Friends Not Food
These two are hoping that this Thanksgiving you’ll pass the tofu turkey!
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!
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.
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!
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.
Apple Dog
Apple Dog 11"x14" watercolor on paper
A painting I did of my brother and his sweet black dog Molly- her favorite treats are apples. This is precisely how I wanted to capture them forever, singing to one another, and sharing in one of their famous adventures.
The Family Fox
The Family Fox 11"x14" watercolor on paper
I just loved creating this for a family who commissioned me. Had the funnest time putting these wonderful personalities into fox men, women and children! You can see their great many interests, and hobbies represented, and I am sending many thanks to them for asking me to create this special house warming gift.
p.s.
The funnest fact about this entire piece? The new owner's last name is Fox!
Original - Farmer O'Hare & Bonnie Bunny: The Morning Chores
Farmer O'Hare & Bonnie Bunny: The Morning Chores 12"x10" watercolor on paper
Taking care of their farm friends. One of many new illustrations coming into my shop this week! Farm life at its sweetest.
Farmer O'Hare & Bonnie Bunny: Original
Farmer O'Hare & Bonnie Bunny 12"x10" watercolor on paper
These two rabbit farmers are my favorites! If you'd like to see the on your walls, I just put them up in my shop. You can give them a home, here!
Farmer O'Hare & Bonny Bunny: The Morning Chores
Farmer O'Hare & Bonny Bunny: The Morning Chores 12"x10" watercolor on paper
A glimpse into the charming country life of Farmer O'Hare & Bonny Bunny. I'm convinced there could be no sweeter homestead than theirs.
A Sneak-Peek Bunny Sketch
Sharing a few bunny thoughts before Easter. Feeling very spring-y this week.
{Painted version coming tomorrow!}
Happy Valentine's Day: Froggie Went a-Courtin'
Froggie Went a-Courtin' 8"x10" watercolor & ink on paper
Miss Mousie has a pleasant surprise waiting for her outside of her front door. Froggie has come a calling for her hand, with a bouquet of waterlilies. It seemed so appropriate for a Valentine's theme, and being animals I couldn't help myself.
Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day- whether that means sharing the day with a sweetheart, a friend, family, a loyal pet, or extending some love to the natural world around us. Even if there might not be a frog outside your door with a bunch of posies, I hope today has a few special surprises for you as well! ♥ ❤
Making Friends with Furry Friends: Hello
Making Friends with Furry Friends: Hello 9"x11" watercolor and ink on paper
Greetings. Hello. Salutations. How-do-you-do. Bonjour. Ciao. Howdy. No matter how you say it, there's nothing quite as nice as saying hello to a friend.
These two are becoming acquainted over a fence post; and I'm sure that it won't be long before the little girl will be sharing some goodies from her basket with her new pals.
High Tea
High Tea 5"x7" watercolor on paper
I have had quite a few tea parties, and enjoy a ritual of tea every day - often more than twice! - and so I know precisely how my little mouse friend feels. Here is her miniature accompanying story:
Celia Mousekins has a great fondness for two treats, sugar cubes and Earl Grey tea. Here she has combined the two pleasures in one, and gives it a stir, as she enjoys a mouse sized version of High Tea.
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Dollhouse 5"x7" Watercolor & gouache on paper
Oh to be a few inches tall, then you could crawl into the walls of a miniature dollhouse! That is where the town mouse makes his home in the city, within the toy house of the little children who live in the building he takes shelter in. It makes for very lavish mouse-size living quarters, and I am a bit jealous of them!
The country mouse seems to be a bit uneasy and awkward as she stands atop the table holding her china plate. A cup has fallen on the floor and shattered amid the hustle and bustle of city life. This is perhaps my favorite of the two paintings, mostly due to the awkward positions they take while sitting at the miniature toy table.
This Aesop's fable was such a fun thing to interpret, but they were also a present to my Mother for her birthday as we have always called her and her sister "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse". My mother is a country mouse, and I am as well. Although, I could be tempted to take up residence in a local dollhouse if one could be provided or I could find a drink similar to Alice's when she shrunk in Wonderland. Keep me posted if you come across anything of that nature!
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Blackberries
The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Blackberries 5"x7" Watercolor & gouache on paper
I have been working on a companion set of paintings to illustrate the classic Aesop's Fable, The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse. The first one takes a peek though the briers and brambles into the modest abode of a little country field mouse. She has invited her well-to-do cousin, who lives in town, to visit her. He happens to arrive during blackberry season, and so he is just in time to partake in the art of preserving the harvest in the form of jams & jellies. Glancing over his shoulder, spoon in hand, he is looking to his cousin for instructions on the recipe.
I will admit that I am a bit of a country mouse myself. Nothing like having bare feet in the grass reading a book, or snacking on wild fruit.
In the next illustration (coming soon!) she will be visiting her cousin's home in town.
Rambling Jack Rabbit
Rambling Jack Rabbit 7"x7" Watercolor, gouache & ink on paper
Rambling Jack has wanderlust and loves a good adventure. Most rabbits are content to stay in their woods and fields, but Jack is on his way to see the world. Right now he is going to visit his Aunt Hattie and three little cousins, Elliot, Rose, and Buttons.
He's asking directions from a local owl, as Jack had heard they are supposed to be very wise.
A Wise Old Owl
A detail of an illustration featuring a rabbit with wanderlust, (as previously promised).
Here's the wise old owl he's asking directions from.