Friday fun!

 

I brought us breakfast!

I don't paint a lot of food but baked goods are another story. 😉 

September branches

 

  

From sketchbook to finished piece to that crisp fall feeling. I can see a new season taking shape!

🌈 🐓

 

I'd like to have this rainbow rooster in the middle of a big ceramic bowl or a breakfast plate.

I drew this with watercolor pencils and gave it a grey cut paper wing. 

The start of September.

This week I’ve started to notice some signs of  fall. The sun lower in the sky in the morning and night, cicadas dotting the sidewalks, squirrels a bit busier than they were last month and mornings when I need a jacket.  At the shift of seasons I’m able to move out of my usual more multi colored palette and focus on a more limited color look. 

 

I’m also seeing lots of acorns which I find so charming! (they feel good to hold in your hands)

Hello, World! Kids' Guides EXPLORING SHARKS

 

To extend the summer vibes I thought I’d share Hello, World! Exploring Sharks. (published in 2022) Going into this book I’ll admit I didn’t know much about sharks, except for thinking they’re scary! After a couple months of research, I began to have a whole new understanding and appreciation of these fascinating fish. The book explores a sampling of sharks from whale sharks to mini sharks, information on prehistoric sharks, (can you imagine) shark relationships with other animals, and careers for shark loving kids to aspire to!

Here's a couple spreads so you can get an idea of the word count and aged up facts on each page.

*Did you know that a group of sharks is called a shiver.

Here's a pile of sharks I painted for this book.

Did I mention it was selected by Amazon as one of the best picture books in 2022 for ages 3-5.

Even with my new wealth of knowledge, I won’t be cage diving anytime soon!

Splish, splash, snuggle!

 Little Sleepies commissioned me to make a new print called Splish, splash, that is now available.

I tried to pack these little duckies with personality & you can keep the bathtime fun going long after the tub drains!

This print is available in an array of styles and sizes. Even pajama pants for adults– you can check it all out here. 💛 🫧 💦

Back to School

 

Back to school season is here! My son started his senior year of high school which brings up all sorts of feelings! I have a fun A-Z print in my Etsy shop that tip toes into the educational zone. This one isn’t in my usual rainbow palette but don’t worry R is for rainbow!

Here’s to a great school year for all the kiddos K-12th. And a BIG thank you to the teachers! 🌟

Pumpkin Pals

 

Cozier weather is on the way and today Little Sleepies introduced Pumpkin Pals (a print I designed) to their fall lineup. Pumpkins, warm cider, crunchy leaves, busy squirrels, and a cool breeze it won’t be long now! 

For your little pumpkin! 

Okay, how CUTE is this baby. I might need a new screensaver!

Flying rainbows!

 🦜

I love color and these tropical birds look like little flying rainbows.

Soaking up every last bit of summer while I still can!

Hope you had a good weekend.

Flying by...

 

summer! 🎈

Hello, World! Kids' Guides Exploring INSECTS 🐜

 

This picture book has my favorite endpapers in it.

 

 

As summer starts to wind down, I'm paying closer attention to all the the insects I encounter each day.

I find them in the garden,

on the pavement,

 and twinkling in the early night sky!

 

 

If you like me enjoy insects and are curious about learning more 

Hello, World! Kids’ Guide Exploring Insects might be for you.

Colorful pages full of crawling, flying, and burrowing insects with lots of 

fun facts are waiting for you to explore! 

🐛 (age range 3-7 years) 🦗

 

It's August...

Summer seems to fly by and after a short reprieve, it’s warming up again! Here are some popsicles with pizazz! I like that in the U.K. they're called icelollies. My current favorite flavor is tart cherry ice.

 

Flower child

 

Every Monday during July I've been part of a watercolor collage class. I try to take different classes every summer to tap into new techniques or explore new color palettes. This helps me bring a more thought-out approach to trying something different with client work. Evolving as an artist is up to them & it's easy to fall into the pocket of what you feel comfortable in & never climb back out.

My art has always been loose & I'm trying to lean into that even more! I try to not over think what I make & for me the purest way is to feel my way through each phase. (beginning, middle, end) It's a fun exercise in trusting yourself and seeing where that goes.

Last Monday I woke and the first thing that caught my eye were the bright red geraniums in my flower box. I knew I spend the day cutting, painting and drawing flowers.

Favorite things...

 

I like to draw animals and shapes.

 Put them together & I'm perfectly pleased!

(Also, a fan of bright color but you probably know that about me by now.)

Solar Explorers 🪐

 

Little Sleepies purchased my Solar Explorers print for their 2025 back to school collection.

I love seeing how they apply art I make to their cozy, soft, product assortment. You can blast off into fun by checking it all out here!

How cute is this dress? As much as I love flowers it's so refreshing to see other fun, fresh prints (like this) on a dress!

Soft twin sheet sets, a crib sheet and cloud blanket are part of the assortment as well.

I needed to end with this guy! I just can't get over how darn sweet toddler proportions are.

Ooh, aah, gasp!

 

Hope you have a fantastic 4th of July! 

I just love this time of the year.

Okay, it's hot!

 

Refreshments anyone?

This is a painting (acrylic, gouache, and a scratching technique with a pen) that I made about 20 years ago. It was purchased by Garnet Hill & I'm not sure what ever became of it? I found the digital scan of it recently & thought this is a perfect image for the heat wave half the country is going through! 

Also, I can't remember the last time I had fruit punch? 🍓 🍋 🍒 🍍 🍇 ❓

Time to hydrate!

 

Sipping up summer and trying to remember to hydrate.... holy smokes it's hot out!

(but I kind of love it ☀️)

Father's Day

 

 

 

A great dad is such a gift! Let’s hear it for all the father figures sharing their love, patience, and everlasting support for little or big ones in their lives.

⭐ 💟 ◭ ⭕ ✌ 🌞

Summer is about new experiences and expanding your horizons. (when you can) This week my son is at camp at a college campus out of state. (proud mom moment) This made me think about earning badges through mastering a skill or trying something new which then made me think of how much I love the decorative patches kids can earn in the scouts! While I wasn’t a girl scout (but a brownie for a short time) I’m a longtime admirer of these pretty patches and the will to try something new.

Shout-out to anyone expanding their horizons this week!