Welcome to the monthly newsletter where I share about some updates in my own work and about upcoming live events. I also love hearing about what you’ve been up to, so please feel free to leave a note in the comments or respond directly to this email to let me know!
I don’t usually send these out on the weekend, but I feel like this kind of catch-up topic is nice for a Saturday morning? ☕☀️
So first, let’s take a look at some upcoming live events:
Upcoming Live Events:
NEW: The 3 Month Project Club
Exciting news!! Starting in July, I’ll be hosting lives sessions for my paid subscribers! These lives are all about making real progress on your projects and goals. I’ve been working behind the scenes on a structure that I am so excited about, and I can’t wait to share more with you. Stay tuned!!
Price will go up July 1, so if you’ve been thinking about upgrading, now is a good time. You’ll get the whole archive of 100+ posts/guides/replays, and lock in a lower price for the launch of the twice monthly lives.
members will be sharing favorite classes, resources, tools, techniques, and more—just a big roundup of things that have helped or inspired us. It’s going to be a fun, low-key summer session about sharing tips and celebrating what’s working in our creative lives right now!
I completed my first wedding stationery commission!
My camera roll is full of pretty photos of this suite. I’m so used to working on projects, such as kids books, that are really sweet and playful. So creating something beautiful feels different, and I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to more projects like this!
Custom Art from a wedding stationery commission
Kids Art Classes in Boston
We did lots of floral and outdoor projects this past month from cyanotype sun prints to natural dandelion stamping! It’s been so nice to offer these local Boston art classes in my neighborhood.
We took the kids art classes to the park to enjoy the sunny weather!
Two things that I can’t share pictures about:
I sold another pattern! It will be used for Spring 2026 products. I’ll be excited to tell you more when I can :)
A Board Book Sample: I recently completed a board book sample and I really thought I was going to get the job, but sadly, it fell through because of the fee. Sometimes that’s just how it goes. I’ll get the next one. 💪
Custom watercolor art for baby shower invitations
This was a fun one! I was hired by a stationer to draw a pet portrait for a baby shower invitation. It was really enjoyable being in charge of just the art while she put together everything else. And as you all know, I love drawing golden retrievers. I’d love to collaborate on more projects like this! She posted about it on instagram here:
I still want to make a few changes to this one, but here’s a recent portfolio piece! It’s based on a text by Zoe Tucker for Character Bootcamp through Make Art That Sells. The famous Illustrating Children’s Book Course starts next month, and I can’t wait for it!! Are you joining??
Some process steps for getting the final portfolio piece
Lilla’s Art Chats
These have been such a blast!!! Getting to hang out with Lilla in her studio and chat about art is such a dream. Catch the replays on her Substack, and be sure to subscribe to her Substack to sign up for the future Art Chats.
I copy and pasted the thumbnail image from this Art Chat and it made this fun gif! So cool!
These are the pieces I’ve created as part of Ella Beech’s Art Club, which is so chill and welcoming!
On the left… I loved the girl’s hot pink hair, and on the right… well… I definitely need some practice with mixing skin tones! But despite the troubles with my color mixing on the right, I’ve so enjoyed working on these sketching projects.
Museum of Fine Arts Job
Here are some recent projects we’ve done with guests at the MFA. There is a blue and white ceramic tile and a scrimshaw inspired activity. I’m always so impressed by the creative planning of my colleagues on these programs!
There’s also a picture from the Art in Bloom event, a weekend-long exhibition of floral arrangements by local florists paired with artwork throughout the museum. Over 29,000 visitors came to the MFA to see it! And next year will be the 50th year of Art in Bloom. If you’re local, I definitely recommend going to see it next Spring!
Pup-date
It was a very rainy spring! Here’s Auggie out on a gloomy morning walk along the water, and we’re both very much looking forward to lots of sunny summer days. ☀️
That’s is for the monthly update!
What have you been up? Any good news? Any disappointing news, like how I told you above that I did not get selected to do a book after I completed a sample? We’re all here to share the ups and downs, because that’s just the nature of the art business.
So anyways, you’re welcome to share anything below:
The lighting in that mouse illustration is just perfect!
I love that baby shower invitation, so pretty 😍 - I’m sure Auggie loved it as well!