Welcome to my little forest studio!

As a graphic designer living among the big pines, I must admit that nature is my muse. Whether I'm working on a branding project for a sustainable outdoor brand or creating graphics for a hiking shirt, the natural world around me always inspires my work. But let's be real, living in the forest can also be a little bit hilarious at times. Let me share with you the funny and inspiring side of the art of nature and how it influences my art.

First of all, let's talk about the obvious: the wildlife. You would think that living in the forest would give me ample opportunities to capture stunning nature shots for my design projects, but the wildlife encounters are not always picture-perfect. Take, for example, last week when I was trying to video the Merriam turkeys around here because it is now spring in Wyoming and breeding season is in full effect. The toms with their beautiful displays of tail feathers, strutting and showing off are a sight to behold. As I panned over to the proud male turkey I see two squirrels fighting and rolling around. In shock I stared unabashedly at them realizing they weren't fighting at all but indeed were mating for all the forest to see. And loudly too I might add. Needless to say, that photo shoot did not make the final cut.

But despite the occasional mating squirrels or the pesky raccoons that try to raid my chicken coop, living in the forest is truly inspiring. One of my favorite things about the natural world is the way it makes me slow down and appreciate the small things in life. When I'm out for a hike or just taking a break from my design work to sit outside, I notice the way the light filters through the pine trees or the way a spider web glistens in the morning dew. These little moments of beauty often inspire some of my best work.

Another way that nature inspires me is by reminding me of the importance of sustainability. When you live in the forest, you become acutely aware of the impact that humans can have on the natural world. From pollution to deforestation, and fires, it's clear that we need to take better care of the planet. As a graphic designer, I try to do my part by working with eco-friendly brands and using sustainable materials whenever I can. I also try to incorporate nature-inspired design elements into my art to remind people of the beauty of the natural world and the importance of preserving it.

Of course, living in the forest can also be challenging at times. For starters, there's the issue of internet access. Trying to upload a large design file on a slow rural internet connection is not for the faint of heart. And then there are the all too common power outages. When a storm rolls through and knocks out the power, I can't just run down to the coffee shop and finish my work there. Nope, I'm stuck with a laptop that's quickly losing battery and a deadline that's rapidly approaching.

But even in moments of frustration, it's easy to remember why I chose to live in the forest in the first place. There's something magical about being surrounded by nature all the time. The way the trees change colors in the fall, the sound of the birds chirping in the morning, the way the stars twinkle in the sky at night... these are the things that make it all worth it every day.

So, whether it's squirrels in love or a power outage, living among the big pines inspires me to be creative and to appreciate the natural world around me. As a graphic designer, I am constantly reminded of the beauty and importance of the environment. I truly hope that my artwork can help inspire others to take care of our beautiful planet too.