For the Bees

Work in Progress!

My mom is a bee keeper and a big proponent of native plants. I decided to work on an illustration about which flowers to plant to help bees thrive. I plan to print this on cards and small posters to sell along side her beeswax candles and jars of honey. I’m trying to decide if I should keep this as a digital illustration, or use this as a template for putting paint on paper.

UPDATE! Here’s the painted version, I’m digging the slightly muted colors. I have plans to eventually add the names of the flowers around the outer edge.

South west mural

Mural

Here’s a picture of the mural I created for my daughter’s room. My partner and I had so much fun coming up with a theme, a color scheme and painting the walls before Winona made her appearance. We wanted something fun and funky! When else could we justify painting two full walls various shades of pink and orange — or as I liked to call it — sherbert colors. In a totally unexpected way, the colors all work together so harmoniously, that we don’t even notice the mural when we enter the nursery . It’s like it was meant to be there.

Don’t miss the little cacti in the corner!

January floral illustration

January :: Carnation

fascination / distinction / love

December floral illustration

Back in action and trying something new!

I had a baby (hi Winona!) just about four months ago and as much as I love being a stay at home mom, I’m also realizing I need a creative outlet. Not only does it make me feel productive (not that baby talk and activity mats aren’t productive…), but I’ve been experience some real postpartum anxiety — this low level buzzing that I manage by running around trying to get as much done as possible, every second of the day, only to crash, utterly exhausted by 9pm. I’ve started back at my job as a Creative Director, but have scaled my hours back enough that I can also work on personal projects more — and man, I’ve got a lot of ideas.

What I’m most excited about are these floral pattern illustrations I’ve been working on. There’s just something about planning and executing patterns that soothes my mind. I was inspired by folk art and pysanka designs and wanted to keep an organic feel by hand-drawing every element. No duplicating vectors here. The plan is to do one a month based on the birth flower of that month.

First up, December — Poinsettia

I’ve been working on my Lenovo pad with a stylus, a new process for me and one that I’m enjoying getting the feel for. Bonus — it’s so convenient to cary around that I have been doing bits of work here and there in between diaper changes, feedings, etc. Little victories!

LitART Icons

I am FINALLY getting around to posting some "new", fun work I've completed. This was actually done over a year ago.. oops!

This icon set was developed for LitART, which offers literacy and math curriculum to students, teachers, parents and principles for a fresh approach to improve learning. These icons represent some of the categories within their literacy learning program. 

Here's a preview — check it out in full.

Magic & Mystery

Peace & Heroes

Friends & Self Love

Math, Science & Music

Favorite Authors & Illustrators

Celebrations

Around the World

Myths, Legends & Folktales

Flowering eucalyptus illustration-WIP

Just a quick post- I'm working on another botanical illustration, a flowering eucalyptus. I like the way it's going, not sure if I'm going to keep this one in black and white. I may scan it in and see what I can do about making a pattern out of this one. 

Until next time!

Personal Business Card Design

A couple months ago I did a complete redesign of my personal logo and website, but I was neglecting my business card design as long as possible. I finally decided to try out moo.com and with their 50 image option. I knew I wasn't going to be able to choose just one back image, so why not use them all?! 

I wanted a variety of back options that I could tailor to the people receiving them. I also wanted to feature simple patterns or illustrations and focus on color combinations. I've always been a color theory nerd and this was a perfect opportunity to explore without constraints. I tried to have a variety or feeling for each back; some more professional, some that represented specific seasons, but all simple and interesting — the way I like to work. 

Here's what I came up with

Now I had to come up with a front. I knew I wanted to focus on my shiny, new logo and keep the rest very simple. I didn't want it to compete with the back(s). 

I went with the Moo card size, which is slightly taller and skinnier than normal business cards, and I sprung for the Soft Touch Super Business Card option. When I received the cards in the mail I was more than pleasantly surprised. I've used online printing before where you can see the digital printing dots and seemed like something I could print on my office printer. My new cards, on the other hand, are sturdy, they have a soft velvet feel and impeccably printed. I will definitely reorder once I run out! .. I may have to come up with 42 more back options before then!

See more images of my final cards here » 

Hudson Valley Book Fair Poster Design

I recently had a chance to work with a really great local client here in Beacon

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Holiday 2015

Working on something for Christmas! Here's a sneak peek

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aaaaaand finished! I'll write up my process next post

Personal Logo

Working on a project for yourself is a challenge, but a fun one. I've been working on a new personal logo for a long time. Every time I settled on a design I would change my mind the next day, BUT this time I think I nailed it. 

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