Where Nature is Nice

This year starts the eighth year of living in Charlotte. The one thing I enjoy everyday here is the nature. Matt and I talk often about where else in the United States we would want to live. We have not come up with a place yet but I am sure we will eventually. When I think about what I will miss about Charlotte if we do move away it’s the nature. I often chuckle at the city’s slogan “Charlotte’s Got a Lot” because I don’t think it does, I have found it to be just one big suburb with lot’s of nature and endless options for grocery stores.

Zone Eight-Issue 1

I made a zine called Zone Eight. Creating a zine has been on my to do list for many years, so I am quite happy that I finally followed through. The name comes from the planting zone of where I live, which is Zone Eight. It’s a collection of photographs and illustrations from the year so far, ranging from our garden, my surroundings and my favorite beverages. Now I get to start working on the the next issue. Check out the full zine here!

A Reminder

Work for me has been a dumpster fire for a while and I need to make changes to get into a better work situation. I am currently in a work situation that makes me feel like I am a round peg trying to fit into a square hole. I thought maybe if I draw how I have been feeling about work it would be a visual reminder to work more on figuring out a better fit for me. A dear friend told me that I should own my own business but she admired that I was always trying to find a better fit for me. I think she is right, I want to be a full time Illustrator. All I need to do is believe in my talent and actually work on making it happen.

Grackles a Plenty

The summer has been flying by and it’s been a hot one. I am already for Fall to arrive so I can not melt every time I go outside. Though this summer has been good for bird watching, in early June there were a lot of Grackles hanging around. They are unassuming at first and then you notice their iridescent feathers. I tried to capture their essence in this drawing but I find them very hard to draw. Next on my list to draw is a Hawk or a humming bird, or maybe I will draw a food item. So many things to draw so little time!

Jam & Toast

Jam, butter and toast is one of my favorite breakfasts. Matt has been baking bread lately and it makes the combo even more delightful. Bonne Maman Preserves is the only jam I will use but I do mix up what flavor I get. One day I would like to get their lemon curd, I have never tried it have you? As far as the homemade bread Matt has been making a no knead loaf, it is so much better than most of the bread we can find her in Charlotte. I do miss bread from the Bay Area, ACME was our go to.