Bakersfield Life Magazine

For a look inside my studio and a little insight into my work, check out this short video interview I filmed this fall with the wonderful Mark Nessia of Bakersfield Life Magazine. I feel very honored to have been featured alongside some truly remarkable local women in the October issue, and am thankful for the opportunity to share my passion with the town I love.

Photo by Mark Nessia

It's been a busy several months and I've been working hard on new projects.

For now, enjoy this bookmark design I created as a giveaway item to pack along with my shop orders. It's one of my latest attempts at "carving" prints digitally:

Tea Pot Mini Print

The Breakfast Table mini prints just keep coming!

In this print, I finally paid homage to one of my favorite times of day: Tea Time. 

Normally I proof in black ink, but for this tea pot I decided to use a splash of color instead. I love how the sherbert gradient turned out! 

This project also marked a milestone in my career as a printmaker, as my husband finally built me something I've always dreamed of: a drying line for fresh prints!

I've found that the printing process is much more satisfying when the finished product can be displayed neatly on a wall, as opposed to haphazardly strewn about every surface in the room.

And of course, what would a new print be without its digital counterpart?

I so loved the look of the gradient backsplash from the handprinted version, I decided to incorporate it into the vector image, as well. 

These colors make me feel so peaceful and satisfied.

For this series of prints, I sought to create a glimpse into my ideal breakfast nook. One that rests in quiet reflection, and finds joy in life's simple pleasures. A place that feels warm, hospitable, and safe.

The sense of balance, the clean lines, and the simple harmony of these designs helps me come back to center. They encourage a sense of presence, and gratitude. It's the little things that anchor us in the present moment. It's giving thanks for life's mundane details that sweetens the everyday.

I hope these prints will bring peace and gratitude to many kitchens. Prints and cards will be available soon! Follow me on Instagram @smallfoxpress to stay up-to-date on news and shop launch date.

Thank you <3

California Poppy Mini Print

Somehow it's already July, and it seems that the triple digit temperatures are here to stay a while. Fortunately, my little home studio is the coolest room in the house, and I can happily hibernate here all summer long. 

However, I am looking forward to getting out later this month: On the evening of July 26th, I will be hosting Art After Dark at the Bakersfield Museum of Art. Art After Dark is one of my favorite events at the BMOA. That night, Kern River Brewing Co. will be in the house pouring craft beer, and I will be leading the group in a fun linocut activity. I'm really excited to share my experience, and watch everyone's creations come to life!

Since the theme of the night is nature and the great outdoors, I created a print depicting spring's most ubiquitous little cheerleader: The California Poppy.

I don't often pull out the colors, but an orange/green gradient was a really fun look for these guys.

And as usual, I couldn't resist scanning the original print and experimenting with multiple digital iterations in Adobe Illustrator.

I love that my collection of prints is growing steadily every week! I'm just about ready to print some greeting cards. I'll be sure to announce shop updates here and on instagram @smallfoxpress

Honey Bear Mini Print

On a roll now with tiny tabletop print #2!

Because what breakfast would be complete without a little something sweet?

The original plate measures just about 4.5x3"

I don't know which part of the process I enjoy more, carving the initial print or playing with various color palettes. Both are supremely satisfying in their own way.

These digital colorizations were created using Adobe Illustrator.

Flowers in Technicolor

I had the best time coloring my mini flower arrangement in Adobe Illustrator.

Technology is amazing!

Linocut Process Video

If you've ever wondered about the work that goes into creating a linocut print, you're in luck because I just posted my first video of the carving process!

The 45-minutes of footage have been condensed into this five minute clip. Special thanks to my dearest Adam for providing the inspiration and tech support behind this video!

Here are some photos of the final prints after being finished with a wash of color.

Go Figure

I have a new work space and a happy little fig tree lives outside my window. I'm told it produces heaps of fruit, if the birds don't get to it first. It will be several weeks before the figs are ripe, but in the meantime they've inspired this design. Here's a look at my process for carving and proofing a print. 

For more process pics and videos, follow me on Instagram @smallfoxpress

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.