the drama of redemption

Client: Redemption Hill Church
Concept: illustration for sermon series, framework for collaboration of six other artists. Stained glass reflects the origin of believers visually interpreting Scripture to a population that was functionally (& Biblically) illiterate.
Historical significance:
The monogram of P & X is actually the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ – Chi (X) & Rho (P).

Richmond Doulas

Client: Richmond Doulas (new site not live yet; just the logo is done)
Tagline: Supporting & honoring families through birth.
Concept: egg shape (community of women) surrounding & supporting both mum & baby.

First Friday

Yesterday there was a frame workshop in our living room, in preparation for the illustration showcase of  Ashley Lewis & Duncan Robertson. That's where all four of us will be tonight, July 1, open from 5-8pm at 9WG Studios at 9 W. Grace St, R, VA. Show some love!

how my brain works

Following some of the suggestions in Birthing From Within, while carrying Elijah I did a lot of writing /sketching & some full-scale birth art that really helped me process the beyond-words aspects of pregnancy. This time I haven't had the luxurious amounts of time to devote to such endeavors, but one very therapeutic project has been designing a logo for our doula for the birth of with surprise bump (final verdict above). It's meant to illustrate that the child's (seed/root) growing process inspires new growth in the mother (stem/shoot). The pregnancy, labor & birth all energize her growth. Also, the continuous line represents the connection of the laboring woman to all who labored before her, with the line's shape rising & falling in waves with the contractions.

If anyone's on the hunt for the kind of nurturing care that a doula offers, you can find Amber on facebook. She's been a dear friend of mine since before I married Nic, & we feel so at ease with her supporting us in this very vulnerable transitional place!

Etsy feature: Ashley Lewis

One of my dearest friends came to mulled wine night bearing some of her beautifully crafted cups, & I'm delighted to share that she's posted some purses for sale on Etsy! A few months ago I wrote about her illustrative work, which was a surprise gift from Nic for our anniversary. She does commissioned work as well, so feel free to do an Alchemy request via her shop. So excited for you Ash; thanks again for these pieces which will be filled with herbal teas & caramel cocoa all winter long!

read more: picturebooks

images via ohdeedoh, Ryan Sias & weheartbooks.com

Literacy is important. So is imagination. Here's to pulling picture books down from the shelves & making up stories/dialogue with your kids. Also the loudly lauded animated film Secret of Kells is now on Netflix instant thingy. It's beautiful & very worth a watch, not to mention the lovely soundtrack! It's also kind of scary at some parts, so please pre-screen if your kids are young or sensitive to images/sounds in movies!

 

images via Cartoon Saloon

Dean's A Book of Fairy Tales

Illustrations by Janet & Anne Grahame Johnstone. Nostalgic appeal: drawings by Nic & siblings in the front jacket. All stories are beautifully written & illustrated, including lesser known tales, such as The Dustman & Babes in the Wood. Used copies available from a few sellers on Amazon, Ebay or via MoonsBooks.

Cultivate

Client: Redemption Hill Church
Concept: illustration for an 8-week sermon series [Easter through Pentecost '09] that will focus on RH embodied values