Cozy Creamsicle Mood Board on Coco+Kelley

Sep 15, 2015 | Art Direction, Client Work, Fine Art, Graphic Design

I’ve got a new mood board up on Coco+Kelley today: Cozy Creamsicle. It’s inspired by the artwork of New York artist Cordy Ryman. I saw his work at the Seattle Art Fair this summer and absolutely fell in love with it. When I selected the images for this... Read More

The 52 Lists Project by Moorea Seal

Sep 14, 2015 | Creative People, Creative Process, Creative Projects, Mindfulness, My Life, Writing

The first time I met Moorea Seal we had breakfast at The Fat Hen in Seattle and I collaborated with her on her 52 Lists Project. At the time, it was a series of posts that Moorea was hosting on her blog, encouraging women and creatives everywhere to use them as a tool... Read More

Introvert, Interrupted | Art + Life

Sep 10, 2015 | Family, Fine Art, My Life, Painting, Storytelling, Travel

“Introvert, Interrupted” is a fine art print that was selected as an Editor’s Choice winner in a recent Minted art and design challenge. I created this limited edition print from a section of a larger abstract painting that I completed in early 2015.... Read More

Bon Voyage + An Update of Sorts

Aug 11, 2015 | Family, Fine Art, My Life, Painting, Travel

The Wave | Mixed Media Painting on Paper by Melanie Biehle Vacation time is here, and we couldn’t be more ready. This afternoon the Adventure Club will hop on a plane to Reykjavík. The first place we go after we land is the Blue Lagoon. We wouldn’t have... Read More

Jump First, Dive Later

Jul 23, 2015 | Hand Lettering, Illustration, My Creative Journey, Painting, Storytelling

While I was working on this painting, I started thinking about the differences between diving and jumping. To dive is intentional. Deliberate. Your arms meet and point to your target. You have a plan. You know where you want to land. Jumping is more... Read More

Adventure Club Summer Vacation: Iceland and Germany

Jul 9, 2015 | Family, Mixed Media Collage, Places, Travel

We’re headed to Iceland and Germany next month and my brain is in vacation mode. In addition to making this collage, I’ve been on a pinning spree – discovering places for us to visit on our trip to Reykjavík, Hamburg, Cologne, and Berlin. Our hotels and... Read More

Wearing My Writer Hat and Wielding a Paintbrush

Jun 19, 2015 | Fine Art, Illustration, Writing

I swear, you guys…I’ve been working. I totally painted this and these for #The100DayProject. It might not look like it if you’ve been reading this blog, but my writer hat is on and my fingers have been getting a workout. Here’s proof. The... Read More

Pacific Tote Company, I Love Your California Surfer Vibe

Jun 9, 2015 | Art Direction, Creative People, Graphic Design, Places, Storytelling

File this obsession under Company I Would Love To Work With. Pacific Tote Company, I love your vibe. I love that you use the term “mood board” to take us to your inspiring Tumblr site which guides us through your inspiration process. I love how you share... Read More

Freelance Art Direction: A Lesson in Letting Go

Jun 1, 2015 | Art Direction, Client Work, Creative Process, Creative Projects, Creative Strategy, Graphic Design, Photography, Storytelling

We talked about what art directors do. Now it’s time for me to take you through a project that I art directed and shot for Seattle-based luxury leather handbags and accessories company, BEVÉE. The goal was to shoot a set of images that represented BEVÉE’s... Read More

How To Be An Art Director in 125 Simple Steps

May 26, 2015 | Art Direction, Client Work, Creative Strategy, Storytelling

“What do you do?” “I’m an art director.” Silence. “Okay…but…what do you do?” Sound familiar? In the introductory “fable” of Art Direction Explained, At Last! by Steven Heller and Veronique Vienne, Brian... Read More