One Million Bones

A couple months ago, my friend Sofia, called me and asked if I would be interested in working on a logo for an collaborative art installation. Of course I said yes, this is the woman would held my leg while I was in labor, plus I was excited about the project. The concept was conceived and directed by Naomi Natale, it’s called One Million Bones and “is a fundraising art installation designed to recognize the millions of victims killed or displaced by ongoing genocides occurring on our watch. In Spring of 2013, one million bones - made by an international community of artists, activists, and students - will flood our nation's capital.”

The project is a heavy subject but also holds a lot of hope for change and awareness. Like most of my work, I become consumed in thought - how do I translate a feeling into a visual art form? How do I make a little bit more unexpected? My motto is to “dig and dig” because there’s always something better underneath the expected.

The concept for the final logo evolved from the idea that the number 1,000,000 has six zeros, when overlaying those zeros on top of one another, a “target” forms. This “target” represents genocide.

      initial sketches

      proposed logos

      final logo design

Get involved with One Milion Bones, host a bone making party, sponsor a bone, or just donate some cash!

New Favorite Site: Color Collective

I’m always searching for new color combos because I tend to use the same colors over and over, so it nice to run into a site that gives me inspiration to branch out. Color Collective pulls color palettes straight from artists, photographers and designers, and it’s down right delightful. 

Recently, at the studio, we shared this site with a client because we are helping them look for a new color palette for their brand. Turns out they loved the site as much as we do and are going to try on a new beautiful “color story” to rejuvenate the brand. Happy client, happy colors, happy designers.

Tinkertown, Sandia Peak, New Mexico

For $3. and a quick twenty minutes from Albuquerque, there is a small world unlike anything I have ever seen - Tinkertown Museum. Ross Ward, a self taught artist, hand crafted a magical place - for kids and kid-at-heart adults. The museum is home to hand carved miniatures - 300 people and 26 buildings. The walls are covered with old west memorabilia and hand painted signs. There is a 40 ft wooden sail boat that sailed around the world. Vintage arcade machines, a three-ring hand-carved, miniature circus and the creepiest antique toy and doll collection.

I’ll See You in the Morning

When it’s time for bed in our house, we all get in bed, pull up the covers, snuggle a little and read a few books, it’s our ritual. My favorite book to read to our one-year old daughter is “I’ll See You in the Morning” by Mike Jolley, illustration by Mique Moriuchi. I read it at least once a night, sometimes three times. The message is so sweet and the illustrations are so beautiful. Moriuchi’s illustration style is whimsical, colorful and perfect for a children’s book. You can check out more of her work here and here.

Since I have read the book so many times, I can recite it from memory and sometimes hear it running through my busy head. It’s not a story, more a good night prayer and a reassuring message.

I’ll see you in the morning. For now it’s time to sleep.
I will stay and watch a while till you are counting sheep.
Don’t be afraid of darkness. Don’t be afraid my sweet.
The night is just a blanket that helps the earth to sleep.
Creatures great and creatures small will all be sleeping soon under the same blanket, under the same moon.
So close your eyes and go to sleep by the light of the moon above.
I’ll see you in the morning in the light of the sun, my love.
Dream your dreams of mooonbeams. Let the night become your friend.
The twinkling stars will keep you safe till morning comes again.
I’ll be here if you need me. I’m only steps away.
So close your eyes and go to sleep and dream of a brand-new day.
Good night, sleep tight, I’ll see you in the morning.

five o’clock in the morning

I used to think that being awake at 5:00 am was only reserved for road trips or early flights. Now, my alarm goes off at that (unholy) hour every weekday. Why? Well, a couple of months ago, after a pretty rough day, I asked my Mom how she was able to keep her sanity and raise three children. Her response, “I got up before anyone else and took my time to have a cup of coffee, read the paper, take a shower and sit in the quiet.”

Ugh, 5am, really? Well, I tried it and I’m still doing it. Sure, it’s early, and yes, sometimes I sleep in but for the most part I get up and make a plan for day. I check my email, make a few cups of coffee and most recently I sit down to paint. There seems to be a deep connection between the morning and my inspiration. I feel refreshed, able to focus and more willing to explore.