Nashville Neighborhoods- poster series

My husband and I have lived in Nashville for 5.5 years and have inhabited three different homes.  A really junky rental home, a very sleek and modern condo, and finally, a 1920′s bungalow that is full of both cracks and character. We bought the last one, so I think we are done moving for a while. In our time searching for the right home in the right location, we thoroughly investigated all of Nashville’s nooks and crannies.  We didn’t want to move to the ‘burbs and hoped to be within walking distance to bars, restaurants, parks, etc. We also wanted to feel relatively safe and do all of this within budget.  A tall order in a real estate market that seemed to be booming, unlike the rest of the country. We asked around, and friends who live in town always tried to sell us on their district of Nashville, raving about the great food, nightlife, and excellent hipster-watching while down-playing the crime rate.  People here have a lot of pride for their neighborhood, as they well should.  Nashville is chock full of great pockets, each with it’s own unique flavor. Five Points, Downtown, 12 South, Hillsboro Village, the Gulch, Edgehill Village, Music Row, the list goes on and on.  We eventually settled on (and settled into) Sylvan Park. Our ‘hood may be not quite as hip as some of the hot spots in town, but it is a lot like our household. Full of dogs, beer, tacos, and often asleep by 10:00. It is a perfect fit.

This Nashville Neighborhood series features five of my favorites. Buy them individually or purchase the whole set on Etsy.   

 

My Old Kentucky Home

I grew up in Northern Kentucky.  As a kid, whenever we went on vacation and I would tell  other kids where I was from, they would ALWAYS ask the same question: “Do you wear shoes there?”  I would get defensive, explaining that I wasn’t from “that” part of Kentucky, and try to prove it with my lack of a twang and by pointing to my shiny new L.A. Gears.  At the time I desperately wanted to be from a state without stupid stereotypes.  Oh, to be from somewhere exotic like California or New York!  I would have even happily settled for our neutral neighbor to the north, Ohio.  No one there was routinely questioned about their footwear or asked if their parents were related (usually the follow-up to the clever shoe quip).  As an adult, I have grown to embrace my state heritage, and appreciate the music, quirky characters, culture, and stunning natural beauty.  And after moving to Tennessee, I think I have come to terms with the fact that this part of the country is really now a part of me.  Cue the dueling banjos.

Obviously I was feeling a little nostalgic for my Bluegrass roots when creating this poster.  Get your own print here.

Animal Rescue Corps

Recently I have had the opportunity to do a series of designs for Animal Rescue Corps, a non-profit organization that I greatly admire. In the past few years, my (now) home state of Tennessee has made news far too many times for horrendous animal hoarding situations and puppy mill busts.  Thankfully, Animal Rescue Corps has been there on the front lines to rescue these animals and give them a second chance at life.  My own beloved doggies are rescues, so this is a mission that is very close to my heart. Once they get the merch on their site, I will update with a link so you can help support the cause!

I want to go there…

To quote my favorite fictional tv character, Liz Lemon,  ”I want to go there”.  Santa Barbara, that is.  Or on any vacation locale at all where there is water, sunshine, sand and giant boat drinks.  It is July, Nashville is humid, I have a sickly pallor, and am seriously jonesin’ for a vacation.

I worked on this illo several months back for a snack company that makes pepperoni chips (mmmmm…) out of Santa Barbara that has just launched a new look.  If you haven’t been to Santa B.,  you should add it to your list of places to see before you die. I would like to retire and eventually die there myself (when I am really ancient and in my sleep, of course).  It is heaven.

http://aminisoriginalpepperonichips.com/our-story

Hey Nashville!

Just sent out this promotional mailer to Nashville area businesses.  I really hope the front is not lost on the majority who receive it (it spells out Nashville, for those of you who don’t see it right away).  I figured it would be an easy read, but I never could find the dolphin in those magic eye posters, so who am I to judge?

Hop, Skip and Go Naked

These pieces were created for a promotional cocktail blog my rep group has put together.  I had to think of a drink that would look great in illustration form, and after a trip down drunken-college-memory-lane,  this zinger came to mind. With all the unseasonably warm weather we are having, this summer cocktail can also be enjoyed in late winter too!

 

Hop, Skip and Go Naked Recipe

Although the origins of this drink are unknown, it roots are most likely found in the dark halls of a fraternity basement or in a Winnebago at a river camp. As the name implies, this is not a particularly sophisticated concoction. It is, however, a surprisingly delicious and refreshing cocktail that is perfect for a day out on the lake with friends. While traditionally this drink is made with bottom of the barrel ingredients, upgrades are always welcome. Well crafted beer and top shelf vodka are nice substitutes if you are feeling a little more “Yacht Club” than “Redneck Riviera”. If you are partial to a summer Shandy, you will love it’s slutty cousin, the “Hop, Skip and Go Naked”!  

1 fifth vodka
1 six-pack beer
2 liters 7-Up or Ginger Ale
1 large can frozen lemonade
Orange slices, Lime slices

Mix well, add lots of ice, and serve it up Southern style in a mason jar.  Garnish with orange and lime slices.

*Note:  Enjoy responsibly as this drink’s refreshing nature makes it hard to sip, and far too easy to glug. And that is probably where all the hopping, skipping, and nudity come in.

Southern Festival of Books

Since I love poster design, reading, and all things Nashville, I was honored (and super excited) when asked to be the featured artist for the 2012 Southern Festival of Books. Here are the results!