Monday Mix: Inspiration: Leo and Diane Dillon

Husband and wife team Leo and Diane Dillon are among my very favorite artists of all time. Together they have illustrated for an astounding number of books, and won an equally astounding number of awards. They draw from all cultures to create their images; Leo and Diane have worked in more than one distinctive style while still maintaining a cohesive body of work, which echoes their message of unity among all people regardless of cultural differences. They are truly inspiring people. Here are just a few of my favorite pieces. 

WIWT: April 17

What I Wore Today, April 17

What I Wore on the first day of our Keys vacation, drinking pina coladas and playing ping-pong on the beach. Perfect. 

Monday Mix: Vacation Doodles

This past week, my boyfriend and I took a trip to the Florida Keys. It was sort of a spur-of-the-moment idea; we'd originally been planning to travel to Coachella, and then out of the country instead, but we didn't quite have enough money for either of those. Instead we took the 7 hour drive down the east coast of Florida to the Keys. Entirely inspiring, with so much beautiful wildlife - birds with bright splashes of color on their wings, big spiral-tailed lizards (chameleons?), feral iguanas, stingrays, dozens of little snails with twisted shells, countless different fishes - and amazingly clear, calm water. We turned off our phones and kept away from the internet and just enjoyed it. Above are some sketches I did while sunbathing on the beach at John Pennekamp State Park. 

Less exciting was the drive, and all the driving done in between Keys. I managed to sketch a little without getting carsick, but nothing too interesting, just girls from my head as usual. I want to paint what we saw while we were snorkeling. Glittering clouds of fish, sun rays falling into a black abyss.

Wednesday WIP: JaxHax Yoshi Mural

A mural I did for JaxHax Makerspace, Yoshi/Darwin/scientific illustration-themed for the classroom. I can technically call this a work in progress because it is still only 99.5% done... I still have to sign it! And add a few more tiny details here and there.

I love this place - though I am not a paying member (yet!) the open meetings on Tuesdays give me the opportunity to come and hang out with a bunch of smart, talented, and incredibly friendly people. My friend Bri (who I worked on another mural with, a fantastic one of mostly her own doing) and I will be painting much more on the walls of JaxHax soon... can't wait!