NEW

I first heard about the Graceful Envelope Contest in December of 2012 and entered the envelope below the following March. I was startled and pleased to be chosen as one of ten winners from hundreds of entries across the nation and even more surprised to join those ranks a second year in a row with my 2014 entry. In 2015 my entry won "Best in Show." I had to miss the 2016 deadline, but was chosen as one of the winners again in 2017. See my blog entry for more details on my thought process, the contest constraints, and my preliminary rough sketches.

What I didn't know at the time I wrote the blog post was that my envelope would be returned to me the following day. I thought my work had been in vain, my hopes dashed, and my post premature. Thankfully, there is a way around a returned, postmarked entry--send it back in a plain envelope. Nevertheless, I was afraid it would count against me, disqualify me. Apparently not, but next time I will be SURE to repeat the "TO" address on the back of the envelope, which I now know is permissible.

You may view this year's other winning images here; the actual envelopes are on display in the lobby of the National Association of Letter Carriers in Washington, D. C., through July 2018. Further entries and contest info here. I would love to hear from anyone able to see these in person!

(watercolor, gouache, pencil, and ink on Fabriano Artistico paper)

My piece For His Love Endures Forever was accepted into Scribes of Hope II, a traveling exhibit organized by Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), and continues to be displayed at locations around the country two years later. According to the website:

"All three Abrahamic faiths emphasize the importance of the written word. Following the work of its original authors, generations of scribes faithfully transcribed these words on parchment and paper and honored the text by illuminating it. For today’s calligraphers there exists a tension between traditional commitments to create work that is legible and a more contemporary view that emphasizes expressing the spirit of the text. Scribes of Hope II embraces this tension. This exhibit features 31 works across a wide range of approaches including: traditional lettering and illumination; artist books and letterpress work showcasing fresh directions in calligraphic design; and letters created by hand and then scanned in the computer for further alteration.

CIVA is grateful to internationally known calligrapher Timothy Botts for curating this exhibit and also grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Howard and Corrinne Russell for their generous gift in support of this exhibit."

One of my newest rabbit trails in art was painting a rooster (from life and photos) and redesigning a logo and two website banners for friends in Pennsylvania who raise show chickens. I think it was Caspian who patiently stood on the dining room table while I drew him, posed for photos, and created very little mess or noise considering how long we had him inside. For more on showing chickens, keeping them in good health, or to see Caspian's portrait gaining national attention, please click the images below.