ink and gouache

watercolor and gouache

Print available here

Mounted print available here

mounted print available here

mounted print available here

mounted print available here

Designs for Opera Memphis' Hansel and Gretel

I recently finished working on a really fun project with Opera Memphis in which I designed the sets for their production of Hansel and Gretel. Everything was digitally projected onto three huge screens, with the exception of a few very minimal physical props. This approach allowed me to complete the illustrations at a small scale, and then those same paintings were projected onto the screens.

(click pictures to enlarge)

show curtain

Hansel and Gretel's house

Using digital projections allowed for some unique and fun effects, such as the forest scrolling across the three screens as the performers wandered through it. There were also spooky glowing eyes that appeared and disappeared in the night forest, and the witch's house grew as Hansel and Gretel approached it and then disintegrated at the end when she was defeated.

I also designed costumes for the Witch, Sandman, and Dewfairy.

This was my first time doing a project of this nature and I absolutely loved it. I enjoy working collaboratively with artists of different fields and it was super thrilling to see my illustrations life-sized and part of something so great. I mean, really, a fairytale opera? What could be more perfect for me? Everyone at Opera Memphis was a real pleasure to work with and they did a fabulous job on the production. Thanks guys!

(performance photos all courtesy of Opera Memphis)

photo credit: Opera Memphis

 There were only two performances and the second night was sold out, it seems people liked it!

Here are links to a couple of positive reviews in the Memphis Flyer and the Commercial Appeal.

photo credit: Opera Memphis

photo credit: Opera Memphis

photo credit: Opera Memphis

photo credit: Opera Memphis

photo credit: Opera Memphis

photo credit: Opera Memphis

photo credit: Opera Memphis

photo credit: Opera Memphis

I'll be having a show with Erica McCarrens (friend and fellow MCA alumna) at the Germantown Performing Arts Center this month. The opening is on Friday Dec.5, 6-8pm.

Here are a few of my new pieces which will be on display-

Art show at Tart

I currently have a show up at Tart, a wonderful new cafe/gallery here in Memphis. This show was particularly interesting because the owner encouraged me to paint on the walls as an accompaniment to my hanging art. Most of my work tends to be rather small, so getting to create large scale drawings across walls was very different and fun for me. The show will be up until August 31st, so swing by and check it out! The food at Tart is also really good, btw.

 (please excuse the poor quality of my hasty phone photos)

I'm excited to be included in this group show at the Dixon, Memphis Illustrated. Come out to see some great art and meet some great people during the opening on April 17!

A selection of new stuff

I will also be a vendor at the Broad Ave Spring Art Walk on April 11 and the V&E Greenline Art Walk on April 26!

Holiday time!

Holiday update! I have a few new items and special events going on this season. 

This new ornament set features a group of adorable woodland creatures and can be purchased in my Etsy shop here.

Or you could have a cheery elf band play you a tune, available here.

This tote bag is hand printed from a linoleum block I cut. Get it here!

From now through Monday (12/2/13) I am offering free shipping on all items in my shop! Use coupon code FREESHIPPING2013 at checkout.

I will also have booths at a couple of local events, one of them is the Sugarplum Shindig in Overton Square on Friday, December 6. Facebook event page here.

On the following Sunday I'll be at the Brooks Museum Holiday Artist Market. Details here.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Steamroller Print

A finished print hanging on my wall.

I recently finished a project I was doing with Five In One which involved cutting a 4x8' wood block and making prints of it on fabric, using a steamroller as a press.

Woodcut in progress

 This was my first time doing a woodcut and I loved the process!

Finished block

Printing in progress

There were something like 14 different blocks to print (many of them having ten prints each), we were there all weekend late into the night trying to get them done. But we did it!

Prints hanging to dry

More drying prints

The whole endeavor took I don't even know how many exhausting hours, but it was worth it. All in all, it was a really cool, really fun project and I hope I get to do it again next year! To Alice and Michael- thanks, guys!

See more great pictures over at the Five In One Tumblr.