I went on a bike ride this morning looking for some inspiration. I've been wanting to create my own typeface lately. And of course, Portland has an abundance of beautiful hand-painted, vintage, art deco, you name it type all over her buildings.
It was a chilly ride, with a couple of mandatory stops along the way (those darn drawbridges). I feel inspired and lucky to live in a place where a simple bike ride throws ideas (and delicious coffee and pastries and thrift stores and......) at you.

"Frequently, walking down the streets in (Paris) alone, I've suddenly come upon myself in a store  window grinning foolishly away at the thought that no one in the world knew where I was at just that moment."

(from The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy, a book that I could read again and again, because well, girls and their brains are awesome)

(a summertime sequence)

Lately I..... have been seeing more colored leaves on the trees....... started my internship (it's only been one day, but I just go ahead and say, it's awesome).... ordered large scale prints of my own photos (for the first time)...... have been trying to run daily (or some might call it a fast walk)..... finished my first animation....

Honestly I'm not trying to brag, but I have been having a great week. I've been telling my mom that I feel like I could run a thousand miles on a regular basis. It would be nice to keep this feeling going, on to bigger and better things!
         

I've been waiting for the weather to cool down, I want to bake and bake, or at least use my oven without dying of heat stroke. Sadly this pesky beautiful weather just won't get out of here. Mainly I wanted to show off the colors of these plums. That spoon is still stained, and I'm ok with that.

(Also I made this, and must insist that you make it. It's time extensive, yes, but oh man, is completely and totally worth it. Just do it.)

Dusk always feels more magical to me;

the end of a day,

beginning of a night

Sometimes you just need to hear a familiar voice to know everything is going to be fine.

tomato sauce/tomato basil jam/tomato juice

and to think, once upon a time I didn't even like tomatoes

(you can find all these here)

Several months ago I made a little graphic poster based on a typeface, it's style and history. I have been feeling a bit rusty with Illustrator so I decided to create a couple more. It is so interesting to learn when and why types are created, what they were used for, and how they were influenced (or influencing). Understanding all this information about some classic types have helped me know when and when not to use others. 

If I'm lucky, I get to see St. Helens, Adams, and Hood on my daily commute. They still get to me, even though it's been over a year since I saw them for the first time. In a quiet way, these giants tell me that my problems are not as big as I think, that there are much larger things in this world. I use them for perspective, to get a grip, and breathe just a bit easier. Sadly, with summer's last days and the endless rains on their way my conversations with the mountains will be less and less frequent.
I still know they are there though, just as overwhelming, tough, and unmoving.

(A couple weeks ago I got to know Mount St. Helens on a more personal level. We hiked up her sides, went into her caves, and were awestruck by just how beautiful she really is. I think we would be the best of friends, if I were a mountain or if she were a human. Or maybe we already are.)