Take a peek in my sketchbook + studio
Accidentally matched my travel coffee mug to my computer wallpaper today!
Accidentally matched my travel coffee mug to my computer wallpaper today! Everything looks better with flowers and insects all over it. All kinds of things covered in flowers can be found in the shop section of my website. If you want free flowers for your...
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. 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...
Just realized that I’m wearing the I Just Want To Draw Pretty Pictures T-shirt…
Just realized that I’m wearing the I Just Want To Draw Pretty Pictures T-shirt that Caroline and Jason of Wandering Aimfully gifted me last year while also wearing one of my pretty pictures on my face mask! Love my T-shirt and my mask. These face covers – as...
I’m currently framing stacks and stacks of prints of my state flowers and insects to hang this week at
I’m currently framing stacks and stacks of prints of my state flowers and insects to hang this week at @the1857hotel
I was supposed to have an exhibit of my state flowers and insects prints at The 1857 Hotel in April during Quilt Week, which – for obvious reasons – was postponed.
I was supposed to have an exhibit of my state flowers and insects prints at The 1857 Hotel in April during Quilt Week, which – for obvious reasons – was postponed. Now that things are slowly opening up again, we are rescheduling! It won’t be quite as extensive as...
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??
I submit to you, the murder hornet. Isn’t he pretty?
I submit to you, the murder hornet. Isn’t he pretty?
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! 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.
Work in progress. Murder hornet.
Work in progress. Murder hornet.
I added an Oregon swallowtail butterfly to these Oregon grape flowers.
I added an Oregon swallowtail butterfly to these Oregon grape flowers.
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
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
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...
Flashback to something I drew a couple of years ago.
Flashback to something I drew a couple of years ago. I haven’t drawn on paper in well over a year. Time to revisit pen on paper!! #ijustwanttodrawprettypictures
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...
Friends, I am super excited to announce that these protective face covers are now available on my website
Friends, I am super excited to announce that these protective face covers are now available on my website. Six different designs to choose from and endless ways to wear them once we are allowed to show our smiles in public again! Link in bio $5 from each sale will go...
Coffee tastes better out of mugs you design yourself.
Coffee tastes better out of mugs you design yourself.
Oklahoma’s state flower is the Indian blanket
Oklahoma’s state flower is the Indian blanket and the insect is the honeybee. Since I already have a zillion bees, I drew their state butterfly, the black swallowtail.
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 from Sticker Mule! One of my very favorite southern flowers. #magnolia #ijustwanttodrawprettypictures
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
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...
The world is in chaos. Here’s a pretty girl to look at.
The world is in chaos. Here’s a pretty girl to look at. #ijustwanttodrawprettypictures
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 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
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
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 #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 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 #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
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. 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...
Wyoming state flower and insect
Wyoming state flower and insect. Indian paintbrush and green hairstreak butterfly.
It’s possible I have a favorite print.
It’s possible I have a favorite print. #ijustwanttodrawprettypictures
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...
First trip out of town for my new babies!
First trip out of town for my new babies!
Okay, I’ll play
Okay, I’ll play #dollypartonchallenge
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...
New Year New Flowers
New Year New Flowers
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! 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!
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...
Next drawing in progress. Any guesses?
Next #stateflower drawing in progress. Any guesses?
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! 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...
Massachusetts’ mayflower and ladybug.
Still working on my State Flowers and Insects project! Here is Massachusetts’ mayflower and ladybug.
My top nine images of the year! What do you want to see more of in 2020?
My top nine images of the year! What do you want to see more of in 2020?
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!
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...
Time for some more pretty flowers!
Time for some more pretty flowers!
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.
All set up at the Smedley-Yeiser for Small Business Saturday!
All set up at the @smedleyyeiser for Small Business Saturday! Here until 6pm… come see me and #shopsmall...
My 2020 Southern States Flowers + Insects calendars are here!!
My 2020 Southern States Flowers + Insects calendars are...
Crazy things are happening over here… I’m making Christmas ornaments!
Crazy things are happening over here… I’m making Christmas ornaments! And earrings and...
Cicada earrings anyone?
Cicada earrings anyone?
My desk is swarming with laser cut and engraved insects…
My desk is swarming with laser cut and engraved insects just waiting to become necklaces and...
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 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...
Four more hours of selling art and drinking boozy coffee! Come on down!
Four more hours of selling art and drinking boozy coffee! Come on...
Getting some weird little dudes ready for the Bizarre Art Bazaar
Getting some weird little dudes ready for the Bizarre Art Bazaar tomorrow at the @yeiserartcenter! 12-7 pm....
Bizarre Art Bazaar
Getting things ready for the Bizarre Art Bazaar at the @yeiserartcenter tomorrow!...
Virginia’s state flower is the dogwood and star insect is the tiger swallowtail butterfly.
Virginia’s state flower is the dogwood and star insect is the tiger swallowtail butterfly. Only two more to finish before I can finalize my 2020 Southern State Flowers + Insects...
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!
Time for some more pretty flowers!
Time for some more pretty flowers!
It’s time to pretty up your computer, phone and tablet, don’t you think?
It’s time to pretty up your computer, phone and tablet, don’t you think? Sign up for my email list and get pretty pictures and more in your inbox at the beginning(ish) of every month!
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...
Work in progress on Tennessee’s state flower.
Work in progress on Tennessee’s state flower.
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
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
Sometimes you’re at a big party and a lovely woman buys your hand-drawn/handmade earrings right off your...
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....
Work in progress on this little mantis.
Work in progress on this little mantis. #ijustwanttodrawprettypictures
State flower of South Carolina in progress
State flower of South Carolina in progress. Do you know what it is?
It’s Fall, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature!
It’s Fall, but someone forgot to tell Mother Nature! October wallpaper downloads and 20% off preorders of one of my 2020 calendars! Link in bio.
It’s that time again, pretty flower wallpapers for your computer, phone and tablet!
It’s that time again, pretty flower wallpapers for your computer, phone and tablet! If you aren’t already on my email list, sign up through the link in my bio. If you are, pretty marigolds will show up in your inbox soon!...
Airplants in/on vintage porcelain figures. Hand drawn wood blocks.
Airplants in/on vintage porcelain figures. Hand drawn wood blocks. @ravenandmothllc
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
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,...
Black Eyed Susan and Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly
Maryland’s state flower, the Black Eyed Susan, and state insect, the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly.
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.
It's this kind of afternoon
It’s this kind of afternoon #ijustwanttodrawprettypictures
Flower wallpapers for everyone!
It’s that time again! Flower wallpapers for everyone! September’s birth month flower is the morning glory.
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, 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...
Maine white pine cone and tassel.
Work in progress. For some reason, instead of a state flower, Maine is represented by the white pine cone and tassel.
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...
When you end up with business cards with the text off center…
When you end up with business cards with the text off center and you have to get them reprinted and you end up with 500 tiny beautiful prints of 25 different flowers and insects, you make some simple little frames on your...
Something to brighten up your devices…
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...
I loved the way this design turned out on the umbrellas so much that I bought myself a shower curtain!
I loved the way this design turned out on the umbrellas so much that I bought myself a shower curtain! You can too.
From now on I think I need a puppy to pose with my pillows for all photo shoots.
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...
The best friends are ones who bring you dead things!
At Raven & Moth again …
At Raven & Moth again today wearing my branch + bone jewelry. Come see me and take some...
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...
Y’all, look at my pretty new umbrella!
Y’all, look at my pretty new umbrella! I’ve never wanted it to rain so badly in my life! Need one in your life? I got...
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...