StudioWorks Artist Residency
Four Blissful Weeks Making Art in Eastport, Maine
When it comes to artist residencies, the usual factors people zoom into are location, special equipment, and length of time. I’ve found that the culture of a residency program can make the experience truly worthwhile. That’s exactly why I loved mytime at the Tides Institute and Museum of Art. Of course the beautiful location and studio space…
My Four Month Odyssey
14 States and 2 Countries in 4 action-packed months
Instead of lotus-eaters, sirens, and cyclops, my Odyssey included babies, jaguars, and art making.
Phase 1: late June in Indiana
The impetus for the trip was learning that my older sister was pregnant and wanting to support her and her husband after the baby was born. It’s the type of help my parents would have happily provided, but in their absence, I stepped up. Knowing very little about babies, my first stop in Indianapolis to spend time with my college BFF Sylva coincided with some baby 101…
How to Find an Artist Residency Perfect for You
What’s the big deal about residencies?
My personal experience with artist residencies sparked long term inspiration from the new environments, creative people, and opportunity to experiment with different techniques. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to places like Canada, Alaska, and Maine for unique, invigorating opportunities. Highly recommend!
People have been asking me for help in finding a residency so I wanted to write a post that could be useful.
How to Support a Grieving Person
Grief is a topic that freaks a lot of people out and it doesn’t have to.
Based on my experience of losing both parents at the same time due to a sudden accident, here are some suggestions on how to support a grieving person:
Diorama Scavenger Hunt
The Promotional Mailer of My Dreams
This double-sided diorama showcases my illustration, design, and screen printing skills. I imagined the concept of something mailed flat in a 6”x9” envelope that turned into a 3D diorama many months ago. Once I realized I could laser cut the chipboard and screen print the imagery myself, the project started to get rolling.
Double Sided Design
I decided to make the most of both sides of the diorama and created two different scenes that featured my imaginative illustration style.
Voices of the Wilderness Part 2
Artwork Inspired by My Residency in Alaska
After months of work, I finally have a body of work to share! The road has been long and meandering and I’ve been savoring my time in Alaska even more since my parents died. They met me in Sitka after my residency ended and we had an absolutely epic final trip together.
The glacial islands, water reflections, and wildlife lodged themselves into my brain and I spent a lot of time sketching ways to combine the three elements.
Conservation Stamp Paintings
The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife asks artists to submit artwork for the Hawai’i Wildlife Conservation and Game Bird Stamp. Since I’m building my portfolio with conservation images, I was excited to create paintings that fit the parameters.
The wildlife conservation stamp is a requirement for Hawai‘i state hunting licensees while the game bird stamp is required for anyone intending to hunt game birds. Both stamps will also be available to stamp collectors.
This year the two species are Hawaiian Land Snails and the Chestnut-bellied Sandgrouse.
Snowflake Moray Ornament Tutorial
Turn my annual holiday card into a paper ornament
I wanted to mix things up this year and challenge myself to create something that could be upcycled instead of single use. Ornaments make sense for the upcoming Christmas holiday.
Inside the card, I printed a template for you to use.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Follow along to make your own snowflake moray ornament!
Freelancing is the Same Game as Online Dating
Connection in our digital age is a precious thing. Our attention spans are microscopic and being strategic about how to attract people we vibe with is an art in and of itself.
Freelancing and Online Dating. Sigh. I’ve been doing one longer than the other, but I can’t help but find similarities between the two. Please enjoy my mental musings on this topic lol.
Appealing to Everyone Means Appealing to No One
Mushroom Grove Shirts
Newest Block Print Design for Rescued Shirts
My Rescued Shirt Project is going strong! I combine my printmaking skills and eco-consciousness to make upcycled shirts that turn heads. The design ideas pop into my brain and I convert them into graphic one-color designs that I carve out of linoleum. Then I block print them onto shirts.
Each shirt saves the 713 gallons of water it takes to make one new cotton shirt.
Mushroom Grove is the newest design I printed on shirts I rescued from the waste stream.
Inspired by Nature, Twisted by My Imaginative…
In Loving Memory of My Parents Bruce & Diana Baldi
Obituary: Bruce Gaston Baldi and Diana Jo Baldi
Our beloved parents, Bruce Baldi, 65, and Diana (Wozniak) Baldi, 66, have departed this earthly plane to be amongst the stars. They were always smiling, adventuring, and holding hands during their devoted 35-year marriage. Our family is heartbroken by this sudden loss, but knows their beautiful soulmate journey continues to unfold.
Voices of the Wilderness Part 1
My Artist Residency Adventure in SE Alaska
You know the feeling that starts at your heart and permeates out to your fingers and toes filling your body with a warmth that tells you you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be? That’s the feeling I experienced during Voices of the Wilderness, a unique residency program that pairs artists with ranger districts in Alaska.
I matched with the USDA Forest Service Sitka Ranger District, which is in Southeast Alaska. Known for lots of rainfall and tall trees (spruce, cedar, and hemlock), I ventured into the temperate rainforest with an open mind and waterproof sketchbook–ready for anything and everything.
10 Things I Wish I Learned in Art School
Oh, art school…
In some ways a magical era of pursuing passions and meeting equally weird kids from around the country. In other ways, a dangerous mold of limiting beliefs and despair. I’ve grown a lot since graduating and I’ve had time to mull over my experience for a while now.
This is my personal list of 10 things I wish I learned in Art school based on all I’ve learned since leaving campus. I know that I am who I am because of all my trials and tribulations. I just hope future generations don’t have to fight through the same unnecessary hardships.
Don’t worry, there are some positive lessons in there too!
Digital Detox: Prioritize Rest and Reap Unexpected Rewards
Something needs to change.
I think it’s safe to say that we are all addicted to our digital devices. They were in fact designed to monopolize our attention. Each ping or buzz is so tantalizing that it demands we pick up our phone. But did you know every time you are interrupted it takes you at least 8 minutes to get back to where you were in your train of thought?
Multi-tasking is a myth.
We are taught if we are not maximizing every moment of the day, we are squandering our precious time, but that is simply not true.
5 Signs You’re On Your Way to Youville
When everyone is shouting at you to take this class or listen to yet another podcast in order to have a breakthrough, the cacophony can be quite dizzying.
There are subtle, quiet breakthroughs on the creative journey to self-discovery.
The temptation to outsource our own journey is so dang tempting! Especially when our spirits are low or we aren’t sure what to do next. I am certainly no stranger to feelings of angst and discontent. However, as I’ve become more self-aware and gleaned information from many sources, I have noticed a roadmap pattern emerge.
I’m calling the signposts marking the way to your very own, never-before-seen trajectory “the path to Youville.”