Here we go! I've been collaborating with colleagues and friends over the last 15 years, publishing a variety of graphic projects for (and with) them. Now, I'm offering these services to anyone who's interested in self-publishing. If you'd like more information, visit the Dreaming Earth Press Website.  In the meantime, here's a short video about how we might collaborate on your project.

My aunt Hazel was a member of Atelier 17 in New York in the early 1950's, part of the midcentury modernist printmaking movement. She was married to my father's brother, Ray, who was also an artist.  Sorting through family papers today, I came across a little notebook in which she recorded her training as an artist - it was extensive.  Her children, husband, and Hazel herself are all gone now, and I was struck by the knowledge that I'm one of the few people left who remember my aunt and uncle, so this is an honoring of them both. Hazel and Ray touched my life in inexplicable ways, some remembered, and others just vague, happy memories.  As a young child stepping into their house during the holidays, I remember an amazing Christmas tree - it hung upside down in the front hallway and it wasn't green...it was made of lights and sparkly dangling things - this was in 1958!  I later learned that Ray worked as a display artist at Lipman Wolfe (a high-end department store formerly located in downtown Portland). I was amazed when he made hand-painted cloth and then sewed it into a skirt for my aunt. They made toys from scraps of cardboard and felt for us: wonderful, imaginative, simple toys that inspired me to become a maker of unique things later in my life. Summer parties on their backyard patio were relaxed and full of laughter, with kids splashing in a blow-up pool and teasing everyone with squirt guns. I loved watching my father and his brother reminisce, kid each other, and just catch up on the comings and goings of their lives. 

Every Year, the Society of Children's Book Authors and Illustrators (SCBWI) Members are able to nominate and vote for PAL member books considered to be "Great New Books" from their region (by regional peers).

The SCBWI is celebrating its 50th year as an international organization that nurtures the creation of great children's literature. I've been a proud member for 16 years and recommend joining the organization if you're interested in learning more about the children's book publishing world.

Find out more at: Scbwi.org! 

Tuesday, May 21st - from 4-8pm, is the last day to view this beautiful exhibit.
The exhibit is at Cerimon House and features images of Nature Spirits of the Pacific Northwest by multi-disciplinary artist, David Vala. The exhibit also features ten Northwest Environmental Organizations who gift us with their work in environmental restoration, community action and climate change mitigation. Please join us Tuesday, May 21st to view this exhibit!

As I was curating a recent exhibit at Cerimon House, the artist, David Vala, shared a Mac app he has just discovered called Scopeworks.  Using it, I created this little movie from photos of a cluster of peonies and ranunculus in a bouquet created by Portland floral artist Hilary Horvath.