Anne Thériault's Forest Commission

I'm really happy to share this new commissioned piece!  I created it for my super talented friend, Anne Thériault.  She's a writer and generally wonderful/interesting lady.  You can read her blog here.

She really liked my forest illustrations and wanted me to create something special for her business cards and website.  But she also wanted to have the framed original in the end.

The way I create my illustrations is I cut, paste and draw with pencil crayons on coloured paper pieces.  I paint the background in acrylic paint, then I figure out the final placement of the paper pieces before I paste them down.  It feels a bit like solving a puzzle or building a stage set.  And it always feels great to see it all come together in the end.

And here's Anne's framed original.  This is one of the most beautiful frame I've ever owned.  My mom found it during one of her thrifting missions.  She's the greatest at finding treasures.  This pieces measures approximately 13 3/4" x 10 1/2".

Thanks Anne, for such a great commission!

Nature Canada Thank You Card

This was a really fun commission I received through the wonderful people at Agents of Good.  It's an illustration for Nature Canada to be printed as a card and sent out to people who had donated to the organization over the last year.  The client wanted to include water, trees, people and animals.  But it was important that it could look like anywhere in Canada.

I thought the final turned out rather well!  I love doing outdoorsy illustrations.

Winter Holidays

So I'm celebrating my winter holiday back in the West Kootenay's with my family.  I've been cross country skiing and merry making, and I intend to do plenty more over the next week!

It's been a busy year for me filled with drawing, illustrating, framing, reading, writing, teaching and generally working hard.  I'm thrilled with what I've accomplished over the year and excited for what's coming next.  But it's so important for me to fit in as many outdoor expeditions as I can manage around the edges.

I hope you all are enjoying your own picturesque Christmas!

Seven Days Magazine : Adirondack Issue

Afew weeks ago I was asked to make a cover illustration for Seven Days, an independant Vermont magazine.  It was art directed by Celia Hazard, who was a pleasure to work with.  It was a super tight turn around time (about 3 or 4 days).

The cover includes the Champlain Bridge, tubing in the Adirondack Mountains and a woodsmen chopping down a tree.  All stuff that appears in that issue.

N.E.E.T Magazine

Stephanie, the editor of N.E.E.T Magazine, included a bunch of my artwork in the latest issue.  Check it out here.