Happy Holidays

I hope your Holidays were are wonderful as mine. I feel very fortunate for my sweet family and our good friends.
As lucky as I feel, we have had our share of heartache. I was very concerned about this Christmas. My husbands 29 year old son David died October 16Th. He was a gifted musician like his dad. He has a wonderful mother who misses him so deeply, my heart aches for her. It has been so difficult for us all.

But through all of the sadness, we are so thankful for our health, our wonderful little girl Katie...who had a fantastic time today!!

I wish the best for all of my readers and I pray for your families.
Peace & Joy to all of you!

Cube Sculptures

Within a day or two after my first post on box sculptures, I was on the phone with my friends Chris and Laura, both visual designers and educators.

Chris used the word cube instead of box and immediately my mind went back to my sophomore year where she taught analytical drawing that started with the cube. But more powerful, the word freed me of function — a box being a container, but the cube being form. A cube can be manipulated, its dimensional geometry explored and reformed. It's sculptural. A cube could still evolve to be a container if I chose — where and how it opens to enter and hold (containers are a theme I've wanted to investigate in some of my work). I began by sketching cubes, geometric shapes and openings, then moved on to arranging 3"x3" chipboard squares to create cube-like forms.

Then I spoke with my other friend Laura and she suggested, "why don't you apply your drawings instead of the paper?" I nearly died it was so simple and clear. I chose my recent India tile sketches because they are expressive and have their own underlying structure, and found that the cube with a one-paneled opening worked best to compliment these particular drawings.

I thank Chris and Laura for their thoughtful engagement and insight into my process. It's been wonderfully freeing, and I really like the results! See more here. 

Ugly Sweaters!

Put together a poster for a Birthday event for Melvin P. happening next week. 

Etsy Christmas

Last night I was involved in a conversation about how great Etsy is. And how buying gifts on Etsy is so amazing because you know it's unique, you know they probably haven't seen it before, it could come from anywhere in the world, and there's so much to choose from that you can cater to whatever crazy interests you know your friend has.

I adore everything in this shop. Runaway Dreams is created by a couple in Mexico City. I think I'm going to get this night and day pillow for my Niece :)

I always appreciate something a little nerdy, Gameboy Magnets, Cross stitch Kirby, and Ghosties made from Perler Beads from Argentina Collaborative.

I don't really wear earrings, but... are those Ritz crackers earrings?

You can get a Nautical Themed Backyard Chicken Coop. ....Of all things. Amazing!!

Enjoying this poster by AndILoveYouSheSaid in Sweden.

 Some beautiful and imaginative prints and images over at PromoPocket in Lithuania.