What gets you through DECEMBER?

I feel a little guilty for not liking December. It's cold, for an already responsible person the demands ramp up, up, up. I'm an introvert & the ongoing activities drain me. I thought of a view of my favorite things in December- the one I keep on repeat!

Forgot one... please imagine a bright red amaryllis in this print. 

Happy Hanukkah

 

I made this image over twenty years ago and it still makes me happy! This was printed on kids placemats  with the option to be personalized with a name, sold through The Land of Nod for many years.

Wishing all those who celebrate, a very Happy Hanukkah! 🕯

Red Reindeer Forest

 

If ever I felt like I needed more light it is in the month of DECEMBER! The thing I like most about the holidays is that they are bright. Bring on the twinkly lights! 

For this print I wanted to focus on the color red, one of my favorites. I also wanted to include some surprising colors alongside it. Relying less heavily on the traditional red & green of Christmas. When I think forest, I think deer so of course I added a few of those too!

This print was sold to The Company Store. I think it be great for cozy flannel sheets. 

For the love of pink!

 

Hope the start of the holiday season has you feeling merry & bright! 

(No pressure, it is still early December- there is time.)

😅

This was a card for Design House Greetings. 

❅ ❅ ❅

Woke up to snow.... how apropos! Happy December 1st.

 

This one got turned into a wintery wishes card for Calypso.
 

 From one snow scene to another... here's the view from my studio window.

I don't love snow but I tell myself I'm in a snow globe and that helps! 

Grateful for being an artist

 

I painted this map over a year ago for a fabric collection. Earlier this month I pulled it back out and added a few more characters to it. I thought with all those buildings it needed a better sense of community.

Community-is what I associate with this time of the year. Gathering with friends and family in hopes of not only leaving with a full belly but also a full heart. (which in my opinion, feels even better)

I find my peace through making art. I like to gather inspiration from all around me. Easy to access everyday things can spark an idea. The other day I heard the Rolling Stones, Wild Horses. With this time of year, it got me thinking about wild turkeys. (which roam my parent's neighborhood) This piece came from that thought.

 

Wild turkeys, couldn't drag me away.

Wild, wild horses, may you find them one day.

 

Being an artist is fun yet taxing, you need to keep your eyes, ears, and heart open! 

Hope you're feeling open to all the wonder, community and beauty that comes with this time of the year. 

 

Fall field of flowers.

 

I wish I had this pattern on napkins for my Thanksgiving table!

Just a splash of color is all you need on a table towering with food. 

Original art at Artfully Walls

Gift giving season is here! I have two one-of-a kind pieces available at Artfully Walls in their Original Art capsule. Autumnology is watercolor painted on Arches cold press paper and is a folksy homage to fall.

 Dinosaur delight is acrylic on canvas with a fluorescent orange pop. I’m pretty sure everyone loves flowers, including dinosaurs!

 Both pieces come framed.

If you're looking for something less expensive... I have a Circus Menagerie 

(which would be the cutest in a nursery)

 and I Think I Can printed on fine art paper.

Who couldn't use a boost of self belief?

 

 

Unraveling

Unfortunately, I'm a worrier. Right now I have multiple uncertain things in my life. 

I guess we all do in one way or another.

I often paint in a sketchbook at night to relax. I've found myself painting lots of things in boxes lately. 

It gives me a sense of control.  Feels safe- plus, it looks pretty! 

This is what I came up with last night. I found comfort in thinking that many of the things on my mind right now will most likely have answers or at least some insight with just a little time.

Until then, there is tea! 

3 Good Things

 

Forgot to add LOVE, that's an important one!

💓  🔷  🟡

Dia de los Muertos

 While I'm not Mexican I live in a neighborhood with a wonderful Mexican community and over the years here I've come to appreciate and anticipate the cultural events in the fall. Mattie Rhodes community center has a big Dia de los Muertos celebration the starts late October and ends the first week of November with a night parade. Which I can't wait for.

This year they did an altar at the Crossroads Hotel K.C. which was beautiful!

 I've long been looking for way to re-frame the concept of death and I like the ritual of welcoming our loved ones back for a night of remembrance and celebration. Keeping memories alive and paying respect to those we love fills me with some relief. The gone forever concept is a lot to take. Even before I felt this way my art has wandered into the motifs, colors and symbols of life, and love.

*Marigolds are a symbol of passion and creativity! 

Perk up!

 

Drink it, draw it there's, something about coffee I never tire of.  ☕

NOVEMBER

 I made a patchwork pattern piece in my sketchbook in colors I associate with the month of November.

Patchworks are a great layout for playing with color. 

🍂 

Happy Halloween!

 HOORAY for Halloween or should I say BOORAY! Hope you have fun out there tonight!

(Spread from Hello, World! From Seed to Pumpkin with a few extra costume friends.) 

Mystic Pumpkins

 

It feels like a personal victory when I'm able to limit my color palette! 

TADA!

The perfect pumpkin parade 🎃

 

Just incase you plan to carve a pumpkin this weekend. Here are a few ideas!

(This is art I made for PB Kids Halloween tableware years ago.) 

Ghost transportation

 

The strangest things come out of me in October. Somehow I was thinking that maybe ghosts come from tail pipes? We all know exhaust isn't good. 

 

 This one was in an old sketchbook. I'm not sure what they are wailing but I know it is a cold, damp night. The kind that you makes you wonder will you ever see the sun? (dramatic, YES but I don't imagine ghosts are even keeled) 👻

 

HELLO, WORLD! Space Box Set

 

 

 Earlier this week a new Hello, World! Solar System boxed set launched! To celebrate I’m offering a GIVEAWAY to one lucky winner. Perfect for little ones interested in space this set includes Solar System, (my very first book in the Hello, World! series) Moon Landing, Planet Earth, as well as Rockets and other Space Machines. This 4 pack- sets you up to learn about planets, a trip to the moon, our home planet, and the machines it takes to explore the solar system.  🚀

 

 

To enter leave a comment on my Instagram post about what planet you’d like to explore more.

I’m fascinated by Saturn and its icy rings and many moons! 

*A winner will be selected (at random) on October 31st.

 

This boxed set makes a great gifts for the holidays, a birthday, or a baby shower. 

Hello, World! BAKING

 

DING! My new HELLO, WORLD! book BAKING is out today. To celebrate I’m offering a book GIVEAWAY. Enter by letting me know what is your favorite baked good to make with your little one. My favorite, cupcakes! They’re quick, pretty, and just the right size. I’ll pick a winner (at random) on October 27th. 

This early learning board book covers baking utensils, ingredients, an array of treats made in the oven. I hope it inspires a baking session with the little one in your life. 🍪 🧁 🥧 📖 💛

Happy October

 

Bring on the pumpkins! 🎃

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!