What do I Make?
I can make a watercolor illustration inspired by your grandson's love of pirates for his birthday, a collaged landscape from a recent family vacation, or a whimsical scene of a shark swimming in the stars for the little dreamer in your life. I enjoy working closely with clients to make personal artworks for their loved ones that will last for generations (with all professional and archival materials). While I usually create individual, custom pieces, I do work with authors and authors-to-be to illustrate series for books. In addition to my custom work, I always have a rotating collection original illustrations available. Check out the shop page!
What Inspires Me?
Journeys! I am a traveler and artist. I have lived in several countries and rarely have stayed put for very long. Recently, I moved to my new home in Greenfield, MA. The journey is a central aspect in my life: the concept of always moving forward, growing, and creating without a defined end. As I travel I collect sketches, photographs, and stories for artistic inspiration. These experiences inform the work I create as well as the artist I become. Mosey on over to my blog to see this process in work!
Why Handmade?
I take pride in working with my hands and developing my skills. When using my most fundamental tools, my hands, I feel I am at my most expressive. The process, while slow, is well rewarded through the sense of accomplishment. Unlike with digital art where any mistake is correctable, handmade materials can become unruly. A slip of the hand can cause a wavering mark. Stray splatter can add unplanned texture. And sometimes these flawed marks become the beautiful surprises that make a work personal and alive. They reveal the creative vulnerability, intimately connecting the viewer with the artist. I feel access to original art is an important way to learn about culture and the expression of ideas.
Julie Danielson wrote a wonderful article entitled 'Just Enjoy the Pictures: Hand-crafted Versus Digital Art.' This article explores the pros and cons of both media and how many contemporary illustrators use some combination of both materials.
“When you buy something made by a person, there is something special there, and you do feel it.
The consciousness with which a thing is made is often more important than the thing itself.”
– J. Donald Walters
