I love me some skully motifs.

With the work for my show complete, I can work on other things I like to draw, like my ongoing Portland People series.

I spotted this feller taking a jaunty stroll down SE 20th Ave sometime last week.  I gaped as long as I could without colliding into the car ahead of me, then squeezed my eyes tight to further facilitate memorization.  Later, though, when recalling the memory, I had no problem remembering his purple, strappy, knee high boots that I can only describe as TMNT foot soldier gear.

See the rest of the series here.

So, in case you didn’t pick up on it the first 8,000 times I mentioned it, my art show, Sticks + Stones, is opening tonight at the Guardino Gallery, from 6pm to 9pm.  That’s in NE Portland, on 29th and Alberta.  You should go, or something.

My work is being shown with assemblage artist Chris Giffin.  See more about the show here.

In the meantime, ahhhhhhhhh….little comics, I’ve missed you.  Above is a pretty accurate account of the months leading up to today.

As usual, I’m still working on a few things up until the very day before my work is due at the gallery.  No stress here, though; for me, things are perfectly on schedule.

I jammed out this little number over the course of two days.  Here the dusky colors of an Arizona sunset are combined with plants native to Oregon.  For inspiration, I looked to a book entitled Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast and referenced a species called the Oregon Iris.  Below are a few progress photos taken on Instagram, plus additional detail images.

See this work (IRL!!) at Thursday’s opening, as well as alllllll the others I’ve been posting here for the last few months.

Now, if you’ll excuse me – I’ve still got some work to do.

Check out Jake’s process for designing these really cool leather coasters.

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Forbes compiled a list of 30 people to watch under the age of 30 in Art & Design.  Try not to feel sorry for yourself.

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I loved this installation by artist Yayoi Kusama: what happens you give kids thousands of stickers in a blank room?

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Holy crap, I just saw glimpses of my future Parisian studio!  Not really, but a girl can dream, right?  (This studio actually belongs to floral painter Claire Basler.)

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I LOVE FLOWERS.  And these arrangements by Ariel Dearie are delicious.

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Season 2 of Portlandia just started a few weeks ago on IFC.  Check out these interviews with Carrie Brownstein & art director Tyler Robinson.  Good stuff from Design*Sponge.

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These vintage illustrations for Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach stir up some memories from reading one of my fave books. (via Brain Pickings.)

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WHAAAA 60′s teens had some nice duds!  What was I wearing in high school?  Oh yeah.  JNCO’s.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH

And with that embarrassing admission, I bid you adieu.  Have a good weekend yall.

Friend and Lemolo contributing photographer Tim Roth hosted his second photography exhibit at the Coffeehouse Northwest last Thursday.  Dubbed Workers & Tools, this group of large-format photographs showcases six various Portland specialists and the tools of their trade.

And looky here – yep, that’s Mr. Elias Grey, proprietor of Lemolo Baggage,  himself!  Oh, what a tangled web we weave.

Tim’s photos will be up through the end of January, stop in and grab a cup a delicious joe and partake of some art.

Hey.  Got a dream?  Chase it.

Yep, my posting has slowed down in the last few weeks, but heyyyy mannnn, I’ve been busy.

With my art show opening in just  few weeks, I’m in the last stages of preparation.  That usually means framing.

Just like last year, I had local favorite I’ve Been Framed handle my order.  This time we’re going all white to let my crazy psychedelic colors shine on some, and complement dusky desert hues on others.  And, just like last year, I’m doing half the labor myself: installing the artwork and making each frame gallery-ready.

Come see the frames, and the works within them, Thursday, January 26th, 6 – 9pm at the Guardino Gallery.

I just wrapped up another work for my show, Sticks + Stones.  I referenced an actual jawbone that my friend gave me while visiting Arizona a couple years ago.  I remember that he’d shoved this bundled sweater into my hands, and when I unwrapped it, inside was this piece and also a partial leg/hoof.  It felt pretty weird packing that into my luggage, although I’m sure it’s not the strangest thing BY FAR that anyone has checked onto a plane.

OH AND SPEAKING OF MY SHOW

Won’t you come?

WHAT!  2011 was awesome; as the year plodded steadily on I experienced a series of small accomplishments and adventures that I hope will build to an even more totes awesome new year in 2012.

Here’s why:

My solo show, Lost Pages, opened in January, to great success.

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Eagle & Wolf hosted our first ever Drink & Draw at Apex in SE Portland!  Beers were imbibed!  Sketches were made!  And we still host the event monthly.

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Jake & I finally moved from a cramped “shack” to a legitimate house, giving us the room to set-up a large studio.  (I still work on the couch with pizza crumbs all over my face.)

Also, we have a garage where we can keep our bikes clean and dry ((MAJOR BONUS!!)).  Also, a spare room to practice our primal screaming.

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Shortly after, we hosted a Housewarming/Birthday party for which I made infused liquors along with custom labels.  So good!

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Jake & I collaborated as Eagle & Wolf for a our first big public project.

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I entered an illustration contest hosted by one of my favorite illustrators, Jillian Tamaki, and won!

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In July, I celebrated my 30th birthday in style in the beautiful city of San Francisco.  Along with the fantastic dining, drinking, and Tenderloin….”adventures”, we were also fortunate enough to meet up with amazing artists Ward & Vivienne.  It was an eye-opening experience.

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I SAW THE GOONIES HOUSE.

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I SAW A MUCH CREEPIER HOUSE ELSEWHERE IN ASTORIA.

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In October, I illustrated the cover for an issue of the Willamette Week.

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LEMOLO!

After a photoshoot trip to the Oregon coast in September, months of hard work, & collaborating with good folks, Eagle & Wolf helped launch the Lemolo Baggage website.  Not only did we enjoy working with our dear friend Elias Grey,  it was also one of the best highlights of the year.

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We hosted an epic Halloween party that was a complete mess.

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I started making comics and became seriously addicted at a time when, uhhh, well, I don’t have much time to make them!  (Watch out, 2012.)

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After a long two years, I finally went back to my desert homeland of Arizona and reconnected with family and friends.  Jake finally got to see “where I’m from” (a flat brown land of vast nothingness), and we soaked up some 70 degree sunshine.  Also, Sedona.

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And finally, in September I found out I’d be showing at Guardino Gallery in 2012.  For the last few months I’ve been finger-painting stick figures like CRAZY!  See the news works, Sticks & Stones, this January.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that because of all my wonderful readers, this little blog here has, once again, experienced tremendous growth in the last year.  So, thank you, thanks for caring and for your curiousity and lovely comments.  Here’s hoping for big things in the new year!

CHEERS YALL