Whirl-winded and finding my way back to grounded😌

Hi, Reader!

It's comical how many times I have to refrain from writing "what a whirlwind" when I write these emails and apologize for sending my "weekly" email a month (and then some) late, but gosh, I just don't know how the weeks fly by so fast. Hello hello nonetheless🙃

Speaking of not speaking of whirlwinds, my creative musing this week is Wicked/Oz-inspired...
I can't tell if I'm the aftermath of the "whirlwind" aka the witch flattened beneath the house or if I'm Dorothy swirling and whirling on her way to a new, magical land. I think the past few months have taught me that I can be both at the very same time. But I've also been learning how exhausting and emotionally taxing it is to hold both things at once. I'm so grateful for all the new doors opening to me this year AND I'm struggling to keep ahold of myself amidst all the recent changes in my life.

So I ask myself and I ask you, Reader, how can you build a creative practice that helps you find authenticity and stability amidst change?

I'm still working out the answer but I think I've got a good start just by asking myself the question. Here's to looking forward and opening back up to art as a way to move through grief and change rather than just distract myself from it😌

Studio Tidings

WORK

I am elated to share that one of my favorite projects to date is finally launching: a Cowgirl Collection for Gibbs Smith will be available to purchase on 6/23!

"From bold bookmarks and collectible buttons to playful stickers, totes, and giftable keepsakes, our Cowgirl Collection is filled with Western charm, adventurous spirit, and heartfelt style. Designed for readers, dreamers, and modern-day cowgirls, each piece brings a little wild heart energy to everyday life."

Kicking my boots and tossing my hat as I share this fun collection🤠

Peruse it here!

And don't forget to ask your favorite local gift stores to stock it so you can peruse in person✨

PLAY

In my grad program (how was that already 5 years ago??!), we were taught to explore illustration as a practice not just a career. A big part of that involved diving into a multitude of mediums and methods and it got me fascinated by wood working + illustration in 3 (or 4?) dimensions. Four years ago, just after I graduated, I drew this pug and sent out my design to be woodcut so I could paint it and turn it into a clock. It has been sitting, stopped in time, for years because I couldn't get the clock part to work but I *finally* dug into it recently and am loving working to the tick-tock of my pug clock🐶

LATELY

May was a wild month and I have oodles of news. Here are some highlights in a nutshell:

I've been accepted to the Milkwood Residency for Writers and Illustrators and I'll be spending the first half of this month in New York researching, painting, writing, and making picture books. Can't wait to share all my treasures from it all next month!👏
(Photo above is courtesy of Milkwood Farm)
New book announcement!! Scroll this email for more details😜
I finished my first cable-knit sweater (vest) and I think anyone who has spent hours knitting knows that's big news🙃