Swimming Bear Birthday

For: Sarah Sot
Occasion: her birthday

Sarah was the first person I'd ever met that swam competitively, and it blew my mind as a very interesting thing to do. To celebrate her birthday, I created a watercolor bear wearing goggles and floaties. This image just makes me so happy, just like Sarah does. I can't wait to see her in November!

Congratulations Wedding Card

For: Jackie and Kev
Occasion: their wedding

Jackie and Kevin got married this past weekend! To celebrate their big day, I made this card that plays on their wedding colors (Illini orange and blue) while adding in a touch of whimsy and fun. Their wedding was perfect (Orange Crush soda bottles for everyone and a fully functioning photo booth) and the card really captures the relaxed atmosphere of the wedding. I had such a great time helping the bridal party and catching up with the girls. I hope Jackie and Kev have a great time in Hawaii!

Paper Airplane Birthday

For: Molly
Occasion: her birthday

For Molly's birthday card, I did a watercolor of a woman catching paper airplanes in a butterfly net. I saw something like this online, and it spoke to me as "Molly" this year. I think its playfulness and bright colors speaks to her personality and the whimsy of the airplanes struck me as well: Molly wears many hats as a teacher, advocate, writer, and friend (among others) and she manages to keep all her "planes" afloat. I miss Molls a lot and hope she had a great day!

Crochet Birthday

For: Gina
Occasion: her birthday

Gina is a great crocheter, so for her birthday card I created a watercolor with a lady crocheting. She has balls of yarn for hair (which mimics Gina's own curly hair) and the scarf she's working on has "Happy Birthday" stitched in. It was so great to see Gina (if a month late) and I'm excited that we live in the same neighborhood now!

Fancy Fox Birthday

For: Uncle Joel
Occasion: his birthday

My uncle Joel is a very sophisticated gentleman, so for his birthday card I emulated his level of sophistication in the form of a fox. (I don't condone pipe-smoking, but arguably it does conjure the idea of a very intelligent ol' chap.) I like how the floral background plays with some of the colors of the watercolor. But I really like my uncle and hope he had a great day!

Monogram Wedding

For: Katelyn and Patrick
Occasion: their wedding

For Katleyn and Patrick's wedding card, I created a watercolor of the two of them hugging in their wedding attire (including Katelyn's lace flats from the big day!). There's a K on her side and a P on his, and the date of her wedding is overlaid on the bottom of her dress. Katelyn did such a great job putting together their beautiful mountain wedding, and I was so honored to be invited! I hope they have a great time in St. John's and I can't wait to catch up once they return!

Bear Tea Birthday

For: Jimmy
Occasion: his birthday

For Jimmy's birthday, I created this colored pencil sketch of a bear blowing bubbles in his tea through a straw. I love the intensity of the bear coupled with the playful birthday hat and silly tea cup. I hope Jimmy likes it too and has a great birthday!

Flower Tree Birthday

For: Domi
Occasion: her birthday

For Domi's birthday card, I created a watercolor tree that has different flower shapes in place of leaves. I love how this image looks, and I hope it helps Domi celebrate her day. I also hope she did great with her APA presentation!

Thousand Island Thank You

For: The Keanes
Occasion: Thank You

Mike's parents spend part of the year in Thousand Island Park, New York, which is a community with lots of old Victorian cottages that have a lot of character. As a thank you for letting me spend a week with them and the rest of the Keane clan this year, I did a watercolor of their cottage at the park. We had such a great time I am already looking forward to going back next year!

Tea Pot Birthday

For: Aunt Marilyn
Occasion: her birthday

Aunt Marilyn is a truly lovely lady, so to help celebrate her birthday I did a watercolor of a tea pot and matching tea cup. I love the fluidity of this design, and how it plays with the plaid background paper. I hope she had a great day and got to relax with some tea!

Lined Paper Mountains Birthday

For: Adam
Occasion: his birthday

For Adam's birthday card, I created some lined paper where the lines themselves rise up to become mountains. This is such an interesting idea, and I liked having the lines to write a birthday message, "Happy birthday, Adam!" 

Happily Ever After Wedding

For: Kyle and Cassy
Occasion: their wedding

For Kyle and Cassy's wedding card, I used a larger watercolor paper and then created a design similar to one I had seen online and really liked. Kyle and Cassy are a truly wonderful couple, and Mike and I had such a great time at their wedding in Cobleskill, NY. It was so fun to see them get married after they had had me do their save the dates last year. I hope their fairy tale is going well so far, and I can't wait to catch up with them back in Colorado.