Power and Light

Kyle Durrie is delightful.

I'd heard about her idea for Moveable Type back when the kickstarter campaign was in full swing. Her project not only got the $7,000 she was hoping for - to transform her ice cream style truck into an educational (mobile) letterpress studio - but it got funded at $17,000 with more than 350 people backing her. This is an amazing project and Spokane this past weekend was oh so lucky to be one of the many stops on her travel adventures.

Kyle - Thanks for the sticker! I hope Spokane was good to you...you're doing great things. ♥

Go check this lady out!
www.powerandlightpress.com

Draw Off

Oh hello seriously neglected blog...I still ♥ you!

A brief update:
The past weeks have been spent finishing our yard and home improvements posthaste (photos to come). Our Ladywife, as we call her, Whitney got herself married off and we hosted her a mighty fine reception at our house. I think we're all still recovering within the residue of a very long month of preparation. It's fun time now, as she is leaving us soon for Arizona. This past weekend was filled with spontaneously lounging around a fire, night swimming, and meteor watching - staying up to all hours of the morn. It was also the Garland Street fair Saturday - and more importantly the Block Party (that evening)....which is what I am so excited about that it brought me back to post for you. The Draw Off!


Seven2 started the Draw Offs after seeing the sketching, doodling and whiteboarding going on during meetings at work. They've now had 6 of these "live 3 on 3 Art Battles". Essentially 2 teams get an 8 foot square white board and only black pens, paints, and markers. They have 2 hours to make a piece based on the selected theme. It's live and people vote for the winner.

I was so stoked when I heard Terrain was partnering with Seven2 and they asked me to make a team. I picked 2 of my most lovely and talented ladyfriends...Karli Ingersoll and Karla Dagovitz. They ended up being perfect collaborators. Our theme was "The 60's" and we faced off against the Boars Head Tattoo guys...Spoiler alert - we won! Like big time!

Here are some photos my good friend Mitchell took:
(Thanks Midgel ♥)

You can see a bunch more photos of both teams: here - on the Draw off site.

Secrets [IF]

I was telling a friend last night about Illustration Friday. I then decided it was time to draw something for it.

This weeks theme is:  Secret

Secrets are messy...and so is this little doodle from my sketchbook - but I sort of like that about it. Happy drawing! ♥

The River Ghost

Some friends and I made a creepy little film last month...in 50 hours. We had a grand time. The online vote is still active if you wanted to put in a good word for us....and watch all the other films!

Spokane Doesn't Suck

A typical conversation while out of town...

"Where are you from?"
Spokane!
"Oh wow, I'm sorry."
Don't be. (Followed by me proclaiming my undying devotion)

Big thank you to Derrick from Spokane Doesn't Suck for asking me to contribute. This is a fantastic idea...a fantastic blog! It's great to be reminded that there are others out there loving on this city. Some days this side of the bleachers feels a bit lonesome.

Read my post here. Forgive me for my nerdiness. Then read the blog! The other submissions by Karli and Brandon are glorious.

♥

Mirror Mirror

The Inlander's Volume Block Party is coming up June 1st. It should be a pretty crazy event. $5 ($10 at the door), 38 bands, 6 venues. They asked a bunch of local artists to design posters for their top 'Bands to Watch'. I love a new challenge.

My poster is for the kick ass local band, Mirror Mirror. Their music seems a mix of dark and romantic - with a lonesome feel. This is quite a change from my hearts and bumble bees. It was a nice excuse to try something different. What do you think - did I get it? I had the final poster printed professionally on metallic photography paper...like liquid diamonds my friends.
Spokanites - make sure and check out the poster show at Brew's on Washington during the month of June. I hear they look pretty fantastic all together!

♥

Lady Areli

A friend asked me to photograph her apartment for her. It's her first place all to herself without any roommates - and it is perfect. We also decided to take some portraits of her (she's such a cutie). It's been a while since I've done an interior shoot - it was a bit reminiscent of my college days.

Here is just a peek - they turned out lovely...

♥

Home Grown

My wife Jacinda is a magical doer. I don't post about her often because she is shy, and likes her privacy. However, she is most boast worthy.

I found a photo I uploaded to facebook in 2010. Our entire yard was grass and two rotting 100 year old trees. Now just two years later it's been transformed by one very diligent lady. It's completely landscaped and includes clover, gardens, flower beds, fruit trees, rock walls, chicken pens, broken cement walkways, and a very cozy fire pit/social area out back. We're even hosting a wedding for some dear friends at our place in a couple months!

Our Garden:
We are up to 11 raised beds now. The triangle one is my favorite! Jacinda figured out an extremely inexpensive method using cedar fence boards, and has been teaching our friends to build them too. (I plan to work with her and illustrate a 'how-to' for sharing at some point.)

I asked Jacinda to write a list of the things we are growing (so far) this year in our yard. We live in the city - but it's a mini urban homestead for sure...complete with pet chickens and all.

The Perennials...
Fuji apple tree, gala apple tree, fruit cocktail tree (graft of plum, plumcot, nectarine), vanessa grapes, frontenac gris grapes, raspberries, rhubarb, horseradish, marionberries, asparagus, willamette hops, mount hood hops, aronia berry, goji berry, strawberry, jerusalem artichoke, lavender, and mint.

The Regular Garden (and she's not finished)...
German butterball potatoes, sweet potatoes, french filet beans, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprout, artichoke, kale, peas, red onion, yellow onion, walla walla onion, hard neck garlic, lettuce, spinach, sunflowers, early girl tomato, roma tomato, zucchini, acorn squash, yellow squash, tobacco, carrots, beets, sweet corn, and a cornucopia of herbs for cooking and drying.

I can't even tell you how delightful this year will be - sneaking out to harvest fresh ingredients for homegrown meals.

She amazes me.
...And now has properly been boasted about!
♥