things that are unsurpassable

This morning, I spent a few minutes with this birch tree in the gardens before work. I could stare at a birch tree for hours - the eyes, knots, layers, and the charcoal color palette. The markings, folds, peels, and scratches - they are as unique as someone's skin. 

Everyone has something they are in awe of, something that seems unexplainable in its beauty. Something that can be counted on to always restore your curiosity and wonder. Birch trees have always been that for me. It's like my brain can't figure them out, like they're a puzzle. I know that I could read about them and how they grow and why they peel, but there is something about the mystery of them and a feeling that they lead to something else that I would like to keep. For now, I'd rather just stare at them and draw their little dashes and lines and curls.

One of my students said that Russia has endless forests of birch trees. I would like to see that someday.

painted Isabella

Painting ladies in the art-making space at the new Isabella Stewart Gardner wing.

weekend inspiration

 Weekend Inspiration:

-the blouse Dakota Fanning is wearing on the cover of Elle

-geese and cattails (real and botanical)

-Flannery O'Connor's love of peacocks
-art deco home decor

-falling back in love with old things

-neighborhoods of Boston

-math in nature

(30s vanity in the Americas Wing at the MFA)

(a bridge in Sudbury, MA)

I hope you're all having a beautiful weekend! What are you up to?

bogo sale!

I realized I never shared any pictures from the Bazaar Bizarre Boston! So here's all my stuff at BBB. :)

I'm having a middle of winter sale in my shop - buy one print or paper doll, get one free! Purchase one and let me know in the message to seller which you'd like for the free second. 

I'd also like to thank Annie of Vintage Diggs for doing this lovely write-up about me - thank you so much!

I hope you all have a beautiful week!

sunday afternoons

I am officially prepared for Valentine's Day!

 Maybe it's silly, but I love this holiday.
valentines by Rifle Paper Co., Paper Source, and Laughing Elephant.

I spent a little time in Harvard Square today, particularly in the green house..

..and Anthropologie, where I stumbled upon Julia's illustration work in "I Had a Favorite Dress." I love when I see Julia's books among all the others and get to think, "my friend made that!"

Over my past few years in the city, wandering Anthropologie (where it is rare that I can buy something) has always made me feel like Holly Golightly at Tiffany's. 

"The only thing that does any good is to jump in a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany's, then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name!"

the first snowing

 I was so excited to wake up this morning - I knew I'd be waking up to snow!

 Geese flying in formation.

One of my favorite old Boston churches.

This hat was a present from my dear friend Kat. Thank you, Kat!!

The pond has been frozen over for a few weeks, but I think the snow laying across it made people feel comfortable to walk on the ice.

I've never walked on the pond before. It was neat to be in a space I've only looked at from the grass or bridge.

This is a little island the swans hang out on in the spring.

View from the island.

snow pup

This is where my Nana and her friends got together in the 40s! I love walking by it.

 The snow day was concluded with seeing The Artist, which I really loved.

I hope you all had a beautiful day, as well! Did anyone else have snow? What did you do?

xo, Amanda

sketchbook pages

 Some sketchbook pages from the last month or so, complete with paper hearts from first graders.

I hope you're all having a nice, calm week.

xo, Amanda