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Detour
Hello Friend! It’s been a while since I’ve posted. Sometimes when I’m between projects, I feel there’s not a lot to say. Yet, those in-between places are where things can get interesting. I find that seeing others’ processes and works-in-progress can be at least as engaging as looking at finished works. A finished work invites…
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Free Nature Journaling Guide
Hello friends. Today I want to share a project that’s been dear to my heart and has recently gone out into the world. This is a free nature journaling guide. No strings attached, no need to sign up for anything. Nature benefits us all, and we just want to share it with as many people…
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How-to: Handmade Concertina Sketchbook for $1.20
This tutorial is for very basic, easy, binding-free sketchbooks that are low-cost and take only a few minutes to make. The directions are for small (4.5″ x 6″) concertina-style sketchbooks, meaning the pages fold together inside accordion-style; no staples or sewing necessary. You can use the dimensions listed or work with whatever size paper you…
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Roadside/Wayside
Hello friends, it’s been a while. With the late arrival of spring, I feel a bit like a bear just coming out of its cave. It’s been a winter. From having my dominant arm in a sling through the holiday season to a family visit in Arizona’s winter sunshine, the lows have been low and the…
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WildTober & Other News
Hello friends! How has your autumn been so far? Today’s blog post reads a bit like a letter, so grab a cuppa if that’s your thing, and let’s get caught up! As the name Cold Prairie Studio implies, I’m a rural dweller, and this time of year gets very busy. We’ve been bringing in the…
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Sketches From Home at the Humboldt Gallery
With the opening and reception of the gallery exhibit Sketches from Home, followed by leading a workshop at the gallery, I feel I’ve officially stepped out into the world with my art. The support from the gallery, community, friends and family has been heartfelt. And this is to say thank you too, for following and…
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Writing the Artist Bio: Why is it so Hard?
I’ve recently submitted the list of works for my first solo gallery exhibit, which made the whole thing seem imminent. It’s the biggest artistic project I’ve done to date, so it seems odd that the thing that’s tripped me up is the Artist Bio, and following closely on its heels, the Artist’s Statement. It’s not…
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YouTube and the Art-Making Process
At the end of 2023 I experimented with making my first video, and quickly found this to be a medium I enjoy working in. Propping the camera above the page and filming in time-lapse has enabled me to capture my sketching process. I’ve benefitted so much from other artists who generously share their work in…
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Winter Birds for OSOF
While spring is making tentative steps forward, I’m trying to do the same. I’ve recently wrapped up a series of winter illustrations for the One School One Farm non-profit organization. These will be used in their educational materials. I thought I’d share some winter birds here, before I begin the spring illustrations. The OSOF project…
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The ALL IS LOST Moment
I knew this blog would be as much about the journey as anything, and if there’s one consistent experience I can write about, it’s the ALL IS LOST moment. In story, it’s the part of the tale when the protagonist is at their lowest; when they feel like giving up or throwing in the towel;…
Cold Prairie Studio
Art & Illustration
Cold Prairie Studio 