tumbling into indoor safaris

Life changes us all. 

I used to spend time planning outdoor adventures to better study the changes in nature, to witness migrations and annual events. Now I work too much, spend my time indoors and plan excursions to the grocery store. The nature side of my sketchbook suffers (while the snarky cartoons are often on the rise).

Enter social media.

Inspired by the students I work with at the university reference desk, I set up a tumblr account. While I have yet to post anything (I'm not that organized), I have subscribed to many threads that feature some awesome nature photography. When I need to sketch, to feel connected to the world out there, but have 5 more hours to go on a desk shift, I start scrolling. When an image captures my imagination, I'm off and sketching.

Cook This!

I made up a magazine and laid out the cover of the Spring Issue for the latest Illustration Smackdown. Since I have never been known for my botanical illustrations, I tried to ask why anyone would ask me to illustrate fennel in this day and age. Voila! A cooking magazine. 

I laid out the cover in Photoshop, and discovered the "bar code" font. So much easier than drawing my own. Submit your recipes in the comments by the end of the month and I'll attempt to toss together a zine (in my copious free time).