There’s a painting challenge called #pleinairpril, organized by the Warrior Painters, and it inspired me to try two new painting experiments: try plein air painting in opaque media: oil and gouache (I almost always use watercolor, which is a transparent medium) try leaving early for a meeting so I could stop and paint outside for … More #pleinairpril and some painting experiments

I’m excited to announce that Sorin Starts a School was chosen as a gold medal winner in the Illumination book awards in the Children’s Picture Book category. It’s an honor to be included among so many amazing books released in 2022! If you’re not familiar with Sorin Starts a School, it’s a book I illustrated … More Book awards!

The process of painting every day last month led me to reflect on the awkward in-between stages of a painting. With watercolor, the lightest shades have to be painted in first, and the darker colors are built up in successive layers that make the lighter colors pop into focus. In a painting like this one, … More Work in progress: on suspending judgement

And that’s the end of January! Here are the last paintings of the month… #15: Hardwood swamp forest in January Painting along the boardwalk in one of my favorite parks– the cypress trees are starting to get new leaves, and there’s even some red foliage. #16: Lettuce Lake reflections Lettuce “Lake” is actually part of … More January painting challenge: 15-17 and wrap-up!

I’ve got a few larger paintings in the works that I’m hoping to share here next week (the last week of January)! I’ve got one in the works of Lettuce Lake, and some sketches I did at my favorite garden center that I’m hoping to paint. In the meantime, I returned to this illustration I … More January painting challenge: 14

Here’s the latest batch of daily paintings: two landscapes, and two still lifes #10: lake reflections, repetition I was drawn back to my lake reflections painting from the beginning of the month, and wanted to capture a bit more of the greens from the trees. This painting is a bit larger than my first attempt. … More January painting challenge: 10-13

Here’s the latest on my January painting challege! #5: Blood orange, halved Trying again with the blood orange! Happier with how this one turned out (4×6 inches). #6: Blood orange on a blue napkin Full disclosure: this is a blood orange mixed with with key lime foliage! The blood orange is from my in-laws’ tree, … More January painting challenge: 5-9

Last year in January, I was able to paint outside every day, and I really enjoyed it. I’ve set the same challenge for myself this year, to paint ouside every day! Assorted sizes, limited color palette (hansa yellow light, phthalo blue, and alizarin crimson– though I’ve already reached for my burnt sienna and sap green … More January painting challenge: 1-4

Painting the illustrations for The Examen Book was such a delightful journey. I always love getting questions about the process of creating an illustration, and in honor of the book’s release six months ago today (!!), I want to share a bit of the “behind the scenes” process with you to show how the illustrations … More Illustrating The Examen Book: Behind the Scenes

I get a little overwhelmed by the options when I’m shopping for frames, so I’ve narrowed it down to a few favorites for when I need to hang a painting in my house, or frame something for an art show. These are great options if you’re looking to frame something from my print shop! I … More Favorite frames!

I’ve got a new picture book project in the works! It’s about astronomy, with a focus on the Vatican Observatory, one of the oldest astronomical research institutes in the world. Located in Castel Gandolfo, just outside of Rome, the observatory is a fascinating place, home to world-class astrophysicists, one of the largest collections of meteorites … More On illustrating the invisible

I’ve been working on a night scene illustration for a new book project, and it’s starting to come together! I’ve taken a few process pictures to show you the work in progress. It’s amazing to me how much a few layers of paint changes the look of the painting! Here’s what I’ve got so far: … More Night scene of Castel Gandolfo