The Great Outdoors : An illustration which expresses my creative personality; Rooted in nature, nostalgia, and simplicity.

This is my grandparents home, which I had the privilege of experiencing growing up. It was one of the places that fueled my love for nature & being surrounded by it. An escape from the hustle and bustle. Simple. Quiet. Unplugged.

It was a private property on acreage, on the edge of a river, in the middle of a forest. Down a quiet street with no street lights. At the end of a long gravel driveway lined with trees & lavender bushes. Wild flowers grew in front of the house. Strawberry beds, untamed & delicious. A green house full of veggies. Eagle's perched in the trees above. A hammock welcomed you to spend a quiet moment among earthly giants. The hummingbird feeder hanging from the corner of the porch welcomed tiny whimsical friends. The river offered reprieve from the hot summer sun.

From their living room or porch, I'd watch the river flow, watch the eagle's hunt, and squirrels scurry about. The smoke from the fireplace, billowing through the river channel and between the trees. The sun peeking its way in the open forest spaces, casting magical beams of light on the moss floor.

As a young kid, I recall having a true appreciation for this place and knew how lucky I was. I could write a book with everything I can remember from that place and visit it often in my meditations. I miss it ever so much and seem to being doing my damndest to get back there in spirit.

I hope to bring some of that magic back into my life - and a little bit in each illustration - as much as I can. And happy to share a little piece of it with you here now.