Making Green Spaces Greener

During the week of the ‘23 Autumnal Equinox, I installed my largest mural yet! The 36 foot by 20 foot scene is in a courtyard surrounded by plants and trees. Via contract through Urban Artworks, who also provided me with 8 amazing volunteers (aka Dream Team), to rock it out in five days. I designed this work for Bellwether Housing to be enjoyed by residents for years to come. Many of them, and their super-friendly dogs, visited us during our progress over the course of the week.

Earlier this summer, I visited the courtyard to meet the client and see the wall in person. I’ll admit it was begging for art. It was kind of a vibe-killer.

The courtyard has lush bushes, seasonal flowers and trees that have hand-made birdhouses hanging from the branches. Many residents spend hours in this green space so I decided to simply expand it. I took photos of the plants and trees already there and designed a landscape that would transport the imagination. I drew a path leading into the background with an evergreen forest on the horizon. I also added a waterfall for tranquility. Who doesn’t love waterfalls?

The shape of the courtyard is rectangular so anyone who exits the main building can see the waterfall from the far end of the opposite side as soon as they enter the courtyard. I also wanted the design to compliment the tall trees on the left, which hang over the art so their leaves blend with my painted trunks. I used a sponge to add texture throughout; adding moss on the rocks, leaves on the path and of course mist on the water hitting the rocks at the base of the waterfall.

Dream team member in this photo: Katy Basnaw. Progress photos above: 1. outline using paint pens 2. blocking the solid colors in the middle and background 3. adding the ferns in the foreground 4. final work

Enjoy more content, including videos, on Insta. I’m so grateful for the amazing volunteers, Bellwether staff and Urban Artworks for support! I was there from 9am til 6pm most days and while my body was tired, my heart was soaring.

2023 Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair: Chalk Mural

After being invited to be the 2023 Featured Chalk Mural Artist at Bellevue Arts Museum (BAM) Arts Festival, I visited BAM’s exhibit “Strange Weather”, which explores the relationships and boundaries between bodies and the environment.” The works of art hit those notes hard and each artist conveyed a message with their own unique lens. I remember the rich colors - saturated reds, rust-oranges, turquoise, yellows and greens. When I learned how BAM wanted my chalk mural to be inspired by the exhibit I knew I would be including a vibrant color palette.

I was asked to title my mural, which is the hardest thing for me to do for any piece I create. But after spending time with Strange Weather I had a solid idea. My mural’s title would be, Arrested Antidote. I chose it in an attempt to evoke reflection about our action/inaction with regards to body-and-land violence and the missed opportunities and contributions that are lost as a result. I wanted to depict people in the midst of migration and to some degree expedient exodus. The land masses would be unnatural and the sun would be a dark, ominous color to spotlight the changes currently underway in our environment(s). There would be waves of water and bubbles floating throughout each shape - each representing a breath.

I spent several hours prepping my chalk colors and labeling them according to each shape. I went back to my notes from the Strange Weather visit to ensure I was doing justice to my tribute. I kicked-off the first day by chalk-drawing a large circle (6 feet in diameter) and outlined everything. I spent a total of 18 hours on my design, but it didn’t feel like that at all. I think it’s because I had so much fun chatting with all the families, kids, staff and volunteers the entire weekend. I heard so many different languages being spoken, met people from all over the world and at when I painted the last stroke of chalk paste I felt exhilarated. I’d been able to share my progress [and shared my inspiration] with so many others who have stories of their own to tell. I was beyond grateful that I got a chance to listen.

Monsters and Socks and Totes, Oh My!

It seems like a lifetime ago, but did you know I used to hand-paint baby onesies, socks, totes and T-shirts? While working a full-time job, I would [in my downtime and on weekends] escape in original hand-painted designs and sell them at [the formerly-owned] Monster Art & Clothing, which used to be on Ballard Ave here in Seattle. The shop has a new location and is under new management but I have so many great memories attached to the former. I probably painted over a hundred baby onesies back then.

Silk screening was something I experimented with after I was commissioned to create one-of-a-kind T-shirts for a dance company. I watched a lot of YouTube videos about photo emulsion, converted my bathroom into a dark room and successfully executed my first silk screen design. It quickly became an obsession and I ended up transforming many of my favorite designs into T-shirts, patches, greeting cards and tote bags. I had so much fun painting personality into each one.

After being invited to display my original paintings on the wall inside [the formerly-owned] Monster Art & Clothing, I was introduced to so many other creatives and artists. That funky little shop was one of the first places I connected to Seattle’s art community. It’s wild to see how my art has evolved since then and many friends still have my hand-painted tote bags to this day!

I had the best time painting the baby onesies and would spent hours on different color combinations. Some of the monsters’ mouths were hand-sewn pockets with a hand-sewed felt monster to fit inside. I even used glow-in-the-dark paint, which added a whole new layer of fun and surprise. I discovered recently that I still have some of my monster tote bags, which I’ll probably try to sell again soon. I’d rather them get used instead of sitting in a box collecting dust. The monsters need to be released to the world! Watch out! Raaaarrrrrr!

3rd Street Book Exchange

Almost ten years ago I designed some art for the talented LiviJoy. She recently referred me to a local bookshop owner, Rachel, who was in need of a new bookmark and business cards. 3rd Street wanted to update their marketing materials and after a virtual consultation, Rachel and I came up with a fun idea.

Their older business cards featured a tree with books hanging like leaves and I had an idea how I could incorporate the sentiment but add some movement and whimsy. My goal was to capture the feeling of being gleefully swept away by a good book or story.

I designed something that’s meant to guide your eyes from the historic building 3rd Street calls home, on the left, then across the tree (wherein there are two profiles - parent and child) and on to the open book that catapults you to the right where adventure awaits in the pages and imagination soars.

If you ever find yourself in Marysville, WA be sure to swing by 3rd Street Book Exchange! While you’re there, pick up a book and one of their new bookmarks! Rachel can help you with both!

Tenth West Exhibition

I can’t count how many times I’ve had a mouth-watering breakfast at Tenth West. Having lived in Queen Anne for over 14 years, urban hiking around the neighborhood, finding local gems to support meant everything. Even though I now live in a different part of Seattle, I still crave the community vibe and tasty food that Tenth West serves.

Being a small business owner means wearing a lot of hats, and one of them is PR. so during a recent visit to scarf down the Greek Scramble (my all-time fave on the menu), I asked Vicki (front-of-house) if she and Linda (the owner) had any artists lined up to show work at the cafe. Turns out they were looking for a new artist, liked my stuff and before long I was hanging my framed illustrations on their vibrant, red wall.

Linda and Vicky made my experience real fun right away. They were closing-up for the day when I arrived and they let me play DJ! I’d been listening to a lot of Khruangbin so I suggested their 2022 release “Ali”. Linda provided all the hanging tools I needed and even had some reinforcements when realized I forgot wire on one of my pieces. The installation time flew by and I’m already planning my next visit for breakfast.

Sixteen of my original illustrations are displayed [and for sale] - one of them a framed print. Also available are my new artist cards, which feature works from my 2023 calendar that I launched to the public on October 9th (a full Harvest moon). To learn more, subscribe to my newsletter.

If you’re local, I HIGHLY recommend Tenth West! Not only is it a great spot to eat, Linda and Vicky are genuine, warm hosts. They epitomize the community vibe and make you feel like family. I’m very lucky to exhibit my art in a place where I have so many memories. Seattle is very lucky to have Tenth West.

Mbodiment Studios logo

Melanie Katzen is one of Alicia Mullikin’s El Sueño company members. I met Melanie during the intense dance rehearsal process back in 2019. When El Sueño debuted as a dance film in March of ‘22 Melanie and I were reunited at the after party and she informed me about a new dance studio she was going to open in Los Angeles, where she currently resides, and that she wanted me to design the logo. Of course I was touched and excited - anything that has to do with dance, count me in.

We met a couple months later over Zoom to discuss her vision, her deadline and over the course of June ‘22 the logo came together with seamless collaboration. She wanted to feature the letter “M” as an ornate, nature-inspired presence and include a unique font type, which I hand-drew with abstract roots connecting the elements.

I enjoyed creating negative space designs within the letter. I drew leaves that had just enough detail to represent leaves but not too much to get muddy in the spaces allowed. I used a darker hue of periwinkle and a lighter hue to compliment. Both the ‘M’ and ‘Bodiment’ are original styles that I free-handed on my iPad. I love inventing something new and unique for my clients.

Mbodiment Studios is now officially open for business as is Melanie’s beautiful website, featuring her amazing dance talents.