Cinema Birthday

 For: Joe
Occasion: his birthday 

For Joe's birthday card this year, I did a multimedia collage of a movie theater! It's all got a very 1920s talky vibe, and I am a particular fan of the rouched curtain collage detail -- how regal! I hope Joe had a great time celebrating his day and that he gets to watch all kinds of great movies this year!

Cute Butts Birthday

 For: Jackie
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Jackie's birthday, I did a silly illustration of baby Emily and the dogs crawling away from us wearing party hats! This card is so goofy, but when the idea popped into my head, I knew I had to go for it. I hope the entire family, furry and otherwise, had a great time celebrating Jackie today!

Cake Slice Birthday

 For: Lydia
Occasion: her birthday

To help Lydia celebrate her birthday, I did a gouache painting of a sheet cake with a slice out of it. It's decorated with a purple frosting "Yay, Lydia!" I just love that the orientation of the frosting text is upside down to the slice--how fun and quirky! Lydia is really such a wonderful human and I am always in awe of her. I hope this next year is incredible for her!

Megalodon Birthday

 For: Charlie
Occasion: his birthday

To help Charlie celebrate the big day, I made a drawing of Megalodon, the Monster Jam truck. The fin is covered with a party hat, but otherwise this truck looks fierce! Monster Jam is an entirely new world to me, so I had fun researching how to draw such a spectacle. I hope Charlie had the very best birthday and is looking forward to a great year!

Wishes Birthday

 For: Lexi
Occasion: her birthday

To help Lex celebrate her birthday, I did a painting of her blowing out candles on a (gluten-free) birthday cake! There's a swirly "yay" to help make it extra celebratory. I had a great time trying to capture her image in gouache and hope she had a lovely birthday. I adore Lex and hope to hang out with her soon!

Rocket Birthday

 For: William
Occasion: his birthday

For William's birthday card this year, I illustrated a rocket that's out of this world! I love how it's ripping through the gray space to show the rich colors underneath. And the engine of the rocket is a cake with the right number of candles--how fun is that? I hope William's day is out of this world!

Quilt Birthday

 For: Grandma
Occasion: her birthday

To help celebrate Grandma Carol's 85th, I used lots of different patterned papers cut into triangles to mimic a quilt square. I have never quilted myself, but I have a newfound appreciation for how difficult the craft can be! I added a special 85 to decorate the quilt, and I hope Grandma enjoys lots of wonderful details this year. 

Cornell Bear Birthday

 For: Corinne
Occasion: her birthday

To help Corinne celebrate her birthday, I did a gouache painting of Touchdown, the Cornell mascot, hugging a big red C and wearing a party hat. He's a fierce little fella, but I bet he'd be fun at a birthday party! I wish nothing but the best for Corinne and hope she has a wonderful birthday!

Mountain Top Birthday

 For: Jada
Occasion: her birthday

To help Jada celebrate her birthday, I did an illustration of her way at the top of a mountain, arms raised in triumph and admiring a colorful sky. Jada can do just about anything she sets her mind to, and this image sums it up perfectly for me. I hope she has a wonderful day and is looking forward to a year of great things!

Singing Pig Birthday

 For: Uncle Vince
Occasion: his birthday

To celebrate Uncle Vince's birthday, I did an illustration of the singing pig from the classic filmstrips we watch at the holidays. In this particular one, known to us as "the singing pig," this little operatic fellow sings lots of la-la-las and everyone he encounters tries to eat him! Where we couldn't all get together to see the films this year, Uncle Vince kindly zoomed some videos for us on Christmas day. And given UVince's musical past, this card seemed perfect. One detail I particularly loves is that the "Happy Birthday to you!" message isn't exactly letters, in keeping with the non-word singing of our featured friend. I adore Uncle Vince and hope he has a most spectacular year.