Little Me Birthday

For: Claire
Occasion: her birthday

Claire is seriously a wonderful bundle of joy, and to celebrate her birthday this year, I couldn't shake this image of a happy little curly-headed muffin in my head.  And when it came out onto the watercolor paper, it ended up looking like a young me! (And maybe a young her, plus or minus the glasses.) This card makes me super happy, and I feel like it's a great way to wrap up year 8 of Debbie Dots--a birthday card with a wave to one of my favorite friends. I love Claire so much it hurts and hope the next year is absolutely fantastic--she totally deserves a kick-butt 2018!

Turtle Birthday

For: Riley
Occasion: her birthday

For Riley's birthday card this year, I created a bright watercolor of a turtle carrying a cake on its back and with a  party hat on! I love how the turtle turned out (such fun detailing!) and think the card looks just as festive as a New Year's Eve baby's should. I miss Riles a lot and hope she has a wonderful birthday and is looking forward to lots of fun in the next year!

Superdawg Birthday

For: Uncle Jer
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate my uncle's birthday this year, I tried my hand at illustrating the hot dogs from the famous Chicago hotdog joint--Superdawg! I paired the little guys with the brilliant "Have a super day!" message using the Superdawg font. I think this card just looks fantastic and the owners of Superdawg should totally rip off my design and sell birthday cards to their patrons. Regardless, I love my uncle a lot and hope he gets all the hotdogs he might want this year. 

Abundance Fireworks

For: Christina
Occasion: Appreciation

Castelli has had a heckuva year, and to celebrate all of her awesomeness (and thank her for being an incredible friend and editor) I drew a portrait of her focused on the theme of "abundance." This lead me to stylized fireworks a-plenty, a cup of coffee, a bouquet of flowers, and of course, an elephant delighted at the scene. Christina is seriously one of the most excellent humans I know, and I am focusing energy on everything good coming her way. 

Santa and Friends Selfie

For: The Park Ridge Walshes
Occasion: Christmas

As a thank you to the fabulous Team Walsh for hosting another massive Walsh Christmas, I made them a card of Santa and his buddies, Frosty and Rudolph, gathered in the snow for a selfie. HOW FUN IS THIS IDEA? Look at those familiar selfie arm angles! I love this card so much, and I hope Team Walsh gets a kick out of it too. It's always so great to see my Walsh gang at the holidays. 

Cup of Cheer Christmas

For: Ames
Occasion: Christmas

Ames loves tea like no one else. For her Christmas card this year, I knew I wanted to feature a cuppa, and saw a super digitalized cup like this one online; I figured I could make it happen by hand (old school!) with my colored pencils, and boy does it look sharp. I threw some tea (or hot cocoa) in the mug with a peppermint candy cane and paired it with the holly-jolly "Have a cup of Cheer!" lyric. I love this card, and I hope Amy gets all the Christmas tea she could want this year!

Hatch Mark Santa Christmas

For: Dad
Occasion: Christmas

I was recently at the Art Institute of Chicago with my dad, and he told me how impressive he thinks etchings are. I was like, "Yeah, man, all those lines? It's incredible!" So when it came time to make Daddo's Christmas card, I figured I'd try my had at the hatch marks that haunted me in the one sketching class I took. I saw this Santa and gave it a go with my thinnest micron pen. I am seriously super impressed with how this came out. All those little lines? Incredible! This endeavor seriously increased my respect for the the masters. I'm so happy to see my dad this Christmas and hope he enjoys the card!

Peace on Earth Christmas

For:  Momma
Occasion: Christmas

For Mom's Christmas card this year, I did a watercolor of Mary and baby Jesus inspired by a vintage Christmas Card I saw a few years ago. The image has been bouncing around in my brain, and I figured this was the year to go for it. I really love  the rich, but subtle colors of the paints and how festive all the squiggles are. I hope Mom has a great Christmas and that we all get Peace on Earth, too. 

Yoda Christmas

For: Nathan
Occasion: Christmas

For Nathan's Christmas card, I went with a Star Wars theme this year! I went back to Yoda (aka, Star Wars that I understand) and drew the strange little guy in a Santa hat exclaiming (in my very best Star Wars font) "A Merry Christmas You Will Have!" I hope Nathan has a great holiday and I am so glad that he allowed me to take over his home and wife for a few days. 

Stirring Mouse Christmas

For: The Twin
Occasion: Christmas

This card requires a lot of explanation! Twin calls her house the "Chris-mouse" when it's decorated for Christmas, and so I wanted to include a little mouse in her card. I used the "A visit from St. Nicholas" poem for some context and drew the little guy stirring some hot chocolate and exclaiming "Oops" because he's not supposed to be stirring! My favorite detail from this card is that the mug is a throwback from Twin's 2015 Christmas card! I heart my twin so much and am so happy I get to see her this Christmas!

Spurs Christmas

For: Mike
Occasion: Christmas

Mike is a big Spurs fan--we're talking watching 82+ games a year Spurs fan. I have jumped on the bandwagon and OH BOY, am I a fan of the Spurs machine. Once upon a game this year, Sean Elliot (Spurs TV analyst and former Spur) was talking about the big men and referred to them as "Trees in the Lane." I mentioned to Mike that that was a very festive thing to say, and this image starting happening in my brain. I knew I wanted to feature David Robinson (50) and Tim Duncan (21) as the franchise trees. In a bout of optimism, I chose my third tree as LaMarcus Aldridge (12), our newer acquisition of a big man (and now I feel bad for leaving out Pau Gasol!). This card took me several hours to create (looking at skin tones, tattoos, and jersey types for accuracy) and ultimately makes me giggle with Spurs-nerd delight. I love that Mike has imparted his fandom on me, and hope he has the very best Christmas. 

Family Christmas Card

For: The Keane Clan
Occasion: Christmas

This year, I won't be able to see the Keanes (and Kadlecs and Schoenbergs and Woolvertons) over Christmas, so in keeping with tradition, I created a Christmas card featuring Mike and I up to some holiday hijinks! This year we are ginger bread cookies, and somebody's taken a bite out of Mike's cookie leg! 

I had a lot of fun painting these cookies, and had no idea how much work goes into watercoloring a realistic looking gingerbread! I will miss my in-laws dearly, but hope they have a sweet holiday!

Snowflake Christmas

For: Aunt Helena and Uncle Steve
Occasion: Christmas

To celebrate the season and thank the Rings for having us over for brunch, I tried my hand at a watercolor snowflake! I picked teals and blues to compliment Helena's beautiful dining room, and added some glitter paper for some wintery sparkle. It's always so lovely to see them and I can't wait for more gatherings in the new year. 

Christmas Tree in the Forest

For: Alex, Emma, and William
Occasion: Christmas

To wish my favorite future first-cousins-once-removed-in-law a Merry Christmas at our brunch with the Rings, I created this awesome card featuring a forest of cool-looking trees. There's one show-stealer all ready for the holiday with decorations and a golden glow! I really love how this card turned out and am so pleased with my colored pencil shading. I had so much fun playing with the munchkins and hope to see them all again soon!

Snowman Boat Christmas

For: The Currys
Occasion: Christmas

Mark and Becky got a new boat! To celebrate their acquisition and the holidays, I drew Frosty taking the boat (which I've named "The Floating Illini") through a snowy forest! He decorated the boat before his big spin with tinsel and lights. I love this card so, so, much, and I hope the Currys have a fantastic Christmas!

French Poster Birthday

For: Aunt Katy
Occasion: her birthday

Aunt Katy speaks French, went to France this summer, and is hoping to go back soon! To celebrate her birthday this year, I adapted the famous Moulin Rouge poster to feature Aunt Katy as the woman in yellow dancing, as seen below. Mine is so much less creepy, and Aunt Katy just looks so, so happy.  I love this so much, and hope it brought some joy to Aunt Katy's day!

Graduation Jump

For: Jody
Occasion: Graduation

Jody graduated with an MPH, so to celebrate this awesome feat, I drew a cartoon Jody jumping for joy at her accomplishment! I love how this card turned out and had such a good time at the graduation party today. I hope Jody is able to relax a bit before she starts saving the world!

Medieval Wedding Congrats

For: Katie and Nate
Occasion: their wedding

Amy's good friend Katie is getting married! To celebrate in their big day, I created an illustration featuring Katie and her beau dressed regally and with a golden banner offering "Congrats on your marriage." I love this banner and am tickled pink by the card. I hope Katie and Nate have a wonderful celebration and are looking forward to a wonderful life together. 

Bag of Flowers Birthday

For: Aunt Glor
Occasion: her birthday

For Aunt Glor's birthday card, I wanted to try to capture the unalduterated pleasantness she puts out in the world. That idea led me to a beautiful bouquet being carried in a "Have a nice day" bag. I am really digging how this card looks, and I hope Aunt Glor has the very best day and everyone in her life celebrates her to the fullest!

Not-so-secret Santa Hat

For: Alex
Occasion: Secret Santa

For my office's Secret Santa gift exchange, I got my buddy Alex! I also bought him beard balm, and then this image popped in my head. I know the card made it a dead giveaway as to the Secret Santa being me, but man, it was too good to pass up. I hope Alex didn't mind the not-secret exchange and has a Merry Christmas!

Kirby Birthday

For: Grandpa Frechette
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate my grandfather's birthday, I featured a video game classic from my youth playing games with Gramps: It's Kirby! What is Kirby? A flying pink bubble that can breathe in whatever he wants and blow it out quickly...I guess? Regardless, I like how happy he looks, and I hope he blows out the birthday candle before he inhales the cake! Good advice for all of us on our birthdays. I hope Grandpa has a great day!

Hanukkah Love and Light

For: The Biegens
Occasion: Happy Hanukkah


To help celebrate the Festival of Lights, I created this simple (but shiny!) menorah with candles-a-blazin'. I like this card...

...but I really love the shine!

I hope my Biegens are having a great time celebrating, and I can't wait to see them soon.

Argentina Buen Viaje

For: Sarah
Occasion: Bon Voyage

Sarah is spending a month in Argentina, so to wish her well on her trip, I did a drawing of the Argentina flag paired with a Spanish "¡Buen Viaje!" (and checked with my colleague who is a Spanish interpreter that I got it right!). I'm so proud of Sarah for taking this awesome trip and getting out there and doing her thing. I'm loving her updates and pictures, and can't wait to hear all about it in person, hopefully soon!

Good Luck Fortune Cookie

For: Jackie
Occasion: Good Luck

Jackie is coming up on her last architecture exam, so to encourage her and wish her well on the test, I did a drawing of a fortune cookie with an accurate fortune: "You'll be great!" With a Good Luck! wish on a green background, I think this card looks really sharp. I'm so proud of Jackie-town, and I bet she can't wait to be done next week!

Cardinals Birthday

For: Mark
Occasion: his birthday

Mark is a big Cards fan, so for his birthday card this year, I tried my hand at the Cardinals' logo. I love how it turned out, brought forth from the red and outlined in blue. Here's hoping Mark has a great year and that the Cards follow suit!

Beach Scene Birthday

For: Aunt Kat
Occasion: her birthday

For Aunt Kat's birthday card this year, I was feeling a beach theme and decided to do a watercolor to pull it all off. I used my opaque white paint for detailing (for the first time!) and love how the waves and the clouds turned out with it. This card is so relaxing I find myself staring at it throughout the day. I hope Kat has the very best day and I can't wait to see her again at Christmas!

Seahawks Birthday

For: Paul
Occasion: his birthday

Paul is a Seahawks fan AND turning 12 this year! Can you imagine the serendipity? To celebrate his big day, I added in the heralded 12 to represent the 12th man to the logo. I'm so pleased with how sharp this turned out and hope Paul (and his team) have a great year!

Lion Statue Thank Yous

For: The parents and parents-in-law
Occasion: Thank You

As a thank you to the Keanes for trekking out to Chicago over Thanksgiving to meet my entire family, I did a watercolor of the lions at the Art Institute where we rambled about on Black Friday. This is the South Lion (since they live down south in Florida this time of year), and I made my parents the North Lion (because they live up north, comparatively!):

The difference is basically that ol' Northy has his mouth open. 

It was so great to get see everyone all together and celebrate one of my favorite holidays. 

Sorting Hat Baby

For: Twin and Nathan
Occasion: Pregnancy

Christy and Nathan are having a baby (!!!), so to celebrate the forthcoming bundle of joy, I did a watercolor of my little niece or nephew wearing a happy Sorting Hat from Harry Potter. I already love little Nugget so much and can't wait to meet 'em in May!

Peanuts Kicker Birthday

For: Uncle Jim
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate Uncle Jim's birthday, I created a Peanuts classic--Charlie brown gearing up to kick a football held by Lucy. (I believe he's going to make contact and save the game this time!) I hope Uncle Jim had a wonderful birthday and is ready for an awesome year!