Holiday Bunting Workshop

{Crafted Project Example, "Noel", 2011}

{Crafted Project Example, "Merry", 2011}

{Crafted Project Example, "Winter Textures", 2011}

{Examples, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

{Workshop Participants, 2011}

I was asked to create a workshop as part of the Des Moines Art Center's Annual Art Noir Holiday Studio. My holiday bunting project was one of several that included glass blowing, an ugly mitten decorating contest, gift tags, and origami ornaments. Its always a fun event and this was my second year doing a project to teach. I met a lot of fun people and everyone seemed really excited to make their own bunting decoration to cheer up their home! I created three examples to give people a little inspiration and an idea of how the project would look when completed. From there, people got really creative and had really awesome ideas! It is always wonderful to be around creative folk and this event was no exception!

Beaverdale Books Signing

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

With Friends

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

With my husband, Ken

{Photo by Gail George, 2011}

Signing books!

Last Saturday I got to hang out at Beaverdale Books and sign my two Christmas books during the annual Beaverdale Shop Hop. It was really cool to be able to do my first book signing in my own little neighborhood within Des Moines! I managed to sign a lot of books and it was great to see everyone! Thanks to all the friends that came out to support me! You guys made the night!

KCCI Des Moines: " In The Artist's Studio"

{KCCI Channel 8 Des Moines Interview, 2011}

I was super excited to be asked to talk about my work and my new books on our local news station! Mollie Cooney was so nice and I owe her so much gratitude for giving me a little press! The video is almost 5 minutes and it aired yesterday (Sunday) morning. I managed to wake up early just to watch it. My favorite part is near the end when they show my little studio buddy, Oliver! One more thing, does my voice really sound like that? It's weird to see yourself and hear yourself on camera!

Juice Magazine Feature Article

{Screenshot of online version of article, Written by Joe Lawler, Photos by Eric Rowley}

Read the whole article HERE!

*article correction: I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan and worked in Cleveland, Ohio*

{Photo Credit: Eric Rowley for Juice Magazine © 2011}

{Photo Credit: Eric Rowley for Juice Magazine © 2011}

A little over a month ago I was contacted by Joe Lawler at Juice Magazine (which is a free weekly magazine targeted at young professionals in Des Moines). Joe Lawler and Eric Rowley came over to my house to interview me and take a few pictures. It was really fun and Joe and Eric were both really nice. The world of a freelance artist is pretty lonely so its always fun when someone wants to chat. Its even more fun when they want to talk about something your passionate about! The printed copies will be available tomorrow and I plan to pick up a few copies to send to my family and a few to keep for myself. A huge and grateful thanks to Joe and Eric for the article!

Des Moines Art Center "Vault" Auction

{My Donation to the Des Moines Art Center, 2011}

{Up for auction, May 12, 2011}

{The newly constructed vault at the Des Moines Art Center}

Thursday night I had the pleasure of attending "Vault: Letting Our Guard Down" a fundraising auction with donations of over 100 artists from Iowa and around the world. I donated the American toad painting above. I have worked as a faculty member at the Art Center for the past few years and I loved the idea of being able to give back to my workplace and thank them for all they have given me. My husband and I were there during the middle of the silent auction and only stayed a short time. With over 350 guests in attendance in such a small place it was uncomfortably warm and we couldn't afford to bid on anything anyways so we took a few pictures, said "hi" to a few people, snagged an hor d'oeuvre or two and left. At that time my piece was up to $150, which made me proud and happy. I don't know if it ever topped that but I was more than ecstatic that it made it that high. Its not that I don't think it is worth that much, but I have donated artwork for charity auction before and seen it sell for ridiculously low amounts. (which makes it barely worth your time. And its embarassing) The Art Center handled the bidding nicely. They started all works at $50 and people could bid in $25 increments. All in all, a nice affair that you can read about at this Des Moines Register link.

Coffee House Art Show

{Artwork Hanging at Friedrich's Coffee Shop, 2011}

{The Snowy Location of my Artwork, 2011}

{My Current Palette, 2011}

If you live in Des Moines and enjoy a nice cup of coffee, you can stop by Friedrich's between now and the end of March 2011 and see my artwork. My work is at the location on University and 42nd Street. I also included a picture of my palette, since I can't share the illustrations I am working on right now. Palettes always looks like an abstract piece of art to me. Sometimes I even hesitate to throw it away, but I do! (mostly due to the fact that I watch "Hoarders" on A&E!) Also, my illustration of a little artist is featured on the Neglected Princess blog in a post called "Sweet Brown Girls on Etsy". See if you can pick mine out! Hint: It's credited to my etsy shop: PinwheelArt

An Artful Weekend

{Windsor Wonderland, Windsor Heights, 2010}

{Windsor Wonderland, Windsor Heights, 2010}

{Windsor Wonderland, Windsor Heights, 2010}

This past Saturday I led a ornament and card making workshop for children at the Windsor Heights community center for their "Windsor Wonderland" event. It was a really wonderful event and the kids (and adults too!) made some very creative work!

{Reindeer at Reindeer Roundup, Des Moines Art Center, 2010}

{Reindeer Roundup, Des Moines Art Center, 2010}

{Reindeer Roundup, Des Moines Art Center, 2010}

The next day, my husband Ken and I stopped by the Des Moines Art Center for their event, "Reindeer Roundup". There were crafts, cookies, hot chocolate and best of all, LIVE REINDEER! I even got to pet one! They were still quite young, and their fur was so soft! I just had to have my picture taken in front of their pen, they were so cute! After that, Ken and I braved the mall to take care of the majority of our Christmas shopping. (Glad it is mostly done!) I plan to make some gifts too... and of course share them here later!

Illustrating My Name

{Black Prisma and Watercolor, 2010}

{Black Prisma and Watercolor, 2010}

These illustrations were created as examples for the current project I am teaching in my Introduction to Illustration Class at the Des Moines Art Center. Its a really fun project but it also makes you think outside the box and decide how abstract you can make your letters while still making the piece legible. The top piece is garden objects and the second is inspired by different animals (and a ladybug!) Its addicting to turn words into shapes... so beware if you decide to do this project. You may not get anything else done the rest of the day!

Sugar Skulls

{Completed Sugar Skulls, 2010}

{Materials: Royal Icing, Sequins, Colored Foils and Sugar Skull, 2010}

{Frida Kahlo Inspired Sugar Skull, 2010}

{Sugar Skull Detail, 2010}

{Sugar Skull Detail, 2010}

{Sugar Skulls from above, 2010}

The Des Moines Art Center asked me to decorate sugar skulls for the annual Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos). This is the Art Center's 10th anniversary of this ritual event and they needed some new skulls decorated for the display in the museum. The altar display honors those who were leaders within the Hispanic culture of Des Moines, Iowa. To read more about the event at the Des Moines Art Center click HERE. If you are in the area I highly suggest attending the event! It is a colorful, culturally rich day with music, food and great art.

Sketchbook Figure Drawing

{Sketchbook, 2010}

I start teaching a figure class for teens next week at the Des Moines Art Center. After looking through my books for ideas for my class I got the urge to draw. I decided to draw from some of the reference photos in the back of my books. The class I am teaching is a clothed model figure drawing class, but it is still a great introduction to drawing from life. (especially since most high school students have never drawn from life at all.) Figure drawing is one of my absolute favorite things to do and hopefully next week I can relay some of that love to the students in my class.

The Des Moines Annual Report

The Des Moines Annual report arrived in the mail today! So I thought I would take a picture of my spread. It's not the greatest picture, but the actual piece is on my website, and I posted it again too! They printed it with a picture of me and contact information.
I was so excited to get this exposure, it goes to over 88,000 homes in Des Moines!

Des Moines Annual Performance Report

The Metro Arts Alliance of Des Moines sponsored an art competition for the City of Des Moines Anniual Report. There were 12 categories and one piece will make it on the cover. I found out yesterday, I was chosen for one of the categories! It means a nice cash prize, but more importantly, exposure here in my new town. They will print my image as well as my name, company information and a picture of me. This is a really neat opportunity, and I'm so glad I didn't hesitate to submit such a variety of work, because I never would have guessed which piece made it! I've posted my winning piece above. Last year the annual report reached 88,000 homes! I feel awesome right now!