They started in NYC, so I got to draw the Brooklyn Bridge.

I recently visited the Portland Art Museum and saw their Samurai exhibit! WOW! My favorite part of it was the masks for the horses.

Finally, a portrait of Jonny Greenwood, mainly known for his work in Radiohead, and also a composer. I love his soundtrack work that he has done. His birthday was November 5.

A spoonful of sugar is all it takes.

Happy Autumn to everyone! September is always such a great, busy month. I feel like it's trained into us as we grow up and go through school, starting school is almost like a new year, a rebirth. When I would start a fresh new school year I remember the new clothing, the new backpacks, pens, and binders. I remember the resolutions made at the start of a school year... this year I would stay more organized, do all of my homework early, get straight A's. Five years out of college, I still make those resolutions. This fall brings a big change to me, as I am moving from Rochester, the city I've lived in since I transferred to RIT seven years ago, to start a new adventure in Portland, OR. I've been incredibly blessed to be busy with projects up until I leave, with some projects on deck for when I get out there. To begin with, (585) Magazine published a wonderful article about yours truly and the poster work that I do. Below, a photo of yours truly in my current studio.

Halloween is on its way! It's always a pleasure to be involved with the group shows at 1975 Gallery. This is my piece for the skull-themed "Volo Calvariam". I love drawing skulls, but I needed a new challenge. I took some inspiration from Edward Gorey, and decided to challenge myself with fitting in as many skulls as I could. This piece features EIGHTEEN SKULLS!

I've loved Andrew Bird for quite awhile. I also enjoy doing portraits for my warm-up drawings. Finally, I love the rain.

I did a series of tee shirt designs for The Barn Owl. These were a lot of fun!

I'm so excited to be working with Righteous Babe Records on some new projects. Below, a tee shirt design for Ms. Ani. I was incredibly intimidated to draw a portrait for her, but I do love to challenge myself.

I'm finishing up some last minute window paintings. I was lucky enough to sell all of the ones that I had before shipping out West, as windows do not travel well.

This past April I attended the National Poster Retrospecticus when it came through 1975 gallery here in Rochester. I was STUNNED by the show... as a poster artist, it was so inspiring. I told my friend who was with me that I wanted to be in that show in five years. This summer, I emailed the guy in charge, asking how one goes about this. He emailed me back, asking me to send over some prints of my moon mice to be part of the show! Sometimes, all you need to do is ask.

Finally, a piece I did for Mindful Rochester.

Writes on most surfaces.

Somehow, the summer has almost passed us by. How does this happen so quickly? At the beginning of the year, I heard this quote for the first time. It kept coming back to me, and back to me, so I finally made it into a poster. This poster will be available on my etsy.

Another new project; I'm very excited to work again with The Barn Owl, a wonderful birding and nature center located in Penfield, New York. I spoke with the owner about their growing number and species of animals there, and this was truly a joy to create.

As always, I'm still drawing new anatomy work. I'm having an opening of my anatomy show at lululemon athletica Rochester next Friday, August 16, from 4-6pm. I'll be doing some live painting from a model, then filling in some muscles and bones... and talking about what's inside us, and what drives us.