Block Printing

Since we’re on the topic of playing with mediums and refusing to focus my creative efforts perfecting one medium, I thought I’d share the original block print I carved for the Hannalee logo. This was my first exploration into block prints and just like most other mediums, I had a blast. Getting used to writing backwards in order for the print to read correctly was a challenge, as was fitting the whole image within the block’s perimeters. I do think that attempting a new material is so satisfying. I’m not intimidated by knowing nothing about it - although I probably should be! In fact, I think the rush that comes with learning to manipulate a new material makes for a great asset as an art educator. You can never stop learning! It’s a big world out there!

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Ceramics

I received my masters in teaching in 2018 from Seattle Pacific University. I was endorsed in Fine Arts and Theatre Arts with a K-12 certification. As my student teaching placement unfolded, I learned that I would be teaching ceramics, a medium I had never explored. I’ve been told that you just need to be one day ahead of the students, but I wanted to at least touch the stuff before I was standing in front of a classroom! I quickly signed up for my first clay class ever at Seattle Pottery in the fall of 2017 prior to my second semester assignment and this was one of the projects that came out of it. This hand now holds all of my carving tools and I must say that I loved student teaching ceramics. I now have a kiln, slab roller and wheel awaiting my home art studios’ completion! The more mediums the merrier. I just can’t commit. It’s a constant love affair.

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Sprinter Vans

To date, I’ve been entrusted to paint on the side of two sprinter vans. The first was as a guest painter with Kim Berkley for the super tasty Seattle popsicle company, Six Strawberries. The second was a solo mission to Whidbey Island to paint the Stonebridge Environmental logo on the side of their new work van. If you’re in need of some branding or just a splash of color on the side of your vehicle be it truck, van or RV, holler!

Wedding Chalkboards

Weddings! These are the places for chalkboards. I have loved being a small part of many couples’ special day - in more ways then one. There have been countless chalkboards of drink menus, poetry or words of wisdom, or simply practical maps that show guests how to find their way around the grounds. For personal friends, I’ve drawn many charcoal portraits of engagement photos as wedding gifts, matted with a large frame that can be used as a guest book. And lastly, as a performing artist, my husband and I have sung in a number of weddings as well. They are simply my favorite kind of event! Celebrating love, hope and the mysterious unknown future of two unique individuals in the midst of all their loved ones. It’s been a gift to witness every one of them. Thanks to Oak and Cypress Weddings for partnering with me!

Sister's Dreamland

This was my first mural. It was 2011 and I had just become a “full-time artist.” I quit working restaurant jobs with a few commissions laying ahead of me, a lot of faith and the support of my musician husband. We figured it was time to fly off the deep end before we had children or many other responsibilities other than rent. This was the first mural I painted for a client I didn’t personally know. I partnered with one of my dearest friends and college roommate, Avianca Walker. For one week, we knocked out this playroom mural for a lovely family in Mukilteo and I was one step deeper into the addiction that is mural painting.

Seattle Jewish Community School

This was my first project post first baby. As you can see, I just dragged her along for the ride! It wasn’t until my kids grew that I realized how much more I could accomplish during young baby naps then I could with toddlers or two year olds (or multiples for that matter!)

In 2013, I had a two week “maternity leave” before painting this entry mural and parking lot signage for the Jewish Community School in Wedgewood as well as the 1,000 square foot blue background wall for Waxie Moon in Pike Place Market. Baby Willow was my #1 sidekick!

Nursery for Baby David

I love painting nurseries. It feels like a scared privilege to bless a space with paint while a baby is still in utero, yet to lay eyes upon our world. Painting shapes and colors that will be some of the first sights a newborn registers as part of their world, fills me with nothing but elated joy. Also, helping to create a space for a new mother to nest in during those early months of late night nursing is simply an honor. Thank you for inviting me in, Salma.

Real Networks

I got called in to do a last minute window painting gig for Real Networks in downtown Seattle, mid SuperBowl mayhem. This epic project spanned two city blocks, and thus birthed the Ladies Who Letter, in our first collaboration piece. Six hands are much faster than two! Kim Berkley and Jess Bonin were my dream collaborators. Bad ass, talented ladies who showed up on time, ready to work and OH so talented! We were a dream team. Sadly, as life went on, our paths diverged - Jess is now an incredible tattoo artist north of Seattle, Kim dominates the Ballard signage market and I myself have become a high school art teacher in Woodinville, and a mother of three! And yet, this was SUCH a fun project that we busted out in one weeks time! We even had a representative of the Hawks themselves come on down and photograph us in action. Thanks for the shots, Amanda Waltman! Now let's not ever mention that dark day of football history again..

Pink Door Chalkboards

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I had the great honor of drawing chalkboards for the Pink Door for about a year, many years back now. I would draw them in about an hours time as a promotion for the entertainment happening that night. Eventually, I had the idea to start photo documenting some of them before they were erased and recreated into something else the next night. Unfortunately, it is a dark bar and my outdated phone wasn't helping in the lighting department. 

C&E Lovefest

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I felt so privileged to be a bridesmaid for my dear friend, Courtnae Dunn, as she married the amazing Erik Nilsson this August! It was an honor to gift them with what I love to do most - chalkboard signage AND harmonies on a Bruce Springsteen song with my husband and the lovely Ada Ketchie. The best!!

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Project Girl Crush

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I've been featured in a blog! Thanks to Genevieve Pierson and Jen Utley for asking me to contribute to their amazing project. I am beyond flattered and surrounded by incredible, crushable women. Check them out Project Girl Crush! here and you can read more than you ever wanted to know about me through my long-winded, winding-rambling answers...

  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

Hannalee Seasonal CD Releases

I'm spending these nine months not only pregnant, but releasing four seasonal EPs with my folk band, Hannalee. We're a little crazy. We're recording them all ourselves, screen printing with the one and only Lance Lobuzzetta and I get to be the illustrator! The timing seems convenient that our last summer release show will be a few weeks before our due date. If nothing else, at least I'll be distracted from focussing too much on my third-trimester edema.

Mural Camp Mania

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Here's a recap of our Mural Camp! We probably had about twelve painters on the wall at all times and there were varying levels of both experience and age. Everyone did great and really blossomed over the course of camp. In addition to assisting with color mixing and helping out our campers, I was lucky enough to squeeze in time to paint Mahalia Jackson, Janis Joplin and Mr. Bob Dylan's faces myself. Thanks again, Don Rockwell, for all the knowledge shared and fun memories!

Pink Door Commission

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I'm thrilled to share that I sold an original illustration to The Pink Door! During one of my chalk board ventures (which you can peruse from earlier posts) I came up with this little guy. A monkey swinging from a chandelier, holding his martini. You have to visit the restaurant yourself to see how this captures the vibe. The owner liked it enough that she wanted to own it for future use on whatever fits the bill. It's first appearance has been on our mid-day and late-night menus. See it for yourself and grab a lasagna! 1919 Post Alley.