Calm Coffee Birthday

For: Claire
Occasion: her birthday

To celebrate Claire's big 3-0, I did a watercolor from above of her savoring a cup of coffee. Claire is deserving of some calm in the next year, so this image was my way of wishing that for her. I am really pleased with how it turned out and love and miss her so much. 

Caricature Birthday

For: Uncle Jer
Occasion: his birthday

For my uncle's birthday card this year, I did a geometric illustration of him--look at those sharp lines! I am really happy with this card--I mean, look at how much it looks like him! I hope Uncle Jer had the best birthday and is ready for another year of awesome. 

Colored Tree Christmas

For: Team Walsh
Occasion: Christmas

To thank Team Walsh for opening their home to dozens of us again this year, I did a festive little drawing of several patterned trees (they remind me a bit of the trees in the Charlie Brown Christmas episode!). It's so amazing to see everyone together year after year, and I'm so grateful that Mike got to experience it all this year too. Here's to a happy new year for all Walshes, and Team Walsh in particular. 

Cookie Christmas

For: Grandma Carol
Occasion: Christmas

Most years, my grandma makes a truly epic amount of gingerbread cookies. This year, she had to pass on that endeavor, so to help make up for it, I did a watercolor of a baking frenzy (including white flour all over the place!). Grandma is such a rock star--I hope she enjoyed her year off from baking, but I bet she'll be back at it next year!

Snowbaby Christmas

For: Baby Adam
Occasion: his first Christmas

To help celebrate Adam's first ever Christmas, I did a watercolor of a snowbaby in a hat, scarf, and mittens! (Much like Adam, snowbaby has the strength to sit up straight). I paired it with some patterned snow and even painted flakes falling from the sky. I adore my little nephew and am so happy to get to snuggle him this Christmas!

Singing Christmas

For: Amy
Occasion: Christmas

Amy loves to sing, so here she is on Christmas caroling! I love the blues and purples in this card, along with her adorable little face. The pattern of the snow is just so great. I hope Ames enjoys her Christmas and has been singing tunes all season long!

Baking Christmas

For: The Twin
Occasion: Christmas

Twin loves to bake when she can, so for her Christmas card I featured a watercolor illustration of her waist-high in baking accoutrement. I am a particular fan of her big smile and how festive of a scene is laid out in her kitchen. I hope Twin enjoys her Christmas and gets to make (or at least eat!) some delicious bakes. 

Fruitcake Christmas

For: My dad
Occasion: Christmas

Dad enjoys making Fruitcake each Christmas season, so for his card this year I did a watercolor of the tasty treat featuring several brightly colored fruit pieces. I placed it on a pen-sketch cutting board and added in other details (like the coffee cup and bowl of leftover cherries), leaving them all black and white. Doesn't this look so cool? I love my dad so and hope he has a delightful holiday.

Archway Christmas

For: Michael
Occasion: Christmas

Mike and I live in an old school, and given that this will be our last Christmas in this place, I decided to feature its iconic double-door archway that's in our living room. Mike is a pro at decorating it seasonally, so I did a painting of this year's Christmas decorations. (The Valentine's day heart that has been stuck there for a few years had to make an appearance as well.) I love Mike so much and am so thankful for his arch decorating--it's been lovely in our place, and who knows where we'll be next Christmas?!

Game Table Christmas

For: Nathan
Occasion: Christmas

Nathan constructed an epic game table this year, complete with a changing colored light interior! I did a watercolor of the construction with a green light shining, along with St. Nick himself having a turn at the board game. Nathan is such a crafty guy--I hope he has a great Christmas!

Linus Christmas

For: Mom
Occasion: Christmas

For my mom's Christmas card, I did an illustration of Linus in "A Charlie Brown Christmas" where he is dressed as a shepherd and delivers the epic speech: "I can tell you what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." Mom is a big fan of the old Christmas cartoons, and I thought she'd rather enjoy this one. I am so happy with how it turned out!

Keane Family Christmas Card

For: The Keanes
Occasion: Christmas

Every year that we don't spend Christmas with Mike's family, I make the entire crew a Christmas card featuring Mike and I being goofy. This year, we are doing some extreme sledding!

I will make the duplicates all in stages. Here's the illustrations painted and ready to be cut out. 

Next, I made the icy slopes by cutting out several hill shapes and placing them on the blue backgrounds. 

Put it all together and what have you got?

Hopefully, a merry and safe Christmas for all!