Hi! I have been hesitant to add to the internet’s ever-expanding pile of things for you to read, but here we are, away from the endless scroll and into the slow world of the newsletter. I’m looking forward to expanding a little more on my practice here, and writing a bit about my life and what I’m getting into.
I doubt my newsletters will be this long going forward, but there’s a lot going on right now. Given the nature of my life (working from home, super part-time with three very young children) you truly will not hear from me very often. If you decided to subscribe, wow, thank you! I’ll try to do a decent job! Maybe I’ll even do a second one!
a room of one’s own
After about two years of cramming a computer desk into our guest room, I recently cleared things out (“things” meaning the guest bed. Can anyone help me find a good looking sleeper sofa that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?). It’s been SO nice to have a real set up again in a dedicated space, even though it’s still kind of a mess.
bottles!
I spend most of my studio time lately working on wine and cider labels for Rose Hill Farm. If you’re not far from the Hudson Valley, you’ve got to visit. The farm dates back to the 1700s, offers fruit picking by the season, a beautiful tasting room and of course, their ciders and wines which are the stuff of remarkable natural fermented goodness. I am just so happy to work with these guys (Hi, Holly and Matt!).
a zine + an event
My friend Colie Collen, aka Flower Scout and I just wrapped up a short zine about the art of arranging flowers, which is being printed AS WE SPEAK by Patrick at Publication Studio on the Riso. I have some, but pretty limited Riso experience and I have to say, that making a two color zine with a relatively simple layout was a good challenge for me. I am humbled, a little rusty and have major respect for artists who make super layered complicated designs (and animations?!) using a Riso all the time. I bow down.
Colie will be hosting a holiday market alongside Jason of ReadyMix Letterpress in her beautiful studio space in Troy on December 4th with some excellent artists. I’ll be there selling some calendars, prints and cards, too. I made this flyer for it. Come hang!
prints
I always forget to tell people but I’m telling you now: there are prints for sale in my Etsy shop. There’s a mix of older and newer work for sale, and a 2023 re-issue of the small still life calendar I designed last year is coming very soon!
Other places to grab prints:
You can also purchase pre-framed, large format prints through Anthropologie. Worth noting, though: they’re extremely expensive. I am really grateful to have some of my work included in their selection, though, of course. Artfully Walls has a few prints, too, for a far more reasonable price point. It’s worth noting that with these purchases, I receive a much smaller percentage of the sale than if you go through Etsy or at the Solstice Market, but if you go this route you still have my utmost gratitude.
book!
In February of 2020 (just before COVID) I illustrated Women Artists A to Z, an illustrated resource written by my brilliant friend Melanie Labarge. Even though it was released almost three years ago now (HOW!) I feel like COVID really put a damper on our marketing efforts, and books last forever so I will continue to tell people about it for a while, I think. We’ve been so fortunate to have a pretty good response to the book, despite the unfortunate timing of its release. One of the biggest highlights for me has been finding out from friends that they’ve spotted it in museums around the country, like the Met, the deYoung museum, the NMWA and more! The biggest thrill, though, is when people share photos of kids using the book to inspire their own art projects. I mean, what more could you ask for when making a book for children about art? Anyway, if you don’t have a copy already, consider grabbing one if you’re thinking about gifts for young people.
links
A recent deep dive: the work of Dorothy Liebes, a textile designer you may have not heard of. Her influence is definitely everywhere in fashion without people realizing it.
It is now that time, Vince Guaraldi Season, and I had never heard this cover until recently and it is an antidepressant.
Do you know about the Kossoy Sisters? If you are reading this, you probably know that I have twin daughters, so of course I am drawn to stories about twins. I was kind of amazed to learn that they each ended their marriages and then moved to South America and live there together now. They still play, too! Their 1956 Album “Bowling Green” is dark, traditional Appalachian folk and it is pretty good music for November.
This cookbook from Anna Jones. So many good veg recipes but also tips for being less wasteful and mindful about what you’re buying in general. And that COVER!
Maybe this is obvious, but if you’re in some kind of a rut, large or small, I highly recommend a city walk. Any walk will be good for you, but getting out and around some people I think has some added benefits. Albany is not the biggest city or the greatest city, but it has some parts that are undeniably beautiful and small enough to navigate easily. Our neighborhood in Albany is more residential and quiet, so I’ve been driving a few minutes downtown, putting the girls in the double stroller (most essential item for a twin parent) and walking down around Center Square and Empire State Plaza. Mind clearing, inspiring, exercise.
I just finished reading Daybook by the artist Anne Truitt. She was unbelievably articulate and such a deep thinker. I think anyone who is interested in the life of artists would enjoy it.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. Tell me what you think in the comments: what you’d like to see more of, or feel free to ask questions.
What fun to read your words and get a little peek into the world of all that is fascinating and artful. I imagine the words in your velvety voice alongside your radiant smile, and it is like having the best fireside chat. Cheers, friend, to your incredibly deserved success. Love you, love your work.
Loved reading this and looking forward to more of your newsletters. So much inspiration! Where can we buy the flower arrangement zine? Love it.