I am honored that my High Latitudes project is now recognized as a Wings WorldQuest Flag Expedition! WINGS is an international organization based in New York that is dedicated to the supporting women involved in environmental conservation and field science. I just received flag #24 in the mail which I will carry to Greenland and I look forward to becoming involved with WINGS’ programs to promote scientific literacy and positive role models.

Last weekend after my High Latitudes Benefit in Seattle (which was great fun- thank you everyone who came!), Darin and I headed over the South Cascades mountains to the small town of Tieton which is close to Yakima. We were there to visit the Mighty Tieton, an entrepreneurial arts endeavor founded in 2005 by Ed Marquand, the owner of Marquand Books in Seattle. I’m exploring possibilities for working with the Mighty Tieton as artist-in-residence next year and it was exciting to learn more about their projects and see their creative spaces.

Ed and his associates invested in several empty fruit warehouses and buildings that have since been converted into amazing art, work, live, and meeting spaces. One warehouse is now 14 condos and another 40,000 square foot warehouse is now home to the Goathead Press printmaking workshop, a full woodshop, kite workshop, the studio of sound-artist Trimpin, and a massive event space. Another building down the street is home to Marquand Editions studio and bindery. The creative energy of so many art and production spaces is inspiring. It’s well worth a visit and while there, be sure to stop by the brand new Tieton Creamery with fresh goat cheese and eggs. I look forward to my artist-in-residency and contributing to Mighty Tieton’s endeavors!

Marquand Editions

Book stitching machine

Stormy sky, 8" x 8" watercolor

I spent the last week in Seattle and returned home to stormy springtime weather in Twisp. Late afternoon yesterday a thunderstorm blew through with dark skies and hail, finishing with a double rainbow that ended in our back yard! During this inclement weather, I’ve been hunkering down indoors working and now good news.

I’m thrilled to announce that the Allied Arts Foundation is my new fiscal sponsor. The AAF is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1967 to support artists and arts organizations. Their fiscal sponsorship enables me to receive tax-deductible donations (including in-kind), as well as apply for grants and awards under their non-profit umbrella. I’m delighted to have their support. And yours as well! Thank you to everyone who’s donated so far to my High Latitudes expedition. I’m getting closer to my first goal of $8000 having now received over $3,500. Consider pledging your support now!

Learn more and consider pledging your support!

I’ve just matted and posted in my shop all sorts of gems of studio and field sketches! I invite you to check them out- as well as my new wood-mounted prints. Through December 17th, I’m also offering free shipping on orders for prints, sketches, and cards over $100!

The prints are from a new series of paintings I’m developing. So far all of my paintings are small (5″ x 5″) watercolors and are mounted on 1″ deep cradled birch panels that can stand freely on a shelf or hang on a wall. I’m finishing the paintings with a varnish and love how saturated the watercolors become. The prints are mounted and finished identically to the originals (which I’m saving for the moment for a show… but will be available soon!) and every print is hand-signed. Check them out and let me know what you think of them!

It can be so hard to choose the right gift for someone… so let them choose their own! I’ve had several requests for gift certificates and thought I’d share my gift card with you. I’ll soon have these available in my shop- in the meantime, please let me know if you’re interested in purchasing one!

Between moving, traveling, and wedding planning, it’s been a busy past few months! Now that everything is calming down with the lovely Fall season, I’m excited to get back to my studio and paint.

Ah, in case you’re wondering, I am keeping Coryell-Martin as my last name. I did offer it do Darin, but he opted to remain monosyllabic with Reid. If we ever have kids, we’re probably not going to double-hyphenate.