Printable Coloring Pages!

Donations and/or tips may be made to my Venmo account @SmallFoxPress. Suggested donation: $2 per design, or get all five for $6. Thank you for supporting my art!

How to Download:

• Right click on the image you wish to download and select "Save Image As"

Printing Tips:

• Print single-sided
• Set print job to "Best Quality"
• Print at 100% scale (borderless, if possible)

Tapping in.

In my last entry, I shared a sketch that, from the second it appeared on the page before me, elicited some pretty big feels. The drawing itself was nothing monumental: Just a little mouse holding a daisy. Still, I couldn't remember the last time an image had pulled so strongly at my heart. Probably because it was my heart, speaking to me through my work, cheering me on, telling me to keep going, whispering that I was getting close. Or that's what it felt like, anyway.

Then I took a hiatus from everything: I flew out to my homeland of California and spent some time with my parents in the house I grew up in. One night, I pulled out a stack of old journals that I'd stored on the closet.

Tears welled as I read the following entry (which describes imagery that arose from a morning meditation) and saw that the inspiration for this little mouse - the vision - had been there all along:

18 May 2013 

Palms up and stretched out before me, I feel a weight there, as though I am carrying something. Then, in my mind's eye, I see it - it is a great bundle of FLOWERS. And I see myself handing one out to EVERYONE I meet. And reminding them of the beauty in themselves and in the world around them. 

Watching this vision fills my heart with so much joy and gratitude, my eyes well with thankful tears. If this is the load God has given me to carry, I will do this work happily, with love and purpose. 

Then my arms drop lower still, and expand around my body so that they are open as wide as can be! And the bundle of flowers grows into a mountain of fragrant, delicate blossoms. There is SO much to give! So much work to be done!

Then my palms begin to move up, my elbows bend in, and I feel this enormous, unfathomable bundle being placed back in my chest - compressed neatly into my humble little heart.

Such a beautiful, simple job.

Thank you Thank you Thank you.

Yes.

So that's where this came from.

Little mouse. Courageous Spirit. Humble Heart.

Lead the way.

The Evolution of a Print

So here's the finished product. Below you'll see how this little mouse came to be. He's available now at my Etsy shop on greeting cards and as fine art prints!

Whenever I'm feeling stuck, frustrated, or doubtful about my work, I sit down in front of a blank sheet of paper and invite my heart to speak. This is what came out yesterday, and I can't imagine a more perfect metaphor.

The initial sketch: Just a little mouse with a big flower. 

Inked up the block to pull a quick proof and get a better idea of how it's coming along.

The final proof. Happy with how he turned out, I'm calling this print done. 

This piece isn't grand or earth-shattering, but it feels so dear to my heart. And though I didn't consciously plan it, the imagery represents so much to me.

It takes a tremendous amount of heart and courage to carry a big dream. Especially when you're just a small mouse.

Or a small fox.

Quick Craft & New Digs.

Over the weekend Bryan and I settled into our new/temporary April home in the beautiful city of San Francisco.  Being a pair of minimalists, we managed the move with just one car load and the help of a good friend.

It seemed that all had gone smoothly, though going through my art drawers today, I encountered a bit of a mess.

I was relieved to find that this rubber eraser was the only casualty of a leaky ink jar, and equally pleased to realize that this was a great excuse to try my hand at something I have been thinking about for some time now:  

Carving my own rubber stamps.

He's a cute little feller. 

As I was saying: 

So I live in San Francisco now.  Bryan was offered a 6-week programming contract here in the city, and it's hard to believe he is already through the first two weeks.  It will be a short stay, but already our little place feels like home.  

Presenting:  My new Art Studio

Our humble sublet belongs to an artist who has filled the apartment with paintings, photos, sculptures, and so many other interesting and inspiring things!  

Not only that, but our window looks out over Golden Gate Park, and yesterday I enjoyed a nice run through the trees all the way to Ocean Beach.  It's such a blessing to have so much nature right outside our door.

And not only THAT, but my self-appointed job while living here is simply to write, paint, and draw as much as my heart desires.  

I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity!

Solar Power

Meep eep eep.

Thumpatta thumpatta thumpatta.

  Mouse said I think too much.

Rabbit called me skittish.

"Perhaps a moment of stillness?" they suggest.

Face in the sun,

Feet in the grass,

A tree behind my back.

 I find solar-powered peace.