Jimmy & Zac

I painted this plate as a wedding gift for two of my best friends in the whole wide world, illustrator Jimmy Malone and fine artist/teacher Zac Lawhon. I wanted to make something to commemorate their marriage that could look pretty on a wall if they wanted but could also be utilitarian. I included images of them as well as images and symbols that remind me of them, including MICA pre-college lanyards from the summer we all met.

To make this I went to a paint-your-own-pottery place for the first time since I was a kid. It was a lot of work but I had so much fun doing this! There is something so gratifying about painting all these layers of glaze and not knowing quite what it will look like, then having it fired and seeing everything in its smooth, fully-saturated glory. I fully intend to go back and paint some more pottery. Someone should commission me to paint a commemorative plate!

Blooms of Nigeria

I was disgusted and heartbroken when I heard about the recent kidnapping of nearly 300 girls from their school in Nigeria. That's why when my friend and former MICA instructor, Rebecca Bradley, contacted me to see if I would be interested in doing something for the girls through illustration, I was eager to see what we could do. Together we came up with Blooms of Nigeria, an online tribute gallery to spread awareness and show solidarity with the missing girls and the people of Nigeria.

Blooms of Nigeria logo

We have reached out to 180 female artists to create flowers for each of the 180 missing girls whose names have so far been released to the public. We're only a few days into the project but so far there are already dozens of beautifully illustrated flowers on the site! I'm so excited by the talented artists who have agreed to participate in the project!

My flower for Tabitha

Obviously what has happened to these girls is a big problem, and what we're doing is a very small gesture. My dream is that all of the missing girls will be brought home safe and sound and know that they were not forgotten, that people all over the world cared for them while they were gone and still care for their futures. I want for these girls to be able to go back to school, where they will blossom into intelligent and compassionate leaders of tomorrow. If this is also your dream, I hope that you will consider donating an organizations such as  Girl Rising, which is helping to provide education for girls in Africa and around the world.

You can follow Blooms of Nigeria on Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter.

Happy Easter!

Sorry I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday before running off to a family gathering. I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday!

St. Patrick and the Snakes

Happy St. Patrick's Day, friends! Among other things, St. Patrick is famous for driving all of the snakes out of Ireland. 

Split Ends

I'm trying to get back into using old book pages as painting surfaces. I suspect that because the page already has some sort of composition and visual interest provided by the text, I then feel free to paint in a more expressive and spontaneous way than I would on a blank page. 

Bird Botanical

It's been a pretty harsh and dreary winter this year. Lately, I just can't get images of springtime out of my head!

This design is available on various products in my Society 6 shop, including prints, clocks, greeting cards, onesies, mugs, totes, hoodies, i-phone cases, and many more!

Let's Make Out!

Still need a Valentine for your crush or main squeeze? I've got you covered with this free printable. Click here to download!

Happy Valentine's Day, everybody! 

Jindo Rescue Calendar to the Rescue!

Love dogs and still in need of a 2014 calendar? Pick up this awesome 2014 Jindo Rescue Calendar! 100% of the money from sales goes to rescuing Jindos! I did the illustration for May and a number of my very talented friends and former classmates have also contributed pages.

The Spirits of Autumn

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Don't you just love that crisp scent in the air? The apple cider on the store shelves? The disappearance of mosquitos? I created this piece in celebration of all the things that make Autumn so wonderful.

Prints, laptop cases, mugs (ooOooh!) and more are available in the shop!

New Self-Portrait

I made this little self-portrait to use as a new avatar on the various social networks I feel societal pressure to belong to.