Ever since I was little, I used to play Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on loop all the year through… Things haven’t changed much since then.
Book Cover: Little Women
The month of March has me thinking of these strong, independent, and loving March sisters. I have and always will love Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel “Little Women”
So as the strong March winds blow, cuddle in with the March’s adventures and fall in love with their family, as I have.
p.s. It’s no surprise that Jo is my favorite. Hands down. No contest. Just saying.
This being the month of March, I thought it was the perfect time to illustrate the famous March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel Little Women. This story has always been full of happy, fond memories for me, even as a little girl gathered around my grandmother’s living room, all of the women and even the little women of my happy family, watching the story unfold of the 1994 version.
Of course the book was always on the shelf as well, and waiting for me to grow and read it. Which I did as a young woman.
And yes, I do identify with Jo March the most. I do picture myself as her. And I’m not even going to hide that she is my favorite. I love Jo.
Sew Much Love
I’ll be the first to admit I am a member of the “Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve” club. Just like this little wolf and loving motherly owl. So I’m in good company!
A Little Help From Your Friends
Here’s to a new year, and to those near and dear, who help us reach our aspirations, goals and dreams!
Happy Twenty Nineteen, everyone!
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This event is always the official start to Thanksgiving morning and the holiday season! There’s nothing better than spending time with those you cherish most watching giant balloons, cheerful clowns, confectionery floats and ending with Mr. C. himself.
Macy’s, I do indeed BELIEVE!
Friends Not Food
Friends Not Food
These two are hoping that this Thanksgiving you’ll pass the tofu turkey!
Awkward Thanksgiving Dinners
Awkward Thanksgiving Dinners
This is going to be awkward… Fortunately for me, I love my Thanksgiving dinners! And there’s never any of that uncomfortable silence these two seem to be having.
Commission: Happy Together
Happy Together // Commissioned Work:
I had the most fun depicting this sweet gal & her beau as their favorite animal: The Collie.
(A fun note: That lovely Lassie (sorry couldn’t help myself!) is wearing a designer dress from the most adorable fashion line of prairie dresses by Batsheva Hay recently featured in Vogue, The Guardian & The New Yorker)
Also here are their two donkey friends, Frances & Damascus. They most certainly are, Happy Together!
Treats For Tricks
Treats for Tricks watercolor on paper
Busy about new circus tricks, who needs a "Flea Circus" when you have your own beetle?
Mother Goose: Little Bo Peep
Mother Goose: Little Bo Peep watercolor on paper
She may have lost them in the past, but this Little Bo Peep is full of gumption and confidence, and sure of herself; she's keeping a close eye on her flock. Friends stick together after all.
Tribute: JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH - Book Cover
James & the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl - Book Cover Tribute
What happens when you combine an orphaned boy, a spider, centepeed, inch-worm, lady bird, glow worm, grasshopper, and one oversized fruit? Genius.
This is another tribute book cover I did to one of my all time favorite adventures. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl (originally published in 1961 by Alfred A. Knopf)
You can bet his wicked old aunts are up in that rickety house planning some kind of no-good and mean schemes. But for me, that round fruit full of typography left me suddenly wishing for bowls full of peaches and cream.
The Key to My Heart
The Key to My Heart 7"x7" original watercolor painting
So excited to announce that Arboretum's opening reception is happening tonight @ Light Grey Art Lab.
The collections include Arboretum: An exhibition about botany: genetics, enchanted forests and designed garden spaces. We are excited to celebrate our experiences in nature and discovery. In addition to the Arboretum exhibition, we will have featured exhibitions, Resurgence a artisanal exhibition about the return of vibrance, The Flush of Spring a collection of work about change, flux, and energy, and Campfire Comics and Stories is a 26page Risograph comic published by Dennis Madamba and Kyle Harabedian and featuring the work of 13 illustrators.
I am so thrilled to have my original painting of The Key to My Heart included into this enchanting collection. And this gallery's just another good reason to love and admire the midwest. The exhbition will be on display from March 23rd through April 20th!
Humpty Dumpty: Had a Great Fall
Humpty Dumpty: Had a Great Fall watercolor on paper
"Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall,
All the King's horses and all the King's men,
Couldn't put Humpty together again." -Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
In the last picture we saw Humpty Dumpty in all of his vanity, he was clearly head-over-heels for himself. Now he's head over heels, over and over, again as he tumbles down from his high opinion of himself (not to mention that towering wall!)
Charlotte's Web: Then & Now
This cherished copy of Charlotte's Web was a surprise present from my parents when I was just eight years old. I'm so over-the-moon-happy to have this first edition copy of E. B. White's classic from 1952 by Harper Collins.
You're never too old to enjoy reading a children's book, and trust me, they only get better the older you get. They really do improve with age!
Here's my well loved copy, next to my book cover tribute to this favorite story of mine!
Coming Soon: The Key to My Heart Original
Packed up and shipped off, this little lass has flown the coop and is offically on her way to Light Grey Art Lab Gallery's: Arborteum Exhibition! And I suppose that makes me an empty-nester now...
Tribute: CHARLOTTE'S WEB - Book Cover
"CHARLOTTE'S WEB" by E. B. White - Book Cover
My favorite place to sift through books is- and always has been- in the children's book section of any library or bookstore I stumble into. Last summer my sweet mother started re-reading E. B. White's classic story of Charlotte's Web aloud to my family (my dad, my brother and I) Other than be the luckiest to have that sort of tradition with my family still going on - especially in this digital day and age. I have fallen, once again for Wilbur and Mr. White's world.
Originally published in 1952 by Harper & Row (now Harper Collins) It is still just as sweet, enduring, timeless, and beloved today.
This book cover is my tribute to the talented author and his immortal characters.
Light Grey Art Lab Gallery: Arboretum
So, my last few weeks of winter have been spent painting green things and not being able to hardly wait for this to happen! My many thanks to LGAL for inviting me to partake in all of this nature-y goodness. I'll have an original painting on display there March 23rd - April 20th!
Gallery WIP: Light Grey Art Lab
A little progress photo on a spring friend. She's going to be part of Light Grey Art Lab's Show: ARBORETUM
So very thrilled to have been invited to participate in this collection of pieces revolving around botany: genetics, enchanted forests and designed garden spaces
The finished painting will be on display beginning on March 10th.
Remember to think on spring-y thoughts!
Spring Has Sprung
Spring Has Sprung watercolor on paper
Thoughts of spring are blooming in my mind, and it has already sprung up in my heart. Something tells me that the Easter Bunny might just like a fancy little smock, so I painted one for her and handed her a bouquet.
Cat's Unhappy Valentine's Day
Cat's Unhappy Valentine's Day watercolor on paper
Sometimes you just don't feel like celebrating little cupids, hearts, and warm-fuzzy feelings. This grumpy cat knows just how you feel, and he's not gonna take it anymore.