January 2021 Newsletter

I subtitled this newsletter “Time to Rest and Reflect.” While I see a lot of energy and good intentions and goal setting each year-end, for me it’s a time to rest up, recharge, and start off slow and steady. I have a number of client projects underway already, but chose to share some 2021 highlights…

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My Favorite Books about Natural History

I was recently invited to submit a reading list to the new website Shepherd.com – a site that aims to connect authors and readers through personally curated “Best Of” lists. Rather than go with art technique or inspiration, I decided to share my favorite recent reads on natural history topics. Nature is endlessly fascinating, and…

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New Public Art Project

A photograph of a utility box covered with a colorful illustration of sunflowers, birds, and butterflies

A Few years ago, the City of Valparaiso approached me about designing some art for a downtown utility box, one of several they were adding art to. This year they gave the boxes a refresh, asking each of us to submit a new design. I stuck with the theme of prairie flora and fauna, and…

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New Products in my Etsy Shop

an image of jigsaw puzzles featuring bird illustrations by Melissa Washburn

I’ve just found a couple of new production partners, and am now offering 100% recycled notepads and 500-piece jigsaw puzzles in my Etsy shop! You can find notepads HERE and puzzles HERE.

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ECO-Friendly Resources for artists

TLDR? skip straight to the resource list HERE In December 2019, an Instagram post by illustration Studio Ferntree Lane raised the issue of nature-based artists offering vinyl stickers. While it’s a huge market, it’s contributing to the proliferation of microplastics choking our water and affecting wildlife worldwide. It really resonated with me, as someone who tries to think…

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