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.

Sarah's Rib Tattoo

I was drawing a lot of androgynous dancers with textures and nature-inspired patterns throughout their bodies when Sarah requested a tree dancer inspired by her pole dancing. Our collaboration was seamless. She sent me a few reference photos of the specific poses she wanted and I transformed the muse as requested (image on the left). She took the illustration to a local tattoo artist who rendered it with color and dimension (image on the right).

Early drafts were completed with pencil and traced with pen.

Sarah owns the coffee shop A Muddy Cup on 45th in Wallingford in Seattle. It’s got great beans, brew and comfy seating!