Little Bird Big City

Envelop Shop Open for Business!

2012-01-26T02:19:00.003-05:00

I've finally opened up my Envelop Shop! I only have two pillow designs available so far, but I promise you there are many more on the way! Just hold tight. I'll have aprons, oven mitts, napkins and tote bags coming in shortly. But in the meantime, here's what I've got up for grabs so far:

This is my New Year pillow design! What do you think? I can see this as a lovely accent to any colorful bedspread, can't you? It comes in 3 different sizes and they're extremely well priced in my humble opinion. You can find it here.

This is the front side of the Narwhal Pillow

And here is the back side. Also in 3 sizes, take a closer look here.

Aside from uploading my designs, I've been painting and drawing pretty consistently. I bought a bunch of beautiful colored pens last week. I felt a little guilty for spending so much money on art supplies but I couldn't resist the sheer excitement of the splurge.

I've made some nice little paintings since then. My goal is to make a new piece every day for 30 days to get accustomed to using them and to grow my skill set. We'll see if I can keep up with that challenge. Here's my first attempt. It started as just a sketch and turned into something a little more.

My next big art supply purchase will be newer, fancier colored pencils. Mine are always breaking! I love color so much, I want to put it everywhere in my work. Especially during the winter, filling my world with vibrant images is a simple way to escape the dreariness and doldrums of January.

You can even get it pre-framed on Society6! Check it out here. And there's more where that came from. Here's the next, and my personal favorite piece!

I found this quote the other day and it really struck a chord in me: "Two lives that once part are as ships that divide." -Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

So I picked up my pencil and my brushes and this is what I came up with. It's probably the most simple piece I've made in ages. I almost went further with this, but stopped short when I was prompted to leave it as is. I'm glad I did. I sometimes have the tendency to push my pieces so far that I end up hating them. Have you ever had this problem? It was a big issue for me in art school, too. Occasionally it's better just to leave things sparse.

I think that's why I love this laptop cover so much. I really appreciate the negative space. This is the first time I've ever really considered getting one of these skins for myself. You can take a closer look in my shop here!

Lastly, I did a little self portrait. I'm wrapped up tightly in my Pendleton blanket dreaming of the promise of Spring.

I'm having such a great time mixing watercolors with the new pens. There's a significant amount of trial an error, but I'll figure it out eventually. I really can't wait to explore it further. (kinda makes me want to neglect my work and just draw to my hearts' content) But that's bad behavior.

Well, I'm going to finish this episode of Friday Night Lights, put the truffles I made into an airtight container and turn in. Goodnight, everyone!

Valentines Part Two

2012-01-18T21:09:00.000-05:00

I painted this charming illustration about a week ago. I'm a tireless romantic when it comes to biking. Nothing beats the feeling of getting in the saddle and riding away with another person pedaling fiercely by your side. Picnic packed, a bottle of wine stowed away, jetting down to the river to watch the sun set behind the hills. Isn't it great? This particular scene loosely portrays the Portland waterfront with the sun going down behind Mount Hood, which is completely and totally geographically inaccurate. But oh well, that's what dreams and paints are for. One of my favorite parts about this piece is the nostalgic feeling it produces inside of me. I could almost see the couple as an older version of me and some lucky handsome gentleman. Who knows. Maybe it's you!
I made a greeting card to go with this as well:

I love how it turned out. It's like a tiny piece of art. Totally frame-able, I don't judge.

The inside says, "you and me, (that's all I need)." That, and this thermos, that's all I need (shameless reference to "The Jerk"). You can get this pretty card in my etsy shop. I'll be putting up some prints as well, if you're interested! And don't forget all the other neat additional products in my Society6 shop. Check it out, if you fancy.

I'm also really excited to show you my new mini Valentines!
I can't remember a single year that went by, when I was just a bitty thing, when I didn't tremble with excitement over Valentines like these. We bought ours from the grocery store. They usually depicted some cartoon character of popularity or a princess or a fuzzy kitten. Then we'd rip the boxes open and excitedly scribble names on the backs of the flimsy cards. I remember my heart beating loudly in my chest as I picked the most special one for whatever boy I was crushing on at the time. I'd rush over to his desk and drop it in the heart shaped pouch he'd constructed out of colored butcher paper. Then I'd run for the hills with my face as red as a tomato. I was really good at losing my cool back then (if I'd had any in the first place). I guess the years have treated me well, in that respect. (Enter audience laughter). In an attempt to recapture that schoolgirl crush feeling, that rush of excitement, I created these innocent little Valentines:

There are 4 designs:

Each pack of cards comes with 3 of each design and 12 matching envelops. You can find them here in my etsy shop. Get some for your kids, your coworkers, that cute guy that works the fryer at your local diner! Whoever you fancy, wink wink. My favorite is the pig in the boat. I have a soft spot for anything nautical. Which is your favorite?

I'm going to leave you with a really nice song. Close your eyes and just let it fill you up.

I Made A Pattern!

2012-01-11T21:45:00.001-05:00

Hello lovely friends! I'm swooping in for a quick blog post. I wanted to share the pattern I made with you. I'm interested in getting some textile designs going this year, and learning how to make a pattern is the first step towards having my own line of Little Canoe fabrics!
Once I saw THIS TUTORIAL on Design Sponge I knew I had to try it out for myself. I started out with a blank piece of paper and drew out this detailed narwhal/flower pattern:

I wanted to make sure I filled up as much of the paper as possible, starting in the center, without touching any of the edges. Then I cut the paper in half once, flipped it and taped it back together. Again I cut the paper in half, flipping it and taping it back together. This is was really scary and nerve wrecking. I'd never cut all the way through a piece of artwork I actually liked before! After I'd finished lining it up as perfectly as I could and taping it together, I made a center drawing. This is what it looked like:

And then I painted it! That's the fun part.

Looks pretty neat already! This part was so thrilling, I could barely keep my pants on! I scanned it into the computer and loaded it into photoshop so I could make a repeating pattern with it. This is where I ran into trouble. Unfortunately, my pattern was a little off the mark. Some of the images just didn't line up. I spent an hour or two trying to fix it as best as I could, but it still isn't perfect. If one was to try to make fabric out of this, for example, it wouldn't quite work.

Nevertheless, I'm really pleased with how it came out and can't wait to try another one! It's definitely lit a fire under my bum. Next time I'll most likely do it all in photoshop to make things easier on myself.

If you like it, there are some great versions in my Society6 shop! Including these:

Laptop Skin

Iphone Case

On that note, I'm going to head out and have myself a lovely evening. I hope you do too!

Season of LOVE

2012-01-08T18:41:00.001-05:00

Good afternoon, friends!
I'm getting amped up for Valentine's Day and stocking Little Canoe with all kinds of cutesy love themed items. AND I've only just begun. For one reason or another, this is a really easy topic for me to illustrate. I think it's because I have such a wildly romantic heart. Although I've suffered a lot of heartache lately, I can still remember how good it felt when I was in the throws of it. It was thrilling, it was consuming, it was all I could ever ask for.
It was kinda like this:

Sometimes, love can make you soar, make you feel invincible. It makes you believe in things you deemed impossible. You feel like you've been let in on a giant secret that no one else will ever know. It makes you blush, it makes you smile. It gives you a reason to wake up in the morning. It's pretty incredible.
That's what lead me to make the above greeting card. I remember that feeling, like I had crossed a thousand oceans and seen things nobody else had seen. I felt worldly. It really took me to a whole other level. I hope everyone can find that feeling at some point. You can see that card in my etsy shop.

I've also decided to give a shout out to those who are often less represented but who deserve as much love in their lives as the rest of us (obviously).
Here's my Lady Love artwork, to start off with:

This works for friends and lovers alike. I can definitely think of a couple gals I'd want to give this to. I've made it into a greeting card too, available here.

AND, if you really really like it, I think it looks quite charming on this laptop cover:

And now for all the deserving fellas out there!

I couldn't help but make one of them beardy. I just love drawing hairy men! I hope all you gentlemen enjoy this, also as a greeting card in my shop.

There's a really nifty sweatshirt up for grabs in my Society6 shop too! I would totally wear this.

I'm going to make more prints available of both of these images, probably omitting the words for a more elegant look. Let me know if you have any ideas for me!

Lastly, I was surprised to find myself featured in a Japanese magazine this month!

Although it isn't a feature about my work, but more about Portland bike street style, I was pleased to be thrown into the mix. The magazine is called Pedal Speed, you can check it out here. I don't know what it says about me, but there's a whole section on Portland and it's bicycle culture. If anyone knows japanese and can translate it for me, I'd be delighted! I'd also love to get my hands on a copy at some point if I can ever figure out how....

Alright, back to work for me! Have a wonderful week.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T21:08:00.002-05:00

I finished up 2011 with this new piece that's available as a print in my etsy shop! I titled it New Year because it represents the direction I'd like to take with my artwork in 2012. That doesn't mean I won't still be making adorable greeting cards, I'd just like to free myself up to do more work that's emotionally driven (since that's what I am!!).

I also really like how the iPhone case came out. You can snatch one up in my Society6 shop!

Not to get too in depth about my struggles of 2011, but I will say a few things. It was probably one of the most difficult years I've ever experienced, and at the same time, one of the most successful and driven years of my life. I guess you have to take the bad with the good and hope that it balances out in the end. I'm very thankful for all the love and support I've received and especially all the positive feedback I've gotten about my work. It feels very special to know that what I'm doing is meaningful to people other than myself. Without the help from you, I never would have been able to quit my soul crushing day job and successfully moved into full time illustration. I love where I'm at right now, career-wise. There is so much excitement in the possibilities.

(this was my calendar published in the Willamette Week gift guide!)

However, I realize that I sometimes teeter on the edge of being a workaholic. I think the hardest part of being self employed is knowing when to take a day off. It's not something that comes naturally when your office is in the back of your house and you can be at your desk in a matter of seconds. This is something I'm going to have to work on.

(Photo credit: Tim Roth)

Which brings me to the next thought: New Year's resolutions. I don't like to make a habit of forming unreasonable resolutions that I'll never stick to. Instead, I like to make achievable goals for a year, and I try to leave the state of my health out of it. Exercise and healthful eating are two things that come pretty natural to me. If I have some lazy days where I eat a whole bag of chips, a hamburger and a slice of red velvet cake, so be it! I'm not one to say NO to fat! Anyways, without further ado, here are my...

Goals for the Year 2012!

-continue to work as a self employed illustrator growing my business in any way possible

-learn how to better use photoshop in order to make more products under the Little Canoe name

-travel to more distant places, spend more time outside of Portland (branch out)

-get more organized in my business, figure out a booking system

-be honest and true to myself, recognize my needs, and always follow through

-try new things as much as I can

One recent experiment I've been working on is starting a new tumblr blog. It's partially an attempt to understand my origins and inspirations, and partially an exploration of my own personal past. I'll probably just be figuring it out as I go along, so bear with me. It's called...

I Will Soar So High

I've put up some pictures of my parents when they were younger than me, falling in love, starting a family. It's important to me to get a feel for their life before I ever came into the world. How things change. We'll see what comes of this blog, if anything. Please have a look every once in awhile!

I'm going to leave you now, on this first day of 2012, with an uplifting song. Go out there and get 'em tigers! xo

Crafty Wonderland is Here!

2011-12-09T11:02:00.001-05:00

Hi folks!
Just a quick reminder that Little Canoe will have a booth this weekend at the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale!!

It's totally free! Come down and visit the over 250 amazing local vendors and get all your Christmas shopping done. We've got something for everyone!

It's going to be good good fun! So if you live in the Portland area, come say hello, I'd love to see you! Have a great weekend!

A Weekend of Sales

2011-11-22T12:57:00.001-05:00

Hello everyone and Happy Holidays! I'm here to talk about all of my Christmas items now in my etsy shop. Without further ado, here's the latest:

Portland Christmas Card

Also available in a pack of 8.

Merry Christmas Card

Joyful Christmas Card

Hello Christmas Card

Custom Christmas Card Packs

Don't forget about my calendars, they're selling fast!

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday right around the corner, I'd like to share with you a list of over 80 Portland artisans that are participating in some really spectacular sales on etsy! You can find a list of all shops on the Little Daisy Chains blog.

I made a holiday themed treasury showcasing some of the wonderful sellers here, be sure to have a look! Please remember to support small businesses this holiday season.

As for me, I will be offering 20% off everything in my shop starting Friday morning and ending at midnight on Monday! And for an added extra, with every order purchased, I will throw in a coupon for 15% off after the holidays. All you have to do is follow me on twitter or like my facebook page!

Also, now on Society6, all t-shirts and hoodies are $4 off!

I have plenty to choose from so have a look around my shop!

On that note, I will leave you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Eat yourself into a food coma, I know I will. Please remember to shop local and buy handmade whenever you can. Cheers!

Autumn in Oregon

2011-11-12T00:03:00.001-05:00

I've been terribly busy as of late, which has made a lazy blogger out of me. There's been such an avalanche of things going on in my world, all of which I would, ideally, love to share with you. Unfortunately, it's just not possible. So I'm going to try to focus as much as possible. I really need to make a habit of doing shorter blog posts at a more frequent rate. Let's see if that's even conceivable for me.

Portland is so perfect in the Fall.

I squeaked out some mandatory seasonal baking recently. Naturally, I had to make pumpkin pie. You have to squeeze as many pumpkin pies into your life as possible during the Fall, and then try squeezing into your slacks. It's fun!

Pumpkin pie is such an important sign of the season. The cinnamon, the freshly grated nutmeg, the sweetened condensed milk thickly integrating into your eggy pumpkin mixture. It makes your house smell lovely and it's oh so pretty.

I made this beauty on Halloween. It was the perfect accompaniment to our pumpkin carving party. I used Martha Stewart's Pate Brisee crust. Then I found this pumpkin pie recipe. Normally I just follow the recipe on the back of the can, but I wanted to try something a little different. The addition of the sour cream added a nice silkiness to the pie. It was most certainly a winner. I plan to make at least 2 more of these before the season is over. It's pretty healthy, right? Makes for a nice breakfast if you top it with sauteed apples and creme fraiche. Mmmmm.

And then there was this:

This, my dears, is Pear and Dried-Cherry Crisp with Nutmeg Walnut Streusel. Try saying THAT 10 times fast with a mouth stuffed full of crisp. I made a few slight changes here. I added candied ginger to the cherries while they were plumping over the stove. I also used almonds instead of walnuts because I prefer their flavor. This crisp came out really excellent. Straight out of the oven with a glob of vanilla ice cream is like laying naked on a bear skin rug next to the fireplace. It's comfy but sexy at the same time. And it's warming and you don't ever want it to end, especially once the make out starts. I ate the crisp exactly like this for a couple of days. I'm a pig. I practically licked the baking dish (and by practically, I mean, I totally did).

Ahem. Moving on.

I have a LOT of new stuff in the shop, but let me start with this:

It's a mug! With birds on it! I've already sold one of these. They're each hand illustrated by me with a porcelain pen, and then set in the oven at a low temperature. You can find it here!

These ones come in a pair, aren't they sweet? If you like, you can purchase them here. Perfect for morning tea with your honey (either edible or not). I'll be illustrating more and more mugs and plates as time moves on, so keep your eyes out.

In other illustrative news, I was recently featured on Cool Hunting, a really incredible blog about pop culture, art and style. I was incredibly honored to be interviewed. You can read the story here!

Thanks to Cool Hunting, the orders have been rushing in! So I'm keeping quite busy. I've almost sold out of my calendars, prompting me to order 30 more. If you haven't seen them yet, check them out! You might want to pick one up sooner than later.

That's it for the time being. I'll be back to do a proper holiday post before you know it.

Cheers!

New Calendar!

2011-10-31T16:14:00.000-04:00

Hi folks! I finally got my 2012 calendar finished and I'd love to share it with you!

It comes in 12 separate sheets of thick natural white card stock, size 6x10." Each sheet comes with a small hole punched at the top for hanging. The printing quality is superb, I'm extremely pleased with the final product. If you think you'd like to purchase one, follow this link to my etsy shop! They're in a limited edition of 30, so snatch one up early before they all sell out!

Also, since it's Halloween today, I won't have much use for my spooky greeting cards much longer. I'm selling them for half off. Please pop in and get them while you still can!

Monsters Card

Halloween Friends Card

At just $2 a piece, they're a total steal! You can pop them in your card drawer and save them for next year, you bargain hunter, you. So smart.

In other news, I just spent a few days in Washington D.C. I'd never been there before, which is a complete shame because it's such a wonderful city to explore! I loved wandering the streets gazing up at the beautiful ancient architecture. It was so clean, it gave me the impression that it's a city that's well taken care of, which is something I greatly appreciate. Also, the museums completely knocked me off my feet. I had such a limited amount of time there, I can't wait to go back for another visit. Here are a slew of pictures from my journey.

That about covers it! Sorry for the lack of explanations. But you get the idea. I was traveling alone, hence the self shot picture inside the elevator. Hah. The macarons were from a cute little pastry shop in Bethesda, MD, where I was staying. I purchased them on impulse, and I'm so glad I did. They were so delicate and flavorful. They made for a perfect travel snack during my long flight home.
Well, I'm off to participate in some Halloween festivities. More coming soon!

Party in my Pantry

2011-10-15T20:30:00.001-04:00

It feels like I'm storing up for the apocalypse or some natural disaster. But in reality, I just can't seem to stop canning. It's like a bad habit with incredibly delicious results.
Now, for some unknown reason I've always been too chicken to pickle. I don't know why I found it so intimidating. I suppose it was just some small hurdle that I couldn't quite seem to overcome. But then something changed in me. On a bright Autumn day just like any other day, I went over to my friend Anne's house for a brunch and canned goods exchange. I didn't take a picture of her pickle collection, but trust me, it was a thing that dreams are made of. I managed to get away with these two packed jars:

The pickled carrots are from Anne and the plums are from Emily. I thought, if these talented ladies of similar age and style are doing it, then why can't I? I vowed that morning to make a go of it. It was time to let go of my inhibitions and pull out the pickling salts and vinegars.

And thus, a brand new hobby was born. I'd actually been pondering for quite some time about what could be done with my vast quantities of unripened green tomatoes still dangling from their stunted branches...

and then I found the perfect solution. Small Batch Pickled Green Tomatoes from my favorite canner, Food in Jars. I was feeling so thrifty and earth-friendly whipping up these pickles! Nothing goes to waste in my garden.

I think this was the perfect first pickle recipe for me to wet my whistle with. A really easy, no hassle kinda recipe. My favorite. I made a little extra because we have such an abundance of tomatoes, so I came out with 4 pints. Since you have to wait a week for them to become sufficiently pickled, I have yet to try them. One jar sits on the shelf and stares at me every time I open the fridge, seducing me. It's like waiting to open your stocking at Christmas. Naughty pickles.

So um yeah, I couldn't stop there. In fact, right after I finished with the tomatoes, I went for the asparagus. I couldn't resist. Asparagus is my favorite pickle to munch, so it had to be one of my first vegetables to put to death in it's vinegar-y, salted grave.

As usual, I referred to the same blog to find my recipe needs. I really need to branch out sometime...

Pickled Asparagus, almost too good to be true. I canned 3 weighty pints of the stuff and they were ready to devour in 24 short hours! I've almost eaten an entire jar already, they're so perfect. Sour, salty, crunchy, and a wee bit of a spicy face punch. Perfect appetizer while you cook, afternoon distraction whilst you pace the kitchen trying to escape work, and just the thing to pull you from your cozy slumber for a midnight snack attack. Will it make your pee smell? Definitely. Is it worth the shock in the bathroom? Absolutely. Will I be sharing? Not a chance.

Here's what's next on my pickle list:

Did your jaw just drop? Because mine did, and I'm the one who took the photo. Nerd alert!

I'm LOVING the colors of Fall fruits and vegetables right now. I can't seem to get enough. I was pondering seasonality awhile ago and decided to try my hand at painting some....

Well, I became so enthralled, I painted 48 of them! I'll be dispersing them all onto a Calendar for 2012 that I'll be selling in my etsy shop. Until then, however, you can get an, 11x17" print with a selection of the fruits and vegetables displayed in an eye pleasing fashion!

You can find it for sale here! But if you're looking for some other size options or a version on canvas, you can also find it in my Society6 shop.

My printer does a really excellent job recreating what I painted, I was truly in awe as I watched it print this artwork out. I'm looking forward to framing it and putting it in my kitchen next to the fridge. Then it will always be there to remind me to eat my fruits and veggies like a good girl.

Okay, I'm swamped in my efforts to get ready for the holidays, so I better jet. But I'll leave you with this song that seems so fitting for these times. Hope you enjoy:

Hello October!

2011-10-01T19:32:00.001-04:00

If you've been a long-time reader of this blog you're probably well aware of my undying affection for Fall and for everything that comes along with it. But if you've not, you soon will be. I really really adore this time of year. Oh Autumn. Be still my heart!

I actually painted this sweet little illustration last year, but decided to change it up a wee bit and make it into a greeting card for all of you, which you can check out here, if your heart so desires. Just look at that cute little slice o' pie!

Fall always gets me excited to start cooking and baking again. After taking nearly all summer off...or.....at least after spending a lot LESS time in the kitchen, I get almost giddy at the thought of diving back into some soul soothing comfort cooking. Images of pumpkins, squash, apples and pears dance whimsically around my head as I brainstorm what I'll whip up first. This year it was Pumpkin Bread with Pecan Streusel by the always brilliant and hilarious Ezra Pound Cake.

The minute I saw this recipe I wanted to marry it. It's the perfect introduction to Autumn, calling for a whole can of pumpkin and just the right amount of fragrant spices. This sweet bread is delicate, it's cake-y, it's moist, and it smells like heaven coming out of your oven. OH, and it doesn't stop there. These babies are topped with a crunchy, caramel-y streusel. You know I can't resist streusel. It's my drug of choice.

This recipe makes two, so you really don't have a choice but to eat a ton of it. And you will be okay with that. You could also make muffins or give some away to well deserving people, like saints or something. I gave one to my parents because I think they've done quite a lot for me, like giving me life.

You should definitely make this.

I was a little disparaged during my search for more adventures in canning. As much as I love the fruits of Fall, I've canned more apple butter than I'd care to count. Also on that list of bores are applesauce, apple chutney, and other variations on apple butter. Not that I won't do it again this year, because in truth, I probably will, with a sigh in my chest like a shot partridge. BUT, since I can't seem to find any other fruits to delight my imagination, I'm going savory-ish.

This is Spicy Red-Pepper Jelly. Doesn't it look brilliant in the afternoon sun? This was my very first time making any form of savory jelly, and I am not disappointed. I've always been a fan of jalapeno preserves, and when the idea was brought to my attention I knew immediately that this was the right challenge for me. After a spot of research, I settled on red peppers as a base because I thought the color would be quite suitable for all those Christmas gifts. I was really pleased with the results of this recipe. I used cherry bomb peppers to spice it up a bit instead of silly old red pepper flakes. If I were to make this again, however, I would reduce the amount of vinegar slightly, as it's somewhat overpowering. Spread it on crackers with a big of soft cheese and you'll be one satisfied snacker!

My pantry is pretty happy right now. I'm not done, don't worry. Not sure what I'll make next, though. Ideas anyone?

My other favorite thing about October is Halloween. Aside from feeling (almost) totally guilt free about eating pounds-worth of various candy bars in miniature, I love hunting out and carving pumpkins. And even more-so, I love dressing up in costume! I've not yet settled on an outfit for this year, but I imagine it will be wonderful when I finally do! To celebrate Halloween, I have a couple new cards in the shop.

Card available here!

And also here!

Don't forget, I'm still having a 25% off sale! It's only going until October 4th, so hurry up if you want to take advantage of the savings. Just enter coupon code ANNIVERSARY at check out.

Thanks everyone, and happy pumpkin hunting!

An Anniversary of Sorts

2011-09-14T17:10:00.000-04:00

My blog's anniversary cruised by me unnoticed at the very beginning of this month. My attention was drawn to the missed holiday earlier this morning when I was contemplating the birth and life of this little monster. On September 2nd, 2011 my dear blog turned 3 years old, so happy belated birthday! Hard to believe, isn't it? Looking back at my very first post, I smile at the sweetness and sincerity of it, the innocence and naivety. I wish I could remember exactly why I started writing it in the first place. To make reports of my finished knitting projects, to recount my triumphs in the kitchen? Or maybe less specifically, to keep my friends and family back home abreast to all my New York City adventures and non-adventures.

Sometimes I question my purpose in a world saturated with thousands of new blogs popping up every day. Perhaps it's simply complete self-indulgence, perhaps it's an attempt to stake my presence in an online community that I spend so much time swimming around in, or maybe it's just the pure enjoyment that I get out of it. Yes, at times, it feels like a heavy obligation. Sometimes I can't get a single complete sentence out and I have to give up for the day. And there are times when I can't bring myself to write for weeks and the guilt overwhelms me as I beg my readers for forgiveness (which is quite silly). But in the end, I'm always glad I have something to turn to. I'm a proud mother, despite the difficulties that come with change and growth. The original purpose may have changed, and I've often toyed with the idea of renaming the blog, which is much less fitting now that I'm no longer a little bird in a big city. But I can't bring myself to do it, some things just have to remain the same, for memories sake.

(photo credit: Tim Roth)

So, here I am, 31 and living in Portland. Just a freelance illustrator trying to maintain an online presence as honestly as I can. And you know what? I'm pretty excited to do so. Therefore.......in celebration of my little one's 3rd anniversary, I'm giving you all a 25% discount in my shop! Just head over to my etsy page and enter the coupon code: ANNIVERSARY to get 25% off your next purchase until October 2nd, one month past the official date.

Just in time, I have a new greeting card to present to you!

I created this especially for my Grandmother, who just moved into a new apartment in Scottsdale, Arizona. She's absolutely thrilled to be redecorating, so I thought it would be perfect to welcome her into her new home with a sweet little card. You can find it here!

Alright, chums. I'm going to let you go now. I've been baking up a storm in the kitchen, but I'll leave those updates until my next post, and let you savor this one for now. Hope you have a lovely finish to your week!

Adam's Wedding

2011-09-08T20:33:00.000-04:00

I'm way behind on blog posting right now. I have so much to talk about and not nearly enough time to talk about it! So here goes.....
Just as I had expected, since I quit my job I've been baking up a storm. It's been such a delight to make things on my own terms, just for the pleasure of it. I'm feeling the love again, the lost passion. And now I can't seem to make myself stop (why would I?).
The most exciting pastry project that came my way recently was baking 85 cupcakes for my brother's outdoor wedding. I was given the liberty to do as I please. The only criteria was that they be half lemon, half chocolate, and most importantly, fun and colorful. I think I held up my end of the bargain. Weeeee!

Here's what I came up with:

And,

And finally this:

I'm no stranger to buttercream flowers, but it's been a great deal of time since these fingers last piped a petal. But I eased right back into it and felt at home instantly. It was so fun watching the whole thing come together, even if it was about 90 degrees in my kitchen at the time. We were all sweating up a storm that day.

The bride and groom were very grateful for my efforts, and the wedding turned out beautifully. Here are a few pictures from their big day:

As you can see, it was a laid back, gorgeous ceremony in the Oregon countryside. The weather was perfect and the time spent with family was even better. I'm so happy for my brother and his new wife, who brought me to tears with their heartfelt wedding vows. I wish them a lifetime of companionship.

Since I was already in the kitchen (do I ever leave?), I decided to whip up another batch of jam. I'm so in love with canning right now, I can't stay away! I hope you guys like it too, because that's what everyone I know is getting for Christmas!
Here's the latest addition to my pantry:

Italian Plum Jam with Star Anise

I knew I had to make this spread the minute I laid eyes it. Just another trusted recipe from the folks over at Food In Jars. The procedure was so simple, just 3 ingredients. I knew I could knock this one out in minutes. I happened to have some extra jars hanging around just begging to be used, so I rushed off to the grocery store to gather my bounty.

Before I knew it, I had this vibrant mixture macerating for an hour before dumping it in the pot to simmer away. The end result? A sweet and flavorful concoction the color of Cabernet. The star anise is subtle but deliberate, just coming through at the end. It's my new favorite thing to spread on seeded toast in the morning, and something tells me it would be fantastic paired with a soft cheese. I can't wait to give some away this winter.

I have one more addition to the shop this week:

A very fitting quote by Lao Tzu, illustrated by me. You can find a print in my etsy shop or head over to Society6 if you're looking for a wider range in sizes. I hope you like it!

Busy August

2011-08-30T20:59:00.001-04:00

I'm going to start this post off showcasing my latest knit. That's right, I DO knit. I know you guys probably forgot (because I kind of did too). But now that I have "more free time" on my hands, being as self employed as I am, I'm trying to get back into some of my loved, lost and nearly forgotten hobbies. No surprise, but knitting is of top priority, followed directly by canning, which I will discuss in further detail later on.
For now, let's talk Tam:

Mermaid Slouchy Tam

I found this hat on Ravelry when I was looking for something simple and cozy to knit up for Fall. It's a great pattern. Easy enough to follow while distracted by bad rom-coms, but interesting enough that you won't fall asleep with your needles up your nose. It knit up super fast, which is generally what I aim for these days (I'm lazy). I grabbed some stash Malabrigo and a self striping yarn of similar weight and pulled out my size 7 circulars. Next thing you know, I have a brand new Tam that could carry all my dreadlocks, if I had any (which I NEVER ever would. ever.). It does have the perfect amount of slouch, though. Not too many and not too few...slouches.

It's pretty!

I'm not sure what my next project will be, I have a terribly long queue. I'm also in the middle of something else that I can't bring myself to work on. I just want it finished. Now. OR next year.

But here's what else happened: I got excited about canning again! Weee! I popped the lid off my jar of inhibitions, and now I'm an ever-flowing river of jam-y goodness. I've completed 2 recipes in the last couple weeks. Here they are:

Rhubarb Rosemary Jam

Uh-huh. You read that right. Did it make you go "Mmmmm!" It should have, because that's what it is. It's just so Mmmmmm.

It's tangy, and kinda lemon curd-y, but with the sweet comfort of rhubarb and a hint of fragrant rosemary. Not too overpowering on Miss Rosemary's end, just a delightful aftertaste.

Here's another reason to make it. It takes mere minutes. Almost no commitment necessary.

I've been following the Food in Jars blog for a few years now and every time a new post goes up, my eyes widen with want and longing. I feel the saliva increase between my molars and I begin to imagine those jars of delectables awaiting me in my basement, floor to ceiling. But because of general slothfulness and a tiny fear of failure, I've never made any of the recipes until now. And I'm hooked. There's no turning back now! Giddy-up!

Here's another winner:

Peach Apricot Butter

I wanted to capture summer in a jar, and aside from berries, what better represents the sunny season than plump, juicy peaches? Cracking open a jar of this goodness in the middle of winter and breathing it all in will make everything worth it. Worth what, you ask? Oh, just a trip out here:

This is Sauvie Island, just outside of Portland. Isn't it beautiful? We caught it at just the right moment, with the grey clouds moving in over the sun-soaked fields. We picked our peaches from trees, snacked on berries and got out before the rain rolled in.

When I got home with my bounty I started to cook down the stone fruit over the stove. My favorite part about this recipe is that once you have your peach/apricot puree ready to go, you just toss it all in the crockpot and let it do it's thing. No need to stand around waiting to watch paint dry. I just put on a timer and went to bed. 10 hours later I had butter. A delicious, thick, fragrant concentration of summer. Spread it on a biscuit with a huge tab of butter. You might have heart failure (in a good way).

Okay, so I've decided to cut this post in half. I could see your eyes glazing over like I was about to bore you to tears. I'd like to save some of that for next time. You're welcome.

Gonna leave you with this sunny cuteness:

Jenny O--Well Ok Honey

Birthday Birthday Birthday

2011-08-24T13:37:00.000-04:00

I made it through, I survived my 30th year. There were ups (quitting my job and becoming self-employed, graduating business class, successfully making a rad wedding cake for my cousin, and a decent amount of travel-adventuring) and downs (life altering bicycle accident, the passing of my very dear grandfather, my best friend moving to Scotland, etc). But that's to be expected of any year, and the downs have sure made me appreciate the ups. And although I'm less than thrilled to be 31, I'm pretty excited to grab the reigns of next year and gallop away with gusto. I have plans and projects turning the gears in my brain and I couldn't be more excited to get cracking.

This year to celebrate my birthday, I wanted to make something special. It may not have been the most practical dessert to try to tote around on a hot summer's day, but I threw logic in the trash a long time ago.

Lemon Curd Marbled Cheesecake

Cheesecake, people. Somehow, at some point it sparked my interest. Then, once I started thinking about it and how long it had been since I'd last made one, I became obsessed. I HAD TO HAVE IT. I didn't care that it was delicate. I didn't care that I wouldn't be able to cart it around on my bicycle. And I didn't care if I was going to be forced to eat the entire thing alone in my kitchen. Irrational as it was, I needed to make it. It was MY birthday, was it not?

I settled on this recipe because it combined two of my favorite things, lemon curd (oh my god) and cream cheese. For a novice baker, this recipe might seem intimidating. But don't stress yourself out, the instructions are simple, and there isn't a lot of multi-tasking to confuse you. Just take it one step at a time, and you'll be fine. And the results? A rich and tangy dessert with the creamiest texture. It will send you to the moon. I'm not kidding. Straight to the moon.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it work as a birthday cake. I couldn't work out the logistics in the end. So I ate a cookie with a candle instead.

The next morning we topped the cheesecake with berries and carted the it to a housewarming party where it was devoured with fervor by all the appreciative attendees. I was able to savor my one slice, which is all you can really take without going into a sugar induced coma (not the worst way to die).

But beyond all the birthday stuff, here's the latest from the studio:

Inspired by a weekend long rafting trip I take every 4th of July through the desert of Central Oregon. I wanted to try something slightly different this time and focus on filling the entire page with colorful washes. I feel like I did a nice job capturing the relaxed nature of the trip, floating through the sun soaked landscape. I'm hoping to continue onward with this technique and see where it takes me.

If you're interested, you can buy a print in my etsy shop. The print comes out beautifully, you won't be disappointed.

AND this little devil is available on Society6

As a part of a side project I've been working on that's not quite finished, I came up with this little illustration. Turns out to be pretty popular, so I've made some postcards, which you can find here.

I took the liberty of ordering these from a printshop. It's the first time I haven't printed something on my own at home. But seeing as how I received an order for 100, I thought I'd leave the work up to someone else, for once. I'm really glad I did. They did a super job and I'm really pleased with the outcome.

Don't forget about this option!

Before I check out of here, I want to let you in on a little secret. I'm incredibly proud to share this with you. Some long-time friends of mine are in a band called Blind Pilot, and they're about to release their 2nd album. It's been a long time coming...but it's WELL worth the wait. Here's a bit of a sneak preview:

Blind Pilot: We Are The Tide - Album Preview 2 from Blind Pilot on Vimeo.

The album goes on sale September 13th, but you can pre-order it here with tons of other goodies! I strongly suggest you do. I'm lucky to have had the opportunity to listen to the album in it's entirety, and I know you're going to LOVE IT. So go forth and purchase!
Thank you!

Finally Summer Sale!!

2011-08-01T18:51:00.000-04:00

Ahhhhhhh, the lazy days of summer.....

....hanging out, napping, relaxing in your favorite flower pot.........
whipping up some soothingly sweet and delicious Vietnamese Coffee ice cream:

(seriously the easiest and most satisfying thing that'll come out of your ice cream maker all summer)

......refreshingly frequent trips to Oregon and Washington's gorgeous icy cold river(s)....

...and of course the quintessential SUMMER (not yard) SALE!

While everyone else is hauling old dusty garments and furniture out onto their lawns for nickels and dimes, I'm offering up some lovely original artwork for super cheap! In an attempt to clean house and make some extra pocket change (hooray, self employment!), I've decided to cut prices and sell my stacks of paintings to any interested parties. All you have to do is follow this Facebook link to the photo album containing all the pieces I have up for grabs. If you fancy one of them, just leave a comment and I'll contact you with further details! Please spread the word to all your art loving friends and family, all support is greatly appreciated.

Meanwhile, I'm still churning out new work like a contagious disease! Here's the latest:

Some advice that I could clearly benefit from following.

You can buy the original here, if you'd like, for slightly cheaper than in my etsy shop ;)

Some other possibly enticing products sold alongside from Society6:

t-shirt available here

laptop skin available here

Alright, I better head outside and try to enjoy some of this summer sun before it fades away! Be well, everyone, and thank you for reading!

Zucchini Cake and Bike Camping

2011-07-22T14:17:00.000-04:00

When I opened this month's issue of Martha Stewart and glanced down at this smartly photographed sweet cake recipe, my eyes widened and my belly sang "glory glory hallelujah." Zucchini Bundt Cake with Orange Glaze, I whispered......and my heart beat faster. I knew immediately that I had to make this cake. So within 24 hours I was grating zucchini with a wild passion unlike any other. The smells that emanated from my kitchen while this beauty was baking were almost unbearable. I was salivating, staring into the oven, flipping the light on and off. Impatiently waiting. Meanwhile, I boiled the the sugar water to make the CANDIED ZUCCHINI! That's right. CANDIED. ZUCCHINI. Sounds odd, right? And it was. At least, on it's own it was. But once I pulled the bundt out of the oven, covered it with the sweet spiced orange glaze, I delicately arranged the strips on top. Perfection.

The cake itself isn't extraordinarily sweet, which is how I prefer it. The orange glaze and candied strips add the tart sweetness and zing to every little morsel, without overpowering the subtlety of the cardamom and anise. A round of applause, once again, to the Martha Stewart team for creating another flawless recipe. It's in this month's issue, so pick one up while you still can.

After eating nearly this entire cake all by myself, it was time to work off some of those calories with some bicycle camping!

A couple days ago we decided that we wanted to get out of town for the night. Neither of us owns a car, so biking seemed like our best option. We loaded up our gear, strapped it to our bikes and headed towards the Clackamas River. It was only about 40 miles, but there was a significant amount of climbing, and the heavy load weighed us down a bit. One adventure after another finally lead us to the majestic Milo McIver State Park, where we set up tent and proceeded to devour everything in sight.

It was incredibly relaxing being out there in the middle of the week. Quiet, peaceful, secluded. The rest of the night was spent by the fire filling our bellies with wine and cheese. We refueled the next morning in Historic Estacada, where we stuffed ourselves with personal pizzas and coffee before the trek home.

Somehow the ride back to Portland wasn't nearly as difficult, but I arrived feeling exhausted and completely spent. I'm a little sore today, but looking forward to another opportunity to get back out there and do it all over again. It really makes you appreciate your surroundings when you have the time to take it all in at such a slow pace. Can't wait for the next trip!

Also, I have a new item in my etsy shop. I'm selling this original illustration:

It's also available as a print and laptop skin on Society6:

I hope you like it! Indecision at it's finest....

Ok, kids. I'm going to leave you for now and try to get going on some projects. Take care, and I'll be back soon.

Giveaway Winner Announced!!

2011-07-12T18:27:00.000-04:00

A giant THANK YOU to everyone who responded so kindly to my last blog post! I appreciate all your encouraging words as I embark on this great adventure called self-employment. It really is a dream come true. And although it comes with it's many difficulties, I have a feeling that I'm going to love every minute of it. I plan to heed everyone's advice in terms of shop improvement. I look forward to seeing the changes take place, in my shop, and in me. The confidence I've often lacked in self promotion will hopefully be a thing of the past. Here I come world!!! (with a helmet on)

ANYWAYS

without further ado: by way of an online random number generator, I've picked a winner for my wonderful first ever giveaway...........drum roll please..........The winner is ALISHA POGUE!!! Congratulations, Alisha, thank you for entering! I hope we're able to meet someday soon as well, I love making acquaintances with other Portland creatives. I'll be in touch with you about your winnings.

So with my newfound freedom (busy as it may be) I managed to whip up these fantastic little morsels of seduction:

Brown Sugar Blueberry Cookies

I am completely obsessed with Oregon blueberries right now, and rightfully so. They're plump, juicy and delightfully sweet. So easy to pop a few in your mouth every time you crack open the fridge. I picked some up at the farmer's market on Saturday, ate half the container, and then paused. I needed to experience these sweets in a new and different way, something beyond the muffin and pancake of yore. So I sifted through some recipes and came upon this one. The pictures attached to the recipe on her blog caught me immediately. With her gorgeous photographs, she had me at first sight, assisted by tantalizing, mouth watering descriptions to playfully tempt your taste buds.

I luckily had all the ingredients on hand, including a ripe lemon to replace the cinnamon and vanilla. I can hardly imagine a blueberry with out it's lemon-y counterpart. It's like Sonny without Cher, and we all know how that turned out. So I joyfully grated my lemon peel into the sugar before the initial creaming. Results? Outstanding. I have testimonials from more than a dozen hungry softball players who say this cookie was IT. These fat drops of deliciousness were devoured on the spot. I assure you I will make these again and again, until berry season comes to a sad and unfortunate close. You should too.

Aside from baking, I've been hard at work in the ol' studio. Here are a few new items I've added to my Society6 shop for you to enjoy.

(I really like this one)

I will be making some of these into prints and cards that will soon be available in my etsy shop and beyond, so keep your eyes out for the goods. Okay, my time is up for today, time to run to physical therapy! Keep on keepin' on, loves!

Until next time......

BIG NEWS AND GIVEAWAY!!!

2011-06-30T18:41:00.000-04:00

So it's finally here, the day I've spent the last 2 years waiting for! Tomorrow is my very last day at work!

That's right, I'm finally taking the plunge. I put in my departure notice just before the bike accident. Actually, the timing has been pretty odd. I'd figured a goal and made sure to save up X amount of dollars before quitting, and now I'm throwing money at doctors and lawyers left and right. I just hope it all comes back to me in the way that I deserve. I'm so relieved to finally be thrust out on my own, though. Now's when I become a real adult (at the youthful age of 30).

A little history:
I've been baking for almost 12 years. It's something I've enjoyed all my life, ever since I was icing cookies at my mother's side. I loved it so much, in fact, that it took me all the way to New York following a passion for pastries. I attended the French Culinary Institute and dove head first into the crazy but wonderful world that is a New York service industry job. It's grueling, it pays next to nothing, and it takes away any social life you ever thought you had. But you gain family, you gain skill, and you come out a stronger person because of it. The best job I ever had was at Betty Bakery in Brooklyn, where I learned to sculpt some of the most unbelievably marvelous creations that would ever spring forth from my fingers. Here's a tiny trip down memory lane.

If you'd like to see more, head over to the cake set on my flickr page!

After so many years on my feet working manual labor for little money, I've decided to switch gears. I'm following my love of illustration for awhile and seeing where it takes me. This is both terrifying and thrilling at the same time. Like being on Space Mountain in Disneyland. You're in the pitch dark with absolutely no idea what lies around every intimidating corner. Is it a simple climb or a severe and paralyzing drop? Twists? Turns? You might have a minute to rest and gather your thoughts, or you might be screaming bloody murder feeling on the edge of death. At the very end you could feel a little sick in your belly, but you're still high from the thrill of it all. That's what I'm looking forward to. I've chosen to ride the rollercoaster, at least for awhile. I can always go back to baking, and I plan to do plenty in my spare time. I'm excited to bake for pleasure, so expect me to talk a LOT more about pastries on this blog. Yay!

AND, in celebration of my newfound freedom, I'm having a giveaway!

No, not ME, sillies! I'm giving away some sweet goods from my etsy shop! Included in this package will be one large print measuring 8.5x11, one 5x7 print, and 2 greeting cards! You, the winner, will get to choose which ones from my store. Isn't this fun? All you have to do is leave a comment telling me what you think of my shop, if it needs improvement, what I might be missing, or if you like it just the way it is. I'm hoping to up my sales now that I'm no longer employed, and any suggestions help! AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!! Let's get the word out!

Please leave your comment by the end of the day on Friday, July 8th

I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner. Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement! Feel free to leave your email address with your comment so I can contact you easily.

Thanks to everyone, and have a wonderful 4th of July, if you celebrate it :)

I'm leaving you with this video, should get your booty moving.

Architecture in Helsinki, That Beep.

Catching Up-ish

2011-06-19T22:09:00.000-04:00

First and most importantly, I would like to share with you my brand new bicycle!

It's the newest version of my old bike, the Bianchi Volpe, so I feel right at home on it. Beautiful, isn't it? Getting back on wasn't easy, and I feel like I'm being overly cautious and hyper aware,out there (if there is such a thing). It's a slow healing process. Every day gets a little bit easier and more comfortable. Before I know it I'll be having careless(ish) fun again pedaling through the streets and beyond city limits. I'm hoping to get out for an extra long ride soon. Unfortunately, I was out of town for Portland's Naked Bike Ride, which was Saturday. I participated two years ago and had an exceptionally exhilarating time. Thankfully, I had good reason to miss it this year.
And now we come to the latest project that's been taking up the majority of my time the last couple weeks. My cousin got married on Saturday and I agreed to make her a whimsical wedding cake. This is something I've had a considerable experience doing in the past, but left most of it behind when I moved out of New York and to PDX. Even though it stresses me out to no end, I'm always happy that I've done it after it's all over (as long as it turns out the way I plan). Anyway, without further ado, here's the final product:

I made the toppers too, out of marzipan.

It's a topsy turvy cake, which means I had to angle the tops of each tier to give it a funky look. I was a nervous wreck driving it all the way out to Eastern Oregon, 3 hours from home. But I brought it in pieces and assembled it in the reception hall to ensure that it made the long trip (but I was still freaking out, mind you). Once the cake was put together I was finally able to relax and enjoy the wedding, which was lovely. Now it will probably be another year before I do a cake like this again. That's about how often I'm being asked these days, which is ok with me :)

Now it's back to work on some odd illustration jobs. In the meantime, here are a couple of sketches and drawings that I've done as of late. Follow the links if you'd like to purchase any of them!

Society6

Not for sale yet

Okay, now that I've bombarded you with all of this artwork I'm selling, I'm going to grab a beer and chill out for the evening (and maybe watch some Glee, shhhhh, don't tell).

Bicycle Accident and Shop Discount

2011-06-05T23:32:00.001-04:00

Sorry I've been so out of touch. I'd been planning to write an update awhile ago.......but then something happened, I got in a serious bike accident. I was pedaling my trusty steed home from work 12 days ago when a FedEx truck pulled out in front of me without warning. I smacked directly into the side of his vehicle, head first. I was immediately rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. I can piece together blurry moments from the incident to form a vague and choppy memory, but frankly, it's all pretty fuzzy. I know I was in the hospital being poked with needles while having x-rays taken of my brain. And I know I was terrified and feeling alone until my friends showed up and held my hands. I managed to escape the ER later that night with a concussion diagnosis. I hobbled away from the hospital with a swollen and purple face, 2 chipped teeth, a busted bicycle and a mixed feeling of relief and fear. I was smart enough to have been wearing my helmet during the accident, which probably saved my life that day (and if you don't own a brain bucket, I beg you to please go out and buy one! I swear, your hair will be fine). Recovery has not been fun. It's been awful, in fact, and will be a long and ongoing process. This is unlike anything I've ever experienced and hope to ever experience again. I'll spare you the pictures I took of my beat up face, but here you can see some of the damage to my bike.

Remember when she looked like this?

Soooo sweet. Aww. RIP Bianchi Volpe. You were a stellar ride.

I'm waiting until I feel comfortable to get on a bicycle again. But it will happen once I get over the fear. This accident has forever changed my approach to the roads.
I did buy a new helmet, though, since my last one has been compromised.

Purchasing the helmet was the easy part. I've been wearing it around the house. Baby steps.

As I slowly try to adapt to a new way of thinking and a new approach to life, I'm beginning to make some changes, life altering ones that I can only allude to here. You'll have to wait for the big news, sorry. Patience.

A lot of things have happened since the last time I wrote, but I don't have the brain power to go through all of it. So I'm just going to mention a couple things quickly, and then let you go ponder them.

It's almost Father's Day, and I have a new card in my etsy shop, yay!!! Take a look!

Father's Day is on the 18th, don't forget! And since you guys are so nice, and I appreciate you very much, I'm offering a 25% off coupon! Just enter the code "FRIENDS" at check out and you'll get a sweet discount. Don't forget to look at all my other nice things while you're there.

My last order of business is to show you the adorable tattoo I designed for my best girl, Lauren:

It's a silly little fox! The banner says, "she flies with her own wings" in Latin. It's the State of Oregon's motto, isn't it lovely? I'm fairly sure I live in the cutest place ever.

I'm leaving you with an elegant and beautiful music video from local band, Y La Bamba. Let it seep into your soul. Cheers!

LA and the Human Pyramids Show

2011-05-22T21:34:00.000-04:00

I got back from Los Angeles last week and I'm just now finding a minute to update the old blog. Here goes my picture heavy post...

The Human Pyramids art opening at AR4T in Laguna Beach was really fun! There was a fantastic turn out and all the patrons seemed to be having a good time drinking tequila and soaking up some culture, which is the whole point, right? I mean, besides selling stuff. That would be nice too. If you have any interest in either of my two pieces, let me know!! To see more photos of the event, click here. And to watch a brief video synopsis of the evening, go here. I'm the one in the pattern-y dress making the quickest little cameo ever. Enjoy!

The rest of my time in LA was spent catching up with friends and just being an all around silly person (surprise surprise). Here are some highlights:

The view from The Darling's kitchen is such a lovely thing to wake up to. Makes you rethink the beauty of Los Angeles.

One of my best friends, Lauren, high-tailed it down to LA with me in support of my endeavors. It was a perfect pairing.

Matthew and I don't get to see each other nearly enough, living in different cities. What a bunch of nonsense it is.

We spent one chilly evening around the outdoor fireplace in the courtyard. It was such a lovely sight.

One of my favorite parts of visiting during this time of year are the colorful blooming flowers, which are everywhere, and delightfully fragrant.

How incredible is this rose? It's like something out of Alice in Wonderland. So gorgeous.

My favorite gals in my arms. Love.

These delectable cupcakes hailed from Lark Bakery in Silverlake. They were so good! Moist, dense and flavorful. AND half of them were vegan. Pretty impressive.

Michael Hsiung, (who participated in the Human Pyramids show with me) and I hanging out at Intelligentsia Coffee on our last day in LA. It's so nice to have such talented art friends like him. He's an inspiration. And completely hilarious.

Now that I'm back in Portland I've got my nose to the grindstone. I'm working on some new project ideas, including this one I'm calling the "100 Dioramas Project."

This one is a bit of a prototype. I'm planning on making these slowly over the next several months and potentially finding a gallery to display them at. Each one will be a 3 inch square portraying a whimsical scene of some sort. Not sure how much I'll end up selling them for. Suggestions?

Beyond that, I also have a new print in my etsy shop that you should check out. It makes me smile. Let me know what you think. Hope it's a big seller.

Next time I'll be posting my new Father's Day card, so keep your eyes peeled for it (it's pretty cute).
Until then, have a great week, everyone!

Compound Gallery Show

2011-05-11T21:07:00.000-04:00

Good afternoon. I'm piping in real quick before I head down to Los Angeles tomorrow. I'm so excited for the Human Pyramids show, I can hardly stand it. We're going to have a jolly time, all of us. I'll be sure to recount the details when I return.

On another note, I added a few of my pieces to a lovely Portland gallery show last minute just a couple days ago. I was pleased as punch to be invited to put art on the walls of the Compound Gallery, and to share space with Yoko Furusho, who's storytelling artwork has a delightfully playful aesthetic. Her paintings draw me right in to the layers and layers of color and pattern. I could stare at them for hours.

My paintings hang in the entranceway to the gallery, pretty prime real estate, if I do say. Please go check them out this month, if you're around.

I went on a quick trip to a small town outside of Phoenix last weekend to visit my wonderful grandparents. They've lived in the same house since I was one. It's a very familiar place for me and inevitably feels like coming home every time I make it out there.

I have a special attachment to the baron and dry Arizona landscape.

I don't know if it's the vastness of it all, the rugged openness, the pink hues contrasting the dark shadows of the hills, or the peacefulness that it inspires inside of me.

Whatever it may be, I absolutely adore it.

And having my grandparents there is like icing on the cake. I love it all.

Since I'll be away from my shop for several days, I figured I would give a special offer to those of you who buy a card, print or original while I'm on vacation. If you head over to my etsy page and make a purchase anytime between today and Tuesday, May 17th, you'll receive a free gift in your package. Just a little "thanks" for your patience. All orders will be mailed out in a timely manner on Wednesday, May 18th. Merci!

I'm leaving you with the talent of Frank Fairfield. I saw him play at a local music venue two nights ago and he melted my face off with his incredible skills. If he comes to a town near you, don't hesitate a second. He must be seen.

I'm going back to LA and stuff!

2011-05-03T21:00:00.001-04:00

Hello there. Just chiming in quickly with a short post about some things that've been taking consuming some time these days.

I was commissioned to do a lovely Irish Ceili poster for one of my coworkers, Maldon, who teaches and performs Irish dancing in her own studio and beyond. You can find all her info here.
Not knowing much about Irish customs or traditions myself, it took a bit of research to come up with a clear image and direction in my mind. I'm pretty pleased with this vintage inspired poster I conjured up. And Maldon was thrilled as well. I love a happy client!

Another bit of exciting news is that I'm now selling 6 different card designs at 4 New Seasons Market locations in Portland. This transaction came about awhile ago, but they finally put them out on the floor a few days ago at my local store.

All my little ducks in a row!

With a couple scattered about elsewhere. I sure do like the "Thank You" card. Which one's your favorite?

In other news, in just over a week I'll be heading down to Los Angeles for the big Human Pyramids Collective opening at AR4T!

Please come by if you live in the area! It's going to be super fun. We have some great sponsors, including Juxtapoz Magazine, Ambiguous Clothing and Marquez de Valencia Tequila! A good time is sure to be had. In the meantime, I plan to sit by the pool and work on my tan.

In other semi-related news, I'm now a part of this fantastic artist community called Artflakes! It's very similar to Society6, but it's based in Europe. There are some incredible artists represented and I'm pleased as punch to have my profile up there. So head on over and have a look if you'd like!

Oh hey, and while you're at it, pop in and see what's new in my Society6 shop! Don't forget, they have iPhone cases and laptop skins too!

Okay, I think that's enough self promotion for now. I'm going to leave you with a song by someone I suddenly have a giant music crush on. He sings wonderful things. I present to you, Joe Pug. Listen closely to the lyrics. Lovely. Just lovely.

Well, That Happened

2011-04-22T09:51:00.000-04:00

I've been back from New York for approximately 2 weeks already. I can't believe it! Time is moving at light speed, and I can't seem to keep track of it. I've been super busy since the moment I set foot on Oregon asphalt. And as much as I want to report in depth on my travels to the Big Apple, I'm not sure I have it in me. I have the energy level of a sloth right now, and the brain capacity to match. I'm going to post some memorable pictures to titillate your eyeballs, but I won't be adding a lot of context (sorry). So, here goes!

The view from Ksenya's apartment, of the Williamsburg bridge.

Breakfast at Diner with beautiful lads.

Fried Chicken Sandwich with rhubarb compote and soft boiled eggs.

The mill we stayed at in Poughkeepsie.

Strawberry Foccacia made by Liz.

Another view of the Mill with the water rushing past.

Wine exploring.

Breakfast at the Mill was always delicious. Made by Ksenya and Nathan.

Williamsburg.

Late night at Brooklyn Bowl.

Soft and fluffy doughnuts at Dough, Brooklyn. This was Lemon Poppy.

Lunch date with Rebecca in the Financial District. Incredible Crepes.

I saw this print at a cute little boutique in Bed-Stuy and fell in love with it. So charming.

Artwork by Katie Turner.

The end.

Immediately after I got back, I ventured out to Washington Square Mall out in Tigard for a super fun TOMS Shoes event called "Style Your Soul."

Sorry the images are so small, they were sent to me through email by Kelly, the woman who was running this great event. Basically, we were given instructions to paint something somewhat specific on each pair. It was fantastic, and I really enjoyed meeting other local artists. The next one will be this summer, I'll let you know the time and place as soon as it nears, just in case you're interested in some custom TOMS.

While I was on vacation, I was happily featured on this talented artist's blog, Edison Rex!

The feature is called "artist crush" and you can find the semi-fascinating interview here. While you're there, head on over to her shop and check out her wonderfully whimsical illustrations, you'll just love them, I swear.

Thank you so much, Maeg, for crushing on me :)

I completed this fun poster for my friends in Oh Darling right before heading for break and I thought I'd share it with you really quick:

I had so much fun with this poster. They're such great clients (and friends) because they let me do whatever I want. I love creative freedom. They're releasing their new album next week, so don't forget to look for it on itunes!!

And the final thing I'd like to share with you today is the new card I recently added to my etsy shop, just in time for Mother's Day!

This one goes to all the Moms out there who always keep their cupboards stocked, just in case. Thanks, Moms!

I'll be back to report on some other new developments later. Until then, I'll leave you with a song I've listened to every day for the last few weeks. Sea of Bees, "Wizbot." Enjoy, and have a super weekend!