Winter Events

This post is an ENORMOUS thank you to everyone who came out and bought artwork, cards, or ornaments from me this past holiday season. I left my wonderful day job in September to work as an artist full time. This can be a super unpredictable career, but I feel so supported by all of you!

Here's a look at just a few of the events from November and December:

This one could be it's own post... it was a big one! I set up a shop with 4 other members of the Independent Makers of Philadelphia at Philadelphia's Christmas Village. We were in a special "Handmade in Philadelphia section". The market lasted from the week before Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.

Here's the beautiful setting:

Here are a few more photos from December events. There were a ton more, but how many pictures of my table do you need to see? Sometime I'll have to post a tour of what my set up looks like for indoor and outdoor events, and what fixtures/ display items I use.

Last Call Holiday Haul at Philadelphia Brewing Co.

Punk Rock Flea Market at Bok

Go West Craft Fest at the beautiful Rotunda

Wolves and Bison

Here's another design for Groundswell Greetings. I loved drawing these wolves!

Here's a closer look:

 

And here's a look at the preliminary drawing. I did change the design. The wolves would have been too small on the card with my original plan:

Unlike the bighorn sheep, I have been lucky enough to see wolves in real life. The photos below are from the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone this past September. I added the arrows to point out the wolves. It was very easy to watch them with binoculars or a scope, but harder to see in a photograph. You can see the elk they were hunting in the river of the first picture.

Photo by Zachary Gillespie

Photo by Zachary Gillespie

I've also seen too many bison to count! So, of course I had to paint a bison card too.

Here's the preliminary drawing:

And some excellent bison photos by Zack. Baby bison are called red dogs:

Photo by Zachary Gillespie

Photo by Zachary Gillespie

Bighorn Sheep Card

When I was asked to design cards inspired by animals, conservation and national parks by Groundswell Greetings, I knew that I had to draw some bighorn sheep! 

Here's closer look:

Here's the preliminary drawing:

Do you see what I changed?

The closest I have come to seeing a bighorn sheep in person is the diorama at the Academy of Natural Sciences here in Philly, but I've spent LOTS of time looking. 

I know I've been near sheep... I've even seen their tracks in snow on Mount Washburn in Yellowstone, but I haven't been able to spot them.  My boyfriend Zack and I have seen lots of signs like this:

But still no sheep sightings!

Here's just a few of the places I've tried:

Arches National Park... Hey look! Sheep!

Zack looking in Canyonlands National Park

Bighorn National Forest... that's me, not sheep

Bighorn National Forest... they've got to be here!

Baronette Peak, Yellowstone. No Sheep, but we saw mountain goats

Mount Washburn, Yellowstone. We saw sheep prints in the snow

Death Canyon, Grand Teton National Park. I looked at these rocks with binoculars for ages!

Death Canyon, Grand Teton National Park. I'd seriously live here if I were a sheep.

I know I'll see them someday! I just have to take more trips.

Summer Update

It's been a busy summer!

Starting in June, I've been stocked by VIX Emporium in West Philadelphia. If you're in the neighborhood, stop by to see all of the great hand made items in this wonderful store.

I participated in Phair on July 5th with Yvonne of By Yivvie. She makes the cutest stuffed toys; you can find them on Etsy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/yivviepants . It was fun to be in Headhouse Square on fourth of July weekend... Philly is really into Independence Day!

Last weekend I was honored to be part of the line up for the Art Star Pop-up Market at the very new Spruce Street Harbor Park. This park is one of the most exciting things to come to Philly this summer. There are some pictures below, but you should really visit because they don't do it justice.

I'm going to be at the Art Star Pop-Up Market again on Saturdays, August 9th and 16th. There's a market every week this summer; you can see who's vending at www.artstarphilly.com/popup .

Although I've been busing printing, filling orders, and going to events, I haven't made enough time for drawing! I'm hoping to have more new work posted in August; stay tuned!

Hedgehog Tea Party

Hedgehog Tea Party, watercolor and graphite on Rives BFK, 8x10", 2014.

I'm going to be an aunt (again!). I already have two wonderful nephews, now I'm going to have a niece! I just went to my younger sister's baby show, and gave this illustration as a gift. There will be a matching one soon, so stay tuned.

Spring Update

I've been busy this spring! So busy, that I just realized today I haven't updated my blog for a while. I wanted to share what I've been up to for the past month.

I have two wonderful new stockists here in Philadelphia.

In Old City, my products are available in the new store, Philadelphia Independents. They're located at 35 N 3rd St. The pictures below were taken at their grand opening last Friday:

In South Philadelphia, I'm stocked by Knack. They're located at 1726 E Passyunk Ave. East Passyunk is full of lots of great shops and restaurants, and is one of my favorite parts of Philadelphia.

I had the opportunity to participate in two really fun craft markets.

On May 3rd I went to Go West Craft Fest in The Woodlands in West Philadelphia. The setting was absolutely beautiful! There were a ton of people, great vendors, and live music all day long.

On April 26th I participated in Crafty Balboa April Showers. This was in conjunction with Flavors of the Avenue, and was right in my neighborhood on East Passyunk. I couldn't have asked for a better day!

Currently, I have some original work hanging up in Gleaners Cafe and Gallery right in the Italian Market. If you go, make sure to order a "Baby's Mama" ... that's a bagel sandwich with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and pesto mayo...mmmmm!

Upcoming Events:

• If you are going to the Art Star Craft Bazaar this weekend, be sure to visit the Art Dept at booth #3. They'll have some of my stuff, as well as other great handmade goods from Philly artists.
• I'll be at Phair on July 5th sharing a space with the wonderful By Yivvie ... Philadelphia's the best place to be on Fourth of July weekend; come say hello!

Miniature Cats

I'm not a cat lover. I know that's horrible to say on the internet since everyone is obsessed with cats. I'm allergic to them, and I just don't trust them... they make mean faces at me.

My sister, however, has two cats and loves them. I drew her tiny portraits of her cats, FDR and Cliff Lee, for her birthday. The photo below is one of the preliminary drawings so you can see the scale.

Happy Birthday, Emily!!

My Workspace

I recently signed up for ArtHouse Co-op's "Encyclopedia of Workspaces" They are collecting photos of work spaces from all over the world. I love to look at photos of work spaces... not the kind that would be in a magazine or decorating blog, but real, used work spaces.

I live in a house with five other people, so my workspace and bedroom share a room. The space might seem small to other people, but it works perfectly for me! 

The chart above is from Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. I haven't really posted on my blog much lately, I feel like every project I've been working on has been stuck on "Dark Night of the Soul".  I figured this "Encyclopedia of Workspaces" project was great to participate in because it's simple to complete, and it would get me moving. There are a bunch of other really great, free Arthouse Co-op projects on www.sketchbookproject.com. If you are an artist, photographer, writer, or just looking for something to do, sign up for one!