Take a peek in my sketchbook + studio

 
Say hello to South Dakota’s state flower, the Pasque.

Say hello to South Dakota’s state flower, the Pasque.

Say hello to South Dakota’s state flower, the Pasque. It’s also called the May Day flower, prairie crocus, wind flower, easter flower and meadow anemone. The state insect is, you guessed it, a honeybee. I’ve used the same three or four bees multiple times, so I need...

Trying a new vendor for large canvas prints.

Trying a new vendor for large canvas prints.

Trying a new vendor for large canvas prints. This is an 8×8 inch test for quality before I order a 48 inch canvas. The quality is great. Can’t wait to see it huge! P.S. I cheated on this one. Maine’s state “flower” is the white pine come and tassel. The state...

Rocket is trying out my new outdoor rugs

Rocket is trying out my new outdoor rugs

Rocket is trying out my new outdoor rugs indoors since it’s rainy today and not the right time to set up my new patio! How gorgeous are these rugs??

Happy Monday everyone!

Happy Monday everyone!

Happy Monday everyone! I start each week with planning what to work on for the upcoming week. Trying to fit in client work, working on my own business, and still having time for my art is challenging. I don’t know how people with kids do it all! My only dependents are...

It’s a special occasion!

It’s a special occasion!

It’s a special occasion! Not only did I shower, but I actually blew my hair dry for the first time in months! And I’m sporting my cicada T-shirt.

I still have a handful of 2020 calendars left in my studio!

I still have a handful of 2020 calendars left in my studio!

I still have a handful of 2020 calendars left in my studio! They go through January 2021, so there are still 9 months left and 13 beautiful prints you can keep forever! I’m deeply discounting the price for the 3 birth month flower calendars and 6 southern state...

Oregon grape

Oregon grape

I’ve been working on this ridiculously detailed drawing in spare moments here and there and long hours when I should have been sleeping. This is Oregon’s state flower, the Oregon grape....

face covers for men

face covers for men

I’ve had several people ask me if I had any face covers for men, so I put these together and made them available on my website! They are soft and stretchy and wrap around your face and neck rather than over the ears! I mocked some up and showed them to my sister and...

Currently making these awesome earsavers on my Glowforge!

Currently making these awesome earsavers on my Glowforge!

Currently making these awesome #earsavers on my Glowforge! Glowforge provided the template and is running a program to #Save2MillionEars. I will partner with @sprocketpaducah to distribute them to local health workers. If you need some in Paducah, let me know. If you...

Indian Blanket or coronavirus?

Indian Blanket or coronavirus?

Is it just me, or does the center of my Indian Blanket (Oklahoma’s state flower) look like the coronavirus? 

New stickers!

New stickers!

New stickers from Sticker Mule! One of my very favorite southern flowers. #magnolia #ijustwanttodrawprettypictures

mini coloring book

mini coloring book

With all the craziness going on in the world and everyone stuck inside their houses, I love how generous people are being now with sharing other artists’ work and giving away products and courses and services for free!⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I’d love to have the time to give away some...

Free coloring pages

Free coloring pages

Hey friends! I’ve been trying to figure out what I can offer during this time of everyone being stuck at home and I finally figured it out! My work situation hasn’t changed, so I don’t have a lot of free time to offer, but what I do have is a ton of drawings of...

March Meet the Maker – March 11

March Meet the Maker – March 11

Still catching up… March 11th of #marchmeetthemaker is “product range.” Here’s a timely one, a little side product range that I work on sporadically. ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ I collect little broken porcelain figurines, unique little containers and any other random thing I think I can...

March 10th March Meet the Maker

March 10th March Meet the Maker

March 10th of #marchmeetthemaker is “Authentic space.” I posted some beautiful images of my neat and organized studio and office a few days ago, but it stays like that for about 10 minutes. I’m really really messy. I never put things back where they belong. I pile...

March Meet the Maker – March 9th

March Meet the Maker – March 9th

Still catching up… March 9th of #marchmeetthemaker is “Rough/Mock up” and I’m going to talk more about the design side here instead of the art.⁠ Here’s an example of a recent logo I completed. ABODE Contemplative Care for the Dying is a beautiful home in San Antonio...

March Meet The Maker Days 7 and 8

March Meet The Maker Days 7 and 8

Still catching up with #marchmeetthemaker… I considered scrapping it since I’m so far behind, but I like to finish what I start! So…Days 7 and 8 prompts for #marchmeetthemaker are “You” and “Love to make” — I’m combining them in an effort to catch up...

March 6th was about reducing waste.

March 6th was about reducing waste.

March 6th #meetthemaker was about reducing waste. I was in a great workshop over the weekend with @katethompsonartist at @ephemerapaducah, so I’m still catching up on posting.⁠⠀ ️⁠
There are two main things that I do that help reduce waste in my art practice....

A couple days behind again…

A couple days behind again…

A couple days behind again since I’m taking an art workshop this weekend!⁠⠀ ⁠⁠⠀ March 5th’s #MarchMeetTheMaker prompt is “Close up” so here’s a closeup of a bee drawing I finished late the other night. This little guy is another example of me trying to...

Yesterday’s prompt was Branding

Yesterday’s prompt was Branding

Yesterday’s #MarchMeetTheMaker prompt was Branding, but since I did March 1-3 on the 4th, I’m doing the 4th on the 5th and you can’t stop me! ⁠⠀ ⁠⠀ So, the prompt for the 5th is Branding. I’m going to interpret it a bit differently and not talk...

1 Story + 2 Hands at Work + 3 Time

1 Story + 2 Hands at Work + 3 Time

I’m a little late for the start of #MarchMeetTheMaker this year, so I’m going to try to catch up! Here are three posts in one! ⁠ I told my origin story last year at this time, so here’s my current story. I currently work full time (for myself) doing web design,...

Lately I’ve wanting to put all my flowers on black backgrounds.

Lately I’ve wanting to put all my flowers on black backgrounds.

Lately I’ve wanting to put all my flowers on black backgrounds. The contrast is just so good! Swipe to see it on a pink background and let me know which you prefer! This is Vermont’s state flower, the red clover. Even though it isn’t really red. They range from red to...

New Abode logo!

New Abode logo!

I’m thrilled to be able to share the new logo I did for this wonderful organization. And, as always, for the opportunity to work with @marycthorsby! ———————————— #Repost @abodeccftd ・・・ We’ve got a new logo (thank you, graphic designer @nikkidale)! Our tree of...

My most personal post

My most personal post

A little over two years ago I posted my most personal blog post ever. I just discovered it again and reread it and have a lot of feelings about it! First, I’m proud and impressed that I wrote something that good and personal and had the guts to post it. It was...

Indian paintbrush

Indian paintbrush

Here is Wyoming’s state flower, Indian paintbrush, in progress. Insect coming soon!

Thoughts for a new year

For the past two years, I have set daily drawing challenges for myself. In 2016 it was 100 days of small square line drawings. In 2017 it was to draw every day in a Moleskine accordion fold sketchbook – one continuous drawing all year. In 2018 I did the 100 day...

Ahhhh… January!

Ahhhh… January!

Ahhhh… January! Somehow I let half of it go by without sending out an email with my flower wallpapers. I started the month – as most of us do – with big plans to get organized, set goals (and actually follow through with them) and accomplish BIG...

boots with my designs printed on them? Yes, please!

boots with my designs printed on them? Yes, please!

Canvas doc martens style boots with my designs printed on them? Yes please! The pair I ordered myself to test the quality, comfort and sizing just arrived and they are absolutely perfect! Who would be interested in buying something like...

Canvas prints

Canvas prints

Y’all, look how good my Maryland state flower and insect drawing looks on a 24 inch square canvas!

New year, new studio organization!

New year, new studio organization!

New year, new studio organization! I’ve been planning forever to set up a corner of my studio to display finished/available worn. Finally got it done! I also haven’t had a great setup for doing encaustic work since I moved here, so that is in progress...

This morning’s coffee

This morning’s coffee

This morning’s coffee is brought to you by the colors red and purple, the numbers 11 and 15 (ounces) and the poppy. Available on my website, minus the coffee.

Southern States Flowers + Insects Calendars!

Southern States Flowers + Insects Calendars!

I’m just about to receive my first big order of these 2020 Southern States Flowers + Insects Calendars! Placing another order soon… if you want one, you can find the link in my bio or go to nikkimay.com/calendar...

It’s that time of the month again…

It’s that time of the month again…

It’s that time of the month again… you know, the beginning. Free pretty flowers to brighten up your electronics! Sign up for my email list to get these paperwhites in your inbox.

Yep, it’s another magnolia and honeybee!

Yep, it’s another magnolia and honeybee!

Yep, it’s another magnolia and honeybee! And this is the final drawing for my 2020 State Flowers + Insects Calendar. Now it’s time to do the layout and get this sucker...

Louisiana and Mississippi

Louisiana and Mississippi

Louisiana and Mississippi both have the magnolia as their state flower and they honeybee as their insect. They are also the last two states I need to complete to finish my calendar design! Here’s one… stay tuned for the next...

Bizarre Art Bazaar

Bizarre Art Bazaar

Getting things ready for the Bizarre Art Bazaar at the @yeiserartcenter tomorrow!...

iris and firefly!

iris and firefly!

Finally finished Tennessee’s state flower and insect – iris and firefly! A few more states left to put together before I can get my new 2020 Southern State Flower + Insect Calendar designed!

This dude knows how to spend a Monday!

This dude knows how to spend a Monday!

This dude knows how to spend a Monday! Scroll to see the pillow he’s snuggling with and the original drawing (in an antique book!) that it came from. This pillow is available on my website and more from the series are coming...

Oil & Cold Wax with Lisa Pressman

Oil & Cold Wax with Lisa Pressman

Here’s what I did today in the Oil & Cold Wax workshop at @ephemerapaducah with @lisapressmanart. It was hard, frustrating and super fun. I don’t even hate what I did! Also, I fell in love today. Her name is Transparent Orange. She’s...

already swamped

already swamped

When you are already swamped with work and wondering how you will meet all of your deadlines, but a friend gifts you her spot in an amazing oil and cold wax workshop with the fabulous Lisa Pressman at Ephemera Paducah, you decide to give up sleeping for the next week...

handmade earrings

handmade earrings

Sometimes you’re at a big party and a lovely woman buys your hand-drawn/handmade earrings right off your...

South Carolina

South Carolina

South Carolina’s state flower is Carolina jasmine – also known as Carolina jessamine. The state insect is a Carolina mantis. I like this drawing of the flowers and I love the drawing of the mantis, but I’m not really thrilled with how well they work together....

Check out my branch and bone earrings

Check out my branch and bone earrings

Come see me today at Raven & Moth and check out my branch and bone earrings. Bones not your thing? I have plenty of necklaces and earrings with hand drawn slices of tree branches, copper and no bones!

Butterfly & Tree BohoBoxes

Butterfly & Tree BohoBoxes

Repost from Butterfly & Tree Jewelry Pre-orders ship tomorrow, friends! We’re busy packing up our gorgeous BohoBoxes tonight. Each box will be packed with a local artisan work from @nikkidale, fair trade silk clothing and bohemian inspired handmade jewelry,...

More flowers for your devices

More flowers for your devices

More flowers for your devices and an exciting new collaboration! Not already on my email list? Sign up through link in my bio.

Ooh, cicada!

Ooh, cicada!

Typical conversation: Me: Ooh, cicada! Her: You’re picking it up? Me: Yes! Her: Gross! Me: Awesome!

The Maine state flower isn’t a flower at all

The Maine state flower isn’t a flower at all

The Maine state flower isn’t a flower at all, but the white pine cone and tassel. Which aren’t flowers. I had no idea what a tassel was, but apparently the pine cone is female and the tassel is male. Like probably half the states, the state insect is the honeybee. I...

Progress on small frames

Progress on small frames

Progress on the small frames that I’m making on my Glowforge for these tiny business card prints from Moo! Maple and walnut so far, but I’m experimenting with other materials too. Now it’s time for the hardest part – coming up with a price that makes it super...

Finally got to my state!

Finally got to my state!

Kentucky’s state flower is goldenrod. I decided to do a little extra for Kentucky and draw the state insect, the honeybee, and state butterfly, the viceroy butterfly. They look a lot like monarchs, but you can tell it’s a viceroy by the extra black stripe...

My latest website launch:  Studio e

My latest website launch: Studio e

I’m so excited to be able to show off my latest website launch for Studio e, Emily Young’s physical therapy practice Paducah’s LowerTown Arts District! Design, development and photography all by me! I don’t usually share my branding and web...

At Raven & Moth again …

At Raven & Moth again …

At Raven & Moth again today wearing my branch + bone jewelry. Come see me and take some...

wild prairie rose

wild prairie rose

Iowa’s state flower is the wild prairie rose. They don’t have an official state insect, but there was a campaign to make it the ladybug. So I gave it some...

I’m helping out at Raven & Moth this week

I’m helping out at Raven & Moth this week

I’m helping out at Raven & Moth this week… come see me! Currently wearing one of my hand drawn tree branch slice necklaces and African glass beads and tassel necklace by...