This natural piece features a poem called “Consent” by Howard Nemerov and was awarded Second Place at the Oregon State Fair competition. The design was inspired by my fascination with gingko and its history as the oldest-living seed plant on earth. My goal was to create a work that captured the essence of the gingko and a certain earthiness.
The work is produced on Reeves BFK paper, layered with pen and ink work and watercolor. The alphabet used is Italic. I took some liberties with letter shapes to create a more organic “twig-like” appearance. (Calligraphy and illustration)

My inspiration for this piece came from the poetry – it truly is a universal message. The well-worn baby shoes are a familiar sight for any parent. This heart-warming piece is also available as a fine art print by special order. (Calligraphy and illustration)
This piece is produced on Arches Watercolor paper, featuring watercolor and brushwork in a limited palette. The alphabet is Serif Capitals. (Calligraphy and illustration)

These beautiful song lyrics by Michel Legrand were chosen as a tribute from a loving husband to his wife of many years.
The title of the work is hand-lettered in Italic Script; the small capital letters in the text are 23K gold leaf. The text is hand-lettered in pen and ink with the side scroll created in multi-hued gouache. The versal “L” is 23K gold leaf with a lapis blue surround and hand-painted white vine filigree. The scroll features illustrations of beloved pets that were carefully positioned to let the reader’s eye travel throughout the work and enjoy every detail. (Calligraphy and illustration)

Six distinct calligraphic alphabets speak to “making our mark” through the ages. The background image of ancient stone contributes to a sense of antiquity in the piece. Each phrase is presented in a different alphabet in different sizes, media and angles to create a range of movement and focus for the viewer.
The stone background is hand-painted in watercolor and Sumi ink on watercolor paper, then cut out and placed on a black background. The alphabets are uniquely rendered to create different visual effects: To replicate ancient stone carving, float above the surface as if through time, or simulate dimension with highlights and shadowing. Arches Watercolor and Canson art papers are both used in this piece. (Calligraphy and illustration)

This sweet portrait was created for a friend to honor her two precious rescue kitties. I worked from a small photo as reference.
The work is rendered in Sumi ink, watercolor and watercolor pencil on Arches Watercolor paper. To achieve the special feel and texture of cat fur, I used a combination of pen and ink strokes and watercolor. (Illustration)

Working from nature, I created this pen & ink illustration as a personal project. Textures and detail are achieved with different techniques like stipple and crosshatch.
The illustration is rendered using Sumi ink and technical drawing pens on Arches Watercolor paper with a smooth Hot Press surface. (Illustration)

As a companion piece to “Birch Bark,” this illustration employs various pen & ink textures to delineate the different leaves of the forest.
The illustration is rendered using Sumi ink and technical drawing pens on Arches Watercolor paper with a smooth Hot Press surface. (Illustration)

The Memorial to Quinn was commissioned to celebrate the life of a lovely young lady. It features Quinn’s own words and a beautiful prayer of hope.
Quinn’s portrait is rendered with watercolor pencil in some of her favorite colors. Her name is written in 23K Gold leaf and the words of the Memorial are rendered in italic hand using Gouache. (Calligraphy and illustration)

“Ben & Blair’s Wedding Vows” is an unusual, multi-layered piece created to commemorate the couple’s special commitment to each other. The work now hangs in the home of the newlyweds.
This piece features archival and water color papers and translucent vellum combined together, with images and calligraphy rendered in gouache and Sumi ink. The layers include the couple’s portrait painted on watercolor paper; the white folds of the veil painted on the underside of a vellum sheet and the beaded decoration added on the topside of the vellum. Finally, the wedding vows are hand-lettered in Copperplate Script on the vellum’s topside. (Calligraphy and illustration)

This inspirational poem by Rudyard Kipling presented real design challenges because of its length. I decided to break the elements up with a bit of subtle abstract, giving the reader a little path to follow. It won the Award of Excellence at the Oregon State Fair competition.
The work is produced on Arches Watercolor paper using ink, gouache, 23K gold leaf and pastels. The text is composed in the Foundational alphabet with Copperplate Script accents. (Calligraphy and illustration)