Tea Time!

Things are starting to settle down around here. Thatcher is about 3 1/2 months old and what a delight he is! Happy and social, he is a good eater and a great sleeper.

I keep saying we won the baby jackpot.

When I go in to get him in the morning, after he’s been soundly asleep for more than eight hours (I am amazed by this because my daughter slept so little in the beginning), he looks up at me with his big blue eyes and grins–and I swoon.

It is one of the highlights of my day.

Don’t get me wrong–it hasn’t been a cakewalk. Even babies that are easy are a lot of work. AND there is his sweet, spirited, big sister to run after–she hasn’t been sleeping nearly as well as he has. But I wouldn’t trade it…

I’m still not really working, but in between the diaper changing and the feedings, the piles of laundry, and the ever-present battle keep crayon masterpieces off of my furniture, I have been squeezing creative work in whenever I can.

I’m taking Lilla Rogers’ Assignment Bootcamp (which is a lot like her Make Art That Sells class that I took over the summer, but at a more leisurely pace). There is one assignment each month for about six months, ideal for honing my creative skills and generating new work for my portfolio.

This month, the assignment was to create a pattern for bolt fabric with a jello theme.

Jello..?? Really?

I struggled at first, until I decided that the jiggly, gelatinous dessert didn’t have to be the star. And then I was off and running…

I drew lots of fancy spoons. Which led to tea cups and tea pots. And decadent cakes. The image above was my final submission.

One of the best part about being in Lilla’s classes is the community. I have connected with artist from all over the world. Many of the participants are established illustrators who set the bar very high–making all of us better.

You can see what my classmates came up with in the public gallery (mine is on page 5, fifth row down on the right).

Who knew jello could be so much fun?

 

 

The Year Ahead

Color is one of my very favorite things. And this time of year doesn’t disappoint.

My daughter goes to daycare two mornings a week and weather permitting, I usually ride my bike, pulling her in her trailer to “school.” This morning on my way home, I had to pull over and take the picture above. The leaves looked like they were lit from within, and with Boulder’s famed Flatirons in the background…Wow.

I celebrated a birthday this week. 36 years old. It was pretty low key as birthdays go (especially when I think back to my early 20s), but for this year, it was just right.

I (usually) enjoy the introspection that birthdays bring. Thoughts on where I am. And where do I want to be inevitably weave their way into my everyday routine.

The year ahead will be very full with a new baby. Part of me is, quite honestly, terrified. I know how much work new babies are. And between the sleep deprivation and a whirling dervish two-year-old to keep up with, I have no idea how we are all going to keep our heads on straight. Don’t get me wrong, I couldn’t be more excited to be adding a fourth to our little family. But I have to keep reminding myself to stop and take deep breaths, that it’s all going to be fine. That people have been doing this for thousands and thousands of years.

The best thing I got for my birthday this year was a new bedroom.

My very talented, hard-working husband has put in some serious overtime in the past week to convert my loft office/studio into a new nursery.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, I had so much fun decorating her bedroom:

This time around, we are doing a bike theme. I have been playing with color palettes, and wall decor ideas and I’m getting close. As it all comes together, I will post pics so stay tuned.

AND… if you are going to be out and about in Denver this Saturday, I’m having an art show!

Artists’ Reception: Backstage Coffee Art Gallery at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on Saturday, October 12, 2013 | 7:30-11:00 pm.

Hors d’oeuvres will be served and the bar will be open so come on down!

 

 

 

I’m having an Art Show!

Lately I find myself longing for cooler nights, boots and sweaters, and the deligthful colors of Fall. This pattern collection was inspired by the elements and icons from my GTS tote bag submission.

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I am having a gallery show!

Entitled Re-Imagine Nation, and featuring (from the press release) “… delightfully rendered illustrative artworks by Benjamin Wright Coleman, Kelly Angelovic, Mike Geiger and John D. Schultz, poetry recited by Hannah Haddadi and Haven Grey, and live music performed by Josh Meyers, Re-Imagine Nation melds the kindred spirits of visual art, music and the written word.

What would you choose to accomplish if you could re-create your world, a vision of your own making? Re-Imagine Nation will inspire this journey of exploration.”

On display September 3 through October 26, there will be two artists’ receptions:

Opening Reception: Backstage Coffee Art Gallery at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on Friday, September 6, 2013 (First Friday) | 7:30-11:00 pm

Artists’ Reception: Backstage Coffee Art Gallery at the Denver Performing Arts Complex on Saturday, October 12, 2013 | 7:30-11:00 pm. This reception will also benefit the Ponzio Creative Arts Therapy Program at Children’s Hospital.

Mark your calendars! I would love to see you at either event!

The gallery is located at Backstage Coffee in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, across from the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and within walking distance from the Convention Center light rail station.