Goldfinches in the making

Working on a new goldfinch print for the annual Eastside Artist Show (December 10th, 11th and 12th in Iowa City- more details coming later). Many people request illustrations of these lovely little birds. This is the line-work near completion.

Squirrel

A personal philosophy and bumper sticker

Thank you!

Thank you all who stopped by and said hi at Wilson's Orchard yesterday. From my book-signing table perch in the gift shop, I watched so many people enjoy the place on a stunning October day. And if I had an apple for every time a person said "It smells amazing in here!"... The aroma of the famous Wilson's Orchard turnovers is quite intoxicating. I spent a nice afternoon demonstrating scratchboard, and had lots of kids try their hand at it. Books and cards were sold, too!

A Shout-out to my friend Patti Z who snapped a few photos of the event and brought a visitor from Germany to the orchard as well. And thanks to Paul and Sara Rasch, owners of the orchard, and their staff, for having me!

Book Signing at Wilson's Orchard

This Sunday, October 17th, swing by Wilson's Orchard, pick some apples, have a wagon ride and say hi to me in the main gift shop area. I'll be there from 1:30pm to 3pm, signing the new book and demonstrating scratchboard. I created a new birdie print for the orchard entitled "Indigo Buntings at Wilson's Orchard", which will be available, too. And if you haven't had one of their apple turnovers yet this year, the orchard closes for the season at the end of the month, so hurry up!

The Cricket's Song

In Iowa, the cricket sings a harbinger's song of autumn. The fireflies have already packed their bags and left (there isn't a lonelier sight than a solo firefly in September). The next generation of cicada are deep in the ground. Box elder bugs gather in sunny patches for one last BIG family reunion before dispersing to their buggy netherlands. Only the crickets remain to play, like the quartet of musicians on the Titanic's deck, until the first hard frost signals the silence of a new season.

Listen tonight for the sound of the cricket. Hear the approach of fall.

It starts with a line

Today while shopping at our Iowa City Co-Op, I was unexpectedly confronted with my own artwork in the dairy aisle! Earlier this year, I worked with two very talented friends, writer Melinda Pradarelli and Designer Shannon Heiman, on a whole series of new labels for dairy products from Kalona Organics (a company of great integrity based in Kalona, Iowa, not far from Iowa City). Shannon and Melinda had a concept of loose line illustrations that would serve as a simple accompaniment to KO's quality products. Foregoing my scratchboard for a technical pen, I drew with abandon lively drawings of spoons, bowls, drink glasses, fruits and leaves...the labels were to look fresh, with a bit of retro in feeling. A lovely choice of nostaligic bottle shapes and Shannon's keen sense of design and color went into each look. Melinda's word-magic steered the whole campaign. The results can be found NATIONALLY in the dairy section of your favorite grocery store soon. And when you go to buy their yummy yogurt, you can say, "Hey, I know who drew that peach!"