Best of 2012

2012 has held many highlights for which I am very grateful. Our move to Rhode Island has done so much to re-energize me, and looking back, this has truly been a year of artistic inspiration. Some of my favorite highlights include:

• Attending amazing events at RISD all year long, such as The Big Draw, Design the Night, Mindshare, ICON7, alumni gatherings, art sales, shows, and several industry workshops. I networked and expanded my horizons quite a bit this year.
• Discovering a love of shellfishing and crabbing with my husband and exploring new ways to cook our bounty. Together with our friends, we learned quite a bit of crustacean and mollusk biology, humane harvesting and dispatching techniques, and some fabulous new recipes.
• Getting involved with local animal rescue groups like the RISPCA by raising funds through a children's illustrators workshop, fostering Shelldon (miss you, little guy!), and volunteering at pitbull training classes. Every one of the gentle and fascinating creatures I've met is a story of survival.
• Meeting every month with my amazing critique group here in Providence. They've known when to boost my confidence, hand me my [butt], and have done so much to help me become a better writer this year.

Best of all, this year has felt like a healthy balance between my work and my personal life, making up for all those years when I was stressed out of my mind. Best wishes to all of you for 2013!

Photos courtesy of Kirstyn Reid and Matthew Althof.

For the Honor of The Holidays!

He-Man and She-Ra would like to wish you the happiest of holidays:

The Hubs, Hound, and I extend our best wishes as well, but our holiday outfits aren't nearly as fun. Stay safe, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I finally found the Garfield Thanksgiving Special I always loved as a kid. If you're not already in a food coma, please enjoy:

Travel safely today, everyone!