Why do people in MN talk about the weather 24/7?

When we jokingly call it MinneSNOWta we aren't kidding.
The reason Minnesotans talk about the weather nonstop is because it feels like half of the time it's trying to kill us. Winter ate spring this year, plain and simple. The following photos were taken April 19, when we thought we had the last snow storm of the season. In reality it happen much later—mid May—when most of the world was enjoying blooming trees and fresh green grass. At this point I have so many "Winter Storm" photo folders it's all a big deja vu, so pretend this is the last snow storm of the year.

Easter Coloring Book

I illustrated (and designed) my first coloring book!

Was that on my bucket list? Yes it was, without me realizing it because it sure felt good to get this done. From sketching stage to illustration, to design and production, this was a lot of fun.
It's a little sad without color, but the characters are happy—as most children's books characters are. I recently received the Prismacolor pencils, so a special thanks to my art "benefactors" they were finally put to use as I colored a few pages. I'm hoping to get some pencil illustrations done soon, since they are just great—no crayons for me!

This is very different from my usual style, peppy and simplified, with a very different line quality I usually work in. However, the product and audience dictates style and direction. It shows you that an artist (or at least this one) can easily adapt beyond their usual style.

So you can finally see the busy bees on the cover!
There are more images, a preview into character development, and the full book on my website.

You can also see it live here where I'm credited in the "Behind the story."

Kathy's Canned Goods/ Food Styling

I recently added a few more pieces to the project Kathy's Canned Goods, which involved some food photography and styling. One thing I learned from the experience is the following. For some photography you can get by with just the camera; for product photography you are in deep trouble without the proper set-up and equipment (I am currently accepting donations).
Balancing light back-in when you are standing on a table quickly escalates into acrobatics while you are attempting to move a wilting sprig of parsley out of your shot, and trying not to spill a bowl of soup. I now understand why the Food Stylist and Photographer are never one and the same (cudos if you are, and I'll take some tips on that!).

I've assisted in a product shoot in the past, with a brilliant photographer at Rat Race Studios, where the set-up and process where so flawless that Ken made it look easy (not that I believed for a second that it was). Let me assure you it is anything but. It is a separate skill from portrait photography, and from capturing a moment since you are creating one much more than anything else. My compositions went from elaborate set-up scenes, to something more simple, where I could actually manage and be in control of the shot. Product photography sure is a beast.

Below are some of the shots, and the full project on my website.

  

A dog day Monday

This tends to happen a lot during staff meetings and conference calls: I doodle.
Last time bees, this time dogs.

Busy Bees are back

From staff-meeting doodle ...
to coloring book stardom.

The silly bees are about to make it into an Easter coloring book. Coming soon.

Mind your bee-si-ness

It's sad, but this is the most I've drawn in a while. Hardly counts as drawing - just a doodle during a staff meeting... Two gossiping bees.

Fall is here

    Gorgeous Fall Colors...

    And some BW...