Although my work tends to lean towards bright, funky and maximalist floral pieces, I’ve been inspired by my natural surroundings lately. I’m always inspired by the ocean, but I don’t act on that inspiration enough. So the past couple weeks I have spent some time studying objects I’ve found over the years at the beach and in the water. From lightning welks and fighting conchs, to coral and limpets, I’ve been documenting all my findings in my art journal and it’s been lovely!

A few weeks ago, while in Kiawah Island, South Carolina, I found my first ever sea urchin! This had to be one of the first things I drew.

That same day, I also found a large knobbed welk which I captured using colored pencils on brown craft paper.

Limpets are some of my favorite things to collect while beach combing. I have hundreds (if not more) and each one is unique.

Scotch bonnets are one of my favorite shells to find - and I don’t find many, so this one that I drew is extra special to me.

I plan on creating a lot more ocean inspired work - the inspiration is much closer to my home than a field of wildflowers, yet even more lovely.

Writing a book is kind of an endeavor. But, when you are also the creator and photographer of that book, it’s an even bigger mountain to climb.

I began putting together the concept for my Funky Florals book in early 2020. I pitched it to my publisher at the time, who declined. So, I kept working and pitched it again several months later. Declined.

So, I set it aside and focused on online courses. I created 4 more Funky Florals online courses over the next 3 years, and then discovered Better Day Books. I loved the books they were putting out - the design was beautiful and just really appealed to me.

I revamped my book proposal which was now 100 times stronger. The work I did over the 3 years since setting the book aside had made my content so much better. I improved, so the book itself improved. I was suddenly thankful that I had been told “no”, because I just wasn’t ready.

Better Day Books said YES! (with the exclamation) and in May of 2023 I got to work. And it was a LOT of work - the most work I had put into any project in my career, and it paid off - because this book is my FAVORITE project in my career.

Here is a little peek inside the process of creating, photographing, and writing this fun and funky instructional book.

If you’d like to grab a copy, click HERE