Dearly beloved

I've done several wedding illustrations over the last few years, but this one's my favorite.  In part because I just love the concept (which came from the couple and the groom's mother) and because the act of drawing it was pure enjoyment, with almost no struggle.  But mostly this is my favorite because the wedding in question was my brother's and sister-in-law's.  And it was glorious.

The illustration was used on programs and name cards for table assignments:

photo credit: KC Photography

Congratulations to Pete and Becca!  Thanks for letting me contribute to your special day!

(Also-- yes, if you're keeping track, I just described my own mother as "the groom's mother." It's all in the interest of building suspense, my pretties.)

Cincinnati + Louisiana + Love =

My cousin Meghan (from Cincinnati) is marrying Klint (from Louisiana) in Cincinnati this coming spring, and they asked me to do a custom illustration for their Save the Date postcards.  They came to the project with a specific design in mind, to combine their two rooted places into one image and also to highlight the location of the wedding--and I had a lot of fun executing the idea!  I love the Cincinnati skyline and the suspension bridge, and the fleur de lis makes a beautiful, recognizable framing device.  I'm really happy with how it turned out:

Hey, I get to go to a wedding!

Thanks for the opportunity, Meghan and Klint!

Lovebirds (+ hello there, internet!)

I may not have made much art these past few months, but I haven't been entirely unproductive.  I created this illustration a few months ago for a very special wedding.  The newlyweds share a name with another cute little animal, but I opted for bird imagery for their program cover.  Congratulations, Julie and Jon!

Love is in the air

These illustrations will, respectively, grace the front and back of a wedding program I'm putting together for two very good friends who are getting married next week.

I'm not sure I've ever done finished work in black and white before. I'd definitely do it again! The first is my traditional pastel. The second is ink pen and (dare I confess?) wite-out on grayish printer paper. Now that's fine art!

Marriage of Art and Science

Two dear friends of mine are getting married in May. She's a painter and he's a chemist , so theirs will be a marriage of art and science--much like cooking or... I don't know, what else is a marriage of art and science? In any case, we're having a shower for them tomorrow and this is my gift. Congratulations, Mary and Brian!!

And since I don't think I'll make it back to the drawing board this week, I'm going to streeeeetch a bit and make this fit the Illustration Friday theme of "Save." How about... I'm saving money by making my own gift.... Yess.

A current project

This is a half of a two-part commission I'm currently working on. Just thought I'd share!

Today was a wonderful, relaxing day despite the foundation-rocking, power-disrupting winds howling outside. I did some drawing, read some of The Secret Life of Bees, signed up for Kiva, drank some chai, and made falafel. If only every day were Sunday. Back to work tomorrow.
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"Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can't remember who we are or why we're here." -The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.