National Parks Illustration

I started a collection of illustrations in 2021 of the National Parks I have visited over the years. I plan to continue illustrating parks I visited, and expanding the collection. Here are some words about each park.

Arches National Park - Moab, Utah

The arch shown is the famous Delicate Arch. I used to drive over to the park from Denver when I lived there, and camp along the Colorado River. Arches is full of natural arches and amazing hiking. I love southern Utah.

I respectfully acknowledge that Arches resides on the ancestral lands of the Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - Gunnison, Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado became a National Park in 1999, and is located in the middle of Colorado. I feel like its lesser known, but a very cool park nonetheless.

I visited there on two different occasions and both revealed super cool features of the park. The first time I went there my late husband and I had set up camp at one of the parks campgrounds, and then set out to see sunset views. We arrived at one of the look out spaces, and rather than go to the main lookout, looked into the canyon from near our car. We were checking out the falcons dipping into the canyon, when we looked across to the lookout trail to see a huge mountain lion. It was stalking two ladies just on the other side of the stone wall barrier of the lookout. The cat turned its head and looked deep into our souls before it somehow turned on the dime-sized ledge and ran back into the canyon. The ladies walking to the viewpoint had NO IDEA they were almost dinner for this massive cat. I will never forget the way that cat looked at us. It was a magic parks moment and honestly I'm glad we were there to startle the cat!

I respectfully acknowledge that Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP resides on the ancestral lands of the Ute people.

Grand Canyon National Park - Arizona

The Watchtower at Desert View in Grand Canyon National Park is a very cool spot. It resides on the south rim of the canyon and provides a birds eye view of the canyon and Colorado River below.

I respectfully acknowledge that The Watchtower resides on the ancestral lands of the Hopitutskwa, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai), Pueblos, and Hualapai people.

Great Sand Dunes National Park - Colorado

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is a little out there, in the high plains of central lower Colorado. The dunes were said to have been formed by sand that blew up against the Sangre de Cristo mountains from lakes and rivers in the San Luis Valley.

I respectfully acknowledge that Great Sand Dunes NP resides on the ancestral lands of the Diné Bikéyah, Cheyenne and Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute) people.

Saguaro National Park - Tucson, Arizona

I love the southwest 🌵 probably because it’s so different from the landscape I grew up in. I promise I’ll post other NP’s from around the country 😂 these ones were just the first ones I put together 💛✨

I respectfully acknowledge that Saguaro NP resides on the ancestral lands of the O’odham Jewed, Tohono O’odham, Sobaipuri, and Hohokam people.

Yosemite National Park - California

I visited Yosemite a long time ago, around 2002 or 2003. At the time I was on a cross country road trip that took us from Michigan to Los Angeles and back. We stopped at Yosemite and Kings Canyon - seeing our first giant sequoias and El Capitan for the first time.

What a sight all of these parks must have been for the first people to ever stumble upon them. I'm glad they've been preserved by our government, but also wonder what would be if they were left in the hands of their original stewards - the native people who occupied them long before anyone else.

I respectfully acknowledge that Yosemite NP resides on the ancestral lands of the Me-Wuk people.

Creative Market Shop Open Now!

I’m excited to be able to share some of my favorite vector sets I’ve created are now available for purchase on Creative Market! I’m looking forward to adding more as I make new things. Check it out by using the link in the navigation above!

Video Post: Take a Walk Through My Sketchbook

I recently went on vacation to the Southwest and Mexico, and it was much needed inspiration! I live in Northern Michigan currently, and its cold and snowy here. I grew up here, so its no surprise or anything when its cold, it just isn't super inspirational to me anymore. So when I can get away and visit friends in warmer climates, I jump at the chance. 

My friends, boyfriend Josh and I stowed away to Puerto Peñasco in Sonora, Mexico for a long weekend. We drove there which was super cool - we crossed the Sonoran Desert to end up at the Sea of Cortez. Quite a stark contrast! Love experiencing travel by car. 

I had decided that I would try to sketch and fill a whole Field Notes pocket book on the trip, and it turned out to be the best idea! I sketched our experiences every day as they happened and got a lot of good practice and fun designs to use. 

I recorded this video tour of the sketchbook to explain some of the funny things and oddities of our vacation. I already miss Arizona and Mexico, and especially my homies Chris and Lindsey. 

12 Ways We Can Work Together

12 Ways We Can Work Together

I do a lot of different projects for a wide range of businesses and people. Things like logos, websites and merch are common. I love learning new things and taking on challenging projects. Here are 12 ways we could work together. Got an idea? Let’s chat!

1. New Website (or an update!)
   Maybe you have never heard of websites or maybe you need an update to a site you’ve had for 10 years. Either way there is usually something I can do to help get you current on the internet. I like to make new sites in Square Space or Wordpress for the ease of handing it off to the client. 

2. Event Campaign
   I have a lot of experience making posters and other event advertising collateral. Print, social media, websites and merch are some of the things I’ve designed for events, musicians, and city governments alike. I can design you a poster, or we can work together to come up with an entire campaign strategy. 

3. Pitch Deck
   Pitching a new event or idea can be stressful, and making a good impression is imperative. Having a well designed pitch deck can be the boost you need in a presentation. I can provide a print or digital deck experience, you provide the content.

4. E-book Design
   Sometimes what we do is more complicated than a simple tagline and needs a good explanation to really sell it. A well written e-book designed with simple to follow formatting can help you seal the deal. A designer can make sure your content sticks with whomever reads it by creating interesting page designs. 

5. Infographic
   Picture this: you’ve got pages of great stats and info in a Word doc. Are you sleeping yet? Jazz up those little info snacks with some icons and pie charts for more impact. I can make your info come alive with original illustrations, icons and other fun design elements.

6. Logo Design
   Logos are a major investment for any company, and its best to get it right! My process involves getting to know you and getting to know what you do. I become your biggest fan and your logo becomes my personal mission. 

7. Letterpress Business Cards
   I own some big huge antique presses and can make your business card a unique experience. We can pick paper and get a plate made of your logo. It could be printed in gold. Just saying.

8. Illustration & Lettering
   Hand drawn style isn’t for everyone, but it does lend character to whatever it’s used for. If you are looking for illustration, you probably have an idea. Share it with me. I’ll draw you something magical. Also, I like lettering enough to dedicate a couple sentences here. Need a hand drawn logo for your band? Just say so. Need some fancy script for a chalkboard? Let’s do this.

9. Editorial & Publication Design
   I have a considerable amount of experience in this department. Do you need a visitors guide? I used to design official visitors guides for over 25 US cities and states. Updating your official state map? I can handle the task. From brochures, to catalogs, to editorial design — I have the skills to get it done for you.

10. Menu Design
    I have a ton of actual food service experience (bartending & serving), and happen to love great food and cocktails. Those experiences make me an expert at menu design. Making menus organized and creative is one of my favorite things. A well designed menu can elevate the experience for the customer and increase sales! 

11. Screen Printed Posters
    Screen printing adds character to design that digital and offset printing doesn’t have. My studio can handle 2 color prints and up to 11 x 17 poster size.

12. Invitations
    Between the antique printing presses and my fine art handmade book making skills - I can make the invitations of your dreams. Let’s make those letterpress invites and hand sewn program booklets you always dreamed of. It’s your day after all...

There are countless other ways we can work together to help your business, band, conference or festival. I want to make great experiences for customers everywhere using my design and art skills.  If you like what you've seen and read, let's connect!