A Warm (though rather chilly) Welcome to Michigan <3

For me, so much of living in Michigan is about the visuals.

The wide expanse of ochre farmland against a metal gray sky, the lace formed by iced-over branches, the deep emerald of frozen lakes. It may be really, really cold - but I am so glad that we moved to this state in the winter.

I feel like the cold encourages a different type of work from me; smaller, cozier images have started to emerge in my sketches. Moments of stillness. Perhaps that is the change of surroundings, the influence of the silence found in falling snow. Or perhaps my hands are just too cold to move any faster.

I did finally get a space heater, so the following weeks should be much more comfortable.

I’m just so grateful to be finally done with the whole “moving” thing. Living in such a transitory state while trying to get work done wasn’t easy, and I cannot overstate how thrilled I am to be back in my studio. In the coming weeks I’ll have more info on a little digital studio tour, I can’t wait to share my space with you all. 

Hope the new year is off to great start for everyone!

<3 <3

Experiments in Fragmentation

Most paintings survived the move... some did not. Rather than trashing the whole piece, I decided to score the paper and play with the resulting fragments. The first pull was a little odd in that I was effectively ruining a painting I had liked (but was irreparably damaged in the move)... but after that I embraced the destruction whole-heartedly.

There is something really freeing about trashing a piece of work, and something really beautiful about the fragments that remain.

I'll be back with more info on the new studio/store openings, for now, I'm off to rip more paper.

We're Moving!

Well, this is it.

It’s been an incredible 8 years here. So incredible in fact, that I am having a hard time sitting down to actually write this post. It’s not that I don’t want to leave; I know our path will always take us back to the north - but I am so grateful for having been here that I can’t help but be a little sad. Sure the traffic can be obnoxious, and the muggy, sweaty summer heat can certainly take some getting used to, but Miami has been and will always be a city of vibrancy and inspiration. I’ve made some friendships here that I will mourn when we drive away, and not just with people. (Though I will, and you know who you are!) The ocean was a constant companion to me. Visible from my studio window, I learned it’s colors and movement; it’s moods. My nightly running path took me along the coast, or down the bay and I grew to love the salt sting of the sea water mid-run. I know I will find other paths and trails, but nothing will replace the thrill of running with the waves.

I’ve shut all my shops down until January 2nd, I’m hoping that will allow me to unpack and organize before the new year. If there is a piece you’d like to place on hold in the meantime, simply send me an email and I’ll do my best to get back to you ASAP.

Otherwise, if you have any suggestions for successful cross-country moves I am all ears. The last time I did this was after college and I had a total of 3 tupperware tubs, so I am feeling all sorts of out of my element here!

I’ll check in occasionally via Instagram during the move, and can’t wait to get everything settled into our new home in Michigan.

Thanks for joining me for this part of the journey, here’s to the next chapters!

<3