Blue Jackets Birthday

For: Jeremy
Occasion: his birthday

To help celebrate Jeremy's birthday this year, I did an illustration of the Columbus Blue Jacket's mascot. I had no idea there was a hockey team in Ohio, but was delighted to find that their mascot was such a character! I changed his American Civil War style kepi hat into a party hat for some extra birthday flair. I hope Jeremy had a great birthday and gets to take in some more hockey games this year if he wants to!

Small Waffle Birthday

For: Charles
Occasion: his birthday

Charles and I have a joke about the material of several Henley shirts, in that it looks like small waffles (come to find out that specific type of material is called "waffle-knit"). For his birthday card, I created an illustration of a few small waffles holding a Happy Birthday message spelled out in syrup. I really like drawing waffles (it's happened before!), and I hope Charles enjoyed the little joke.

Ski Valentine

For: Michael
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Apart from being the love of my life, Mike is also my personal ski instructor! We have had tons of fun skiing nearly every weekend, and he has helped me make such awesome progress. To thank him for that and share love with my valentine, I created a water color in the essence of a vintage ski poster that reads "Ski Colorado." We're wearing true-to-life gear, down to the subtle orange that reflects off the bottom of Mike's skis. I love how this card turned out, and I can't wait to hit the slopes with him again this weekend!

Armed Battalion Valentine

For: Christy and Nathan
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Christy and Nathan got to see Hamilton in Chicago, and have spread the addiction to me (for which I am very grateful). For their Valentine this year, I featured one of the funniest lines from the show where King George threatens to "send a fully armed battalion to remind you of [his] love." I did a watercolor of the east coast of the US underneath the quote and made a few ships with hearts and the British flag on their way. I love Twin and Nathan so, and I had so much fun making this card to remind them of my love!

Wolves Valentine

For: Mom and Dad
Occasion: Valentine's Day

My parents have been going to Chicago Wolves games recently, so for their Valentine this year, I did a watercolor of the Wolves mascot with heart eyes. He looks fiercely loving, and the contrast between the love eyes and the sharp teeth makes me laugh. I love my parents so much and I hope they have a nice Valentine's Day together!

Stretching Valentine

For: Ames
Occasion: Valentine's Day

Amy is officially a PTA! To help celebrate that accomplishment and share my love on Valentine's Day, I created a design of athletic looking women stretching in a way that suggests the shape of a heart. Their t-shirts with hearts on them too, because they're on Team Love! I had such a great time hosting Ames over the weekend, and I hope she has a great Valentine's Day. 

Photo Valentine

For: Mark and Becky
Occasion: Valentine's Day

I had been thinking about photos that are up on the walls of Mark and Becky's house a lot recently, so when I wanted to make a Valentine for them, I featured a polaroid of the two of them holding a heart. I love how the cartoon Mark and Becky look so much like the real life versions! I love the Currys so much and am already looking forward to seeing them in July.

Candy Heart Valentine

For: Sarah
Occasion: Valentine's Day

To help Sarah celebrate Valentine's Day, I created a little girl with curly hair  holding an oversized candy heart. She's got an adorable hat and bright green shoes with orange socks, because of course! I heart Sarah so, so much and hope she gets as much candy as she wants today.

Tubing Birthday

For: Ben
Occasion: his birthday

Ben is basically the king of water sports at The River. For his birthday card this year, I did a watercolor of Ben flying high in a tube and used some patterned blue papers to create the waves of the St. Lawrence. This card screams summer, and I'm sure Ben can't wait for another great year!

Birthday Emoji

For: Dylan
Occasion: his birthday

Dylan rocks some sweet specs, so for his birthday card this year, I adapted the "nerd" emoji to be a cool, party-going guy sans buck teeth and plus party hat. I had a lot of fun doing the shading on this (notice the sheen on the hat!) and hope Dylan has the very best year yet. 

Basketball Birthday

For: Danny
Occasion: his birthday

Danny is crushing it this basketball season! To help celebrate his birthday, I featured our little all star wearing a jersey with KEANE and 10 on the back (given that he's turning the big 1-0 this year). I even got his cool haircut from behind! I'm so psyched Danny loves basketball, and can't wait to play with him this summer.

Lotus Flower Birthday

For: Jeannine
Occasion: her birthday

Jeannine is kicking butt trying to maintain balance in her life, so to honor her and that honorable endeavor, I did a watercolor painting of a lotus flower. The lotus is a symbol of calm, patience, and love for all things, among other beautiful meanings. I figured there was no better way to celebrate Jeannine's big day, and I hope she has a healing and relaxing year!

Bear Balloon Birthday

For: Uncle John
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate my uncle's birthday, I did a drawing of a bear holding a bunch of balloons (five, to be exact!). Each balloon has a letter on it, and along with the hat, the party paraphernalia spells out "Happy Birthday." The card  has a "kid in the '70s" feel to it, which totally rocks. I hope Uncle John has an awesome day!