Rare Bird

Reminder

2011-04-04T16:03:00.001-07:00

I have a show coming up!

Also I wanted to remind you that my blog has moved! Please update your subscription etc. to http://ohmycavalier.blogspot.com/

Changing blogs

2011-03-04T13:14:00.000-08:00

Please update your feeds to:
http://ohmycavalier.blogspot.com/

I've decided to make what has been my blog for just sharing drawings into my main blog for everything. For a while I've felt like it's confusing that the blog with the address "oh my cavalier" isn't the one I actually use that much, and I thought it would be easier to find if I have a blog with a name I'm already associated with. Anyway, I've already transfered a lot of the content from this blog to the new one, so hopefully the change will be relatively painless. Right now the posts seem to be all jumbled up in Google Reader, but hopefully that will sort itself out as I update that one more.
I hope you will follow me there!!
xo

Mechanical Animals in Sweet Paul Magazine

2011-03-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Love how my Mechanical Animals are used in this Sweet Paul Magazine feature. To see more flip though Sweet Paul mag online.

Crisp and New

2011-03-02T11:23:00.000-08:00

Meet my new camera! I've been unhappy with the quality of my photos for a while, there was always a blurriness, weird color glare, and whatnot. I had this fear though of spending a bunch of money on a camera that may be too complicated for me to use, but I've become fed up enough to get past that. It's high time I started taking the pictures I actually want to take! And you know these days you can get cameras that are beginner friendly and still take amazing photos. I settled on the Nikon D3100 and so far it's love.

(Speaking of beautiful photos, that second picture is a page from my latest cookbook acquisition Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights by Sophie Dahl. I can't wait to make everything in it!)

Snow Crystals

2011-02-16T21:39:00.000-08:00

We are well and truly into the darkest month now and I'm feeling it. (I know I'm not the only one ether). It's that time of year when I don't feel inspired by anything, the things I usually love don't interest me, and motivation pretty much disappears. I feel dissatisfied with all my clothes, etc.
Luckily I know this feeling will go away with the first for-real spring day and something unexpected will stir up inspiration again, I just have to be patient....

(I can't wait to be able to show you some inside pages of what I've been working on lately, hopefully soon!

In the mean time I've added two new prints to my store!)

Stumptown Show

2011-02-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

I mentioned a few posts ago about having a show at a Stumptown coffee shop here in Portland. Well the show is up now and I hope that if you live in the area you will stop by and check it out!
It's up until the end of the month at 3356 SE Belmont St.

Reading Material

2011-02-08T11:00:00.000-08:00

I've been at a loss for what to read lately, I just couldn't get into anything for some reason, but then I walked into the bookstore this weekend and there was a brand new novel by one of my favorite writers! Problem solved! Well sort of, I hardly seem to have time for reading lately, just a few minutes in the morning. I don't mind, things I'm working on lately are pretty exciting and a lot of fun.

To see a peek of one of the things that's been keeping me busy go to Sharon Montrose's blog. More to come on this you can be sure:)

Lately

2011-02-03T14:59:00.001-08:00

I found this book at the library's book sale last year, I love the vivid color of those strawberries.

-I've put a few prints in my store on sale over this weekend. I want to make some room for new prints so after this weekend the sale prints won't be available anymore!
-I've just got a Pinterest. . I was skeptical at first because do I really need another thing? But I like it quite a bit, it's much handier than Tumblr for organizing inspiring images for specific projects.
-I like that I can now explore art museums I've never been to (even if I'd rather be there in person.)
-This is fun site where artists share recipes via drawings

My Tools

2011-02-02T10:14:00.001-08:00

These are the tools I use ever day.

Gettaway

2011-02-01T11:08:00.000-08:00

Aradan & I took a quick trip to the coast last week. It was warm and there was some sun, we drank champagne on the beach, went hiking though huge trees, got delicious baked goods, it was bliss. I definitely have the winter blahs right now and any change of routine feels wonderful.

ETA9

2011-01-25T09:56:00.000-08:00

I just sent these pieces off to Nahcotta Gallery in NH for their 9th Enormous Tiny Art Show. If you can't make it in person they are available to buy on their website.

More Gift Cards

2011-01-24T11:48:00.000-08:00

I've just added four new sets of gift cards to my store AND to my shop. These have been so much fun to design, it's hard to not go crazy and order more and more stamps. Hopefully they do well, for now it's just these 5 sets.

Lady Slipper

2011-01-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help buying one of these beautiful orchids the other day, I'm ready for spring!

Valentine

2011-01-19T10:44:00.001-08:00

I'm trying a new thing in my shop: hand stamped tiny gift cards. This first one is a Valentine. They come 6 to a box, with 6 glassine envelopes (they look like tracing paper). I'm pretty excited, they are frankly darling in their little box, and I love having stamps made! I have several other designs that I hope to have in the shop soon, as usual everything takes me longer than I think it will!

For an upcoming show

2011-01-18T11:13:00.000-08:00

I have a show in Feb. at the Stumptown coffee shop on Belmont here in Portland. All the rain has been great for staying inside and drawing.

Good for What Ails You

2011-01-16T18:29:00.000-08:00

I don't think I've ever posted these? at one point last spring I decided I was going to make a few quick semi-sequential little zines, but of course it ended up taking way longer than I had meant and I moved on to other things. I still like some of these drawings though, and the covers.

Seen From A Train

2011-01-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

A few of my favorite shots taken from the train on our ride across the country last week. From some reason the middle one reminds me so much of this Bruegel painting, I think it's the colors and the grouping of trees in the middle.

Family Quilt Show

2011-01-10T13:07:00.000-08:00

A piece and a photo from the opening from 3rd Annual Family Quilt Show at Together Gallery, it's up from Jan. 8th - Feb 1st 2011

I'll be back soon with more photos and drawings. January is going to be so busy but I'm currently trying to get organized and start the year off right. This is the year I get my finances in order & the business side of my business streamlined so I have more time for actual drawing. I'm also starting an apartment hunt!

Summing things up

2010-12-31T09:58:00.000-08:00

I can honestly say 2010 was one of the best years of my life! It had its ups & downs, of course, but the overall trend was toward the wonderful.
Some highlights of this year in no particular order were: visiting the giant redwoods, discovering Broder, meeting lovely & amazing people, making preserved lemons, getting my work published in magazines, discovering pink apples, falling in love, having shows to work for constantly, Little Winter, swimming at Trillium Lake, & running away to the coast with Sarah. There were so many late nights with friends, drinking champagne and laughing, music, & delicious food, adventures, & pretty much everything I could want from a year!

In a few days I’m going to be getting on a train to go back to Portland, so I’m wishing you happy, healthy, and productive New Year! I can’t wait to see what 2011 holds!

Plans

2010-12-30T10:09:00.000-08:00

Work wise this has been a fantastic year! The best ever actually and I feel so lucky and grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way. Well, I’ve been lucky yes, but I’ve also worked harder than ever before and it has paid off. So now I’m thinking about goals and ideas for the upcoming year, and what I’d like to accomplish, which is always fun. Here are some goals for this 2011:

In general I’d like to do things more purposefully. I’d like to have actual goals for each week/month rather than vague goals.

I’d like to collaborate with a ceramicist, jeweler, textile artist, letterpress printer, or filmmaker.

I’d like to design a logo and/or label for a tea company. (specific I know, I just think it would be fun)

I want to peruse illustrations jobs.

I need to buy a new computer and I'd like to get a new camera.

I'd really like to have more two or three person shows.

I'd like to really figure out and refine the retail part of my business and decided how much a priority I'd like it to be.

...I'll probably be adding to this list in the coming weeks.

It's That Time...

2010-12-29T16:09:00.001-08:00

Seed catalog time!

This seed catalog from R.H. Shumway brings me so much joy because it's printed to look just like an antique catalog.

Snows

2010-12-22T14:10:00.000-08:00

Ornaments

2010-12-20T08:33:00.000-08:00

I've been at my parents house for a few days, decorating, wrapping gifts, planning my cookie baking, reading...I can't tell you how nice it is to have nothing in particular to do for a few days.

He gives me Butterflies

2010-12-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

My sweet boyfriend gave me butterflies for Christmas, so I can be more like my self portrait. & I bought myself this adorable porcelain acorn at Noun.

Last day for ordering:

2010-12-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the sort of short notice, but I wanted to let you know that the last day you'll be able to order anything form my shop will be this Thursday, December 16!!
I'm leaving on Friday for my family's house in Michigan where I'm not even going to think about work for two weeks! I've been feeling seriously burnt out for a few weeks now, I can't wait be home where I can just bake cookies, decorate a tree, and relax!

Food

2010-12-12T16:25:00.000-08:00

I go though phases where after months of not touching the stuff I'm crazy about peanut butter. Most recently I'm crazy for Justin's peanut butter with honey. It's delicious, also I'm a sucker for nice packaging design.

Fancy Dress

2010-12-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

Going back to some previous things a bit in this drawing. Sometimes, like with this piece, it's nice to revisit subjects that I've done before, it can be refreshing in a way and actually open the door to new ideas. Only when I feel like it though...

From recently

2010-11-30T13:30:00.000-08:00

So satisfying to see all the postcards of the Postcard Correspondence Set laid out together.

A Few New Drawings

2010-11-29T09:58:00.000-08:00

The wolf is for sale in the UK at Here Gallery, and the Lady & Bear are for sale here in Portland at Noun.

Thanks so much for your kind words and excitement about the Tin House covers! I feel bad that lately I've been an even worse commenter/comment responder than usual, but I want you to know I appreciate them so much!

This week is going to be very full. I've spent the last week recovering from a truly awful and very stubborn cold and I'm behind on everything!

In Print: Tin House Magazine

2010-11-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

I couldn't be more thrilled to have a drawing of mine on the front, and back, covers of Tin House Magazine!
(also pictured: left over apple pie from Thanksgiving and persimmons, my new favorite winter fruit)
This year I'm soo thankful that great work keeps coming my way!

Chrysanthemum Festival at the Chinese Garden

2010-11-22T14:05:00.000-08:00

I visited with my mom when she was in town a few weeks ago.

Wolf & Kid

2010-11-17T12:23:00.000-08:00

Aesopica curated by Working Proof is opening this Friday at Rare Device in San Francisco!
From the show description:
Each artist in Aesopica chose a different fable to illustrate. Participating artists include Andrea D'Aquino, Samantha Hahn, Caitlin Keegan, Sol Linero, OSoo, Danna Ray, Amy Ruppel, Catherine Ryan, Lisa Solomon, Yasmine Surovec, Julianna Swaney, and Gretchen Wagoner.
Both original artwork and prints will be available, as well as a show catalog printed by Blurb. 15% of the gross proceeds from the show will be donated to the San Francisco chapter of 826 National, 826 Valencia. 826 National is a network of nine nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing.
Rare Device is located at 1845 Market Street between Valencia and Guerrero Streets,
The opening reception is November 19 from 7-9pm
(That is my piece on the postcard)

I'm trying to decide right now if I am going to go to SF for the opening, I'd love to but it depends if I feel like being in a car for 10 hours to get there. Hm...

In Print:Oregon Home Magazine

2010-11-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

This is an illustration I did for the local magazine Oregon Home. I don't get actual illustration jobs that often, and this one involved visiting their offices downtown and having meetings etc, it was all very fun. The article it accompanies is about having a well appointed guest room.

Everlasting Moments

2010-11-10T13:26:00.001-08:00

Have you seen Everlasting Moments yet? If not I recommend you do so immediately!

Tea Biscuit

2010-11-10T13:04:00.000-08:00

A friend and I like to make regular excursions to various international markets in the area. Our most recent foray was to the Russian market where I got these wonderful cookies with strawberry plants on them

Little Winter Wind Down

2010-11-08T10:12:00.000-08:00

This weekend being at Little Winter was so nice! It was lovely to meet with so many familier names face to face finally, & the show itself was gorgeous and so busy! Thank you thank you to everyone who came by my booth and said hello, and to Abby for asking me to be in the show, it was wonderful!

Little Winter was my last big thing this year, now I just have a few group shows, commissions, and holiday shop sales, all of which sounds relaxing after the past few months! I'm looking forward to having some real time on my hands to read, relax, think, and sketch. I get my best ideas when I'm doing nothing at all! I may be taking a short trip down to San Francisco for the opening of this show (you might remember the pumpkin house drawing), but we'll see!

(Many other people took much better photos of the show, so see some of them visit the Little Winter Flickr group)

Live & In Person

2010-11-04T21:06:00.000-07:00

This weekend is the Little Winter sale here in Portland! I'll be there selling all my goods, plus some originals. There is going to be soo much great stuff there so if you live near by come by and say hello!
It's taking place at The Cleaners at The Ace Hotel (SW 10th and Stark), November 6 11am-6pm and November 7 11am-5pm

November

2010-11-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Today feels just like this short piece by Yuriy Norshteyn.

Golden Birthday

2010-10-27T19:21:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my 28th Birthday, and it's also the 28th of October! Special day:)

Victorian Photocollage

2010-10-26T11:39:00.000-07:00

An admirer of my artwork thought that I'd enjoy learning about Victorian Photocollage, and very kindly sent this fantastic book along to me! I'd seen one or two before in museums, but this book is packed full of distinctly Victorian oddities and delights, and inspiration of course!

Papergoods

2010-10-22T13:00:00.000-07:00

I am so happy and pleased with these new notecards I had printed, and they are now available to buy in my shop!
They were done here in Portland by Pinball so they are printed on 100% post consumer card stock with soy-based inks. The colors came out so rich and beautiful! There are four designs, each comes with a kraft paper envelope, and biodegradable packaging!

Pumpkin times were had

2010-10-18T13:11:00.000-07:00

Someday, when I have time, I'd love to try this pumpkin butter recipe.

The well organized life.

2010-10-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

I have absolutely no practical use for this pull down chalkboard map (nor can I afford it) but I think it would go perfectly on my wall!

Fall days

2010-10-11T12:42:00.000-07:00

Panic au Village

2010-10-08T09:59:00.000-07:00

I can't recommend this film enough!

F-Troupe Shop

2010-10-05T13:31:00.000-07:00

I came across photos from F-Troupe, a shoe store in the UK somewhere and it was love. If I ever open a store, whatever I sell there, I'd like it to have the same decore/vibe as this

Photos from the F-Troupe website

Paperdoll Opening

2010-10-03T12:09:00.000-07:00

The opening at The Paperdoll and trip to Bellingham was wonderful! Firstly everyone at the shop was so nice, they had the greatest cupcakes (with designs inspired by my drawings!) at the opening, and the turnout was alsogreat! Then the weather was beautiful and sunny and very fall-like (much farther north). We had a great time exploring the city, walking by the water in various parks, and of course seating delicious food. The town had that sea-air-port-town smell which made me miss living in Portland Maine a bit.

I'm still quite busy with commissions, illustration work, and a few group shows, but it feels good to have this last solo show under my belt. I feel like now I'll have a bit more time for reading, sketching ideas, and general contemplation. Also I'm starting to get really excited for next months happening the Little Winter Sale!

Leaves Falling

2010-09-29T23:17:00.000-07:00

It was such a perfect fall day today! Leaves Falling.

Postcard Correspondence Set

2010-09-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

I'm very excited to finally have this little set in my store today! This box set contains 15 picture postcards, all different, plus a handy little pencil and a fox eraser! I think I'm most excited about the erasers! If you prefer you can also buy an eraser separately.

Many more pictures of the boxes contents in my store itself.

Noun pdx

2010-09-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

I recently delivered some original drawings, as well as note books, Mechanical Animals &tc. to Noun here in Portland, and boy they look good there! Noun is one of my favorite shops in Portland, everything is curated and displayed beautifully, it makes me want to just move in. Also they share the space with St. Cupcake!

Upcoming Show in October!

2010-09-23T19:43:00.000-07:00

My show "Take Heed Little Ones!" opens on October 1st at The Paperdoll in Bellingham WA. The opening is going from 6-10pm and I'll actually be traveling up to Washington for it, so if you live in the area I hope that you can stop by! (The Paperdoll is located as 312 W. Champion, Bellingham WA)

Wondering Fox Eyes

2010-09-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

Dot

2010-09-18T12:44:00.000-07:00

Sky Pack

2010-09-14T10:35:00.001-07:00

The curator was kind enough to send over some photos of the Inspired show that recently opened, since I couldn't make it to Nashville myself. He also made a nice blog post talking about how the show came about, which you can read about here. (You can also see more photos of the show posted on my FB page)

I've sold seven pieces from this show, which is thrilling! I've never sold so many from a show before. That Includes the above piece, which I have mixed feelings about though because I really really love this drawing in particular and I secretly hopped it would come back to live with me. Parting with artwork can be hard sometimes!

Pink Apple

2010-09-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

A friend was telling us about pink apples a few weeks ago, but I didn't realize how truly pink they were until I bought one at the farmers market this weekend. Beautiful! And not only that but soo tart and delicious.

Shop Update Tomorrow!

2010-09-09T13:47:00.001-07:00

I'll be updating my store tomorrow with new brooches, prints, and a couple other things, around Noon PST Friday September 10th!
ohmycavalier.bigcartel.com/

New Brooches and Medals!

2010-09-09T12:50:00.000-07:00

I've been working furiously on making some new, hopefully better, brooches for fall & they are finally ready to be put up in my store! I have some new images and some new colors of ribbons, but I've also taken the step of covering the actual brooch image with a layer of clear epoxy. That will make them much sturdier and also just looks so much more finished. Honestly, the epoxy was a pain and a half (it's very prone to huge bubbles forming while it's drying), but the finished result looks sooo nice!

Here is a peek of one of my new favorites. It has a lovely new golden wheat color ribbon that I found:

So, my store will be updated with these pieces and others tomorrow around Noon PST, September 10th!

First Day of School

2010-09-07T12:01:00.000-07:00

It is really feeling like fall around these parts lately. That's okay, I had a wonderful summer (that first picture is from a gorgeous day-trip to the coast a few weeks ago), but I love fall, so I'm ready.
As happy as I am to be so busy with shows recently I am SO happy that all the work for them is finished for a while and I have a tiny bit more time to do nothing what-so-ever in. That is when the best things happen, when I have my best ideas and feel the most inspired! I’m really looking forward to this fall and doing things such as:
-Going out to breakfast and having frequent dinner parties
-Reading!
-Making pretzels, which I’ve always wanted to do.
-Cooking in general (Sarah lent me her Russian cookbook and I am completely obsessed, I’m actually reading it cover to cover which I’ve never done with a cookbook before)
-Learning to knit finally (I can crochet, but never caught on to knitting though complete apathy)
-Blustery trips to the coast.
-Possibly some fall camping.
-Watching Cosmos while curled up with my sweetheart listening to the rain fall.
I have one more opening this fall, a solo show in WA which I'll write more about later, and I'm looking forward to traveling up there as well. For now I'm frantically trying to finish up some brooches and other things for the shop!. That will hopefully happen by the end of the week.

Openings

2010-09-05T11:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to those that made it to the Reading Frenzy show on Thursday and to my show at Redux on Friday! And if you didn't make it (I know a lot of people went out of town for the long weekend), both shows are up till the end end of the month!

Fox Rider Notebook vol. 2

2010-08-31T10:14:00.000-07:00

Since I was almost out of the first printing I decided to re-design the cover of my Fox Rider notebook. I feel like this version of the drawing is much more complete and makes more sense, I'm beyond pleased with how it turned out. (And of course it was printed right here in Portland by Pinball!)

With fall in the air and lots of new little things in progress for the store I'm going to be doing much more updating and also a little house cleaning. Any prints that aren't selling that well are going to be discontinued before I add more so if you have your eye on anything you may want to buy it in the next week or so!
I'm also going to discontinue any prints in my Etsy shop. I've been wondering what to do with my Etsy for a while now, I can't bring myself to close it down entirely, I still think it's good to have a presence there. I think what I'll do is clean it out entirely and then use it to sell paper good only, no prints or brooches.

And brooches! I promise I am working on a whole new batch; new designs as well as a new stock of old favorites!

I'm so excited to get both my shops more active again! Tonight I'm hanging my last show in September and I'll have much more time to devote to them hooray!

A couple new pieces...

2010-08-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

For my show at Redux.

Sketch Book Pages Cont.

2010-08-26T13:30:00.000-07:00

A few more sketch book pages. As you can see my poor book got water spilled on it...oh well!

I thought I'd share some places that I'm getting inspiration from these days as well:
Fuck Yeah Victorians: I just love tumbler, so much good stuff, this is a favorite.
Design Work Life: design inspiration.
The World That Summer: Fantastic collection of old photos.
A Vida Portuguesa: I can't understand anything but this shop as a great collection of beautifully packaged wares.
Sheaff Ephemera: especially the typography section
Official Manufacturing Company: more design inspiration, I love what they do.

Upcoming Shows No.3

2010-08-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

The fourth show I'm in this month is another right here in Portland, and it's just me! I'm the featured local artist at Redux, a great shop on East Burnside. The opening is on First Friday, September 3rd from 6-10pm, I'm bringing ginger snap cookies to snack on, and if you're local please come by and say hello!

Upcoming Shows No.2

2010-08-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

A lot of the work I've been posting recently has been from this show in Nashville. It's a two person and the other artist tends to work large so I was asked if I could makes some larger pieces. It's pretty hard for me to translate things in my head to a larger scale, but I ended up doing a few larger than usual pieces and I love the results! I hope if you live in the area you can stop by the show!

Upcoming Shows No.1

2010-08-23T10:51:00.001-07:00

I'm in four shows in September! The two coming up first are fantastic group shows filled with all kinds of talented superstars:
In Portland

And on the East Coast:

A pleasing game

2010-08-18T16:19:00.000-07:00

I've been having a grand time ever since I found I can have stamps custom made with my own designs and drawings. I've had a few text ones done, but I recently had this running fox stamp made and I sort of adore it. If you've ordered anything from my shop recently look for it on packages!

Wondering Stars

2010-08-16T18:53:00.000-07:00

Recently finished for a show, more on my Flickr

Lately

2010-08-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

Whew, it's been a long busy week. I've been working hard on finishing drawings, figuring out frames for them, and then how on earth to ship them. Most were larger than I usually work, as you can see by the middle picture. This week is going to be a little better but still quite busy, I have so many ideas brewing and projects I want to do. I feel busy busy busy and a little off kilter because things are so different than they were a short month ago. It's exciting but I'm trying to find in between times to slow down and take stock and enjoy moments more before they rush by too quickly.

Tea & Watercolor

2010-08-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

This probably looks familiar, I'm expanding on an earlier drawing, much larger and with more going on.

Also I had to post a picture of this package I recieved last week because it was so pretty! And inside, the best possible gift for me right now: tea! And fantastic Earl Grey at that! (Thanks so much Jen!)

In Print

2010-08-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Some of your sharp eyes have already spied this but this blog is in this month's issue of Artful Blogging! I was very excited when they asked me to submit, even though it involved writing an essay, which was seriously nerve wracking!

Some inspiration

2010-08-02T11:05:00.000-07:00

How about some sketch book?

2010-07-29T19:50:00.001-07:00

Show Opening at Blackbird Attic

2010-07-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

My show "Runaways" is opening soon at Blackbird Attic Boutique in Beacon NY! It runs August 6th-September 4th, with an opening reception on Aug. 7th! I sent off a ton of great work for this and they made this nifty flyer. I can't be there myself, but if you live in the Beacon area please stop in and tell me what you think!

Blackbird Attic
442 Main Street
Beacon, NY
Opening August 7 · 6:00pm - 9:00pm

This & That

2010-07-15T10:48:00.000-07:00

I made a new Banner for my shop! I'm trying to be productive before leaving on my trip home but it's difficult, I just want to read and be outside and eat watermelon. Well I've done some drawing but nothing I'm particularly happy about, that always happens when I'm stressed out about it. I'm pretty happy with how these birds turned out but for some reason I just have no desire at all to draw birds anymore, I find it boring, and that used to be my favorite thing to draw!

I love this picture of my friends on a cliff edge. That is Mt. Hood looming in the distance being photogenic.

I'll Marry The Sky

2010-07-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

A few more new drawings (sorry if you've seen these on my flickr or other blogs!)

These are for an upcoming show, more on that soon!

Thank ye

2010-07-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

I just got some thank-you/promo postcards printed to put in with orders from my store, and I'm really happy with them! I used to put in little hand printed things with orders but I'm getting to the point were I don't have time to make that stuff anymore. I like these so much that I'm thinking of having them made into actual cards, what do you think?

(I can't seem to stop putting those scissors in almost every picture I take, for no other reason than that they look so nice!)

Lucky

2010-07-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

So far I have found three four leaf clovers this summer, all in the last week actually! I am a very lucky person, even if I sometimes forget that.

Today actually marks my two year anniversary of moving to Portland Oregon! A friend told me it takes two years of living in a place for it to really feel like home and I believe that. It's only in the last few months that I've really started to feel comfortable here, and while I feel like Michigan will always be my home-home, I think Portland is someplace I want to stay for a while.

I have been working non stop on drawing all week and feeling like I'm hardly getting anywhere because there is so much to do; I have a show in August, two in September, and one in October! All of them feel a whole lot closer this side of June. I'll be sure to post bits and pieces on here as they are done.
Oh also, this exciting thing is happening in November!

Forest Spirits

2010-06-28T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is my interpretation of a Wendigo, a forest spirit told about by the Native American tribes along the Great Lakes. I heard a story about it from a story-teller when I was little and it's always stayed with me and terrified me! He said sometimes you'll be walking though the forest and hear something moving behind you, but when you turn around there will be nothing there but a rock or a tree because the Wendigo is a shape shifter. It can even become a swarm of insects. If you think you are being followed by one you better run because he wants to eat you! (I think my interpretation is pretty different than the literature on the subject by the way. I was going to write about it in more detail, but I'm having a hard time putting it into words. Probably why I am an artist not a writer!)

I finally feel like it is really summer! I had such a nice weekend with friends, visiting gardens, lighting sparklers, having picnics, and going to a beautiful lake in the mountains. I somehow fit some work in there somewhere as well.

Also, I wanted to remind you that today is the kick off of the My Love For You Is A Stampede of Horses Healthy Gulf Fundraiser!. ML4U's Big Cartel Shop opens at 12pm PST (3 pm EST), so please stop by, get some amazing art, and help the gulf!

Lord Bergamot

2010-06-24T10:56:00.000-07:00

I made myself a budget and stuck to it. For exactly one week. But lets not talk about that, lets talk about these lovely things that I got recently; I was eyeing that hand pin at Cargo a while back and decided that it has been rainy and cold and sad, and it would be okay to buy a treat. Something similar happened with the Smith Tea. I was having Earl Grey blahs, probably due to drinking it too often, they all started to taste the same. I loove the packaging design of this tea, which is what drew me to it, but the taste really is something a little different so my love is revived! It's nice that it is mixed here in Portland too.

I like this picture my Ma took of black raspberries growing back home. I'll be heading there for a few weeks in late July and I'm very excited! It's finally warm an sunny here today, so maybe summer is starting? but there is nothing quite like summer deep in the Midwest countryside.

More ways to help the Gulf

2010-06-22T17:32:00.000-07:00

Meighan From My Love For You Is A Stampede of Horses has been wonderfully organizing an amazing fundraiser to benefit The Gulf Restoration Network. A Ton of my favorite artists are taking part and I'm really happy to be able to contribute as well. 100% of the proceeds will go to the The Gulf Restoration Network! Meighan put up the first preview of the work today, and the Big Cartel shop will be open on June 28th, at 12 pm PST (3 pm EST)
I'll remind you again when it's open!

I wasn't even thinking about oil when I did this little sketch but it seems appropriate

Also, don't forget the print in my shop to benefit the Audubon Society's clean up in the Gulf. $330 raised so far!

Rainforest

2010-06-20T23:48:00.000-07:00

A collection

2010-06-16T19:54:00.001-07:00

This is probably my favorite drawing I've done in a while!

In progress...

Raindrops

2010-06-15T22:26:00.000-07:00

A sketch..

and my rooftop garden. My garden is loving the almost constant rain but a few things are starting to get tired of having their feet wet.

I have been drawing and reading a lot the past few days. I have to share with you this recipe; A friend served me this simple salad of this amazing dressing over shredded purple cabbage, I have been eating it all this past week and finding that it is the only thing I feel like eating lately!
1/2 cup walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 medium clove garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons mellow white miso paste
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
2 big pinches salt (or to taste)
1/4 cup+ warm water
use a food processor, blender or hand blender to puree the walnuts, olive oil, garlic, miso paste, vinegar, and honey. Add the warm water a bit at a time until the dressing is the consistency of a heavy cream. Taste and add salt if you think it needs it.
The recipe is from here

A few bits and pieces

2010-06-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Sarah)

A Few Openings

2010-06-08T20:46:00.000-07:00

These are from the two openings I was in last week; Diorama Drama, at Pony Club Gallery, and my work with Valerie Pensworth at Tolivar. (To see a few more pictures please visit my FB page)
I also recently had the pleasure to go to the kick off/fundraiser for the project of some of my friends from Together Gallery, The Free Life Center. And to drop in at Emily Martin's show at Land. And Valerie has another show opening this week! It's so wonderful living in a place where so much great art happens!

Oil Spill Print

2010-06-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

I've been sad and disgusted by the situation ever since the oil spill in the gulf happened, but I got so upset the other night after seeing the new horrible images of oil covered birds I decided I had to do something, even if I feel pretty powerless. The one thing I feel like I can do is raise some money and donate to the the clean up. With that in mind I've put this new print in my shop and I've decided to donate 100% proceeds from sales of this print to the Audubon Society's oil spill clean up effort.

I know I'm not the only one who is feeling upset about this, please help!

(Because my mom asked: Why this scary demon print? It's the most favorited image in my Flickr that isn't already a print!)

Diorama Drama

2010-05-31T22:33:00.001-07:00

This week I'm also in a show at Pony Club Gallery in Portland. I'm so excited with my diorama I'm not even going to wait until after the show opens to post a picture of it (plus I think most people who read this don't live in Portland anyway)! I made it in an antique clock case I found a while ago. I couldn't really find a use for it and it was just sitting around here but it turned out to be perfect for this!

The show opens this Thursday, June 3rd at 6pm
Pony Club, 625 NW Everett St, Portland OR
Please come!

Show at Tolivar with Valerie Pensworth

2010-05-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

This is a busy month of shows for me! I'm so excited to be in not just one but two shows here in Portland!
This Friday I'm in a two person show at Tolivar with Valerie Pensworth. Valerie makes such beautiful drawings and I'm really happy to be in a show with her!
Incase you are in the area it opens June 4th at 5pm and I would love for you to come!
811 E Burnside, Ste 119 Portland OR

The Enormous Tiny Art Show

2010-05-29T10:42:00.001-07:00

I've been hearing about the The Enormous Tiny Art Show for a while, so I'm super happy to be included in the West Coast edition of the show this time around! It opens in Los Angeles at The Living room on Saturday June 12th, but you can see and buy all the pieces online right now!

My cheerleaders

2010-05-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

I'm super busy this week getting ready for a few shows I'm part of at the beginning of June, which I'll update you about soon. In between I'm trying to keep on top of everything else. I guess it's lucky for me it's been gloomy and rainy but I wouldn't mind some warm days.

Remember my note books? Well Scout Books did a post about them on their blog, neat!

Brothers Quay film for Wonderwood fragrance

2010-05-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

( Via The New Victorian Ruralist)

Travel Log 3

2010-05-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

The last of my travel photos I'm going to post. The redwoods were shockingly beautiful and mesmerizing to say the least. I wish I could take a walk among them every day.
Today is my first official day back to work and first thing I have to do is build a diorama, neat! It's a little hard to get right back into work but I have to, so much is going on! One of the things that I love about working for myself is I can do things at my own pace, usually. There are deadlines however and several are looming. I'm not worried though, and I love being busy!

Also my shop is back open for business!

Travel Log 2

2010-05-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

In the past week we've been slowly driving up Hwy 1. We've been visiting the Monterey Bay Aquarium (one of my favorite places on earth), gone through San Francisco, stopping at Point Reyes National Seashore, hiking though fields overflowing with wildflowers, exploring tide pools, and eating roadside fruit stand strawberries. Now we're in the the Redwoods! More to come...

Travel Log 1

2010-05-04T21:17:00.000-07:00

My few days in and around LA and Southern California were splendid, now we're moving up the coast towards Monterey. The opening was lovely too, but I'm going to wait to post pictures from that. It's soo different down here, it's sort of a shock to the system. A nice shock, traveling makes you see everything fresh.

Head towards the sun

2010-04-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'm leaving on a two week trip down to California to attend the Kindred Spirits opening, visit some family, and visit some redwoods. I can't wait to see those trees! I'm also looking forward to the long car ride, I always get good ideas in the passenger seat of a car. I'm going to be in a few shows in june, and an extremely busy late summer/fall (two solo shows!), so I have a lot to brainstorm about.

Also, if you happen to live in the area, the opening of Kindred Spirits is May 1st and I will be there most likely standing around awkwardly, as is my habit at openings, so come say hello!
Here is the info again:
KINDRED SPIRITS
May 1 through May 30, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 1, 6-10 pm
Free admission
Grand Central Art Center: Rental & Sales Gallery
125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701

Some Sketchbook Pages

2010-04-28T18:58:00.000-07:00

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

2010-04-23T10:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the Kickoff of the Stumptown Comics Festival and it's starting with a party and an art show/new comic unveiling by my dear friend and roommate Graham Kahler. It starts at 7:00pm at Guapo Comics and Books (6350 SE Foster Rd). If you happen to live in Portland you should come by! I will be there, probably standing around awkwardly.

Night deamons

2010-04-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

Saw these amazing checker lilies at a garden last week

Notebooks!

2010-04-20T10:32:00.000-07:00

I just got these beauties back from Pinball Publishing the other day and they are now in my shop waiting for you! They are pretty small, just right for slipping in a pocket or purse, and unlined so they can be used for notes or drawing. Also they are made from 100% recycled papers and printed with soy based inks!

Here is the original drawing for the cover. I had a few covers started but this is the one that I became most attached to. It was somewhat agonizing but also so much fun to design, I want to make more!

Marsh Spirits

2010-04-16T08:09:00.000-07:00