by admin on February 3, 2010
Well, hello! Thank you for stopping by. I am finally stepping away from the work that I’ve been doing for my clients to update my blog with some of my recent projects!
First, I’d love to show you a photographer’s logo that I designed in December that I LOVE. Photography logos are some of my favorite to design because there is typically a level of class associated with them, but there is also room for a little fun! In this case, the mark incorporates a graceful monogram with some fairly straightforward typography.

Next, I’ll post another fresh, clean design that I’ve created for a fantastic home designer. She has an intensely creative but quiet sense about her, and she wanted a logo and business card to reflect that. Tradition was put on the shelf, and I got to “paint outside of the lines” a little. It was great!

Now all designers have had a situation like this: A client approaches you with a concept that is tricky… say, a logo that must incorporate an eye, a star, and a reference to film. Oh, and not in a creepy way. I brainstormed and sketched, and came up with a classy design that I felt great about. Look closely to see all of the clever details. The client liked it, but didn’t feel that it fit them. (They directed the rest of the design concept, and we’ve come up with something that they are thrilled with but that you’ll never see in my portfolio). *smiling* As always, my end goal is the client’s 100% satisfaction, but I’ll display my favorite concept here:

Now, this last one is a logo, but it was a different scenario. Months ago, I designed a logo for a dance instructor’s blues studio. He loved it, so when his dance class (a tango and blues mix) needed a logo redesign, he came to me. He had some very rough versions of a logo that another designer had worked on, but they needed a… *ahem* face lift. I was up for the challenge! See the before and after logos below:

So there you have it! These projects represent only a fraction of the designs I’ve worked on since my lengthy absence from blogging, but they are some of my favorites. Thank you for reading, and if you’d like to see more of my design work, visit my website!
by admin on December 22, 2009
It’s not uncommon for me to have repeat portrait customers. But only a handful have returned to me more than five times to add artwork to their collections!
Meet the Nichol’s girls: Amber and Lynn Aaron. For the last six years, I’ve drawn them (and watched them grow up) and their parents have used the image on a Christmas card design that goes out to all of their friends, family, and clients. I’ve really enjoyed it, and wanted to share the progression with you.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!






by admin on October 12, 2009
Last night, my husband and I had a much-needed “Veg Fest.” If you know us well, you know we work hard and play hard, but rarely just veg! So we caught some of a new TV series called “Three Rivers.” It’s on CBS, and it focuses on a medical team that harvests organs from gracious donors who have passed, and find “homes” for them in very sick and needy patients, some of whom have been waiting for a long time. I enjoyed it, and it sparked some discussion between Nate and I.
I’ve had the organ donor box checked on my driver’s license since I was 16, and I’ve always thought I wanted everything possible to be donated except for my skin and eyes. Many people don’t even know that these can be donated, and I’ve kind of thought of it as “icky.” However, donating these organs would make a world of difference in the lives of a blind person or burn victim, so I’ve given it some more thought. Now, if you’re on top of things, you’re realizing that this extensive donation could make for an unsightly open casket. Enter my next preference: cremation.
Now, before you start thinking this will be a morbid blog post, be assured that you’re probably going to laugh very soon
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Cremation… the alternative to slowly becoming worm food over the course of many years. I’m rather fond of it. But, what do your loved ones DO with your remains? There’s the sprinkling into the ocean, off of a mountainside, and resting in the somewhat typical urn on the mantle which could be creepy for your home’s visitors or housekeeper.
I want something different. I am an artist. When I die and become ashes, I’d like to become art. (What?)
I think I'd feel eternally comfy in any of these shapes.
You heard me! I want my ashes to be given to a skilled and open-minded potter who will then mix me into clay and form a number of beautiful pieces of pottery for each of my loved ones to cherish for a lifetime. I fancy them choosing the design or have something inscribed on their work of art.
I LOVE IT. I have made my wishes known to Nate, and in the event of our simultaneous demise, we’d like to both be incorporated into a separate vase. There you have it!
How do you want to spend your “after years?” Please comment! I want to know. Oh, and please check your donor box if you haven’t already. It’s your final chance to save lives.
For my Dad’s hilarious run-down of his post-demise options, click here! He’s a trip.