I had my first “in person” art show at the Half Moon Bay Library on December 7th and 8th with the Colony of Coastside Artists. It was a blast! I had never met and spoken to so many people about my artwork – and they were all so supportive and kind! My husband, Nick, acted as my spokesperson when my shyness threatened to send me inside my shell and I was honored to make connections with so many fascinating people. I even got to hear an octopus story!
The library is gorgeous. The natural light from all the windows showed off our art beautifully. And the librarians were hospitable heroes! They made the entire event seamless and fun.
The first day was rainy.
I made cranberry and pecan pinwheel cookies! And chocolate chip cookies too, though they’re not as photogenic.
A heartfelt THANK YOU to all the visitors who came, all the artists who participated, and all the library staff who helped pull off a wonderful show!
To celebrate her coming into our lives, I made a Crayola crayon portrait of this beautiful soul. She has the sweetest hugs! She has given us more love, more joy, and more DANCING than we know what to do with!
Keep dancing, you sparkling star!
If you’d like a look into how I made this fine art portrait using crayons, take a look at my patreon page:
This quote attributed to the Imam Alí by Bahá’u’lláh in The Seven Valleys has inspired me in my art ever since I first read it when I was a teenager. This drawing is just one of many that I’ve attempted at capturing a little of the feeling it gives me.
I’ve been working on this drawing on and off for many months. It’s been a kind of meditation piece for me. I’d put on my headphones, listen to sad music — or the music my husband is working on — and start coloring. Very soothing.
For my mother’s birthday, I drew this dreamy surreal crayon drawing for her. As many adventures as she’s lived in her seventy years on this earth, ever more await her!
I’m putting together a Patreon page where you can support me making oddlings — and get some cool exclusive stuff while you’re at it!
Familiar Oddlings will launch on Patreon on February 20th
But what is Patreon, you ask?
Patreon is a membership platform that provides business tools for creators to run a subscription content service, with ways for artists to build relationships and provide exclusive experiences to their subscribers, or “patrons.”
What will Familiar Oddlings on Patreon be like?
When you become a patron for Familiar Oddlings, you get a chance to win a custom felted snonkey!
Green Banana Snonkey, needle felted
Everyone who signs up as a patron will be entered into a snonkey giveaway. When we reach 50 patrons, I will randomly draw the name of the winner, who will get to choose what kind of snonkey they want.
Some of the prints available
And that’s just the beginning! There will be all sorts of other cool things, like exclusive photos and videos of my work in progress, prints, and even a discount in my etsy shop. You’ll also get to participate in polls to help me figure out what type of oddling to make next.
Why am I doing Patreon?
There are so many projects that I wish to pursue, so many new oddlings I want to felt, and even a book I’m working on illustrating in crayons. With your support and feedback, I could bring these projects to fruition. Having you all at my back will give me the courage to step beyond my comfort zone, learn new skills, and ultimately bring more oddlings into the world!
To be honest, I am both terrified and thrilled about this new step for Familiar Oddlings. I feel like I’m taking my first wobbly steps as newborn giraffe. All gangly and awkward and eager to get moving.
Thank you to everyone for being part of this exciting journey with me!
Remember, February 20th is Familiar Oddlings Patreon launch day!
For Christmas this year, I made crayon portraits of my two nephews on my husband’s side of the family. These adorable little guys are the sparkle in the family! Paul is three years old and Andrew will be two in February.
Portrait of Andrew, Crayola crayons on illustration artboardPortrait of Paul, Crayola crayons on illustration artboard
I’m so happy to have them in my life. And on December 26th we welcomed a brand new little nephew into the family! I’m looking forward to drawing another portrait for baby Tyler.
Familiar Oddlings 