yellow studio

Happy 2012! I had a visitor in my studio at the end of last year :)

I finally put up more pictures of the new studio space I'm working in these days over at WD. Kayt and I walk five blocks to work now and it's nice.

The vinyl signage was installed just before Christmas. You can find a whole bunch more on flickr!

happy 2012

Wishing you lots of love over the holidays and a bright and optimistic 2012!

Christmas is a happy time for some and very hard for others.

Forgive strangers, forgive those you love. Most importantly, try to forgive yourself.

This is what I will try. I invite you to try it as well :)

being alive through vulnerability

 Pedro's daughter & Pedro's paintings

"When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability. To be alive is to be vulnerable."  Madeleine L'Engle

Saw this quote on Brene Brown's blog this week, a post about the awesome Dallas Clayton.

drawing this and that

Time keeps flying by. We are finally settled in the new office and enjoying the change...

I have been trying to draw more dogs and get into the habit of taking time to draw something fun every day. Not easy to do.

If you feel creatively drained like I do, how about try to 'sprint'?
I'm posting my student workbook exercises over at WD now, have fun!

office progress

I moved into my new office today :)

Rolling hills of Alberta

Our landscape here is like a patchwork quilt.

going ons

Wow! Time slipped away. Things going on and no time for website updates.

I've been renovating a new studio space for WD with Kristin and my family. It's an exciting change as I have been working from home for nearly 10 years now? Anyhow, I don't know what it will be like to get ready and go to work like other people do.  It's only five blocks from home, but it's a good thing that I am the boss because I will certainly be late most mornings.

I will update with new work and sketches soon :)

Above is a little pic of some illustration I've been working on for the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Sour Cherry Tart

I finally picked my cherry tree and made a sour cherry tart! Here is the recipe if you would like to try.

Gluten Free Millet Crust

1/2 cup millet flour

1/2 cup brown rice flour

1/2 cup buckwheat flour

1.5 teaspoons xantham gum

0.5 teaspoon sea salt

7 tablespoons cold butter, diced

1 egg

4 (or more as needed) tablespoons cold water

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flours, xantham gum and salt. Add the butter and use the pulse option to work this mixture into crumbles. Add the egg and continue to pulse. Add the water, one tablespoon at a time and work until the dough detaches from the bowl. Transfer to a bowl and cover. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours. Bring back to room temperature before using.

Non-dairy but delicious filling:

1 cup almond meal
1 large egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
3 tbsp butter, in small pieces
1 1/2 cup sour cherries

Blend meal, sugar an salt in a food processor. Add egg, butter and process until the mixture is smooth. Spread into partially cooked tarts (maybe pre-cook for 15 min?), smooth top and place the sour cherries in the filling. Cook for 20 min at 350 F. Serve warm or cold. 

(Found somewhere online, adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe)