Recent Work: Caring For Creation

Today I thought I'd share some recent work I did for a friend's church. This flier was fun to make, and it may lead to some work for their website. Yay, portfolio building!

Don't Forget

I've been thinking lately about how easy it is to get wrapped up in the future, with thoughts about how things will be so much better if we can just get that job, house, or whatever it is that we think will make us happy. Now, I do think planning is necessary and looking forward to things is even better. But its worth the reminder that our lives are happening NOW, and if we spend too much time thinking about tomorrow, we miss today.  So, I've scanned for you something I keep by my desk at work, lest you forget this important detail about life:

This is Me (?)

My first assignment in my new class was to create a self portrait in Adobe Illustrator, using only a few tools that create simple shapes. We couldn't even draw a line or use the cut tool! I had all these grand ideas about the artistic, impressive, and abstract rendering I would make. Then my weekend got in the way ;)  I actually DID spend a chunk of time on this, but I wouldn't say the result is a work of art. I'm sharing it though, because its kinda fun, and I'm trying not to stress too much about class this semester. I chose to draw myself at an art show, because I've been spending lots of time at work collaborating with artists on our 2 upcoming art exhibits.  And (I'll admit it) I chose to have my arms behind my back, because I didn't want to draw hands! Better luck next time...

Eat Your Greens, Go And Play

We had the most amazing weather last MLK Day weekend.  So awesome that I was outside the whole time and I am just now getting around to blogging about it! A few friends and I got salads from one of the awesome-est places in town, Cafe Intermezzo. As we sat enjoying them in a park near our house, I realized that I have never shared this wonder with you before.

This place has HUGE salads, for next to nothing.  Case in point: the to-go containers we are holding full of salad are actually ONE salad split in half, all for only $6.50!!!  (Dining in gets you the enormous bowl pictured below). Pair that with one of the bluest skies we'd seen in weeks, and what else do you need??

If you have visited me, I hope I took you there. If I didn't; my deepest apologies.  Come back.

Joyce Carol Oates, Pt. 2

And the winner is...

What do you think??

Joyce Carol Oates, Pt. 1

Exciting news at work-- author Joyce Carol Oates is coming to give a lecture! This was a last minute addition to our schedule, but a big one, so I've been frantically working on the publicity.  Here are some of the runner-up poster designs.  I used the title (The Writer's Secret Life: Woundedness, Rejection, and Inspiration) as my starting point, and had a lot of fun with it. Wanted it to be sort of mysterious and shadow-y.  I am now refining the look we chose, so you'll see that soon!

It's Vintage DAH-LING

I know Christmas is over, but I just had to share my Christmas eve outfit with you.  This fun sparkly red number was made by my Grandmother in the '60s! My mom saved it for me as they were clearing out her closet. The buttons are huge but fake; behind them are snaps that close the shirt in the most interesting way from the shoulder to the waist.  I love thinking of my Grandma, the farmer's wife, designing and wearing this!  Where did she wear it? Isn't it fabulous?  Isn't my sister standing next to me fabulous too? :)

Holiday Highlights

I just got back from a lovely holiday at home with family and friends! Here are a few photo highlights.

Also, please excuse the weird look of the blog/banner right now. I accidently changed themes, only to find out that my old theme was outdated and unavailable.  So, guess its time for a redesign!  Look for that soon...

The table, with this year's copper ornament made by my father. 

Snow is a perfect cooler for Belgian beer.

Tree.

Grandmother's house.

Sweet Meggie the dog, lover of all things meat. 

New slippers and a good book...yesssssss.  And the poinsettia background just makes everything look so lovely.