On Reclaiming Creativity
I've been sitting with something for a while now, and I figure it's time to just say it out loud instead of turning it over in my head on another walk.
Every inch of the internet feels monetized lately. Paywalls, Substacks, "join my Patreon to see the process," "unlock this tutorial for $9." I get it, everyone needs to make a living, myself included. I'm not above any of it. But somewhere in the last few years, the expectation now is that you show your process, narrate your decisions, and make the work legible and desirable to a customer while you're still making it.
Here's the thing nobody tells you about that: it changes the work.
When I'm asked to do a commission, or to show my process for an audience, something in me shifts. I stop being guided by what the work actually needs and start being guided by what I think someone else wants to see. There's a small, quiet part of me that "sings" when a piece is working, when a line lands right, when a color decision resolves something I didn't even know was unresolved. That sound only shows up when I'm not performing. The second I'm drawing toward someone else's mental picture, toward a client's expectation or a viewer's approval, that sound goes quiet. I can't hear it anymore. And without it, I'm just... executing. Fulfilling an order. It's not nothing, but it's not the thing that got me into this in the first place.
I realized I need a balance of free creative liberty AND loose directive from my clients. Otherwise I lose my instincts.
I don't have a tidy resolution for this. I don't think there is one. But I wanted to name it, because I suspect I'm not the only one who feels like the internet has made it very hard to just make something for the sake of making it.
So, in that spirit, here's some of what I've actually been making lately, process-talk aside.
Recent Location Sketches
These were drawn for the love of making, no client, no brief , just me, a sketchbook, and whatever was in front of me.
A print from my original sketch illustration of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. An archival quality, architecture print that captures the city’s hills, bayside light, and streetcar charm.
Fine black ink lines sketch classic Victorian facades tumbling down a steep street, while the bridge stretches across the water. San Francisco CA captured in soft, warm tones.
• Subject: Golden Gate, San Francisco city scene and iconic architecture sketch
• Style: hand-drawn linework with minimal color accents, travel poster feel
• Great for: gallery walls, offices, entryways, gifts for travelers and locals
• Keywords: California print, city sketch, architecture print, San Francisco CA, golden gate bridge
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ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
Bring Tokyo home with a sketch style travel poster-style Tokyo Japan art print that captures neon signage, lantern glow, and the city’s skyline in one vivid scene.
A narrow Tokyo street with restaurants lit by pops of pink, red, and warm amber, while the Tokyo Radio Tower rises in the distance like a landmark beacon. This contemporary art piece balances bustling city detail with clean negative space, making it easy to style in modern, minimalist, or eclectic rooms. Hang it as Japanese wall art in a living room, office, or gallery wall and let it spark daydreams of late-night walks and hidden alleyway discoveries. Whether you’re collecting Japan art print favorites or gifting a Tokyo poster to a travel lover, this japan print adds an instant sense of place and story.
• Type: Tokyo Japan art print (japan art, japanese art print)
• Style: Travel poster look with contemporary linework and selective color
• Scene: Tokyo street view with lanterns, vertical signage, and Tokyo Tower
• Ideal for: Wall art in home offices, apartments, dorms, studios, and gallery walls
• Keywords: tokyo japan, japan art print, japanese poster, travel poster
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ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
New York city travel poster. A crisp, hand-drawn street scene that turns any wall into an instant New York moment.
Fine black lines sketch tall facades and fire escapes, guiding your eye to the skyline where the Empire State Building rises with quiet drama. A classic pretzels and hot dogs cart anchors the foreground, while bright yellow cabs add that unmistakable NYC flash against the soft, creamy background. This New York art print feels like a quick stroll between coffee stops, full of energy, texture, and familiar city rhythm. Style it as New York wall art in a living room, office, entryway, or gallery wall, especially if you love travel poster vibes and timeless city sketches. It also makes a thoughtful New York gift for travelers, former locals, and anyone who keeps New York City close.
• Product type: Art print (New York print)
• Style: Minimal line drawing with selective pops of yellow
• Scene details: NYC street, taxis, food cart, and iconic skyline
• Great for: New York city art lovers, NYC print collectors, and modern decor
• Display: Fits beautifully as New York wall art for home or office
___________________
ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
Bring Boston home with a timeless Boston poster: a crisp black and white sketch capturing the calm of Boston Public Garden and Boston Common with the city’s iconic skyline and swan boat.
In clean ink lines, this cityscape opens like a window onto Boston, Massachusetts. A swan boat glides across still water beneath a delicate footbridge, while leafy trees frame the distant Boston skyline in quiet contrast. The minimal black and white art style highlights architectural angles, giving the scene a classic travel poster feel. Whether styled above a desk or in a gallery wall, this Boston print adds an elegant, airy focal point without overpowering your space. It also makes a thoughtful Boston gift for locals, alumni, and anyone who carries the city in their heart.
• Type: Boston art poster, black and white sketch
• Scene: Boston Common-inspired park view with bridge, water, and skyline
• Style: Hand-drawn linework cityscape, monochrome travel poster look
• Perfect for: Home, office, dorm decor, or a meaningful Boston gift
___________________
ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
Chicago wall art that captures the skyline in expressive ink: a minimalist Chicago print inspired by Millennium Park and the city’s iconic architecture.
• Product: Chicago art print / Chicago poster in sketch style
• Theme: Chicago architecture, Chicago skyline, Millennium Park
• Look: Black ink linework on a light, creamy background
• Great for: Living room, office, entryway, gallery wall, architecture print collectors
___________________
ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
ADDITIONAL PRINT INFO
• Available in various sizes
• Each print includes a MINIMUM WHITE BORDER of 1.27cm
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
Rio de Janeiro travel poster with iconic skyline vibes: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf peaks, and beach energy in a crisp, minimalist line-art print.
This Rio de Janeiro art captures the city in bold black ink on a warm, sunlit background, like a postcard pulled from your favorite trip. From the wave-pattern promenade to tiny umbrellas and a beach volleyball match, every detail feels breezy, bright, and alive. The towering Christ the Redeemer watches over the bay while mountains sketch a dramatic horizon, turning any wall into instant wanderlust. Styled as a modern brazil poster and travel print, it pairs beautifully with gallery walls, coastal decor, and clean, Scandinavian-inspired interiors. A thoughtful travel gift and gift for traveler, this rio poster is also a timeless piece of Brazil art and Brazilian art for anyone who keeps Brazil close to their heart.
• Product: Rio de Janeiro Art Print (unframed)
• Design: Minimalist black line illustration on a warm neutral background
• Scene details: Christ the Redeemer, mountains, bay, promenade pattern, beach activity
• Style keywords: brazil poster, Rio de Janeiro travel art, travel poster, travel print, Ri de Janeiro art
___________________
ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
Bring home the romance of the city with this travel poster style London art print, a crisp London illustration that captures the skyline in an instant.
Made from an original sketch illustration with Big Ben rising above the street, pops of London red, a classic phone booth and double-decker bus, glow against a soft, neutral backdrop. The scene feels like a rainy afternoon stroll, umbrellas drifting past warm lamplight and vintage architecture, perfect for cozy London home decor. With its hand-drawn charm and timeless palette, this London poster adds character to gallery walls, entryways, offices, or a reading nook that needs a touch of UK poster nostalgia. Whether you call it London wall art, a London print, or a London skyline illustration, it is a standout piece for travelers, expats, and city lovers alike.
• Product: London art print (unframed)
• Style: hand-drawn illustration, travel print aesthetic
• Design highlights: Big Ben, red telephone box, double-decker bus, classic street scene
• Great for: London home decor, gallery wall, office decor, gift for travelers
• Keywords: travel poster, London illustration, London poster, London skyline, UK poster
___________________
ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
Bring the Swiss Alps home with Switzerland wall art that feels like a fresh mountain morning. Line art with soft washes of watercolor.
This travel decor print captures a storybook Switzerland scene: a cozy chalet with flower boxes, rolling green hills, and pale mountain peaks rising in the distance. In the foreground, a gentle cow with a bell stands among wildflowers, adding warmth and charm to the airy landscape. The vintage-inspired border and hand-drawn details give it that collected-on-your-journeys feel, like a treasured Switzerland travel poster from a favorite trip. Calm neutrals pair beautifully with the bright alpine accents, making it easy to style in a living room, entryway, office, or gallery wall.
• Subject: Swiss Alps landscape with chalet, flag, cow, wildflowers
• Style: hand-drawn illustration with soft watercolor-style accents
• Look: vintage travel print, cozy cottagecore-meets-adventure vibe
• Perfect for: Switzerland travel decor, mountain lovers, wanderlust gift ideas
___________________
ABOUT MY GICLÉE PRINTS
• Premium quality professional art print.
• Printed with pigment-based archival inks on specialized, professional printers to achieve high-resolution output and a wide color gamut.
• Printed on bright white 290 gsm, 100% Cotton archival acid- and lignin-free paper. Paper is extra thick for lasting durability.
• Print is museum quality and will last for generations.
• Resolution is 300dpi for crispest image quality.
SHIPPING
• Prints are MADE TO ORDER
• Please allow 5-7 business days after purchase for your order to ship
• All prints ship in rigid envelopes or tubes depending on size ordered.
• Comes UNFRAMED
Recent Logo Work
And on the other side of the ledger , the client work, which I still love doing, even with everything above.
Sonoma Cottage - Branding Suite
Pocket Full of Posies - Custom Illustration for Brand Update
Finagle A Bagel - Custom Illustration for Logo Update
Gosh Darnit Gifts & Toys - Pretend Branding Suite
Logos for businesses that should exist but don’t
