Toxic Blue Green Algae

Just last week I finished my last plant illustration for my 'Wicked Plants' book project. The 40 botanical illustrations took me nearly 8 months to complete. The project has been a huge learning experience for me in so many ways. It's probably been the hardest thing I have done in my life so far but it has also been extremely rewarding. The book, written by Amy Stewart and published by Algonquin of Chapel Hill, will be on the shelves sometime in May.

The last plate I worked on for the book was Toxic Blue Green Algae. This plate was by far the most challenging to figure out how to illustrate. I also ended up doing a fair amount of research to complete the plate. Finding a whole fish in Vermont is a lot harder than I thought it would be...

Wooden Dinosaur Album Cover

This summer Twin Vixen Press had the chance to collaborate with Wooden Dinosaur to create a CD cover for the first release of "The Hum of Your Valved Voice". The Album cover was created by both Helen and Briony (simultaneously drawn) and was printed in a limited edition of 50. The project was a great learning experience and turned out really well. The press is currently working on two more album covers: one for Sudan, titled "Edo No Hana" and another for Heavy Winged, titled "Spreading Center". Both albums should be finished by early December.

Fall at Twin Vixen Press

Helen and I have had an exciting, action-packed fall so far. For Halloween we decided to momentarily change our name to Twin Skeleton Press and dress up as glow-in-the-dark dancing skeletons. It was quite fun but by Saturday we ready to return to our normal Vixen roles.

This weekend Twin Vixen Press put on its second Beginning Etching Workshop. The class was absolutely a blast. From ten to three both Saturday and Sunday we prepared plates, etched and then printed like mad. There were 7 students and they turned out to be a great group of artists who all made beautiful prints. We had a great time and now have a few new friends who are obsessed with etching like ourselves!

This last class was so great we've started thinking about hosting an 'open studio' class on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 so that people can keep working in the studio. Stay tuned for more details. . .

Things are moving along. We finished a CD design this late summer and are working on two more designs that will be finished by the end of November. We will post them when they are complete.

We are gearing up for this December's Gallery Walk where the Whetstone Studio Building will be featured. Our studio will be open for a party, with music, friends, and some framed prints.

A few photos from our weekend workshop:


• Lauren and Ruth discussing their plates • Helen helping Terri register her plate on the press


Joan stopping out her aquatint • Lunchtime!