Wash, rinse, repeat

Hairstyles of the 40s, the finished painting. I'm nothing if not an obsessor over the minutiae of life...

Hairstyles of the 40s | Stephanie Birdsong

The sketchbook version

Books I read in New York pt.2

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, I finally get around to making a larger illustration out of this little piece I did in my journal last year celebrating the joys of reading.

Books I read during New York summers

Sketchbook. Me and Trixie and a good book. NYC

Florian decides to take the day off

Florian takes a day off ! by stephanie birdsong

This week's Spoonflower design: sandcastles

I made this painted spot pattern back in May to use in a soon-to-be abandoned crustacean-themed plate design I was working on. Let's try it again here, integrated with sketches of some memories of summer days at Nag's Head, Myrtle Beach & Virginia Beach. Maybe I should have included a bologna sandwich on wonder bread, since I have this weirdly vivid memory of carrying one such delicacy, wrapped neatly in wax paper, down to the beach at Nag's Head when I was a kid.

Crows and squirrels hanging out together

I walk around my suburban neighborhood a lot, and am always amused by the sight of the local squirrels and crows communing together on the lawns, picking over some mysterious bit of nut, garbage, or fallen fruit. I did this two ways, also. May has been a month of indecision.

Over at my Etsy shop, I'm having a 20% off sale until May 26th. Just use the code MEMORIAL at checkout. Happy Memorial Day weekend!

It's harvest time

Lawn pals

This week's pattern design: mermaids

Another week, another design challenge from Spoonflower. I did two versions of this one for good measure. Summer must be coming, because there's that yellow daisy swim cap again.

Seafarers, version 1

Seafarers unite! Spoonflower fabric design

Another family portrait

I've been hard at work completing a portrait for the Malevris family in Toronto, who enjoy their frequent jaunts to the Gulf Coast of Florida. Thanks to Dawnita, who was a true pleasure to work with. May the postal gods protect it on its way to Canada!

Malevris family vacation

Here's the rough version in my sketchbook

Pink G'rilla

Playing around with paper and scribbles.

Look, it's a pink grrrilla

Woodshop pattern for Father's Day

This week's Spoonflower contest is "Wood Shop." They do think of the darnedest things, don't they? But hey, I like wood as much as the next person, and I can powersaw with the best of 'em. Sometimes.

Maybe I can make a Dad's Day card outta this one.

Leftover ideas

Ever look in the fridge to find a bunch of old ideas nearing their expiration date? Here's a journal page I never got around to posting. Leftovers get no respect!

Leftover ideas